Advice needed! Shotshell Reloading
- Thread starter Longlegs
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Ruger Dude
Active Member
I am like you. Maybe a few months ahead in the shotshell loading department. I take it by setup you mean a press? I did a lot of research over a period of a few months. So I can only draw from that. I would suggest you do the same. See if you can get a copy of the 5th Edition Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook. the first part of the book is very informative. I ended up purchasing a MEC 600 Jr. Mark V for 12 ga. and I am satisfied. I also looked real hard at the Lee Load all but passed on it. A person does not realy need a press. There are also some kits that have everything you need tool wise in a small box.
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Good advice here. MEC 600 Jr. is hard to beat. Mine is nearly 40 years old and works just like new. I'd also emphasize a good manual like the Lyman AND reliable scale that will measure + or - 0.1 Grain. I consider the bushing chart recommendations to be rough guidelines and you need to check powder weights yourself.
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MEC is the way to go. I have loaded thousands of shells on a 600 Jr. with few problems. I now have two MEC progressives only because someone gave them to me. I suggest that you get one press for each gauge you want to load because the gauge conversions are a pain. I just load 12 and 20 for that reason. A powder scale is an absolute must. I assume you have one if you still load rifle and handgun ammo. Assembling components so they fit properly can be somewhat of a pain since the wads, the amount of shot, and the hull need to be compatible. I am partial to the one-piece molded cases such as Remington Gun Club. Once you get all the right components and get the crimp stations adjusted properly, loading is a piece of cake.
Good advice on the mec 600 to start. 20 gauge is easier to get the setup right for. I would start there. I just sold my 410 versa mec. My 410 shooting is nil anymore. I can load a 3/4 once 20 gauge and get good results.
410 presses go high on used market. Unless you plan on lots of shooting sick with single get you process down pat.
If possible find somebody close by and what their technique.
Use good hulls, not every hull is friendly to reloading.
The lee load all does a fine job, just a little slower. If you find one cheap grab it. Great to learn on.
410 presses go high on used market. Unless you plan on lots of shooting sick with single get you process down pat.
If possible find somebody close by and what their technique.
Use good hulls, not every hull is friendly to reloading.
The lee load all does a fine job, just a little slower. If you find one cheap grab it. Great to learn on.
Yeah shotshell comps weren't real common to find on the shelf even in the before times because 12 and 20 ga shotgun shells in the box were cheaper than the same # rounds bought as components. Most of the stuff I have came in lots sold off from from estate sales and/or was scrounged up in our BST section. Powder valley was a good online source for shot and wads but shot has been out of stock for a while. I think you kind of missed the window on that but I wish you luck.
wscato
Well-Known Member
Here are my favorite online places:
www.precisionreloading.com
www.grafs.com
If you ever make it to Charlotte check Little's Hardware.
Shop Rifle & Shotgun Reloading Supplies | Dies | Bullets | Hulls | Wads | Powder - Precision Reloading
Shop online for shotshell and metallic reloading supplies, shooting supplies, metallic presses, rifle reloading components, shotshell reloading components, shooting accessories, rifle reloading brass and Bullets.
Shotshell Reloading Supplies & Equipment - Graf & Sons
www.grafs.com
Shotshell reloading supplies, components, & accessories: Ballistic Products
www.ballisticproducts.com
If you ever make it to Charlotte check Little's Hardware.
the MEC can have the dies switched out for around $75 per gauge I think.
Ballistics Products has been my go to in the past few months. They also have their own manuals with more loads than the large ones. You have to check regularly as it doesn't last long but I've managed 1500 primed hulls, 5000 209 primers, and all the wads/buffers since January. Buck shot goes very fast, field shot usually lasts a day.
Ballistics Products has been my go to in the past few months. They also have their own manuals with more loads than the large ones. You have to check regularly as it doesn't last long but I've managed 1500 primed hulls, 5000 209 primers, and all the wads/buffers since January. Buck shot goes very fast, field shot usually lasts a day.
OP
Hey guys I appreciate all the advise! I checked out a new semi-local shop today and they had one brick of 1000 Winchester 209 shotgun primers for $38 so I snatched em up. Now I need to find some form of loader, wads and shot. Will search the interwebs tonight. I don't have any hulls at the moment but I have about a 1000 each of .410, 20ga and 12ga factory loads that I will be shooting in the near future. I guess the primers are a good start at this point. Will pick up a few bits and pieces as I come across them.
OP
Ok gentlemen. I just ordered the .410 and 20ga "Survival Loaders" from thexringusa dot com. I've been watching his Youtube videos and think I'll really enjoy handloading in the kitchen. Saves me from having to setup a loading station in the basement and also alot cheaper than a Mec or Lee (that I can't even find). Now all I need are wads, shot and powder. Anybody have a pound or two of H110 or Win296 they would sell to get me started? Also looking for 7.5, 6 or 9 shot. Looks like wads are available pretty cheap online. Haven't looked for shot yet.
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Check out Blue Collar Reloading in Salisbury. They ship, as well as having a storefront. They have online ordering. They support a local trap and Skeet range, so typically have a few cases of shot, hulls, powder, wads on hand. Primers are iffy. Sometimes yes, but they are walk-in only on primers.
“The lee load all does a fine job, just a little slower. If you find one cheap grab it. Great to learn on.”
what do you consider cheap?
Ive just started thinking about shot shell reloading.
Too bad I’m not closer to Texas City, Tx. I have a cousin and a cousin-in-law that are nationally ranked. They share a reloading “shack” that puts some houses to shame.
Cousin Tom Estep is, or was, a nationally ranked shotgunner. He and his Brother in law are/were internationally ranked I don’t know if that is in trap or skeet.
He’s also a NRA certified handgun instructor. I’d love to attend some more of his classes.
what do you consider cheap?
Ive just started thinking about shot shell reloading.
Too bad I’m not closer to Texas City, Tx. I have a cousin and a cousin-in-law that are nationally ranked. They share a reloading “shack” that puts some houses to shame.
Cousin Tom Estep is, or was, a nationally ranked shotgunner. He and his Brother in law are/were internationally ranked I don’t know if that is in trap or skeet.
He’s also a NRA certified handgun instructor. I’d love to attend some more of his classes.
Street value for a new Loadall is around to just over 100 dollars. There has been a jump in anything related to reloading lately. 50 bucks or under is a good price if all parts pieces are there People tend to lose the powder shot collets for measuring.
I picked up one recently that is missing parts for 10 dollars. There are a lot of old shot shell reloaders gathering dust out there. Finding them is the hard part.
I picked up one recently that is missing parts for 10 dollars. There are a lot of old shot shell reloaders gathering dust out there. Finding them is the hard part.