12 guage reloading help

[Tenn870]

I am interested in getting into reloading for 12 guage, I have lots of shells left over from shooting my 3 shotguns and would like to start reloading to save money, I am completely new to reloading and need help

what equipment will I need?

how much will this equipment cost/ best place to get it?

where can I get instructions on how to reload?

thanks

 

[Tenn870]

just realized there was a thread about this on the top

 

[oneounceload]

You'll need a press - a MEC Jr, used is a good buy running about $75.00
You'll need a scale to verify powder drops
You'll need to determine what you want to reload - hunting loads, target loads, etc.
Once determined, you'll need a recipe - these are specific as to hull, wad, powder, and primer type, along with shot load. While there are some clone wads that are interchangeable, this is NOT like reloading pistol where you interchange brass, primers, etc. safely
Depending on the type of gun, your recipes may or may not be limited - that is, some action types, like a semi gas gun, might not function with certain levels of loads.

Give us some more info along those lines, and we can get more specific - reloading shotshells isn't hard, but you DO need to follow the recipes

 

[Red Cent]

When oneounceload said it isn't like loading for pistols, HEED! You can get in a bad place substituting components. Read the manuals and look up verified loads with listed components.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Lee Shotgun Press is the Cat's Meow...

The Lee Load-All II works like a champ, has everything you need, including recipes, (you'll want to get the optional primer feeder) turns out great ammo with a little practice and costs about a thrid (or less--go to Midway-USA) of what a MEC will hit you for... I've used them for years. What will kill you these days is the cost of shot...

 

[Captain Moroni]

And a "thrid" is a bargain in any event...!

 

[CHEVELLE427]

i have 3 mec presses 410 20 12

all are great but the savings is not there for 20 and 12 now days. 410 and 28 you will save a bunch but shot around here is up to $43 for 25 lbs and with lead going up i don't see shot coming back down anytime soon.

i have been shooting 410 more now days.

 

[Blackrock]

Try to find a source for reclaimed shot. Most trap ranges know who has it. That can bring your cost down.
Your brand of hull and shotload used will dictate what primer, wad,powder combination you use.

 

[oneounceload]

I started with the Load-All II - it worked when all I was loading was a few boxes for hunting. Once I get serious about turning out a quality shell, in volume, MEC is a giant leap forward.

It doesn't matter whether any piece of equipment comes with all of the bushings and recipes, you will still need a scale to verify component drops - the bushings are never exactly what the recips calls for, and too much of a variance can be very unsafe