MEC 600 Jr in .410 shot drop issue

[KENO]

I have a brand new 600 Jr for .410. Wanting to load #7 1/2 shot, and can't get a consistent drop. My shot has been stored dry since I moved quite a few years ago, and haven't needed to load any for any of my other gauges since before I moved (12 years). Shot seems to have oxidized I guess, has a light gray appearance and quite a bit of dust. Using an Adusta-Drop-Charge-Bar from Ballistic Products. Tapping on the shot drop tube seems to get a stuck charge to release but the drop varies from 320 grains to 370 grains. Then it will drop 170 grains. Any ideas would be great.

[Harter]

In 12 ga they use a large shot kit which really means the step up to a 10 ga drop tube to accommodate #2 and up to BB for steel shot .

I don't know how you would get a large shot kit for a 410 . This may be a situation where the adjustable bar won't work because of alignment to the tube and chamber shape. You may need to have round holes lined up for a straight shot or maybe just a different funnel shape .

As a patch , play with the bar push timing . What I mean is move it in such a way that it sort of dribbles the first 1/2 of the shot charge then slap it or whatever your move is to finish the stroke to the powder drop into the bar . Unfortunately it will take a lot of focus on that one detail . I only have MECs in 20 2-1/2 ,16 ,12 ga set up for 2-3/4 lead , 2-3/4 steel , 3" steel and a 2-3/4" steel Grabber , the 20ga needs only a quick adjustment to load 3" .

I've resigned myself to brass cases or roll crimping for the 410 because used 410 presses just don't come up for sale .

[KENO]

I'll give the timing thing a try. This 600 Jr is much different than the 650 I learned on as a kid. I have one for 12 gauge, and a Lee for 16 and 20.
I know one of the things done back in the day was to machine the charge bars to accept Texan bushings. I have a boatload of bushings, but the charge bar I have that is machined for them is for my 650.

[Harter]

I have adjustable bars for all but the grabber 3 of them are for steel or multi metal . I bought a lot of loaded ammo when it was cheaper to buy with the same components that it was for me to load them . I think if I get back to ducking around I have enough steel to hold me 3-4 seasons.

[KENO]

My issue was being able to find 410 ammo. I've always saved my hulls, so I purchased the 600. I may have more than enough of 12 and 20 gauge to last me 10 years, 16 not so much.

[KENO]

Messed with it some more, but couldn't get repeatable results. I'm guessing you are correct about the chamber shape. The 7 1/2s are too large for that small hole and the get hung up. Probably work okay with #9s.

[KENO]

UPDATE: Had some hardware issues with my chargebar. Vendor I bought the chargebar from sent a hardware kit and I replaced the parts I had an issue with. I have it throwing shot charges with 1 -3 shot. Charges hang up in the drop tube sometimes, but I have a wooden dowel that I use to tap the tube and it usually drops.