A number of folks have mentioned reloading in recent threads about shooting and guns. I've pondered reloading from time to time, but never made the jump. I'd be interested in recommendations on equipment and supplies... and maybe this can evolve into a thread with members' tips, techniques, and recipes.
Shotgun Shell Reloading Information
- Thread starter HenryHawthorne
- Start date
Clinton John
Active member
Lee load all II in the gauge you want to load.
Shell holder.
Battery operated handheld drill and roll crimp tool if you do roll crimps.
Grain scale,powder dipper, powder trickler, for weighing shot charges and powder charges. Are you can pony up the cash for a powder Despenser like a chargmaster lite or the Hornady product.
I use the charge master lite to pour and measure the powder charge as well as a powder/shot dipper and the machines built in grain scale to measure the shot charge.
The rest is just getting the load components needed for the load data your using.
Couple of load manuals from BPI or some of the many powder manufacturers also put out load manuals that has shotgun load data.
Most tss suppliers. Have pressure tested load data, when you order from them and ask for any data they may have.
BPI has several load manuals dealing with all non toxic shot types as well as lead bird shot,buckshot and slugs.
I don't load lead or bismuth. But if you get into loading tss, remember this if nothing else. You don't need more then 1 oz of shot, cylinder choke, fast speeds(if the gauge allows) non ported extended chokes. Size 8 shot is for all ducks. Size 7 for all ducks and geese.
If you have Facebook there are a number of handloader groups you can join and get direct info on just about any gauge or shot type.
Shell holder.
Battery operated handheld drill and roll crimp tool if you do roll crimps.
Grain scale,powder dipper, powder trickler, for weighing shot charges and powder charges. Are you can pony up the cash for a powder Despenser like a chargmaster lite or the Hornady product.
I use the charge master lite to pour and measure the powder charge as well as a powder/shot dipper and the machines built in grain scale to measure the shot charge.
The rest is just getting the load components needed for the load data your using.
Couple of load manuals from BPI or some of the many powder manufacturers also put out load manuals that has shotgun load data.
Most tss suppliers. Have pressure tested load data, when you order from them and ask for any data they may have.
BPI has several load manuals dealing with all non toxic shot types as well as lead bird shot,buckshot and slugs.
I don't load lead or bismuth. But if you get into loading tss, remember this if nothing else. You don't need more then 1 oz of shot, cylinder choke, fast speeds(if the gauge allows) non ported extended chokes. Size 8 shot is for all ducks. Size 7 for all ducks and geese.
If you have Facebook there are a number of handloader groups you can join and get direct info on just about any gauge or shot type.
MEC 600 Jr. Mark 5 Single Stage Shotshell Reloading Press 16 Ga 2-3/4
MEC is known for making high quality presses that will last. The 600 Jr. Mark 5 is MEC's most popular single stage model and for good reason. This press...
www.midwayusa.com
Thanks to both of you. Just ordered the Lyman book to study up a bit before jumping in.
Lawrence Kotchek
Active member
I wouldn't take a Lee Load All for free. I hate Lee products other than their rifle and pistol dies.
My choice would be a MEC Jr, MEC Size Master, MEC Steel Master or a Ponsness Warren 375. All are fine, good quality single stage presses.
You will want a scale as charge bars are not accurate for shot by weight, they load by volume which will change by shot size and make up, also no tox shot is expensive and I want to follow the recipe exactly, target loads don't matter as much.
I roll crimp, when I roll crimp, on a table top drill press, with depending on gauge a roll crimper from either Ballistic Products or Precision reloading. Fold crimps are fine too just pay attention to the hulls you are loading as a previously loaded hull with a 6 point or 8 point crimp wont crimp well with the other.
I load short 10 gauge and 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge with mostly Bismuth for vintage guns. It does save some money but mostly I can make ammo I cant easily buy.
My choice would be a MEC Jr, MEC Size Master, MEC Steel Master or a Ponsness Warren 375. All are fine, good quality single stage presses.
You will want a scale as charge bars are not accurate for shot by weight, they load by volume which will change by shot size and make up, also no tox shot is expensive and I want to follow the recipe exactly, target loads don't matter as much.
I roll crimp, when I roll crimp, on a table top drill press, with depending on gauge a roll crimper from either Ballistic Products or Precision reloading. Fold crimps are fine too just pay attention to the hulls you are loading as a previously loaded hull with a 6 point or 8 point crimp wont crimp well with the other.
I load short 10 gauge and 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge with mostly Bismuth for vintage guns. It does save some money but mostly I can make ammo I cant easily buy.
Thanks for your thoughts. My Lyman book arrives today or tomorrow, once I get into it I'm sure I'll be back with questions.
Re: Lee, can you add why you dont like their shotshell loaders?
Re: Lee, can you add why you dont like their shotshell loaders?
MEC Sizemaster was my loader of choice because of the collet sizer. This was dictated by my decision to purchase Remington Gun Club shells, which contain a steel head, for reloading.
RM
RM
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Just want to second Henry's idea for a reloading thread. Great idea! RM
roy brewington
Well-known member
For basic hunting loads a Mec 600 is the most versatile reloader. Can frequently be found for around $80 used on Ebay or Mkt. place. Can be adjusted to load 2 3/4" or 3". Another good thing to have is a digital scale to check drop weights of various powders & bushings. You,ll find most mec powder bushings always drop a tad lighter than their chart says. All kinds of other things come in handy but those basics will get you started and see if its for you. It is nice to be able to whip up custom loads not normally available. As far as 12 & 20 target loads if your starting from scratch you,ll not save money over buying them on sale by the case. Hunting loads & 16,28 & 410 target loads is where money can be saved on those.
Depends if it's an election year. I purchased mine specifically to smooth out shooting costs. When scared people hoard shells, it gets mighty expensive to shoot even 12 gauge trap loads. RM
roy brewington
Well-known member
Yea it does seem that way. Got to be ready to stock up on the good sales! Right now every things getting cheaper and some components readily available . Time to stock up...
Clinton John
Active member
If your loading tss like I do. You will save a small fortune handloading over buying factory tss ammo.
roy brewington
Well-known member
Haven,t stepped into TSS yet but do load Bismuth for 20,s and will be loading some for my 28. Even loading Bismuth savings are substantial over factory loads available.
Noah Shaver
Member
Let me start this post off by saying this is solely my opinion, and you know the saying about opinions.
Lee Load All: A good press to get a feel for loading shells. You will fight it a good bit to get crimp height right and you need a new press for every gauge. I used one for about a week before I said "there has to be a better way." This press is not designed to load new hulls. Basically a hunk of plastic.
MEC presses: Much higher quality than the Lee Load All's. Can be a bit finicky on adjustment. The factory crimp starters are junk, get the upgraded version BPI sells. This press is not designed to load new hulls. Will need a new press for every gauge.
Italian Presses: Companies like OMV and Gaep have produced a small press that gives us the "factory style crimps" we are accustomed to on new ammo. It is important to note that these machines are designed and built to load new hulls. They have a initial crimp station, a ribassatore crimp station, and a final crimp station that is rotating at 900 RPM to apply the factory rolled finished to the fold crimp. The machines are easy to configure, I load everything from 410 to 10 gauge on mine.
The Italian presses provide crimps that are beautiful. I can change calibers and adjust the press in less than a minute. However, they are not designed to be a "reloader." There is no station for depriming or resizing, though they do sell a handy little contraption for that process.
If you are going to be a non toxic shot loader chances are you are going to be loading mainly new hulls. If you are a trap shooter you are likely going to be re-loading fired hulls. I would buy the press that suits your needs best.
Here's a few 10 gauge shells from the other day:
And some 410 on the same press: (ask your buddy with a MEC if they can do that
)
Lee Load All: A good press to get a feel for loading shells. You will fight it a good bit to get crimp height right and you need a new press for every gauge. I used one for about a week before I said "there has to be a better way." This press is not designed to load new hulls. Basically a hunk of plastic.
MEC presses: Much higher quality than the Lee Load All's. Can be a bit finicky on adjustment. The factory crimp starters are junk, get the upgraded version BPI sells. This press is not designed to load new hulls. Will need a new press for every gauge.
Italian Presses: Companies like OMV and Gaep have produced a small press that gives us the "factory style crimps" we are accustomed to on new ammo. It is important to note that these machines are designed and built to load new hulls. They have a initial crimp station, a ribassatore crimp station, and a final crimp station that is rotating at 900 RPM to apply the factory rolled finished to the fold crimp. The machines are easy to configure, I load everything from 410 to 10 gauge on mine.
The Italian presses provide crimps that are beautiful. I can change calibers and adjust the press in less than a minute. However, they are not designed to be a "reloader." There is no station for depriming or resizing, though they do sell a handy little contraption for that process.
If you are going to be a non toxic shot loader chances are you are going to be loading mainly new hulls. If you are a trap shooter you are likely going to be re-loading fired hulls. I would buy the press that suits your needs best.
Here's a few 10 gauge shells from the other day:
And some 410 on the same press: (ask your buddy with a MEC if they can do that
)
Noah,
Thanks for the tip on MEC shotshell reloaders. RM
Clinton John
Active member
Lee load all II does 6 and 8 point crimps on my new Fio and federal hulls just fine as well as recrimps fired hulls just fine as well.Let me start this post off by saying this is solely my opinion, and you know the saying about opinions.
Lee Load All: A good press to get a feel for loading shells. You will fight it a good bit to get crimp height right and you need a new press for every gauge. I used one for about a week before I said "there has to be a better way." This press is not designed to load new hulls. Basically a hunk of plastic.
MEC presses: Much higher quality than the Lee Load All's. Can be a bit finicky on adjustment. The factory crimp starters are junk, get the upgraded version BPI sells. This press is not designed to load new hulls. Will need a new press for every gauge.
Italian Presses: Companies like OMV and Gaep have produced a small press that gives us the "factory style crimps" we are accustomed to on new ammo. It is important to note that these machines are designed and built to load new hulls. They have a initial crimp station, a ribassatore crimp station, and a final crimp station that is rotating at 900 RPM to apply the factory rolled finished to the fold crimp. The machines are easy to configure, I load everything from 410 to 10 gauge on mine.
The Italian presses provide crimps that are beautiful. I can change calibers and adjust the press in less than a minute. However, they are not designed to be a "reloader." There is no station for depriming or resizing, though they do sell a handy little contraption for that process.
If you are going to be a non toxic shot loader chances are you are going to be loading mainly new hulls. If you are a trap shooter you are likely going to be re-loading fired hulls. I would buy the press that suits your needs best.
Here's a few 10 gauge shells from the other day:
View attachment 68405
And some 410 on the same press: (ask your buddy with a MEC if they can do that
View attachment 68408
My MEC is a better unit for sure and it crimps 6 and 8 point on new hulls perfectly fine. As well as recrimps fired hulls just fine. Didn't take much adjusting to get it right.
My OMV is a fantastic unit but frankly I didn't find it worth he cost over the MEC unit.
Interesting, the idea of 1 machine versus several for multiple gauges is intriguing. I'd like to learn more about your setup.Let me start this post off by saying this is solely my opinion, and you know the saying about opinions.
Lee Load All: A good press to get a feel for loading shells. You will fight it a good bit to get crimp height right and you need a new press for every gauge. I used one for about a week before I said "there has to be a better way." This press is not designed to load new hulls. Basically a hunk of plastic.
MEC presses: Much higher quality than the Lee Load All's. Can be a bit finicky on adjustment. The factory crimp starters are junk, get the upgraded version BPI sells. This press is not designed to load new hulls. Will need a new press for every gauge.
Italian Presses: Companies like OMV and Gaep have produced a small press that gives us the "factory style crimps" we are accustomed to on new ammo. It is important to note that these machines are designed and built to load new hulls. They have a initial crimp station, a ribassatore crimp station, and a final crimp station that is rotating at 900 RPM to apply the factory rolled finished to the fold crimp. The machines are easy to configure, I load everything from 410 to 10 gauge on mine.
The Italian presses provide crimps that are beautiful. I can change calibers and adjust the press in less than a minute. However, they are not designed to be a "reloader." There is no station for depriming or resizing, though they do sell a handy little contraption for that process.
If you are going to be a non toxic shot loader chances are you are going to be loading mainly new hulls. If you are a trap shooter you are likely going to be re-loading fired hulls. I would buy the press that suits your needs best.
Here's a few 10 gauge shells from the other day:
View attachment 68405
And some 410 on the same press: (ask your buddy with a MEC if they can do that
View attachment 68408
roy brewington
Well-known member
The beauty of Mec 600,s is they can be bought so cheap on the used mkt. you just set one up for the gauge your loading. PreCrimp on new hulls can be made easily with the brass precrimp die Ballistic Products sells. Easy switch. New hulls do have a memory and may try to open a bit without use of that die. I,ve got one set up for 2 3/4" 28, 2 3/4" 20, and 3" 20. Of course a 650 set up for 12 which I haven't used in quite a while.
Noah Shaver
Member
Mec presses do just fine and have loaded millions of shells. Nothing wrong with them at all. Just don't expect the factory style tapered crimp on new hulls. As Roy said, once you add the BPI super crown crimp starter the initial crimps turn out a lot better.
Henry, the Mec presses can be found second hand for cheap. Yes, you will need a unit for each gauge, but it wouldn't be too crazy to think that you could find a Mec for every gauge for the same price as what you would pay for a new Italian unit.
Again, if you will be reloading once fired hulls I would go the Mec route. New hulls only I would go with the OMV, no question
Henry, the Mec presses can be found second hand for cheap. Yes, you will need a unit for each gauge, but it wouldn't be too crazy to think that you could find a Mec for every gauge for the same price as what you would pay for a new Italian unit.
Again, if you will be reloading once fired hulls I would go the Mec route. New hulls only I would go with the OMV, no question
Noah,
Question for you and others acquainted with the OMV. You state that it isn't designed for reloading. I'm guessing that is because it has additional crimp stations for new hulls. Wouldn't it be possible to skip those additional crimp stations when working with reloads, since it appears to be a single stage press? I would rather have one press than several if for no other reason than to save bench space.
RM
Question for you and others acquainted with the OMV. You state that it isn't designed for reloading. I'm guessing that is because it has additional crimp stations for new hulls. Wouldn't it be possible to skip those additional crimp stations when working with reloads, since it appears to be a single stage press? I would rather have one press than several if for no other reason than to save bench space.
RM