Finishing my shotshell reloading

[duman444]

Started shotshell reloading when I was 12, over 50 years ago. We hunted ducks, geese and doves and reloading allowed my Dad to keep his 4 kids in shells without breaking the bank.

Stopped duck and goose hunting a few years back, for a while we loaded our own steel shot after the regulations for non toxic came out.

Now only load for dove. Have 41 lbs. of shot, mostly 7.5 size. Using new primers at 8 cents each, new powder at $35 per lb, I figure I can load almost 800 shells for about $7 a box. However with lead shot at $60 for 25 lbs. adding in 15 Cents for every shell brings it to $10.75per box.

Brother just went on a company sponsored hunt and bought 2 cases of Rem. heavy dove for $12 a box at Academy. They have a $1 rebate for each box, so its actually $11 a box.

No longer worth it load shells when you only save a quarter per box.

 

[toad67]

Loading for the sub gauges is still worth doing. The main reason, IMO, for 12 and 20 is just having them available when you want them. A few years ago, 12 and 20's were almost non-existent.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm still loading for 410 and 28. For the occasional 20 gauge of Sporting Clays I buy AA Super Sports in 7.5. Haven't loaded or shot a 12 in over 12 years. I have 5 bags of shot in the garage, that's 4000 410's, I would need some H-110 or WW296 to load that many, My 410 hulls are getting pretty long in the tooth too. I still have 5 flats of 410 Super Sports from before the pandemic shortages and about 14K of W209 primers. I have powder (Longshot) for about 2 or 3 thousand 28's. I just don't have the drive to go bust clays!

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you are lucky enough to find a lead field & trap load that gives you a great pattern
and a #5 to steel BB load for ducks & Geese that kills them dead at long ranges,

it is worth it to me, to keep on reloading ammo.

If the factory stuff works for you, great,

it just not perform as well in my shot guns and chokes, used in the fields.

 

[H Richard]

I only load for trap and skeet now. I bought a goodly supply of primers before Covid at a fraction of the current price. Wads are not an issue, but shot is now above $60 per 25 lb bag. Powder is up also, so even with loading only a 1 oz load I'm not beating new factory prices very much. When my current supply of shot is gone I'll probably stop loading and just buy my shells.

 

[dave1918a2]

I thank the Gods that a friend and I bought a ton of shot around 12 years ago. Didn't use any for 10 years. Started shooting trap up here 2 years ago and am reloading now. If I had to pay the $85 they want for a bag of shot up here, I would just buy at Scheels. At the $11 a bag I paid, it's pretty cheap as I have around 9K primers that were around $17 a thousand. At 78 I think I'll be OK for a few years. Guys at the range are giving away AA hulls and I have two garbage bags full of once fired. Now all I have to do is find wads and powder. Ran out of Windjammers and am running out of Clays.

 

[venomballistics]

It really depends on the load.
1 1/8 oz @ 1350 ish ... probably not
1 1/4oz @ 1300+ might be a better argument.
Considering how exotic a shot shell load can get, it starts to matter when you're building Ferrari's instead of Chevy's

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

There may come a time when you'll be glad you have the supplies. Who knows when the next crisis makes it impossible to find shotgun shells.

 

[Nevada Ed]

As a note on custom reloads.

I get a kick out of breaking trap and skeet loads with "Powder puff" loads that
hardly have any recoil and just enough pellets to break the birds, while
the other shooters are using a 3 Dram load or 1250fps to 1300fps, to get er done.

I have won some "Anie Oakly" shots, just because the next shooter pulled the trigger
thinking I missed, when my X-lite load of 7 1/2's breaks the bird, spilt seconds later.

My shell bag holds two x-slow loads, that I will use to keep the guys on their toes
and not jump the gun, on the flying birds, when following me.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

There may come a time when you'll be glad you have the supplies. Who knows when the next crisis makes it impossible to find shotgun shells.

You nailed it. I load 12ga-20ga & 410 bore.....I pour my own shot from WW's. I cast bullets for every CF gun I own.............My ammo shelves are always full.............Even when the stores are not......The ups & downs with ammo availability in the last 15 years has had little to no effect on me.......Iffen I wuz you I'd keep that loader and components.

 

[scooter123]

I shoot 4 gun Skeet and practice with 410 for 2 reasons. One is the 410 won't lead to a flinching issue. Two is that it's 2 dollars a box cheaper to load 410 than it is to load 1 ounce 12 gauge. When you are loading 12,000 shells a year that 2 dollar a box savings adds up to nearly 1000 dollars.

PS: considering that Winchester AAHS target loads are currently 20 dollars a box the saving of 13.50 per box for 410 is the price of a very good shotgun such as a Beretta 694 ACS.

I'll also note that shooting the 410 for practice has taught me that you really only need 1/2 ounce of lead to break a target. Those shopping for heavy hitters such as 1 1/4 ounce loads may be wise to re-consider that particular choice. You are wasting lead AND doing damage to your shoulder.

 

[glowe]

I think you need to refresh your math. I load for around $7.50/box using today's prices. Also believe prices for reloading components are still coming down. I can load 800 rounds for around $7.50/box using the following costs:

1 oz dove/target loads @ 1100fps
Lead - $120 (2 bags shot @ $60 for 25 pounds)
Primers - $50 (Cheddite @$60 for 1000)
Wads - $25 (CB wads @ $15 for 500)
Powder - $50 (based on price for 4# 700X)

 

[Babysitr]

I kind of stocked up at the 2022 grand...I'm at $6.87 for 1oz. and $7.28 for 11/8 oz.....I have less problems with my handloads than I have with "promo" shells

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Reloading is a hobby in itself. As a retiree with no grandchildren close by I have plenty of time on my hands.

 

[algaeguy]

And lead is getting cheaper. In July I paid 65$ per 25lbs locally. I went in this morning and the $60 price from last month was crossed off and $56 was in its place. But on another note, 2024 is an election year. Anyone want to get was becomes in short supply this time?!

 

[Patrick L]

"Worth" is a very subjective thing.

If you shoot 12 or 20 gauge, and you shoot the very generic, run of the mill type ammo, then it might not be "worth" it in terms of dollars and cents. The Walmart 100 count value packs, currently about $35, maybe can't be beat. I shoot those sometimes. Particularly if I'm shooting sporting clays with an autoloader, where you often lose your hulls, I prefer to shoot those instead of my AA or STS hull reloads. Also, at today's shot prices, it's probably the cheapest way to hurl a full 1 1/8 ounces of lead downrange.. Sometimes I want to do that for a particularly distant clay.

However, I agree the subgauges are definitely financially worth it to reload. Ditto one of my favorites, the 16 gauge.

Even in 12 and 20 gauge I load things not commonly available. I load 3/4 oz target loads in 12 gauge that will absolutely obliterate skeet targets, as well as probably 80% of most sporting clays birds. In fact, except for .410, I load 3/4 oz for every other gauge. Try finding those at Walmart. In addition to almost no recoil, the shot bottle barely budges as I crank the handle. Very important in these days of $50+ shot.

As I said, if you like the 16 gauge, better reload.

I don't reload my hunting ammo. Honestly a box or two of factory lasts me several seasons. It's not "worth" inventorying the different powders and shot sizes. And face it, at my age I've accumulated more than a "few" boxes of hunting loads. Keep an eye out for my estate sale. But I wouldn't argue with those that do reload their own hunting loads. I get it.

Finally, some people weigh everything by dollars and cents. I never understood that "you've got to figure the cost of your time" mentality. I've always enjoyed reloading. I chose to do that instead of watching TV or frequenting bars. Putting on some music and cranking the handle was relaxing, anticipating the time I'd spend shooting this ammo with family and friends. Sort of like casting bullets. I didn't have a job that paid overtime, it's not like I could elect to just work and get more money. And this isn't because I'm retired now and have time. When I was in the fray, time at my bench was therapeutic.

Anyhow, I'll end the sermon here. Your experiences may be different, so feel free to disagree. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Racer X]

My brother-in-law and I am going to start reloading shotshells now his son has a 410 gauge. Prices are crazy. Had I known, I would have urged him to get a youth 20, and get a full sized stock when he is grown.

I need high velocity shells for my semi-automatic 12s. Turkey loads should run them OK.

 

[venomballistics]

My brother-in-law and I am going to start reloading shotshells now his son has a 410 gauge. Prices are crazy. Had I known, I would have urged him to get a youth 20, and get a full sized stock when he is grown.

I need high velocity shells for my semi-automatic 12s. Turkey loads should run them OK.

I find myself in a similar position for different reasons.
I haven't loaded a shotshell in over 20 years.
Now that I'm lookin to get into some flavors of hunting, I'm hard pressed to find any of the powders i've used in the past.
Alliant is scarce as hens teeth while the clays line is gone due to the plant being reallocated.
How rude ... A feller finally comes up for air .... and there isn't any

 

[chiefdave]

I used to load 4 guns but with the cost of lead and powder have quit 12 and 20. I see no need to shoot 12 in skeet when the 20 breaks just as many targets. I can get Federal and Remington 20 target loads at Midway for $100 a case or less depending on sales and pick them up in Columbia to avoid shipping and hazmat. I only practice with 28.

 

[Imissedagain]

If I ever have nothing to do, would be nice to load shot in
460 S&W Magnum cases and machine a choke that fits in the muzzle brake/comp area.
XFull of course.
Chaps and aluminum boot cover.
Fast draw handgun Trap.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you shoot a 12 Ga.

and can't make a load using Red Dot or Unique powder,
something is very wrong.

 

[Skeet 028]

I haven't loaded a shotshell in over 10 years. When I quit loading I had loaded 31 flats of 20 ga...16 28s and 16 410s. I still have a bunch of components. Shot is kind of the big cost now days. I have a couple shotmakers and tons of lead. . Scrap prices for lead is under a dollar a pound so figure 22 dollars a bag. My time is becoming worth more every day..LOL. Over the last 10 years I have bought narly 20,000 primers at gun shows yard and estate sales. I am set for life. Now if I caan get the doc to let me shoot anything bigger than 410 I'd be good. Seriously...as many have said even in the 12 ga you can get by easily with 3/4 ounce loads. I develped a good 3/4 ounce 20 ga. my scores averaged better with 3/4 ounce 20s than my 12 ga average did when I shot it. As far ast those dove/quail loads...the worst of the stuff you can shoot...Make your own with good shot/wads/powder. You will have better shells for the same or less money...with better scores. If I can do it so can you. I carried a 4 gun AA class skeet average for years without shooting the 12 ga. When it comes to field loads it isn't worth reloading them UNLESS you shoot a lot of 'em. Hardly any people do shoot that much game anymore. Waterfowl loads?? buy factory...hevishot or tungsten matrix...You can not make any better than that factory made stuff. Oh even high end steel sucks unless they are fairly close.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I reload 12 and 20 for cas shoots using #9 shot. Maybe a box and a half a month. My initial cost wasn’t much as the Bair press was free and the shot was almost free. Red Dot and Clays i already had. Once fired WW AA shells were free for the taking. When things dried up some folks in my club were scrambling to find shotshells while I had plenty.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

"Worth" is a very subjective thing.

If you shoot 12 or 20 gauge, and you shoot the very generic, run of the mill type ammo, then it might not be "worth" it in terms of dollars and cents. The Walmart 100 count value packs, currently about $35, maybe can't be beat. I shoot those sometimes. Particularly if I'm shooting sporting clays with an autoloader, where you often lose your hulls, I prefer to shoot those instead of my AA or STS hull reloads. Also, at today's shot prices, it's probably the cheapest way to hurl a full 1 1/8 ounces of lead downrange.. Sometimes I want to do that for a particularly distant clay.

However, I agree the subgauges are definitely financially worth it to reload. Ditto one of my favorites, the 16 gauge.

Even in 12 and 20 gauge I load things not commonly available. I load 3/4 oz target loads in 12 gauge that will absolutely obliterate skeet targets, as well as probably 80% of most sporting clays birds. In fact, except for .410, I load 3/4 oz for every other gauge. Try finding those at Walmart. In addition to almost no recoil, the shot bottle barely budges as I crank the handle. Very important in these days of $50+ shot.

As I said, if you like the 16 gauge, better reload.

I don't reload my hunting ammo. Honestly a box or two of factory lasts me several seasons. It's not "worth" inventorying the different powders and shot sizes. And face it, at my age I've accumulated more than a "few" boxes of hunting loads. Keep an eye out for my estate sale. But I wouldn't argue with those that do reload their own hunting loads. I get it.

Finally, some people weigh everything by dollars and cents. I never understood that "you've got to figure the cost of your time" mentality. I've always enjoyed reloading. I chose to do that instead of watching TV or frequenting bars. Putting on some music and cranking the handle was relaxing, anticipating the time I'd spend shooting this ammo with family and friends. Sort of like casting bullets. I didn't have a job that paid overtime, it's not like I could elect to just work and get more money. And this isn't because I'm retired now and have time. When I was in the fray, time at my bench was therapeutic.

Anyhow, I'll end the sermon here. Your experiences may be different, so feel free to disagree. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Worth is a subjective thing."......True.......BUT. When when I look at my shelf and I have more ammo than say Walmart. I win........Time? I's got lotsa time. I enjoy casting/loading ans shooting the final product........Again I win.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I was glad that I took up loading ammo.

Since I do like to hunt duck and a few geese now and then, it is nice to be able to load a fast load of small #5 steel pellets
that do a great job at collecting my favorite tasting duck of all time, for me,
the little fast, go every where, Teal !!

This load will also work on large Mallard if inside 40 yards.

I carry from #9 lead all the way up to Steel BB's and I still have one flat of #2 Bismuth for the old Browning "Hump Back".

 

[Skeet 028]

NE I too like shooting teal. I tried loading steel for a while. Wsn't hard to do when you got the right wads. Remeber the wad cutting tool you could put on a Mec single sstage? Anyway I too loaded steel 5s. They killed those little teal really ell but evenwith skeet choke they just put too many small pellets in the bird. tween that and pintails baldpates and gadwalls being around about the same time I went to 3s and 4s. 3s were great as they usually went through the bird. But where we shot them was in a large marsh with small stream/gut.25 yards was a looonnngg shot. We were hunting mostly on the Nanticoke River on the Eastern Shore of Md. When the big ducks showed up we shot #2s and 1s. I did load them till I found Bismuth and Hevi shot. Bismuth was ALMOST as good as lead. Hevi shot was better than lead. Steel 1's were good on Mallards Blackheads(scaup) and Canvasbacks to about 40 yards...little more...Geese with steel is BB,BBB, and T shot. when we could still shoot lead I had one load...different size shot 5s & 6's for teal etc. mag 3's for the big ducks and tolling geese

 

[Top Strap]

Loading for the sub gauges is still worth doing. The main reason, IMO, for 12 and 20 is just having them available when you want them. A few years ago, 12 and 20's were almost non-existent.

A few years ago, shot shells were the last to dry up and sat on the shelves gathering dust. They slowly began to disappear and all of a sudden seems like overnight disappeared.

 

[Alton]

I enjoy my Automate from MEC. If it ever fails I will stop loading shotgun shells I paid $700 a few years ago today $1600 with tax. A couple years ago a friend took me hunting to a place where the doves were supposed to be plenty, except they were not so plenty and not so close. After seeing him miss so many I gave him a box of my reloads, I think he ended up with 12. For me I suck at shooting a shotgun so I need all the help I can get.

 

[Skeet 028]

Shotgun shooting is a different critter. Those dove quail loads should be outlawed...they are terrible.... reloaded shotshells for the mist part are orders of magnitude better. when made with quality components especially... The best thing to do is always use magnum grade shot. I had one of those Mec machines once...Went with P-Ws and Spolars...of which I only have 2...one set up for 410 and the other for the other gauges.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

There may come a time when you'll be glad you have the supplies. Who knows when the next crisis makes it impossible to find shotgun shells.

So True............I pour my own shot 6's-7 1/2's-8's & 9's......Free lead(WW's) that I have accumiladed over time......I load 12's-20's & 410's..........The above poster is correct........You can't buy iffen it ain't on the shelves. I cast bullets for everything I shoot except 22LR and 7mm.........I've been in it for the long haul.......Never will be caught short on cartridges or shotgun shells. I do buy some shells and cartridges at times and stack them back if needed.............I have 4 Mec's setup and ready to go.