Some questions on shotshell reloading

[cstarr3]

Hi all;

I reload metallic, but do not reload shotgun ammo (yet). I was discussing the possibility of getting into reloading for shotguns with a family member, and our discussion raised some questions.

Most importantly, I would like to know if the length of the shell is fixed, modestly adjustable, or fully adjustable, for a given reloading station. Por ejemplo; could a normal 12 gauge press reload the 1-3/4" Aguila Mini Shotshells, or would that require special equipment? If so, has anybody tried loading short 20 gauge or .410 gauge, around 1-3/4" to 2-1/4"? I have heard of loading light shells, with extra wads to take up unused space in the hull, but I am pretty focused on the issue of overall length.

Another question has to do with 28 gauge. I noticed how expensive it is, presumably due to its lack of popularity compared to 12 and 20 gauges, and I was wondering if the cost translated over to reloading. Would reloading 28 gauge be more expensive than reloading 12 gauge, and would the difference in cost or reloading be similar to differences in cost of factory ammo?

Because I know little more than nothing about shotgun reloading, any information you guys and gals could afford me will be most appreciated.

Thanks
-cstarr3

 

[X-Ring]

You can load 2 ¾ and 3 inch 12 gauge shells on the same MEC press with the same dies, but nothing in-between or shorter. If it were infinitely adjustable I doubt anyone would spend extra money for wads to fill empty space.
Shot is the most expensive component, at about $2 per pound, less shot equals lower cost. 28g uses less shot than 12g.

 

[John3921]

Most presses are pretty specific about length. Minor adjustments to accomodate various hulls and their differences are within the adjustment range of a given press. But 2-1/2, 2-3/4, 3" will require adaptors or kits.

You are correct in that 28 ga is expensive because of manufacturing considerations. If you want to save money reloading shotshell, you'll do it on the 28 and .410.

One very important consideration with shotshell is there are no pressure signs or working up loads. You load to published and tested recipies. Seemingly minor changes can cause significant pressure variations. There are of course some substitutions allowed, clone wads for example, but mostly you need to follow published recipies.

Also, since length is a function of hull, wad, powder, and shot stack up you want to standardize as much as you can. You can't take a mixed bag of scavenged hulls and whatever wad you can find and start loading.

 

[rcmodel]

Short answer is No.

As X-Ring said, most shotgun reloaders will or can be adjusted to handle 2 3/4" or 3".

But none I know of could load Aguila Mini-Shells.

rc

 

[cstarr3]

Okay, thanks for the info!

Thanks all. That was enlightening.

One of the things I like about metallic loading is being able to start off on a load and "customize" it to my liking. I guess that would be mostly out of the question with loading shot. That means the only real benefit to me would be cost savings, which seems to be highest on something like the 28 gauge. I think I will put off getting into this particular facet of reloading until I own and routinely shoot a 28 gauge. But it is an eventuality... only a matter of time before I take it up. So if you guys have any more information that you think newbies like myself should have, go ahead and lay that wisdom on me; I will eventually need it.

Again, thanks for your input.

 

[rcmodel]

Only thing I can tell you for sure about shotgun reloading is, I gave it up 15-20 years ago when lead shot, primers, and wads begin to cost more then loaded shells in 12 & 20 Ga.

Probably a little money to be saved in the odd ball Gage's like you said.
Or heavy Magnum hunting loads.

But loading shotgun with the available equipment isn't anything at all like loading for center fire rifle & pistol calibers.

There is little room for deviating from published loads.
There is little safety margine in most all shotguns if you do.

So, Don't.

It's more like pull the handle five times and a shell falls out just like the last one.

Not much fun unless you shoot high volume trap or Skeet and can't afford to buy factory loads.

It's almost like another hobby besides, and unrelated to reloading.
And one I haven't missed since I stopped doing it to save money years ago.

rc

 

[ReloaderFred]

I do load a lot of shotgun shells, probably around 6,000 rounds per year, but I'm doing it on a MEC 9000E motor driven loader. I also have access to fairly cheap shot, and I'm loading a specific load for a specific purpose that isn't commercially available.

For 12 gauge, it's best to just wait for the Remington Gun Club to go on sale, and then buy as many cases as you can. Like stated above, the most savings are in .410 and 28 gauge, but I wouldn't load .410, since it's a pain to load. If I had a 28 gauge, I'd definitely load for it, as that's where the savings and availability would really show up.

One thing about loading shotgun shells, you'll have shot everywhere, no matter how careful you are. It's just inevitable that's it's going to spill at some point.

Loading shotshells is one of my least favorite reloading activities, but I do it out of necessity.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[TimSr]

Shot is the most expensive component, at about $2 per pound, less shot equals lower cost. 28g uses less shot than 12g.

Aside from, obviously the hulls, only the wads are gauge/ caliber specific.

One thing about loading shotgun shells, you'll have shot everywhere, no matter how careful you are.

And the brush action vacuum cleaner will let you know it!

 

[Blue68f100]

You learn to mount your press in a pan that has a lip all the way around. Helps keep all those little shot balls from going every where, when oops happen.

 

[TfflHndn]

If you shoot a lot of shotgun, you don't really save by reloading. What you do is get better quality shells for about the same price. For instance, if you can buy a case of bargain shells for $65, your shells cost about $.26 apiece. They're okay for practice and maybe you reload them once and toss. Now, there's 400 ounces in a 25# bag of shot. For round numbers, let's say that bag costs $48. That's $.12 per shell for lead. Primers at $25/k are 2.5 cents each. Wads at $10/500 are another 2 cents. Powder at 20gr per load, gives you 350 loads per pound. At $24 a pound, the powder costs you 7 cents. Add it up and you get 23.5 cents per reloaded shell (plus your time, which I am not counting). That saves a whopping 2.5 cents per shell. It adds up, even if you just shoot bargain stuff and load it once then toss. But say you shoot Remington STS, which is a high-quality hull for reloading and reloads several times before you have to toss it. At $9 a box, it costs you 36 cents each for a premium quality shell. If you reload it 5 times at 23.5 cents a shell, you have shot it 6 times for an average of 25.5 cents a shell. You have better quality shells that you have loaded yourself for the cost of the bargain shells and your time. You picked the wads, primer and powder and selected the velocity. Just like reloading metallic cartridges, you may not have saved money, but you have shot more, better-quality ammo, for the same money over the long run. For me, at least, that's why I reload 12-gauge. You do save more if you reload the less common gauges, which is good reason in itself (like reloading .45 Colt, .41 magnum or .327 Federal, which are stupid expensive to buy factory loads).

 

[Bull Nutria]

Shotgun world forum has a reloading subforum, many experts there to answer your questions.

in brief savings in 12 and 20 ga is minimal if you buy components in bulk 8lbs, powder, 5000 primers, lots of wads, you need to get good hulls free,lead shot is very expensive and needs to be bought as cheap as possible or substitute re claimed shot. all empty hulls are not created equal. some brands reload better and last much longer.

as mentioned above there is significant savings in 28ga and 410.

a mec loader is 600 series loader is the best to start on, they are available used.

I have been reloading shotshells for 50 years and shoot all my lead shot in reloads. I reloaded steel shot for several years until the components got more expensive than loaded shells, there are several sources of components. I just finished reloading 25lbs of #5 Bismuth shot.

If you are serious i suggest you obtain the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook 5th edition and do more research on shotgun World forum

Good luck ,

Bull

 

[SwaneeSR]

I inherited my dads MEC 600jr and 9000g shotshell loaders. I shoot trap and now my kids have started. We go through a lot of shells. I reloaded last year but was not enthusiastic about loading shotshells, even with the MEC 9000g progressive. Like one post above, I do not enjoy shotshell loading like pistol and rifle.

All my plans went astray when my trap club began offering Remington Gun Clubs at $6 box. The past weeks I have been saving all the empties from my trap buddies. I loaded some test loads and they are great 1oz loads.

When I factor in my time, I am not saving much. I purchased two bags of 8 shot at $39.99 for 25lb bag. I have seen most places selling for $44 or $49.99. With the high price of lead, it is difficult to reload except I do like shooting my own favorite loads. As a handloader, it is difficult to let all those hulls go in the trash.

Swanee


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