Want to get started reloading 12ga 3", could use some help!!!

[Richmond10mm]

Hey guys!! I read thread titles for hours and searched but no luck for my particular interest.

So, I used to go to gun shows at the Cow and I always made sure I had a good supply of "high-brass" 3" 00 shot. I had a good stash of Hornady, Winchester, and Remington. But no more Cow and my god, 12ga 3" is just too much fun, it puts the boom in boomstick, and probably much like yourself, when I start to get low on a favorite ammo, anxiety takes over until the situation is resolved. So I thought I'd check into reloading, high brass, 3", 00 shot, 1200-1500fps with 9-15 pellets. Home defense and Beast Mode plinking with robust semi-autos.

I thought it would be a lot easier to get started, need some help from shooters with experience. Any suggestions appreciated. For starters WHAT PRESS? I would like to work up the loads so I don't mind weighing each charge. Probably will be using new shells 100%.

[fatfreadiescat]

If you want to get in easy try a Lee Loader.
Very easy to use, and you should be able to get a kit for about $60.
I use mine for 10ga and it's hard to beat.

OK now everybody can tell him how crappy the lee loaders are.

[JagerDog]

If you want to get in easy try a Lee Loader.
Very easy to use, and you should be able to get a kit for about $60.
I use mine for 10ga and it's hard to beat.

OK now everybody can tell him how crappy the lee loaders are.

They are.

MEC Sizemaster is good for small batch. Has the collet resizer for that high brass too.

[fatfreadiescat]

told ya

[pacrat]

If you want to get in easy try a Lee Loader.
Very easy to use, and you should be able to get a kit for about $60.
I use mine for 10ga and it's hard to beat.

OK now everybody can tell him how crappy the lee loaders are.

Won't hear it from me. Even though I haven't used one. A big advantage is that the LEE LOADER includes all the shot/powder bushing in the basic kit. Instead of having to buy them as EXTRAS.

Which is an issue with the suggested MEC. Which I have 2 of in 12/20 ga.

The LEE is a bit of a knock off of the old tried n true "LYMAN EZ-LOADER". Which I also have 2 of, and was my first shotshell loader.

So I suggest the LEE as a NOOB starter. If you decide loading is for you. You can either sell it or just look for a faster machine and keep it on a shelf.

[at_liberty]

Hey guys!! I read thread titles for hours and searched but no luck for my particular interest.

So, I used to go to gun shows at the Cow and I always made sure I had a good supply of "high-brass" 3" 00 shot. I had a good stash of Hornady, Winchester, and Remington. But no more Cow and my god, 12ga 3" is just too much fun, it puts the boom in boomstick, and probably much like yourself, when I start to get low on a favorite ammo, anxiety takes over until the situation is resolved. So I thought I'd check into reloading, high brass, 3", 00 shot, 1200-1500fps with 9-15 pellets. Home defense and Beast Mode plinking with robust semi-autos.

I thought it would be a lot easier to get started, need some help from shooters with experience. Any suggestions appreciated. For starters WHAT PRESS? I would like to work up the loads so I don't mind weighing each charge. Probably will be using new shells 100%.

Learning to load fired hulls with smaller shot is a lot easier. Roll crimping buckshot is more advanced and does not reload well. Go from there. Get the Lyman Shotshell Reloading book.

[rg1]

I would recommend also the Mec Sizemaster which can be adjusted for 2 3/4 and 3" hulls. However I warn that loading buckshot is tedious and often difficult to get a good crimp. Powder needs to be fine grained so it doesn't take up too much internal space. Lead shot and buckshot is expensive. I gave it a try with 2 3/4" but gave up as it's not worth the effort with little cost savings for loading a round that doesn't get shot much. I just look for sales of factory buckshot. Best plan is to buy factory loaded.

[NapalmCheese]

If you want to get in easy try a Lee Loader.
Very easy to use, and you should be able to get a kit for about $60.
I use mine for 10ga and it's hard to beat.

OK now everybody can tell him how crappy the lee loaders are.

First off, you’re talking about a Lee Load All II.

Secondly, they are not very nice presses.

Third, they are entirely adequate for low volume reloading, but if you’re going to load more than a few hundred a year you might as well spend more for a nicer press.

The problem I have with the Load All (I use one for 16 gauge hunting loads) is that the press isn’t adjustable. So, instead of finding components and adjusting the press you have to try some components and find the ones that work well. In my case I had to stick a nickel under the crimp station to raise the shell up to get good crimps on once fired Remington hulls. Likewise it’s not great for making new crimps in new skived hulls.

That being said, my wife bought me a sizemaster for Christmas and I’m excited to start loading on a nicer press.

OP will need a press that does 3 inch shells.

Also OP, you are not going to be working up loads like you do for rifles and pistols. Reloading for shotguns is about recipes, and recipes list specific hulls, wads, powders, and primers. You can’t just willy nilly change out wads (unless you’re swapping for a clone) or change out hulls because you ran out of Cheddites halfway through your session and you have half a bag of Fiocchis you’d like to get rid of. Likewise with primers. About the only thing you can adjust is powder and even that can be a dicey proposition if you don’t have a min/max charge (which is common with shotshell recipes). You have no way of telling if you’re reload is over pressure without sending it into a lab. There are no flattened primers, ejector swipes, sticky extraction, etc. with shotguns without being in very dangerous territory.

Shotguns work in low pressure ranges so relatively low changes can have magnified results.

[Richmond10mm]

Thanks guys!! Great information. I’m going to do a little more research in all these directions and make a decision.
I did have a family member just tell me loading/reloading for clays is easy and fun but loading for HD is “Not something I would recommend” and he has half is dang garage set up as a reloading shop.

[fatfreadiescat]

Nope Lee Loader

[NapalmCheese]

Nope Lee Loader

You know they don't make them for shotgun shells anymore right (and haven't for a really long time).

And for $60 bucks you can buy a brand new Load All II.

[fatfreadiescat]

E-Bay's got a bunch

[fatfreadiescat]

And you said the load all was no good

[NapalmCheese]

And you said the load all was no good

I said the load all was not very nice, but that it is entirely adequate. I still use my 16 gauge load all.

Certainly better IMO than spending $30.00 bucks on someone's used Lee Loader so you can smack some 12 gauge ammo together with a hammer.

[Cheep]

I'd recommend a used MEC if you want to load buckshot. Very simple and fully adjustable.