12 bore Reloading

[User00040]

I started loading my own 12g a couple of years ago. As a few others have said the savings are minimal, but what it does allow you to do is customise your loads. I use 36g 5’s and 6’s for game. I do 38g 4’s for ducks and 50g 3’s for geese. Normally in a commercial cartridge when you go up to 36g the shot size steps up to at least a 4, which is too big for pheasants. So if that sort of thing appeals to you then it’s worth doing.

cheers
Greg

Went down the reloading route for the same reason, was very surprised once I started to test patterns that a slower load actually worked better in my gun.

Furthermore, if you have a semi-auto (long recoil) you can tweak the load to run more reliably with less felt recoil.

 

[Mr. Gain]

As others have said, not worth it for regular loads, but good for those things it doesn't pay the commercial concerns to make, and great for tinkerers. Far fewer tools are required than for metallic cartridge reloading, too, so that cuts the start-up cost. I started reloading shotgun cartridges because I couldn't get #5 shot subsonic loads for a 12g Hushpower, but now Eley do those, so I buy factory instead and just handload 20g subs, non-lead 12g, and some 16g for the drilling, as needed. I like being able to, but don't see it as a money saver.

 

[Pedro]

I maybe go through 2 slabs (give or take a hundred or so) of shotgun cartridges. I also go through maybe 150-200 rifle rounds in a year. It wouldn't make sense financially to load/reload for anything. But I do reload rifle ammo simply because it's a bit of a pastime that I've come to enjoy. Fiddling with loads and different bullets probably gives me the impression that I'm making more accurate ammo. In truth, factory ammo is as accurate as I need for anything I do. But it's all about enjoying yourself and if you feel the need to reload shotgun cartridges, fill your boots I say. Who knows, you may save a few bob and get some performance advantages. As Eric Idle sang "Always look on the bri....".

 

[25 Sharps]

So looking like a tenner a slab or 4p a round. Just not worth it as you’ve all said!

 

[Liveonce]

So looking like a tenner a slab or 4p a round. Just not worth it as you’ve all said!

Google making your own lead shot, that can make for a significant saving.

 

[bullet chucker]

Another issue is, some areas will not allow plastic wads or shot cups, so loading them to shoot may be challenged.?

BC.

 

[finnbear270]

I used to load 10 gauge brass cases, 2&1/4 ozs BB’s both sides, closed with Kellogg’s cardboard & araldite , devastating on fox in the lamp.

 

[Liveonce]

Another issue is, some areas will not allow plastic wads or shot cups, so loading them to shoot may be challenged.?

BC.

Fibre wads can be purchased and load not a lot different to loading plastic wads just follow the load data.
Still the issue is, do the savings justify the effort, doubtful for clay shooting with a 12bore.

 

[25 Sharps]

Google making your own lead shot, that can make for a significant saving.

Time is the issue there, the same as I don’t cast bullets for .357

 

[roughshooter1]

I load all my shotgun cartridges. I have had all the gear for years and try to buy components when they come up at the right price. I can load anything I want so i have some satisfaction form that and if components are bought at the right money then there is a good saving to be made.

 

[martin_b]

I started loading my own 12g a couple of years ago. As a few others have said the savings are minimal, but what it does allow you to do is customise your loads. I use 36g 5’s and 6’s for game. I do 38g 4’s for ducks and 50g 3’s for geese. Normally in a commercial cartridge when you go up to 36g the shot size steps up to at least a 4, which is too big for pheasants. So if that sort of thing appeals to you then it’s worth doing.

cheers
Greg

36g Pheasants? They must fly high up north

 

[thegreg]

36g Pheasants? They must fly high up north

Putting plenty of lead in the air compensates for my dodgy aim

In all honesty though I wouldn’t consider 36g overkill. It’s certainly at the high end of a game cartridge load but 34g is probably standard and I don’t know anyone who shoots less than a 32.

Cheers
Greg