Question - Shotshell vs. Cartridge Reloading

[jwest]

CG'ers,

Have a question for those of you that have done both shotshell and cartridge reloading:

What has been more satisfying/rewarding:

A) Shotshell Reloading
B) Cartridge Reloading
C) Both
D) I don't reload

I am considering picking up a Dillon SL 900.

Regards,
jwest

[RaymondMillbrae]

If you shoot both pistol and shotshell, then you need both pistol and shotshell...both serve their intended purposes.

When loading for rifle/pistol, the savings are substantial.

When loading for shotshell, the savings are not that great (cuz you can bulk-buy at Wally World for close to your reloading cost), but the benefit is that you can custom-tailor a load...and that is SUPER REWARDING if you shoot 200-rounds, or more, for practice or during a match.

If you decide to home-roll shotgun slugs, the savings are the greatest. And having custom-rolled slugs is even nicer. (Same point as above in regards to large amounts of slugs going downrange, and your shoulder still working the next day).

I'm not 100% sure, but I do not believe you can reload slugs on the Dillon shotshell press. But if you click on the link below my signature, you will see that it is totally feasible on my Hornady 366 Auto.

Best wishes, and enjoy the videos.

In Christ: Raymond

[Cowboy T]

You save even more money if you cast your own slugs. Several companies make slug moulds (Lee, Lyman, etc.). BTW, if you have a bunch of seriously zinc-contaminated lead alloy, this is a good use for it, as that higher surface tension doesn't matter nearly as much.

Both are rewarding, but I do a lot more metallic cartridge reloading. Kinda hard to a shotshell into that .38 Spl chamber.

[pdq_wizzard]

I have loaded both for a long time but I must say braking clays with reloads is the best!!!

[jwest]

Do you guys agree that break-even is ~4K rounds?

I am using ~$281.00/1K for component cost (cheap hulls) using a Dillon SL 900 (shotshell) as the basis.

(Looks like actual is ~3K rounds - this would be 12 GA 2 3/4" for busting clays. Not bad I guess.)

[jwest]

SL 900 won't handle slugs or 3 1/2" shells - what reloader does?

[CSACANNONEER]

Two different animals. But, since I shoot a few precision rifle matches a year, I'll go with cartridges. Of course, the ultimate in "reloading" satsfaction comes with casting round balls, shooting them through a frontstuffer and getting moa or better precision from them.

[PoofNoEyebrows]

I had a lot of fun trying to figure out all the variances in shotgun hulls, and then matching up appropriate wads to go with them. Then again I had just as much fun learning to cast as well. I think loading both types are very satisfying.