Reloading shotgun shells

Bryan8

Bryan8

New member
So yesterday I broke down and bought a clay pigeon thrower. Anyways, I burned through 200 12 gauge shells. I need to find a cheaper way to get shells, so I turned to reloading. Im going to order this - http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...equestid=139562 .

What else do I need as far as a equipment wise.

Also what powder, primers, wads, and shot should I use.

Thanks!
 
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Bryan -
You really need to get a shotshell reloading manual. I recommend the Lyman Handbook.
Shotshell reloading is way different than metallic cartridge reloading. You do not "work up" shotshell loads, but rather you follow the recipes in the manuals exactly. They specify the hull, wad, primer and powder combinations, and it is recommended that you stick to those.
It is an interesting and satisfying process, and I think you will enjoy it. Have fun!
 
The lee press is mostly plastic and is OK for loading a few boxes a year. I have 2 MEC 600 Jr. presses. One in 12 ga and one in 20 ga. I have loaded about 10,000 rounds on each without a single problem.
For 20 ga. I use the 7/8 ounce charge bar that came with the press and unique powder with remington rxp20 wads. My presses came pre-adjusted and load most hulls uniformly. The 20 ga. press does not like Federal hulls.
I mostly load remington and winchester hulls.

Hope this helps.
 
Yea thanks guys, ill try to find a book. Also I plan on reloading 3-4 boxes a week just for clays, and maybe rabbits next year.

Also how many times can you reload shells before you got to throw them out?
 
Reload them until they start to split on the crimp lines of the case mouth. Even then, if the crimp is still firm, they are good for casual clay bird shooting.
 
I have a MEC Grabber that I load 12 ga target loads with and a 600jr that I load 10 ga hunting loads with. The MEC loaders will give you the most bang for the buck.

As for case life I have some 10 ga Federal hulls that I have reloaded 10 times. The best 12 ga hulls out there are the Win AA, again some I get 10 or more loadings out of them. Case life depends on the type of loads you are shooting. If you are shooting target loads with lower pressures and faster burning powders you will get better hull life and vise-versa with slower burning powders and magnum loads.

I have owned my MEC reloaders for a little over 20 years now and they are still going strong, I don't think the Lee will last.
 
You should consider one of the MEC 600 Jrs on Ebay, along with a Universal charge bar. It's a far better press than the Plastic Lee.
 
I also have a 2 Lee LoadAll's and I think you will find that they will last a lot longer than some of the responders give them credit for.
Get a good manual. You really need one for shotshell reloading.
 
The Lee is a nice reloader but it takes a little more attention then the Mec 600. I have both and I think the Mec is a bit easier to load higher numbers. The Mec is nice since you get a the powder and shot bushings.

I think if you are going to reload 4-5 boxes a week you would want a progressive. The link you posted had a Mec650 for $250-$300. I know the Lee is cheaper and works well but I think with loading 2-300 shells a week a progressive will pay for itself in the time you save.

For the other stuff get a good book. I started without one and was always a little unsure the load I was SET UP with. The Lee comes with a quick refrence but ..... Once you look through the book you should be able to pick the primers ect.

Good luck
Mark
 
You can actually get a lot of free load data from the manufacturers. Just E-Mail all the powder and component mfrs. and ask for free information. you will be suprised how much you will get in the mail.

Also the guys above know of what they speak. All your components need to be 100% specific for the load that you want.

I have a used Ponsness Warren Single Stage 375C that I am going to sell if you are interested. I can send you pictures if you want to see the press. I would need your E-Mail address, and I can E-Mail you the pictures. I do not have them loaded on photo-bucket.

I will sell the press for $125+shipping. It would be expensive to ship, but this is a great price. Tom.
 
I've reloaded shotgun shells for a lot of years. My reloader is a HydraMEC 650 which I don't think is available any more but I can do 500 rounds in a little over an hour with it.

The Lee loader you pointed to will reload shells but if you want a better quality product I have to agree that the MEC 600 Jr is the way to go. I was reloading 12 gauge mostly for trap shooting and 20 gauge mostly for hunting. I used a 600 Jr for the 20 gauge stuff. The reloads are high quality.

All of the powder manufacturers have free hand books for reloading. For 12 gauge I liked Red Dot which is a bit dirtier than some other powders. A good way to get started is to shoot Winchester AA's and then reload with AA wads, AA powder and Winchester 209 primers. There are less expensive generic wads out there that work just as well.

My advice is to get yourself to a trap, skeet or sporting clays facility and start asking a few questions. You can get some good advice from the shooters there and can probably save some money on components. Most clubs buy in bulk and pass the savings on to their members.

Shotshells are very easy to reload since the powders meter easily so you don't have to weigh every charge. The Mec reloaders have charge bars that are made to throw the right amount of shot and powder every time.

You can also find shotshell reloading data on line. Just do a search and find the powder makers website.
 
Go with a Mec 600 jr. I have a 12 and a 16 gauge version and both have seen 1000's of rounds.

Hulls- I like Remington gunclubs. You should be able to get buckets free at any trap range. The last a long time and are one piece. The AA are still good but have a disc in the bottom that some people claim will dislodge after several reloadings and get caught in the barrel. The next shot will ruin the barrel. I still use AA for some loads but always look down the tubes of my guns before reloading.

This is link will be very helpful
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=17f3fb6d9d0cc88d1d6bb9923362e562
 
I am in the process right now loading up 10,000 round for trap this year and must say Mec 9000G does the job. Load up 118oz.of greendot, western wads, 7.5 or 8 and Remington 209 primers. For this just put in a 36 bushing in the mec and have at it. You can't go wrong with a mec. Just my oppion.
 
Start with a MEC 600 jr. and when your tired of that buy a Dillon and be done with it.......

I used AA hulls 16.2 Grains of Clays with WAA12 "white" wads 1 1/8 oz of #8 shot with a W209 primer...1150fps ish.

If you go to 18.2 grains and keep the rest the same it will give you 1250-1300 fps.

The top load is my singles load and the second is my handicap load.....easy, just change the powder up 2.0 grs. and there you have it...

As for how long a hull is good for, it depends on the hull....The AA`s that i use are good for 8-10 reloads, but you have to take a good look at the plastic bases in them, they will dislodge and can get stuck in your barrel...

Good luck, reloading is just as much fun for me as shooting...

Phil.
 
Quote:
Go with a Mec 600 jr. I have a 12 and a 16 gauge version and both have seen 1000's of rounds.

The AA are still good but have a disc in the bottom that some people claim will dislodge after several reloadings and get caught in the barrel. The next shot will ruin the barrel. I still use AA for some loads but always look down the tubes of my guns before reloading.




Not so, grasshopper.

Winchester AA's are compression formed and are one piece hulls. The old high base, low brass, Winchester paper target loads had a paper base wad that some claimed could dislodge and wind up in your barrel although there was never any reported instances of it actually happening. Winchester discontinued the paper target shells and started making the AA's.
 
Winchester has not been making compression formed one piece AA hulls for at least 6 years or more. They replaced them with the HS AA hull that has a insert in the bottom of the hull. Most re-loaders now prefer to reload the Rem hulls over the Win HS AA hulls.
 


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