12 Gauge Shotgun Reloading

shoota

shoota

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So is it worth it now? Locally the 100 pack of shells is now $29.98 + 13 % tax = $33.88, is it worth it for a guy to pick up a used MEC 600 and start reloading? or is powder/wads/and lead going to make it not worth while?
 
You should be able to pick up a used Mec 600 for cheap if you hunt around. As for shot, it's still rediculous priced and 209 primers at 4 bucks a box...nuts as well. I still load only because I still had plenty of 7 1/2 and 8 shot at 1990's prices. Also scored 5 bags at a garage sale last summer for a song. Load only 1 oz. loads for trap and crows as a 25 pound bag of shot will load 400 1 oz. target loads. Interesting though, good reloadable hulls such as Remington Gun Clubs are readily available at most ranges. Infact most just go into the dumpster.
 
M12shooter said:
You should be able to pick up a used Mec 600 for cheap if you hunt around. As for shot, it's still rediculous priced and 209 primers at 4 bucks a box...nuts as well. I still load only because I still had plenty of 7 1/2 and 8 shot at 1990's prices. Also scored 5 bags at a garage sale last summer for a song. Load only 1 oz. loads for trap and crows as a 25 pound bag of shot will load 400 1 oz. target loads. Interesting though, good reloadable hulls such as Remington Gun Clubs are readily available at most ranges. Infact most just go into the dumpster.
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What is the price of shot in your area? Here in S. Ontario it is around $26-$27a 25 lb bag. My reloads cost $3.80 a box for 1oz loads. Tax in. Definately worth reloading.
 
I'm just starting to get my Dad's old 600 jr. up and roarin' right now, actually have the other tab open ordering parts from MEC! Anyway, it seems to me that if you compare the price of say Winchester promotional loads @ Walmart to your reload cost per box, it'll be damn close to even.

However-------the advantages seem to be that you can craft far superior ammo to the soft-shot promo loads, and the ability to custom tailor your loads to your needs, for a way more reasonable price. The loads that Shoota seems to be talking about are THE CHEAPEST and with reason. For a comparable price you can do far better.Look at the price of the heavier magnum, larger shot size loads
for sale beside the promo's,let alone the cost of steel shot or even worse pricewise the other nontoxic options! Still think it's cheaper to buy factory? Cheap shells are good.
Cheap shells that really perform are awesome!
 
Look at what you need;

Press, a used MEC single stage could be had for about $100
Charge bar and bushings (unless it comes with what you need) about $50
Beam scale (if you don't have one) $50
Lyman's 5th Ed. manual $30
Misc (funnels etc...) $20

Equipment cost about $250 I know you can make this a bit cheaper if you're not in a rush.

It's best to buy components in bulk to save as much as possible.
Powder can be had for $155 per 8Lbs
Primers $35-45 per 1000 (Cheddites and Wins res.)
Shot is about $35 per 25 lbs
Wads are $22 per 1000 claybuster
Component costs are plus taxes where I live.

Tax in components cost would be about $300 for birdshot.

If you want to load 3", steel or different gauges it will cost a bit more for a press, unless you find something good used.

You can get loading data from the powder companies, but I wouldn't be without the latest Lyman manual.
 
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