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Old Artilleryman


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Cost of handloads?
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I don't think anybody's asked this question this year, so here goes.

Given that the cost per 100 of 12 ga. "everyday loads", "trap and field" etc. in 7 1/2s are now going for about $28-$29 + tax ($.06 in MI) at Wal-Mart (Federal, Winchester), is anyone out there finding it less expensive to reload said hulls. Of course, I'm not considering the time involved.

I also realize that people who shoot in the various "crow heavens" (e.g., Bob, now Butch)biggrin don't have time to reload because they're too busy counting the carnage and hauling crow carcasses off in the Cart of Deathclap.gif. But for us poorer types who only see crows in the single digits (see *edit below), in other people's happy photos (e.g., Bob, now Butch), at the museum (stuffed)no; is the total cost of components (financially) worth the effort for you?

Jes' wonderin'

*Actually not true...as yesterday I saw more than 200 bandits munching on something in a cut field, within 10 miles from home. However, I predicted that would happen during October--it always happens after the season endsmad.gif.



-- Edited by Old Artilleryman on Wednesday 29th of October 2014 11:44:30 PM

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Butch


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O.A.

Brother I like your style! But us gettin lucky on a few good shoots doesn't put us in Bob's and others on here's level as crow killers. But thanks for the mention.
Now to your question, we reload and the savings on what we load is fair. It cost us about $6 per box, a comparable new box is between $9 to $11 retail, of course this is not counting time to load and time to round up supplies. The problem for us has been getting the powder we use and primers, every time you change any of these even power pistons you have to be careful because pressures can change a lot. But when we have the components we like its enjoyable to me to load, a bad weather day or during a colledge ball game, I'm old school and listen on the radio in the gun room with a pot of coffee and I can crank out a case in an hour being in no hurry. The problem with availability of said components in the Obama age is very aggravating as is the price gouging that goes on. Lead shot is high, best we did on 25lbs this year was $45 a bag up to $50 and I don't think this will get much better but you never know.
So we save a little on a upper end load but if you don't enjoy loading I would not start it just to save money it is time consuming.

Now we have been buying from Academy Sports Remington heavy dove 1 1/8 shot in 6 and 7 /12 for $6 a box, I think we've bought 12 cases and have a rain check on 10 more, this for us is a good factory load for the price and I don't think we can load this and save anything.
Again to reload now it has to be something you enjoy doing, I am no expert in this field of reloading and of course it's just my thoughts.

By the way O.A. If you want to come South and help with the carnage here's an open invite to you, I'm retired now and have the time to hunt.


Butch

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Old Artilleryman


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Butch:

Been collecting reloading gear and am almost complete. Retired also, but lacking time due to family obligations (my mom in her high 90s lives with us) and church duties. From what I hear, loading is therapeutic/calming. There's some local guys who are available to help, when I decide to launch. I was only wondering what everybody else thinks about the cost factor. If I'm hearing you right, it sounds as if it's a bit less than retail.

As for crows, I'm always whining about not seeing the huge numbers in the air. But it does make each one that I do get--making that perfect downward spiral, with a nice thump at the end--feel real good. You've had some excellent runs lately and I hope you (NHCrowshooter, Skip, Elkhunter, and everyone else; in those pecans and peanuts) continue to kick crow tail! And send more pictures!

Son's family lives near Columbus GA, so I'll get down south for some hunting, someday.

Thanks, Craig



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Butch


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O.A.

I understand the priorities and Thankyou and your wife for seeing after your Mom.
To me reloading is relaxing at times and you have a little satisfaction of accomplishment looking at a box you loaded and when you pull the trigger. On savings, yes a little on upper end loads, minimal on basic loads. If you can bulk buy with your friends on supplies it's possible to do better than than what I have stated. Since you already have the gear I highly recommend giving it the old colledge try!
You may enjoy it.
I'm only 2hrs from Columbus, and O.A. They are some orchards close to Columbus you can get lost in! Give a shout if you come down maybe we can make a hunt.


Butch

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nhcrowshooter


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Things have gone crazy the last couple of years with both availability of powder and cost of components. I have quite a bit of everything in inventory and using average prices my 1 1/8 ounce 12ga loads cost me about $5.50 a box.

I reload because I like to reload and it allows me to load shells that I can't easily buy. For instance in 12ga I like to take a 1 1/8 trap load at 1145 fps and load with 6 shot. I also enjoy shooting some antique 10ga double guns, those require 2 7/8" shells and the loads are light, 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 ounce.

For trap, skeet and sporting clays I like to shoot 7/8 ounce 12ga loads and that loading is easier to make than it is to find on the shelf.

There is always plenty of time to reload because I can do it any day of the year. It is often something to do, a pleasant task while preparing for and day dreaming of shoots to come in the fall.

Whether it's for field or clays the biggest savings in reloading is found when reloading 10, 16, 28, and 410 gauge. There are lots of lower priced promo loads for the 12's and 20's.

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BigBlackBirds


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Hey OA

MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE POWDER FIRST!!

Not kidding. If you haven't done so already, make sure youre dropping by Schanz's so that you have powder if and when you decide to start reloading. The other supplies are available although pricey. Powder selection not so much.

There is decent cost savings left in sub gauges and specialty loads and just a little cost savings still left for the 12 gauge. For ordinary 12 gauge loads you can buy shells in normal case quantities for just slightly more than reloading and if you are willing to part of a pallet purchase of euro/promo shells the cost will be darn near the same as the reload. Basically those I know that continues to reload seem to do it out of habit, relaxation/enjoyment or for some perception of quality.





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Big Honkers


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Hi OA,

When you are ready to start reloading shop at Schanz in Otsego. No need to price check anywhere else, they'll be the place to go.

BBB is right, you'll probably want to call before you make your first purchase to make sure they have the powder you want in stock. They also have been putting some purchasing restrictions on powder....Only one keg per day and you have to purchase $100 worth of other reloading components to "earn" the right to purchase powder. Spending the $100 on other components is generally no problem. They are trying to prevent someone from hoarding powder or purchasing a bunch to resell. Their price on lead (unless it has changed in the last 2 weeks) is $35 per bag for chilled shot only available in 7 1/2 or smaller. Or, they have magnum dropped shot for $40 in any size shot.

I use the trapshooters.com calculator to determine cost per box. My 1oz crow loads cost 4.42 per box if using chilled shot and 4.75 when using dropped shot. I generally use a 870 for my de-crowing and that gun hates the steel based hulls of cheap ammo. All my reloads use premium hulls of either STS or AA brand. So, I save a buck or more per box plus I dont have to deal with the headache of steel based hulls in my gun.

BH

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Old Artilleryman


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To all:

Plenty of good info. Heard of Schantz's often from other guys in our club. Thanks.

Craig



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Mark


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Walmart: +6 %...

It appears that Walmart got me again.. After reading the posted price carefully.. the $24.97 is for 20ga. Walmart is known for this kind of deception.. Academy has had some really good prices lately.. 



-- Edited by Mark on Friday 31st of October 2014 05:39:44 PM

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