Reloading shotshells
 

Since I’ve started shooting sporting clays I’ve notice a lot of the guys reload their shells. Since I reload my hangun shells I figure I might as well give it a try.

So I picked up this Ponsness Warren reloader that is set up for 12 and 28 ga. It cost about the same to reload as the cheap Walmart specials in 12 ga. But there is some savings in 28 ga, I just don't have a 28 ga. I guess I’ll have to either buy some tubes for my O/U, or a new spoon. Since I’m already set up to reload for it.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1521159478.jpg

I reload 12 gauge for skeet. I use Winchester AA shells and a MEC reloader.

I've been trying to get these to work:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1657554245/magtech-shotshell-hulls-12-gauge-2-1-2-brass

Using these dies on a single-stage press:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/296286/rcbs-cowboy-brass-shotshell-die-12-gauge

Here are a few that I reloaded. I used Remington gun club hulls, clays powder, Winchester primer and wads. I didn’t take a pic of the rejects that I pitched while I was figuring out the crimp height.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1521162303.jpg

I'm *really* good at spending other people's money, especially when it comes to spoons.

Check out the CZ-usa imported side by side 28s ... They offer an O/U too I think but I've always thought that a 28ga should be a SxS

CZ 28-Gauge Bobwhite Review - Guns & Ammo

http://www.gunsandammo.com/files/201...bwhite_001.jpg

CZ-usa also offers a pump, "only" $400 should you wish to drop down to plebeian utility firearms :)

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/24864/Firearms/Shotguns/CZ-USA/Pump+Shotguns/CZ-USA+628+FIELD+SELECT+28+GAUGE

Now you need to make your own shot. Seriously.

That would definatly get the cost down. There is one guy that I shoot with that makes shot. Not sure what all is involved.

You can also buy pre-shot shot.

https://redlandsshootingpark.com/reclaimed-lead-shot-for-sale-shipment/ $65 for 50lbs delivered isn't much more than I paid for "virgin" shot back in the 80s.... $1/lb

I have a friend that does his own shot and it shoots so well others pay him a premium for it. He is probably one of the best at clays in our area.

Then again, he used to go to a quarry and have people toss marbles for him to shoot with his Mini-14. No, he isn't Ad Topperwien.

I reload 28ga on a mec. Good stuff.

Do not buy tubes for your 12. Buy a proper scaled frame 28ga. Be warned however your other guns will gather dust.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought about picking this up. I'm a fairly serious handgun and rifle reloader and bullet caster, and have been for over 40 years. Seems it would make sense to pick up shotshell reloading as well.

Well, I'm sorry to report, it just didn't make sense for me. I don't shoot enough shotgun, never having gotten into any of the clay bird games (although I've had just a yee-haw time on the occasions I have shot some). I really only shotgun to hunt. I don't go through but a few boxes of shells every year in total, and they vary from our mandated non-toxic for waterfowl and some upland on our West side, 3" mag #6's for eastside pheasant, 2 3/4" 7 1/2's for grouse, etc. I would be changing setups constantly to load a box or two of each.

That, and I don't see the really "fun" part for us hopeless tinkerers and experimenters - shotgun reloading follows set "recipes", which removes the experimentation and fooling around inherent in metallic cartridge reloading. To met, that's the main reason I reload. I would reload even if it were more expensive than buying commercial.

But, yeah, I can absolutely see it for you high-volume trap and skeet shooters. The thousands of rounds per year that you guys chew through would soon put you in the poorhouse without reloading. For a duffer like me, though, the ROI just isn't there.

I'll vouch for the CZ side-by-sides, having bought one of their "Upland" models in 12 gauge last fall. My only complaint is that the bluing is already getting thin where I carry it. Of course the upside to that is that I actually carried it enough in one season, with my new dog Ed at my side, to do that...



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1521241703.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1521241703.JPG

How does one make their own shot? I thought it required a 100-foot tall shot tower to manufacture.

I'm trying to develop a skeet load using brass shells. One of the problems is that brass shells are thinner than plastic shells. My first attempt used 10 gauge wads, but they are expensive, so I tried to use shot wrap around 12 gauge wads. There was a pop and shot rolled down the barrel. So back to 10 gauge wads.

Another problem is how to seal the end. Brass doesn't crimp like plastic. I bought 10 gauge overshot cards. The shells weren't building up enough pressure, so I tried gluing them in with Elmer's glue (saw a youtube video on this). Well, it tended to leak past the overshot card and glue the shot together. So then I tried pouring sodium silicate over the overshot cards. Because it has water in it, it tended to leak past the overshot card and build up next to the wad. Third attempt was using parafin. I haven't tested it yet.

I do this because once I get it right, I'll have shells I can pretty much reload forever.

Have you seen this thread yet? https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/roll-crimping-brass-shotshells.673425/ sounds exactly like your issue

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VI47bl2h0cU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>