homemade reloader

[maggot]

I got a mossberg 535 on layaway and i want to start loading 3 1/2 12 gauge. Now for the amount of shooting i'll do i was thinking of  making a lee-loader type setup instead of buying a $200 doller MEC. Has anyone here done such a thing?

[Rickk]

You can reload shotgun with a hammer, nail, wooden dowel, and some dippers made out of "whatever".

It will be slow, frustrating, and they will tend to be on the ugly side.

Spend a little money and it will be easier, quicker, and they will look/work better.

There is a point of diminishing returns however.  Spending a lot of money typically buys more speed over the cheaper presses while quality stays roughly the same.

It is all a matter of balancing time, quality and money to fit your needs.

Rick

[darkgael]

You can reload shotgun with a hammer, nail, wooden dowel, and some dippers made out of "whatever".

It will be slow, frustrating, and they will tend to be on the ugly side.

Spend a little money and it will be easier, quicker, and they will look/work better.

+1 about that.

If you are willing to back off from the 3.5 inch plan, you can get one of the old 12 gauge Lee Loaders on Ebay for a few dollars.

Pete

[flmason]

Anybody know how safe the nail and dowel method is?

I was taught to reloade 12 ga. as a kid with a Lee Loader. The idea of putting wad pressure on, which amounted to pressing down on the loader with the shell on a scale, always struck me as spooky. As in, "What happens if it goes off?"

I'm kind of wondering what happens if a primer goes off, with or without powder, and you have a dowel in an unsupported shell?

The Lee Loaders have the shell in a pretty solid tube, so I'm thinking a shrapnel effect wasn't likely with those, even if a gun barrel effect was.

Anyway, any thoughts on the safety of nail and dowel method, along with perhaps carving a star crimp tool to use?

[tacklebury]

I've had a couple primers go off on me when using my Lee Classic Loader, it's a little shocking, but not dangerous.  If you use them correctly, the cap is always contained withing the shell and the center rod always blocks pieces from flying.  I've gotten some powder residue around my fingers only.    If you want something slightly better than a dowel and nail, you could get some good Rocky Mountain cartridge 12 ga. and one of their reloading systems. 
http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/Price_List.pdf
http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/Shot_Shell_Instructions.pdf
 
Or you can use it as an example of how to make a better one.    Also, if you ever want to do .410 or 28 ga there's other options for handloaders without a press. 

[flmason]

I've had a couple primers go off on me when using my Lee Classic Loader, it's a little shocking, but not dangerous.  If you use them correctly, the cap is always contained withing the shell and the center rod always blocks pieces from flying.  I've gotten some powder residue around my fingers only.    If you want something slightly better than a dowel and nail, you could get some good Rocky Mountain cartridge 12 ga. and one of their reloading systems. 
http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/Price_List.pdf
http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/Shot_Shell_Instructions.pdf
 
Or you can use it as an example of how to make a better one.    Also, if you ever want to do .410 or 28 ga there's other options for handloaders without a press. 

Very cool, brass shotshells. I like. :-)

Have to admit, this pounding in of primers still spooks me for some reason, or pounding on shells with primer and powder in them as well.

Was surprised to find a Lee Loadall is about what $70 bucks or so? Maybe that's the "high class" way to go, LOL!

But yes, thank much for the links to Rocky Mountain Cartridge. Most cool.

[spooked]

Donna tell enny bodie , but I used my 30-30- Lee loader to de-prime and reprime some .410 hulls just to see if I could.

[tacklebury]

Donna tell enny bodie , but I used my 30-30- Lee loader to de-prime and reprime some .410 hulls just to see if I could.

For .410, I'd probably pick up one of the ones sold at Paco Kelley's site for tools.    It's all solid brass and they have one for 2.5" or 3" or one set with both.  He also makes one for 28 ga.    Not cheap though.
 
http://www.pacotools.com/tool_discriptions

[flmason]

Yes, I like Paco's tooling. Excellent lathe milling machine.

[bikerbeans]

A 7mm Mag shell plate works real fine on a 410 hull.  You can use a 45-70 seating die to load slugs in a 410 hull.  Lots of stuff you can do if you let your mind wander a bit during the winter months.  Some of it works okay and some things you try are just learning experiences.
 
BB

[rem700-3]

I used to load a few 410 for snakes and such with a small hammer brass punch a socket and super glue. Then I got my 10 yo a 410 over and under and soon after I got me a mec 410 press

[dakotashooter2]

Actually used  MEC 12 ga loaders can be found reasonably cheap and I suspect most could be modified for use with 3 1/2 shells.

[Couger]

Actually used  MEC 12 ga loaders can be found reasonably cheap and I suspect most could be modified for use with 3 1/2 shells.

I have all Hornady-Pacific shotshell presses (no longer made), but this is excellent advice!
 
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