The dreaded "Is shotshell reloading worth it" question

[Dean Romig]

Download the reloading recipe charts that the powder companies offer online.
I’ve done that and printed them and heep them at my reloading bench with the loads I use highlighted for future reference.





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[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

And then some people drink while they are reloading. I know because I shoot with one or two of them.

That’s a huge NO-NO





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[Andy]

Thank you folks. I looked and all I could find online was 2 3/4 data. I'll wait until I actually get a press and then start mining for load data. Shoot straight in the meantime.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

There is little money to be saved by loading 1 or 1 1/8 ounce 12-gauge shells or 7/8 ounce 20-gauge shells. The real place reloading pays is for 28-gauge and .410-bore. And of course any "specialty" loads like my favorite 7/8 ounce 12- and 16-gauge loads.

The really big savings is found reloading the big bores. There is nothing wrong with RST shells but 25 of their 2 7/8" 10 gauge shells is running $37.50 using their current price for a case of 100. Last time I ran the calculator using components I have picked up over the years I was loading 2 7/8 10 ga for $9 something a box of 25. For most people if you don't reload for a 10 ga you probably won't shoot it much.

[edgarspencer]

Ballistic Products has several manuals. The Advantages manual has loads of 2.5" and they also have a decent manual for small bores.

[Cold Spring]

Just a comment on availability of reloading presses. Three weeks ago I decided to buy a new Ponsness for 12-gauge and with a 20-gauge interchangeable head. Delivery was quoted at 3-4 months and went ahead with the order since my old MEC 9000 progressive still works ok though I have to keep tinkering with it. Last evening I was on the P-W website and delivery of new presses has gone to 5-6 months. Good time to be in the reloading press biz!

[Richard Flanders]

I find the Lyman shotshell loading manuals to be about as good as you can do for learning general reloading procedures; they lay it out pretty well. It helps to get their older editions for loading older hulls you might obtain, especially paper, and for older powders that might not be made any longer, but are still in circulation amongst folks like in the PGCA.

[Jay Oliver]

I also like the Cheddite Manual from Ballistic Products since I reload a lot of RST shells.

Pete is right about reloading the short 10 as well. I forgot about that, you need to be reloading to enjoy that gauge and there are so many wonderful Parker 10s out there.

I do still buy RST shells for most of my Parker Gauges for a variety of reasons. For example I just bought a case of their 16 gauge made for the A5(which are nice and I didn't feel like duplicating this recipe) and some fiber wad 20s(because they were in stock and I wanted to try them), but then reload the empties.

You'll figure everything out faster than you think.

[Andy]

I just looked at what I have in powder. I have 3 unopened canisters, 4lb each of Red Dot, American Select and Bullseye and see if I can use any of these. I'm going to try piece by piece to get things together. I appreciate everyone's help on this.

[Setter Man]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Some people drink when they get bored. I reload when I get bored or antsy. That, and wait for the Fedex truck with more wads and hulls from BP or Precision.

I don’t reload shotgun shells but I have been reloading rounds for my rifles. I’ LL shoot 20-30 rounds/year which doesn’t make reloading it a financially sound decision but to me it’s like tying flies: it’s something to do I. The winter when I’’m bored after I’ve wiped down my rifles for the ??? time. It’s also therapeutic, a bit like doing crossword or sudoku puzzles that require focus and concentration.