Question new to reloading 12 gauge shotgun shells. Powder, etc..

[Freedomharmonizes]

Hi all. I am fairly new to owning a firearm. I bought a mossberg maverick 8 12 gauge shotgun recently. Have taken it to a range and shot it maybe 100 rounds so far. Birdshot, some clayshot, buckshot and 5 or 10 slugs so far.

Given the cost & challenge buying ammo, I am interested in purchasing this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NTKD2...olid=1DQ2LNNMI8I6O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
LEE PRECISION II Shotshell Reloading Press 12 GA Load All (Multi)

or something similar to use discarded 12 gauge shells to make my own ammo at more affordable cost. And for the skill learning & resourcefulness of it.

Suggestions, tips are greatly appreciated how to start. Im unclear on exactly what kind of primer, powder and anything else I need to use with the reloader. And if I have to use same type shot shells for reloading with same ammo type. As in slugs into shell casings that formerly housed slugs, etc.

What type of powder, primer, wad, shot do i need if i want to make my own slugs with marbles, or large bbs, buckshot, range ammo, etc? From what Ive heard, its hard to source powder?

Best online places to purchase components? Or local in San Francisco north bay area?

Thank you.

 

[rfwobbly]

For shotgun, loading it is VERY specific. My advice is to get a copy of the Lyman Shotgun Reloading No5 manual, and then follow that exactly. In that book they explain everything you need to know.

In metallic reloading you can "mix and match" and make all sorts of variations on the load. Shotgun is the exact opposite. You must work with specific loads, specific components, and none other.

Hope this helps.

 

[George P]

Components are all but impossible to find right now, especially primers and even moreso in CA. The Lee is not something I would recommend; rather a MEC Jr would be a better press as it has more adjustability to it.

There are several reloading books that can give you details, especially regarding slug and buckshot loadings. Alliant and Hodgdon are two good powder sites to get recipes. Unlike metallic you do not just use any hull with any primer or powder

 

[snowman357]

Not the best time to start, you will not save money loading birdshot, buckshot and slugs you will save some money but doing the math it was not worth it for me if you shoot a lot of buckshot and slugs maybe worth doing. Pricing all the components I could save maybe 10 cent on a round of buckshot (cheap commercial buckshot was 75-79 cent per round pre corona) for birdshot walmart was cheaper than reloading. Never did price slugs

 

[IMAhobbyist]

Whattt? Followed that Amazon link and the price was anywhere from $147 to $192 NO WAYYYYY.......At best that's a $60 loader.

When the dust settles take a look at a MEC Jr or even a MEC 650, cause let's face it until then shotgun components probably aren't going to be any easier to acquire than factory shells anyway. In the mean time here's two links for you to browse showing relationship of specific components to powder.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=55

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx

 

[NMexJim]

I'm with wobbly - get the Lyman Shotgun Reloading edition 5 before you do anything else. Best $20 you can spend on Amazon.

I'm also w/ IMA, take your time and look over MEC Jr or MEC 650. I'll grant you that a lot of shells have been loaded w/ a Lee Load All, but it should be more like $75 (Lee Load-All 2 Shotshell Press 12 Ga 2-3/4 3 (midwayusa.com). The MEC Jr. is $218 and the 650 is $400.

 

[Fishingted]

Components are all but impossible to find right now, especially primers and even moreso in CA. The Lee is not something I would recommend; rather a MEC Jr would be a better press as it has more adjustability to it.

There are several reloading books that can give you details, especially regarding slug and buckshot loadings. Alliant and Hodgdon are two good powder sites to get recipes. Unlike metallic you do not just use any hull with any primer or powder

Like your recommendation of the Mek Junior. Was my first loader and I am still loading 12 gauge on it over 30 years later. Definately get a Good manual also.

 

[entropy]

I hope the Mossberg is working well for you, freedomharmonizes. Yes, finding shells is a bit difficult right now, but as a shotgun shell reloader (since 1972), I agree with these guys: Get the Lyman's 5th Edition Shotshell Manual before you do anything with reloading shells. I also agree with the Mec 600, I still use the one I started on, and one will serve you far better than the Lee.
George P. is right; shotshell reloading components are very hard to find right now, particularly primers. Shot is getting harder to find and more expensive when one does also. If buck and slugs are what you are thinking of making, the Lyman Manual is a good place to start, and Ballistic Products, Inc. (BPI) has ( maybe 'had' by now) components for them. Do not use marbles!
Powder and primers are usually best purchased locally, (I understand in your area that may be hard to do) I don't think you can have them sent directly to you in CA, and that will make them more expensive yet. Not trying to discourage you, just letting you know what things are like for reloading shells.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Hi all. I am fairly new to owning a firearm. I bought a mossberg maverick 8 12 gauge shotgun recently. Have taken it to a range and shot it maybe 100 rounds so far. Birdshot, some clayshot, buckshot and 5 or 10 slugs so far.

Given the cost & challenge buying ammo, I am interested in purchasing this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NTKD2...olid=1DQ2LNNMI8I6O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
LEE PRECISION II Shotshell Reloading Press 12 GA Load All (Multi)

or something similar to use discarded 12 gauge shells to make my own ammo at more affordable cost. And for the skill learning & resourcefulness of it.

Suggestions, tips are greatly appreciated how to start. Im unclear on exactly what kind of primer, powder and anything else I need to use with the reloader. And if I have to use same type shot shells for reloading with same ammo type. As in slugs into shell casings that formerly housed slugs, etc.

What type of powder, primer, wad, shot do i need if i want to make my own slugs with marbles, or large bbs, buckshot, range ammo, etc? From what Ive heard, its hard to source powder?

Best online places to purchase components? Or local in San Francisco north bay area?

Thank you.

Take a look at Ballistic products, they have everything for shotshell reloading.

 

[kalielkslayer]

You got some great advice.

1) Buy a manual before you buy anything else.

2) Now probably isn’t the time to start.

3) MEC products are great. I have 2 600 Jr and a 650. My original 600 jr is still running and I got it in 1976.

 

[Puffer]

As everyone echos, it may be best to wait. Shotshell reloading is not that hard at all. Get a good book or study on the internet while you wait. Components right now are a nightmare. Reloaders are over priced and the wait for items stinks. One this subsides there will be shotshell reloaders for sale on ebay like crazy. Shotshell reloading only saves if you shoot a lot so many will give it up. Give it time and you will be able to buy a used MEC close t what the Load All is now . My son now has my MEC9000, I found it on ebay. Funny thing is I bought it for $50 more than I sold my Lee Load All for on ebay.

 

[Bill M.]

I had a Lee Loadall for a while. I loaded shells with it. The machine seemed incapable of making a smooth crimp. I replaced it with a MEC size master. Much better machine and worth the difference. Right now I would not advise starting to reload. Components are very scarce and often very over priced. Wait 6 months and check in again. Certain within a year things will settle out. Even in good times one must buy components in bulk to really get much savings. I suspect in the short run you will be better off to just buy what shells you can get.

 

[cfullgraf]

A point of clarity for the OP. What folks are calling a MEC jr or MEC 600 is a MEC 600 jr. It might be frustrating looking for something that does not exist.

The MEC 600 jr. is a great starter shot shell press. They frequently can be found used and MEC still supports most or all of the older versions.

There are some new hulls available but generally the source for reloadable hulls is fired hulls. As said, shot shell loads are very specific. Buy one brand of shot shell ammunition to generate hulls. Better ammunition has better hulls that will reload more times. Winchester AA or Remington Premier are good hulls.

Sometimes you can find someone selling once fired hulls.

For 12 ga, the savings these days are loading something not easily available commercially. I shoot skeet and load 3/4 oz or 7/8 oz 12 ga loads.

But ammunition and components are difficult to find these days.

 

[rfwobbly]

Because shot shell reloading is not nearly as lucrative as it used to be, there are (or at least were before his debacle) many used shot shell reloading machines on the market and their prices were way down since the number of buyers was also dropping.

 

[entropy]

Remington Premier are good hulls.

You won't find them new on a shelf, unless you have a time machine, however. Remington replaced the Premier line with the STS/ Nitro line @ 1995. I have about 200 of them, and they load identical to the even older AA-CF and Rem/Peters Blue Magic hulls I have.

STS/Nitro hulls are also excellent hulls for reloading. I have more than 200 of those.

 

[cfullgraf]

Remington replaced the Premier line with the STS/ Nitro line @ 1995..

Well, that shows how long it has been since I bought a Remington shot shell.

 

[Random 8]

It is a good time to do your homework, not so good a time for the final exam (actually loading shells). Take the time to acquire some hard literature such as the above mentioned Lyman shotshell manual and internet knowledge from reputable sources (Hodgdon, Alliant reloading manuals). If you're really keen on loading some specialty ammunition such as slug or buckshot, take a look at Ballistic Products Inc. They have pamphlets in digital or paper format for such specialty loads. Keep your eyes open for a used MEC or Pacific/Hornady 155. The Lee Load All will produce quality ammo, but it is much fussier than the other loaders. Much more of your final crimp is done by feel rather than adjustable hard stops, and will cause you significant frustration. Along the way, if you find a can of Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, American Select, Winchester Super Target powder, snap it up. Any of the above will be suitable for target and light field loads with lead shot. Ditto for 209 primers. Don't be fussy on brand at this point.

For shells, it's kind of weird out there. Most of the major manufacturers have switched their products in the last few years, and the loading manuals haven't kept up. Fiocchi type shells seem to be the only consistent one, so I would concentrate on grabbing some of those. Your wad choice will be dictated largely by the empty shell you start with, the shot weight you wish to use, and to a lesser extent by the choice of powder (some are bulkier than others). Say you want to load a basic 1 1/8 oz target/dove/quail load in the Fiochi style hull. Any of the above powders, a european made primer, and the Win SL wad will get you there following published data.

Slugs and buckshot are a special situation, and should be approached after you gain some experience loading target loads. Shotguns are marvelously versatile tools, but you still need to be careful what you stuff in a shell. Please don't use marbles, airgun shot, nuts and bolts, pea gravel, or any other such things. I have worked up loads for a 58 cal roundball and split shot fishing sinkers, but they were for casual practice shooting and kept very mild. I have decades of experience loading shotgun and centerfire metallic, and accepted the risk of going off-book based on experience. Please stick to the book, and regarding off-book loading, if you have to ask, don't.

I don't have a lot of experience loading slugs other than the roundball load I used for simulated musket fire in the backyard (got a box of round balls in an auction lot and found a creative use for them). I have read on the subject, and there are many slug loads for target hulls, many using a folded crimp and a standard target wad for the sabot. As for type of shell, I think what you're asking is whether a target load shell must always be a target load shell, and a slug, heavy, etc shell must only be used for that purpose. Fortunately this is not the case. Most manufacturers use one basic shell (usually referred to as "hull") for all their loads from light target to shoulder bruisers. Different brass height means nothing. You can load any listed book load in any single type of hull. The only issue you'll run into is that factory slug loads usually use a roll crimp, and those hulls once fired do not convert well to a folded crimp for shot loads.

 

[FROGO207]

I have 5 of the MEC 600 JR's i find it easier to swap presses than change bits to change gages and readjust. Every one of them I have purchased used and none cost me more than $50 shipped. The one GA I make profitably is 410. Watch Powder Valley for return of propellants above and watch for primers. Get the manual and read up on things. Then come back and ask more targeted questions. Lots of others find shotshell not worth it in times of plenty but if you live in CA as one mentioned this might still be a good thing. I get my used hulls from the local range trap area trash can. Usually 3-5 five gallon buckets each day they hold a shoot. One day I got over 250 sixteen GA hulls!