reloading of 12 GA. Thoughts?

[NinjaHunter]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking at shotgun reloading lately, and i've been wondering if it's even economical.

Any thoughts on reloading shotgun ammo?

Thanks

[bobinthesky]

In 20 and 12 gauge, there will be some savings for hunting ammo but you'd have to shoot a lot of shells to pay for the equipment. For target ammo, the components just cost too much and the big ammo manufacturers sell millions of target rounds for relatively small margins. So no, there isn't any saving's there but there is savings to be had for reloading target ammo in the sub gauges if you shoot them a lot.

[Ariu]

Some crude number would be as follow:
Initial investment: +/-$520; (Reloader (MEC) $400, Scale $60, Universal Bar $60)
Additional costs per round (assuming 1 1/8oz steel, field load) is +/-$0.6; +/-$15/box. This is my best so far ignoring spills & inventory surpluses. Yours costs/load will be likely higher.

I have seen similar good field load (SCORE) for $13.99 + tax. So strictly economically it is not worth. Its not worth even if you lower your initial costs and compare your loads to Kent Faststeel. Pay out period would be way too long...

[elkhunter11]

Unless you want to load special loads that you can't buy, 12 gauge isn't worth the effort. I can load 28 gauge and 410 for about half f the price of target loads.

[wwbirds]

would I start now? Not a chance.

lead is too expensive and the last time I checked my cost per box of 25 it was over $5.50 for one ounce target loads and considering I have used AA hulls for at least 6 times cost of buying hulls was not included in that cost nor anything for my time. I could have bought factory target loads at that time for $5.99.
As has been said I load for 20 and 28 quite cheaply considering factory loads are near or over $25 a box. If I didnt own the equipment and had it paid for many times over I would not even consider loading for 12 gauge.

[covey ridge]

My equipment is set up and the odd time I score a deal on components or I would not ever load 12 gauge. To extend my shot supply I often load 7/8 oz. and even 3/4 oz. Both shoot well for informal clay.

[Sashi]

I load 12 ga and 16ga (2 1/2") shells with the Lee Load-all, equipment investment $80.00, Make nice shells, at low cost, for shells you can't buy locally.
I wouldn't think of reloading for trap or skeet, too slow. But for my purposes it works great.

[saskbooknut]

It has been said already.

With shot at or near $60 a bag, and other components high, there is no economy in loading target loads in 12 gauge.

If you want to load premium hunting loads in smaller gauges, or other specialty loads where you are up to $20 or more a box, you can save some money.

If you like premium loads, buy Winchester AA when it comes on sale in the Spring, and Winchester offers a $2 mail in rebate per box.

If you are happy with cheap Promo loads they come on sale often at about $7 per box.

Some smart people have loaded up on ammo, with Wholesale Sports going out of business, once the price came down enough.

[NinjaHunter]

Thanks for the info guys!

It seems like i'll be sticking to just target loads and hunting shotgun ammo from a gun store.

[bobinthesky]

I just did a bit of quick math and found that a box of 25 shot shells reloaded with 1 oz of shot will cost you around $8.63. (more if you go heavier than 1 oz) I could be out a few cents but it will be close enough.
That assumes that you can get hulls for free and doesn't include the cost of your reloading press which I expect will be northwards of $500 for anything remotely decent these days.
Generally I pay less than that for factory loaded shot shells as I buy them en mass or on sale.

[Huntsman]

Yes shotshell reloading makes perfect sense as it will encourage one to pick up the empty hulls.
I reload shotgun but mostly slugs and buckshot these days. Still have about 15lbs of lead shot. Which I use to cast other bullets/projectiles.

[Northwinds]

There are no savings in loading 12 gauge target loads ,even when you buy components in bulk form.I can load 12 gauge 11/8oz for $7.55 box.When I buy target loads by the pallet they come in right around $6.00/box. There are huge savings in loading the sub gauges,.410 2.5" are right around $5.56 box to load versus$19.80 retail.Buying 410's in bulk result in a $11.00 box price ,even so there are still some savings to be had when you load them.
I load because I like to and when you like to do something it is not a chore.

[darren32]

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

I just did a bit of quick math and found that a box of 25 shot shells reloaded with 1 oz of shot will cost you around $8.63. (more if you go heavier than 1 oz) I could be out a few cents but it will be close enough.
That assumes that you can get hulls for free and doesn't include the cost of your reloading press which I expect will be northwards of $500 for anything remotely decent these days.
Generally I pay less than that for factory loaded shot shells as I buy them en mass or on sale.

I bought 600lb of lead and 10,000 wads from Hummason for $45/lb for the lead and $25/500 on the wads. I believe I am at $6.75 / box. I have loaded about 7,000 on (IIRC) the MEC900 you sold me (working great BTW)

Originally Posted by Northwinds

I load because I like to and when you like to do something it is not a chore.

Me as well. I enjoy it. If I didn't I would just buy them. If I run short or don't have time that is what I do. Gives me something to do with my son but he needs to put on a few pounds before he can run the 9000. We can go pretty quick with him throwing in the shell and wad.

[bobinthesky]

You must mean $45 for 25 lbs of lead and not 1 lbs. I haven't seen components that cheap in a long time but to be honest I haven't shopped around either since I've been fairly well stocked for some time.
Glad to hear your getting so much use out of the Mec Darren! I mostly just didn't have time to load the 12 because I load for 28 and 16 as well and that's where the biggest savings are. I may even start loading for the .410 one of these days too.
I've always said that reloading is a hobby unto it's own and if it lets you spend more quality time with family then that's a huge bonus!

[bobinthesky]

Darren,

I just ran the numbers through the reloading cost calculator. Using your shot and wad costs for a 1 oz load, you would have to had paid $26/lb for powder and $26/1000 for primers and hulls for free. Those are cheap components so your doing well!

shot @ $45/25 lbs
primers @ $26/1000
powder @ 26/1 lb
wads @ $25/500

Box of 25 = $6.34 plus gst = $6.75

[darren32]

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

Darren,

I just ran the numbers through the reloading cost calculator. Using your shot and wad costs for a 1 oz load, you would have to had paid $26/lb for powder and $26/1000 for primers and hulls for free. Those are cheap components so your doing well!

shot @ $45/25 lbs
primers @ $26/1000
powder @ 26/1 lb
wads @ $25/500

Box of 25 = $6.34 plus gst = $6.75

Hi Bob,

Sorry, yes $45 / 25lb. Anyone can buy direct from Hummason. Their prices are pretty good.

http://www.hummason.com/2017%20Price%20List.pdf

I am an estimator ... so my math could be wrong

Shot 1oz $45/25lb = 400 rounds = $2.81 / box
Wads $25/500 = $1.25 / box
Primers $45 / 1000 = $1.125 / box
Clays $200.00 / 8lb (17 grains ea = 3294 rounds) = $1.52 / box

$6.705 + GST per box

Any way you look at it, if it is not something you enjoy it is definitely not worth your time.

My biggest issue right now ... my boy is staring to shoot A LOT of 20 ga. I hope he asked Santa for a 20 ga Lee Load all .... because that is what he is getting.

Merry Christmas!

[aulrich]

Back in the pre-steel days when I still reloaded target loads were hardly worth the time but in those days IIRC I could make goose loads for about 1/3rd the price.

There are days I wonder about loading steel though IDK if it could be done cheaper than score ammo. And it's a real shame that the non-toxic shot that would fit though my lee load-all is so expensive. I miss good old #2 lead shot

[saskbooknut]

Unfortunately, Hummason shot has gone up to $46 plus GST per 25 lbs.
Add trucking costs for a pallet order of 16 bags and you are up to $55 a bag at least.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[bobinthesky]

At any rate Darren, your doing well!
Now if you keep showing your boy new hobbies it's going to cost you!

[NW Tradegunner]

I'm at the point that if I run out of any of my components that I've collected over the years. Whether it's shot, powder, wads or primers; I'll be selling my reloader and whatever is left. I reload 12 gauge only and it just isn't worth it anymore.

[Sundog57]

If you don't count the cost of your loader (I got one used MEC 650 35 years ago and was given another one) it makes sense to load 12ga to load light rounds.
I mostly shoot skeet and have been loading 3/4 oz "baby farts" for the last several years - almost no recoil and they powder targets if I do my part.
I also shoot some some sporting clays and will buy a few boxes of 1 1/8 to mix in for longer shots. I do notice the difference in recoil.
Definitely cheaper than buying and I like doing it.
There are enough guys at our club who shoot STS or AA that hulls are free. Wads are are about .03 each, primers about .04 each, you can load 533 3/4oz shells from a bag of lead...

[catnthehat]

I don't bother loading 12 or 20 unless it is for low pressure loads for my vintage guns .
Cat

[ward]

Originally Posted by Northwinds

There are no savings in loading 12 gauge target loads ,even when you buy components in bulk form.I can load 12 gauge 11/8oz for $7.55 box.When I buy target loads by the pallet they come in right around $6.00/box. There are huge savings in loading the sub gauges,.410 2.5" are right around $5.56 box to load versus$19.80 retail.Buying 410's in bulk result in a $11.00 box price ,even so there are still some savings to be had when you load them.
I load because I like to and when you like to do something it is not a chore.

Who is giving you the great “ by the pallet price “ ?

[bobinthesky]

Originally Posted by ward

Who is giving you the great “ by the pallet price “ ?

Our club hasn't been able to purchase pallet loads of target shells for this price in quite a few years.
Please disclose your supplier, pm if you like.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

At any rate Darren, your doing well!
Now if you keep showing your boy new hobbies it's going to cost you!

Kids gonna have great upper body strength in no time too!

[catnthehat]

Cost wise, even though I have thousands of components I got on the cheap and I make my own shot, the time factor involved just does not offset the cost of making versus buying `12 gauge trap loads. It is an enjoyable diversion however.
Cat

[32-40win]

Been using what I have left over for lead shot, to make bullets instead.

[Diesel_wiesel]

I reload for my 10 gauges only, I do save on them,
but on any others 12, 16, 20, 28, no I don't save anything, its more of a hobby , or a time filler thing on cold winter days

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Diesel_wiesel

I reload for my 10 gauges only, I do save on them,
but on any others 12, 16, 20, 28, no I don't save anything, its more of a hobby , or a time filler thing on cold winter days

If you can't save money by loading for the 28 gauge, you are doing something wrong.

[bobinthesky]

The only gauges you wont save much money on are the 12 and 20, all others have significant savings to be had.