Shotshell Reloading

[Tommy Gun]

So I've got the itch to start reloading for 12ga shotgun. I literally have not picked up my shot gun since ammo restrictions went into place and never stocked up on birds hot, as the range only let's you use birdshot for clays, but have a ton of 00 Buck.

Been reading and watching videos but god damn all the info as it pertains to hulls and wads and shot. Been loading for pistol and rifle for years but this is a new monster to tackle, at least just starting out.

Trying to narrow down to a specific recipie like

Win AA Hulls (seem to be unicorn as it's the most popular)
Cheddite 209s (what I've seen in stock most everywhere I check.

Now wads I learned are pretty easy to pick the right ones as I want to do 1oz shot and 2 3/4 hulls.

Now shot I figured steel for sure but is the zinc coated special or no. This is just for clay shooting so I'm sure anything but lead shot would be fine.

Powders should not be an issue, just need to get the manual and find one and stick to it.

Don't need a ton of hulls but I think 500 to start. Not sure how many times a lighter load bird shot shell can be reloaded, Win AA being the best I figure a few times, or maybe a lot more. Just would like to hear advice from you all.

[Sir Toast]

Shotshells are easy compared to rifles and pistols.

I got a MEC 9000 and I'm totally loving it. I use Winchester 209's, but I only have about 1800 left. Cheddites are a replacement to the Winchesters.

Problem is powder. Getting a good powder is hard. Winchester 209's are almost impossible right now.

[Tommy Gun]

Bah I meant 209 primers hah. I'll search for a hierarchy of hulls. Want to be able to reload them 4 or 5 times, I just need to know if that's even possible or just figure reload once or twice and toss.

I'm sure I could find a ton at Angeles on the ground.

[pacrat]

This is just for clay shooting so I'm sure anything but lead shot would be fine.

You've got that AzzBackards. Non lead shot is required for HUNTING. In this stupid state.

There is no reason to load/shoot, the much more expensive non lead for clays.

[beetle]

the most important thing in shotshell reloading is finding a good recipe that will produce the correct stack height. As the name implies, stack height is the combination of powder, wad, and shot and how much they fill up the empty shell. If the stack height is too low, the crimp will dish in (cave in) and likely leak. If the stack is too high, the crimp will tent up and likely leak.

If just starting out I would not start with AAs. Not only are they hard to find, but the shell typically has less room to work with. This has to do a with a manufacturing change they made years ago. If you follow the recipes found online, you may end up with crimps that have a hole in the middle that leak shot. Many of these recipes were created before Winchester made the manufacturing change.

Remington shells are a good option for newbie reloaders. Gun Clubs (or the highly desired STS or Nitro) shells are great for reloading.

For 1oz loads some good powder options are 700X, Red Dot, Clays, E3, Clay Dot.

A standard 1oz load recipe will be either a CB1100 wad (winchester WAASL clone), or CB8100 (remington TGT12 clone), 16-17gr of powder, winchester or cheddite primer, and 1 oz of lead shot. This has been the go to recipe for 1oz loads for many many years.

good luck!

[CAL.BAR]

The primary consideration to get into reloading is whether you will shoot more or save money on what you do shoot. How many rounds do you typically shoot of 12ga every year. How much more cheaply can you produce it? How long will it take you to recouple your investment?

[Tommy Gun]

Well I'd still reload regardless. I told myself when they changed the ammo laws I would never wait in a line, do a bg check or pay fees. I started well before that but solidified it then and now reload for my 7 calibers.

Id reload shotgun just because I can. In the OP I stated I haven't touched the shotgun since they changed the law and I didn't restock on birdshot and had a ton of 00 Buck.

Just something I'm toying with and want to be more versatile in what I can load for myself.

And we all know we don't save money, we just shoot more. But I do save a ton on my precision 6.5 Creed and 308.

[bigbossman]

Win AA Hulls (seem to be unicorn as it's the most popular)
Cheddite 209s (what I've seen in stock most everywhere I check.

Now wads I learned are pretty easy to pick the right ones as I want to do 1oz shot and 2 3/4 hulls.

Now shot I figured steel for sure but is the zinc coated special or no. This is just for clay shooting so I'm sure anything but lead shot would be fine.

Powders should not be an issue, just need to get the manual and find one and stick to it.

Hulls:
Older Winchester AA hulls are great, the newer ones are a pain to reload. Remington "Gun Club" work OK, Remington STS hulls are really good, and right behind them are the older Remington Peters "Premier" hulls.Except for the Gun Club, the others will reload close to 10 times before being worn out.

Wads:
AA wads, Claybuster wads, Windjammer wads. If your recipe calls for AA wads, Claybusters and Windjammer make direct substitutes.

Shot:
Not hunting? Use lead. Sportsman's Warehouse usually has some in stock.

Powder:
Lots and lots of good choices for powder. Availability can be an issue, so look over your recipes, see what powders are called for, and go see if you can find it. 700x works very well and is versatile, but there are many others.

[Tommy Gun]

Thanks Bossman.

Amd because I won't be making a ton of shells, I'm probably going to buy the Lee Load All. I've seen it as low as $60 right now and shopping for componants it's real cheap except primers are more and powder.

[bigbossman]

Thanks Bossman.

Amd because I won't be making a ton of shells, I'm probably going to buy the Lee Load All. I've seen it as low as $60 right now and shopping for componants it's real cheap except primers are more and powder.

A Lee LoadAll will work OK, I used to use one way back when. Honestly though for about the same dough (or maybe a bit more) you can find a used MEC 600jr, and it is a better press.

I live in Idaho, or I'd be happy to give you a pile of hulls.

[JagerDog]

the most important thing in shotshell reloading is finding a good recipe that will produce the correct stack height. As the name implies, stack height is the combination of powder, wad, and shot and how much they fill up the empty shell. If the stack height is too low, the crimp will dish in (cave in) and likely leak. If the stack is too high, the crimp will tent up and likely leak.

If just starting out I would not start with AAs. Not only are they hard to find, but the shell typically has less room to work with. This has to do a with a manufacturing change they made years ago. If you follow the recipes found online, you may end up with crimps that have a hole in the middle that leak shot. Many of these recipes were created before Winchester made the manufacturing change.

Remington shells are a good option for newbie reloaders. Gun Clubs (or the highly desired STS or Nitro) shells are great for reloading.

For 1oz loads some good powder options are 700X, Red Dot, Clays, E3, Clay Dot.

A standard 1oz load recipe will be either a CB1100 wad (winchester WAASL clone), or CB8100 (remington TGT12 clone), 16-17gr of powder, winchester or cheddite primer, and 1 oz of lead shot. This has been the go to recipe for 1oz loads for many many years.

good luck!

What he said.

My 2 main target loads:

Rem/Peters hull, 7/8 oz #9 lead, Claybuster gray AA clone, and 17gr of Titewad powder. I use Fiocchi 616 in this load, but most any non-hot primer would work.

Rem STS hull, 1 oz #8 lead, Claybuster pink AA clone and 17gr of Titewad powder. I use Wolf 209's in this load cuz I bought a bunch when they were cheap.

[bigbossman]

What he said.

My 2 main target loads:

Rem/Peters hull, 7/8 oz #9 lead, Claybuster gray AA clone, and 17gr of Titewad powder. I use Fiocchi 616 in this load, but most any non-hot primer would work.

Rem STS hull, 1 oz #8 lead, Claybuster pink AA clone and 17gr of Titewad powder. I use Wolf 209's in this load cuz I bought a bunch when they were cheap.

My loads are pretty much the same components, only with Winchester 209 primers and 18gr of 700x.

[Revoman]

As stated, the older AA hulls are good, look out for the newer 'HS' AA hulls as they do not use the same wads as the older hulls. The 'HS' hull wall is thicker making one use a different wad (usually red in color).
That said tho, Claybuster makes clones of almost any typical wad out there for the big ammo names; AA, STS, Nitro, Gun Club, Federal Gold Cup, etc.
Since lead is allowed when shooting clays, lead is a less expensive option than using steel.
1-ounce loads are great and produce less felt recoil while saving a few bucks on shot.
Hodgdon Titegroup powder is useful for shotgun AND pistol reloading as are many shotgun powders.
I also agree with getting a used MEC 600 Jr, or similar, they load a really good shell and are completely adjustable to suit.

[BIGOX]

I've been using the same Remington gun clubs hulls for about 2 years now. You can really reload these a lot. I also use others. I've been using cheddites primers when Winchester are not available. 1oz loads with Reddot seem to be my goto load. I would strongly recommend getting a mec 600jr or a variant over the Lee load all 2. The Lee will work but the Mec is a tank and will allow you to make adjustments. Plus it holds a much better resale value. I have several MEC 600jr available around $120. You can possibly find others cheaper but their usually missing a few parts.

You can save big money if you reload slugs and buckshot. Especially if you cast your own. Happy reloading.

[JagerDog]

I've been using the same Remington gun clubs hulls for about 2 years now. You can really reload these a lot. I also use others. I've been using cheddites primers when Winchester are not available. 1oz loads with Reddot seem to be my goto load. I would strongly recommend getting a mec 600jr or a variant over the Lee load all 2. The Lee will work but the Mec is a tank and will allow you to make adjustments. Plus it holds a much better resale value. I have several MEC 600jr available around $120. You can possibly find others cheaper but their usually missing a few parts.

You can save big money if you reload slugs and buckshot. Especially if you cast your own. Happy reloading.

Friends don't let friends buy Load Alls. While they work with a perfect stack an the right hulls, they're an exercise in futility otherwise. There are no mechanical adjustments. YOU are the adjustment.

Personally, for single stage, I'd upgrade to a Mec Sizemaster. I prefer the collet resizer and they come with the primer dispenser.