Newbie Reloading Question

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jordan_paul

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Is there any good books out there that will explain how to and what I would need to reload shotgun shells? I basicly know nothing about this subject, but would like to get into it to save some money on shells. I would appreicate any reccomendations. Thank you
 
Reloading to save money is not good option when you are just starting but I'm not going to discourage you . You need to learn basic reloadings of simple rifle cartiges or so and know the basic concept then move onto shotgun shells . Although shotguns are the same principle to reload but it's totally different press and you can not load anything other than shotgun shells only . And there are many many good books on reloading , you can find at the same place where you picking reloading stuff . Find if you can ABC's OF RELOADING
 
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Beats me... I'm a noob too. Besides saying (unless you cast) you won't save any $$$, just shoot more. :) I bought a Dillon XL650 and I already started reloading 9mm with it. I haven't even fired a single shot of 9mm with my own gun yet. LOL! I bought 2k of Frontier bullets and I already casted 3k of bullets too! Of course, only after tons of R&D before taking the plunge.
 
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The Lyman Shotshell Manual is one of the better reloading guides on the market.

Reloading shot shells is not all about saving money. You can also load shells - like spreader loads etc - that are just not available at the sporting goods store.
 
"Reloading to save money is not good option when you are just starting "

I must say I was a tad puzzled by this statement as well.

Nothing wrong in my view with reloading in order to save a couple bucks.....whether just starting out or otherwise.

Now...having said that....if you just want to reload 12 gauge....the savings will not be as great as they would be if you were reloading the smaller gauges...28 gauge and 410.

But....some savings are still possible. How quickly your savings result in you recouping your initial expenditures for equipment etc will depend upon what...and how much you reload/shoot.

For those of us who shoot thousands of rounds per year....IMHO reloading is still the best way to go. But those of us who shoot alot, and have been reloading for many years do so for more reasons than just the potential $$$ savings. We reload in order to get the specific loads we want/need for our own applications...and for many if not most of us...reloading is simply another part of our overall shooting hobby.

Just be prepared initially to have to lay out some money for the purchase of a loader, a SCALE ( A MUST HAVE) and the components needed to load what you want/need.

There are good used loaders available all the time. Just have to ask around...keep your eyes and ears open...they're out there and often times can be had at a reasonable price. In fact...if you wanted...I could probably fix you up right now with a very good Mec Sizemaster in 12 gauge with some assorted accessories for around $100.00 + shipping costs from southern Ontario. It's a very good single stage reloader that would be just about perfect for you to start out with. It's not mine...but I could get my hands on it pretty easily. If you're serious about getting started...and interested....feel free to PM me.

The latest shotshell reloading "bible" so to speak that's available right now is the Lyman's Manual..5th Edition I believe. You'd be wise to purchase one of them.

Feel free to throw out any questions you might have here...there's plenty of reloading experience, information, and advice here available to you to help you get started.

And by the way....I must also respectfully disagree with this statement:

"You need to learn basic reloadings of simple rifle cartiges or so and know the basic concept then move onto shotgun shells "

I have never loaded a rifle cartridge in my life....know absolutely nothing about it...and have been loading shotshells for some 30 years.
 
A word for money in my mother land is brass. I keep saving my brass every trip to the range but I still keep spending my money on reloading supplies. :eek:
 
don't know much about reloading shot shells, however I did start out reloading for 303 british. It has saved about 45% on factory ammo. I keep upgrading my equipment with the cash I saved. I also was able to shoot far more than if I was using factory ammo. You don't need the best stuff right out of the gate. Lee equipment is how most guys get thier start and most of the guys I shoot whith have never seen fit to upgrade past the Lee stuff they started with.
 
What sort of shotshells do you you want to reload? There isn't much, if any, cost saving over factory ammo in 12 gauge. Shotshell reloading makes the most sense if you want to make something that isn't readily available or want to load for unusual gauges like 16, 28, or .410.
 
Loading shotshells is a little different than loading rifle or pistol. On one hand you don't have to lube cases to size them, but you do have to match the wad column to the case and load. And you should be aware of the wad compression, too.

I started on loading shot shells, and when I started to load metalic ammo I though it was a bit easier.

If you are starting from scratch, it would be so much easier for you if you could go visit someone who was doing it. It would take a lot of the mystery out of learning.

Then, buy your new loading equipment, a case of beer and invite the experienced guy to come over and help you set up.

And look at youtube.
 
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jordan_paul said:
Is there any good books out there that will explain how to and what I would need to reload shotgun shells? I basicly know nothing about this subject, but would like to get into it to save some money on shells. I would appreicate any reccomendations. Thank you
Click to expand...

Get a Lee Load-All press and a book on reloading shotshells.
Reloading for Shotgunners is a good one. It's about $18 at Amazon.ca
Components may be a little scarce and expensive in Canada but that shouldn't hold you back.
Steel is the most expensive.
 
"I have never loaded a rifle cartridge in my life....know absolutely nothing about it...and have been loading shotshells for some 30 years.


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Then you must have saved around million and half dollars

Now....Mr Rojam.....I don't know what your problem is but I don't see any reason at all to come in here and act like a jerk! But...maybe it just comes naturally to you.

The guy asked a simple question about shotshell reloading.

And I'm very sure a great many who actually DO load shotshells would NOT agree with the answer you gave him about needing to learn how to reload rifle ammo first. If you're going to try to give anyone advice about anything....you might want to at least try to make it GOOD advice. There is no reason in the world a person can't learn to reload shotshells without EVER knowing how to reload rifle ammo.

As for how much $$$ I've saved over the years....I can assure you it has been quite a bit. I shoot 14K - 15K rounds a year....more than half of it 28 gauge and 410. Saving $7.00 - $8.00 a box on my ammo is a pretty damn good saving in my opinion. IF....you know how to do math....you figure out how much my savings have been.

If the guy wants to start reloading shotshells...great. It could be a new hobby for him. As I said...he won't save a whole lot of money if he only loads 12 gauge....but he can still save a little $$$ per box. The big savings are in the small gauges. Now that shouldn't be too hard to understand is it?

And I have no idea at all what the hell this is supposed to mean...or who it was directed at:

"Post #1800 makes people expert in here_________? "

But I guess your post #104 makes you an expert on reloading shotshells does it?

Because someone "respectfully disagreed" with a statement you made is no reason to start being a smart A$$ either...in my ever so humble opinion. Or maybe that just comes naturally too.

I didn't see anyone here...me included...claim to be an "expert" at anything. But after loading shotshells for 30+ years....with easily in excess of a quarter million rounds by now...I think I know a little bit about it. And all that without loading a single rifle shell. Imagine that.

Telling people they need to learn to reload rifle ammo before learning to reload shotshells certainly leads me to believe that you're no shotshell reloading "expert" that I'd ever want to consult with that's for sure.

If you have nothing constructive to say to someone who wants to learn something new and asks a simple question, well......

Enough said. Have a great day.
 
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