Shotgun shell reloading

[cant hit rabbits 123]

Hi guys,

 

I'm thinking about relaoding my own shotgun shells for a few reasons. 1, to save money over commercially sold shells as ive heard it works out cheaper. 2, so I can make clay loads and pigeon loads as i need them rather than having to buy a load and storing them. 3, to be able to produce different styles of loads for special occasions, like the occasional handfull of lighter loads, or making blanks or confety rounds or similar for teaching purposes and just for fun on the clay ground.

 

What sort of costs am I looking at for all the kit and materials needed to reload myself? How difficult ot time consuming is it?

 

Many thanks

[Guest cookoff013]

no it isnt cheaper.

yes you can make any type of shell, pigeons and clay loads are not economical viable.

 

you do however produce a superior cartridge in some cases.

where are you located.

 

the main reason people reload is because they have a passion for it. i reload because of the nontoxic law.

 

if you make your own shot from free lead, then reloading is the answer.

 

if you like say 34-36g loads of #4 i can see it being slightly better as those loads come in at £300-350 /k.

thats also where specialised loads are economical too. you pay for the added performance.

 

£300 set up for decent kit, not that i`m bashing the lee stuff. its not for me.

 

you can make whatever shell or equivalent shell....

 

you can never beat factory ammo for cheapness, it is massed produced and competatively priced.

cook.

ps where you live?

[sitsinhedges]

If you buy the components for 1000 clay shells from Clay & Game Reloaders it will cost you double what you can buy the made up cartridges for :blink:

 

If you buy your components carefully from Siarm, make your own shot and have abit of luck with the odd freebie then it can be cheaper but your still probably better off buying clay loads and using your components to make the dearer game shells

 

You do it for the interest and enjoyment, same as shooting itself

[cant hit rabbits 123]

I live in Liecestershire, close to Loughborough. The main aim of loading would have been to save money, so I think I'll give it a miss for now. Thanks for your advice guys

[Vince Green]

You tie up as much money, more in fact buying components as you would buying a few slabs of cartridges so that aspect goes out of the window too.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Vince Green

[Guest cookoff013]

one of the main reasons to reload, is you get a cartridge you want.

 

most gunshops are tied into a supplyer, or have limited product range.

if i shot alot of geese, i`d reload, it would be cheaper, and i`d have more performance.

most dealers wouldnt carry high performance steel loads as the demand is low.

 

if i shot alot of pigeons, and dropped my own shot, i`d like a 28gram soft recoil, high speed cartridge,

cartridge retailers would just supply what they had. 30-32g load.

 

if you wanted subsonic loads for hunting, just get a recipe and some big lead shot.

that isnt available at all.

 

the added cost gives you added versatility, and performance to a point.

 

it actually makes shooting more fun. every shot does count !

[harpoonlouis]

If you just want to see how it's done ask me next shoot and you can knock up a few on my press, I agree with everything here, no saving just another way to waste time when you aren't shooting!