damionkeller
New member
My dad is passing along his reloader set-up to me next month. A) How much difference does it make in cost versus buying shells. B) How much of a quality/reliability drop-off should I expect with reloads?
Is it Worthwhile to Reload Shotgun Shells?
- Thread starter damionkeller
- Start date
I did the math a few years ago .... if figured out if I bought by the case, shotgun shell for trap were cheaper to buy than to reload.
If it is anything like metallic cartidge reloading, you can make your reloads as good as you want to, or as cheap as you want to..... there is a correlation there, especially if you take your time into consideration.
For me, it was not worth reloading for shotgun- I could not see spending the time and money for an advantage too small for me to appreciate, as I am not nearly as avid about shotgunning as I am shooting rifles, or pistols, for that matter. YMMV.
jaguarxk120
New member
I'm a casual shooter so having shells with the heaviest shot load permited is not of importance to me.
So I load a 7/8 ounce 12 gauge and with that I can shoot all day and never feel it afterward.
But if your getting the equipment at no cost the look at the cost of components vs the cost of loaded shells. Just as jimbob has said the savings are so slight it may not be worth it.
So I load a 7/8 ounce 12 gauge and with that I can shoot all day and never feel it afterward.
But if your getting the equipment at no cost the look at the cost of components vs the cost of loaded shells. Just as jimbob has said the savings are so slight it may not be worth it.
OTH, learning how to do something (reload shotshells) may be a worthy goal in and of itself.
Especially if your dad tutors you: Bonding and all those other 5 dollar pshychobabble words, that we used to call "Doin' stuff with Dad" ....
..... not to mention, there may come a day when WallyWorld/LGS is not selling what you need ......
Especially if your dad tutors you: Bonding and all those other 5 dollar pshychobabble words, that we used to call "Doin' stuff with Dad" ....
..... not to mention, there may come a day when WallyWorld/LGS is not selling what you need ......
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g.willikers
New member
It depends on the ammo you want.
Some factory ammo, like extra light loads, or 28 gauge, can cost considerably more than the commonly found ammo.
Then the reloading can save a bundle.
You just have to sit down and do some figuring.
Some factory ammo, like extra light loads, or 28 gauge, can cost considerably more than the commonly found ammo.
Then the reloading can save a bundle.
You just have to sit down and do some figuring.
OTH, learning how to do something (reload shotshells) may be a worthy goal in and of itself.
Especially if your dad tutors you: Bonding and all those other 5 dollar phychobabble words, that we used to call "Doin' stuff with Dad" .
I enjoy reloading shot gun shells and I cast my own 00 buck and 1oz slugs. You just might be surprised at the enjoyment you will get. Have a Mec Jr. that stands ready all year.
Especially if your dad tutors you: Bonding and all those other 5 dollar phychobabble words, that we used to call "Doin' stuff with Dad" .
I enjoy reloading shot gun shells and I cast my own 00 buck and 1oz slugs. You just might be surprised at the enjoyment you will get. Have a Mec Jr. that stands ready all year.
Dreaming100Straight
New member
You have to compare apples to apples. Do not make the mistake of comparing the cost of reloads comprised of quality components with cheap factory loads from WalMart. I figure reloads made with a good quality shot and powder save $3 a box compared to Remington Gun Clubs and more if you are comparing to Win AA or better. That is 12 gauge.
A major benefit of reloading is the ability to tailor your loads. I can choose to load 12 to emulate 16, 20, or even a 28 gauge by swapping wad cups and I can also adjust the velocity by adding or subtracting a grain or less of powder. This can save quire a lot if I am taking a new shooter out, as low recoil retail ammo often runs$10+.
To give you an idea of how one can customize loads, a buddy claims to like softer shot for breaking clay from 16 yards but harder shot for handicap. I don't know if it is needed,
Many simply enjoy reloading for itself. If you don't enjoy it some, the cost savings may not be for you and those savings also depend on how much ammo you burn.
What kind of a reloader is Dad handing down to you?
A major benefit of reloading is the ability to tailor your loads. I can choose to load 12 to emulate 16, 20, or even a 28 gauge by swapping wad cups and I can also adjust the velocity by adding or subtracting a grain or less of powder. This can save quire a lot if I am taking a new shooter out, as low recoil retail ammo often runs$10+.
To give you an idea of how one can customize loads, a buddy claims to like softer shot for breaking clay from 16 yards but harder shot for handicap. I don't know if it is needed,
Many simply enjoy reloading for itself. If you don't enjoy it some, the cost savings may not be for you and those savings also depend on how much ammo you burn.
What kind of a reloader is Dad handing down to you?
Reloading is an extension of the hobby to me..../ and I've been doing it a long time, so I'd reload regardless of cost....so I can tailor the shells to what I want...
Retail cost on a 12ga shell...1 oz of shot at around 1200 fps/is about $8. I can reload that same shell for under $ 5 a box / and the cost of shot is way up right now at around $44 a bag. But I'm still saving $3 a box.../ and savings are greater on 28ga and .410 ...and about the same on 20ga.
Performance....my reloads are better / more consistent than the cheap retail shells...they're equivalent to a premium shell like Remington STS which retail closer to $ 10 a box. But for casual shooting ...the cheap retail shells are fine...for 16 yd Trap, Skeet, etc...
Tailoring a load....like a 7/8 oz shell for a 12ga ( which is a typical 20ga load )...or even reloading a 3/4oz shell for a 12ga ( which is a typical 28ga load ) ....because I want less recoil, or I want less expensive shell, something for the grandkids to shoot, etc....is where reloading really pays off. At 3/4 oz of shot, that 12 ga shell costs me under $4 a box...and gives me versatility...
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Besides, reality is --- since I reload, I shoot 2 or 3 times more with the same ammo budget ...on shotshells and metallic...because I reload 12ga, 20ga, 28ga , .410 ...and metallic in 9mm, .40 , .45 acp, .357 mag and .44 mag...
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so get the press set up ...buy some components and give it a try ....you might like it / but if all you care about is saving money, yes it'll help ...but that's not really the issue in my view.
Retail cost on a 12ga shell...1 oz of shot at around 1200 fps/is about $8. I can reload that same shell for under $ 5 a box / and the cost of shot is way up right now at around $44 a bag. But I'm still saving $3 a box.../ and savings are greater on 28ga and .410 ...and about the same on 20ga.
Performance....my reloads are better / more consistent than the cheap retail shells...they're equivalent to a premium shell like Remington STS which retail closer to $ 10 a box. But for casual shooting ...the cheap retail shells are fine...for 16 yd Trap, Skeet, etc...
Tailoring a load....like a 7/8 oz shell for a 12ga ( which is a typical 20ga load )...or even reloading a 3/4oz shell for a 12ga ( which is a typical 28ga load ) ....because I want less recoil, or I want less expensive shell, something for the grandkids to shoot, etc....is where reloading really pays off. At 3/4 oz of shot, that 12 ga shell costs me under $4 a box...and gives me versatility...
-----------------
Besides, reality is --- since I reload, I shoot 2 or 3 times more with the same ammo budget ...on shotshells and metallic...because I reload 12ga, 20ga, 28ga , .410 ...and metallic in 9mm, .40 , .45 acp, .357 mag and .44 mag...
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so get the press set up ...buy some components and give it a try ....you might like it / but if all you care about is saving money, yes it'll help ...but that's not really the issue in my view.
What Dreaming and BigJim said x10!
I started with some experiments in mind where the 12 and 20 gauges were concerned. I don't have a high dollar set up and don't load for volume. However, I can load a 20 gauge 2 3/4" shell with 12 #1 buck pellets using a published recipe. Good luck finding THAT on the shelf at WallyWorld.
Did you know that #1 Buck also sits three in a layer in a standard shot cup for a 12 gauge? And guess what...12 makes a 1 1/8 oz load. And they pattern very well to boot.
Reloading for the shotgun can be rewarding depending on what you are trying to get out of it. If all you want is to save some money on cheap trap shells for a 12 gauge you are out of luck. If you want to save money on a 410 / 28 / 16 gauge you can and will easily. If you want to tailor a great round for a particular gun you absolutely can.
Just my $.02
I started with some experiments in mind where the 12 and 20 gauges were concerned. I don't have a high dollar set up and don't load for volume. However, I can load a 20 gauge 2 3/4" shell with 12 #1 buck pellets using a published recipe. Good luck finding THAT on the shelf at WallyWorld.
Did you know that #1 Buck also sits three in a layer in a standard shot cup for a 12 gauge? And guess what...12 makes a 1 1/8 oz load. And they pattern very well to boot.
Reloading for the shotgun can be rewarding depending on what you are trying to get out of it. If all you want is to save some money on cheap trap shells for a 12 gauge you are out of luck. If you want to save money on a 410 / 28 / 16 gauge you can and will easily. If you want to tailor a great round for a particular gun you absolutely can.
Just my $.02
Creek Henry
New member
For 12 ga skeet/dove loads, you cannot beat Walmart specials. For steel shot and heavy turkey loads, reloading can help.
you can lower your cost for reloading if you watch and buy your supplies at gun shows and flea markets along with ads in your local paper, i bought 17 bags of shot for 25.00 a bag, win 209 primers for 18.00 a 1000 and CB 12ga 1-1/8 wads for 6.00 a bag of 500 with in the last 6 months by doing this. if you buy your supplies at a gunshop the savings by reloading will not be much over wally world prices,but you can load what you want. i ran what it would cost to load 350 12ga shells over what 350 shells would cost at wally world and it only came to a few dollars in savings. how ever if you load the small gages the savings is much greater. eastbank.
damionkeller
New member
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It sounds like customization is more the benefit than is cost.
My dad and I used to reload together when I was quite a bit younger. The reloader he's passing along is the same one we used 25 years ago.
My dad and I used to reload together when I was quite a bit younger. The reloader he's passing along is the same one we used 25 years ago.
Dreaming100Straight
New member
If the reloader is a basic MEC, they haven't changed much.
At the low volumes I shoot, for the casual shooting I do, I don't expect to save money. But it's fun, it's given me another skill, and (as has already been said), it gives you ammo when the local gun store/walmart is shut or doesn't have it.
Seeing as you're being given the reloading setup, as opposed to having to buy it, and you are already familiar with it, you're several steps ahead of the new shotshell reloader just starting out. Go for it.
Seeing as you're being given the reloading setup, as opposed to having to buy it, and you are already familiar with it, you're several steps ahead of the new shotshell reloader just starting out. Go for it.
Magnum Mike
New member
I too feel it's worth doing! When you reload for more than one shooter it adds up fast.
Also with my reloads the kids and the woman can shoot MORE than one box before saying "that's enough for me!".
I also save more than $4 a box.
For those that say they can buy them cheaper, pick me up a couple cases of AA lites or xlites recoil loads. I'll gladly pay you more than what my cost is, How about $5.25 a box, is that enough profit for you?
Also with my reloads the kids and the woman can shoot MORE than one box before saying "that's enough for me!".
I also save more than $4 a box.
For those that say they can buy them cheaper, pick me up a couple cases of AA lites or xlites recoil loads. I'll gladly pay you more than what my cost is, How about $5.25 a box, is that enough profit for you?
Arizona Fusilier
New member
I have been interested in this for awhile. What type of equipment do you reloaders have besides MEC? Dillon? Lee? What do you think is the best value if you sre buying new?