Want to start reloading shotgun shells, whats my best options?

[Muddydogs]

Why? What is wrong with the wad seater, powder bushing and shot bushing? Tht is adding WAY too many unnecessary steps to a simple process

Well slugs definitely don't go through a shot bushing, buckshot doesn't go through very well and large shot tends to hang up a lot of the times. Throw in adding an under shot felt, over shot felt or over shot card and it's just easier to load them off the press then deal with the on and off the press to get them loaded. I have not been able to throw Steel powder very consistent so I like to weight each charge. I can load 100 rounds just as fast as I load 100 rounds of rifle on a single stage so its no big deal and most of the time 1 to 2 hundred rounds of slug or buck is a plenty. Heck now that I am doing some roll crimping I only use a press for priming which can be done just by pushing the primer in the hull using a hard surface and a little pressure.

Guess you haven't loaded many specialty rounds before or you would know about the extras involved and issues with large shot in a small drop tube.

 

[George P]

I missed the part about slugs - but one can still deprime/resize/reprime and drop powder and crimp on the press

 

[Hondo 60]

Any advice on what equipment I should get and what supplies I will need?

Lymans Shotshell manual is the best advice I can give.
It'll tell you what wads, slugs, etc you'll need.

As far as the press goes, it'll depend on your budget.
A Lee Load All will run you under $75
A MEC 600 Jr Mark V will be closer to $200
And I can't think of the other model MEC, but it'll run $300

 

[12Bravo20]

I missed the part about slugs - but one can still deprime/resize/reprime and drop powder and crimp on the press

And when you move the hull from the charging station to the crimp start station you add the buckshot or slug then finish as normal.

 

[Average Joe]

Lee Load All II, can be found for about $50, makes professional reloads, and won't break the bank.

 

[George P]

Lee Load All II, can be found for about $50, makes professional reloads, and won't break the bank.

And with ZERO adjustability; anything and everything is done by "feel", not the best for a newbie...............