Loading 12 gauge

Talltimber1

Talltimber1

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Is there savings to be had loading 12 gauge over buying in bulk at Black Friday/boxing day prices?
I'm way way deep into reloading for rifle and know there is no money to be saved there. Just more gear and more shooting.
But I think 12 gauge is different, maybe... not as deep of a rabbit hole to jump down.
Anyways, I found a press with components locally for a decent price and was wondering what everyone thinks.
 
billbmcleod said:
When I see the silo that Hummason uses to make shot I would think it is pretty hard to do at home not to mention the health hazard to you and your neighbours.
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you can drip it, no need for a tower.
Since the lead is not turned into dust or boiled I see no increased health hazard for me or my neighbours.
Make sure you wash your hands after handling lead, just like after shooting.
You are likely exposed to more lead dangers on an indoor range than casting bullets or dripping shot.
 
Talltimber1 said:
Is there savings to be had loading 12 gauge over buying in bulk at Black Friday/boxing day prices?
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Probably not. The process is quite manageable, the components and knowledge are available, and with the decline in interest the equipment is available second hand for reasonable prices.

BUT the cost of components is a huge obstacle. Retail prices for bird shot vary from place to place but $3 per lb is the norm in western Canada. Primers are hard to find for less than 7 cents each now. Unless you have a wholesale connection somewhere or drip your own shot from scrap lead you will be hard pressed to load standard target loads as cheaply as you can buy them. Now if you want to do something more specialized, then some gains can be realized.
 
Unless you can't get factory target loads locally, or are looking for something to do with your time, there isn't much point in reloading 12 or 20 gauge target loads.
I'm cheap and I've given up on it.
 
Reloading is more worthwhile if there are significant cost savings to be had (which isn't the case for 12ga) or if you want something different than the regular factory offerings. Maybe black powder loads, if we were into that?
 
bertn said:
you can drip it, no need for a tower.
Since the lead is not turned into dust or boiled I see no increased health hazard for me or my neighbours.
Make sure you wash your hands after handling lead, just like after shooting.
You are likely exposed to more lead dangers on an indoor range than casting bullets or dripping shot.
Click to expand...

Yomamma's video does show how to do it at home and it looks pretty simple. I do not cast bullets any more after an elevated lead blood test. I wear a N-95 mask when shooting which I realize does not take out vapour. I have friends though that do cast and most have an exhaust fan/hood over their melting and casting equipment. They have a fan to exhaust any vapours coming off the molten lead which is nowhere near the melting point. This exhaust goes outside unfiltered into the neighbourhood. This what I was referring to about hazards.
 
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