shotshell reloading for duck hunting????

[nra-for-life]

hi,

does anyone here reload shells for duck hunting? if so, are you able to produce shells that out perform factory ammo? what tools are you using and what loads have you developed that you like? are you using steel or a more exotic shot? im trying to figure out if this is something that would be worth my while. thanks

 

[TonyT]

When lead shot was legal for use in duck hunting my favorite load was one desceribed in an old American Rifleman. It utilized 1 1/2 oz. of #4 shot at 1070 tom 1100 fps. Mild lon the shoulder and very affective since the faster loads shed velocity faster than the slower loads and at 40 to 50 yards trhe difference was ca 25 fps. It was also great on pheasants.

 

[drsfmd]

I know a few guys who do, but they do it for the gun of it, not to save any money.

 

[billyjoe]

Reloading steel shot is more trouble than lead but the big problem with reloading for waterfowl hunting is getting the loaded rounds sealed good enough to avoid moisture contamination.

 

[gamestalker]

I haven't reloaded for ducks in a long time, like back before the steel shot thing came into play. But the load I used was 1 3/8 oz. of #4 on top of a healthy charge of Longshot. If memory serves me right, they were pushing around 1450 fps., maybe even faster than that.

But I'm fairly certain your probably inquiring about steel shot loads, can't help you with that.

 

[rfwobbly]

does anyone here reload shells for duck hunting? if so, are you able to produce shells that out perform factory ammo? what tools are you using and what loads have you developed that you like? are you using steel or a more exotic shot? im trying to figure out if this is something that would be worth my while.

Sounds like you are coming to shot shell reloading from metallic reloading. In shot shell reloading, you DO NOT develop loads. You take precise recipes and copy them exactly. You do not swap primers or vary the powder as in metallic reloading.

Most powder maker's web sites have loads listed for steel shot. Hodgdon and Alliant are the biggies.

Most shot shell reloaders are shooting trap, skeet or sporting clays. That's the only way they can get the volume going to make it worth the time/trouble/expense. If anything, shot shell reloading is MORE expensive and therefore harder to pay off the equipment. Average shooters might break even IF someone gave them a press! Not saying it can't be done, but the payback is 2 or 3 times longer than metallic reloading.

And in the interim there is the normal learning period complete with dud shells. Can't imagine that sitting in a cold duck blind only to have several shots go "Bloop!" gives much positive feedback.