Shotgun....

[Rsadams]

I just started reloading shot shells and was wondering if there are any good forums to ask questions and learn a little? I have a lyman shotshell reloading manual but it leaves a lot out... I've learned a lot from it but have some question still and have know one to ask..

 

[Homerange]

Just shoot <wink>, there's no doubt a few of us have done some shotshells. I don't do much now as I mainly trap shoot and it's cheaper to buy factory loads.

 

[vlcakc]

http://www.trapshooters.com

Vic

 

[AckleymanII]

What kinds of shells are you reloading? Buckshot, Slug, regular bird shot?

 

[rkittine]

Join www.ShotgunWorld.com Plenty of Shotgun Reloaders there. All types. Skeet, Sporting Clays, Trap, Wobble Trap, Bunker Trap, Hunting, Home Defense, you name it.

I currently have 9 shotgun reloading machines.

Bob

 

[DumpHollow]

A great source for shotgun reloading supplies and information:

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

I only reload 16 and 28 gauge ammo, and strictly for the cost savings. For the amount of shotgun ammo that I shoot, it is more cost effective to buy factory 12 and 20 gauge ammo.

 

[dickn52]

Don't waste time and money. Buy a Spolar Gold with Hydraulics now and just go to the Cadillac.

 

[Rsadams]

Thanks for your replys...
Iam just reloading some reduced recoil tactical 00 buckshot to shoot out of a hard kicking mossberg 88 18.5 barrel shotgun for fun.. I learn to reload anything I shoot these days.. I was suprised how much more complicated it was and how much more components matter than I have been told all my life by people that think a wads a wad and all 209 primers are the same etc.

Formula I shot today for the first time ever was fed. Gold medal hull with 19.5gr of wst,waa12sl wad and 8 pellets of hornady 00buck. Nice shooting 1 ounce load and low recoil, grouped ok at 15 yards and didn't tear my shoulder off..lol... shell was a little fat when chambering. I need to work on that, probably just me stuffing to hard etc with no experience plus just using a little Lee load all 2.. I am sure I will step up to a better loader later.. Thanks for the help I know this isn't a shotshell forum..

 

[rkittine]

Can't argue that if you wait for the sales on Estate, Federal or Remington Gun Club Target shells. the cost to reload 12s and 20s is about the same. Buying in bulk, I can load a box of 12 gauge for about $5.25 and for 20 gauge a little less. I can usually get the promo target shells for about $55.00 per flat all in, so add in the cost of the equipment and my time and I am not saving money, but I would like to think that my reloads are at least as good as Winchester AAs or Remington STS premium target ammo and maybe better, so those prices are a savings. Plus I like doing it and find it relaxing and since so few reload 12s and 20s anymore I have not had any problem finding powder.

Of course you can then also load what you want like 7/8 ounce handicap 12 gauge loads or 1 1/8 or 1 1/16 ounce 16 gauge No. 9 Skeet loads.

Even on super special from Midway when I got Winchester AA 28s and .410s for $75.00 a flat delivered, I can load those for less.

But then, unlike Bench Rest, there are shotgun events that require you to shoot factory ammo!

Bob

 

[Sniper338]

I quit reloading shot shells years ago because factory shells are cheaper. Lead shit went so high i aint worth it..

 

[Rsadams]

Can't argue that if you wait for the sales on Estate, Federal or Remington Gun Club Target shells. the cost to reload 12s and 20s is about the same. Buying in bulk, I can load a box of 12 gauge for about $5.25 and for 20 gauge a little less. I can usually get the promo target shells for about $55.00 per flat all in, so add in the cost of the equipment and my time and I am not saving money, but I would like to think that my reloads are at least as good as Winchester AAs or Remington STS premium target ammo and maybe better, so those prices are a savings. Plus I like doing it and find it relaxing and since so few reload 12s and 20s anymore I have not had any problem finding powder.

Of course you can then also load what you want like 7/8 ounce handicap 12 gauge loads or 1 1/8 or 1 1/16 ounce 16 gauge No. 9 Skeet loads.

Even on super special from Midway when I got Winchester AA 28s and .410s for $75.00 a flat delivered, I can load those for less.

But then, unlike Bench Rest, there are shotgun events that require you to shoot factory ammo!

Bob

Ya its tough to reload bird shot for what you can buy even good shells but buck shot still a buck or more a round and I just like trying new things unlike reloading rifle. and pistol I got into it for a few hundred bucks. Powder, primers little Lee load all buckshot etc it's pretty cheap to tinker with and no matter what happens in the future I can reload it also.. My buddy's switched from m4 and Glock to the shotgun instructor for a local SO and he has been into blasting the 590a1 more than anything lately so I decided to join in and train some. I haven't trained with a short barrel shotgun since the police academy many years ago so it's fun and something different...

 

[justinp61]

I'm 55 and have been loading for shot guns since I was a teenager and have progressive loaders for everything but a 16 gauge. All my loaders are Hornady or Pacific's, 366's and an Apex 3.1. It would be hard now to justify buying these loaders now just save money on ammo, but for me it's another hobby just like shooting, hunting, fishing or the hot rod.

 

[Michael C]

I shoot some trap and I think my shells shoot so much better than cheap store bought shells. I buy a flat every now and then and they are either too slow or the pattern is not as good. I think my 1oz loads are equal to STS shells at 13 bucks a box.

 

[ireload2]

I used to shoot a lot of skeet and used components that I could get really cheap. I scrounged wads at gun shows and bought the generic replacement wads.
My skeet range had the Federal dove and quail hulls that they burned by the barrel. I got many thousands of them when I could get clean fresh hulls that had never been wet. (can't use paper base wads that have been wet). I loaded these hulls twice and then left them to be burned. The primers were purchased when Winchester came by with a truck load sale at the local gun shop. That left the shot. No local dealer did business with the foundry in Dallas so they sold 2000 lb pallets for $425 delivered. Since the shot is no longer available it is much more difficult to make a case for skeet loads. Most anything will break a skeet target so I now buy cheap factory loads on sale.

 

[dickn52]

I shoot some trap and I think my shells shoot so much better than cheap store bought shells. I buy a flat every now and then and they are either too slow or the pattern is not as good. I think my 1oz loads are equal to STS shells at 13 bucks a box.

Yep, bought my Spolar when I was shooting about 4-500 a weekend. Got too expensive when all the lead went up though.

 

[rkittine]

As soon as I have a spare $6,000 I want a Spolar with all 5 heads for 12,16,20,28 and ,410, the spare parts kits, the covers and the hydraulic unit. I shoot around 60 flats of shotgun shells a year.

Bob

 

[Judd]

I have a Ponsness Warren with Spolar hydraulics...great loader but like most guys on here, I haven't used it hardly at all since lead got crazy. I also found a lite recoiling Mirage shell that shoots as good as my reloads with an 1/8oz more shot. I used the fire out of it when I was shooting 12k+ rounds a year but that has dropped down to less than 1k rounds per year.

That reminds me...I really need to box all that stuff up and attempt to sell it locally, just to dang heavy to ship.

 

[Shaggy357]

I have three MEC loaders. One progressive for my clays loads and two single stage for my hunting loads. Back in the day, we were loading shot shells that out did any factory load. They patterned better and had distance for long shots at geese. At a couple of bucks a box, it was much cheaper at that time to "roll your own".

The guys I hunted with did a lot of testing with a few well known shotgun enthusiasts. We even got in on some load testing on live birds for a couple of large manufacturers when the new fangled "steel" shot came out. I found the best way to learn shotgun loading was to go do it. I would load up a box in the evening and hunt ducks or geese on the way home the next night. You learned real quick about using the correct wad in the hull you were loading. You also confirmed you had the correct charge bar and shot charge in the shell to confirm your start crimp went well. I was taught to give the shell a slight turn and do a double tap on the crimp starter. Always made the final crimp much prettier.

Trap clubs dump their hulls in the dumpsters most of the time. Pick up some Winchester AA hulls and load away. You would be surprised the loads you can get out of a 2 3/4" AA hull.

Steve

 

[Frankr]

the shotgun shell master's

 

[Rsadams]

Thanks..