Reloading cost - 12 and 28 ga.

ksherbine

ksherbine

Active member
Reloaders, I have a couple of questions:

1. I used to reload a ton of shotgun shells, but then since the Wal-mart 100 packs started getting so cheap I couldn't justify the time anymore (plus got a little busy and lazy). Now with the price of ammo skyrocketing, I'm wondering if I should look into it again. What do you guys have in a box of 12 ga. "trap" or "clays" loads?

2. My 9 year old just started shooting a 28 ga, and I was FLOORED by the price of those shells. They're more than DOUBLE the price of 12 ga. loads. Does anybody here reload 28 ga. shells? What do you have in a box of shells?

3. Has anybody used one of those cheap Lee Load All reloaders? How do they hold up? I'm considering getting one for 28 ga (actually I'm not even sure if they make them), because it's a lot easier to justify than a MEC, especially as it will only be used for a few years, but they look pretty flimsy.

Thanks guys!
 
Kirk,

Forget the Lee Loadall. They are indeed flimsy. Find a used MEC 600 or sizemaster in the gauges you want. I would think if you asked around you should be able to find one for $50 or less.

As far as reloading costs: I reload 12, 20 and 28 ga. for target and hunting. I load 28 ga. the most and based on lead @ $26/bag and not including the hulls, I can reload a box for less than $3. Your best bet is to buy a few boxes of Winchester AAHS 28 ga. target loads and reload them up to about a dozen times. Here is a handy reloading calculator that will help to convince you: http://10xshooters.com/calculators/ShotshellReloadingCost/#ounces

I bought a new MEC 650 three years ago for 28 ga. and have loaded in the neighborhood of 12 cases of shells in that time frame. I have at least a $5/ box savings and as much as $7 depending on what I would have paid. At $5/box that is a savings of $600 or at least double the cost of my reloader and all the stuff that went with it.

For 12 ga. the savings isn't nearly as good and you might be better off buying Wal-Mart specials for $22/100.
 
Kirk,
There's more to the reloading than just saving money. Get you and your son into it. The time together is a great bonding/jawing time.
There was a time, mid 80's, when I was going through around 20,000 rounds a year and reloading was my only cost effective alternative. My oldest son, Brian, and I spent tons of time together reloading. My primary loader then was a MEC Grabber and it churned shells out rapidly. I moved up later to the Pondsness-Warren and it was even cooler. For the 20 ga. & .410 that we shot, we had several MEC Jr. 600's and they worked great. That's what I started my son on so he could concentrate on one shell at a time. Great learning tool.
Go for it.
Lou
 
That's what I started my son on so he could concentrate on one shell at a time. Great learning tool.
Go for it.
Lou
Click to expand...


I have to agree with Lou concerning a single stage loader. It is the best tool for any beginning reloader. If you short stroke or otherwise screw up a shell, you're not faced with five others in various stages of completion that were affected also. Once you are completely comfortable using a single stage, that is the time to move to a progressive if so inclinded.
 
Kirk,I haven't broken it out lately,but I stopped loading 20 & 12ga loads for target work,because I could buy them cheaper at Walmart.I do load a couple boxes of 20 & 12 for ducks,using Bizmuth.The 28ga is the most expensive shell to reload with the .410 running a very close second.This is mainly because of the case.Once you have suitable cases,then they are slightly cheaper than 20 ga,because of the lighter shot load,(also powder in .410).Turns out that a 12ga 1oz load is the cheapest to load.I only shoot the 28ga for Birds and a few boxes a year is all I need.The AA hulls will last for 7-9 reloads.Most shooting is with the 20ga at about $6 a box from Walmart.I cant load them that cheap anymore.
 
Kirk
I have to go along with these gentlemen. In fact I bought a MEC reloader from Pete just to start reloading for 28 gauge. Buying the 28gauge kit from MEC I now reload for sporting clays/skeet. I have yet to shoot any of the reloads due to some medical problems but look forward to doing so this spring.
wis boz
 
I agree I wouldn't waste your time and money with a lee. Find a use mec 600 or versa mec.
They are pretty tuff machines and really easy to use. Mec has great customer service and they will send you any parts you would possibly need. I have seem lots for sale on ebay as well as on bulletin boards at gun clubs. You should be able to find one with for $50- $75 plus you never know what you’ll get in the deal you could end up with shot powder and wads thrown in as well.
Besides loading target loads you can also load hunting loads check out the price on a box of premium copper plated high velocity 28 gauge ammo- in 4 boxes you can pay for your loader.
I got admit I’m a little bias toward mec- I own 4 progressives 9000s and 7 single stage 600s 700s and vesa mecs plus a pw 375 -I prefer the mecs plus they are made in Wisconsin
 
Thanks for the help guys.

I already have 2 Mec's, a 600 Jr. and a progressive. I agree that their quality is top notch.

Does anybody know about their gauge conversion kits? I have a 12 ga. reloader that I'm not using that I could convert to 28 gauge, but I'd probably be better off finding a used one.

Lou- That's a great point about getting the kids involved. They're always asking me about it, and they LOVE tying flies with me. Maybe I could just get them trained and then set up my own little SWEAT SHOP, HEHEHEHEH.....

I'll keep my eyes open for a used Mec 28 ga. reloader!

Thanks again!!
 
Kirk, I also toss in a vote for MEC. Had a Loadall and sold it. Never missed it. Now I have several Grabbers and Sizemasters. I also fooled around for a bit changing dies but the thrill of that wore off real fast. Now I just switch them out on the bench for different guages. BTW a real nice hint for mounting any loader is to mount it on a cafeteria tray to catch the spills unless you never do ;-) Have fun.
 
Kirk
I converted a 12gauge on my MEC to a 28 gauge. You can get the 28 gauge kit for your Mec. Check with the company.
wis boz
 
Boz-

Good to see you posting again! Hope you're feeling better.

How hard is it to put kit on? Does it work as well as the regular reloader then?

The kit looks to be around $50, which is some of the used reloaders seem to be going for. If I can't find a used reloader I may go that route.

Thanks,
Kirk
 
Can anyone recommend a good book/DVD on reloading and where is a good source for used equipment? I haven't a clue on this subject and since I have started shooting sporting clays I need to learn and if my wife starts shooting with me as she says she plans on doing, we may have to re-mortgage the house if I don't.
 
The 28ga will be expensive loads to buy. The web site for Hodgdon an Alliant powders have lots of load data to choose from. If you shoot 3/4 oz target and also want to load for a fast 7/8 oz field load, then choose the hulls that will give what you want with same type of powder. Fed target, Win AA and Rem STS all have loads for 3/4 oz lead and Bismuth using Longshot powder. All three hull types have 7/8 oz lead loads that use Lil'Gun powder. Then select loads for these hulls that use the same type primer if possible. This way you not will be stuck with one type of hull. The most expense will be in primers and shot. The following example will be with current prices for components.

Cost Per Shell (approx.)
primer $0.04
powder (13gr-14gr) $0.03
wad $0.02
shot lead (3/4 oz) $0.06
------
total $0.15
Box (25) $3.75

Once fired hulls $0.14 to $0.20 each, $3.50 to $5.00 box 25.

The cost of buying Ammo to get the hulls or buying hulls can be a big variable in the cost!
If you get some target loads for $7.50/box (no tax and really cheap) and subtract $3.75, component cost, $3.75 will be the cost for once fired hulls that you can reload.
If you buy the cheaper shells like Rio or Estate, there is very little load data for these hulls. The brand Rio 28ga 1 oz load you can buy for under $9.00/box 25, but you will be hard pressed to find reloading data for 1 oz in 28ga.

Start researching the cost of loads you want to use by the box or reloaded by the box to see if it worth the expense. The 20ga would have been a better choice for economy.

.
 
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Kirk
To answer your questions--the Mec 600Jr is what I have and you can set it up for 12 gauge 20 gauge or 28 gauge. It takes a bit to change from one to another. What I did is bought two used (in good condition)600 jr Mecs, one on ebay and one from Pete McMiller. I then have one rigged for 12, one for 20, and one for 28 gauges so I don't have to spend time changing gauges on just one unit. As many have commented it's just as cheap to buy over the counter 12 and 20 gauges but not the 28 gauge. I'm referring to lead shot only--non toxic is another story and there are better experts on that than I especially Pete, Joe, etc..
wis boz
 
Denny,

Get Lymans Shotshell Reloading Handbook - 5th edition. Currently available from Cabalas and others for less than $20. It has all the information you need to get started.
 
I second what Pete says, Lymans book will be one of the best investments you can make for reloading. Great source for the beginner. When reloading keep careful notes of what your doing. I use a date code system that I write on each box and I can cross reference to my reloading log. down the road you will be able to better evaluate different loads and different wad, primer, powder combinations. The Mec's are great machines. I have two that I picked up for $25 each and the guy I bought them from threw in wad, hulls, shot. a few months later a friend gave me his Mec jr with a complete change over kit for 3" 12's. Have fun and enjoy the experience of making your own shells.
 
Kirk
Depending on what you or your son plan to do with the 28ga gun.If you are not going to get into registered Skeet shooting,I wouldn't bother with the 28ga.I always bought a case of AA 28ga Skeet loads and only shot them for registered shoots,including the reloaded hulls.The 250 -500 hulls lasted me for years.I only practiced with the 20ga and occasionally the .410.When you start switching hull manufactures around,you start needing machine adjustments,especially with the smaller ga.You can load the 20ga to lessen the recoil down to the 28ga level and save a lot of $$.
 
Thanks Joe-

Basically what we're going to do is just go shoot sporting clays and "clay pigeons in the backyard", once or twice a week for the next 6 months or so.

Long story short, my 9 year old shot my old .410 single shot probably 4-5 times and actually did half decent (maybe 20 out of 100 when he'd go along with us to the sporting clays course). Then I won a youth 20 gauge 870 and tried to move him up to that but it was too heavy and long and kicked too much. So I got an old stock and old barrel for a 870 28 gauge I had lying around and cut them down for him. My plan is to let him shoot that 28 for the next couple of years until he's ready to try the 20 gauge again. At that point I'll put the original stock and barrel back on the 28 and do who knows what with it.

This will strictly be for clays, as he's not allowed to hunt upland game or waterfowl until he's 12.

Thanks,
 
In that case,you may be better off buying the cheapest 28ga target loads you can find and forget buying equipment to reload them.He'll get into the 20ga soon.Did you say that you put the 28ga barrel on the 20ga receiver,and it works????
 
No, it's a 28 gauge 870. I bought an old barrel without the rib on e-bay for $50 so I wouldn't feel bad taking the sawzall to it.

I have an 870 20 gauge as well. Re-reading the post I should have been more clear.

I'm getting a price on a case of 28 gauge target loads, but I'm guessing they'll still be $8-$10 per box.
 
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