Every thing about shotshell reloading

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Back in the '70's-'80's, I loaded 12 and 20 gauge when I used to shoot clays... could load a box in under 2 minutes if I could get my bride to feed the wads. Used MEC 650 Grabbers... Also could load a box for just under $2.00/box... Back then, you could save about 50% over buying factory loads if you had your hulls already... Haven't loaded much since the lead started to go thru the roof... That's what went up first... then it was primers, then powder... Then it got to where you couldn't find components...
Only loader I still have that is actually set up ready to use (haven't used it in 2 or 3 years) is my 3" .410 MEC 600 Jr. It's about the only gauge where you can actually save some money by reloading... 12 and 20 are considerably more per box than the good old Remington Orange top box... That's about all I shoot now a days... Trouble is with .410 ammo is it is just not available really at any price. If I don't get a decent supply of .410 ammo between now and next Fall, I will be back to scrounging components so I can reload all the Winchester 3" red hulls I have. If I can get my hands on the wads, I have enough other components to reload probably 5-600 rounds... Only have probably 200 or so wads tho...

wads are in good supply at bexar shooting range.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Lead has definitely been the expensive part of this. Hopefully i can find some for a good price somewhere 59$ for 25 pounds is the going rate it seems like..

[Billy Bad Bass]

Hulls that crinkle and collapse are generally a sign your componets are wrong. Certain Hulls use certain wads for certain shot weights. Primers can also be specific. It is always a good Idea to follow the recipes in the loading manuals otherwise high pressure problems can develop.

[ColinR]

My son and I recently started reloading shotgun shells. He's on a 4H shooting team and we have started going to NSCA sporting clay shoots. Talk about go through some shells fast. He's shooting a 20 and I'm a 12. Fortunately, my dad had mec reloaders for both that he no longer uses so he gave them to me. Still expensive but cheaper than buying new shells every time. My son shot a really nice black buck at our place this year so we worked a deal, I'm paying for the shoulder mount and he loads all his own shells (I still buy the components).

[REDGUN]

Lead has definitely been the expensive part of this. Hopefully i can find some for a good price somewhere 59$ for 25 pounds is the going rate it seems like..

I shoot a LOT of reclaimed shot. Anything under about 30 yards. This covers skeet and a lot of shots found on a sporting course. Ask around and you can probably find someplace that sells it. My club has/had it for $33, for a 25 lb bag

[ClayW]

Been reloading 410 and 20ga for the last couple of years....I forgot how fun the 410 was to shoot!

[ClayW]

Last I checked, I could load lead or steel for just a little more $$ than buying factory ammo.

I looked into loading some tungsten for my 97 Winchester and I think it came out to ~$1.50 a shell. Factory 2 3/4” tungsten shells were $2/rd. I bought a box of factory ammo.

Slugs and buckshot can be made quite a bit cheaper than store bought ESPECIALLY if you cast your own projectiles.

I'm saving a couple bucks a box for 20ga and $15ish/box for 410

[Walker]

If I had a source for hulls I'd get a 410 setup for sure. I buy my daughter a case every Christmas.

[TacticalCowboy]

I'm saving a couple bucks a box for 20ga and $15ish/box for 410

I could definitely see it being worthwhile for a .410 or 28ga

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

I could definitely see it being worthwhile for a .410 or 28ga

My whole reason I got started was because I bought a 28ga now I want a 410