12G Shot Reloader Q

[Tortuga]

Recently a friend gave me a complete Hornady 366 shot shell progressive press. I'm just starting to collect reloading components and supplies for rifle/pistols. While I do shoot quite a bit of 12G for clays and recently ducks and upland, I've read that it's cheaper to buy rounds than reload these days. So I'm wondering if I should just clean up the press and store it, sell it, or use it? Is it cost effective to load non lead loads for CA hunting? just looking for some thoughts and opinions.....Jake

[rsrocket1]

For casual clays, cheaper to buy unless you buy 8 pound jugs of powder, reclaimed shot and load 3/4 ounce loads which actually work fine for skeet and 16 yard trap. Quite a bit cheaper to load your own hunting rounds, buckshot and slugs. The big thing is you don't have to recoup your cost of the press, so you start saving money with your first round. At this moment, shotgun powder is virtually impossible to find locally. If you stalk the web, you might be able to get it if you act immediately.

I would clean it and store it until this craziness blows over, then start with a bag of shot, a bag of wads, a tray of primers and some shot to see if it's your cup of tea.

I personally shoot at $3.40/box and paid for my press in the first year, but I like tailoring my loads to my shooting preferences too.

[Che762x39]

You got a good point. But you was given a press. Reloading is a fun hobby. When I wanted to expand my skill to shotshells my ex divorced me.

If you have a favorite duck load you can make your own and always have it available. I like #3 steel for So Cal small ducks, the various teal we have around. Have fun

[outsidesmoke]

For casual clays, cheaper to buy unless you buy 8 pound jugs of powder, reclaimed shot and load 3/4 ounce loads which actually work fine for skeet and 16 yard trap. .

This isn't true at all. I reload at about $4.25 a box for 7/8oz reclaimed and powder at $25/lb. The cheapest ammo that I've found in the area is $6.50 a box and the loads are terrible for skeet. Saving $2.25/box is definitely worth it in my opinion.

[rsrocket1]

This isn't true at all. I reload at about $4.25 a box for 7/8oz reclaimed and powder at $25/lb. The cheapest ammo that I've found in the area is $6.50 a box and the loads are terrible for skeet. Saving $2.25/box is definitely worth it in my opinion.

Yeah, you're right. At that price you are better off reloading. Jake has the huge advantage of not needing to recoup the price of the press. I haven't priced store bought shells in a few years. Last time I bought loaded rounds was the 4 pack of Fed/Rem/Win at Walmart for about $24.

Jake, if you decide to start reloading, when starting out, be sure to follow the exact recipes for hull/shot weight/wad/powder/primer. No swapping components. Reloading shotshells is different from metallic reloading. Get a good book on shotshell reloading like the Lyman book and read it. You can use online powder mfr guides for loads also, but no substitutions.

[Tortuga]

Great, thanks for the feedback so far. I think the last few boxes I bought at Walmart were around $6ish each and I seem to remember getting a case from Cabelas for about $80 or so. I also should mention that I can most likely get a majority of the hulls for free although once shot.

[rsrocket1]

Free is the best price for hulls. I've never paid for an empty hull ever. Most of the time I come home with more hulls than I've shot

[emptybottle151]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=877023