How to Reload Shotguns?

[Drachenblut]

Hello All,

I am a milsurp shooter who has recently delved into the idea of reloading shotgun shells.

I have a few questions to ask concerning this:

1. Why reload? Shotgun rounds are quite cheap (I just picked up a box of 25 Remington Gun Club Target Loads for $6.00 at Bass Pro here in Alberta)

2. What equipment do I need in order to reload for shotgun? Does anyone have a recommendation as to what components are best, and where to obtain them? (A cheap kit perhaps, I have seen the Lee Load All 12 Gauge loader for $60.00)

3. What kind of powders, shot etc can I use? (I will be loading for only 2 3/4 inch, 12 gauge shells)

4. Are there any prohibited reloadings? (such as sand, beanbags or rock salt?)

5. Where can I obtain shot for a shotgun?

6. What are the best hulls to use, low or high brass? (or steel bottomed?)

7. Where can I get reloading data for 12 gauge shotgun, 2 3/4 inch?

Anything else you can think of would be great!

Many thanks,
Drachenblut

 

[Fassteel]

Hello All,

I am a milsurp shooter who has recently delved into the idea of reloading shotgun shells.

I have a few questions to ask concerning this:

1. Why reload? Shotgun rounds are quite cheap (I just picked up a box of 25 Remington Gun Club Target Loads for $6.00 at Bass Pro here in Alberta)

2. What equipment do I need in order to reload for shotgun? Does anyone have a recommendation as to what components are best, and where to obtain them? (A cheap kit perhaps, I have seen the Lee Load All 12 Gauge loader for $60.00)

3. What kind of powders, shot etc can I use? (I will be loading for only 2 3/4 inch, 12 gauge shells)

4. Are there any prohibited reloadings? (such as sand, beanbags or rock salt?)

5. Where can I obtain shot for a shotgun?

6. What are the best hulls to use, low or high brass? (or steel bottomed?)

7. Where can I get reloading data for 12 gauge shotgun, 2 3/4 inch?

Anything else you can think of would be great!

Many thanks,
Drachenblut

Drach

Folks that reload shot shells use several thousand in one year. A trap shooter can go through 500 easily on a weekend.
Target ammo low brass.Supplies close to you can be bought from the Silver Willows club just outside of Carstairs. They will have lead 25lbs at about $44 per bag, wads, and primers as well as empties for sale. Some popular powders are 700X, Red Dot, Clays, PB. There 3 weights of loads, 7/8oz,1oz,1 1/8th oz. With a 25lb bag you can get 430 loads of 7/8 oz loads.
A few folks use the Lee Load all, most fellows that load for clay target games use MEC or Ponsness Warren loaders. FS

 

[Claybuster]

1. It often doesn't make sense with 12 but does with subgauges or if you are reloading buckshot or slugs. I reload 12 gauge target loads because I can develop loads the factory doesn't offer and my loads are of better quality than the promo loads like Gun Club, etc.

2. For a starting reloading the MEC 600 single-stage is the best. I've tried the Load All and think it's not very good. Used 600s are often available at gun shows and MEC service is top notch.

3. There are recipes available for all shot sizes. Powders for shotshells are most often faster burning than rifle powders. Many powders suitable for shotshells are also recommended for pistols.

4. The only shotgun ammunition that is specifically prohibited are shells made with flechettes.

5. Most gun stores will carry or can get it in.

6. While most hulls can be reloaded the best are premium target hulls such as Remington STS, Winchester AA and Federal Gold Medal. IIRC the Remington Gun Club loads use the same hull as the STS so that makes them a bargain.

7. Most of the powder companies have reload data on their websites. The best book for a starting shotgun reload is the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook. Not only does it have good data but also step-by-step instructions on how to reload and lots of other good information.

Stick to published recipes and get a good scale. Don't trust powder bushings particularly from MEC. They tend to throw light. You don't need to weigh every charge but should know what your bushings are actually dropping.

 

[R&R Rancher]

1. It often doesn't make sense with 12 but does with subgauges or if you are reloading buckshot or slugs. I reload 12 gauge target loads because I can develop loads the factory doesn't offer and my loads are of better quality than the promo loads like Gun Club, etc.

2. For a starting reloading the MEC 600 single-stage is the best. I've tried the Load All and think it's not very good. Used 600s are often available at gun shows and MEC service is top notch.

3. There are recipes available for all shot sizes. Powders for shotshells are most often faster burning than rifle powders. Many powders suitable for shotshells are also recommended for pistols.

4. The only shotgun ammunition that is specifically prohibited are shells made with flechettes.

5. Most gun stores will carry or can get it in.

6. While most hulls can be reloaded the best are premium target hulls such as Remington STS, Winchester AA and Federal Gold Medal. IIRC the Remington Gun Club loads use the same hull as the STS so that makes them a bargain.

7. Most of the powder companies have reload data on their websites. The best book for a starting shotgun reload is the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook. Not only does it have good data but also step-by-step instructions on how to reload and lots of other good information.

Stick to published recipes and get a good scale. Don't trust powder bushings particularly from MEC. They tend to throw light. You don't need to weigh every charge but should know what your bushings are actually dropping.

+1!

Excellent response with sound advise!

 

[hk33ka1]

The Load All II has worked well for me in low volume. Some of the MECs would be better for high volume loading. The quality of the hull being reloaded seems to make more of a difference in how good the crimp will be.

 

[Bigbubba]

Unless you are trap shooting (or skeet) you are wasting money to buy a reloader. Shotgun shells must be carefully reloaded because there are many different kinds of primers, wads, hulls, and of course shot loads that all affect the pressure of the fired round.

It is quite easy to double charge a shot shell and you will know when this happens because 1) it is loud and 2) it hits hard and 3) if you are not careful you will blow up the gun

Best is to read up on the topic first and then maybe load some. A single stage loader is cheaper, a progressive is faster. Any decent sporting goods store should sell all the components. But be warned, it is a lot more complicated then loading rifle rounds

 

[fiddler]

I load for 20g and .410, but not 12G as it would take forever to pay for itself. The 20G is give and take how much I save, but my Father had the press and its easy for me to load with the tones of supplies he had left. Now the .410 shells, I can load a box for under $4, or pay $18 at a local store. This is where I save my money at 15 cents per shot. I like the MEC 650 for .410

 

[Drachenblut]

With 12 gauge being so cheap, I think I will just save the money from reloading supplies. Unless I want to reload 00 Buck. 7.50 a box of 5 shells? Give me a break.

Cheers,
D

 

[Claybuster]

Unless you are trap shooting (or skeet) you are wasting money to buy a reloader. Shotgun shells must be carefully reloaded because there are many different kinds of primers, wads, hulls, and of course shot loads that all affect the pressure of the fired round.

It is quite easy to double charge a shot shell and you will know when this happens because 1) it is loud and 2) it hits hard and 3) if you are not careful you will blow up the gun

Best is to read up on the topic first and then maybe load some. A single stage loader is cheaper, a progressive is faster. Any decent sporting goods store should sell all the components. But be warned, it is a lot more complicated then loading rifle rounds

I load both metallic and shotshells. Both need to be carefully reloaded. While loading shotshells is different from metallic I completely disagree that it is a "lot more complicated." Just follow the published recipies and you'll be fine.

The reason I recommend the Mec 600 for a new loader is that it is almost impossible to double charge a shell. In the very unlikely event you do double charge in most cases you can see something is wrong with the shell. Either it doesn't crimp properly or the primer backs out. More likely is a shell without powder in which case you will know the instant you fire. If it happens check the barrel to make sure the wad isn't stuck.