I make my own shot, and have component saved from many years ago, so it is still affordable for me.
Cat
Shotgun shells reloading - does it make financial sense in 2026?
- Thread starter Horilka
- Start date
Cat
Of course it is, but you aren't purchasing all of the components like most of us. If you have to purchase shot, wads, powder and primers at today's prices, you aren't going to save money loading 12 gauge target loads. I buy fairly large amounts of components myself, but at the volume that I shoot, I still have to buy every few years, to keep loading 28 gauge and 410.
I purchase shot, wads, hulls, primer, powder and a new Mec 600jr and a bag full of bushings/charge bars.
It may take me decades to even come close to breaking even (shoot 10-15 shells a season) but darn it
I find it relaxing and enjoyable. Sometimes it's not about breaking even or saving money.
It may take me decades to even come close to breaking even (shoot 10-15 shells a season) but darn it
I find it relaxing and enjoyable. Sometimes it's not about breaking even or saving money.
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
The point is that there are ways to make loading more affordable. I load for 410, 28, 20, 16 and 12. It would be tough to load on the cheap if you are only loading a few hundred rounds a year. However, if you are loading a lot there ARE ways to shave the price per unit. Making your own shot being the obvious first step. The other thing is if you only save $2 per box, it’s not worth monkeying with unless you enjoy doing it or sre loading unconventional loads if you are only shooting a few hundred rounds per year. Get into the thousands per year and $2 a box adds up quick. Of course you have to account for the time it takes to load thousands of rounds per year.
Making your own shot, obviously cuts the price to load, as soon as you pay off your shotmaker and if you have access to the proper lead. But most people simply aren't willing to make their own shot, given the effort required, to make high quality shot, and the fumes from melting lead will concern some people. And if you are going to shoot several thousand rounds per year, a fully progressive press is not cheap, unless you can find one used for a great price. You can pay off a press in less than a year if you shoot thousands of 28 gauge or 410, but buying all components and a progressive press, it would take many years to pay for the press loading 12 gauge target loads.
i did not know that. thank you. 10 gauge are hard enough to find let alone some "softer" ones for an old-old parker bro's SxS
It is very easy to load shotgun shells with an absolute minimum .
A roll crimper that chucks into a drill and and adjustable scoop not too expensive and that would be you most expensive outlay for tooling .
In the picture I eas loading brass cases , so the white overshot wads are glued in on top of the shot charge.
Using paper ir plastic cases , the roll rimmper would be used
Cat
Attachments
Last edited:
Isn't selling reloads for people to shoot without the proper licensing illegal in general? Making for free would be legal I think, but most people won't do that for liability reasons even if they don't mind the financial hit.
If you want to make 7/8oz or 3/4oz target loads then you pretty much have to make your own as they don’t make factory shells in those weights very often that I could see
The shot is the most expensive component in shot shell reloading so it costs a bit less to make the lighter weight shells
I can buy 1oz and 1-1/8 oz shells cheaper then I can make them but my shells are much better quality then the cheap factory shells so you have to take that into consideration
Definitely worth it to load 28 gauge and 410
The shot is the most expensive component in shot shell reloading so it costs a bit less to make the lighter weight shells
I can buy 1oz and 1-1/8 oz shells cheaper then I can make them but my shells are much better quality then the cheap factory shells so you have to take that into consideration
Definitely worth it to load 28 gauge and 410
I still load 12ga for two reasons . I have a lot of components from 15 years ago and a bunch of 7.5 home made shot I purchased a number of years back from a local fellow who has since sadly passed. Thus it’s cheaper than factory. I also load 3/4 ounce 1200fps loads for my wife who likes the lighter recoil hunting birds. It’s fun as well.
Final fact is I have two large totes full of old AA hulls that will last my lifetime.
Final fact is I have two large totes full of old AA hulls that will last my lifetime.
