Powder question for shot shell reloading

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Corry

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I was thinking of getting into shot shell reloading and noticed when it came to reloading there seems to be lots of powders, but a powder shortage as well. Can someone recommend a type of powder that's more common and more available for shot shell reloading? Does it matter what I am using it for as well? For instance I will primarily be loading for target 7.5 or 8 but may want to do 00 buck, can I use the same powder or no?

Also can someone recommend a good supplier for other components?

Thanks in advance
 
1 You need to get a reloading manual if you plan to load. It will have all the powders you can use
2 there is no savings in reloading shot with the high prices of components, especially lead
3 there are definitely savings in reloading slugs and buck (I have used hs-6, 700x, and clays), but reloading buck that patterns well is a bit more involved
 
As luke said you will spend more on components to reload #7.5 or #8 than buying factory loaded ammo. Unless you have a source of free or near free lead and make your own with a shot maker and even then it could be many years before you break even after equipment costs.

Most load data uses slower powders for buckshot and slug than normal shot loads. There is some interchangeability but you'd have to check the data. I used to use Bluedot for full power buckshot and slug loads and Unique for reduced recoil loads. With Alliant powders being nearly impossible to find I have switched to Longshot and 800x respectively (Hodgdon and IMR respectively). Rifle powders are getting more common but pistol and shotgun powders can still be difficult to find in some places.

If you don't cast your own slugs or know some way of getting inexpensive cast slugs, there isn't much savings. Most retailers only sell premium type slugs which as a component can cost as much as a factory loaded slug round. Buckshot can be bought by the 5lbs box but you again save a lot more by casting your own from scrap lead.

With my own cast 00 buckshot I can load shells that pattern the standard 1"/yard or a little better. Some high performance buckshot shells available now as factory loadings use special wads that aren't available as components and can drastically shrink patterns. I only really use buckshot for fun and not hunting so I don't care that much about patterns; I'll just walk closer. If I want to hit something I'll use a slug. Out of a smooth bore I load Lee 7/8oz and 1oz cast slugs that can shoot 5-6" groups at 50yds.
 
The rising price of lead has discouraged many people from loading shotshell in the last ten years.

The lack of interest in shotshell loading has, I speculate, meant that that shotshell powders are the hardest hit by the current crisis. Powder manufacturers are concentrating on the rifle lines, and to a lesser extent, pistol, as they try to satisfy demand. Shotshell specific powders are being ignored.

Now that I think about it, isn't it odd that you often hear of shotshell powders (Red Dot, Unique, Titewad, Steel) being used in handguns, but never talk of handgun powders (Bullseye, W231, Accurate #7) being used in shotshells? They occupy the same spaces on the burn rate chart, after all.

Target loads generally demand fast burning powders. Heavy loads such as buckshot need a slow burning powder, which will generally be erratic and dirty if loaded to low pressures. Attempting to use the same powder for both is going to mean a badly underperforming load for one, the other, or both.
 
I am also new to shot shell reloading. I was given Will Bilozir name and found his web site. Henry at Buget Shooting supply has a few things also.

Not to side track, but

I just picked up from Henry the Lee 7/8 and the 1 oz slug molds last week. I cast some of the 7/8's, now I'm looking for different load data that's not on the Lee instruction sheet. ;) ;) LUTNIT Any suggestions?
 
Rookie{OMC} said:
now I'm looking for different load data that's not on the Lee instruction sheet. ;) ;) LUTNIT Any suggestions?
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I use the Lyman Shotshell handbook for a lot of my data but also found a lot on the Cast Boolits forums.
I use a lot of the data for the 475gr Lyman foster slug but swap out for Lee 1oz (437.5gr) slugs. I'll go lighter but never heavier.
 
I used to reload shot, but it is so cheap now, i don't bother. making slugs is good fun. For them you want a slow powder. HS6, Unique, Blue Dot, Herco.

Find the powder first, and try to get more than a single pound.

I prefer to buy it direct from the manufacturer in 45 pound drums, so I have far less lot number changes to contend with. failing that. 12 pound or 8 pound kegs are good.
 
Thanks everyone for your input, so it seems like reloading target loads would be more of a hobby that a savings. Does anyone have any idea if you shopped around how much you'd save doing your own 00 buck, is there a lot of difference in making your own shot or buying pricewise?
 
Corry said:
Thanks everyone for your input, so it seems like reloading target loads would be more of a hobby that a savings. Does anyone have any idea if you shopped around how much you'd save doing your own 00 buck, is there a lot of difference in making your own shot or buying pricewise?
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It is a great hobby and also a saving if you normally shoot quality 12ga and 20ga target loads vs the wally mart etc packs.
If you shoot 410 and 28ga the savings are well worth set up costs
 
Factory 00 buck is $.80/round, sometimes $.65/round if you find a good deal.

Once you have the equipment you can reload 00 buck for as low as $.25/round if you have a source for free lead and buy components in bulk.
If you pay for scrap lead and don't buy components in bulk you can still load the shells for around $.40/round.

00 buck comes in 5lbs boxes at ~$35 and at ~54gr each that's a little under 650 pellets per box which comes out to ~$.50 for 9 pellets.
That will put you around $.75/round with factory made pellets. You might save a few pennies per round over factory ammo.
 
I will echo the not much cost savings to target loads. I returned to shot shell reloading mainly because I can load the level of load my wife likes to shoot. She shoots a couple or 3 flats a year and likes the Low Noise/Low Recoil offering from Winchester but they aren't always available locally when we need them.

I can make an equivalent load for about the same money as factory bought so I'm really only out my time to get a steady usable supply for her.
 
fingers284 said:
I will echo the not much cost savings to target loads. I returned to shot shell reloading mainly because I can load the level of load my wife likes to shoot. She shoots a couple or 3 flats a year and likes the Low Noise/Low Recoil offering from Winchester but they aren't always available locally when we need them.

I can make an equivalent load for about the same money as factory bought so I'm really only out my time to get a steady usable supply for her.
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You make an excellent point to reload. Once you are set up there is very little you cannot reproduce when you need it
For me I would say I have 99% of the lead 410 to 10ga covered ;) mind you it has taken 45 plus years to get there
 
3macs1 said:
You make an excellent point to reload. Once you are set up there is very little you cannot reproduce when you need it
For me I would say I have 99% of the lead 410 to 10ga covered ;) mind you it has taken 45 plus years to get there
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oooohhh ya more than once I though how I wished I had this set-up I have now back in the late 60's and 70's when I shot 2 or 3 cases of "magnum" goose loads every year in hunting season.
 
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