Reloading using 7 1/2 shot with MEC 410 Grabber
 

I ran out of smaller shot for my 410 shells and all I have left is 7 1/2 shot. Using a MEC Grabber. I cannot get the 7 1/2 shot to flow threw the drop tube. If I forget to tap the tube with a wrench I have a mess. Any hints out there on how to get 7 1/2 size shot to work?

Paul it would seem to me that if the bar makes a full stroke left to right and there are no obstructions the shot would have to drop. I am wondering if you may have over tightened the bottle when you changed the shot size putting to much pressure on the shot bar thus not allowing full travel ? Just a thought, good luck.

Something possibly wrong or out of alignment in the rubber washer/thin brass washer where the shot bottle screws on??





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A bit of clarification. The shot is flowing out of the bottle fine. It is hanging up in the drop tube I believe where it narrows down in order to fit in the wad. Usually more than half the shot does drop. The rest hangs up in the tube.

I had same problem in a 20 ga. Mec help was to put baby powder in shot. It worked. Don't need much.

Baby powder is one fix. An added fix is to wax the inside of the tube with Johnson's Paste Wax and shine it up good. Make sure that the tube is as large on the inside as it can be.

I had the same problem in a 9000 28 gauge when I went to #6’s or #4’s .

With larger gauge MEC loaders you don't usually run into that problem until you start loading larger shot like 4's and up. The solution for me was to replace the drop tube with the one designed for larger steel pellets. I am not sure if it will work with a small gauge loader like a 410. I would call MEC and see what they say.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/ME...tinfo/1308435/

Last week a shooter was discussing his problem with hanging up 7.5 shot in the 410. His solution was to add some powdered graphite to the shot. He claimed it solved the problem.

Have the same problem with my Mec 600 jr 20 ga--with all shot sizes, a couple every box. I just tap the tube with a screwdriver to drop the shot. I try the wax job.

I keep a welding rod to poke down thru the tube .

I also use the "tap with a screw driver handle" method although sometimes a little spider gets in there and builds a "nest" and thats on 12 ga and 20 ga.

Your machines get cobwebs?:shock:





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Oops, double post.





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Thanks for the advice. When graphite was recommended, did they say how much to add?

Mine might have cobwebs and setter hair. I reloaded so much during the shutdown of early Covid, I have barely touched them in a year. I did load 2 boxes of 3/4 oz 16s last week, it is what I typically shoot for informal back 40 clays.Gotta have 700 or more 7/8 oz loads sitting around.

No, he did not say how much graphite he added. I'll see him again next week and I'll ask.

Thanks Gary.

You can buy inexpensive powered graphite in large containers from Amazon. I use it for lots of lube jobs. Belding and Mull powder measure for example. It’s bound to improve shot flow.

William

A friend made his shot and added 1 squirt from a tube of grafite to 10 lbs. in a case tumbler for 2 minutes. Little goes a long way.

Yep.... and it can happen over night. I do my reloading in a "shed" outside.

I have always had this problem with my .410 Grabber. Aside from the graphite and tapping the tube I have learned to bump the handle smartly at the top on the return stroke. It usually dislodges any shot bridging, but it is a frustrating thing when I forget and it spills all over the place. This move may slightly increase your powder drop, according to what powder you're using, so you might want to check it on the scales a few times to be sure.