Factory shells or handrolled?

[12GA guy]

How many shotshell reloaders do we have on here?

I started out shooting factory shells, and still do occasionly if I need to gather some more once fired shells, or the calcutta is to big to ignore.

The majority of my clay games is trap, so finding a good load and sticking with it has really helped my scores. Usually I load a fairly light recoiling 1oz load, 1180fps.

I still have a case of AA supersport (1350fps 1oz) to use up for sporting clays, then I might have to try cooking up a higher velocity handload to use.

[skeet]

Real quick before you even sit down...go buy some shot. The price is going to go to over 21 bucks US. While you are at it buy a case or two of factory in the flavor you use...cause shells will be going up too. Been reloading for more years than I like to remember and have loaded well over a million. I do shoot a little trap and a very occassional round of sporting clays...but I mainly shoot skeet these days

[fabsroman]

What do you mean you mainly shoot skeet nowadays. I would say you mainly shot skeet your entire life, Skeet!!!!

I don't shoot anything near as fast as you do for anything except maybe hunting loads. For clays, I usually stick with 1,200 fps on almost every load, whether it is 1 1/8 or 1 oz. That way, the leads are always the same. However, I do have one exception, and that is for 16 yard trap. I use a load going 1,080 fps in 1 1/8 oz., but have been thinking about using a 1 oz. load of 8's at 1,200 fps. That is my main sporting clays load and it seems to be working just fine on the sporting clays course.

I don't shoot or reload as much as Skeet, but everytime I sit down I usually load several thousand shells, if not close to 5,000. I figure once I get started, I might as well make a day of it.

[6.5s4ever]

I mainly shoot trap and have been reloading for probably twenty years or more. This past year shot ,powder and even wads the prices have been going up, so I started to buy factory loaded cases of shells when they go on sale at Gander Mountain or my local gunshop. I buy Federal Top Gun at gander or Remington Gun Club at the gunshop by the case. I can actually buy them lately cheaper than I can reload them. But still reload a few boxes because I enjoy doing it. Regards Roy

[skeet]

Fabs...I don't shoot anywhere near as much as I used to. For at least 9 years I shot more than 50,000 shells a year at pigeons blackbirds bumblebees dragonflies and trap. We didn't have sporting clays then. Even shot a little skeet every now and then. I loaded every day so I could shoot on the weekends...and some nights. I loaded shells for 2..my mentor in the shooting fields and myself. I had to load 2000 shells or more every week on a single stage mec reloader. Had that sucker down to a science. 200 shells or a little more per hour...and no primer feed either..

6.5's--- I hear ya on the gun clubs etc. I have bought and sold more than 400 cases in the last 4 months...and I mean cases..20 box cases. 800 flats as they call them now. It's still cheaper to reload but not by much...and the prices of Top guns and Estates are going up too. Don't know how long shot will stay up...hopefully not too long but by April we will be looking at $3.00 diesel fuel and gas. Got that word from my connection at the local oil supplier(he's a shooter). Shutting down some refineries for maintenance in April.

I know I am a bit older than you all...but when I first started reloading in 1959 a box of 12 ga shells cost about 47 cents to reload. Paper shells of course. My first case of shells (Peters trap loads) cost $21.00 Things have gone up just a little bit

[Dom]

I buy 'em. At least over here, I get a good discount when I buy by 10,000 rounds, plus all that time I would have "enjoyed" at the reloading bench is reserved for shooting, hey, can't beat that, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[fabsroman]

Yeah, I guess if I am ever too busy to sit down at the reloading table and load shells, it would make sense to work those couple of hours and buy the shells. Then again, at the rate I have been going lately, I don't have any time to shoot, so I don't need to worry about reloading or buying shells.

[12GA guy]

Skeet, 200 shells an hour on a single stage? Yikes. You are a reloading God, I kneel to you.. You must have had a right arm like Popeye.

I try to get a good rhythm going, and if I don't get any shot bridging in the shot tube, and making a mess all over the place, I can usually do just over a hundred an hour. (no primer feed) I thought that was pretty good, now I am humbled.

Component costs have gone up, lead probably being the leader in price jumps. I can get away with using reclaimed shot most of the time, and some fellows at the clubs sell pretty good homemade shot that I buy from time to time. It's a darn shame really, as I look at reloading as a hobby as well as a slight money saver, and really enjoy the time at the bench.

[skeet]

Hi 12 ga--- I have a friend who loads on a Mec 600 Jr with a primer feed who can do almost 300 an hour with a primer feed. He uses a large shot tube and sets up all his cases etc in advance. He really has it down to a science. I can only do about 175 anymore on my sizemasters...but I only use them occassionally . Have packed up most of my progressive loaders for moving and that is all I have available right now. Heck I even sold my Dillon XL650's... all of them and the 1050 too.
Now as to the reloading thing. I despise reloading anymore...mostly. After all these years I really don't like doing it...and as for buying shot from people who make it. BOY ...they must really enjoy their time away from momma or something. I learned a long time ago I didn't need to make shot. My shotmaker has been sitting under the bench for 10 yrs minimum. As far as Fabs...don't listen to him too much. He's rich and can afford the new ammo. And he ain't a bad gun pointer...for an attorney...and a rich guy! You know how them rich people usually are. They type a good game....but he really does what he types. BUT..He needs to get out shooting more. All work and no play Fabs... You know what that makes ya?? A frustrated attorney! Nothing more dangerous than a frustrated attorney!! hehehe

[fabsroman]

Oh there is something worse than a frustrated attorney, and that is a frustrated attorney/CPA during tax season that knows how to use firearms pretty well.

[12GA guy]

Well you know the saying.

99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

[skeet]

Well 12 ga...I guess you are right. Frustrated attorneys/CPa's and armed postal workers. "Shudder" A real scary thought, huh??