Modern mathmatics of shotshell reloading (and a press question)

jclayto · December 4, 2009, 12:18 PM

I did a search on this before posting and it seems most post were circa 2007, so I'd like help with updated math.

my wife and I have started trap shooting a good deal and it seems the shells are just getting more expensive. In my area the cheapest thing you can find is $6 per box of 25.

I realize there is some value also to loading a better quality round, but we are novices at trap so right now the focus is to shoot more for less $.

What are you folks finding to be the cost of a loaded box of shells using the cheaper end stuff? nothing fancy, just your basic 1oz trap load.

I can get shot for $30 per 25lb bag at my range, so I am assuming that is the better deal than shipping.

Primers and powders seem to be about what I am paying for handgun powder/primers.

What do you guys think of the lee loadall 2?

not to open this can of worms, but personally i have not liked lee in the past.. I had a lot of problems with my lee equipment not throwing consistent charges (again not trying to start this argument), but the load all seems so basic that I almost see no room for error. is it working for you folks?

for those of you using a load all, about how long does it take to load a box of shells? not rushing, just normal safe use.

Thanks

Jon

CowTowner · December 4, 2009, 12:27 PM

I haven't done shot shell reloading in decades. That's my disclaimer right up front.
I used to own and use a MEC press.
Try this one:
http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/600JrMark5.asp

I'm sure there are better prices out there.

Jim Watson · December 4, 2009, 12:31 PM

Cost is straightforward arithmetic, you can look up the prices and figure it out. Bear in mind that there are 400 ounces in a 25 lb bag of shot and 7000 grains in a pound of powder. Wads are priced by the bag of 250 or 500 or case of 5000; primers priced by the 100 or 1000. Save the hulls from target loads like Remington STS and get maybe ten reloads.

I recommend one or another MEC loader depending on your situation.
I started with the single stage 600 Junior and went to a 650 progressive.
The Grabber is like a 650 with the addition of a resizing step which will be helpful if you shoot automatics or buy once fired hulls. But it takes a good deal more effort on the handle. Production rate is several minutes per box on the 600, a very few minutes on the 650. Sorry I can't be more precise, but it has been a while since I loaded many shotshells and I did not set a stopwatch on myself.

tom234 · December 4, 2009, 02:22 PM

Get a MEC loader & buy componets in large lots. Just plug in the numbers for cost...

http://10xshooters.com/calculators/S...ReloadingCost/

December 4, 2009, 12:18 PM	#1
jclayto Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 600	Modern mathmatics of shotshell reloading (and a press question) I did a search on this before posting and it seems most post were circa 2007, so I'd like help with updated math. my wife and I have started trap shooting a good deal and it seems the shells are just getting more expensive. In my area the cheapest thing you can find is $6 per box of 25. I realize there is some value also to loading a better quality round, but we are novices at trap so right now the focus is to shoot more for less $. What are you folks finding to be the cost of a loaded box of shells using the cheaper end stuff? nothing fancy, just your basic 1oz trap load. I can get shot for $30 per 25lb bag at my range, so I am assuming that is the better deal than shipping. Primers and powders seem to be about what I am paying for handgun powder/primers. What do you guys think of the lee loadall 2? not to open this can of worms, but personally i have not liked lee in the past.. I had a lot of problems with my lee equipment not throwing consistent charges (again not trying to start this argument), but the load all seems so basic that I almost see no room for error. is it working for you folks? for those of you using a load all, about how long does it take to load a box of shells? not rushing, just normal safe use. Thanks Jon

December 4, 2009, 12:27 PM	#2
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	I haven't done shot shell reloading in decades. That's my disclaimer right up front. I used to own and use a MEC press. Try this one: http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/600JrMark5.asp I'm sure there are better prices out there. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

December 4, 2009, 12:31 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,186	Cost is straightforward arithmetic, you can look up the prices and figure it out. Bear in mind that there are 400 ounces in a 25 lb bag of shot and 7000 grains in a pound of powder. Wads are priced by the bag of 250 or 500 or case of 5000; primers priced by the 100 or 1000. Save the hulls from target loads like Remington STS and get maybe ten reloads. I recommend one or another MEC loader depending on your situation. I started with the single stage 600 Junior and went to a 650 progressive. The Grabber is like a 650 with the addition of a resizing step which will be helpful if you shoot automatics or buy once fired hulls. But it takes a good deal more effort on the handle. Production rate is several minutes per box on the 600, a very few minutes on the 650. Sorry I can't be more precise, but it has been a while since I loaded many shotshells and I did not set a stopwatch on myself.

December 4, 2009, 02:22 PM	#4
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	Get a MEC loader & buy componets in large lots. Just plug in the numbers for cost... http://10xshooters.com/calculators/S...ReloadingCost/