Shotgun shell reloading.
- Thread starter 30 06Neil
- Start date
thanks in advance for any opinions, cheers NeilIt very much depends on how many cartridges you get through.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
In my opinion not if you can earn more money in the time you expend on reloading. I shot thirty years ago, and pistols, with a man who was a jeweller. He always shot factory ammunition.
When I and others asked why he didn't reload (as we all did) he said that he made more money that in that doing jewellery or watch repairs in the time he'd have save if set aside that time to reload his own ammunition.
I think that the same holds true for the bog standard 12 bore 70mm 28 gram 1 ounce plastic wad clay cartridges but outside that I think it can make sense and like taking a deer with a cartridge you've loaded yourself or landing a trout with a fly you've tied yourself the satisfaction is immeasurable.
If you've already got the press and all that you are at least down the road bar layout for primers, powder and wads. In the smaller calibres of 28 and .410 it makes sound sense. 16 bore also as you can load those smaller shot sizes that nobody no longer loads commercially such as 7 1/2 and 8.
When I and others asked why he didn't reload (as we all did) he said that he made more money that in that doing jewellery or watch repairs in the time he'd have save if set aside that time to reload his own ammunition.
I think that the same holds true for the bog standard 12 bore 70mm 28 gram 1 ounce plastic wad clay cartridges but outside that I think it can make sense and like taking a deer with a cartridge you've loaded yourself or landing a trout with a fly you've tied yourself the satisfaction is immeasurable.
If you've already got the press and all that you are at least down the road bar layout for primers, powder and wads. In the smaller calibres of 28 and .410 it makes sound sense. 16 bore also as you can load those smaller shot sizes that nobody no longer loads commercially such as 7 1/2 and 8.
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thegreg
Well-Known Member
I load heavy 12g cartridges for game shooting and wildfowling. 36g+ which would be expensive to buy as factory ammo. I like having the flexibility of using different shot sizes etc which you’d never get off the shelf.
The pickle I’m in at the moment is Maxam powder is no longer produced and it’s what I did all my loading with. Plus it was half the price of anything else. I honestly don’t know whether I’ll bother keeping doing it when my current powder supply runs out.
Cheers
Greg
The pickle I’m in at the moment is Maxam powder is no longer produced and it’s what I did all my loading with. Plus it was half the price of anything else. I honestly don’t know whether I’ll bother keeping doing it when my current powder supply runs out.
Cheers
Greg
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
I have a reloading kit for 12g it’s in a box in the shed. The only time I use it is when loading 3/4 ounce loads for the kids. Or possibly for heavier loads, bigger shot sizes.
The cost of a slab of cartridges vs the buggering about and cost of components. I don’t see it being viable.
The cost of a slab of cartridges vs the buggering about and cost of components. I don’t see it being viable.
Enjoy the trip , cheers NeilHmmm. Just bought 100 40 gms No. 3s for upcoming goose trip at £14.95 a box! Two days later found seven boxes of Eley Maximum No. 3s and 4s left over from my last goose trip - 40+ years ago! I think the Eleys will be fired first!
location, location, location, if you live near one of the very few suppliers of shotgun components that is a big plus as delivery of shot, wads, primers, cases adds to the costs and powder is all but collect only.
As has been said price of components has rocketed and other than for personal satisfaction for 12gauge clay loads it‘s not worth the effort unless as I do you make your own lead shot
however some components are now getting hard to get.
I do load 12gauge for clays and pigeons. I also load 28gauge which does save money. Both with lead shot, fortunately I live not far from one of the companies selling components in Kent. For odd occasion I need steel shot I have purchased the cartridges as required biodegradable wads.
But with current prices and availability of components I do question how long I will continue loading them for, as it was said to me manufacture want us to buy their cartridges not their components.
However if I have to buy cartridges at today prices I will have to shoot less, especially clays so the manufactures will not have it all their own way, which looks to happing in general given my occasional shoot at commercials clay grounds in Kent when I have noticed fewer people shooting at them, with the local smaller cheaper clubs looking to be preferred probably due to savings on travelling cost and the price of clays for those shooting.
As has been said price of components has rocketed and other than for personal satisfaction for 12gauge clay loads it‘s not worth the effort unless as I do you make your own lead shot
however some components are now getting hard to get.I do load 12gauge for clays and pigeons. I also load 28gauge which does save money. Both with lead shot, fortunately I live not far from one of the companies selling components in Kent. For odd occasion I need steel shot I have purchased the cartridges as required biodegradable wads.
But with current prices and availability of components I do question how long I will continue loading them for, as it was said to me manufacture want us to buy their cartridges not their components.
However if I have to buy cartridges at today prices I will have to shoot less, especially clays so the manufactures will not have it all their own way, which looks to happing in general given my occasional shoot at commercials clay grounds in Kent when I have noticed fewer people shooting at them, with the local smaller cheaper clubs looking to be preferred probably due to savings on travelling cost and the price of clays for those shooting.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
The other consideration is that some clay grounds may specify that you use factory loaded ammunition only. The reason being that if a faulty factory cartridge "lets go" and injures someone next to the person using it then the manufacturer can be sued and will have the resources, or insurance, to pay out. If OTOH a reloaded cartridge "lets go" then if the person who loaded it doesn't even have the money to pay for their own pot to p1$$ in then the person injured may well get no compensation.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
I here this occasionally and not trying to be obstinate but have you seen a shotgun let go due to a reload? I haven't yet.
mike243
Well-Known Member
you would most likely do better reloading the Steel shells and buying the clay loads, IMO most factory Steel offerings are junk and limited to 1400fps, you can get much better with home loads and with steel light fast loads are much better, I was right into it years ago when the Wildfowl Lead shot ban came in, I had a 70mm/2.75" load of 7/8oz doing over 1800fps and a 76mm/3" load of 1 1/8oz doing over 1600fps, #3 steel was by far the best for Duck and BB for geese
little chance that you will save any money doing either though
little chance that you will save any money doing either though
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
I've seen from memory certainly two, possibly three shotguns fail. Both side by side interestingly. One the top rib came curling back in a round spiral just like a cartoon tin can lid. On the other a large three inch chunk went flying off left and forward from the left barrel just in front of the end of the chamber. I don't know what loads were being used. I have however seen and know of a number of shotguns where they've dropped wads in the barrel and a follow up shot has bulged the barrel or in one case burst the gun. Again I do not know if reloads were used but in two of those cases the cartridges were Gamebore factory loads.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
With respect my friend I rest my case melud'.
Have caused a Remington 1100 Skeet gun to go pop due to anger, excitement, stupidity, and snow.
Basically fired gun went pop something not well ( at night) got light onto gun maybe 6” rib peeled back
And couple inch muzzle split only indicater at time a pop and the certain feeling something not well.
Cartridge 2 3/4 mini mag type no 5 shot, fault mine.
Basically fired gun went pop something not well ( at night) got light onto gun maybe 6” rib peeled back
And couple inch muzzle split only indicater at time a pop and the certain feeling something not well.
Cartridge 2 3/4 mini mag type no 5 shot, fault mine.
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