sparkyboy5 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 I'm sure you've heard this all before but I'm really interested in loading my own 12g carts. Is there a good book that comprehensively covers the topic, load data etc? I'm a bit cash strapped atmo so I don't want to be buying loads of rubbish and not getting anywhere, also any other advice would be most welcome. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Where are you located? It is best learned from someone. But I learned from reading. Lyman 5th is a good boom. Bit dated now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arm3000gt Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Best use the search on here to get you started. Then if you have any questions not covered or require further clarification post a specific thread relating to that. I think you will find that is is difficult to save money reloading 12g if that is you aim. Unless you want to make up cartridges that are not commonly available. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/327366-new-to-reloading/?hl=%2B12g+%2Breloading http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/326911-reloading-manuals/?hl=%2B12g+%2Breloading http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/325839-plastic-recipes-fibre-wads-total-confusion/?hl=%2B12g+%2Breloading http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/324436-12g-reloading/?hl=%2B12g+%2Breloading The above should get you started. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 BE Careful it's addictive once tried you're hooked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyboy5 Posted January 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 Thanks guys, I'm located in northamptonshire and I am going to make some more exotic rounds as i have a 3" magnum and anything big costs a fortune! Predominantly though i was just going to make standard clay bashing rounds etc, I want to use it as a precursor to muzzle loading as that's what i'd like to try in the future. I have a friend who used to do a lot of muzzle loading and self load but he's unavailable atmo due to illness hence the self teach. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB1954 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I started by reading the Lyman Shotshell Reloading 5th Ed and asking questions on here. Like others have said you don't save money reloading 12 guage however it enables you to have the right load for what you are doing. I use 3 inch magnums and there are few stockist near me thus I load my own. Your idea to load clay rounds is exactly what I did to learn the ropes and get started with the press, I still load 24 gram clay loads plus 21 gram loads for my sons to use. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 Still cheaper to buy made up than reload a 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 Still cheaper to buy made up than reload a 12 Maybe for clay food. But for specialised loads, it can be a game changer. The payoff may be better for 16 or 28 gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) Maybe for clay food. But for specialised loads, it can be a game changer. The payoff may be better for 16 or 28 gauge. +1! I can load 16 gauge rounds at less than 50% of shop cost and get the load I want that shoots exactly how I want it to, rather than making do with what I can get. I'll probably never buy another box of 16 gauge shells whilst I can still get the components to make my own. Reloading 28 gauge is my next plan - especially since I discovered that the Eley cartridges I've been using lately that are labelled "#'6" are actually a lot nearer to #5. Not nearly enough pellets in ¾oz for a good pattern there! I even save on my 12 gauge load - only about 10% when I use new cases, compared to the cheapest commercial near-equivalent, but that rockets to 54% if I use pre-fired cases and compare it to the commercial load I'd buy if I didn't load my own. If cost is the issue, take some time to find the niches where money can be saved and see if any of those kinds of cartridges suit your needs. If you just want 28g of #7½, buy them from the shop. Good luck! It is very addictive! Edited January 11, 2016 by neutron619 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveshoots Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 I find it a lot cheaper to reload game cartridges. The high pheasant for example are £7+ a box I can make them for less than £3 a box. I am very lucky to still be able to buy cut offs in drums which give me my primers and powder I also run all my own shot. But without these clay and game reloaders at Hull have everything you will need. you can order on line or by the phone. if you want to load for pigeons etc go to a clay ground and pick up the empty hulls I use all 70mm from my local clay ground I asked for permission and was told not a problem I picked up a couple of thousand in the summer and these have now gone I need more but its winter and not too many dry days to get them.Like the other lads on here it can be very addictive but it's also a great feeling to kill and eat something that you have made yourself. Good luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyboy5 Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Somebody told me that it's pointless picking up shell cases as modern shells can't be reloaded, are some ok then? Thanks for the responses guys, i've ordered lyman 5th and look forward to reading it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus1988 Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Somebody told me that it's pointless picking up shell cases as modern shells can't be reloaded, are some ok then? Thanks for the responses guys, i've ordered lyman 5th and look forward to reading it . 90% of the cartridges I reload are ones that I've picked up and re-used, so yes, they are okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Somebody told me that it's pointless picking up shell cases as modern shells can't be reloaded, are some ok then? Thanks for the responses guys, i've ordered lyman 5th and look forward to reading it . Well you get told allsorts. It might be in relation to re-sizing the head which isn't always required anyhow, heads used to be brass which was far more malleable than the later steel with a colour wash plating. Either way you can just not indefinitely and some last quite a few firings others can go first time. The kit can cost a lot and the reason big loads cost heavy money is the economy of scale isn't there if you want 4s 3s 1s and BB you are unlikely to buy a slab a month are you? I don't reload for the 12 even though I only shoot HP steel I shoot too many to bother against the bought price. Am tempted to load some lighter payloads though as manufacturers still load too many shot IMO I do reload the 10 bore its worth it financially but besides that it allows me to load what I want when I need it rather than carry a vast stock I just hold the shot and the steel and powder, primers I need in bulk and enough wads and cases to see me through the shorter term. might only load ten up a go so I do it with home made tooling a digital measure and a RTO personally I should like to load non toxic TM or Bismouth for the 410 as its great sport on evening flight waiting for only the best opportunities. Was given a few a season or two back and it was proper - even though I only nailed one all that anticipation as bird after bird came in without giving me the perfect 410 shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Well you get told allsorts. It might be in relation to re-sizing the head which isn't always required anyhow, heads used to be brass which was far more malleable than the later steel with a colour wash plating. Either way you can just not indefinitely and some last quite a few firings others can go first time. The kit can cost a lot and the reason big loads cost heavy money is the economy of scale isn't there if you want 4s 3s 1s and BB you are unlikely to buy a slab a month are you? I don't reload for the 12 even though I only shoot HP steel I shoot too many to bother against the bought price. Am tempted to load some lighter payloads though as manufacturers still load too many shot IMO I do reload the 10 bore its worth it financially but besides that it allows me to load what I want when I need it rather than carry a vast stock I just hold the shot and the steel and powder, primers I need in bulk and enough wads and cases to see me through the shorter term. might only load ten up a go so I do it with home made tooling a digital measure and a RTO personally I should like to load non toxic TM or Bismouth for the 410 as its great sport on evening flight waiting for only the best opportunities. Was given a few a season or two back and it was proper - even though I only nailed one all that anticipation as bird after bird came in without giving me the perfect 410 shot Please enlighten me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveshoots Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Somebody told me that it's pointless picking up shell cases as modern shells can't be reloaded, are some ok then? Thanks for the responses guys, i've ordered lyman 5th and look forward to reading it . ive loaded and still load spent cases and they are great for re loading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Please enlighten me. They developed loads in weights people equated to lead 24 grm fast steel loads are pretty darn good but generally duck loads start at 34 likewise goose loads do not want to be 42 grm of steel through a 12 bore 36 is more than enough Case of making what sells rather than what is best understandable but the loader need not follow this maxim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 I see what you mean. No point in sending all those extra unnecessary pellets down range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Maybe for clay food. But for specialised loads, it can be a game changer. The payoff may be better for 16 or 28 gauge. True to a point, BUT factor in a press 1000 primers 20kg of lead powder shot cups Hazmat Delivery charges and mistakes All for a few shells a year and it don't make make it worth it ! I load 28g and know it's cheaper but not by much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Albert Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 Somebody told me that it's pointless picking up shell cases as modern shells can't be reloaded, are some ok then? Thanks for the responses guys, i've ordered lyman 5th and look forward to reading it . I only reload used cases. You have to be a bit picky though. I have found Fiocchi FBlue are the best and I pick them up at the clay ground. You will find that reloads tend to perform better in that you get a better spread of shot on a pattern plate. Factory loads often end up with pairs and three's sometimes more. Use the hulls twice and then chuck them. I have a sack permanently in the motor so when I go to the clay ground I pick up empties. Most grounds are pleased to have you do it as they have to pay to have them taken away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 I reload only with used hulls from clay ground crimp better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 My favourite to reload are Hull super fast they go through my PW a treat very rarely do i have a real bad crimp.. The 2 lads that work at my clay ground collect them for me and when i go they collect a box full and put them at the back of my motor.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 just loaded 1.97 g as powder + card 18mm fibre wad 34g 6/12 shot for pigeon to try on Thursday, that should be interesting give the wingmaster pump with 1/2 choke a dusting. fiochi cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) just loaded 1.97 g as powder + card 18mm fibre wad 34g 6/12 shot for pigeon to try on Thursday, that should be interesting give the wingmaster pump with 1/2 choke a dusting. fiochi cases.Where did you get that load from it will blow you to kingdom come ! That is over 30 grains of AS , 23 grains is maximum with only 28 grams of lead Expect no visitors in hospital, well you won't shake hands with any ! Deershooter Edited January 19, 2016 by deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 just loaded 1.97 g as powder + card 18mm fibre wad 34g 6/12 shot for pigeon to try on Thursday, that should be interesting give the wingmaster pump with 1/2 choke a dusting. fiochi cases. Is this a wind up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 It's either a wind-up or a typographical error! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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