12 guage reloading

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JOHNNY K.

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Hello folks.
I'm considering reloading 12 guage for skeet and trap. I've done some calculations and it seems each round will cost me about $0.36. Does that sound correct?

My skeet club is selling a case of challenger 12 ga for $95 which works out to $0.38 per round.
Doesn't seem to be worth my time to reload.

Any insight would be appreciated.
 
All depends what you like to shoot
Me I would not put a challenger in my guns but that is me and I am a old fart with tons of components stashed. Not real cheap to get started if you have nothing and that has to be factored in
I like sts and AA only so for those well worth my while
Cheers
 
JOHNNY K. said:
what is your cost per round or cost per box of 25?
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No idea sorry. Have not figured that out for years
I like the quality of the reloads over the promo stuff out there today so that is worth it to me. Cost was never a factor
If cost is your issue reload 7/8 or 3/4 oz for the 12ga do the numbers on that buy your wads in bulk like 5000 and powder in 8 pounders
Plus nothing more relaxing IMO than sitting at my bench and reloading in the cold winter months
Cheers
 
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Thank you. It seems shot is the most expensive part of the equation. I see online its aprox $65 for 25LBS of lead shot. Is that the going price? can I get better pricing elsewhere?
 
JOHNNY K. said:
I've done some calculations and it seems each round will cost me about $0.36...My skeet club is selling a case of challenger 12 ga for $95 which works out to $0.38 per round...Doesn't seem to be worth my time to reload.
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JOHNNY K. said:
It seems shot is the most expensive part of the equation.
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It looks to me like you have assessed the situation perfectly. The cost of shot is the big factor, and currently it just isn't worth the effort for standard target loads. My impression is the number of folks reloading for trap and skeet shooting has plummeted, and this is why.

Those living in southern Ontario so they can drive to Hummason's get an okay deal. Everybody else is paying $70 a bag, learning to make their own shot, or just buying the ammo.
 
3macs1 said:
All depends what you like to shoot
Me I would not put a challenger in my guns but that is me and I am a old fart with tons of components stashed. Not real cheap to get started if you have nothing and that has to be factored in
I like sts and AA only so for those well worth my while
Cheers
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Interesting. I have heard from multiple people now that Challenger hulls are not worth keeping for reloading. Is there a particular reason why? I am not a reloader (yet) so I don't have much insight on this, but I did shoot about 50 Challenger slug rounds yesterday and I went to pick up the hulls and took them home. I did notice maybe 6 or 7 of them seem mangled or deformed from the end, whereas the Scores and Remingtons were not like that. If these aren't recommended to keep, I may just toss them.
 
thegazelle said:
Interesting. I have heard from multiple people now that Challenger hulls are not worth keeping for reloading. Is there a particular reason why? I am not a reloader (yet) so I don't have much insight on this, but I did shoot about 50 Challenger slug rounds yesterday and I went to pick up the hulls and took them home. I did notice maybe 6 or 7 of them seem mangled or deformed from the end, whereas the Scores and Remingtons were not like that. If these aren't recommended to keep, I may just toss them.
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Cause they are crap and made over seas by cheddite. Cheddite and cheap go together
Guys that reload them and sware by them is because they will not buy a quality hull to reload and use what they have
Like to see them get 10 reloads out of one Like I do an old AA
Slows down the reloading process from hulls bugling in the machine and I have been raised not to put quality components in crap hulls especially when I don't have to. Plus they are a two piece base wad which I stay clear from. All one piece for me to prevent a barrel failure
They are in the same league as the old federal top guns 4 packs IMO
I won't even make xmas stuff out of them LOL
They are free for the taking all over the place for a reason
Cheers
ViHdoKY.jpg
 
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Lead shot is $55 at Hummason, plus shipping and taxes.
Gun club hulls are the best cheap hulls. Remington STS/Nitro or Winchester AA are the best, for reloading.
With current Canadian prices for components, it's hard to beat the price of Challenger or Score loads at sale prices.
You likely have a better performing shell with good components.
The real advantage of reloading target loads is that you are independent of unreliable supply, in the stores.
 
Just another thought . Here there are lots of older guys with stashes of shotgun components etc that either no longer shoot or shoot very little
May be worth running a WTB listing in your local paper or buy and sell it may shock you what is there
The old guys I know here were serious shooters back in the day and we don't have bags of lead we have tons stashed. Like I think I still have 90/95 or so bags and have a couple friends with pretty much the same. We would split on pallets when we bought it
Cheers
 
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3macs1 said:
Just another thought . Here there are lots of older guys with stashes of shotgun components etc that either no longer shoot or shoot very little
May be worth running a WTB listing in your local paper or buy and sell it may shock you what is there
The old guys I know here were serious shooters back in the day and we don't have bags of lead we have tons stashed. Like I think I still have 90/95 or so bags and have a couple friends with pretty much the same. We would split on pallets when we bought it
Cheers
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Be careful buying old wadds, they can get hard and then petals break off easily.

And try to get a lot of the same hulls so the hull length is consistent and thus your crimps will be consistent.
 
I’ve been a stubborn hold out loading target loads even though the price differential is near nil with cheap promo loads. If buying components today I doubt I could justify it. I will continue to load some of the specialty stuff though because the factory stuff is non existent. I like making 3/4oz and 7/8oz loads for certain guns and for nice light recoil

Once set up though if a guy can find decent shot he can make high quality hunting loads for nearly the same price as promo target loads. And you can tailor them to shoot well and pattern in your gun.
 
bertn said:
Be careful buying old wadds, they can get hard and then petals break off easily.

And try to get a lot of the same hulls so the hull length is consistent and thus your crimps will be consistent.
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?? I have them 40 years old and are perfect. Storage is the key Keep them out of the light in the dark unopened and no issues
Mine are also in plastic sealed containers
Cheers
 
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I have a supply of older wads also. I keep them in their bags and I put them in a box. I don’t have any problems with them deteriorating. I still have olds hulls stored the same way. My Blue magic are getting close to being retired. I have a large tub full of original Win AA’s that will likely last the rest of my life. The one new hull I like is Federal Gold Metal, the plastic one. I use it for my slug load. Now if I could find some more SR 4756 for that load I would happy for awhile.
The one area I load for is older shotguns that require 2 1/2 inch shells. I have also done some spreader loads. I could make a full choked 12 ga behave like a modified choke or modified down to improved cylinder.
When I was duck hunting I did like my reloads better than factory, Preformed better and cheaper.
 
3macs1 said:
?? I have them 40 years old and are perfect. Storage is the key Keep them out of the light in the dark unopened and no issues
Mine are also in plastic sealed containers
Cheers
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First hand experience. Got quite a large number of wadds from a club member a few years ago and the one type was so brittle that even handling wads would make some petals snap off.
Obviously I trashed them, don't know how they were stored and can't remember the brand.

So when buying older wadds just fold petals out and you'll notice if they are still flexible or not.
 
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