Loading 12 gauge on a single stage

gobigorgohome

gobigorgohome

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I'm not a big shotgun shooter, but for any waterfowl or upland I have no problem buying a case of shells a year. My issue now is that we started shooting #4 buck shot for coyotes and other varmints and its getting almost impossible to find locally. At most I would want to load 50 shells a year, so loading it on a single stage press wouldn't be too bad for me, even if it's more time consuming. Can this be done and who would make the dies to do so?
 
RCBS does make 12 ga dies for use in a single stage press, but the press must have a removable bushing since the die is larger than 7/8". I just noticed this is for all brass 12 ga ammo, they used to make a die for plastic shells, but I don't know if the still do. I'd give them a call.
 
Im working on designing a 3d printed shotshell loader, downside is there no way to resize the shells, so only really useful for single shot/double barrel shotguns. Its more proof of concept right now than anything, but it still works.

Only really useful if you don't have the space for a Load All, or budget for an old Lee Loader kit off ebay
 
I have the Mec and Lee which I have loaded buck and slugs on both. I didn't use the hoppers. I found an older Lee junior in 12 ga. No hoppers no frills. No longer sold. Excellent press which now does all my buck and slug loading. I screwed mine to a 2x4 and clamp it to my bench. Any single stage press will work. The cheapest new press would be the Lee load 2.
 
gobigorgohome said:
At most I would want to load 50 shells a year, so loading it on a single stage press wouldn't be too bad for me, even if it's more time consuming. Can this be done and who would make the dies to do so?
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Any single stage shotshell press will work for you, with the regular dies. The usual process is to skip the shot drop station and instead pull the hull out and stack in the buckshot by hand. You could probably do your 50 round annual requirement in a little over an hour.
 
I've done many slugs and 00buck and #4buck on my Load All, works fine. It may seem all plastic and flimsy but it works great. As has been mentioned, I just drop the shot by hand, easy peasy, and if you are doing small numbers, even easier.
 
Boomer said:
RCBS does make 12 ga dies for use in a single stage press, but the press must have a removable bushing since the die is larger than 7/8". I just noticed this is for all brass 12 ga ammo, they used to make a die for plastic shells, but I don't know if the still do. I'd give them a call.
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RCBS stopped making the standard shotshell dies years ago, but they only make 12ga Cowboy dies for brass cases.

It appears the only game in town now is CH Tool and Die @ about $265 USD.
 
Lee Loadall works well as a Black Powder shotshell loader, using sizing/ depriving, priming , wad insertion and crimping. I don't think I paid more than $25 in a gun show.
Mounted on a board and C clamped to the reloading bench.An old roll crimped is a useful accessory tool.
Not the best loader but a cheap useful tool for minor experimenting.
 
My only reason for not getting the lee from cabelas is the space that it takes up, I'm very limited on space to reload/store reloading stuff currently. If I could just use my single stage, that would be ideal.... At $250 USD for CH4D dies, id sooner just pay the shipping on the ammo.... Thats pricey.
 
gobigorgohome said:
My only reason for not getting the lee from cabelas is the space that it takes up, I'm very limited on space to reload/store reloading stuff currently. If I could just use my single stage, that would be ideal.... At $250 USD for CH4D dies, id sooner just pay the shipping on the ammo.... Thats pricey.
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Have you considered looking around for a Lee Loader?
 
gobigorgohome said:
My only reason for not getting the lee from cabelas is the space that it takes up, I'm very limited on space to reload/store reloading stuff currently. If I could just use my single stage, that would be ideal.... At $250 USD for CH4D dies, id sooner just pay the shipping on the ammo.... Thats pricey.
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Can you drill into your bench? I drilled through holes in mine and have things setup with 1/4" bolts and wing nuts, I can swap from the rifle press to the shotgun presses by pulling out 3 bolts and no extra space used.
 
I don't imagine a 12 gauge sizing die would be very complicated to machine. Round bar, thread the outside, drill through, bore it to size, and add a fillet at the bottom corner. Then you can roll-crimp with a cheap tool from eBay.
 
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