Cost of shotshell reloading

StevieK

StevieK

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Hamilton, ont
I have been reloading centrefire rifle cartridges for a little while now. When I first started out I priced out all the components and quickly saw how much money it was going to save me. I didn't bother with shotgun shells because I didn't shoot many shells at the time. I have just gotten into shooting trap at my local club so I will be shooting a high number of shotgun rounds.
So the question is, do you save any money by reloading shotgun rounds? It seems as though 2 3/4" 1oz or 1 1/8oz rounds are so cheap that it is better to just buy factory rounds, is this true?
If so, does loading 3" shells with steel shot save much money? i won't be putting a lot of hunting rounds through the gun, but it will get used for that purpose once or twice a year.
If any of you have done the math to calculate the cost of each round from reloading i'd like to see the numbers. Right now I pay about $50 a flat for federal top gun shells, which works out to 22.6 cents per round after tax
 
If you can buy components in bulk and find good deals, you can probably reload for a slight savings over the cheap winchester loads. If you make your own shot you can actually save some money.

For hunting loads, I'm certain you can save money, and tailor to what you want, but depending on how many hunting loads you make, it may not pay for your initial investment in equipment for some time.

Another thing to consider is what you want for shells, you can probably reload AA quality shells for $5 vs $8 or more to buy them.

Don't forget that if you really get into shotgun shooting, you will be shooting many thousands of shells a year, so that is a lot of time invested in order to save a few pennies/box.
 
I am reloading shotshells a lot, for trap and skeet, different loads. First of all, if you do not like reloading, no matter what actual cost is, do not reload. I mean, if your only priority is saving money, do not do it. If you like process of picking up empty shells, inspecting them and sorting them, buying components at different places and looking for a good deal (assuming you already have reloading press and other equipment), then reloading is for you...maybe...I found that by reloading my own shells I can match factory made loads, and have a lot of fun...At the and you will actually not saving any money, but you will shoot a way lot more for the same price. And that is what we all want, and if I am low on shells I can always load 3-4 boxes instead of running to retail stores to buy something to shoot with... R.G. is right regarding price of reloading
 
It is becoming less economical as the price of shot has gone thru the roof lately. I recently purchased a few bags of reclaimed shot for $30.00/ 25 lbs. Here is my cost list of actual prices:
$30.00 for 25 lbs reclaimed shot
$110.50 for 5000 DRXL-1 wads (1oz shot wads)
$36.75 for 1000 Cheddite primers
$165.00 for 8 lbs of reddot powder.
free hulls from the trap range
OK to do the math...
for 5000 rnds:my loads for my gun (Alliant powder site says 18 grns my bushing drops 17.7)
$375-shot (1oz loads)
$110.50 (drxl-1)
$183.75 (cheddite primers)
$260.76 (17.7 gr reddot)
$0.00 (WAA wads)
--------------------------------
$930.01
5000 rnds =200 bxs of 25
total per box of 25 is $4.65 That is for my load
 
I think, if you can get box of shells for $4-5 by reloading and if you shoot a lot...it actually save you a lot. Shooting about 15 000 rounds a year, for practice and competition, and buying components whenever I find a good deal I can shoot a lot. Without reloading I wouldn't be able to shoot that much.
 
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