Or how expensive the components are.Depends on how much you shoot.
No.I have been reloading pistol and rifle ammo for decades. Is reloading shotgun shells coast effective?
Thanks
I'd say starting from square one, having to buy the reloading equipment and the components, no, it would probably not be cheaper to reload.Ok thanks. I didn't know and didn't want to start if it wasn't. I would be starting from scratch and I haven't done the math. I saw a video where a guy said it was cheaper to use 177 B's from walmart instead of lead shot. I don't shoot shotgun very much so might not be cost effective for me. However some of the shot shells are very expensive depending on the load and shot. Particularly steal shot. I only dove hunt and shoot skeet/clays occasionally.
Thanks again.
In that case you needn’t worry about steel shot. Lead 7-1/2 or 8 shot works really well for both of these activities, and are usually the cheapest factory ammo to buy.I only dove hunt and shoot skeet/clays occasionally.
In my experience, reloading target loads is not cost-effective not because of the $$, but because of the time you invest to sit there and make them. You will only save a few cents after every 25 shells you reload, compared to the store-bought stuff. IMO your time and efforts are better spent elsewhere if you live close to a Walmart, Academy, etc.
Now, if the closest ammo depot/gun store is far away from your homestead, then yes it could be well worth it. I know a few gentlemen that live in the incorporated areas of Hudspeth and Culberson Counties, and they have to reload since the closest location that sells ammo is over 100 miles away. They keep and reload their hulls, and boy when they compete... they are good.
The only way "I personally" see a benefit to reloading shotgun loads, is reloading slugs, buck & ball, or shot & ball.
I must disagree. I shoot recreational skeet, trap and sporting clays to the tune of over 6,000 targets a year. There has not been shotgun target ammo in my local Walmart for two years.
The closest Academy or Bass Pro is 50 miles away. The guys I shoot with said that they had none or bought no more than 1 or 2 hundred shells (limits) any time they went there.
It has gotten so bad that my club has twice made 1/2 trailer load buys for members to buy 10 box flats for $100.
I can reload all four skeet gauges and consider $4 a box savings tremendous. If I only shot a couple of hundred shells a year, I might not care.
As for time spent reloading, I’ve been doing it for about 40 years and find it enjoyable.
Defensive buck shot is very expensive ($19.oo for a box of 5) and I would like to reload buck shot at a cheaper price then what is on the shelf. I can get a basic reloader for 70 bucks. I don't think it would take long to cover the cost for loading buck shot ammo.In that case you needn’t worry about steel shot. Lead 7-1/2 or 8 shot works really well for both of these activities, and are usually the cheapest factory ammo to buy.
Don't forget to factor in powder and primers, both even when found are going to be expensive.Defensive buck shot is very expensive ($19.oo for a box of 5) and I would like to reload buck shot at a cheaper price then what is on the shelf. I can get a basic reloader for 70 bucks. I don't think it would take long to cover the cost for loading buck shot ammo.
I have plenty of powder and primers. I would need wads and shot.Don't forget to factor in powder and primers, both even when found are going to be expensive.
Agree, but there is "some" flexibility. Smokeless pistol powder like you say is not very forgiving, but I have had some success with homemade black powder trials with target loads.Remember that with shotgun you need to follow the recipe exactly, no substitute allowed.