Best .410 Shotgun Reloading Press – 2022 Buyer’s Guide

Finding .410 ammunition is difficult enough without having to pay high prices. .410 reloading makes it easy to save shot shells and reload them to save money per shot. Your pistol or rifle reloading press won’t reload shotshells so you need a dedicated .410 reloading press. It can be tricky to figure out which one suits your particular needs but we’ll walk you through why and how to choose a .410 reloader.

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best overall
  • An updated version of a best-selling reloader with extra added features
  • Ideal for people just getting started with reloading and suitable for teaching novices
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  • Comes with a charge bar and three powder brushings
  • Only takes 15 minutes to fill one box of shells
  • Great for intermediate and veteran shooters
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  • Best for beginners
  • Useable after minimal, uncomplicated setup
  • Includes three powder brushings and a charge bar
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When Would I Use a .410 Reloader?

Various factors collectively add to the need for a reloader for .410 rounds. Depending on how much ammunition is in use, it may or may not be beneficial to consider one. Some sensible reasons for this purchase are saving money, better shells, and the convenience it brings.

Save Money

There is not much demand for .410 rounds, so they are considerably more expensive than other ammunition types. These shotgun rounds are also generally hard to find. A .410 reloader saves not only money but also the annoyance of unsuccessful trips from store to store.

Higher Quality Shells

The right reloader can produce rounds that are just as high-quality as ones straight from the factory. It is even possible to customize reloaded shells, which can improve the quality even more. Being able to trust that the ammunition meets specific standards can make a huge difference.

Convenience

When the number of necessary rounds increases, it is almost counterintuitive not to get a .410 reloader. Reusing rounds already requires trips to the store, money, and the uncertainty of how and where to get the next batch. Additionally, having easy access to this option contributes to the convenience of a reloader.

How Accurate is a .410 Reloader?

A good .410 reloader will produce accurate, functional ammunition. However, not all models handle all types of .410 rounds. Sometimes a reloader only deals with 2.5-inch shells or only 3-inch rounds. Getting one that supports both is ideal unless there is no need for the other size.

Some reloader types are more versatile than others, meaning that different gauges are available. These are sometimes adjustable to suit many types of shotgun shells, and it could be beneficial to have it just in case. With a few adjustments, a reloader can be a fundamental addition.

The other thing to consider is that your spread is just as important as accuracy. You can always adjust your sights, and you’ll likely have to if your load deviates from the factory load you were shooting before.

Can You Really Find a Quality 410 Reloader That’s Affordable?

Affordable does not always have to mean ‘cheap.’ Most of the time, more expensive models have a more significant number of add-ons. The base model, however, is usually just as worthy as the one with more perks. It only takes less than a few thousand reloaded shotshells to pay off any of these 410 reloaders.

Different brands will also vary in price. The harder they work to design and create the product, the more they can feasibly charge for it. That still does not mean that price equals quality. A balance between the two is conceivable; it can just take a little time to figure out where to find it.

Why Did These 410 Reloaders Make Our List?

The .410 reloaders on this list are here for a few reasons. These factors are essential to the success of any ammunition reloader, not just .410’s. Accuracy of the reloaded shells, how quickly the reloader works, and the sizes or types of ammunition it can work with are the main things to consider.

Most of these reasons will depend on the shooter. More experienced shooters will likely feel more comfortable with reloaders that have a higher learning curve. Newbies usually take it slow unless their end goal is better suited with something more complicated.

Accuracy

With reloaded casings, how well they shoot is critical. A faulty or defective slug is the last thing anyone wants, primarily because of the damage it can do to the shotgun and the potential injury to the shooter. Accuracy is, of course, also essential for aiming. Any shots taken should go where they are supposed to.

Reload Speed

Depending on the frequency of use, a reloader should keep up with the amount of ammunition going into it. Competitive shooters or hunters will want one that reloads shells at a high rate. Casuals or beginners probably do not need as much at one time.

Versatility

For those with multiple types of shotguns, it is beneficial to have the ability to reload those casings as well. Alternatively, if solely using .410s, there might not be a need for as many options. Fewer options may allow for a faster reload speed, which can be useful when there are thousands of bullets to fill. 

Review of the Best 410 Reloaders

With all of these factors in mind, finding the best .410 reloader can be overwhelming. We’ve taken a lot of the guesswork out for you, and put together a list of our top 3 favorite products. Take a look to see what these amazing .410 reloaders have to offer.

Top Pick

MEC 600 Jr. Mark 5 Shotshell Reloader

 
 

PROS

CONS

 

This single-stage .410 reloader is MEC’s most popular model, redesigned. Besides .410s, it also works for 10, 12 16, 20, and 28 gauges.

What Recent Buyers Report

Users love the simplicity of this shotshell reloader. As a perfect first model for beginners, it is straightforward and consistent. The accuracy of the reloaded shells is also a big plus. Some state that it may need some minor tweaks to get started, but overall it is an excellent choice.

Why It Stands Out to Us

This model’s flexibility is impressive for an affordable .410 reloader. Although it is relatively run-of-the-mill, the reloaded shells are comparable to ones right out of a new box. In addition to .410 bore, it can fill various other casings with similar ease. However, .410’s are the only gauge shotgun shells it can load.

Since this reloader is on the slower side, a multitude of shells takes some time. For newbies or casual shooters, that should be unproblematic. With regular, proper maintenance, the MEC 600 can last for a very long time. 

Bottom Line

All-in-all, MEC 600 is an incredibly valuable .401 reloader. Intuitive and resilient, both novices and veterans alike can find something to love about it. 

Runner Up

MEC 9000GN Progressive Shotshell Press

 
 

PROS

CONS

The MEC 9000 has an automatic indexing feature that allows shells to move through the reloader without anything but the turn of a handle. .410 reloaders do not stand a chance in keeping up with this reloader’s production rate.

What Recent Buyers Report

This progressive reloader model is a pleasure to handle for users with a working knowledge of reloaders or general mechanics. It is efficient and sturdy once set up correctly. For those who need a large number of shells reloaded in a short amount of time, this reloader does the trick.

Why It Stands Out to Us

While it is a little less accessible than some models, as far as .410 reloaders go, this one is top-notch. Made from high-grade steel, it has three crimping stations to make the process as seamless as possible. It can only reload .410 bores, but its productivity makes up for it.

The speed of this reloader does not negatively affect the quality of the reloaded shells. Since its structure consists of quality steel, it lasts a long time without a decline in performance. 

Bottom Line

For .410 enthusiasts, this is a fantastic reloader. It might need a few tweaks here and there, but there are plenty of videos to help with the process. Overall, the MEC 9000 is an outstanding option for saving money on .410 rounds.

Best for Beginners

MEC Sizemaster Single Stage Shotshell Press

 
 

PROS

CONS

 

With a unique ‘Power Ring,’ the MEC Sizemaster constructs each shell back to its factory state.

What Recent Buyers Report 

With a superior design, this .410 reloader stands up to frequent use. Most of the time, it is ready to use right out of the box. As a single-stage model, it is slower than others, but the results are worth the wait. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

Not only is this reloader easy to use, but it also produces high-quality, factory standard shells. It is dependable and versatile for different gauges. The automatic alignment of casings takes some of the more tedious work out of the picture, too.

The nicely crafted and durable steel frame will keep this reloader working for many years. Ease of use is essential for most intended users, and this reloader is almost perfect.

Bottom Line

For anyone interested in an excellent .410 reloader that is willing to spend a little more for factory quality shells, the MEC Sizemaster is it. Even though there is no automatic primer feed for it, it works beautifully.

Aspects to Consider Before Buying a 410 Reloader

Before choosing and buying a .410 reloader, it is valuable to be aware of the factors that justify the decision. These points are a guide to understand what to look for in a reloader and why it matters. 

Accessibility

Ease of use is a significant factor when choosing a .410 reloader. A novice shooter is not likely to have the experience to use a reloader right out of the box. Detailed instructions and a straightforward setup are much better and more approachable than dealing with something super complicated.

Compatibility

.410 shells come in two sizes, 2.5 inches or 3 inches. Some reloaders only take one or the other, and others can handle both. The compatibility between the reloader and the preferred size of the slug makes this an easy choice. Reloader models can also deal with both sizes, but it is essential to get one that matches preferences.

Reload Volume

The number of bullets a reloader can fill up usually goes hand in hand with the reload speed. Single-stage reloaders take a longer time to finish a batch and likely have a slower process. On the other hand, a progressive style of reloader will fill a large number of quickly.

Durability

The cost of a reloader is not worth anything if it breaks down before it pays for itself. A sturdy, high-quality .410 reloader will last for years, if not decades.

How to Use a MEC 600 Jr Shotshell Reloader

Here is a short description of how to use the MEC 600 JR Reloader. Be sure to refer to the video below for a more in-depth explanation:

  1. Collect all parts for reloading. It may be useful to have a screwdriver on hand as well.
  2. Set the loader to match with the desired shell type.
  3. Take the shell and place it underneath the resizer/de-primer.
  4. Pull the handle down and then back up to resize and de-prime.
  5. Next, drop the new primer into the seat.
  6. Run the shell up the RAM and pull the handle down again. Ensure the primer is flat before moving to the next step.
  7. Move the shell to the next station. Pull down the handle and push the charge bar over.
  8. Take the wad and place it over the RAM before pushing the handle once more.
  9. Let the handle up slightly, and drop the shot.
  10. Moving to the pre-crimping station, place it, and pull the handle down.
  11. Lastly, slide the shell back and crimp one more time.

 

Refer to this video for more details:

Conclusion

Buying ammunition for a .410 shotgun is expensive, even when first starting to shoot. A .410 reloader saves time and a lot of money. If you follow the guidelines in this article, the right .410 reloader can be incredibly beneficial. Especially for those who use this type of ammunition frequently, the best part is that the right reloader will effectively pay for itself in no time.

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox writes on a variety of topics ranging from reloading ammunition to gun cleaning. He has been featured on various publications like thetruthaboutguns, Sofrep & many more. Joseph is also the founder of Gunloading, where he reviews different types of reloading & firearm products available on the market.