Shotgun reloading

davide montini

davide montini

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Eh fellow shooters
Who here reloads for shotguns,,??....
I’m thinking about reloading for shotguns for my self ....10 guage 12 guage.....possibly.410...
What press you using
Which is better ...pros and cons..
Any advise is appreciated
Thank you to all ..
And I do apologize f I have this in the wrong form
Thanks davide
 
I reload for 12 and 20, which are the two gauges where there is no saving to be had other than for hunting loads.
If I knew I had a reliable source of 7/8 and 1 oz target loads at a reasonable price I wouldn't bother with shotgun loading at all.
As it is, I use a Lee Load-All for 20 gauge. It's not a Cadillac but it does work to make good quality shells.
For 12 gauge I use a MEC 600 Jr. Simple and adjustable, mine probably has 20k+ rounds loaded by now. I've loaded over 10k myself and I bought it well used.
Single stage presses like these are ok for low volume loading, I normally don't load more than 75 rds per week. You can turn out a box of 25 shells in about 15 minutes with either press.
 
I only load for my old Parker in deference to its 90+ years to keep pressures low. I am a relatively low volume shooter so I can buy and store enough shells when on sale to meet my other needs.
 
I load 10, 12, 20, 28, 410.
12 and 20 show no economic benefit for loading over purchasing.
The others certainly do.

I have all PW equipment except for the 10 which is a MEC.
Depending on volume, everything out there does a reasonable job.
High volume = high $ for equipment.

Pick your poison
 
It is only worth your while for gauges other than 12/20 and/or specialty loads (such as buckshot or slugs).
 
tjhaile said:
It is only worth your while for gauges other than 12/20 and/or specialty loads (such as buckshot or slugs).
Click to expand...

That all depends on the quality of the 12/20 you shoot
If you are happy using promo loads for targets fine if you use others like AA , sts etc not so. If you use hunting rounds that for example have copper plated shot again cheaper to reload
Cheers
 
As 3macs1 said, it depends on the 12 and 20 ga loads you are using. I do use cheap promo loads in both 12 and 20 ga if I want to use 7-1/2 shot and also #4 shot in 12 ga. If I want to use 5 or 6 size shot or 4 for the 20 ga, I can load cheaper than I can buy. I can also load cheaper than I can buy for 16ga, 28ga and .410, regardless of shot size. I should also point out that your cost can vary greatly depending on where you are buying your shot. Bass pro is $80 for a 25lb bag. The same bag at Epps is $60, Lawry's is a bit cheaper still so shop around. As for presses I have 3 Lee load-all's a Mec 600 and a Ponsness Warren 375. They all work as intended.

Jim
 
I use an old Versa Mec 700 that my father gave me that is about 35 years old. It still works fine. I use this for 12 gauge and .410. For 20 gauge I bought a Lee Load All II which I really like, it works as well as the Mec but is a lot cheaper in price and construction. The Lee would work fine for starting out if you are on a budget. You can't save money shotgun reloading, i shoot more now, but you will have the ability to make what you want and not have to use what is only available. Where i live 20 gauge is hard to fine and .410 can be also during hunting season. It gives me something to do during rainy days and the winter as well.
 
Workin Man said:
As 3macs1 said, it depends on the 12 and 20 ga loads you are using. I do use cheap promo loads in both 12 and 20 ga if I want to use 7-1/2 shot and also #4 shot in 12 ga. If I want to use 5 or 6 size shot or 4 for the 20 ga, I can load cheaper than I can buy. I can also load cheaper than I can buy for 16ga, 28ga and .410, regardless of shot size. I should also point out that your cost can vary greatly depending on where you are buying your shot. Bass pro is $80 for a 25lb bag. The same bag at Epps is $60, Lawry's is a bit cheaper still so shop around. As for presses I have 3 Lee load-all's a Mec 600 and a Ponsness Warren 375. They all work as intended.

Jim
Click to expand...

Agree Jim
I still have a full set of MEC sizemasters and a set of MEC 9000G less the 10ga but do have one in 16ga I had to order in special. I am all in I guess with shotgun reloading :) and have been since the 60's
We were getting together as a group and buying shot from hummason by the ton and getting excellent prices, wads by the 5000 and hulls where ever we can find them
About 1/2 of my current MEC machines I guess
Cheers

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I load for 28 gauge and 410 for skeet, because I can save about 50% with those. I don't bother loading for 12 or 20 gauge. I use MEC 9000s for both 28 and 410
 
Very interesting post people .....I enjoy reloading....I know I’m not going to save a single cent ....
But a new world to play with .....I’ve looked at machinery....and I think I’d go with mec .....lee... well I m not fond of there stuff....
Hornady is nice but they don’t go the 10 guage route
Ah it’s something to do and have fun with
 
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