Shotshell Reloading

[SeniorCoot]

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Ok here's the deal- I threw my shotshell reloading equipment in Dumster 20 yrs ago-- wasn't using it enough in AK and at time was shooting more rifle/handgun ammo- so now i live in Wi. and shoot about 10 cases of shotshells most years betwixt skeet(2 cs) trap (4 cs) upland(lead) about2 cs, and 1-2 cs of assorted waterfowl loads(steel)
Question is this-Will I save enough money reloading to make equip worth while? I am looking at Mec Grabber or 9000-local reloading shop guy went over new models etc of single stage and progressive reloaders with me yesterday and he figured I was best off buying shells as I have been doing when on sale? Any comments appreciated.

[Gil Martin]

I have been reloading shotshells since 1960 and enjoy it. You may or may not save any money, but it is a great hobby and a lot of fun. I prefer the MEC Sizemaster and like the independence of being able to load my own. It is a personal preference thing. All the best...
Gil

[Sidekick]

You might not save money but the quality of your shells will be superior. You can tinker around with it a bit and find the wads that give you the best pattern. Use cleaner powder etc. Or load a box or two a little lighter for younger shooters or older firearms. I still buy all my waterfowl and turkey loads but I make all my target loads. I enjoy doing it too.

[Bushman]

Ralph, have you priced shells lately? The kids gave me a gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods, so today I went off in search of a box of trap loads for the start of winter league next week. Only three boxes left of my favorite Remington trap load at $10.01 a box! By the case they were still $7.95 a box, but they didn't have the 8's that I like, so a box of 7 1/2's will get me through until someone comes up with a new shipment. I know that shot has gotten really expensive too, but at ten cases a year rolling your own sure sounds like it could pay off to me.

Maybe the thing to do is to hook up with one of the guys on the trap or skeet team and use their stuff or split the costs up among the team. Most of our guys shoot reloads and two guys do all the reloading for the team. I've been the new hull suppler, but at $10.01 a box I might be talking reloads for the season myself.

[Hi Ball]

Senior Coot, I too have been reloading "shotshells" since the early 70's, however to be honest I have usually purchased my Upland game loads and duck hunting shells by the case. It just takes to much time to run through a lot of shells on a MEC JR press (20 ga & 12 ga) The new MEC-Grabber is the one to have but it's cost is close to $600 dollars by the time you get done and it is NOT near as fast as my Progressive Press for loading pistol or rifle bullets or I would have one in a heart beat.

Yes, you will save money in the long run with todays prices and lack of finding what you wish to use on your hunts or pleasure shooting of trap, skeet or sporting clays. I still have 3 cases of 20ga shells (1 case of 6s & 2 cases of 7.5's) under the bench. Also finding componets is NOT as easy as it might seem, I have put over 150 miles on a vehicle looking for componets for various loads etc. You MUST buy in large quantities in order to have what you need come reloading time.

I still have 5,000 Blue Magic hulls down stairs and close to 2500 of those Double AA hulls. Some folks tell me that a MEC - GRABBER can load 20 cases an hour but I have never seen such a press in action or know anybody who can substantiate this FACT~!!!

[Bayrat]

Too many variable to say yes/no so easily.

The main question is, make it worthwhile in how much time ????

Will you save, no question. The question is how soon the equipment is paid back and that depends on a number of other questions.

Some guys only reload their hulls about 3-4 times. Most reload until the crimps get splits or looks 'toasty'. The guy who taught me reloads them until they won't hold shot anymore. Since the hulls are contained by the chamber it's not a safety issue like with metalic reloading. Hulls with split, burnt black crimps will still break birds just as well in skeet or 16-22 yard trap as new hulls. And for anyone who says otherwise, I'm willing to put them on the line, and ramdomly put a once or twice fired hull, or a 12- 14 reload toasty in their gun without them seeing which hull, let them shoot it, and I'll bet money they can't tell which one they just shot. Other than that, I save the best hulls for longer range such as 27 yard line and longer shots in chicken shoots where more consistent crimps/pressure realy are needed.

And, I rarely have to buy new hulls. I pick up the hulls left by the guys who discard early, reload them and makes it even more fun knowing I just beat them with their own hulls.

If you buy certain cheap ammo, the hulls may not get as many reloads before the hulls wear out, but these days even some of the cheap hulls are about as good as the top line target hulls. Remington Game loads being an example of an inexpensive hull that crimps nice and lasts as long as the expensive target hulls.

If you buy components just anywhere you could be paying more to reload a hull than that hull costs loaded new. Buy in bulk with a Gun Club, or group and you'll save that much more. We have a couple of guys in the club with one ton trucks, who several times a year, will go to a regional warehouse a few hours away - the one that supplies the gun shops - and pick up shot by the ton that we've all chipped in for together. Also picks up the largest kegs of powder not the little one pounders, and cases of wads - usually claybusters being the best for the lower price. Cases of primers, etc. We all save alot more than the fuel to get there and back and still beat the local gun shop prices.

And you can reload lighter, not so easy to find, loads like 3/4 ounce 12 ga skeet, or 7/8r ounce 12 ga trap loads that save even more money.

Then there is that some get enjoyment knowing they can make their own. Some find it a relaxing way to spend an evening.

MEC Grabbers are about the most common reloader there is. Because they are easy to use, turn out alot of hulls, and mostly because they last !!! Keep an eye out for a used one. I bought two, a 12 and a 20 off a guy and his son who shot registered skeet for years. Only parts needed was I updated the old 20 ga to the newer wooden handle. It was the real old model with the first generation bike plastic grip handle. Both have been working flawlessly for me for 15 years now. The only other change I made was to install the adjustable charge bars with powder bottle baffles, but you don't have to have them. I like then because I can dail-in better than bushings, and I don't need to have/store alot of bushings for all the differant loads for each type hull, gauge, use, I reload for. Just look the numbers up for the load I want in my note book and dail in those numbers.

You'll save, but only you, not the gun shop guy or anyone on a hunting website, will be the only one that can say when the equipment will be paid off.

Bayrat.

[rquack]

I just recently completed an analysis of what it costs me to reload a box of shells for various gauges. My costs and savings are shown below. Hope this helps.

12 gauge 1 1/8 oz, 7.95/box, 4.40 reload/box, 3.55 savings /box; 1 oz reloads cost 4.16 /box
20 gauge 7/8 oz, 7.95/box 4.00 reload/box, 3.95 savings/box
28 gauge 3/4 oz, 9.56/box, 3.66 reloads /box, 5.90 savings /box
.410, 1/2 oz, 9.56/box, 3.58 reload/box, 5.98 savings /box

Looks like if your shooting 40 boxes /year it could take a couple of years to make the purchase cost effective; or if as in my case, your son in law decides to begin shooting with you, costs and savings increase very quickly. good luck.The prices used in the above calc are from a group purchse being put together by my club Jan 2010

[SeniorCoot]

Thanks for analyis: I shoot about 10 cs of assorted shotshells a year-I just bought a couple of cases of 1 1/8oz trap loads @ $51.00 per case or $5.10 per box-I get my 1 1/4 heavy upland loads for $8.85 and have en0ough dux 7 goose loads for several years- So i guess I'll look around and see if I can get a used press and load some shells for fun-- when i get done with mt rifle shells of which i am done with 1,000 .223 and have about 250 22-250's to go.

[rquack]

Try looking at Ebay for used equipment. I recently saw a Ponsness-Warren 375 for sale. This is a great piece of equipment; I have owned one for over 25 years and it works great. Today I use it only for the .410's and 28's; it's a single stage press. Tooling is available for any gauge shotshell. When my son and a few of his friends began shooting several years ago I purchased a Ponsness-Warren progressive with the tooling for 12 and 20 gauge. P-W is a bit more than a Mec but it produces high quality reloads which my brother uses in his old Weatherby automatic without a hitch and which I use in my O/U's. Good shooting.

[LE]

Look at it more like fun or a hobby. The savings will be there, but the payback may not be as soon as you would like. If you don't have time to do it later on you can still sell the equipment & supplies. It will never be a total loss.

[SeniorCoot]

Thanks for heads up on P7W- friend has same and l;ikes it much