Shot shell reloading

[Shooting while seated]

Why is shotgun reloading more complicated than handgun.

I use Hornady bullets, CCI primers, Unique powder and range brass, no muss no fuss.

If I dont get the exact shell how important is that?

And why cant i find slug data 1oz 12G

 

[jds holler]

Why is shotgun reloading more complicated than handgun.

I use Hornady bullets, CCI primers, Unique powder and range brass, no muss no fuss.

If I dont get the exact shell how important is that?

And why cant i find slug data 1oz 12G

Shotshell loading is not complicated. I started doing it when I was fourteen years old, with a Lee Loader. A cave man could do it. jd

 

[KMart]

Go here https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
Select Shotgun and follow the christmas tree. Slug data is there.

 

[jk80]

My first shotshell loader was a lee kit given to me by a neighbor when I was 12. You used a hammer to punch out a primer, put in a new one and to crimp. Pretty easy. Differences in hulls are just the same as differences in brass. Go from commercial brass to lake city without adjusting your load will cause you grief. Many loads are similar in center fire as in shotshell loading but small changes in either can cause problems. To me the learning curve on center fire was much greater, especially for rifles. I'm still learning even though I've loaded for rifles for over 25 years. I was just expecting my reloads to go bang and be reasonably accurate. Now I'm trying to up my game with an eye towards trying f class. Thats why I'm here. I'm on several sites but this one has been the most helpful and friendliest BY FAR!

 

[RegionRat]

One reason, the hulls are not all the same and some are much better than others for reloading so those tend to have published recipes and the others do not.

Another difference is pistols don’t have wad cups to complicate the relationship between the powder and the shot. Finding recipes for shot shells also introduces the need to match up wads.

Brands of shot hulls may have ones that are what you would consider throw away and others that are very reloadable and durable. For example AA hulls are considered desirable and reloadable, but the seasonal dove loads are considered throw away. It isn’t as difficult to look at most domestic pistol ammo to determine if the shell is reloadable. For the most part, most of what you would see on the shelves at the LGS would be reloadable, but the same isn’t true of shot sells.

All of that is not to say that it is much better or worse, but that there are some major differences that are fundamental.

 

[rr2030]

Purchased my first shot shell loader when I was 14, a used MEC 400. Still have it in the rafters somewhere. Shot shell reloading is painfully simple compared to metallic cartridge reloading, especially for any auto loading rifle or pistol.

Other than for the enjoyment of doing it, I don't think slug loading is worth the effort unless you have a rifled barrel and intend to load a sabot with the bullet of your choice, if thats even possible.

 

[msinc]

Well, as talked about above in some posts the "complicated" part is the hull. You need the correct hull so that with the components and amounts listed in the manuals the shell is filled to the correct level when you crimp it. Why does the hull have to be that one listed for a particular load??? Because if it's not you could end up with extra space or not enough space in the hull you try to substitute. That's not to say you cant substitute...you just have to load and check and make sure it all fits properly. You can also use different spacers to make up for extra room, but this is seldom worth the costs of keeping them to use.
As to reloading slugs...it absolutely is worth it and then some. This is where the real savings are. Reloading #8 or #9 shot for target loads compared to buying a 100 round box at Wal-Mart, not so much unless you shoot 400-500 rounds every weekend. Reloading sabot slugs to hunt with...saves a bunch and can be more accurate too. Suggest you look at "Slugs-R-Us" in Alum Bank, Pa. google it, nice folks and you wont believe how easy it is. They even sell a mold that is just like the old Buck Hammers. Best of luck!!!

 

[jk80]

round box at Wal-Mart, not so much unless you shoot 400-500 rounds every weekend

I shoot between 20 to 30 thousand shot shells a year competing at trap. Ive got a hydraulic loader and even then 5he small savings by reloading isn't worth sitting in front of the loader. Shots 35 to 40 bucks a bag and other components have been going up. I haven't checked lately but I'd be surprised if savings were much more than .25 cents a box. I dont know about slugs but assume the savings would be greater. Jmho.

 

[biggun2869]

There isn't any real money savings with shotshell reloading. All you gain is in your mind,Knowing that every round is the same. I haven't reloaded for years but I always used AA winchester cases. I don't know how many of the Rem STS cases I have given away. And even AAs because I felt I had more than I needed. But in todays times I think the key word here is GIVEN! Gary

 

[drano38]

Back in the 90's I shot 10-15,000 rounds a year, and like jk80 says, the savings aren't what they were.
I have a Mec hydraulic, so its easy - but haven't ran it in 10 years because I'm shotgun shooting less, but need to get it running this winter.
I reload for my over/under because I shoot 12 gauge, 7/8 oz shot at 1200 fps (I hate recoil), and those light loads are a rarity in factory ammo.
As noted above, hull brands/models have different internal volume, but some are the same. The old AA compression formed (1 piece plastic) and Remington STS and Premier load the same. And multiple brands of fiber based hulls can be the same - but I don't load those, so unsure which are the same.
For the crimp to close well, the shell needs to be full, but not overfull. Chose a recipie that has a powder and wad combo that fills. Winchester ball powders are very dense and I never found a recipie that filled the case. So I switched to Hodgdon Clays - its fluffy, and a long wad called for in a recipe makes a great crimp.
Slugs - reload if what you want isn't factory loaded. We normally don't shoot enough slugs to justify buying the components. But you might have a unique need.

 

[msinc]

I shoot between 20 to 30 thousand shot shells a year competing at trap. Ive got a hydraulic loader and even then 5he small savings by reloading isn't worth sitting in front of the loader. Shots 35 to 40 bucks a bag and other components have been going up. I haven't checked lately but I'd be surprised if savings were much more than .25 cents a box. I dont know about slugs but assume the savings would be greater. Jmho.

Well, I have a Littleton Shot Maker.....so it's a little different for me. But you are right, just shooting target loads may not be worth it for some. Now, start loading heavy shot for waterfowl or turkey and nickel plated shot for game birds and anything 3" or 3 1/2" magnum and again, like slugs you are in "save mode".....

 

[msinc]

There isn't any real money savings with shotshell reloading........

Price a box of 3 1/2" Hevi-Shot shells lately??? How about 10 ga???

 

[rkittine]

If you own the equipment, there can be a savings especially if you shoot 28 gauge and .410 or if you shoot the 16 gauge as it is difficult to get inexpensive shells or the configuration you may want. Although I can buy 12 gauge shells on sale for under $5.00 per box (pre-pandemic) I can load, what I believe is AA grade 12 gauge for about $5.25 a box compared to $8.00 - $8.95 for AAs.

Some of the differences have been pointed out. Getting the stack height right with the correct wad etc. and getting the crimp right. Also Primer choice can make a HUGE difference in pressure.

Bob

 

[snert]

With shotgun, it is pretty much as simple as following the recipie, and not substituting, then figuring out the right crimp. after that...not so hard. Switching cases means switching wads. They have to match the recipie. Otherwise you get leaks around the wad, bad powder compression, lousy crimps.

Slugs? Look up the aforesaid links and follow the recipie.

 

[Dub]

I load around 500 rounds a month for Sporting Clays. I use Remington STS hulls and the associated wads for 1 1/8oz loads at about 1250FPS. easy to do. Not a huge savings but this makes them readily available for me. I stocked up on lead, wads, and primers long ago

 

[liljoe]

Check out Ballistic Products in Minnesota. They have load data for slug and buckshot loads. They have a huge selection of reloading components for the shotgun.

Joe

 

[jds holler]

Here's the same kit that I started with as a kid.

 

[243winxb]

And why cant i find slug data 1oz 12G

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Slugs/departments/198/

Lee provides data for their Key Drive Slugs, if you want to cast your own. I found accuracy is ok, but not as good as factory.

The plastic shot cups used to load the Lee dont hold up well, like thicker factory sabots.
I tested with a 12 ga Mossberg 500 cantilever Barrel rifled & scoped years ago. With a flyier now and then , 7" average at 100 yards. Factory will do 4" or better.

 

[AckleymanII]

Mec loaders are great. Lee makes two different weight slug molds. Lyman has a great loading manual for loading shot shells, and contact ballisticproducts.com for advanced shot shell loading.

Lee 7/8 oz slug is more accurate than the 1oz.

Lee Drive Key Slugs! Shooting Slugs thru Rifled Choke Tubes! - YouTube

Lee Slugs & Rifled Choke Tubes at 100 meters! - YouTube

bubba round tree lee slug - YouTube

Svarog 12 ga. Segmented Slugs! The Russians can build a Slug Mold! - YouTube

When it comes to shooting slugs, a gas operated shot gun makes for a much more pleasurable experience, in spades.

Reference loading for shotguns on the site below:

Cast Boolits

This is the dedicated cast bullet forum!

castboolits.gunloads.com

 

[riflewoman]

Why is shotgun reloading more complicated than handgun.

I use Hornady bullets, CCI primers, Unique powder and range brass, no muss no fuss.

If I dont get the exact shell how important is that?

And why cant i find slug data 1oz 12G

It really DOES matter if you don’t get the exact shell, and wad in shotshell reloading. A shotgun shell has to be completely full, minimal free volume. The inside volume of each type of shell is different. So the wad, powder charge, shot weight must be as specified in the recipe.
Get this catalog and read up on shotgun loading here: https://www.ballisticproducts.com/