I'm considering getting into reloading shotshells, but I don't have any reloading experience and would love some sage THR advice. I would be reloading 12 gauge shells. I figure I probably go through 4-5 boxes of low-brass/week on average (more in the summer). I know that's not much compared to many on THR, but it does add up, and the scrounger/recycler in me hates wasting all those spent hulls. I also shoot as many buckshot and slug loads as I can afford, but that's not many lately... The price on these is just crazy, particularly in the 3 and 3.5" varieties (yes, the local shop STOCKS 3.5" 00 buck eek, but the cash register kicks even harder than the 870 ). Being able to afford to shoot heavy/magnum loads is a lot of the reason I'm considering reloading.
At the moment, I'm weighing two possibilities. I'd love a progressive reloader such as an MEC 650 due to efficiency and speed (and I'll admit to a certain allure of having my own little "ammo factory" in the basement), but I've read that there is little savings to be had reloading low brass shells (at least in 12ga). What do you guys think about the $$$ saving potential of reloading low-brass 12ga? Also, can heavy buckshot (such as 00) be used with the progressive machines?
If there isn't much $$$ to be saved by reloading the low-brass shells, and the progressive presses can't do heavy buck (I'm assuming they can't do slugs, correct?), I would move to my second possibility which is a small, inexpensive single-stage machine capable of reloading the heavy stuff (slugs and buck). Am I correct in assuming there is quite a bit of money to be saved by reloading these guys? Is there a machine that will do slugs and buck in 2.75, 3, AND 3.5"? I shoot very little 3.5", but it would be nice to be able to reload it considering it's RIDICULOUS price. How much could I reasonably expect to save reloading the heavy and/or magnum shells? Can anybody recommend both a good progressive reloader in the $300 (+-) range (what do you think of the 650?) and a good single-stage press for doing heavy stuff? Any good book suggestions? Any other advice/opinions? I imagine this is a pretty common question, so if somebody can direct me to a link I missed in my searching, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks.
At the moment, I'm weighing two possibilities. I'd love a progressive reloader such as an MEC 650 due to efficiency and speed (and I'll admit to a certain allure of having my own little "ammo factory" in the basement), but I've read that there is little savings to be had reloading low brass shells (at least in 12ga). What do you guys think about the $$$ saving potential of reloading low-brass 12ga? Also, can heavy buckshot (such as 00) be used with the progressive machines?
If there isn't much $$$ to be saved by reloading the low-brass shells, and the progressive presses can't do heavy buck (I'm assuming they can't do slugs, correct?), I would move to my second possibility which is a small, inexpensive single-stage machine capable of reloading the heavy stuff (slugs and buck). Am I correct in assuming there is quite a bit of money to be saved by reloading these guys? Is there a machine that will do slugs and buck in 2.75, 3, AND 3.5"? I shoot very little 3.5", but it would be nice to be able to reload it considering it's RIDICULOUS price. How much could I reasonably expect to save reloading the heavy and/or magnum shells? Can anybody recommend both a good progressive reloader in the $300 (+-) range (what do you think of the 650?) and a good single-stage press for doing heavy stuff? Any good book suggestions? Any other advice/opinions? I imagine this is a pretty common question, so if somebody can direct me to a link I missed in my searching, I'd appreciate that too. Thanks.