Reloading Shotshells

W

willow514

New member
I did a search and I couldn't find anything on this so I figured I would as the experts, but they were busy so I am stuck with you guys. Just kidding. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, I am on my wifes uncle's trap team this summer and I was thinking about reloading my own shells. I have been looking on Midway to get an idea on what the starting cost would be but I am unsure on which would be the best press, powder, shot, etc, to get.

So my questions are:
-How many times can I reload a shell
-What would be the cost per shell
-What would you guy suggest for equipment for starting off (press and anything that goes with it, powder, shot, primers)

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
 
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So my questions are:
-How many times can I reload a shell


Until the crimp doesn't hold or the hull starts to crack.
I load Remy STS hulls and get 10 plus loads
Quote:

-What would be the cost per shell


The price of lead is getting prices quite high.
At $65 for 25#'s one ounce load will get you 400 rounds or 16 cents per round. 1000 primers for $30 or 3 cents ea. Wads are $8/500 or 1.6 cents ea and powder, and about 9 cents a piece for powder. So about 30 cents a round not counting hulls for a box total of about $7.50/25 rounds.
Obviously these are premium components and can be done cheaper.
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-What would you guy suggest for equipment for starting off (press and anything that goes with it, powder, shot, primers)


A MEC is hard to go wrong with.
If you are shooting with any quantity you will want a progressive press. A 9000G is a nice unit, but even a single stage like the Mark series will do fine. If you want to save money go to your local shooting club and check the bullitin board, there are always used presses for sale as the older gents start going to sub-caliber.
I also highly recommend the Universal Charge Bar instead of bushing. This allows you to change your load for hunting, birds, etc without running off to the store.
Lastly I also like Hodgdon Clays for it's clean burn. My barrels look clean even after a couple hundred rounds....unlike factory ammo.


EDIT: Pick up the Lyman shotgun reloading manual
 
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I was going to say that about the Lyman Manual it has all the info you would need. MEC makes good equipt for the money as well. Components are sort of like chicken nuggets Parts is parts. you do want to match your wads with your hulls though.
 
If you want to REALLY tune up your handloads, go to www.ballisticproducts.com and browse their site. Their info and recommendations are second to none. Using their components, you can customize your patterns and velocities, something that is not that easy using "generic" shotcups and hulls.

MEC is good equipment. You can turn out excellent loads with their most inexpensive unit.

A word of caution....a lot of people look at shotgun reloading as a casual activity that isn't very complicated and inherently easy. While it is very enjoyable, it can also be a very, very dangerous undertaking if you aren't careful. Use ONLY SPECIFIED components, and don't substitute shotcups, hulls, or other components. Different hulls and different shotcups rather than what the loading manual specifies can cause very dangerous chamber pressures.

It's easy, and it's FUN, but it requires attention to detail and caution if you want it to be safe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
If the price of a press is an issue there's always a Lee Load All 2 for about $38. I have one and it works fine for my needs, but I'm sure I don't shoot or reload as many shells as you will be on a shooting team.
 
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Quote:
"...A word of caution....a lot of people look at shotgun reloading as a casual activity that isn't very complicated and inherently easy. While it is very enjoyable, it can also be a very, very dangerous undertaking if you aren't careful. Use ONLY SPECIFIED components, and don't substitute shotcups, hulls, or other components. Different hulls and different shotcups rather than what the loading manual specifies can cause very dangerous chamber pressures.

It's easy, and it's FUN, but it requires attention to detail and caution if you want it to be safe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif



What Higgy said.

Loading Shotshells is not like rifle and pistol - you don't tinker with loads for years, if ever.
It is a recipe, like cooking a complicated meal... you just do it like the book said.

You have been given two EXCELLENT sources - the Lyman manual (the BEST shotshell manual), and www.ballisticproducts.com.

There is an argument that loading shotshells on a small level is not money saving. That is pretty much true if you are shooting trap and skeet shells - most places sell the factory loads pretty cheap.

But you can load shotshells that you can't buy at any price - and that's the fun part for me.

I bought a Ponness Warren with dies for 12ga 2-3/4", 12gr 3", 28ga, and 410 bore.

I load stuff like 12ga 3" mags with #9 shot for starlings, and #8s for high flying crows ... 28ga w/#11 shot for wood boring bees /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif, and other goofie loads - I love it.


. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
For shells I have used old Remington RXP (years ago) and Winchester AA currently. I think that I was getting more reloads out of the Remington shells. I easily got 8-10 (or more) reloads from a case with the Remington. So far I have only reloaded the AA shells about 5 times but they seem to be wearing faster. I also have used both the Lee (12ga) and Mec jr (20ga) presses which might be cause for some of the difference. I think the both do a good job BUT I think the Mec is easier to use. Like everyone said get a manual as it makes things a LOT easier. I am not real happy with Red Dot powder because it not very versatile. I am thinking of changing (to clays or Green Dot) soon since I am almost out. For wads I have used Remington, AA, and the Duster brand and thought all were good. When choosing shoot check with the range to see if they have any size limits. One of the ranges here requires everyone to use 71/2 or smaller. For primers I would say to look through a manual to see what powder, wad, and primer combination you want try before you buy anything

Reloading is fun and the presses last a long time. I also think I do a bit better with MY loads /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif then the cheep store bought. I agree with what was said before about being able load some stuff you can’t get in the stores.

Hope this helps
Mark
 
Many of my serious trapshooting buddies are giving up reloading. Economy grade factory ammo at SW, Gander Mtn, etc. is cheaper than reloading. For non-competition shooting the economy stuff shoots great. If you are shooting some competition then buy a few boxes of STS's or AA's.

So if the idea of reloading is appealing to you because of potential cost savings, you may want to carefully check your arithmetic.

If you are considering the idea because it could be fun, go for it.
 
Lead shot is going for around $40 a bag here in Wisconsin while target loads are going for about $5.50 a box. So right now you may be better off buying loaded ammo. Keep your hulls and only buy one brand name so you will have hulls of the same make.

Remember that MEC is made here in WI and if you have problems they will rebuild it for little cost.
 
I have the equipment to load 12,20, and .410 shotshells but as stated above with current component prices it isn't cost effective for the 12 or 20. For the .410 the savings are huge but with the other 2 I would be losing money. Not to mention using up my stockpile of valuable .410 components.
 
Running the cost calculator at trapshooters.com, my 1 oz loads running 1250 FPS are costing me about $4.80 per box to load. They are nearly identical to STS loads that cost $7.78 for a savings of $3.10 per box.

My 1 1/8 oz loads cost about $5.20 and save $2.75

My total savings the past month since I bought a new reloader paid for the difference in what I paid for the new Ponsness and the old Ponsness and Mec that I sold.

I included a cost for the hulls although my pick up plenty of Remington gun clubs for free and no longer pay for hulls. In patterning and chronographing the loads I find they shoot as good or better than Remmy STS/Nitro or Winchester AA's.

Time should probably be calculated, but it is a great relaxer and once a progressive is set up I can run it while listening to the TV and quit to look at the replays for anything important.


If you plan to load for serious amounts of shooting go straight to a progressive. Mec 9000 at a minimum, a used Ponsness 800B unless you use new Winchester hulls (they won't crimp right) or better yet a Ponsness Warren 800 Plus.

You can see my costs for load duplicating top line Rem or Win AA loads.

A lot of guys like clays powder, but it is imported. I use Alliant powders (American Select) because they work well, are cost effective and are made here. Use the components in the recipe and do not deviate until you KNOW which components can be substituted. Some components can be subbed, but learn from experienced shooters and do your research.

Rem hulls are new the best in my opinion. STS, Nitro, Gun Club and the black sport loads can all use the same data. The quality of the plastic may vary slightly, but the hull is shaped the same (compression formed) and they load the same.

Down Range wads are excellent replacements for most factory hulls (I like the XL-1 and XL-118) in place of the Winchester WAA12SL and WAA12 wads for 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz. They are better quality than the other replacements and more efficient (less powder for the same speed) than any other of the same designs.

Final word - try it, you'll like it!
 
I shoot about 10,000 rounds a year at sporting clays. I compete all over the country. I have all the reloading equipment you could ever want, but i dont use it much anymore. I have been buying rio brand shells mt the skid. When we buy them buy the skid 150 cases we get them for around $50 a flat. The best we can figure with reloading our own around here is around $48 a flat. The $2 savings really isnt worth it considering the amount of shooting I do. There are other good cheep brands of shell out there for arount $60 a flat. You just need to keep your eyes open for a deal. If you hang out at the gun clubs long enoughf, you can get some guys to go in on buying a skid of shells for a savings like we do. The price of lead is the main reason for the rising costs, and the fuel it takes to deleiver the componets of course. Whatch for deals or buy reloading supplies in bulk are the only ways you can really afford to shoot much anymore. Lee
 
Thank you for all of the info and replies. I am still unsure if I am going to try reloading, I am currently using Remmy STS and those are about $8.00 a box. I figured I would probably go through about 2,500-3,000 shells this year between league and practice. So, I am not sure if the difference would be that significant. But I and still going to look in to it a bit more.

Again thank you all for you help!
 
I have loaded thousands of shotshells in my registered skeet shooting days days. I still load about 10,000 20 ga shells on my MEC Size Master single stage loader. My load data come directly from the Hogden book for 12 gauge.

Rem STS hulls are the abolute best hulls to reload. The claybuster pink (1oz), RXP wads and the Duster wads are great as well.

IMHO, you should load a 1oz shell at 1200 fps using #8 magnum shot. It will be light recoiling, and plenty fast out the the 27 yard line.

For powder Hogden Clays is hard to beat. Very clean burning. Go to trapshooters.com and ask about anthing trap related and you will get tons of good info. Welcome to the addiction of clay target shooting!
 
The big factor now is the price of shot. Sportsmen's is at $49.00 per 25 lbs bag. At that price, loaded ammo on sale makes reloading a futile gesture.

A lot of the shooting clubs are now installing shot capturing devices. We have one at our club. The recycled shot sells at $20.00 per 25 lbs. The top shooters at the club claim there is little or no difference than shooting new shot. Pattern tests show a few more flyers that new shot but not an appreciable difference.
 
There is a lot of good info for you on Trapshooters.com. I do agree with stealth1959, 1oz loads at 1200-1250 will crush targets. I like 71/2's but that my deal. Our local club has hired some firm to come in and scrape the ground to reclaim the shot.The club has been there for 70 years and ther is a lot of shot to be reclaimed. I havent heard if we can but it or not. I do know that they plan on selling it for scrap prices. I think you will see a lot of clubs going to this because of the price of lead. This will save our club from haveing to close the doors. With the price of shot and gas, shooter numbers are way down. It is a shame! Lee
 


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