Cost of Reloading 12g

[Hammilton]

I have an old MEC reloader, a really basic one. I started reloading 12g when I started shooting trap a decade ago, but I only shot for 1.5 seasons before I went to college. Now I'm starting to shoot again and started reloading as well. I still have shot and powder from way back then, but it shoots just fine. Pigeons seem to turn to powder more often with the reloads than they do with the $22/100rnd packs from Walmart, but there's no difference in my break rate, the cheap-o stuff just produces bigger chunks. I think if I were to compare hit rates for 2000 pigeons each I'd probably find some small but statistically meaningful difference but for practice I don't think it matters.

Anyway, I've been told my a friend of my fathers that it's actually more expensive to reload right now than it is to buy new from Walmart. Is this true? It's been so long since I've bought supplies that I'm completely sure. I found what I think is my receipt from buying them last time, and if I do the math right, each reload is costing me between 16 and 20 cents. Walmart's are obviously about 22 cents a round.

Is lead and powder so much more expensive right now that I really shouldn't be reloading after I run out of my current stuff? I don't see how Winchester can be selling theirs for less than what the cost of lead and powder is.

Ham

 

[cfullgraf]

Components for reloading are more expensive today than ten years ago. Shot went way up but has dropped down some.

But, when compared to the cheap Walmart stuff, prices probably are similar to reloaded ammunition.

i shoot loads that you can't find at Walmart. Mostly 7/8 ounce loads these days in the 12 gauge. lots easier on the shoulder. But I shoot mostly skeet.

 

[fecmech]

If you're savvy in where you buy and buy in bulk you can load better loads slightly cheaper. Also you can't buy the more moderate target loads such as 1 oz.@1180 fps or the lighter 7/8 oz. loads cheaply. For the standard 3 dr. 1 1/8 or the high velocity 1 oz. it's hard to beat the "promotional" ammo.

 

[oneounceload]

It is NOT more expensive to reload IF you buy in bulk - if you buy primers by the 100, wads by the bag of 250, powder by the pound don't bother

Buy shot by the 100 weight or greater (reclaimed even better), wads by the 5000, primers by the 5000, powder by the 8# jug or more

I can reload 12 gauge 7/8 oz reloads for less than $3.50/box - the cheapest wally world promo crap that beats you to death is 5.50 a box

I shoot 500 rounds per week - that's 20 boxes.......at $2/box savings that's $2K per year - enough for more targets or another gun

 

[tlen]

You can do the math..... Certainly cheaper to reload regardless and you get the ammo you want.
http://10xshooters.com/calculators/ShotshellReloadingCost/

 

[Hammilton]

I didn't know you could buy primers by the 100. I still have about 1500 of them and a bag and a half wads. A friend gave me a few hundred Winchester AA shells, which I'm mostly still using.

Would you save the hulls from the walmart cheapos? I didn't bother because I don't like the non-brass heads (they seem to corrode significantly faster) and the plastic seems thin. The Super Speed Game Loads I have seem to crack much faster than the AA's do, as well.

 

[Hansli]

Winchester promo hulls are the worst to reload, throw them away. I have had the best results with Remington (Gun Club, Shur Shot or STS), Federal (or Estate) and Win AA. You should be able to find plenty laying on the ground or in the trash at any clays range. Bring a box and pick them up. Re: components....buy in bulk from Connie's, Recob's or Powder Valley. They are probably your best price point online sellers, other posters will give your their leads if you ask. If you log on to http://www.shotgunworld.com/ there is a good reloading forum with knowledgeable guys that can help out. The reloading cost calculator posted above ia also very useful.

 

[NCsmitty]

As oneounceload and others mentioned, you can save some money on 12Ga & 20Ga reloads, and customize your loads too. Many 12Ga shooters are using the 7/8oz loads on clay targets with great success.
The true savings occur when loading 28Ga or 410 shells, where you can easily load for 1/4 the cost of new if you have the hulls.



NCsmitty