- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Supplies for loading your own 12 guage shells
Posted on 8/12/20 at 6:28 am
Posted on 8/12/20 at 6:28 am
My dad used to do this when he was a hunter/shooter and I’d like to start to be able to as well.
I think I’ve found a solid place to buy shells/primers/wads for a good price but want some help trying to find shot and powder locally to help avoid shipping charges that may negate the entire purpose of making my own shells. Does anyone know of good places in the Nola area or as close as possible to get shot and powder? Also any information on different materials/types of shot and powder for this would be appreciated
I think I’ve found a solid place to buy shells/primers/wads for a good price but want some help trying to find shot and powder locally to help avoid shipping charges that may negate the entire purpose of making my own shells. Does anyone know of good places in the Nola area or as close as possible to get shot and powder? Also any information on different materials/types of shot and powder for this would be appreciated
4
Posted on 8/12/20 at 7:42 am to jlovel7
You can wait for midway usa to offer a free hazmat shipping special. That helps on costs.
Posted on 8/12/20 at 8:33 am to Duckhammer_77
quote:
You can wait for midway usa to offer a free hazmat shipping special. That helps on costs.
I’ve heard their customer service has gone to shite recently and they’re having a hard time fulfilling orders and even making it right with customers once that happens.
Posted on 8/12/20 at 9:31 am to jlovel7
quote:
Does anyone know of good places in the Nola area or as close as possible to get shot and powder
Call LA Gun and Reloading in Baton Rouge. They had a good supply of powder last time I went.
My dad also used to load shotshell and eventually gave it up because the price of lead went way up. Know what you’re getting into when you start - I’ve been loading for pistol and rifle for years but shotshell is in a whole different category.
Posted on 8/12/20 at 11:05 am to jlovel7
As a former trap shooter, and someone who loaded shotgun shells for 20+ years here are a few tips I can offer. First stay with published recipes. You can not substitute hulls or primers for a given recipe. There is no "working up" a load for shotguns. Wads can be substituted if it says it's a direct replacement such as those from claybuster, downrange, etc. Buying in bulk definitely saves money. 8lbs of powder, 5000 wads, 5000 primers. Find a local trap or skeet club and they may carry supplies cheaper than retail stores. Some will order for you as well.
Alliant makes a powder called Promo that is blended to be the same burn rate as Red Dot if you are looking for target loads it will be the most economical. I used several jugs of it and never had a problem and won a few trophies with it. You must use a scale as the density may be different. Also use a scale no matter what powder you use. Bushing charts get you close but can be off by .5 grains.
If you just want to load a case of shells here and there to hunt/play with, then no sense buying in bulk. You will save money over premium shells but it's about a wash with cheap shells. The difference is your reloads will be a better shell than cheap ones. More in line with AA, STS, etc. We patterned and chronographed lots of factory shells and reloads at the trap club and reloads were always more consistent velocity wise than factory. Even premium shells.
If you post what your intended use is, shot weight, etc, I can offer some recipes from one of my reloading books. Alliant and Hodgdon have data in print and online. Lyman also published a big shotgun loading manual that I'm sure is still available.
Last thing I will offer is stick with one brand/style hull to make it easier for yourself. Winchester and Remington were the most common when I shot, as they can use the same style wads. Federal and the various European brands use a different wad size.
One more thing. If you choose to use a European primer like Rio, Nobel Sport, etc, keep in mind they can enlarge primer pockets as they are not tapered like American primers. I used Nobel Sport as they were about half the price of Winchester and they were a direct substitute but that was 8-10 years ago and I don't even know if they still make them.
Good luck and you can always ask around your local trap/skeet club for any help you may need. Most guys are happy to help a beginner from my experience.
Alliant makes a powder called Promo that is blended to be the same burn rate as Red Dot if you are looking for target loads it will be the most economical. I used several jugs of it and never had a problem and won a few trophies with it. You must use a scale as the density may be different. Also use a scale no matter what powder you use. Bushing charts get you close but can be off by .5 grains.
If you just want to load a case of shells here and there to hunt/play with, then no sense buying in bulk. You will save money over premium shells but it's about a wash with cheap shells. The difference is your reloads will be a better shell than cheap ones. More in line with AA, STS, etc. We patterned and chronographed lots of factory shells and reloads at the trap club and reloads were always more consistent velocity wise than factory. Even premium shells.
If you post what your intended use is, shot weight, etc, I can offer some recipes from one of my reloading books. Alliant and Hodgdon have data in print and online. Lyman also published a big shotgun loading manual that I'm sure is still available.
Last thing I will offer is stick with one brand/style hull to make it easier for yourself. Winchester and Remington were the most common when I shot, as they can use the same style wads. Federal and the various European brands use a different wad size.
One more thing. If you choose to use a European primer like Rio, Nobel Sport, etc, keep in mind they can enlarge primer pockets as they are not tapered like American primers. I used Nobel Sport as they were about half the price of Winchester and they were a direct substitute but that was 8-10 years ago and I don't even know if they still make them.
Good luck and you can always ask around your local trap/skeet club for any help you may need. Most guys are happy to help a beginner from my experience.
Posted on 8/12/20 at 8:18 pm to Bama Shadow
What bama said ...
I reload aa hulls and save 30 bucks per 250 shells or a flat of shells. I reload aa recipe for 1250 fps or 1300 fps loads. I use Winchester super handicap powder and get same loads as Winchester aa shells.
I reload aa hulls and save 30 bucks per 250 shells or a flat of shells. I reload aa recipe for 1250 fps or 1300 fps loads. I use Winchester super handicap powder and get same loads as Winchester aa shells.
Posted on 8/13/20 at 9:54 am to jlovel7
I used to reload when I was shooting skeet and clays three days a week but to be honest even shooting that much I don't think I ever saved a penny when I considered the time I spent doing it. I shoot maybe 1500 rounds a year now hunting dove, ducks and geese and I buy shells when they are on sale early in the season and I don't think it is possible to save any money loading them myself and I know it is far easier and I have only had maybe 10 factory shells in 47 years of shooting a shotgun that behaved abnormally....I would have about 2% of reloads act differently....
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News