Is reloading 12 ga worth it

I have been reloading since god was a little kid. I do it because it's the only way I can afford to shoot in my more expensive calibers. I now find it a chore that needs to be done. 12 gauge is too cheap vs time spent. As the saying goes, pick your battles
 
IvoB said:
I reload 12gauge bought a lee load-all at a gun show for $15.00
Your able to tune your loads keeping velocity around 1400 FPS - works for me but your mileage may vary
Sure buying them is cheap but I kinda feel good knowing that I am reusing the spent shells a few times before they go into a landfill
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I like your style, IvoB!
 
FLHTCUI said:
Lots of people reload for therapy.
Cost does dictate, but again the therapy of reloading ones ammo can be more fun than just paying at the local big box store.
Rob
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$100 in reloading components will provide longer relief then the same $$ sitting in psy's chair.
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This been said, the only shotgun shell I still reloads are slugs. Everything else, I'd rather buy it by the flats and spend my time shooting.
 
woofer2609 said:
Maybe so there is something left of the grouse you're shooting?
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If you’re shredding grouse with any shotgun you need to head back to the patterning board for a refresher on where your gun actually shoots.

trebor2880 said:
It's a rare occasion when a pellet enters the meat of the bird I'm shooting at with my 20.
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Yup, same with me and my 12g. I’ll often take the head clean off and not have any pellets in the meat at close to med ranges.
 
Butcherbill said:
If you’re shredding grouse with any shotgun you need to head back to the patterning board for a refresher on where your gun actually shoots.



Yup, same with me and my 12g. I’ll often take the head clean off and not have any pellets in the meat at close to med ranges.
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Is this your safe place?
 
Cost wise in 12g target loads- probably not. I do reload light loads- 3/4 or 7/8oz loads. Skeet targets still break and they are perfect for new shooters or smaller stature folks. Personally I shoot commercial target loads- haven't loaded a 9/8oz shell in years- not worth it for me. Have bins of AA hulls- can't imagine ever running short but for some reason I'll still pick'em up. Sometimes making sense isn't required.
 
I still reload because i have components on hand but ive been buying more and more factory loads to save time
I load 7/8oz at 1400fps. I like it. I swap the 7.5 shot for copper plated lead for turkey and small game. I load buck shot and cast slugs as well

The real saving are in 2.5" shells both black powder and smokeless
 
I still reload 20 gauge and 12 gauge.
I load mostly 3/4ounce loads in both the 20 and the 12 gauge..
 
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I keep good track of all my shooting costs, I bought a lot of supplies just before the Obama induced shortages, and am just replenishing now.
To answer the Question, Yes it can be cheaper to reload 12ga, as long as you are cheap. The load i do is 7/8oz of Hummason lead, 18gr of Alliant Promo, CB Lightning wad, Fed 209A primer in either a Gun Club or STS hull. It costs me 5.47$ per box, or 6.18$ after tax here in Ontario. Factory Top Guns at Lawry's cost 76.78$ after taxes. Saving me a total of 14.98 per case, pretty big difference if you shoot a lot.
I used an online calculator as well as breaking it down myself, got the same cost result.
 
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