OP
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Thanks for the great replies. You've all given me some good things to think about.
Re-loading shot shells. Worth it?
- Thread starter DeplorabusUnum
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I'm loading 1oz. for singles @ 6.85.....11/8 handicap @7.25....already had the hulls....components from Mike at the grand...saves a little
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I have loaded shot gun shells from time to time over the years. Never got into competition so mainly hunting loads and informal target work. Doubt if I saved much compared to buying factory but I could always make up what I felt I needed. After loading for a while I did make a habit of only buying components when I caught a sale or found a bargain at a gunshow, yard sale or flea market. Still have a fair amount of stuff put back but the only shotshells I have loaded in several years are 16 gauge and 410. Those two are pricier than I like and usually hard to find (especially nowadays).
Patrick L
Member
I think its worth it. The price and availability of ammo has gone up dramatically too remember.
There was a point, right before the pandemic, when components had gone up, but the Wally World value packs were still like about $20. At that point it was questionable. But even then, you were getting cheap ammo that would tear your head off, since it had to cycle autoloaders. There was a place for it, but I used it only for certain things. It was great for sporting clays with the 1100 since I was losing the hulls anyway. Why shoot reloads in premium hulls, and the 1100 soaked up some kick. But that is talking common 12 and 20 gauge. And now those value of packs are pushing $35.
28 or .410, you'll save a ton. Like shooting a 16? Better reload. Even in 12 and 20, I'm shooting stuff almost impossible to buy, and very expensive if you can find it. For skeet, I shoot 3/4 oz in EVERYTHING except the.410 bore. Shot lasts longer, the hits are still decisive, and recoil is almost a non issue.
There is also the feeling of relative independence. I have a pile of ammo. I really don't worry about running out. Sure I've spent a fortune on components, but the same fortune would buy less ammo.
And I'm one of those oddballs who actually enjoy reloading. Some do not, and if that's you, I totally get it.
There was a point, right before the pandemic, when components had gone up, but the Wally World value packs were still like about $20. At that point it was questionable. But even then, you were getting cheap ammo that would tear your head off, since it had to cycle autoloaders. There was a place for it, but I used it only for certain things. It was great for sporting clays with the 1100 since I was losing the hulls anyway. Why shoot reloads in premium hulls, and the 1100 soaked up some kick. But that is talking common 12 and 20 gauge. And now those value of packs are pushing $35.
28 or .410, you'll save a ton. Like shooting a 16? Better reload. Even in 12 and 20, I'm shooting stuff almost impossible to buy, and very expensive if you can find it. For skeet, I shoot 3/4 oz in EVERYTHING except the.410 bore. Shot lasts longer, the hits are still decisive, and recoil is almost a non issue.
There is also the feeling of relative independence. I have a pile of ammo. I really don't worry about running out. Sure I've spent a fortune on components, but the same fortune would buy less ammo.
And I'm one of those oddballs who actually enjoy reloading. Some do not, and if that's you, I totally get it.
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I used to load for trap. I sold my two MEC's a few years ago and gave away all of my shot, hulls, primers and powder. Shot became too expensive. I eventually gave up trap and sold my shotguns.
My range used to shoot trap once a week. They recently closed the range because there wasn't enough interest. Rifle and pistol range is still open. I think there's one other place around here to shoot trap but I've been told it's just Thursday evening 6-10pm.
My range used to shoot trap once a week. They recently closed the range because there wasn't enough interest. Rifle and pistol range is still open. I think there's one other place around here to shoot trap but I've been told it's just Thursday evening 6-10pm.
GypsmJim
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Back in the late 1960's I bought a surplus 03A3 at Woolworths. Initially I shot old corrosive surplus ammo. When it started to dry up locally, and factory ammo was too expensive, I spent 20 bucks for a Lee Loader, a pound of powder and a box of bullets. It was fun.
A few years later I bought a Security Six and got a second Lee Loader, etc.
At the time I didn't shoot much shotgun, but I said why not get a shotgun loader as well.
In 1975 I collected tons (figuratively) of lead and started casting.
My position for the last 40 years is that I will only buy rimfire ammo. All the rest I'll make myself. It's fun, I get what I want, I save money, and did I say it's fun.
My current stash of most components will last my lifetime. When primers get down to $40 I'll splurge and fill the cabinet. In the meantime, I''ll continue to have fun.
A few years later I bought a Security Six and got a second Lee Loader, etc.
At the time I didn't shoot much shotgun, but I said why not get a shotgun loader as well.
In 1975 I collected tons (figuratively) of lead and started casting.
My position for the last 40 years is that I will only buy rimfire ammo. All the rest I'll make myself. It's fun, I get what I want, I save money, and did I say it's fun.
My current stash of most components will last my lifetime. When primers get down to $40 I'll splurge and fill the cabinet. In the meantime, I''ll continue to have fun.
I started shotgun loading in 1977 with Dad's old 12 ga Mec 600. Fast forward to today There are 4 Mec 600 MK5's bolted to my bench. One 12 ga, one 20 ga, one 410 2 1/2" and one 410 3". I started pouring my own 6-7 1/2-8-9's shot 10 years ago from free WW's. I have always bought in bulk and stashed away. Current scamdemic has not affected my shooting at all. Am good for a couple of years. I hunt, shoot SC's once in awhile and have my own personal skeet field my farm.
Also whenever in Wally World and they had those 4 pks of cheap 12 & 20 ga shells I'd buy a pack and tuck "em" back.
I load 12 & 20 with Unique powder which is a good cross over to 44 spl. and 45LC. I load 410's with #2400 which is a good cross over 357 & 44 mag.
Point is Don't Get Caught Behind The Eight Ball.......Ever.
Also whenever in Wally World and they had those 4 pks of cheap 12 & 20 ga shells I'd buy a pack and tuck "em" back.
I load 12 & 20 with Unique powder which is a good cross over to 44 spl. and 45LC. I load 410's with #2400 which is a good cross over 357 & 44 mag.
Point is Don't Get Caught Behind The Eight Ball.......Ever.
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OP
DeplorabusUnum
Member
We have a 16g Remington pump that is perfect for my wife.
I loaded shot shells for many years. However, last Fall I sold my Hornady 366 to a local gunsmith. One of the guys I shoot sporting clays with has a hydraulic loader and shells are still relatively cheap.
OP
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Good points. I have already have tons of powder that will work for shotgun including Unique, 2400, WST and maybe a few others. I guess another factor I haven't brought up would be our 21 grandkids that we hope to get interested in the world of shooting. we're pretty well set for centerfire components for a long time, but not shotgun shells.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
There are 400 ounces of shot in a bag. That means I get 800 410 shells per bag! Nobody has seen a flat of new 410's in about 4 years now. And I still shoot 3k 410 and 3-5K of 28's, but only a few hundred 20's, and ZERO 12's anymore. I only buy factory to keep me hulls on 28 & 410. I find 25# of shot for $35-40. Powder is readily available! Primers are somewhat available.
When you messed up a shell loading in the 90's, you threw it away because it took too long to recover the shot wad and primer. Now you don't care about the time, that would be real money you'd be wasting. (I do save them up for a rainy-day project!)
Ivan
When you messed up a shell loading in the 90's, you threw it away because it took too long to recover the shot wad and primer. Now you don't care about the time, that would be real money you'd be wasting. (I do save them up for a rainy-day project!)
Ivan
Kinda depends. I got into shotshell reloading long ago for 2 reasons: a co-worker sold me a pair (12 & 20 g) of Mec Jrs for $60 and threw in a 25 lb bag of shot AND, I had an autoloader that was picky about what would function it. Seems the bargain basement loads used just a pinch of fast burning powder and that wouldn't cycle the action. I can't recall any load I used from the Lyman manual that wouldn't.
I have noticed that AA hulls aren't really 2 3/4" anymore, more like 2 5/8". (Hey, that 1/8" can add up to real money over millions/billions of shells.) That can create some problems requiring wad/powder substitutions and maybe straying into unknown territory.
I have noticed that AA hulls aren't really 2 3/4" anymore, more like 2 5/8". (Hey, that 1/8" can add up to real money over millions/billions of shells.) That can create some problems requiring wad/powder substitutions and maybe straying into unknown territory.
What I would give to have a grandkid. Have 2 adult kids.
In the past when I've needed new 410 hulls I've bought pre-primed 410 Cheditte hulls from Ballistic Products. They work as good as W-AA or R-STS.
For casual clay birds and upland game, promo loads for 12 or 20 gauge from one of the big box retailers are cheap enough it's not worth the time. On the other hand, you if want some semi orphan ammo, like for a hand me down 16 gauge, reloading is the answer.
Ten years ago if you caught a good sale it was a toss of the coin.
With todays prices and the ability to get supplies, I would give
loading a look, if you are starting into shooting shotguns & Trap
and your store prices are way out of line.
This picture brings a tear to my eyes.
With todays prices and the ability to get supplies, I would give
loading a look, if you are starting into shooting shotguns & Trap
and your store prices are way out of line.
This picture brings a tear to my eyes.
If the two of you are going into trap than it is definitely worth reloading. Most likely you will shoot between 100 to 200 rounds per week and the beauty of handloading is that you can customize your shells for good effectiveness and minimum recoil. I used to use 7/8 oz in the 12 ga and it was fine for 16 yard trap and all skeet as well as sporting.
If you have to buy a case of factory shells, at least you finally have them.
They will last 7-10 reloads with X~Lite trap loads at the lower fps.
The crimp area usually gets "Cooked" and is where most hulls start to fall apart, in quality.
Shot is what brought my cost up, in my area.
For many years I loaded on a Mec Jr do do all my lead & steel loads
but when I got into ATA, I ended up getting an 8 station that
made loading a case of shells a lot quicker.
Have fun.
They will last 7-10 reloads with X~Lite trap loads at the lower fps.
The crimp area usually gets "Cooked" and is where most hulls start to fall apart, in quality.
Shot is what brought my cost up, in my area.
For many years I loaded on a Mec Jr do do all my lead & steel loads
but when I got into ATA, I ended up getting an 8 station that
made loading a case of shells a lot quicker.
Have fun.
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