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Hand re-loading shotgun shells without a re-loader


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I didn't think it was that easy to make cartridges. I have no interest in making my own cartridges, however how cost effective is it after you've bought all the materials?

 

Yes, for the almost zero outlay shown in this video - I might give it a go.

 

I think the savings are nil for your average clay cart unless you make your own lead shot, but for specialist cartridges, you may save a bit. So really, it depends on what you're re-loading, and the quantity. .410 cartridges are ridiculously expensive - so you might save there if you can get free cartridge shells.

 

Personally I would do it just for the satisfaction of DIY - and having a greater understanding of how different shells behave based on how they are built.

 

The only thing which worries me is the PVA glue - might it not muck up the barrel? I like the look of that hand crimping tool in the second video.

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Just been researching costs based on 500 carts. Wads and cards comes in at £62. I cannot find any primer costs, powder and not sure on cost of shot.

I'm trying to base this on gamebore 30g 6 clear pigeon which costs £55 for 250 so £100 - £110 for 500. Unless you can get enough shot, powder and primer for 500 carts for less then £38 it's obviously not worth it. Surely the cost of shot would be quite high?

 

Apologies for the minor hijack.

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From what I understand, the savings aren't there for your run-of-the-mill cartridge (unless you make your own shot). I don't think pigeon loads count as 'specialist' :)

 

It would be interesting to see what the price point per 1000 is where re-loading does make sense. Some loads can cost £300/1000 which may make it a bit more attractive.

 

Personally i'd rather buy them - i'm just interested in this because I like making my own anything :lol: and one could make one-off cartidges to test them out instead of buying a box of 25.

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Guest cookoff013

i do costings all the time, the minimum pricing, with purchasing lead is about 200/k. but that could be upto 32g loads.

as for premium game loads (whatever they are) about £250-300, /k.

 

.410 can save about £50 per k, for an equivalent load of ~18grams shot.

 

the only reason i can justify reloading is because i want to.

 

take the .410, after 4000 shells the whole outlay breaks even.

take the 10gauge, after about 800-1000 shells.

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Yes, for the almost zero outlay shown in this video - I might give it a go.

 

I think the savings are nil for your average clay cart unless you make your own lead shot, but for specialist cartridges, you may save a bit. So really, it depends on what you're re-loading, and the quantity. .410 cartridges are ridiculously expensive - so you might save there if you can get free cartridge shells.

 

Personally I would do it just for the satisfaction of DIY - and having a greater understanding of how different shells behave based on how they are built.

 

The only thing which worries me is the PVA glue - might it not muck up the barrel? I like the look of that hand crimping tool in the second video.

In the days of paper cases, I used Shellac dissolved in Meths or 'French Polish' to seal my crimps.

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Based on prices I saw there - and the video (keep in mind i'm a noob, I may have missed something out), my back of an envelope calculation comes to:

 

lead (6's 28 grams): 0.10p
Primer: 0.04p
Used Cartridge: 0.00p
Powder (27 grains Vectan A1): 0.07p
Felt Wad: 0.03p
Over shot Card: 0.01p
--------------
total : 25p

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Guest cookoff013

Based on prices I saw there - and the video (keep in mind i'm a noob, I may have missed something out), my back of an envelope calculation comes to:

 

lead (6's 28 grams): 0.10p

Primer: 0.04p

Used Cartridge: 0.00p

Powder (27 grains Vectan A1): 0.07p

Felt Wad: 0.03p

Over shot Card: 0.01p

--------------

total : 25p

you can use AS for 1oz.

A1 isnt ideal for 1oz loads, there are recipes though.

if i recolect, the 27grain A1 recipe is severely low in pressure which is bad.

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you can use AS for 1oz.

A1 isnt ideal for 1oz loads, there are recipes though.

if i recolect, the 27grain A1 recipe is severely low in pressure which is bad.

 

Fair enough - it appears to be the same price as A1. Does my costing above match up with yours?

Edited by aris
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Mine about the same as Sitsinhedges. I do think a lot of us on here get PW brainwashed into trying to do our sport either cheaply or for free. Everyone has a budget to work to, some have a bigger budget than others.However, I guess part of this reloading is why do you do it? I spent a fun afternoon loading 12g shells and then brought down a cracking high bird the next day just having a quite mooch. The satisfaction was immense. I guess it would be the same for someone who makes their own flies then catches a trout/salmon. Whilst its nice to save a few quid here and there, I would still make my own if it was a quid a box more expensive. For a whole afternoons entertainment, it is a cheap hobby and very satisfying.

Edited by turbo33
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Where can I find a hand crimper in the UK without buying a whole loading machine?

 

I think I prefer a folded crimp rather than a roll crimp. Can roll crimped cartridges be reused?

 

TBH for the money you might as well pick up a lee press, new they are 50 quid, second hand as above. It will do the whole thing and accurately. Or you can just use it to do the crimping if you want to faff about doing the rest.

http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_181_475&products_id=1509

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