Save or lose money reloading shotshells?

[Bullet Hole Bailey]

Just curious for whats its worth, I was wondering if reloading trap and bird loads...no steel. If you actually save much money reloading shotshells?

Thanks!

[halcon]

When I was shooting trap a lot I saved some but not a lot , maybe two dollars a box at the time on my trap loads . I have two Mec 9000 G loaders in 12 & 20 ga setup .

[spaniel]

Last time I ran the numbers, it was basically break even to reload trap loads compared to the cheap shells at Wal-Mart. However the stuff I was reloading was way better quality (heavier load etc). For heavy game loads, the savings are significant.

[Bernie P.]

Originally Posted by spaniel

Last time I ran the numbers, it was basically break even to reload trap loads compared to the cheap shells at Wal-Mart. However the stuff I was reloading was way better quality (heavier load etc). For heavy game loads, the savings are significant.

+1
You'll get much better ammo for the price of the cheap stuff.Some might argue but the Lee Load All is a good reloading press for around $40 bucks.I've been using the MEC Sizemaster for around 25 yrs now but if I was getting started today that it what I would buy.If you take the plunge get the Lyman manual.It's the best.

[Bullet Hole Bailey]

With the Lee load all...I could find a measure to fit the exact amount of steel shot and manually pour a load of steel in couldnt I?

That way I could reload my own duck loads?

[gunrac]

I wish I knew then what I know now. My last purchase I paid 11.50 for a bag of shot and 90.00 for 8lb. of Solo 1250. Fellas, it wasn't that long ago.

I seen where shot was up to 40+ over the winter. I was over at my outlet a month ago an seen it was back down to 22 or 23.

At that time I figured it run me around 2 bucks, give or take, a box. That price has indoubtably doubled.

There is no money to be saved. The only rewards you can get today, is a custom load. I can make a noticeably softer shooting {low recoil} 3 dram load then you can buy in a store. With that in mind, I would rather reload, if I was still playing the game.

[skb2706]

Originally Posted by Bullet Hole Bailey

With the Lee load all...I could find a measure to fit the exact amount of steel shot and manually pour a load of steel in couldnt I?

That way I could reload my own duck loads?

No.....steel shot takes different wads and the load density is different. It can be done but you need to readup on loading shotshells and then specifically steel shot shells.

[Prairie Wolf]

Originally Posted by Bullet Hole Bailey

With the Lee load all...I could find a measure to fit the exact amount of steel shot and manually pour a load of steel in couldnt I?

That way I could reload my own duck loads?

I reload mostly steel. For ducks, you can use a universal charge bar that is adjustable. (this works only for mec reloaders) Otherwise, you can buy an adjustable dipper, or make your own.

That will work for steel sizes up to 2. For larger shot, I do it by count. A primer tray will hold 2 pellets per hole, so I tape off the holes to get the right number of shot. You have a different tray for each shot size and charge weight.

You could try to do smaller shot using rifle primer trays.

Steel shot loading is very slow, and requires special components.

[Big Guy01]

You can make your own trap shells for about 1/3 of the price of store bought of the same quality. Steel is another thing altogether. Its a very slow process and after buying all the special wads and the expensive shot you just break even. I no longer load steel.

[bush_pig]

I reckon that it is cheaper and easier to buy instead of reload but its all different with centrefire rifles. I love reloading when I m bored because it passes time