Is reloading 12 ga worth it

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fljp2002

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Just went out the other a shot some trap with my trusty Winchester 1300 pump. Had a blast and between friends, my wife and I we went through a flat of shells ($70)or about S7 per box at Bass Pro.

25 years ago I used to reload , espacially for duck but sold all my reloading gear when we switched to steel and I stopped shooting.

I just did a quick check and it based on component prices I thinks a 1 1/4 load box of reload comes in at approx $11$ not including the shipping cost. Is my math off or is it no longer cost effective to reload 12 ga.
 
Now the .410 is a different story. Used to be the cheapest shotgun shell going. Now it's one of the most expensive. What gives there?
 
@ 1 1/8 oz loads you get about 14 and a bit boxes of shells out of a bag of shot. Last time I bought shot, I believe I paid $50 plus tax just for the shot (you may get it cheaper, but my lgs had it and I just got it there). Add the price of primers and powder (powder doesn't go far when you load shotgun shells) and you are probably on the losing end with the store bought shells. Now factor in your time. If you are doing less common gauges it might make sense, but not for 12 gauge target loads
 
I reload 12gauge bought a lee load-all at a gun show for $15.00
Your able to tune your loads keeping velocity around 1400 FPS - works for me but your mileage may vary
Sure buying them is cheap but I kinda feel good knowing that I am reusing the spent shells a few times before they go into a landfill
 
I load for trap
1--I have time, got to do something
2--Got a bunch of powder for small bux
3--Load 7/8oz, easier on my arthritic shoulders
4-- got lots of lead
 
All-brass 12ga cases have a certain nostalgia factor; I could see reloading those for an older gun, especially if you wanted a lighter or otherwise nonstandard load that didn't come in modern factory ammo.
 
the only 12ga loads I do are buckshot,slugs and some odd sized stuff I don't really reload any birdshot a lot of the time I don't even load slugs 100% my self I take a cheap target load uncrimp it dump the shot and put a self cast lee slug in its place. I may start doing some 3/4oz loads and turkey loads
 
I reload the brass cases for cowboy shooting, it makes a good conversation piece but for main matches it's store bought
 
I reload brass cases and black powder for my 12 gauge guns, and occasionally low pressure smokeless loads, otherwise not worth it.
Sub gauges , 410 and 28 yup, but even the 20 unless I am loading a special shot charge I don't bother.
Cat
 
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I Cast and reload buckshot and slugs and specialty loads. Cheaper and fun. Shooting Clay's and hunting buy the cheapest shells I can find. Steel shot sucks and so do 12gauge 3 1/2" shells. I like guns but looooove shotguns
 
We buy components through our clay club, including homemade shot, so we save money there. I load 7/8 ounce at around 1180 fps, and save about $2 a box in 12 gauge. Not a huge saving, but to me the biggest advantage is the fact that I get the shells I want- you don’t need 1 1/8 ounce at 1250 for skeet.

I also load 3/4 ounce in 12 and 20 with the Claybuster wads- again- perfectly adequate for skeet and they are very soft to shoot, and you save a wee bit more on lead.

As others have stated, the 28 gauge and .410 bore is where you really start saving money, even after paying for AA hulls.
 
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