Clay shooters.....Will it ever stop?

[Ed/Pa]

What is with factory shell prices? Everytime you turn around the price goes up again. Is it lead or gold packed into those shells? The best prices in this region for 12Ga. target loads is $60. a case at present. That case jumped from $50. in 3 months.

I've considered reloading many times , but each time I ask the components go up also. Are the ammo makers in ca-hoots with the oil companies? I have to fill up the auto to get to work,(I've considered buying a horse) but if there is no stop to the shell increases I may have to cut back my shooting. Simple pleasures in life are getting more and more expensive. I hope toilet paper doesnt follow the current trend of increases because those corn cobs are mighty tuff!

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Well, I'm just getting into shotguns and compared to rifles these prices are great! I hear you though, I doubt it will stop soon.

 

[Javelin]

I will let you in on the secret. Ammo is not going up in price. The dollar is going down in value.

 

[classic095]

The chinese have been buying up all the scrap lead in the world, as they are the leading manufactures of lead paint, PC Boards and Batteries.. Price of scrap lead went for 25 c a lb to 100 a pound in less than a year.. I make my own shot and have to scrounge around for lead tire weights from the stores.. Saves a lot of money on the cost of shells and also reloading..

 

[SGW42]

I keep an eye out for those sales and coupons and when the stars and planets align just right for a great deal I go and stock up.

Also, for just casual hand-tossing with friends or something I grab just plain dove shot.

 

[PJR]

Reloaders have known for some time that lead prices were on the increase now factory shells are starting to catch up.

In the last 10 to 15 years we became conditioned to lower prices when the companies flooded the market with their promo loads in what I believe was an attempt to reduce shotshell reloading.

Recently a friend was whining at some length about the cost of 12 gauge Winchester AA loads. Retail in these parts after the most recent round of price increases is in the mid to high 70 dollar range. Funny thing though is that I have an old Winchester AA box from the early 90's. It has a price tag of $5.99. When inflation is factored the price of AA shells today is about the same as it was then.

Throughout all of this I continued to reload because I get a shell that is better than the cheap factory stuff and can tailor my loads to what I want to shoot not what the factory wants to sell me.

A lot of the guys thought I was crazy when the promo loads were dirt cheap. But even with current component prices my cost for a box of 25 is now less than even the promo loads. My expectation is a lot of reloaders that have stood idle for the past decade are going to get pressed back into sevice. That's too bad in one respect. My supply of AA hulls tossed on the ground by other shooters is likely going to dry up.

Paul

 

[Gun Geezer]

Buy in bulk... once a year

Here in Texas, the month before dove season the sporting goods stores have decent sale prices. That is the time for you, the wife, and each kid to buy the 3-case limit per person. Go back the next day and repeat until you have a one year supply.

Unfortunately, this does not get me the ideal clays loads i love, but it does save huge dollars.

Alternately, be advised that there are places to buy reloading components at 60% retail. Our club has some old timers that drive up to Oklahoma City every 3-months and come back with a literal truck load of lead, wads, and primer, and powder. Saves lots!

I trained my 5 year old to load. Great times together.

 

[ArmedBear]

I don't know many serious clay shooters who don't reload. They reloaded when Wal-Mart sold ammo for $3/box, and they reload now.

The only one I know who doesn't reload is gunning for Beijing. She uses regulation ammo even for practice...but saves the hulls for the rest of the family.

 

[45auto]

Hey, I'm glad the new ammo prices finally caught up with lead prices... that "us" reloaders have "enjoyed" now for a while.

Spread the pain.

 

[throdgrain]

Oddly enough no one reloads over here, it costs much the same, ie, bloody dear.

500 blue diamond #8 cost me £82 last week, thats about $160 I think.