Reloading for clays

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dacron

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As it sits, I can usually find 12ga. target loads for 0.30-0.35 a shell. Will reloading save me any decent amount of money? What would 250 shells cost to reload, with free (reused) or purchased (new or 1 fired) hulls?
 
For the average reloader, about the same. If you buy your components in large bulk(wads & primers 5000, powder 8lb kegs, etc) you can knock the price down to about $5/box on 1oz loads. I reload 12ga only, mostly 1oz target loads, my cost is about $7/box right now. I reload because I enjoy doing it, the real cost savings is in 28 ga & 410.
 
It depends on what you are comparing against. There are savings if you are comparing the cost of premium ammunition such as Federal Premium, Winchester AA and Remington STS. But the savings are minimal compared to Challenger, Remington Gun Club, etc. It depends on how fussy you are with your ammo. When I was reloading 12 the savings compared to Challenger were minimal and I eventually just went with factory. There are savings however in .410 and 28 gauge.

Here's a calculator that will allow you to input component costs to determine the final cost of a box of reloads.

http://ultimatereloader.com/2013/05...der-shotshell-reloading-cost-calculator-free/
 
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$54.85+GST ($57.59)/flat of 12g for me.

Not great, but considering Challenger locally is now 85-95$/flat there are savings. If you wait and buy bulk you can get anywhere from 60-75$/flat though so the savings aren't huge.

As mentioned, if you don't like doing it, don't waste your time and just buy factory.
 
Being primarily a trap shooter and waterfowler I never loaded anything but 12 gauge. When promo target loads started appearing for $32/flat in the 90's I gave up loading target loads and once non-toxic shot became mandated for migratory bird hunting I sold everything off. I haven't loaded a shell since, the cost savings are so minimal if at all that it would take a decade just to pay off an inexpensive press.
 
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It is hard to save money reloading 12g target loads. I semi-retired the press. I still load .75oz puffs for skeet and small shooters but I just shoot factory for full target loads now. If you use going rates there are virtually no savings here in s. Ont. If you can luck into some shot and powder for a good price this changes quickly.
 
As stated. No savings in 12G. However, it is nice loading your own for 12g, since the recoil can be brought down a tad. Tailor making 12g is the only reason NOT to buy bulk IMHO.
 
Agreed. Reload because you want to. I shoot 12ga 1oz loads for pretty much everything, finding 1oz target loads locally sometimes gets dicey, with the presses I always have what I want in good supply. Do I save money? Probably not, but I never run out of ammo, and change of plans on which shoot I'm going to at the last minute, doesn't require me running to Bass Pro or Cabelas in a hurry to buy a flat of ammo either.
 
I still reload. Its the only way I can get a 3/4 oz 1100fps #9 12ga. If I am in a competition, I usually use the cheapo Winchester 1oz 1100fps white box promo. Actually, when I use up the last of my 3/4 wads (still have 6-700, so not long), I will change to a 7/8oz just to try it out.

I figure I reload for 5.50 box, cost me 7.80 to buy.

C
 
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