Reloading steel waterfowl ammo: Worth it?

[TheCoachZed]

Hey guys,

Best prices locally on 12 gauge steel ammo is $100 for a case of 200 Winchester XPert #2s, 3". If I want 2 3/4" shells, I pay about $140 for a case of $250.

Can reloading get me a much better price than that? I know that lead shotshells aren't a great money saver.

 

[legi0n]

Unfortunately steel-shot wads are not readily available in Canada. Neither is shot.
I once loaded a couple hundred shells with airgun BBs and the overall price was on par with expensive factory shotshells in the same pellet size.

 

[3macs1]

Hey guys,

Best prices locally on 12 gauge steel ammo is $100 for a case of 200 Winchester XPert #2s, 3". If I want 2 3/4" shells, I pay about $140 for a case of $250.

Can reloading get me a much better price than that? I know that lead shotshells aren't a great money saver.

Yes for cost savings but the main reason you get to load exactly what you want. Try to find some 1500 fps duplex 10ga BBB over BB loads on the shelf, they don't exist but kill like no factory load I have ever shot.
I do all my steel 10ga loads and will soon be doing all of my 12ga. Only reason I am just starting to do 12ga is I used 10ga for all my waterfowl hunting in the past 10 years.
I buy all my wads in the US and the steel shot comes out of Ontario.
Never had an issue getting supplies.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Well, as long as wads and steel shot are allowed for export from the US, I have no problem getting them. I live only an hour from the border, about 6 hrs from a Cabelas. I was thinking about getting a Lee Load All there in 12 gauge, and if I liked the process, getting a 16 and 20 gauge adapter.

 

[3macs1]

Well, as long as wads and steel shot are allowed for export from the US, I have no problem getting them. I live only an hour from the border, about 6 hrs from a Cabelas. I was thinking about getting a Lee Load All there in 12 gauge, and if I liked the process, getting a 16 and 20 gauge adapter.

No issues that I know of.If so I have bought it in canada from wholesale sports, irv's shootin, etc over the years. More expensive but available
I mainly use these guys
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/faq.html

 

[JamesM]

Powders are a little different and pressures can spike suddenly so don't get adventurous. Check out duck hunting chat . com they have some experts on the subject.

 

[3macs1]

Powders are a little different and pressures can spike suddenly so don't get adventurous. Check out duck hunting chat . com they have some experts on the subject.

Good point I use mostly Alliant STEEL powder and hand weigh every power charge and load. I have the loaders to do it quicker but prefer to do my hunting loads one at a time.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Powders are a little different and pressures can spike suddenly so don't get adventurous. Check out duck hunting chat . com they have some experts on the subject.

I've never reloaded before, so my main goal (besides saving money) is to not blow myself or my gun up.


Did some reading and saw that Load-Alls are universally panned. Maybe I should look at an MEC on Ebay? I don't have funds for a new one, for sure.

 

[DFarmer]

I've never reloaded before, so my main goal (besides saving money) is to not blow myself or my gun up.


Did some reading and saw that Load-Alls are universally panned. Maybe I should look at an MEC on Ebay? I don't have funds for a new one, for sure.

The Load-Alls are panned by those who reload thousands of rounds. For someone starting out and only planning on reloading a few boxes, they work well. I have never decided it was worthwhile to spend $100- $500 for another reloader when my Load All still works fine.
For loading steel - especially size 2 or larger, count the number of pellets it takes to provide your shot load. (1 oz, 1 1/4 oz etc) Then use an empty primer tray to add the correct number of pellets to your load. Big pellets don't always feed nicely in volume measures. Just use tape to cover the extra spots in the primer tray so you get the correct amount. For example if 1 1/4 oz of shot is required and this corresponds to 86 pellets, cover 14 holes in the primer tray and if you scoop up pellets with the tray, you will have the correct weight of shot in your load.

 

[greywolf]

huh ?????? ok , i guess you're right , my wads and shot must be a figment of my imagination ,( Just got 50 pounds of shot , and around 1000 wads) Lots more in the place I shop too ..... i never have ever had a problem getting shot , powder or wads ! must be a BC thing eh ?

Unfortunately steel-shot wads are not readily available in Canada. Neither is shot.
I once loaded a couple hundred shells with airgun BBs and the overall price was on par with expensive factory shotshells in the same pellet size.

 

[DFarmer]

huh ?????? ok , i guess you're right , my wads and shot must be a figment of my imagination ,( Just got 50 pounds of shot , and around 1000 wads) Lots more in the place I shop too ..... i never have ever had a problem getting shot , powder or wads ! must be a BC thing eh ?

I have not had a problem getting steel shot or wads in B.C.

 

[catnthehatt]

Unfortunately steel-shot wads are not readily available in Canada. Neither is shot.
I once loaded a couple hundred shells with airgun BBs and the overall price was on par with expensive factory shotshells in the same pellet size.

I have never had a problem getting data or components for steel or hevi shot from this guy for any of the five gauges I re-load for .
he's on Calgary, but ships thruoghout Canada.

http://www.bilozir.net/
Cat

 

[Zygote991]

Nice trick!! Glad you shared it with us.

The Load-Alls are panned by those who reload thousands of rounds. For someone starting out and only planning on reloading a few boxes, they work well. I have never decided it was worthwhile to spend $100- $500 for another reloader when my Load All still works fine.
For loading steel - especially size 2 or larger, count the number of pellets it takes to provide your shot load. (1 oz, 1 1/4 oz etc) Then use an empty primer tray to add the correct number of pellets to your load. Big pellets don't always feed nicely in volume measures. Just use tape to cover the extra spots in the primer tray so you get the correct amount. For example if 1 1/4 oz of shot is required and this corresponds to 86 pellets, cover 14 holes in the primer tray and if you scoop up pellets with the tray, you will have the correct weight of shot in your load.