Shotshell reloading economics

[hotrail]

So I was recently given a reloading press by a friend doesn't use it anymore. I was trying to decide if I want to spend the time and effort to set up for shotshell reloading. What I want to shoot are 12 gauge light target loads (1-1/18 ounce of number 9 shot), for occasional, non-competitive skeet shooting. I do have experience handloading rifle and pistol cartridges, but I have not previously done any shotshells.

So I did some rough math and it looks like it would cost me more than $11 bucks for the components to load a box of 25 -- and that is assuming I already have some hulls. I got that number as follows:

* * * * Note: the below is not a "recipe" I plan to load, I was just looking up some example components on the web. * * * *

Powder - $34 bucks for pound of Longshot. Assuming I need 30 grains per shell and given there are 7000 grains/pound, that means I get about 233 shells from a pound, or 14.6 cents/shell.

Wad - Federal Premium at $16.29/500ct = 3.3 cents/shell

Shot - Ballistics Products Factory Lead Shot at $48.89/22lbs. At 1-1/8 ounce per shell, that 22 lb. bag yields 312 shells, for 15.6 cents/shell.

Primer - Remington at $109.99/1000ct, or 11.0 cents/shell.

So not counting hulls, and tacking CA's 7.25% sales tax on the components, that is adding up to about $11.91 for a box of 25 shells.

I see Federal Top Gun target loads (1 ounce #8 shot) for 40 cents per round.

So, at this point, it would seem the only benefit to reloading would be the opportunity to work up the specific load I like, or perhaps to hedge against the spotty availability of shells. But there doesn't seem to be any cost savings at all. Even if I shop around and save 10% from the estimates above, I'm still at 40 cents without hulls.

Thoughts? Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[Revoman]

Yep, if you are going to reload, now is not a good time to do so with every component selling at a premium.
IF the prices start to fall, then you MAY have a chance to purchase in bulk from out of state in order to get the best prices. buying in bulk, or joining a buyout by a bunch of other reloaders, is your true shot (no pun) at lowering the cost per box/round.

[Kevin2017]

I would say no, but save the press and hulls for the next time ammo is not available.

[joelogic]

Reloading never beats the economics of bulk ammo. Reloading should be considered a hobby not a money saving venture. $5 a box birdshot, $200 a case 9mm, $300 a case 223, these are hard to beat prices.

[JagerDog]

So I was recently given a reloading press by a friend doesn't use it anymore. I was trying to decide if I want to spend the time and effort to set up for shotshell reloading. What I want to shoot are 12 gauge light target loads (1-1/18 ounce of number 9 shot), for occasional, non-competitive skeet shooting. I do have experience handloading rifle and pistol cartridges, but I have not previously done any shotshells.

So I did some rough math and it looks like it would cost me more than $11 bucks for the components to load a box of 25 -- and that is assuming I already have some hulls. I got that number as follows:

* * * * Note: the below is not a "recipe" I plan to load, I was just looking up some example components on the web. * * * *

Powder - $34 bucks for pound of Longshot. Assuming I need 30 grains per shell and given there are 7000 grains/pound, that means I get about 233 shells from a pound, or 14.6 cents/shell.

Wad - Federal Premium at $16.29/500ct = 3.3 cents/shell

Shot - Ballistics Products Factory Lead Shot at $48.89/22lbs. At 1-1/8 ounce per shell, that 22 lb. bag yields 312 shells, for 15.6 cents/shell.

Primer - Remington at $109.99/1000ct, or 11.0 cents/shell.

So not counting hulls, and tacking CA's 7.25% sales tax on the components, that is adding up to about $11.91 for a box of 25 shells.

I see Federal Top Gun target loads (1 ounce #8 shot) for 40 cents per round.

So, at this point, it would seem the only benefit to reloading would be the opportunity to work up the specific load I like, or perhaps to hedge against the spotty availability of shells. But there doesn't seem to be any cost savings at all. Even if I shop around and save 10% from the estimates above, I'm still at 40 cents without hulls.

Thoughts? Thanks for any advice you can provide.

Lead is the biggest cost. For skeet, 7/8 oz of #9 is just fine. Virtually nobody reloading for skeet is shooting 1-1/8. Quite a few shoot 3/4oz. But typical is 7/8oz-1oz. Just saved 20% of shot cost there.

And with target loads you aren't using Longshot. That's for heavy field loads. Instead you're using faster target powders in the 18 gr range. Titegroup is available for around $25.`Just cut your powder cost in 50%.

Claybuster clone wads run about 3 cents.

Remington primers have long been the most expensive. Lotta folks save by using Cheddites at 6 cents.

So 7 cents for powder, 12 cents for shot, 3 cents for powder, 6 cents for primer. You're aroubd $7/box if you have the hulls. Now hulls are a whole nother topic.

Like all reloading, buying in bulk saves some $.

"Promo" loads are going for $10-$11

Who doesn't want to save 30%?

[sghart]

I have been able to save a lot of money over the years by reloading. My sons and I shoot a lot. Even after amortizing the cost of the equipment over the years we still save money on most calibers.

Having said that I have never been able to save money reloading shotshell loads. The cost of shot alone blows up the economic calculations.

But I reload shotshells anyway. The advantages for me are being able to have shotshells in a panic situation when ammo is scarce.

And also loading less common and more expensive rounds like buckshot, slugs and roundball.

[rhodesengr]

So I was recently given a reloading press by a friend doesn't use it anymore.

Powder - $34 bucks for pound of Longshot. Assuming I need 30 grains per shell and given there are 7000 grains/pound, that means I get about 233 shells from a pound, or 14.6 cents/shell.

Which press did you get? That might make a difference if its worth the effort.

Already mentioned but Longshot at 1 1/8 loads are 1400 to 1500 fps. That is way more than legal for skeet and won't be fun to shoot a lot of due to recoil. You want to look for loads that 1150 to 1250fps for 1 1/8oz , a little higher for 1oz, and higher yet for 7/8oz. Powders for Clay sports have been an issue for the last few years. The low density flake powders like Clays and Red Dot have been in short supply and Clays isn't even being made right now. Low density powders are best for straight-type hulls like Federal, Cheddite, Fiocchi, etc.

Medium density powders like Win Super Target, Ramshot Competition, E3, and 700x are available (except 700x has been hard) to find all have loads for clay target sports.

Hodgdon seems to want to keep dishing out high density powders that stack too low in straight hulls but work well in tapered hulls. Only Remington and Winchester hulls are the tapered type. Their new powders (Perfect Pattern and High Gun) are a little less expensive and have many listed loads for clay sports.

Wads: Claybuster makes clones of a number of name brand wads and have some of their own designs. Just to get you started:
Straight hulls: use CB6100 for 1oz and CB6118 for 1 1/8
Tapered hulls like Remington STS and Gunclub: look at CB8100 and CB8118. These load like the Remington equivalent.

I started reloading in 2021 because there was no commercial ammo. Now I am in deep and its part of the hobby. Once set up, it is more convenient that going to store. Living in California SF Bay Area, there are few store that sell ammo anywhere close and you then have to buy what they if they have any. I shoot mostly Trap and I can make a consistent load and change things as I want.

[PoorRichRichard]

Reloading never beats the economics of bulk ammo. Reloading should be considered a hobby not a money saving venture. $5 a box birdshot, $200 a case 9mm, $300 a case 223, these are hard to beat prices.

Where on Gods green earth are you finding $5 boxes of birdshot?

[joelogic]

You’re right, not currently. But we never thought 9mm would go back to $200 a case. It’s $240 now. Ammo prices ebb and flow.

[PoorRichRichard]

OP. PM with your phone number and I can help you get your cost per shell down.

Cheddite primers can be found for about $70 per 1000, less if you find a good deal on 5000 or more at a time. I also got a line on Fiocchi primers for $70 cash per 1000.

As mentioned above, Hodgdon has some great economic powders. Spend the money upfront and buy an 8 or 4 pounder and you’ll save. For as little as you shoot, you will be set for far into the future.

I load Claybuster AA replica wads, and Windjammer wads which I can routinely find for less than $14 per 500.

Hulls are free if you know where to look (local trap, skeet, and sporting Clays facility)
I’ve had great luck with Remington hulls- Gun clubs, STS, and Nitro 27s. I also load Winchester AA hulls.

One key piece of advice when learning to reload shotshells- start with a single stage press, preferably a Mec 600 series press. Keeps things simple and cleaner as opposed to trying to learn on a progressive shotshell press.

[PoorRichRichard]

I also know where to get clean reclaimed shot for $34 cash per 25 pound bag. Sometimes I mix the reclaim shot with some new number 9 shot for my 20 gauge loads, and also for my 12 gauge skeet loads.

[AdamVIP]

Shotgun reloading has never really saved a whole lot. It is nice to have components for when shells get hard to find though. I need super light target stuff and the Winchester low noise low recoils and even feather lites are gone everywhere. I bought a press and components to get it done but am quickly finding that there's a bit more art and finesse to shotshell reloading than pistol/rifle. Also screw the MEC bushing system.

[BIGOX]

I'm reloading 12g for just under $5 a box but real savings comes when reloading slug and buckshot. I have several MEC 600jr available also. As for the bushing system get an adjustable charge bar.

[TKM]

Slug and buck is the way. Buy the target stuff cheap and stack it deep.

Spend a day on the patio casting the big stuff and relax for the year.

[Revoman]

Many will state that shotshell reloading has never saved money, but I beg to differ.'
It did at one time, long before all of the blow-up pricing for the last 10-12 years.
During the late 1990's, early 2000's, rolling yer own was a great savings, about 50%.
The cool thing is, buying in bulk back then, I still have 800 pounds of shot and more powder than I care to admit, along with 25K primers. Al bought in bulk at great pricing, even back then.
So, having bought in such bulk, and still having much of it left, it's still a savings for those that thought ahead.