shotshell reloading

[hotrodguy70]

anyone got a idea for a good starter setup for 12 gauge for skeet trap and sporting clays that all i need it for is 12 gauge so i dont think i need anything spectacular if you know what i mean i saw the mec 600 jr in cabellas look kind of apealing and what kind of shot and primers should i use?

 

[enfield]

While you're in Cabela's getting the press, pick up a copy of Lyman's Shotshell Reloading Handbook. After you've picked out a starting load or two for the hulls you have, get the shot, powder, primers and wads you need and have fun.

 

[Shoney]

I presume this is the press you are interested in.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=389536

I have friends that use this press and are happy with it.

For shot, 7 ½ or 8 for trap, 8 or 9 for skeet, primers and wads will depend on the hulls you use. You will need to study loading manuals for the powder you will use.

 

[GSPKurt]

I recommend Winchester AA hulls (most common hulls used by far), a bag of #8 magnum shot (a good compromise until you get better and want to change shot size for different target presentations), Winchester 209 primers, and Claybuster hulls (cheaper than Winchester hulls) for a 1 ounce load. You do not need a 1 1/8 oz. load for skeet or Sporting Clays. It just gives more recoil. For powder, try one of the Clays powders, extremely clean burning. Red Dot is a little cheaper, but not quite as clean. The advice to get a shotshell reloading manual is excellent advice. Please get one.

If you are just starting, buy a used MEC, as in a short time, you will want a progressive reloader (I recommend a MEC 9000G). A single stage shotshell reloader will get old in a hurry.

 

[Starter52]

I've been using the same Lee Load-All 12 gauge reloader since 1976. It turns out about five boxes an hour and is as foolproof a machine as you'll ever find.
New ones are less than $50.

That being said, the MEC is a good machine too.

 

[rbernie]

Without asking anyone to regurgitate the book - what are the criteria for choosing a hull and wad? The choices seem pretty daunting....

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Ideally, try some and look for good patterning. (about 10 rounds on separate papers/repainted boards for REAL results)

Realistically, use the hulls you have available, find a couple of recipes with available wads, powders, primers. Talk to some experienced loaders who shoot the same type of gun and game that you do for their favorites and things they've tried already that didn't work so well -- keep from repeating mistakes.

All my load books are packed away somewhere at the moment, but there was one (not the Lyman, though I use that one the most) that also had comments on loads as to clean/dirty, game uses, low temp loads, etc.

A note on the Win AA hulls. Remember, it's the OLD ones that everyone likes. Haven't heard great things about the new ones. After the old AAs, I've heard the best things about the current Remington hulls. I've used 'em; no complaints.

I'm using a Ponsness-Warren 950. Way more loader than I need (was going to get into trap and got sidetracked), but it's a really nice machine.

 

[GSPKurt]

"A note on the Win AA hulls. Remember, it's the OLD ones that everyone likes. Haven't heard great things about the new ones. After the old AAs, I've heard the best things about the current Remington hulls. I've used 'em; no complaints."

I wasn't aware they made changes. I reloaded probably 10k Rem hulls, and loved 'em. It was just a little more difficult finding Rem components, as everyone seemed to be using AA. I used the TGT12 wad for 1 oz. loads, Rem209 primers and Premier or STS hulls and Red Dot or Clays powder with 7 1/2 and 9 shot for sporting clays, 9 shot for skeet. 8 is a good compromise until he gets more experience under his belt, I think. I always used the magnum shot, not much more expensive, and it is harder.

 

[enfield]

Without asking anyone to regurgitate the book - what are the criteria for choosing a hull and wad? The choices seem pretty daunting....

I choose the hull according to (1) which one loads the easiest for me, or (2) what do I have on hand?

I've tried a bunch of brands, and have gotten rid of all my 12 gauge hulls except Winchester AA's/Super X (the red ones) They load the easiest for me, and last the longest.

My favorite target loads for Winchester AA's call for Winchester WAA12 wads.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

With current prices of 12 gauge Remington game load at Wal-Mart ($3.28), your crazy to reload, savings are under a dime.

 

[tube_ee]

I, too, use a Lee Load-All II, and like it just fine. It's not the fastest machine out there, and there's an oil-field's worth of plastic in it, but it loads good shells with minimal effort. What I've done, as a low-volume reloader, is to find a recipe that works for every hull I have.

With the bushings I've got, in my press, that's 18 measured grains of Green Dot and 1 1/8 oz of #7.5 magnum shot. For the Winchester and Remington hulls, I can use Winchester 209 primers in both, per Alliant recipes. For the Federal maroon hulls, I just use Federal primers. Don't trust the Lee Charge Table, use a scale. Mine throws charges that are noticably lighter than the table shows. TO get the load I wanted, I had to go up 2 bushings from the table value. Yours will likely be different. They're quite consistent within themselves, but they probably vary quite a bit from unit to unit. Wiegh your charges until you know what the press is doing.

As to the cost factor, I'm loading what is an 1 1/8 oz, hard-shot, premium load, for around a buck less per box than the 1 oz promo loads... which I can't hit very well with. Switching to a 1 1/8 oz handload produced a noticable improvement in my scores at the range, in a soft-shooting load that doesn't dirty up the gun any worse than the cheapies did. In 3 weeks I'll be able to tell you how they work in the field, but I've got no worries.

It's worth it, and it's fun to boot.

--Shannon

 

[Lennyjoe]

A buddy just gave me 2 Mec Jr.'s so the Lee Load All (not the II) is collecting dust. If anyone wants it then make me an offer. It has a bunch of bushings as well. 12 guage set up.

 

[snuffy]

"With current prices of 12 gauge Remington game load at Wal-Mart ($3.28), your crazy to reload, savings are under a dime."

YES, BUT the el-cheapo bargains at wally world are cheap for a reason. They use the crud soft lead shot, inferior hulls, low quality wads, and ultra fast powder so they can use less of it!

What this results in is, a load that won't pattern worth a tinkers damn! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! You can load much better ammo than that cheap stuff, and save money to boot! You can load ammo that's as good or better than the top-of-the-line STS, AA, goldmedal shells.

Yes it will take some time to pattern test your loads, but it will pay off.

 

[enfield]

Besides, reloading is fun.