Reloading 12g?

[nonosrcng]

Has anyone sat down and figured out if its worth it, monitarily, to reload 12 gauge? I have a press thats free to me, but am not sure if you can save any money doing it, anyone know off hand?

[ghostrider]

Your initial investment will seem like a lot of money, you have a press already, so to get started I'd start with the minimal amount of components
Powder $20-25 a lb
Primers $20-25 for a 1000 or you can get them by the 100
Wads online run about $12-15 for a bag of 250 shipped from grafs
Shells, start off with once fired range pick ups like federal usually good for loading one time
Shot varies in price, I shoot West Coast around $25-30 for a 25lb bag of 7.5 shot for trap/ skeet loads if you're looking to load buck shot or anything lower than 4 or steel shot prices will go up. A 25lb bag of 7.5 shot at 1 ounce loads will give me 400 rounds
But back to you main question, is it worth it, yes and no
A box of federal game loads at walmart is still $4.67 correct me if I'm wrong but with reloading you get to create your own loads, light to super fast, factory loads are limited
When I started it was cheap to reload but now it's getting pricey
Give it try you might like it you will get a lot of satisfaction knowing you created your own ammo

[dogtrainer]

It Depends

It depends on what you expect in performance from factory loads or your own reloads.

If you are after high performance loads (factory or reloads) then you will come out (way ahead in cost saving) by loading your own.

However, in the beginning, the startup cost for you to learn how to load and test shotshell ammunition will be higher than to just buy premium factory ammunition.

As for Walmart bulk shotshells--it is hard to beat thier prices!

[olhunter]

Figure it out here -

http://www.trapshooters.com/reloadcalc.htm

[echoarms]

If you cast slugs or buckshot, it is way worth it. I can reloads slugs cheaper than the $4.67 a box birdshot. Even if you buy buckshot, you can reload it cheaper than most bought buck. It also allows you to try novelty rounds. Blanks, rock salt, dimes, buck and ball, etc.

[ghostrider]

If you cast slugs or buckshot, it is way worth it. I can reloads slugs cheaper than the $4.67 a box birdshot. Even if you buy buckshot, you can reload it cheaper than most bought buck. It also allows you to try novelty rounds. Blanks, rock salt, dimes, buck and ball, etc.

I totally agree

[CEDaytonaRydr]

If you have anthything other than a 12 or 20 gauge, it would be worth it. However, because it's so cheap, there's no point...

[AAShooter]

If you are happy with the Walmart 100 pack promotional loads, you will have a hard time beating the price. I tell people if you are reloading just to save money, it isn't worth it. It can become a hobby on its own.

[BigDogatPlay]

I can get components at my club for very competitive prices so I can actually get under Wal-Mart prices by a skosh. A neighbor of mine who reloads across all gauges was running down at $4 a box or a bit less in both 28 and .410 and $5 a box on 12. You don't save a lot of money, but there is the satisfaction of tweaking a set of components and a load to be dead on perfect out of your own gun.

[mjsweims]

Shot varies in price, I shoot West Coast around $25-30 for a 25lb bag of 7.5 shot for trap/ skeet loads

Ghostrider - Where are you getting your shot? I haven't bought any in a while but prices were much higher. Reclaimed lead shot is going for 1.47/# in bags for 1000# at roto metals

[CEDaytonaRydr]

If you are happy with the Walmart 100 pack promotional loads, you will have a hard time beating the price. I tell people if you are reloading just to save money, it isn't worth it. It can become a hobby on its own.

Agreed...

The only way to save money if you're reloading shotshells is if you shoot 10, 16, 24, 28 or 32 gauges, or .410 caliber shotguns

[AAShooter]

If you are buying premium 12 loads, there is a saving. The 100-pack Walmart shells are not premium shells.

Of course if you have a 1000 lbs of lead shot under your loading bench at $48/100lb, you still save money!

[nonosrcng]

Thanks for the information, I am strictly going to be shooting trap and skeet so it sounds like wally world is the place for me.

[AAShooter]

It all depends on how serious you get. Most serious trap shooters shoot premium shells. Not too many (none I can think of) rely on promotional loads.

[nonosrcng]

I will not be getting that serious, I usually borrow my dads pump and go out 3-4 times a year, mostly for fundraising events. But I just picked up my O/U and will be going more.