ShotShell Reloading?

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MauserSniper

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Just curious if anyone out there is a avid trap shooter and reloads there own Shot Shells? and is it cost affective? and what is the best rated presses out there, any recommendations?
 
I use a Lee Load All for both my 12 & 20, I have'nt shot skeet or trap since
'89, but still load for hunting, slug shooting & buckshot.
I've had the Load All since '89 too, bought it from LeBarons for $27.99.
 
I reload my own 12 and 20 gauge shells for target shooting, i use Ponsness Warren 950 Elite Grand machines, they do a wonderful job. The rate of production is around 500/hr. if you choose the most trouble free components. I make lead shot so I do end up saving alot of money over factory loads as shot is the most expensive component. Some say that P-W machines are fussy, quirky, etc. but I like mine, as I have alot of patience. These reloaders are probably around $1000 each now.
 
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I reload 12 and 28 gauge. The 28 gauge is very cost effective. The 12 gauge isn't compared to the cheap Wallyword shells. However I load shells of better quality and in shot weights and velocities that I can't typically buy off the shelf. I am saving money when compared to premium target shells and my reloads are at least of the same quality.

I load 12 gauge on a MEC 9000 and 28 gauge on a MEC 600Jr. Both are adequate. The best loader on the market is made by Spolar but it's very expensive.
 
I reload all my 12ga shells from 1 1/2oz for hunting to 3/4oz 12ga skeet shells. The price of lead is the killer these days that's one of the reasons for the 3/4oz (almost 500rounds to a 25lb bag of lead) recoil is the 2nd reason. I'm not saving much money these days compared to some of the ammo deals that are given at our club but my two loaders are paid for(Hornady 366 and a Mec Sizemaster).

I enjoy reloading it's a hobby and a passion for me. Sometimes I even have my son help me. He's been helping me reload since he was 6 years old. (teach them young!)
 
I own two Mec Grabber progressive presses; one in 12 ga. and the other in 20 ga. They replaced my Mec Sizemaster single stage loaders. For the money, I think the Mec line is the way to go. You have to decide how much you shoot and how much time you want to spend reloading. The nice thing about the Grabber and 9000 is you can disable the progressive feature when learning to reload and then hook it back up when you are familiar with the machine. As stated before, lead prices are through the roof but deals can be found. Reclaimed shot can be purchased at many trap and skeet ranges and is fine for 16 yard trap and also skeet. Powder, wads and primers are best purchased in bulk; see if your range has a group of folks who pool their orders and join them. Lots of reloadable hulls are left on the ground by non-reloaders and can be yours for the taking (unless you visit a range that claims all hulls that hit the ground). Good luck on your decision.
 
Huntsman said:
I use a Lee Load All for both my 12 & 20, I have'nt shot skeet or trap since '89, but still load for hunting, slug shooting & buckshot. I've had the Load All since '89 too, bought it from LeBarons for $27.99.
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Just got one - teach me all you know? ;)

P.S. Reloading components - who in/near Toronto sells them? I'd even settle for Bass Pro...:redface:
 
The smaller the gauge the more cost effective it will be. Lead is $42 a bag compared to $25 this time last year. The higher volume you shoot the more you will save. For 12 you can probabiblly get ammo cheaper, 410 I can load fro $3 or pay $10 for factories.
 
It depends on the ammo you buy and the type of loads you want to use. If you are going to be doing a lot of shooting a high grade loader like a ponsness warren will make a lot of ammo for you. I have a 900 elite that has produced about 60,000 rounds and will still be good to go at 600,000. That said, unless you want to shoot a load that is not factory , you can shoot the cheap stuff from wal-mart with very little cost.
 
cyclone said:
Something else to keep in mind is that not all loads are commercially available; trying to loads with get No.1 or No.2 shot are quite difficult for me, thus far.
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I found No. 2 at Wal-Mart tonight. Check it out... I had to walk behind the counter to see them at the back of the glass cabinet, though. No one said anything about it. Buckshot 0, 00, and 000 I could not find, however.
 
FirearmsCanada.ca said:
I found No. 2 at Wal-Mart tonight. Check it out... I had to walk behind the counter to see them at the back of the glass cabinet, though. No one said anything about it. Buckshot 0, 00, and 000 I could not find, however.
Click to expand...

I'm in Toronto, though - only one Wal-Mart near me sells and shotgun ammo, and it's all 20 guage...:(
 
Also helps to buy your components in bulk, keg of powder etc.
Yes you do have the advantage of customization(3/4 oz 12ga. etc.)
 
Irv's in Courtice/Oshawa provides good service and as reasonable a price as you'll find. Also often has decent used loaders on hand as well.

As for loaders...I recommend PW's.

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I started out ( seems like a hundred years ago) with what is now a MEC 600 Jr., progressed through the Grabber to the MEC900G and ultimately to a
Ponsness-Warren 950 Grand Elite. ( Shoulda' bought a PW 800 years before that though ! )

Unless you buy components in bulk ... 8-12 lbs of powder, 5000 wads, 5000 primers at a time, it's not that cost effective.

Forget about cost ... you'll only shoot a lot more anyway. Enjoy reloading for what it is.
 
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