Questions about reloading

[oldschool88]

So I am thinking of starting reloading, but I don't know anything about it, so I have a couple questions.

I am thinking about starting with 12 gauge for a few reasons; it seems like it would require less "presicion" than rifles, and leave more room for error. Also, i have a large amount of used shells that were given to me, and also some primers. Plus it seems like shotshells would be less work to reload than rifle.
Do you guys thing this would be a good starting point, or am I mistaken in my assumptions.

Also, how hard is it to load buckshot? I mostly use my shotgun for HD and that is mainly what I shoot for practice.

Finally, I was wondering if it is possible to load buckshot into AA trap hulls.

I'm not that worried about performance, as long as it goes bang it is fine by me. But I am worried about destroying my gun, so I want to do it right.
Thanks for any input,
Frank

[Sheldon]

Shotshell presses don't load anything but shotshells. I haven't loaded any myself, but know the listings for components is much more specific than when reloading pistol and rifle cartridges. The shotshell casings are listed by manufacturer and type and then the data will list specific wads to be used. With pistol and rifle data you don't really have that.

[EOD3]

IMHO, buckshot is NOT what you should use for HD. Given the distances involved, 7.5 shot will blow a pretty good hole in Little Johnny Scumbag without going through too many walls. That said, you can't reload low base shells as cheaply as you can buy them from Wally World.

As for reloading of any kind, there is no margin for error. Slight variations are acceptable as long as you're not bumping up against maximum loads and you're careful about your seating depth.

Just my BAC, YMMV

[gunboat]

I suggest you get a lymans reloading manual -- then make your decision to start with shotshell or rifle/pistol reloading -- There are differences in loading both, and one may seem simpler to you -- My ha-penny

[scrat]

Been there done that. i have 5 reloaders. let me see 1 lee load all, 2 12 guage lee loaders very rare models, 2 .410 lee loaders very very very rare 1 being brand new.

With that.

Shot gun ammo is easy to load you would need to seperate the shells as different shells take different wads. can you mix them well ya. but the desired results will not be the same. i have done a boat load of different stuff for shotguns including black powder loads. so so so much fun to shoot.

The best thing i can recomend though is to get a manual like others have said. do some reading you may also want to check out another forum that is more dedicated to reloading. Now shotgun reloading is not as cheap as you may think. 00 buck shot loads are expensive any way you look at it. Most people that i see shoot shotguns at a range just shoot to show off and say look what i did. not even knowing the difference or what is going on. Shotgun reloading is more money than regular reloading as the cost of shot and buck shot is rather high and has been high for the past few years. it is very easy to do though very very easy.

[tdc57]

I have a Dillon 550B I use for pistol and rifle, but have never purchased a separate machine for Shotgun loading.. You might want to check out this site for some information?

For what it worth I love my Dillon!..

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25239/catid/1/SL_900

[joaoalegre]

Been there done that. i have 5 reloaders. let me see 1 lee load all, 2 12 guage lee loaders very rare models, 2 .410 lee loaders very very very rare 1 being brand new.

With that.

Shot gun ammo is easy to load you would need to seperate the shells as different shells take different wads. can you mix them well ya. but the desired results will not be the same. i have done a boat load of different stuff for shotguns including black powder loads. so so so much fun to shoot.

The best thing i can recomend though is to get a manual like others have said. do some reading you may also want to check out another forum that is more dedicated to reloading. Now shotgun reloading is not as cheap as you may think. 00 buck shot loads are expensive any way you look at it. Most people that i see shoot shotguns at a range just shoot to show off and say look what i did. not even knowing the difference or what is going on. Shotgun reloading is more money than regular reloading as the cost of shot and buck shot is rather high and has been high for the past few years. it is very easy to do though very very easy.

Just out of curiosity, have you considered lead casting for slugs?
Ya know, nice 7/8 to 1 ounce ones?