FrankenMauser
New member
In a "big" year, I might go through 8-10 boxes of 12 ga and 2-4 boxes of 20 ga.
Given the cost of shot (shot is the killer), it really isn't worth it for me to reload for target or small game loads.
But...
I do some really 'stupid' things with shot shells - mainly "shorties". I worked up 12 ga loads to get every last bit of use out of my shells, as they're cut down to remove melted crimps or cracks. I can go as short as 1-5/8" (maybe 1-1/2"), and I recorded load data for everything between that and 2-3/4" in 1/8" increments.
You can't, exactly, go buy those 1-5/8-inchers in a store.
And, I use cleaned, screened, washed, and re-graphited reclaimed shot for those loads. So my shot only costs 30% of what new stuff runs.
It's a novelty, for sure. But they do still perform well in my shotguns.
If all I did was shoot your average "small game" load (7/8 to 1 ounce #7 to #9 at ~1,300 fps) and average target load (nearly the same thing), I wouldn't even bother keeping the press and components around.
If you buy in bulk [major emphasis on bulk]; and/or you want to tailor the loads to help a specific shotgun pattern better; and/or shoot a lot of buckshot, slug, or sabot loads; then it can be worthwhile.
But the average guy like me, that never patterns his guns, almost never shoots slugs or buckshot, and never shoots enough for it to be worthwhile anyway... we can't compete with the 'bargain' brand ammo. ...And sometimes even decent Winchester, Remington, and Federal loads. The other day, I picked up Winchester AA and Super-X loads for $5.95 / box. It would cost me $0.72 more per box to load it myself, and that doesn't include the cost of hulls!
A related sidebar:
I even put together custom shot shells for my .444 Marlins. But, even then, it isn't worthwhile to buy the components separately (I've done it, but it isn't worth it). I buy loaded .410 shells, pull them apart, and repackage what I need in the .444 cases. It's cheaper and easier.
Given the cost of shot (shot is the killer), it really isn't worth it for me to reload for target or small game loads.
But...
I do some really 'stupid' things with shot shells - mainly "shorties". I worked up 12 ga loads to get every last bit of use out of my shells, as they're cut down to remove melted crimps or cracks. I can go as short as 1-5/8" (maybe 1-1/2"), and I recorded load data for everything between that and 2-3/4" in 1/8" increments.
You can't, exactly, go buy those 1-5/8-inchers in a store.
And, I use cleaned, screened, washed, and re-graphited reclaimed shot for those loads. So my shot only costs 30% of what new stuff runs.
It's a novelty, for sure. But they do still perform well in my shotguns.
If all I did was shoot your average "small game" load (7/8 to 1 ounce #7 to #9 at ~1,300 fps) and average target load (nearly the same thing), I wouldn't even bother keeping the press and components around.
If you buy in bulk [major emphasis on bulk]; and/or you want to tailor the loads to help a specific shotgun pattern better; and/or shoot a lot of buckshot, slug, or sabot loads; then it can be worthwhile.
But the average guy like me, that never patterns his guns, almost never shoots slugs or buckshot, and never shoots enough for it to be worthwhile anyway... we can't compete with the 'bargain' brand ammo. ...And sometimes even decent Winchester, Remington, and Federal loads. The other day, I picked up Winchester AA and Super-X loads for $5.95 / box. It would cost me $0.72 more per box to load it myself, and that doesn't include the cost of hulls!
A related sidebar:
I even put together custom shot shells for my .444 Marlins. But, even then, it isn't worthwhile to buy the components separately (I've done it, but it isn't worth it). I buy loaded .410 shells, pull them apart, and repackage what I need in the .444 cases. It's cheaper and easier.
