JImbothefiveth
Member
I would like to get started reloading, specifically for shotgun shells. The thread on what new people need to get unfortunantly doesn't include what you need for shotshells. So, what do I need to start reloading shotshells?
Reloading shotgun shells
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loadedround
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Well to start with you need the basics such as hulls, powder. wads. primers, and shot. Next you need a good reloading manual to assemble your load, be it field, skeet or trap, I suggest the Lyman Shotshell Manual. Lastly and most important, you need a reloading press, and here is when a decision has to to be made, how much do you want to spend? Bottom line is the Lee Load-all at around fifty bucks, jumping then to around 125.00+ bucks and then upwards to many hundreds of dollars. I would suggest getting some catalogs from Cabellas or MidwayUSA and looking at all the reloaders available and asking questions here or among your reloading friends...do you want a single station or progressive press. Both load fine shotshells but the progressive press is a helleva lot faster. If you are going to shoot less than 4 boxes of shells a week, it may not be worth reloading or just sticking with the Lee press. I don't want to mention my press unless you ask so as not to influence you. Hope this information will help you start thinking. 
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243winxb
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a Mec 600jr MK5 press. Loading data is at the Hodgdon site. A scale is need to check powder charges. http://www.shotgunworld.com/ Follow instructions that come with the Mec. Follow the recipes from the Hodgdon site.
Not many tools for reloading shotshells. You need a shotshell press, a scale to check powder charges, wads, shot, and once fired or new hulls.
MEC reloaders are generally recommended. http://www.mecreloaders.com/
For casual shooters or hunters you would be pleased with the 600 but better yet would be the MEC Sizemaster unit. You can buy 12, 20, or other gauge die sets for it and change from one gauge to another. It has a collet crimp which sizes the head of the case back to factory size.
If you shoot a lot a progressive press that will load more rounds per hour. You'd have to decide what output you need and buy the press that will load the quantity you shoot.
From MEC you'd also need to buy the charge bars for the press you pick. You need a charge bar for each shot charge you intend to load. 1 1/8 bar for 1 1/8 oz of shot, 1 1/4 charge bar for 1 1/4 oz. loads etc. You also need to know what powder you are going to use and buy powder bushings that will throw the correct charge for your load.
I recommend the shellchecker from MEC that has a go-no go gauge to check the sizing of the heads of the hulls.
You need a good reloading manual or three. Lyman 5th Edition Shotshell manual is great. BPI (Ballistic Products Inc) has some good manuals and components. Hodgdon and other have reloading data on-line.
So, you need a press, shot bars and powder bushings, and a powder scale to get started. Most important thing in loading shotshells is hull identification and using the exact components listed in the manual. Use the exact primer, wad, powder and charge.
MEC reloaders are generally recommended. http://www.mecreloaders.com/
For casual shooters or hunters you would be pleased with the 600 but better yet would be the MEC Sizemaster unit. You can buy 12, 20, or other gauge die sets for it and change from one gauge to another. It has a collet crimp which sizes the head of the case back to factory size.
If you shoot a lot a progressive press that will load more rounds per hour. You'd have to decide what output you need and buy the press that will load the quantity you shoot.
From MEC you'd also need to buy the charge bars for the press you pick. You need a charge bar for each shot charge you intend to load. 1 1/8 bar for 1 1/8 oz of shot, 1 1/4 charge bar for 1 1/4 oz. loads etc. You also need to know what powder you are going to use and buy powder bushings that will throw the correct charge for your load.
I recommend the shellchecker from MEC that has a go-no go gauge to check the sizing of the heads of the hulls.
You need a good reloading manual or three. Lyman 5th Edition Shotshell manual is great. BPI (Ballistic Products Inc) has some good manuals and components. Hodgdon and other have reloading data on-line.
So, you need a press, shot bars and powder bushings, and a powder scale to get started. Most important thing in loading shotshells is hull identification and using the exact components listed in the manual. Use the exact primer, wad, powder and charge.
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Lyman's Shotshell Manual and others have bushing charts that will show what bushing dumps what charge of a certain powder to help pick powder bushings for whatever press manufacturer you choose. You still need to verify that X bushing size is dumping the correct powder weight and that requires a scale.
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