Anyone reload shotgun shells?

[Nowhere Man]

I see a used Mec reloader for sale. With WallyWorld selling 12ga for $22/100, is it worth it to reload?

If you buy the shot, powder, wads and primers what's the average cost to reload 100 shells?


Thanks, Dave

 

[rcmodel]

Here is an easy calculator.

You just need to find out what your component prices are where you normally buy stuff and plug in the numbers.

http://10xshooters.com/calculators/ShotshellReloadingCost/

rc

 

[USSR]

Dave,

Reloading 1 oz. shotshell loads cost me about $16 per hundred.

Don

 

[mgkdrgn]

You reaload shotshells for two reasons:

1) Save money (quantity you shoot is the issue here)

2) load consistency (quality ... you get the same pattern results with every shot)

If all you do is take the shotgun out once a month or so and make it go BANG, then reloading really won't be of much value to you.

If you are going out and shooting trap, skeet or sporting clays once a week, and care about your score ... that's a whole nuther issue.

 

[juk]

Wouldn't it be even more cost effective to reload steel shot for the appropriate game? I know that good 3" or 3 1/2" steel loads can go for 1$ a round and over. It would be nice to have good loads and not pay 200$ for a case. Sorry for the hijack.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Thanks for the responses.

With today's prices it may be hard to reload for less than you can buy. I'm thinkin I'll stay with what I'm doing.


Dave

 

[hokeyplyr48]

Yea, what I've found and price out is that it's cheaper to buy factory than reload for shotgun shells. Now rifles is a different story but shotguns isn't unfortunately. Takes the fun out of it...

 

[Bruno2]

I pay about 28.00 for shot and I buy claybuster wads 16.00 per 1000 and win 209 primers for around 30.00 per thousand . I shoot a 1 ounce load that is very low pressure . The load is very comfortable compared to the 1 ounce factory load . I load for about 3.50 per box . My load is so recoil friendly that its nothing to shoot 6-8 boxes a day with no soreness what so ever . The savings isnt tremendous but I do save and have low recoil loads that are friendly to shoot . just my .02

 

[Bailey Boat]

IMHO..... YES!!!! I can load a better shell than I can buy because I'm in control of the components as well as the process involved. As mentioned above if all you do is a box or two per month it won't work out for you. But if you're like me and go through 1000 per month you can't afford to not reload.
Different side: If you're shooting the sub gauges (.410 and 28) you MUST reload or be filthy rich. Factory shells are running 9 to 10.00 per box and after 1000 shells per month it would begin to hurt!!!!!

 

[Nate1778]

Yes there is some savings to be had, the real advantage is you can tailor fit a round to your liking.

The other nice part is with a "Sharpshooter" buckshot mold and some Blue dot or Herco, one can kick out a ton of Buckshot loads for less then trap shells.

 

[sargenv]

I reload lead, steel, and now Tungsten/Iron (that stuff is expensive no matter how you get it). I've been reloading the former two for about 20 years. I like it mainly because I need not worry about specialty loads not being available. I prefer the 3 1/4 dram - 1 1/8 - 6 or 7.5 loads for some hunting and 3-gun competition, and that specific load is not always available. I can make it for a little bit less than I can buy it and I have it when I need it. Another load I like that is usually unavailable (12 gauge anyway) is 2.75 dram - 7/8 - 9. A nice light recoiling load for skeet.. that is great for a beginning shooter. If all you shoot is the common 3.25 dram - 1 ounce, then get all you need at your local big box store.. but I like to tinker a bit, so in my case I can taylor the load to the task.

 

[Jamesshot]

I got into reloading a few years ago and I've never looked back. It just adds to the whole experience. I'm getting my shot from www.steel-shot.com It's really nice and pretty cheap. I email the guy and he sorts any amount: [email protected] Hope you stick at it. Happy reloading!

 

[Nowhere Man]

Shipping from the UK might be cost prohibitive.


Dave

 

[NCsmitty]

The true savings occurs when loading 28 and 410 shotshells. The high initial costs of the smaller bore's ammo, which are $10-15 dollars a box, are brought down to around $3.50 a box. !2 and 20ga savings are much less by comparison, but as mentioned, custom style loads can be created to your satisfaction.


NCsmitty

 

[huntsman]

You reaload shotshells for two reasons:

1) Save money (quantity you shoot is the issue here)

2) load consistency (quality ... you get the same pattern results with every shot)

If all you do is take the shotgun out once a month or so and make it go BANG, then reloading really won't be of much value to you.

If you are going out and shooting trap, skeet or sporting clays once a week, and care about your score ... that's a whole nuther issue.

3) When commercial shotgun cartridges aren't available you'll still be equipped if you got a press and components.

 

[oneounceload]

Reloading will always save money AND turn out a better load than the cheap wally-world promo stuff. This is especially true when you buy components in bulk - 5,000-25,000 quantities. If you're not shooting that much, split the order with friends