12g reloading?

T

TrxR

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
Sussex, NB
Is it worth reloading 12g for trap shooting? Im wondering about 7/8 and 1 oz loads. Are these readily available enough to buy to negate reloading?

Thanks
 
By the time that you buy a press and the components, it could take years just to break even , reloading 12 gauge. I use 1 ounce loads exclusively, and they are not difficult to find.
 
I got into reloading 12ga when it was worth in so I already have all the equipment. The only stuff I reload for now is stuff you can’t get in the stores or expensive stuff. Slugs and buckshot due to price. Spreader loads and loads with two different shot sizes. The normal 12ga loads I have not loaded in years.
 
Bass Pro in Moncton or Ross's in McAdams always has flats in stock in 1oz. I reload all my target and hunting loads, not to save money but because I have the equipment, always have ammo on hand when I need it and I enjoy doing it.
 
Maritime Storm said:
Bass Pro in Moncton or Ross's in McAdams always has flats in stock in 1oz. I reload all my target and hunting loads, not to save money but because I have the equipment, always have ammo on hand when I need it and I enjoy doing it.
Click to expand...

I enjoy reloading 12g bought a used Lee load all the one with the metal base for $15 at a gun show. Only load #5 & #6 for field hunting small game.
 
As already mentioned, if you are starting from scratch and need to buy everything including press, primers, powder, wads, shot you will have a large investment, even at gun show prices on some of it. Maybe for specialty loads or the expensive gauges like 28 if you shoot it in volume but for conventional trap and skeet loads most shooters now use factory and stock up when they see it at a good sale price like $65-75 per flat. The biggest killer for reloading shotgun target loads currently is the limited availability and outrageous price of shot.
 
The value is found in the experience and the volume you shoot not just the immediate upfront cost.
If you shoot 50 rnds a week then nope... it's not worth it.
If you shoot 4K rounds a summer yes indeed.
Add the wear and tear over the years on your shoulder and you quickly learn to enjoy the incredibly mild recoil from 7/8 oz loads.
 
TrxR said:
Is it worth reloading 12g for trap shooting? Im wondering about 7/8 and 1 oz loads. Are these readily available enough to buy to negate reloading?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Looking @ 1 oz. Trap loads , I can reload a box for $6.50 ( tax in ) . Or I could buy the same in factory ammo. for $ 6.50 PLUS TAX .
So YES ,,,,,,, I save the 13% tax. Since I already own all the tooling from the 1970's & have been doing it since then I keeping
doing it. If you need to tool up then it would take time to pay that off . The ISSUE is the ever increasing price of lead . I think
this will kill my trap ammo. reloading soon ?
 
My calculations, tax in, is $ 7.71/box / , $ 77.10/flat for 12ga. 1 oz. target loads, and that using Promo Powder ( about the most inexpensive) and Claybuster wads,
Winchester Primers and Hummason's shot.
Seems lately, the increases in the price of shot ( $ 55.37/11 kg., tax incl. ) and Powder ( Promo $ 192.10/8 lb., tax incl.) have driven 12/20 ga. reloading into the "no savings" category.
Still, it is very worthwhile to load 28 ga. and 410. ( 28/410 AA loads are $ 129.95 flat, tax incl )
There are a few choices for 12 ga, target shells out there, at $ 73.40 tax incl. ( retail $ 64.95 flat ) so reloading 12/20 ga. target loads isn't " worth it ",
unless you enjoy reloading as a pastime/hobby, already have a loading machine, are able afford to stock pile components "in bulk " allowing you to reload when needed
...and have a good supply of " once-fired " hulls on hand.
 
The one thing to consider though is the quality difference, most reloads, if done correctly, tend to be a most consistent than most promo loads. Promo loads usually use softer shot, lower quality wads and a lot of variation is shot drop.
 
Maritime Storm said:
The one thing to consider though is the quality difference.
Click to expand...

Yes, quality is also a big factor. First rate "once fireds" make quite a difference over blackened many times fired empties, with split mouths, pin holes and missing crimp
segments, etc. One enterprising reloader found velocity dropped off noticeably after about the fifth cycle of reloading. I use pretty much nothing but once fired "old style"
AA's and occassionaly Federal GM's.

Good quality, high antimony ( 6% ) round lead shot also makes a difference over lesser quality stuff. The difference they say is like quality hay for your livestock.
Good quality first rate stuff comes at a price. Stuff that's already been through the horse once is a lot cheaper !

Can't say as I like "Promo" loads at all, especially those with steel bases.

"Promo" Powder ( Alliant ) is another matter altogether. It is virtually identical to Red Dot, just denser. Charge weights should be checked from canister to canister.

I've found nothing wrong with Claybuster wads, although some report reduced velocities in cold weather. I don't have a chronograph, but don't have much trouble
breaking targets in the winter.

A pal of mine was a commercial printer. He was fastidious about his reloads, using only good compononents, used sufficient wad pressure to get good tight crimps
with a nicely radiused /bevelled mouth, etc. He went so far as to having a bit of fun with others by having some standard looking cartridge boxes made up
with his load information printed out on the top flap ( just like factory shells ) but in place of the manufacturer's name/logo, his wetre labelled in big, bold letters
" FGR " ... when asked what "FGR" was his answer was simply" F**king Good Reloads "... and they were.
 
I reload all my sporting clay loads. I consider it another aspect of the sport. I went kind of overboard. I bought a shot maker from the States and set up a coolant system and now produce my own shot. I can load my target shells for about $3.00 - $3.50 a box depending if I can score a few thousand primers or wads at a gun show on a good deal. Of coarse, that is only material costs. If you don't consider it another hobby and factor in your time, not a chance its worth it.
 
TrxR said:
Is it worth reloading 12g for trap shooting? Im wondering about 7/8 and 1 oz loads. Are these readily available enough to buy to negate reloading?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If I look at it as "cost savings", my equipment will be paid off after about 150 flats and then I technically start saving money.

But I don't really think of it that way. I enjoy it, so I do it. I have buddies that play hockey. They spend on a stick, what I spent on my used Mec Jr and they don't ever ask "Well, how much money am I going to save by using this stick?"

I also like the idea of keeping plastic out of the landfill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom