Re-loading shot shells. Worth it?

[LoboGunLeather]

Started reloading handgun and rifle cartridges 50 years ago. Started casting my own bullets 49 years ago.

Got myself all set up to reload shotgun about 40 years ago. Never used the equipment! Couple of boxes here and there for practice, not worth the trouble. A box of hunting loads could last me through a couple of seasons. Dove season might consume a couple of boxes. Never got into skeet or trap.

Found a nice young guy who wanted my shotgun reloading stuff and gave it to him to get started (including a couple of 5-gallon buckets of once-fired cases). Looking in the ammo closet now I see about 10 years supply, target loads, game loads, waterfowl loads, buckshot loads.

 

[Skeet 028]

Started loading shotshells in mid /late 1958. Save beaucoup dollars over the years. I still reload them but not really any 12 ga. Few boxes here and there. My shotshell loading costs were about 58 cents/box. I can still save bunch of money but the really expensive component...shot... is pretty cheap... I have 2 shotmakers and 6 tons...oops 5 tons of lead. The only boughten shot I use is for registered skeet loads in the 410. 20/28/410 practice is with my own. Heck way back yonder I even reloaded shotshell primers. Picked up used wads too

 

[scooter123]

I shoot 4 gun Skeet and loaded 11,000 rounds last year, most of in 410 with 28 gauge running second. Only shoot the 20 and 12 gauge when a match is coming up because I'm now old enough to be cautious about my shoulder. For 410 and 28 I have two MEC 9000-G progressive presses and for the 20 and 12 it's Single Stage Sizemasters.

Cost per box is as follows and cost for hulls is included in these costs. I'll also note that I build an Excel Spreadsheet that allows me to enter the costs for every component and get the per box cost. I will also note that this particular breakdown was run today with powder at 300.0/8 lbs. and primers at 72.00/1000.

410 = $ 6.33 per box
28 = $ 7.41 per box
20 = $ 8.04 for 7/8 and $ 7.92 for 3/4 oz. loads
12 = $ 8.66 for 1.0 and $ 8.18 for 7/8 oz. loads

Now consider the cost of Commercial ammo. The 410 and 28 gauge are typically selling at the same price and top rank shells such as Winchester AAHS are 18-20 dollars per box and the 2nd tier shells run 16-18 dollars per box. in terms of ballpark savings in the 410 and 28 gauge I'm saving 10 dollars per box. The 20 and 12 gauge shells also carry identical prices with premium loads running 11-14 dollars per box and second tier such as Winchester White Box getting down to 10 dollars a box. So for the 12 and 20 I'm only saving a buck or two per box but one big advantage is that I can run lighter weight sells to reduce recoil. I will also note that one lesson I have learned by practicing with the 410 is that you really only need 1/2 ounce of shot to break a target on a Skeet field, all that extra lead in the larger bores does is allow you to be sloppier with your shooting.

To sum it up you can save money by reloading. In addition reloading allows you to build loads that are specifically designed for your exact needs. If you want a real powder puff load for the 12 gauge for a new, recoil shy, shooter a 3/4 ounce load is very simple to build, all you have to do is throw in a couple of cheerio's into the wad before dropping the shot and reduce the powder charge a bit. Try purchasing a 3/4 ounce 12 gauge and you'll come up bone dry.

PS; at some point I can foresee that one day I'll be using the 28 gauge for the 28, 20, and 12 gauge events. It is less expensive and I'm to the point where my scores in the 28 and 12 gauges are the same. The 28 is also quite fun for Sporting Clays and a fair bit lighter to carry. Below is a pic of my 410/28 gauge Combo. Yeah, it was pricey but you can't take it with you so some fun is in order.