Is shotshell reloading worth it?

[Major Sights]

So my brother and I were offered a shotshell reloader cheep and are just getting ready to start however I started going over the numbers:

25Lbs 7.5 shot @ $43 (roughly 355 1 1/8 drops) = $.12/shell
1Lbs Red Dot @ $28.99 (roughly 351 drops of 19.9g) = $.08/shell
400 primers @ $27.16 = $.07/shell
1000 Wads @ 34.99 = $.04/shell

Total cost per shell $.31

We already have about a thousand shell hulls so that is no problem. However, after seeing LeBaron have a flat of ammo for 50 bucks ($.20/ shell) what am I missing? If this is the case WHY would anyone reload (for skeet and trap obviously)?

Or is that why the guy was selling it?

 

[hoochie]

I reload buckshot, but as far as birdshot goes.. store bought is cheaper. Reloading is fun, and shotshell reloading is ultra easy.

 

[3macs1]

So my brother and I were offered a shotshell reloader cheep and are just getting ready to start however I started going over the numbers:

25Lbs 7.5 shot @ $43 (roughly 355 1 1/8 drops) = $.12/shell
1Lbs Red Dot @ $28.99 (roughly 351 drops of 19.9g) = $.08/shell
400 primers @ $27.16 = $.07/shell
1000 Wads @ 34.99 = $.04/shell

Total cost per shell $.31

We already have about a thousand shell hulls so that is no problem. However, after seeing LeBaron have a flat of ammo for 50 bucks ($.20/ shell) what am I missing? If this is the case WHY would anyone reload (for skeet and trap obviously)?

Or is that why the guy was selling it?

Probally why he was selling it. There is no savings anymore in 20 or 12 ga target loads. I just reload 410, 28 and 16 now and buy the rest.

 

[Claybuster]

There are a couple of reasons to reload other than price. The first is better ammunition. Pattern the Wally World ammo and you'll see what I mean.

The second is the ability to make ammo that the factory doesn't make. I load a 7/8 ounce 12 gauge load at 1,300fps that isn't available over the counter at Le Baron or anywhere else for that matter.

Then there's the 28 gauge. Much cheaper to reload than buy factory.

 

[Major Sights]

Probally why he was selling it. There is no savings anymore in 20 or 12 ga target loads. I just reload 410, 28 and 16 now and buy the rest.

But why? How does pre-made ammo in boxes equal LESS then just the individual parts in bulk? Something doesn't make sense, do the companies that make the components not see that it is cheaper to buy new rather then reload? You think the hippie green people would just be freaking out about now! Buy new, throw out used!

 

[3macs1]

But why? How does pre-made ammo in boxes equal LESS then just the individual parts in bulk? Something doesn't make sense, do the companies that make the components not see that it is cheaper to buy new rather then reload? You think the hippie green people would just be freaking out about now! Buy new, throw out used!

But why. Simple the 20ga and 12ga wally world flats for example being sold have garbage components but will go bang and break targets which is fine for most shooters. I have always reloaded over 40 years now and yes I can produce much better loads in 20 and 12 ga than wally world but unless I am shooting registered targets or in comp do I really need to.
If you were buying factory flats of sts or aa target loads then you would be comparing apples to apples on the reloads and the cost would be a lot closer. make sense

 

[morton]

So my brother and I were offered a shotshell reloader cheep and are just getting ready to start however I started going over the numbers:

25Lbs 7.5 shot @ $43 (roughly 355 1 1/8 drops) = $.12/shell
1Lbs Red Dot @ $28.99 (roughly 351 drops of 19.9g) = $.08/shell
400 primers @ $27.16 = $.07/shell
1000 Wads @ 34.99 = $.04/shell

Total cost per shell $.31

We already have about a thousand shell hulls so that is no problem. However, after seeing LeBaron have a flat of ammo for 50 bucks ($.20/ shell) what am I missing? If this is the case WHY would anyone reload (for skeet and trap obviously)?

Or is that why the guy was selling it?

Definitely worth it for shooting hunting loads like high velocity lead for pheasant at $15 bucks a box or steel for waterfowl at $20 or higher for the good stuff. Skeet and trap loads not so much.

 

[kevguy]

If you shooting trap on a regular basis, yes it is. But for someone like me who buys a box of 12 gauge shells once a year to shoot grouse on the fall, then no it is not.

 

[digitalblue]

25Lbs 7.5 shot @ $43 (roughly 355 1 1/8 drops) = $.12/shell
1Lbs Red Dot @ $28.99 (roughly 351 drops of 19.9g) = $.08/shell
400 primers @ $27.16 = $.07/shell
1000 Wads @ 34.99 = $.04/shell

All your component prices are on the high side; you can also lower costs by using 1oz of shot instead of 1-1/8oz. Here is a more realistic breakdown if you shop around.

25lb lead shot @ $39 (hummasons) = $0.11/shell(1-1/8oz) or $0.097/shell(1oz)
7lb Promo(red dot subsitute) @ $130 = $0.05 per shell
1000 primers @ $45 (Win 209) = $0.045 per shell
1000 wads @ $24(Win WT12) = $0.024 per shell

This works out to be $5.75 per box if you use 1-1/8 oz of shot or $5.41 per box if you use 1 oz; I typically pay $6.75 for a box of Remington gun clubs. Savings aren't substantial but they do add up.

Buckshot and slugs are were you'll save the most; I load 00 buck and 1oz slugs for as low as $0.10(provided that WWs are free).

 

[Major Sights]

Hmmm, dam. I don't mind so much as I enjoy the task (I actually just finished punching primers out of about 500 shells ) but my brother is one of those "if it shoots when I pull the trigger then its good enough" types... (hell, the only reason he has a PAL is cause I convinced him to send in his 15year old paperwork after I got my PAL) We were supposed to split the cost of reloading the shells. He kicks in a little over half for the shells and I reloaded them...

Don't think he is willing to pay more for "less" (in his eyes)...

Any one have any "Blue Crush" koolaide I can give him?

 

[trevj]

Claybuster's second point is probably the biggest one from my perspective. Shop around for 2 1/2" 12 Gauge ammo for a nice English double.

The math really starts to look much better, if you are looking at $15+/box ammo, rather than the cheapest stuff on the shop floor. Even better, if you have to wait until "sometime next year, maybe" for that ammo to come in.

Then you can consider whether you can actually get the ammo type you need, whether it be buck, slug, or lead-free, in the gauge you wish to shoot.

Cheers
Trev

 

[brybenn]

I shoot 7/8oz #8 over 18.9grs of 700x. They scream and dust clays. I use full/mod chokes or even tighter and that load consistently patterns amazing. Better then 1 1/8oz cheap stuff. Also I can load 7/8oz over 15grs of 700x and have no recoil for the female shooters that come out to the farm. My guns don't fit them well so any reduce in felt recoil serves them well. My skeet loads cost about $4.95 a box + tax on the components. To me its worth it for my buddies its not. There is also the sense of pride when breaking 25 straight with your own reloads

 

[Major Sights]

Update! I have swayed my brother to the light side! He agrees that if we load to the cheap stuff specs that it's worth the $.04 increase in quality and he sees the merit in 1- 7/8oz loads. (I also told him we could "possibly" make him a dog poop slugs, yes he's odd)

Just picked up some powder and primers and gonna get to work making as much 1 1/8th loads as I can, as the shot and wads were free!