worth reloading 12 ga ?
- Thread starter skneub
- Start date
It costs more to buy all the components for shotloads than it does to buy loaded rounds. If you're casting slugs or buck then you can get the price down around that of cheap bulk shotshells. Scrap lead costs significantly less than lead shot.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
x2 on the above.
For 2-3/4 target loads, there may be a savings of about 10%-25% over retail. At $0.28 a round ($70/250) that equates to a savings of around $0.03 to $0.07 per round. Best case scenario, you literally need to load 1 metric ton (about 10000 shells) of ammo just to pay off the cost of the equipment. If you plan on loading 10K rounds, you will be buying one of the MEC units. Keep in mind that that is before you even start making up for the actual component cost. If you are shooting 20K or more shells per year, then it may be worth investing in.
Slugs are a bloody fortune and you can save big money on reloading them because shotgun slugs start at around 1.20 per round, but the component cost is significantly less than target loads IF you cast your own slugs.
- Location
- Brantford,Ontario
the comments above are correct the only way you can make target loads cheaper is making lead shot yourself.
All above is so true. The only way I can make my own target loads is when I can get beyond blowout pricing on the components. By that I mean $1 for 250 wads, staff price on primers(thanks guys), hulls from spent cheap target factory ammo, and lead shot at a great price. Some powders are ok at retail, again buy bulk 8 lbs tubs. Then I wait until the darkest and coldest winter nights and plug away. Custom loads are nice to have, 7/8 shot works well shooting trap while stretching out the lead bag, and it is a hobby to boot. What ever you do..........do not think saving as in pistol or rifle cartridges. If you are not into bargain hunting stick to buying cases.
You just have to watch out for what shells you use. Federal and others like to use a 2 piece basewad in the shell that after a couple reloads can come out part of the way and blow up the firearm. Stick with remington one piece hulls or AA. If you use the paper or plastic basewad, make them hunting shells and just throw away after you use them.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Remington STS, Winchester AA and Federal GM hulls are all very reloadable.
The "promo" hulls I wouldn'r bother with ... that's why they're available at the various gun clubs. Not worth picking up !!!
The "promo" hulls I wouldn'r bother with ... that's why they're available at the various gun clubs. Not worth picking up !!!
Check if those shells chamber in your gun first, not all of them do after the expansion in different guns...personal experience..
As for it being Worth it, like others have said...Worth it for full power rounds not for target.
i use BP, Wheel weights, home made wads and crimper, still costs about 30-40 cents a round...probably would cost less using smokeless.
As for it being Worth it, like others have said...Worth it for full power rounds not for target.
i use BP, Wheel weights, home made wads and crimper, still costs about 30-40 cents a round...probably would cost less using smokeless.
...i reload shotshells just for the sake of reloading shotshells...and i make lead shot...
...but if you are reloading for waterfowl, then i have never found loads as good as those listed by ballistic product's tables...they are that much better and SO much cheaper...
...i also reload buckshot and slugs...
...but if you are reloading for waterfowl, then i have never found loads as good as those listed by ballistic product's tables...they are that much better and SO much cheaper...
...i also reload buckshot and slugs...
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