12ga reloading questions

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cr5

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So I've recently purchased two semi auto shotguns and am looking for options to keep them fed.
Bought a Remington Versa-Max for goose hunting and skeet and a tactical semi for fun and maybe deer hunting.

So questions are
1. Is it cheaper to handload 12ga or just buy it when it's on sale?
2. Is something like the Lee Load-All 2 worth it or should I spend more money?
3. How hard is it to find components? I want to load 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2 inch BB, #7, and maybe some slugs and I'm probably not going to start making my own pellets and slugs but would just buy them.

I have many boxes of commercially manufactured 12ga so would just start collecting the empties and asking for donations from my buddies.
I already load for numerous rifle and pistol cartridges so am an experienced loader but have never tried loading for 12ga.

So, do you think I should bother buying the equipment and giving it a try or just keep buying the cheap stuff whenever I find a sale?

Thanks
 
Price out the components and do your own calculation. Shot generally sells for $65-$75 / 25 lb bag. Unless you can buy shot very cheaply, it does not pay to reload 12 ga. shot shells. The exceptions are slugs if you cast your own, or specialty shot loads that you can't buy in the stores like spreaders. I like loading shot shells as a hobby, but not to save money. I also load for 16 ga and some .410 etc. and those actually do pay to handload.
 
I'll answer your questions in the order you asked them. 1. if you are comparing premium target loads to reloads, then yes it is a little cheaper to reload, if you are referring to cheap promo loads that are mostly used nowadays then the factory ammo is cheaper. 2. I would not buy a LLA2, I loaded for 30 years on an original Lee Load All and it is adequate, the 2 has a plastic base that leaves much to be desired and neither is the machine a MEC 600jr is. 3. This is the breaker for you, theorically you should have 2 machines to load these, 1 in 2 3/4" and a MEC Steelmaster for 3" & 3 1/2" the steel components will be expensive and harder to find than the lead shot components. The reality is that 12ga has little to no savings to be had in reloading, the real savings is in 28ga and .410. I load 12ga target and hunting loads because I enjoy doing it and the flexibility it gives me, I probably haven't saved any money since the mid-90's by doing so.
 
All info so far is great. If you can get shot cheap then you may save a few cents per round. Hummanson's is $46 a bag, shipped to Alberta~ $200 a bag :)
 
Thanks guys, sounds like I'll just stick to buying the cheap stuff for fun and when it's hunting season I'll spend the extra bucks for the good stuff.
The money and time spent on the equipment should pay for a couple years worth of shells.
 
I reload premium steel for waterfowl. I use a Mec Jr. with the steel adapter. I like fiddling with loads...the Ballistic Products manual gives me all the fun I can handle. It's been a long time, but as I recall comparing my fps on my reloads and the patterns I got convinced me to keep on with my reloading. Back in the day I reloaded #4 lead buckshot for geese...those were great loads! I didn't think I'd get as good results without spending a month's salary on premium loads until I worked with BP recipes...

...happy shooting
 
Some crude number would be as follow:
Initial investment: $520; (Reloader (MEC) $400, Scale $60, Universal Bar $60)
$$ per round (assuming 1 1/8oz steel, field load): $0.6, $15/box. This is my best so far ignoring spills & inventory surpluses. Yours costs/load will be likely higher.

Now, I was today at wholesale and saw this. $13.99 + tax for a very similar good field load!!! So, if you see it strictly economically it is not worth. Its not worth even if you lower your initial costs and compare your loads to Kent Faststeel, pay out period would be way too long...
 
FLHTCUI said:
Cheaper to buy it when you see it ...
Define Sale?
Sometimes manufacturers do promos buy mailing in the bar codes from the flat and a receipt.
Sometimes just the bar code.
Rob
Click to expand...

Sale? Cabela's and Wholesale both sell the cheap field loads for skeet which I also use for grouse (usually just use a 22 for grouse though) for around $8/box of 25 shells. And I buy the cheap stuff for steel BB for goose which is $13-18/ box for 3" and 3 1/2 inch.
I'm just getting into Goose hunting, tried it last fall for the first time and enjoyed it so bought a Versa-max when Wholesale had them on sale for 25% off.
 
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