Want to reload shot shells where do I start?
- Thread starter Nodd89
- Start date
caveman741
Member
- Location
- swift current, sask
Honestly reloading 12 gauge there isn't any really good saving involved, it's more of an enjoyment thing. The cost of shot is the real killer in reloading shotshell cost. I would suggest checking out shotgunworld.com it is a good start. They're very helpful on there. Only real true savings with shotshell loading is with sub gauges like 28 and 410.
12 and 20 gauge target load, by the case, is cheaper than all the components (minus the hull) required to reload them. Unless you have a free source for lead shot it costs more to reload than to buy new. If you are after specific, hard to find loads than reloading can work. For example international loads, handicap loads, or heavier loads.
Anything other than 12 and 20 gauge you can save money by reloading.
If you cast your own slugs you can reload slugs for 50% to 80% less than factory slugs in 12 or 20 gauge. Same for buckshot. If you have to buy component slugs or buckshot than you are saving almost nothing by reloading.
I have pushed 1oz 12 gauge slugs to ~1550fps out of an 18" barrel on an 870 but my normal loads are ~1400fps. Factory 1oz slugs advertised as "1600fps" only chrony ~1450fps out of the same gun.
A Lee Loadall-II will load shells for cheap but it isn't built that well. If you are loading only a couple hundred shells a year then it will last a long time. If you are reloading thousands of shells a year you are better off starting with a MEC of some sort. The MEC 600jr. is the most common and can be found for ~$250 new or ~$100 used.
Primers and powder can be found anywhere they are normally sold. Wads aren't carried by as many stores but are still fairly easy to find.
Anything other than 12 and 20 gauge you can save money by reloading.
If you cast your own slugs you can reload slugs for 50% to 80% less than factory slugs in 12 or 20 gauge. Same for buckshot. If you have to buy component slugs or buckshot than you are saving almost nothing by reloading.
I have pushed 1oz 12 gauge slugs to ~1550fps out of an 18" barrel on an 870 but my normal loads are ~1400fps. Factory 1oz slugs advertised as "1600fps" only chrony ~1450fps out of the same gun.
A Lee Loadall-II will load shells for cheap but it isn't built that well. If you are loading only a couple hundred shells a year then it will last a long time. If you are reloading thousands of shells a year you are better off starting with a MEC of some sort. The MEC 600jr. is the most common and can be found for ~$250 new or ~$100 used.
Primers and powder can be found anywhere they are normally sold. Wads aren't carried by as many stores but are still fairly easy to find.
Loading of 12 ga is worthwhile if you need Blackpowder loads or non-toxic such as Bismuth loads. Ordinary target load 12 gauge or 20 ga are cheaper buying by the flat as previous posters have said.
I use a Lee Loadall that I have had for 30 years to load these specialty loads, but I only load 50 at a time. A MEC loader would be a step up from this loader but I am set in my ways. I also load 2 1/2 inch shells from cut down 3 inch hulls, but for these I use a roll crimper.
Hodgdon has a website with load data that is very useful. Federal lists some loads for their hulls on their site. Ballistic Products has a portion of their load data on-line but they really want to sell you a pamplet for loading info for those specialty shells. Buy the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook too.
Since a flat of target loads is often on sale at $55 plus tax these days and sometimes as low as $50 plus tax (Cabelas or Wholesale) it is hard to justify loading these.
I use a Lee Loadall that I have had for 30 years to load these specialty loads, but I only load 50 at a time. A MEC loader would be a step up from this loader but I am set in my ways. I also load 2 1/2 inch shells from cut down 3 inch hulls, but for these I use a roll crimper.
Hodgdon has a website with load data that is very useful. Federal lists some loads for their hulls on their site. Ballistic Products has a portion of their load data on-line but they really want to sell you a pamplet for loading info for those specialty shells. Buy the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook too.
Since a flat of target loads is often on sale at $55 plus tax these days and sometimes as low as $50 plus tax (Cabelas or Wholesale) it is hard to justify loading these.
Agree Fiddler I am the same now with the exception of adding steel to your list that is still worth reloading in 12ga especially 3 1/2"
caveman741
Member
- Location
- swift current, sask
I find that reloading, 20 gauge in my case, is more for building the type of shell I like to shoot, such as 3/4 oz target loads for recoil purposes. I bought a flat of win AA from wss and it cost me almost 100 bux after tax, my auto loader hates cheap Walmart and Canadian Tire promo loads. Like all reloading I do it's more for the enjoyment I find in it and building my perfect round than it is for saving money. As for hunting loads I only load maybe a couple of boxes a year but for trap and skeet it's almost 5 times that a week lol. I buy in large bulk so I'm saving a little bit but not a whole bunch. Wads are not that hard to find out my way, I can get oem wads but I prefer to get clones as they are cheaper. I suggest getting and reading the Lyman's shotshell reloading manual and find a recipe you want for your application and the use a reloading cost calculator to figure out how much it will cost you to reload what you want compared to factory rounds.
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When I shot trap and skeet years ago, money was always tight so my equipment was cheap , but worked for over 20 years without an issue. Some people who load a ton of rounds will most likely say a Mec or a Ponsness warren, type press, but I used a very basic Lee unit. It is so simple, but very accurate and dam, they are cheaper now then before. It's a very small investment and it will produce the type of rounds you want, Then if you feel you want to produce more rounds faster you can upgrade to a multi station unit, but for begining, start simple.
http://leeprecision.com/shot-shell-reloading/shot-shell-reloading-press/
http://leeprecision.com/shot-shell-reloading/shot-shell-reloading-press/
How many rounds is in a flat cause im paying $31 at Walmart or crappy tire and island outfitters in Victoria want $75 for 250
Wholesale sports is quite far out of my way. I just wanted it to be cheaper for target rounds
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
not any savings in target stuff anymore lead shot is up there in price for 12ga say you load 1oz loads then your only getting 16 loads to 1 pound of shot thats only 400 rounds per bag of shot last bag i bought (#6) was around $50 that was about a year and a half ago then you have to consider primer,powder,wad cost also you need a good hull federal gold medal,winchester aa,remington sts,gun club,nitro gold as them winchester cheap hulls are not really worth reloading
caveman741
Member
- Location
- swift current, sask
I would stay away from federal hulls myself, they are only good for one reload because of the paper basewad.
250 rounds in a flat. Watch for sales at wholesale or your local store and stock up when on sale. It really isn't worth reloading standard target loads.
Wholesale has had Federal Top Gun or Winchester Super Target, both 12 and 20 ga, on sale cheaply at $55 plus taxes in the last year. Cabelas has had flats of 250 Top Gun at $55, and Boxing day they had Estate target loads 7 1/2 or 8 for $50 plus taxes. The best of these deals were net $5.50 a box and most at about $6 a box.
Certainly Winchester AA are more money here in Saskatoon too, though they do come on sale a bit less than the $10 per box regular price.
With shot at $50 plus taxes, and wads at $9 per 250 plus taxes, primers at $5/100 or slightly less, and Powder at $28 or so plus taxes I cannot see the point in loading for Trap or Skeet loads. Specialty hunting loads are another story.
You have to watch for the sales and stock up.
There is no cheap source of components that I have discovered in Saskatchewan and Alberta in recent years, and I have not heard of any bargains in BC either.
Certainly Winchester AA are more money here in Saskatoon too, though they do come on sale a bit less than the $10 per box regular price.
With shot at $50 plus taxes, and wads at $9 per 250 plus taxes, primers at $5/100 or slightly less, and Powder at $28 or so plus taxes I cannot see the point in loading for Trap or Skeet loads. Specialty hunting loads are another story.
You have to watch for the sales and stock up.
There is no cheap source of components that I have discovered in Saskatchewan and Alberta in recent years, and I have not heard of any bargains in BC either.
I got into shotshell loading primarily as an afterthought as I had been loading rifle rounds for sometime before the scattergun bug bit me so to speak.I had sunk a ton of money into metallic loading but being a bit unsure as to where to start with shotshell stuff I followed the advice of a fellow shooter who suggested trying a Lee Load-All to start with.Well,as it turned out that unit served me very well as I didn't need to load 100's of rounds and it produced very good quality,custom tailored ammo for me.I eventually ended up with four of them in 12(2),16 and 20 gauge and I enjoyed the simple basic hands-on method of rolling my own that they provided for me.I went through an extended dry spell where they just gathered dust and darn near sold them more than once.I'm back in the fold again and with my wife keen on trying out an absolutely gorgeous older Ithaca 37 Featherlight in 16 ga.,it looks like I'll be dusting at least one of them off again,can't wait.
I load shotgun shells with a couple of Lee LoadAll II (12 & 20). I also used a Lee Progressive 12 ga. for AA shells. I enjoyed the LoadAll IImore, as it nearly foolproof. I found that warming the hull mouth a bit under a light buld (or something as mild helped form the crimp. The LoadAll II's seem to made to load AA perfectly. I have fiddled around with other hulls, but always load AA in the end!
