Reloading, how do you keep it affordable?

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gucho

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I want to get into reloading mostly 12ga, I shot a lot of trap and skeet these days and it adds up quickly. I would like to kow what do you guys do to keep it more affordable? where do you buy your supplies from?

Thanks for the input!!
 
It is very hard to beat the cost of factory 12 gauge target loads.

I do load a fair amount of 12 gauge but it is mostly for less common stuff like 7/8 ounce low-recoil loads or heavy - 1 1/2 ounce field loads. I can save a bit of money loading my own buckshot loads too.
 
Buy in bulk , for shotshells I can usually buy a case of 250 for +/-$50 so for me its not worth it to reload them , handgun/rifle I reload every thing ;)
 
I was doing the math and I could get shot down to .25/shell. I have even been thinking about making my own shot which would be very labor intensive. Other than that I do not know what else I can do to make it cheaper.
I will be reloading my .270 but that's a different story all together.
 
The only thing you can do to make it cheaper is to load lighter.
For instance, make 1oz or 7/8oz loads instead of 1.1/8oz.
And powder selection, a fast burning target powder instead of a standard speed mid-field powder like you'd use for 1.1/8oz, where you can get similar performance out of a smaller grain charge.

If you goal is to reproduce a typical 1.1/8oz factory standard load, you're pretty much SOL.

I reload shot cause I have more time then money, so if I can shave even a few cents off my bottom line, it's worth it too me in the long run.
I'll only load 1oz for myself, with the idea that if I can't crack with 1oz, I'm not going to with 1.1/8oz.

And of course, I reload shot for my GF. She doesn't shoot enough to warrant buying another gun of a smaller gauge, so I just press out some light 7/8oz for her and she is happy.
 
I do not load for shotgun,but I expect that the formula I use for rifle will work to make it affordable. Just use components that you bought so long ago that you have forgotten what they cost. I am using primers that I have moved at least 3 times..
 
I reload 12 guage for abotu 50 cents cheaper per box than factory federal stuff at the skeet club. The rub? I get stovepipes with the 1oz federal target loads. My handloads never fail.
 
I keep my costs down by casting for volume shooting, buying bulk powder when it goes on sale, and buying used equipment.
I stopped reloading shotguns shells because the cost of shot simply got too high to reload economically. If you were casting your own from wheelweights it might be cheaper but there is some equipment and time investment needed there as well.
 
I was toying with the idea of buying a shot maker because I have lots of lead on hand. The only thing that would make it cost effective is if I could get some people in my area to buy some shot from me at a price lower than the store, but still at a price that would help offset the cost of the equipment. It's just been something I've been thinking of, as I still have yet to start asking around.

The only shot makers I've heard about are the popular Littleton Shotmaker from Magma, and that "Better shotmaker" that seems to be all over Youtube. Then of course there are DIY solutions, but I think I'd rather go with something proven that I wouldn't have to screw around with too much. Anyone know of other choices for shot makers? Does anyone here have experience with either of these?
 
gucho said:
I was doing the math and I could get shot down to .25/shell. I have even been thinking about making my own shot which would be very labor intensive. Other than that I do not know what else I can do to make it cheaper.
I will be reloading my .270 but that's a different story all together.
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Not worth it any more for 12ga or 20ga. For 35 years we got together and each bought in bulk 100 bags of shot, 25,000 primers, 25,000 wads etc. That stopped probally 8 years ago now just not worth it anymore. 410, 28, 16 and steel or buck shot yes worth it.
you say you can do it for 25 cents a shell
I can buy 250 federals for 52.99 or a flat of remington for 59.00 yes both plus tax but not worth the time for the saving to reload if any

I made it cheaper by putting the 12 and 20 in the safe and shooting all 28ga and 410. Yes sir 28ga trap is a blast. Never ran them but have a few 23
 
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Im going to be making a "shot-maker" soon to help with reloading, Plus it be cool to see the results. I will keep you guys posted. I have a few hundred pounds of WW lead right now so Im going to try this out.
 
I stopped loading 12 a l-o-o-ng time ago. Simply not worth it (except buckshot loads). Still load for 20 and .410 but components seem to be getting scarce.
 
I stopped doing 12 ga for the most part.. Some days I break it out just for the sheer entertainment but beyond that its nt worth it. Now that I have got my raging judge I think I might get a 410 loader to try and run some experimental loads and buckshot loads as the cost will add up quick.. Heck I might start casting my own buckshot too
 
gucho said:
I was doing the math and I could get shot down to .25/shell. I have even been thinking about making my own shot which would be very labor intensive. Other than that I do not know what else I can do to make it cheaper.
I will be reloading my .270 but that's a different story all together.
Click to expand...

Trouble with making your own shot right now is what do you have for a source of lead?? The wheel weights which most used are non lead now for a couple of years on most new cars like GM, etc and getting harder and harder to find. Big truck tires are not far behind they say.
 
3macs1 said:
Trouble with making your own shot right now is what do you have for a source of lead?? The wheel weights which most used are non lead now for a couple of years on most new cars like GM, etc and getting harder and harder to find. Big truck tires are not far behind they say.
Click to expand...

So what is the material being used for wheel weights? If it melts and hardens up round(ish) I won't complain.
 
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