The dreaded "Is shotshell reloading worth it" question

[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





.

[Tom Flanigan]

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.

I never drink while reloading or twenty four hours before I fly. But I do have the ever present pipe in my mouth when reloading. I know it’s probably foolish, but I've been doing it for many years without a problem. Which isn't to say that tomorrow I might get into trouble.

I had a friend, now deceased, that used to take a flask with him when he flew his J-5 cub. We all tried to talk him out of it but to no avail. He was a second lieutenant and the Captain of a bomber in WWII. He was shot down over Germany on his 47th mission during the war and spent two years in a prisoner of war camp in Bavaria. I guess he still thought he was invincible.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

I never drink while reloading or twenty four hours before I fly. But I do have the ever present pipe in my mouth when reloading. I know it’s probably foolish, but I've been doing it for many years without a problem. Which isn't to say that tomorrow I might get into trouble.

I had a friend, now deceased, that used to take a flask with him when he flew his J-5 cub. We all tried to talk him out of it but to no avail. He was a second lieutenant and the Captain of a bomber in WWII. He was shot down over Germany on his 47th mission during the war and spent two years in a prisoner of war camp in Bavaria. I guess he still thought he was invincible.

Your post brought back an old memory. A good friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, he was the man who introduced me to Parker shotguns, was at one time a cigarette smoker. He smoked while he was reloading, until, he had a one pound can of FFg black powder go up. A full fire department response, a ride in ambulance but only minor injuries. He was lucky.

[6pt-Sika]

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.

I vividly remember shooting trap at National Capitol when it was still in Damascus and at Carroll County , there was an older gentleman that I saw at both . Never knew his name or if I did I don’t now as this was thirty plus ago . But he kept a small flask in his offside shirt pocket . If you were on the same squad he’d offer a taste to everyone before each field . I never partook or saw anyone other than him take a sip . Do that now and you’d be told DO NOT COME BACK

[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.

[Andy]

Are there manuals for shotshell reloading like there are for metallic cartridges? Went to our local Barnes and Noble today but not one book there on reloading. I always find I have X, Y, Z components and recipes call for A, D, F. Specifically where does one find "low pressure" or low recoil loads for shorter shells? A few weeks back I burned up a mixed bin of 20's. You know, Dove loads, pigeon loads, game loads, probably 20 years old. I shot about 50 of them with my Citori and felt like I fought Rocky Marciano. Hurt more than my COVID vaccine shot the next day.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco

Are there manuals for shotshell reloading like there are for metallic cartridges? Went to our local Barnes and Noble today but not one book there on reloading. I always find I have X, Y, Z components and recipes call for A, D, F. Specifically where does one find "low pressure" or low recoil loads for shorter shells? A few weeks back I burned up a mixed bin of 20's. You know, Dove loads, pigeon loads, game loads, probably 20 years old. I shot about 50 of them with my Citori and felt like I fought Rocky Marciano. Hurt more than my COVID vaccine shot the next day.

Lyman 5th edition shotshell reloading manual would be a good place to start. Search Hodgdon's and Alliant's web site for recipes as well as forums such as 24 hour campfire, Shotgunworld and the like. You could post here what you are looking for and I'm sure someone has a proven recipe for it.

[Harold Pickens]

Yes, there are, and can also be accessed on line. I have alot of low pressure 16 and 20 data downloaded on my computer

[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.





.

[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.