Reloading for a Shotgun?

IM_Lugger

IM_Lugger

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
216   0   0
Location
Hamilton
I only load pistol calibers (and don't even have any shotguns right now:redface:) but was wondering do you need a special press to load for a shoutgun? I know LEE makes one...

Since there are no cases to resize or bullets to seat can it be done 'by hand' with no special tools?


Also how much would I be saving on ammo?
 
Get yourself a MEC 600Jr.

You have to resize the brass base.

It's cheaper to buy a flat of shells (birdshot) than it is to load.

I load shotshells because it adds a different dimention to the process.
 
Yes, shotshells can be loaded by hand, it is slow and you need a minimum of hand tools. The only specialized tool required is a roll crimping tool that is used in your drill or preferably drill press. I have reloaded by hand on and off since i was a kid and could not afford equip. I used a hand crank roll crimper. Now i have a fancy Ponseness Warren that does 600/hr. and a couple of Mec machines but for reloading Black Powder shells for my 2 1/2" hammer guns I still do it all by hand. I can give step by step, and equip. ideas if you want.
 
IM_Lugger said:
I only load pistol calibers (and don't even have any shotguns right now:redface:) but was wondering do you need a special press to load for a shoutgun? I know LEE makes one...

Since there are no cases to resize or bullets to seat can it be done 'by hand' with no special tools?


Also how much would I be saving on ammo?
Click to expand...

IM_Lugger, I load for pistol and rifle, so I won't be much help to you, but I can tell you this. You will need a shotshell press of some sort to load shotshell, since the shot, wad and powder are compressed I believe into the hull, and then crimped. I too am interested in reloading shotshell since I have two shotguns, but I'm more interested in reloading slugs, so forgive me if I'm hyjacking your thread. Maybe someone can step in here and tell the two of us what we need to get started.;)
 
The last bag of shot I bought was maybe 8 months ago, it was $28. I was in a reloading products store in Wisconsin last week, and it was was $44 per 25lbs bag. The rising price of lead is making reloading a senseless activity.

You need a press. Almost any gun shop that stocks reloading stuff will have a used Mec 600 jr. somewhere for around $80, all set up with dies and everything. Get a copy of the owner's manual from MECs website, if it didn't come with the machine. http://www.mecreloaders.com/OwnerManuals/OwnerManuals.asp

Buy a loading guide, I think the Lyman is the best, about $30.
Pick a load. You will likely need to buy a couple of loading bushings to throw the right powder and shot weights, maybe $5 each.

Obtain hulls, primers ($40/1000) powder ($30/lb), wads ($12/500) and shot (currently ~$40/11kg, changes by the day). It will take you over an hour and cost about $22 (before tax) to make 100 rounds.

Or, you can go to the gun store and buy a flat of 250 for what, $55?

That's why there is a used press in every store, people are giving up shotshell reloading in hoards.

Now, if you wanted to load your own buskshot, bismuth or cast slugs, or wanted to become one with your ammo, it might make sense. But for birdshot target loads, there is no financial justification anymore.
 
i don't want to hijack this thread but you do not need a press to reload shotshells as modern wads do not need any wad pressure and yes it may not pay to reload for common shells such as trap loads, but if you want something you cannot buy or the smaller gauges, or 2 1/2", or slug/round ball loads,etc., reloading will pay off and using handtools only may be required!!
 
ben hunchak said:
i don't want to hijack this thread but you do not need a press to reload shotshells as modern wads do not need any wad pressure and yes it may not pay to reload for common shells such as trap loads, but if you want something you cannot buy or the smaller gauges, or 2 1/2", or slug/round ball loads,etc., reloading will pay off and using handtools only may be required!!
Click to expand...

Hate to tell you Ben, but most loads need about 30lbs of wad pressure. That's why the MEC700 Versamec has a wad pressure gauge on it.
 
"...you do not need a press to reload shotshells..." Yes you do. It's nothing like a rifle/pistol press though. If you plan on hunting migratory birds, you'll have to load steel or other non-lead shot too.
 
I would only be loading buckshot and slugs...

Not sure I want to buy another press and bunch of specialty tools/dies...hmmm

Can I just buy primed hulls heady to load? :)
 
I'm a handgun shooter firstly.
A rifle shooter secondly.
I like to go out to the range and punch paper with a shotgun occasionally.
I wanted to shoot light slug loads.
Couldn,t find what I wanted commercially.
Bought a Mec 600 Jr. in mint shape for next to nothing.
I buy the slugs and load my own.
There's really no specialty tools needed.
I use my beam scale to weigh the powder and a trickler to
exact the load..
Like the others have said,to load shot really isn,t worth it,
but for a really nice,light load using slugs,you can,t beat rolling your own.
 
Last edited:
RePete said:
Hate to tell you Ben, but most loads need about 30lbs of wad pressure. That's why the MEC700 Versamec has a wad pressure gauge on it.
Click to expand...

Sorry...no go on that one....the Mecs(some) are built with that feature and it is a throw back to when wad columns were built out of felt, cork, and other materials, that did require some wad pressure. I reloaded many of those type back before plastic wads. Now most machines don't have or need that, as plastic wads require NO wad pressure. My P-W is as new as possible and it has no provision for wad pressure and doesn't need it. I have reloaded enough shotgun shells to wear out a few reloaders over the years, and have shot enough trap over the years with no wad pressure on my reloads to wear out a few shotguns, the crimping action provides more then enough pressure for the shell to reload and shoot well!!
 
ben hunchak said:
Sorry...no go on that one....the Mecs(some) are built with that feature and it is a throw back to when wad columns were built out of felt, cork, and other materials, that did require some wad pressure. I reloaded many of those type back before plastic wads. Now most machines don't have or need that, as plastic wads require NO wad pressure. My P-W is as new as possible and it has no provision for wad pressure and doesn't need it. I have reloaded enough shotgun shells to wear out a few reloaders over the years, and have shot enough trap over the years with no wad pressure on my reloads to wear out a few shotguns, the crimping action provides more then enough pressure for the shell to reload and shoot well!!
Click to expand...

WRONG!

Read the Lyman Shotshel Reloading Handbook.

4th Ed - page 80 or 5th Ed page 78. It talks about wad pressure.
 
As I said in post #12, read these pages and you will be enlightened.

Wad pressure is what creates the resistance for pressure to build up in the barrel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom