How many reload Shotguns here?
- Thread starter gunnny12
- Start date
I reload 12 and 20 guage, but to be honest, if you are looking at loading #7 1/2 or #8 shot target loads like they sell at Walmart for $6-7, you are better off buying them. If you are loading magnum stuff or hard to find shot sizes, it may can be worthwhile. The problem with shotshells is you can't just "work up a load" and whenever you change one component (shot amount, powder and charge, wad) you often have to change them all, and the quantities you have to buy make stocking multiple shot types, and wad types impractical. Shot is normally sold in 25lb bags, and wads are usually sold in bags of 500, I think, so pretty much need to decide what loads you will be shooting in advance, and buy components for that load. Oh yeah, and each hull has its own load data requirements as well, so you need to collect the hulls that go with the wads, that go with the shot and powder and charge of the load you are going to do. 
I reload for 410(Mec Jr) and 20. (Just got a Ponsness Warren reloader for 20 ga and 12 ga) so I'll be adding 12 ga at some point too.
410 is definitely worth reloading for, since the shells are expensive, and they don't use much shot and powder. My son and I calculated that we saved about $.35 per round by reloading. So then he'd tell me "dad, we need to go shooting so we can save more money!"
Like TimSr said, if you are just going to be reloading the same loads that you can get for $5-$6, you won't be saving much. Hunting loads are another story. But the components you have on hand add up in a hurry and they can take up a lot of space.
If you are looking for another hobby, I say go for it! Reloading for shotgun is a lot of fun. It can take quite a bit of playing around(usually fine tuning the crimping stations) to get the shell to come out right. I like that sort of thing, but some could find it extremely frustrating.
410 is definitely worth reloading for, since the shells are expensive, and they don't use much shot and powder. My son and I calculated that we saved about $.35 per round by reloading. So then he'd tell me "dad, we need to go shooting so we can save more money!"
Like TimSr said, if you are just going to be reloading the same loads that you can get for $5-$6, you won't be saving much. Hunting loads are another story. But the components you have on hand add up in a hurry and they can take up a lot of space.
If you are looking for another hobby, I say go for it! Reloading for shotgun is a lot of fun. It can take quite a bit of playing around(usually fine tuning the crimping stations) to get the shell to come out right. I like that sort of thing, but some could find it extremely frustrating.
trapper9260
New member
I reload for 410,20,12,10ga and i use a mec single stage and i load what ever I like in any of them.I also have the lee loader for 410 and 12.I been at shotgun for i do not know for long time. I say depends on what you looking to do and how much you will be shooting.I do because some things I want to have and also because I want to.
I want to get into reloading shotgun. I have done the math on reloading for shotgun many times in the past few years. I can never get the math to come out on my side. At least for basic bird shot. Slugs, buck, more rare shot size might be a bit of a win, but I do not use enough of that to justify. I am a "low volume" shotgun shooter anyway.
When I can buy federal #7 1/2 shot for .20 cents a round at Walmart, why would I want to spend a minimum .25 cents a round to build it myself and that does not even include setup cost. As I understand it, hulls only last about 5 times.
While I get alot of pleasure from reloading and would like to do it, I just can not get the math to cooperate for me. I know it is not all about the math, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
When I can buy federal #7 1/2 shot for .20 cents a round at Walmart, why would I want to spend a minimum .25 cents a round to build it myself and that does not even include setup cost. As I understand it, hulls only last about 5 times.
While I get alot of pleasure from reloading and would like to do it, I just can not get the math to cooperate for me. I know it is not all about the math, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
jaguarxk120
New member
I'm on blood thinners, so I watch what I shoot and stay away from magnums.
Reloading both 12 and 20 gauge, 12 gauge with a 7/8 ounce shot payload and in 20 gauge 3/4 ounce payload.
I shoot at public ranges and don't care about score. Those loads will break the clays if I do my part. Recoil is less and I can shoot all day and not feel it
I will get 2-3 extra boxes from 25 pounds of shot. BUT the big thing is buying in quanity, that is everything wads, shot, powder, and primers to break even or save some money.
I'm reloading just for the custom loadings I use.
Reloading both 12 and 20 gauge, 12 gauge with a 7/8 ounce shot payload and in 20 gauge 3/4 ounce payload.
I shoot at public ranges and don't care about score. Those loads will break the clays if I do my part. Recoil is less and I can shoot all day and not feel it
I will get 2-3 extra boxes from 25 pounds of shot. BUT the big thing is buying in quanity, that is everything wads, shot, powder, and primers to break even or save some money.
I'm reloading just for the custom loadings I use.
schmellba99
New member
I do, mostly for my dove and quail loads in 20 gauge. I have a 12 gauge MEC that i've never used, but if I ever actually get back into duck hunting like I say I am, I'll definitely be using it to load for that application.
My caveat is that I got both of my presses for free and to be honest I've only bought powder, primers and a bag of shot because I was gifted a lot of components. So for me, right now, it makes sense.
I can also load a box of shells in about 10 minutes. Almost no time at all. The great thing about shotshell loading is that once you get your components squared away, there is no measuring, no fussing - just loading. Considering where I live that it takes me at least a half hour to get to the nearest Academy or BPS to buy shells, I can load a case of shells up in about the same amount of time it would take me to go buy a flat. And I don't have to burn gas or interact with people.
I'd agree with most others though - if you are trying to compete with you run of the mill dove or clay loads at home, you'll likely not have a lot of success on the financial front in 12 or 20 gauge. If you are loading something different or loading gauges or bores that are just hard to find, then you are ahead of the game.
I like it for my 20 gauge because I can load shot that I typically don't find in the store (#6 7/8 oz shot), which is what I prefer to hunt dove with over the more common 7-1/2 shot.
My caveat is that I got both of my presses for free and to be honest I've only bought powder, primers and a bag of shot because I was gifted a lot of components. So for me, right now, it makes sense.
I can also load a box of shells in about 10 minutes. Almost no time at all. The great thing about shotshell loading is that once you get your components squared away, there is no measuring, no fussing - just loading. Considering where I live that it takes me at least a half hour to get to the nearest Academy or BPS to buy shells, I can load a case of shells up in about the same amount of time it would take me to go buy a flat. And I don't have to burn gas or interact with people.
I'd agree with most others though - if you are trying to compete with you run of the mill dove or clay loads at home, you'll likely not have a lot of success on the financial front in 12 or 20 gauge. If you are loading something different or loading gauges or bores that are just hard to find, then you are ahead of the game.
I like it for my 20 gauge because I can load shot that I typically don't find in the store (#6 7/8 oz shot), which is what I prefer to hunt dove with over the more common 7-1/2 shot.
I reload 20 gauge waterfowl loads. But for that I don't need a press. I do have a MEC Sizemaster that I use for my lead shot hunting loads.
As others have pointed out, if you want ammo for the trap range - buy it. If you get to the point where you are burning through a case or two a week then you can consider reloading.
Here is some info you might find helpful - Reloading Modern 20 Gauge
As others have pointed out, if you want ammo for the trap range - buy it. If you get to the point where you are burning through a case or two a week then you can consider reloading.
Here is some info you might find helpful - Reloading Modern 20 Gauge
I was loading a lot of 20ga skeet in the late 80's and I was shooting 6-8 boxes a week. IIRC, lead was around $10 a bag for 25lbs.
Back then, primers were around $10/k, powder was around $10/lb. I don't recall wad costs, but powder is roughly double in cost and primers are roughly triple but the cost of #8 or #9 shot is catastrophic... and I don't really EVER shoot shotgun anymore.
Back then, primers were around $10/k, powder was around $10/lb. I don't recall wad costs, but powder is roughly double in cost and primers are roughly triple but the cost of #8 or #9 shot is catastrophic... and I don't really EVER shoot shotgun anymore.
RaySendero
New member
Shotshell Reloading
I reload 12 and 28 gauge with MEC grabbers.
Have charge bars for 1&1/8, 1, 7/8 and 3/4 oz and they are all interchangeable between the 2 presses.
Mostly use 1 oz in 12 gauge and 3/4 oz in 28 gauge. But have used the 7/8 oz in both.
Basically, 2 shot loads for both:
1) a soft lead shot #9 skeet load and
2) a magnum hard #7&1/2 for bird hunting.
These 2 different shot hardness' shoot about 1 choke different (i.e. the hard shot is 1 choke tighter patterns than that real soft shot).
So I have:
Skeet covered with the soft #9s,
Bird hunting covered with the hard #7&1/2s and
Sporting clays covered mixing both depending on the range without having to change chokes in either gun.
Like NINEX19 said - I can't get the math to come out on my side reloading the 12 gauge for targets and birds,
BUT it does work out in my favor for the 28 gauge.
I reload 12 and 28 gauge with MEC grabbers.
Have charge bars for 1&1/8, 1, 7/8 and 3/4 oz and they are all interchangeable between the 2 presses.
Mostly use 1 oz in 12 gauge and 3/4 oz in 28 gauge. But have used the 7/8 oz in both.
Basically, 2 shot loads for both:
1) a soft lead shot #9 skeet load and
2) a magnum hard #7&1/2 for bird hunting.
These 2 different shot hardness' shoot about 1 choke different (i.e. the hard shot is 1 choke tighter patterns than that real soft shot).
So I have:
Skeet covered with the soft #9s,
Bird hunting covered with the hard #7&1/2s and
Sporting clays covered mixing both depending on the range without having to change chokes in either gun.
Like NINEX19 said - I can't get the math to come out on my side reloading the 12 gauge for targets and birds,
BUT it does work out in my favor for the 28 gauge.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
410 3" shot-shell and slugs via >Mec 600 Jr.
12 ga. Upland game hunting loads via>Mec Sizemaster.
Both Mec's have been collecting dust for a couple years.
If your a dedicated shotgun shooter.> League Trap, water foul hunter. It pays to reload.
Occasional shooter. No. Better to store purchase.
12 ga. Upland game hunting loads via>Mec Sizemaster.
Both Mec's have been collecting dust for a couple years.
If your a dedicated shotgun shooter.> League Trap, water foul hunter. It pays to reload.
Occasional shooter. No. Better to store purchase.
Low volume shooter but I have a Mec Sizemaster and load 12 and 20 gauge shotshells. I have a small amount of lead shot from back before lead shot got so expensive. Haven't bought any lead shot since it went to $40-$50 per 25lb. bag. I still reload the rounds we shoot when throwing some clay targets for me and family members. I have a good quantity of loaded shotshells but I like having the ability to load shotshells should they ever become unavailable on store shelves or prices spike higher. I like being able to load #2 and lead BB loads which are more expensive or not in stock. Don't shoot enough slugs so I buy them and buckshot loading is not for me. Too tedious and getting the right combination of hull, wad, and powder and getting a decent crimp makes it easier to buy 00 Buck. Just bought a case of Estate 00 Buck cheaper than you can load and the Estate buckshot gets good reviews. Like mentioned, I like having the ability and equipment to load shotshells.