Does folks still reload shotgun shells?

[theDuck]

Does anyone reload shotgun shells for trap or sporting clays anymore? I hear from the guys in my club that it isn't worth it economically any more and they just go buy it.
I've been collecting up our clubs empty shotgun hulls thinking it is worth selling them at gun shows for the club. If no one seems to be loading shotgun I may as well landfill them.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Funny you should ask that. I'm just in the middle of buying a shotshell reloading press, after researching this very subject.

For the rock-bottom, cheapest types of target loads in 12 gauge, apparently, it's not worth it, for most people, because of the time and effort involved. I'm a university student, currently unemployed, so I imagine, I'll be collecting ALL my hulls-regardless.

However, for 10 gauge.....yes.
for 20 gauge ..... yes
for .410.....yes
for buckshot loads.....yes
for loading slugs....yes
for reduced recoil loads....yes
for various other specialty loads....yes

From what I've been reading in the reloading manuals...it's not about it being "not worth it"....rather than it's important to do some basic math, and knowing when to load, and when to put on the dustcover, and buy from the big box stores.

 

[mooncoon]

I shoot almost exclusively antique guns with damascus barrels so reloading allows me to load to a lower pressure than commercial shells. The economics of it is somewhat dubious but on the other hand, I don't find myself worrying about spending $6 or $7 on a box of shells every time I shoot a match of skeet.

cheers mooncoon

 

[Claybuster]

Reloading 12 gauge from a strictly economic perspective doesn't make sense if you are happy to shoot the lower-priced promo shells. However I'd rather shoot my own loads. The component costs of my 7/8 and 1 ounce loads are about the same as buying the cheap shells but my shells are more consistent and better quality.

I also get loads that suit me and don't have to settle with whatever the factory and retailers want to provide. One of my favourite 12 gauge loads is 7/8s of #8 shot at 1,300 fps which isn't a common factory combination.

I also reload 28 gauge for about half of what comparable factory ammo costs.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Of course you can shoot magnum loads for the cost of cheap loads.

 

[mbogo3]

I've squirreled away 150lbs or so of lead shot just because.Hard to find BB and some #2........................Harold