Got a 20 gauge, need help with ammo dilemma

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Miscer

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So I got a 20 gauge for various hunting applications, but I need to get proficient with it before I consider using it.

From my reading, I am hesitant to buy the cheapest available Challenger brand due to misfires and pierced primers.

20 gauge doesn't seem to be stocked in many places at all, and usually no cheaper than $100 per flat. I keep reading that 20 gauge is cheap enough that it's not worth reloading, but is that currently true? I plan on getting a reloading press to make custom hunting loads, so I have no issues with reloading target loads. Does anybody have an idea of the cost associated with reloading 20 gauge over buying factory ammo? Thanks.
 
Pierced primers using Challengers are generally only an issue in the bottom barrel of some over and unders, they are reasonable shells otherwise. You should be able to get 20 g target/promo loads for the same price as 12 g - usually found at big box stores at ~ 70$ per flat. Reloading only makes sense in high volume applications, not for hunting with lead shot, and 28/410 g.
 
You can get Federal Field/Range #6, 7.5 and 8 for under 80 bucks a case from any dealer that sources from North Sylva. Shoots fine - I use the #6 in my O/U for Grouse.
 
cosmic said:
Pierced primers using Challengers are generally only an issue in the bottom barrel of some over and unders, they are reasonable shells otherwise. You should be able to get 20 g target/promo loads for the same price as 12 g - usually found at big box stores at ~ 70$ per flat. Reloading only makes sense in high volume applications, not for hunting with lead shot, and 28/410 g.
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Exactly what I am about to use. I haven't seen any prices less than $86 for a flat of Challengers, and 90-100 for various Remington, Federal, and Winchester shotshells. I'll keep looking.

galamb said:
You can get Federal Field/Range #6, 7.5 and 8 for under 80 bucks a case from any dealer that sources from North Sylva. Shoots fine - I use the #6 in my O/U for Grouse.
Click to expand...

I'll try to hunt some down. Can't find any bismuth though.

Nobody has provided an estimate, but I'll try to math out what a reloaded shotshell costs with various loads.
 
I used a 20ga. for years to hunt pheasants, #6 - #7.5, presently use it for partridge. If your going to reload for 20ga. Your issue may be getting decent 20 ga. once fired hulls. To help solve that issue you could buy some good Win AA target loads and save the hulls. A Win compression formed hull is one of best out there for reloading. When I was shooting a lot of skeet in 410 the way I got my 410 hulls was by buying a full (500) case of Win AA 410 sheet loads to replenish the hull supply. Good Win, Rem 12 ga. hulls were not hard to come buy, and most of us had thousands especially after we came back from a shoot in the states.
I would suggest to start you buy several flats of what ever you need, after you chew them up you will know whether you want to continue to buy factory flats or reload. At one time it was away cheaper to reload, then over the years it got just as economical to buy flats of Challenger's and many guys got away from reloading, us die hard's kept at as we were all set up for it and had the time. I don't shoot clay targets much anymore so I don't know where the economics lay now. Never loaded a 20ga. in my life I always did and still do buy a flat when needed as I never shot the 20 competitively. And as others have stated don't shy away from Challenger, nothing wrong with them.
 
Sourcing hulls will be a drawback and the price of lead will definitely put the price per round at the high end compared to buying promo ammo or target ammo . The positive side is being able to Taylor loads to specific needs
 
$60 plus for shot and $40 per pound powder runs the cost up, as stated. Have you priced primers lately? Best deal I have seen this year in Saskatoon is nearly $90 a flat for Super Target in 20 gauge when taxes are included. That price might be a little less if you belong to a club that does pallet load purchase of shotshells.

I have lots of AA hulls but I bet my real cost of reloading is approaching $8 per box, because 12 gauge are about $8.50.
 
As a reloader of 7/8 oz 12ga loads its the same cost as buying 1 1/8 oz target loads. I still reload as i like the load i load but if im short on time i just buy factory loads. At todays prices i wouldnt consider loading unless i shot alot of 16/28 or 410
 
OP - Not all O/U's display the primer piercing problem with (Cheddite primed) Challengers. Probably less than 20%, and it seems to be certain brands or models. Suggest you buy box and try them.
 
I've shot (tens) thousands of Challenger loads in 20 and 12 with no problems.
There's virtually no savings to be had in 20 and 12 gauge reloading unless you can source the components very cheaply. 410, 28 and 16 gauge are anther story as the factory shells are pretty expensive.
 
If you are looking for bismuth (loaded), again, I'm looking at stock levels at North Sylva - they have in-stock for 20 ga (as well as 12 and 16 and even some 28 ga for that matter).

They have stock in #2, 4 and 6 in 2 3/4" and 2 and 6 in 3" shells. Not cheap with a (suggested) retail of about $27/box, but it can be had. Most gun shops will have an account with North Sylva and could get it if you asked..
 
For me to load 12 or 20ga is just over 8
$8/box, but doesn't factor in getting fired hulls. Canadian tire carries challenger for $85/flat.
 
Whats to not like with some #5's or some #6's for Upland game birds.
Head out on a logging road and run some Grouse, it doesnt get much harder than that to become one with your new gun.
It really isnt voodoo when chasing upland...unless your chasing Chukkars .
Rob
 
In SW Ontario, where I live, we are fortunate to have some options when it comes to ammunition, because there are a number of distributors here. We can buy promo shells in 12 and 20 gauge for $64.95 per flat plus the tax. The premium shells in those gauges are $100 per flat plus tax. I have a Spolar loader, which drops very consistent powder and lead weights. So, based on current prices in this area for lead, powder, shot and primers, I'm loading premium shells (with 1 1/8 oz. of lead) for around $6.10 per box.

So, you need to look at the cost of your components and go from there. Here is a link where you can download some cost calculators, where you just plug in your costs and the calculator will show you the cost of the finished shell.

https://www.trapshooters.com/pages/calculators/
 
I just finished doing up some duplicate Rem Nitro Gold handicap reloads....box says 1300....book says 1310 fps
The factory shells to buy are 119.99 plus taxes per flat, sooo, 138.00 per flat....(( .552 per round ))
I loaded 1 1/8 oz shells (same as the Nitros)

My cost for my supplies (taxes in)
are as follows.

..primers are 7.00 / hundo....(( .07 ea )) 352 X .07 = 24.64
....wads are 20.00 /500...(( .04 ea )) 352 X .04 = 14.08
25 lb bag of 7 1/2 shot....73.50 !!! ...(( .209 ea )) 352 X .209 = 73.56
Powder...1.27 lb.(8624 gr used )....(( 52.00 )) 352 X .148 = 52.09 -----------------------
$$ 164.37 for 352 rounds = .466 per loaded shell
.552 (factory cost)
- .466 (my cost)
---------
.086 in savings per round
...translates to a savings of 30.27 for this load only !!
I used a full bag of 7 1/2 shot...that SHOULD have given me 355 rounds...I got 352.
Likely the lil wifey swept up the rest....lmao

1oz loads would be a bit cheaper compared to other 1 oz premium loads....but to reload your average or handicap or straight target loads...you won't save anything. You cant really beat the price of the regular factory target loads now.

*** Also have had great luck with the Challenger shotshells !!**** NO pierced primers in 6 yrs or more !!!
We can buy them for 77 and change from The Gun Dealer...and 80 a flat from our club (taxes in )...same price for the faster handicap loads too !!
 
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Pick up a 20 ga Mec 600 on ebay. 25 pounds of shot will net 457 7/8 oz 20 gauge shot charges. Powder goes a long way too. I can pick up hundreds of once fired federal and cheddite hulls at my local trap club. IMO 16, 20 and 28 gauge are still very economical to load your own. Just locating components like wad here in canada these days sucks...
 
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