Questions - LEE Load-All II and reloading Shotshells

Brocolt

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
281   0   1
first before I get to the main question of this post, I'm trying to crunch the number is it really worth it to reload shotshells do to the cost of primers & powder?
I'm would be doing this for Turkey & fun target shooting.

I'm looking into reloading shotgun shells with a LEE Load-All II with 12ga & 20ga. should I buy 2 loaders or just get the conversion kit?

if so what gauge should be the main unit 12ga or 20ga or is it better to just buy 2 presses?
 
If your just loading regular shotshells no it’s not worth it. If your going to load stuff that’s not readily available yes ,specialty loads. One area that is well worth it is slugs and buckshot. On those two the price can be cut way down. Regular target loads you can buy cheaper especially if you watch for sales.
I load all of my own as I bought a lot of components when the price was way cheaper so I do load my hunting loads.
I have multiple presses for different gauges and a couple conversion kits. Probably going to end up selling the conversion kits as I have presses in those gauges. Another area money can be saved is in the smaller gauges that ammunition is hard to find. The 410 shortage everyone was facing. Wasn’t any shortage here as I had lots of components. Current prices of 410 is crazy. If you have components you won’t be dependent on the stores having ammunition. You have a choice buy factory when it’s cheap and stock up or buy components and you will always have something to shoot.
 
Using current best prices for components, 12/20 gauge target loads (1 oz) can be made up for about 90$ per flat. The biggest cost is lead, so if you dont have easy access to shot at a good price, the price per flat can go over 100$. If you are making heavy field loads, then things improve as factory fodder approaches 20$ a box.
 
if you do not have a supply of good quality hulls especially small gauge then you are beat before you start
28.95 - 32.95 for 410 ammo is reasonable today
unless you plan to load bismuth or some other exsotic ammo you are better off buying factory
shot is 80-100$ per bag
i have been loading for 55 years
just saying
 
first before I get to the main question of this post, I'm trying to crunch the number is it really worth it to reload shotshells do to the cost of primers & powder?
I'm would be doing this for Turkey & fun target shooting.

I'm looking into reloading shotgun shells with a LEE Load-All II with 12ga & 20ga. should I buy 2 loaders or just get the conversion kit?

if so what gauge should be the main unit 12ga or 20ga or is it better to just buy 2 presses?
I will be interested to hear replies to your question - especially any tips or tricks about the machines. As it happens I bought an MEC machine for 28 gauge - I loaded perhaps 150 or 200 rounds with that. Then I bought a Lee Load All II for 20 gauge, but have not used it at all yet - it is still in the box it came in. Then a neighbour gave me an MEC machine for 12 gauge and a 25 pound bag of shot - so, I ended up with 3 loading machines - 28 gauge, 20 gauge and 12 gauge - two of which I have never used yet. Makes finding components and recipes for three gauges a bit extra "spicy".
 
Your post does not say so, but perhaps you should consider where do you plan to get the know-how and recipes and components to reload, after you source the components? There are at least three shotgun loading manuals here - perhaps 8 or 9 current centre-fired reloading manuals - and all seem to have first sections about HOW to reload - later sections have recipes. Then there is the Internet and U-tube - which has really credible people and real bozo's, if you can tell the difference.

Many people are concerned about the cost of reloading - is it worth it - is going to take some of your time, for sure - to learn, to read, to experiment and to do it. Do not kid self about modern costs - the last flat of 28 gauge that I just bought was $369.49 for 250 rounds of Federal 2 3/4" #6 one ounce loads - not "normal" 28 gauge loads - these were called "Heavy Field" loads. A more typical 28 gauge loading might go 3/4" ounce of a smaller shot - with appropriate powder change to accommodate that - but still going to be some bucks involved to buy factory stuff. To reload that, you will have to learn how to do it, to get a loading machine, learn how to set it up and to use it - then acquire the hulls, wads, powder, shot, primers and then you can make your own - which will take your time. For some is well worth it - partially based on the volume of shells that you will use, and what else that you have to do with your time. Another person might find it handier to just stop at store and grit teeth and buy what is needed.

I can tell you that the days of buying powder for $30 a pound and 2 cents apiece for primers are pretty much done, and not likely to come back.
 
Last edited:
first off I used to load 38spl. /.357 & 45ACP 0ver 30+ years ago with a Dillion 550b that was then. I have taken a break from guns & shooting over the last 6+ years. Prices are crazy days now I wish I held onto the 20,000 loaded rounds of mixed ammo I had LOL. I sold it all for a 3.5 week road trip to Tennessee, I love Kentucky & Tennessee thinking about buying some land there, great Bourbon & Moonshine, food, people & scenery. back country is awesome to see.

Anyways I will most likely buy new factory rounds for hunting but the reloading would be for normal blasting / shooting load testing, as for data need to find a source for data, shouldn't be too hard. I always wanted to own a Mossberg in 410ga been one my bucket list since the late 90's but always bought other guns when I had the chance. if I can find a Mossberg 410 Turkey model on sale I'm going to jump on it.

As for this post I would be looking to load 12ga & 20ga. I could just shoot target loads just for fun, but I do enjoy reloading & the Load All II is cheap to start, getting supplies from second hand sources is what I'm looking to do, the only thing I wont by second hand is primers & powder because if it wasn't stored right it could be junk. One more this if a used Mec comes along for a good deal what model should I keep an eye open for?
 
I have a MEC 600 Jr for 12 gauge, and a Lee Load All for 20 gauge.

The MEC is head and shoulders a better machine, but the Lee makes good ammunition too. It's not as nice as the MEC but gets the job done.

If you looked at 2 finished rounds, one made in the MEC and the other in the Lee, you wouldn't be able to tell which was which.

Biggest issue I've had with the Lee is static electricity in dry weather. It uses plastic powder bushings, and a plastic hopper for powder. Wiping them out with a dryer sheet to reduce static helps with that.

I learned to give the Lee powder hopper a tap with a knuckle before dropping a powder charge to be sure the bushing was full.
 
There is no real savings in loading 12 gauge target loads. The savings comes in loading 16, 28 or 410, and then only if you load volume. I load around 3000 rounds each of 28 and 410 annually for skeet, and I save around $3000 per year, now that my presses are paid for. I purchased a MEC 9000 for each 28 and 410, and both were paid for the first year, and I still saved a bit.
 
I’d suggest a mec 600jr for a press
I got into shotgun loading earlier this year and looked at the Lee load all
The mec is a better built unit and is more consistent as you can adjust each stage. The load all is done all by feel and emptying the bins is a pia
I ended up getting a used grabber for a great price. Keep checking the ee and online and you will find something
As was said above loading target rounds is not really cost effective but if you want to load other rounds like heavy hunting loads or buckshot you can save a bit
 
Brocolt: With the low cost of a Lee Load-All, the simplest choice would be to purchase one of each. That way, you have a dedicated press ready to go for either gauge, with no additional set up. Nothing wrong in purchasing a conversion kit, though. If that suits your budget and shooting needs better, then go for it.

A 12-gauge press would be the obvious place to start. Then, add the 20-gauge conversion kit, if necessary.

As others have already mentioned, if you only plan on shooting a limited number of 12-gauge shells per year... particularly for limited casual shooting, there are no real cost savings. The real benefit comes from being able to tailor loads to your specific needs..ie: Turkey hunting. That's where reloading really shines. Or, if you plan on shooting competitively. Where going through hundreds, or even thousands of rounds per year, can be common. Then, the cost savings do add up.

There are savings with 20-gauge. Again....depending on how much you plan to shoot. Plus, the ability to tailor loads to your specific needs and gun.

Though the Load-All is a good press(Have owned one for 4 decades and counting)..... it does have it's limitations. The lack of press adjustment being the biggest issue. Though really not that much of one, in my experience. Or insurmountable. Mostly a matter of paying attention to the load column. For consistent, tight crimps. Which many shotgunners...myself included, regard as being one of the most critical components for good shot shell performance. Not hard to do.
I should mention that Mec presses (which are adjustable) will need some fine tuning as well, to attain good crimps.

Still, the Load-All is a good, basic reloading press that turns out good quality shot shells. Plus, capable of delivering many years of dependable service. A great bargain, in my view. Purchase one with confidence and start reloading.

I fully agree with others though, who recommend purchasing a Mec loader. A Mec 600, for example, is always a good choice. Very rugged. Plenty of adjustment and easy to set up and run. Produces good quality shot shells. Pricier than the Lee.....but, a great long term investment. Well worth the cost.
Have run a Mec Sizemaster for more years than I care to count. With thousands of rounds going through that press, without a single hitch. That press will easily outlive me.

Worth mentioning: Mec also offers excellent customer support *. Parts are readily available. Mec even features a series of online how-to videos, on proper set up and running of their product. Another handy resource.

Well worth a look, before making up your mind.

In any case, hope some of this advice is useful.

Al

* Lee does, too.
 
Last edited:
Although I haven't loaded shotgun for a long time, I only ever used a LEE Load-All II for 12 ga. If I used the good old Winchester AA hulls and Windjammer wads, the rounds came out very nice. I also used a LEE Progressive for 12 ga. Same thing. I have around 10 cases of store bought target loads on hand, so no urgent need to reload. I enjoyed doing it, though.
 
I ended up buying a Lee Load all II in 20ga. just to get me started, over time I plan to get a MEC 600 Jr.

how are Score, Challenger, Aguila, Rio & Fiocchi hulls for reloading? I wondering as I see no sense in buying brands where the hulls aren't worth reloading later. what's a good source for load data? I guess I'll be on the hunt for once fired shells in 20ga & 410ga.
 
Last edited:
I ended up buying a Lee Load all II in 20ga. just to get me started, over time I plan to get a MEC 600 Jr.

how are Score & Challenger hulls for reloading? what's a good source for load data? I guess I'll be on the hunt for once fired shells in 20ga & 410ga.
Best source for data is Lyman shotshell manual #5. Best hulls if you can find them are Winchester compression form. The new HS Winchester took their place. The one piece hulls last longer. The Remington premier is also a good hull.
 
The Hodgdon reloading website has a very comprehensive database for shotgun. Bear in mind that shotgun recipes are very specific regarding components. Getting some powder will be a challenge, everything else is manageable. Cheddite hulls (Challenger, Kent) are easily sourced, as are Cheddite primers. Otherwise if you can get your hands on Winchester AA hulls or Remington, consider yourself lucky. Avoid Rio as they use a oversize primer, Score must source their hulls from a third party, I would suspect Cheddite or Fiocchi..
Claybuster make both 3/4 oz and 7/8 oz wads, and can be easily obtained from places such as Lawry's, Hummason, or Sporteque.
 
Last edited:
Brocolt: Sound advice, from Snider Shooter and Cosmic.

Cheddite-made 12-gauge hulls like Challenger and Kent, make good reloads. Have loaded hundreds of Challenger hulls, without issue. Likewise: Fiocchi(Fiocchi manufacturers their own hulls). Plenty of data on the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center site.

Have not loaded Aguila, so cannot speak for them. The consensus is that Score are likely Cheddite hulls. Haven't examined one, so no comment about them, either. As mentioned, Rio primer pockets are an issue. Avoid these. Unless you can source Rio primers, which will fit.

Some advice: Use only those hulls, ie: Kent, Challenger, Fiocchi, etc., that have published load data. Saves a lot of hassle.

If you can source some Federal Top Gun hulls, these also produce good reloads. Load data available on the Hodgdon site. Use Gold Medal load data.

Also, if you can get your hands on a copy of the: Hodgdon Basic Reloaders Manual (Usually available free of charge, at most gun shops, etc.), this booklet is a good source for shotgun load data (Data similar to Hodgdon website). Plus: handgun and rifle.

Claybuster wads are a direct substitute for any of the name brand, ie: AA, Federal, Remington, wads. Full information on these wads and their application, can be found on the Claybuster website. CB wads are also a lot cheaper.

Al

ps: If you can source any of the Alliant powders....Red Dot, Bullseye, Unique, etc., Alliant publishes their own: Reloaders Guide. Have not seen any Alliant powders produced for some time. But, still worth a look.
 
Last edited:
I have an older Lee Load-all with the metal base - it's pretty good to load shotgun shells (12g) however what I have found is that the crimp tends to open up after a while and lose pressure. It's best (for me) to load up 1/2 dozen use them and then reload another 1/2 dozen - this is what I ended up doing when I hunt small game (rabbits).
 
IvoB: Have not run into that problem with smokeless powder, before. Pie-crimped black powder loads, yes. Possibly the load column is a bit high, which can place pressure on the crimp. An overshot card also help tighten up crimps.
But, if your system works, no need to fiddle with things. When out bunny hunting, I normally don't carry more than a handful of shells, too.
 
Last edited:
thank you all for the input, I'll be using allot of this info, you all posted & will keep checking back for other posts.
As for the question with hulls this info will help me when buying factory loads as I will be reusing them, So when buying shells I'll look for brands that make quality hulls.
 
Back
Top Bottom