Shot shell reloading and costs - worth it?

[Jet Setter]

I have been wanting to load my own shotgun shells, mostly for clay. Just wondered if it is really worth it? Is there that much of a savings? What kind savings can one have in comparison to a $7/25 box load of Winchester or Estate target loads?

I did check out the forums and only found a couple of instances where costs were stated.

Why do I want to reload? Mostly as a hobby (keep me busy) and hopefully to save money.

Thanks for any insight.

[wilit]

If you compare it to the cheap bulk packs at Walmart, there's not much of a savings. If you compare it to Win AA or Remington STS loads, then you can save quite a bit. Personally I started thinking about reloading 12ga not for the cost but because I can't find anything at the stores.

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[Jet Setter]

@Wilit

Thank you for the information. That is good to know. As I posted, primary reason is for something to do. Saving money would be a huge plus for me. I figured, as long as it is comparable to the cheap stuff, I would still be ahead as there is not much on the shelves these days.

[not-fishing]

Depends on how much you shoot.

I picked up around 20 cases or trap/clays shells five years ago for boys and me.

One boy joined the Marines so he was not going with us any more. The remaining boy and I slowed down our shooting to just pre-hunting season tune-ups and so I have a couple of cases left.

Since our shooting has improved we only go through a couple of boxes of shells hunting.

I remember checking the a "reloading calculator" and if I got the Size-master press I'd have to load something like 25 cases of trap / clays shells to pay for the loader and other gear.

If your shooting sporting clays twice a month you'll only go through 2 1/2 cases of shells or so a year.

Now that the one son is out of the Marines, the boys and I are shooting in IDPA matches so with practice we go through about 12 boxes of 38 cal and 6 boxes of 45 cal a month. With reloads costing around 30% that of factory the reloading gear was paid off real fast.

[koehn,jim]

Never go into loading shotgun with the thought you will save money, think of it instead as getting better ammo than you would normally buy. Using top grade componets I can load somthing as good or better than the Win aa or the remington for the cost of cheap ammo. But you have to do a lot of it and enjoy it or it does not pay, a good press and componets will set you back a lot of money and take years to pay off. On the other hand I enjoy the satisfaction of making my own shells and the fact that I have a constant supply.

[Revoman]

[alfred1222]

I reload 12g not to save money but for the quality of ammo I make. I'm loading AA and STS on my MEC9000, and it cranks out the perfect ammo for me. I'm using a 3/4oz load, because realistically using more than 7/8oz on a clay load is a waste of shot. Also, I'm paying about 1/4 to 1/5 of that I would have paid if I was buying new ammo. I use Fiocchi 616 primers, alliant extra-light powder, reclaimed shot, and CB wads. I also bought in bulk, so I have my cost per box at $2-$3, and my cost per flat between $24 and $30. Now understand, you won't save money, you're just gunna shoot a whole lot more. PM me if you have more questions or want to try loading on a MEC before you buy

[chasjr1]

^^^^This

[M27]

I have recently gotten into reloading 12 gauge. I love loading slugs with a savings of 75% or more I can shoot slugs all day long without having to break out paper money per shot. I am starting to play with buck shot as well. I don't however have a strong desire to load bird shot. I just don't shoot enough of them for the time investment.

[Jet Setter]

Depends on how much you shoot.

I plan to join my club's monthly shoot. They do a clay shoot 2x a month and I am getting friends into the sport in general. In reality, I am looking at shooting at least 300 shells a month. It has been something I am enjoying more and more. Except, we use a hand thrower when I take friends out.

[Jet Setter]

I reload 12g not to save money but for the quality of ammo I make. I'm loading AA and STS on my MEC9000, and it cranks out the perfect ammo for me. I'm using a 3/4oz load, because realistically using more than 7/8oz on a clay load is a waste of shot. Also, I'm paying about 1/4 to 1/5 of that I would have paid if I was buying new ammo. I use Fiocchi 616 primers, alliant extra-light powder, reclaimed shot, and CB wads. I also bought in bulk, so I have my cost per box at $2-$3, and my cost per flat between $24 and $30. Now understand, you won't save money, you're just gunna shoot a whole lot more. PM me if you have more questions or want to try loading on a MEC before you buy

That is great info. I will have to start looking at trying 3/4 oz load. What you wrote makes sense. Thank you for the offer. I may take you up on it. I was thinking about checking out a RCBS Mini Grand and the Mec. They seem quite solid and affordable. Just have to find one that is used to save a little money.

[Bill Steele]

I load my own shot shells. I think even for target loads you can save a few bucks. If you calculate your time in your reloading, then it probably depends what you consider a fair hourly rate for your time, at least with regard to whether you are saving any money.

I too think you can select your loads to your needs and not have to buy what is on the shelf. In addition for me, I find reloading of all types fun and interesting.

I don't shoot as much clays as many on these boards so for my needs a quality single stage sizemaster is all that I need to produce all my various shot shell loads. If you are getting into serious target volumes, a form of progressive press will pay dividends time wise.

Shotgun world dot com is a good place to learn what loads (component combinations) guys are using that load well and pattern in their guns.

[Dutch3]

My coworker was running the numbers yesterday and it doesn't look like there is much savings for common bulk loads. Slugs and buckshot look much better, as do the numbers for .410, which is not as commonly available.

Then of course, there is also the issue of inconsistent availability of factory ammo as we have been seeing recently. Being able to build up a supply and reload your own is a good investment of another sort.

[stevec223]

savings

i reload 410s and 28 ga. ... i like the win. supersport clay factory loads (1300 fps) so i load to those specs.... loading saves me a lot over buying the hot loads...im thinking about getting a 20 ga. loader, saving my win hulls now --- but the price of mecs has gone up 30% or so... maybe worth doing if i find a nice used mec... to many other iorns in the fire now anyway... cheers...

[sixgunner]

Watch CL I have picked up a TON of shot cheap. A ton is 80 25lbs bags. One time I got a five gal bucket full of reclaimed graphited shot mostly #7 and#8 for $40 per bucket. Reclaimed is mostly what I shoot. The hard part is moving it. Be patient and answer all adds and ask them if they will deal most will. People start out at $25 per bag but after it sits on CL they sometimes make a deal. I live in SF and have to shoot Steel and its way cheaper if you buy the shot at a Club like Richmond or Pacific. Feel free to PM me if you got any questions.