shotgun shell reloading questions

[Dan_69GTX]

I might have a lead on a cheap MEC 600 Jr press.  The family has no idea what gauge it is in.  It does have an adjustable slide bar.  I've only seen 2 pics so far.  The pics show that it appears all the parts, but the bottles are there.

Is it worth getting something that I might need to purchase a conversion kit, or do I just wait and get one that is in my gauge (12).

Where is a good place to purchase lead shot?

I'd like to load light stuff for cowboy shooting.

Thanks!

Dan

[Wobbly]

No!

If you think primers are expensive, then go price some lead shot ! It used to be well under $18 for 25 lbs, now it's over $50. Sometimes you can get "reclaimed shot" if you are a gun club member and standing there in line. But that will still cost you ~$40.

For casual shooting you can buy any number of foreign shotshells cheaper than you can reload. You'd need to be shooting several hundred rounds per week to even break-even these days.

[Linejudgemick]

If you think primers are expensive, then go price some lead shot ! It used to be well under $18 for 25 lbs, now it's over $50. Sometimes you can get "reclaimed shot" if you are a gun club member and standing there in line. But that will still cost you ~$40.

All this is true, but Wobbly didn't mention you also have to have powder, wads, shell casings and the correct bushings for the loads you're making. Light Cowboy shooting might use enough shells to justify the cost of getting into reloading, but I'd make sure it is the right gauge to begin with. Not only are the correct shot and powder bushings necessary, but other items like the resizer are too. You could run into enough cost and frustration converting one, that just starting with the correct setup to begin with would be better.

Local shops will avoid Hazmat fees for primers and powder and shipping for heavy lead also makes local reloading suppliers more cost effective - unless you plan to load many, many, many shot shells.

[M1A4ME]

Used to be you could get those 100 round boxes of 12 ga. "field loads" from Walmart for about $22 or $23 a box.  8 shot or 7&1/2 if I recall correctly.  Bought some of it a few years ago but have only shot it through that old Auto 5 at paper for function checks.

I'm sure those boxes, if they still sell them, are more expensive now but as Wobbly said, shot has been just stupid priced for several years now.  Even 6 or 7 years ago the 100 round boxes from Walmart beat similar loads you could load yourself after you bought the primers, shot, powder and shot cups (mouse fart loads, sort of, not sure you could kill an old squirrel with one shot ) but for shooting paper they were fine.

If you're wanting to do something special then reloading could be cheaper.

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for the info!

No one recommended a place to get lead shot, so I just looked online to get some pricing info - yup - very high to what I ever remembered.

Not looking for deals on components it will be about $10 a box - not worth it.

I'll keep my eye out for some low recoil 12 gauge for cowboy action and new shooters.   It should show up  - eventually.

Regarding the press - it is a 12 gauge and I bought it.  Missing a few parts, but nothing expensive.  I gave $25 for it.

Thanks again!!!

Dan

[painter]

I'm going to go against the grain here, and say if you can get the components it's still a little bit cheaper to reload shot shells, even at today's inflated prices. This assumes you buy local to avoid hazmat and shipping. Primers are available, Cheddite, powders are coming back, and wads are no issue. As Mr.W stated, lead shot is the punch in the gut. If you're close to CAC Associates in PA, or Recobs, you can get shot for less than $50/bag.

Add in the fact that ammo prices are also inflated, and supplies seem just as limited as components, you'll have to spend time, and money, to find ammo or pay to have it shipped. Don't plan on walking into your local Walmart and walking out with a 100 pack. Circumstances may be different in your area, but that's been my experience. The free shipping deals of several years ago are long gone with many online vendors no longer shipping ammo.

[Dan_69GTX]

Painter - thanks for the info!

I couldn't remember who had questions before about shot shell reloading - I did some looking and it was you.

[painter]

I'm loading for four gauges now on two different P-W presses. I load 12 and .410 on an 800+ and 20, and 28, on a 375C. I have the ability to load all four on the 800+, but I don't shoot as much of the other gauges. The only reason I load .410 on the 800 is I don't have tooling for the 375C.

If you decide to pick up components and start to reload, beware of scam sites. They're everywhere. If the site has everything in stock at low prices, run away. No one has everything, and prices are inflated. Try to stick to the major retailers that we all know. Graf's, Powder Valley, Recobs, Precision Reloading, CAC, BPI, to name a few. If you do have to pay shipping, and hazmat, it's sometimes cheaper in the long run to buy all the hazmat items from one place even if the prices are slightly higher.

Right now, I'm in search of shot. I got a lead from CAC this morning about a dealer an hour ish away. Better than paying $20 for two bags to be shipped.

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks - again - for all the info.

Don't worry about me and scam sites.  Not gonna happen!

I'm going to just keep my eyes open and see what I can find for shell reloading and slowly acquire stuff.

I really like the idea John had about the felt/paper/roll crimp ideas.  I never did a roll crimp before (shotshell) so I'll research that too.

I can see eventually loading black powder for the "fun" factor in cowboy.   A guy I shot with last weekend said he used "cannon powder" on top of the shot shell (no idea on specifics) to give it the extra "sparkles" when shooting.   Have to admit - it looked really cool!

It has been at least 50 years since I last loaded shotshells.  Brings back many good memories just thinking about it!!

I appreciate all the advice!

[painter]

I wouldn't load steel without a plastic wad designed for non-tox shot. Easy way to ruin a barrel.

YMMV.

[painter]

Ball bearings are harder than steel shot, which is actually iron. I wouldn't use them, but as always YMMV. Lead is expensive right now, and I don't see it going down in the near future. I found a source just yesterday where I paid $52/bag. Cost me $21 for gas and about 3 hours of my life to get it home.

Most of my hunting loads use a cupless plastic wad for the first shot. We hunt over pointers, and the thick cover in early season requires close shooting The cupless wads allow some barrel scrub so the pattern opens up a little quicker so there's less meat damage.

For black powder, or substitutes like Pyrodex, card wads and felt cushions are preferred. Some plastic wads will melt, and foul the barrel quickly. Some black powder shooters will only use paper hulls based on the same reasoning. I also wouldn't shoot black powder in anything but a front stuffer, but only due to the hassle of cleaning. I'd feel compelled to take the action apart and clean it too.

[Don_P]

Not sure what you guys are paying for a factory box of 12 gauge target loads but here in the northeast $105 - $140 for a case (10 boxes / 250 shells) is pretty common.  Light loads for cowboy shooting might flesh out even cheaper than what it costs me to re-load 12 gauge trap loads. 
True, lead shot has gotten ridiculous in price, but what component hasn’t.  For a shell with a 1 oz load the lead is the most expensive component.  Locally it’s selling for $48 ”ish” for 25#, around .12? worth per shell (more if you have to have it shipped).  Primers can be had for .06?, wads are maybe .02? and powder .10?.  Hulls, either once fired or serviceable Gun Clubs or AA’s you can find in the range trash. So at $7.50 – $8.00 a box it is close but still cheaper than factory, around here at least.
All of my go to shot shell re-loading vendors have already been mentioned so not much to add there.  If you’re not close, Recobs only charges $16 for shipping for two 25# bags of shot so that’s pretty helpful.  Shyda’s in Lebanon PA is a good source also, especially if you live within driving distance.

[painter]

I don't know where you are in the northeast, but here in central NH availability is almost nil for factory ammo, and reloading supplies are not on the shelf at most LGS. The last factory ammo I bought was $105 for a flat. I haven't bought any components since 2020 except for the some wads, and the shot I bought Wednesday, so my costs for most things are pre craziness and my per box prices are much lower than $7.50-$8.00.

I load mostly 7/8 ths oz for 12 gauge, and 3/4 for 20, and 28. I'll load one oz for the second shot at trap doubles, or just shoot the one oz at both targets. I do have a 5/8 oz 28 gauge load that I'll use for the first shot at woodcock.

Since Covid and all the supply issues our club is only shooting trap and 5 stand every other week. I've gone from shooting 200 rounds per week to 75-100, and my scores show it.

[Wobbly]

I belonged to a local club that bought all their clays from Gamaliel Shooting Supply. Since they delivered in their own long-haul trucks, they would also deliver lead shot and other reloading supplies at no charge. Those were the days !

However, Gamaliel got bought out and they ended all that about 3 years ago. That's when my trouble began.

[painter]

I was getting primers, and shot through a group buy that one of my shooting buddies had access to from his former club. Primers were $125/5K, and shot was $40/bag. It was delivered to his former club along with targets from CAC. No freight.

I miss those days.