Shotgun reloading, is it worth it to me?

TimSr · Feb 8, 2016

In other words I think I was filling the shell too high and this was the major reason why my crimps were awful.

My question is has anyone had this problem with the Lee press and how was it solved? The crimps were not closed tight, would spring open and the shell came to a blunt point. Is it possible to get good crimps with this press? Thanks.

That's almost always the cause. Even though the book says all those components work togther, sometimes they dont. I'm using a cheap Lee Load-All. Usually the cheapest and easiest experiment to try is a different hull. If your using AA, try a Remington, or a federal. Sometimes you can try a different powder that uses a smaller charge, and on heavier shot loads, I sometimes have opted for the next smaller shot bushing. Sometimes aftermarket wads don't quite match their name brand equivilents, when you start doing trial and error with wads it gets expensive and starts taking up a lot of space.

kudu · Feb 8, 2016

I will add this bit of info. A Lee Load-All 2 has a slide over resizing ring that leaves a slight bump at the bottom of the base of a shotshell. I had problems with an 1100 20 gauge cycling the reloads from that loader. I was using it mainly for jumping pigeons out of barns back in the day, then I started shooting skeet, ended up with 4 MEC 8567 Grabbers lined up on the reloading bench. Still have the LEE sitting in a closet not been used in 30 years.

Resizing is key in an auto loader for proper function, any shells that have a base that is too big will stop an auto, pumps and O/U's not so much.

kennedy · Feb 9, 2016

I reload 16 ga with both a lee load all and a mec 600 jr, I set them up for different loads, currently the mec is set up for 2 1/2 shells, using cheddite shells and the lee is set up for rem game load 2 3/4 in shells. the best thing about the lee is you get all the bushings for powder and shot, on the mec you have to buy them extra, and you have to use the trial and error method to buy the correct bushing.

huntsman · Feb 9, 2016

My first Lee was in 16 gauge, I used Winchester and Activ hulls.

I've used a SXS for hunting since the 80's and never bothered with re-sizing, don't know if I got more out of my hulls but it made the process a bit simpler.

HOWARD J · Feb 9, 2016

At the price you pay today for new shotgun shells it is not worth reloading

I reload shells but only to kill time

morcey2 · Feb 10, 2016

I reload lots of low recoil 7/8 and 1 oz loads that aren't readily available. That makes it worth it for me. I don't load any standard 1 1/8 oz loads.

Shotgun reloading, is it worth it to me?

TimSr

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kudu

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kennedy

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huntsman

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HOWARD J

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morcey2

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