Seeking advice regarding loading 12ga birdshot shells

[jwc]

I have reloaded metallic cartridges for several years and find it worthwhile and rewarding.

What would it take to load the equivalent of an inexpensive, general purpose 7.5 birdshot round similar to those in a Federal or Winchester 100 pack from WalMart?

Obviously I would need reloading equipment. The Lee Load-All looks like it would suit my purposes.

I would need hulls, wads, primers, powder and shot too. The two main questions I have regarding supplies are cost and selection.

I would like the total cost for supplies to be less than or equal to the cost of a 100 round bulk pack at WalMart when they have them in stock - about $25. Is this a realistic expectation? Can a load be made at this cost using new hulls? If not, where can good used hulls be purchased?

What simple, proven load can you recommend? I do not want a light or heavy load, just something practical.

What else should I consider?

[XDRoX]

I've researched this topic many times and asked people that load shotgun. Their answers are always the same. If all you want is cheap bird-shot then it's not worth the trouble to reload. Just buy walmart ammo.

If you want to load slugs or lead free shells then there is a little money to be saved in loading them yourself. Especially if you want custom hunting loads.

And the MEC line of presses is way better than the Lee.

[jwc]

I've researched this topic many times and asked people that load shotgun. Their answers are always the same. If all you want is cheap bird-shot then it's not worth the trouble to reload. Just buy walmart ammo.

If you want to load slugs or lead free shells then there is a little money to be saved in loading them yourself. Especially if you want custom hunting loads.

And the MEC line of presses is way better than the Lee.

Thank you for your reply. Hopefully it will become easy to find inexpensive shot shells at WalMart again. Since that is not the case now and because laws may make ammo purchasing more difficult in the future I am considering my options.

[M27]

there is no fiscal advantage to loading bird shot unless you make your own shot then it can save money.

If you cast your own slugs there is a huge advantage. I load Lyman sabot slugs for less than 15 cents with reloaded hulls and for less that 33 cents with new hulls

[M27]

Thank you for your reply. Hopefully it will become easy to find inexpensive shot shells at WalMart again. Since that is not the case now and because laws may make ammo purchasing more difficult in the future I am considering my options.

My local walmart was completely wiped out at one point. Last saturday they had a full display of shells, 75ish 100 packs, and a full pallet of clays.

[XDRoX]

My local walmart has bird-shot. I saw it yesterday.

But it is good to have options.

[jwc]

I am glad to hear people have seen 12ga bird shot at their local WalMart again. The hoarders in Orange County must have beat me to it recently!

[Revoman]

[koehn,jim]

I load 12 gauge but at current componet prices I can buy cheap shells at the same price to load them. Now if you want high quality than reloading makes more sense.

[stator]

It's usually quite difficult to beat cheap 12 and 20 gauge Walmart shotshells. However, 28 gauge and .410 is a completely different story. You will save big bucks reloading those.

[NoNOS67]

It's usually quite difficult to beat cheap 12 and 20 gauge Walmart shotshells. However, 28 gauge and .410 is a completely different story. You will save big bucks reloading those.

Very true! As others have pointed out, reloading allows you to produce high quality ammo, at a price similar to the $25 value packs. I like to use 1.25oz of #6 at 1400fps for live pigeon. If I were to buy that in-store somewhere, it would cost over $10/bx, IF I could find it.

[sargenv]

One way to reduce cost for the 12 and not have effectiveness drop off much is to load lighter than you can buy it.. If you are like many ppl shooting a pump action, it doesn't care what payload you shoot.. switch out to a 7/8 oz load. There is ample data out there for loading this payload at target velocities and you actually can get away with using less powder. Alliant Bullseye, Red Dot, Promo, E3, IMR 700X, and Clays all have very light loads listed with the light 7/8 oz payload. Light load = faster follow up shot.. I've loaded these for years and in addition to being a bit cheaper, you get about 2 more boxes of shells out of the same 25# of shot. They break clays just fine and do well for small game also.. It is unlikely that game will know the difference unless you are using the larger sizes (6's or larger).

I know that the Browning Maxus, Browning Gold, and some of the Berettas will cycle these light shells.. If this is an issue, you can use a bit more propellant and load them to International 24 gram loads that push these along at 1350 ish fps.. Alliant has data for the 24 gram international loads..

[nothing4u]

I reload steel shot for duck hunting. I don't bother with dove loads, it's cheaper to just buy walmart stuff. If you're looking for upland game loads with #6 to #4 lead shot you can find these during hunting season for 7-8 bucks a box. This is where you can start making higher quality stuff for about the same price as the cheap stuff and make loads that pattern well with your gun. Since I reload steel I just end up use this stuff for upland game and never mess with lead.