Author Topic: I'm A Little Confused (Read 1258 times)

rich e · « **on:** March 06, 2005, 08:04:51 AM »

I'm thinking about reloading shotshells, however I'm confused, do I need to order a press for 20 ga. and one for 28 ga. and then one for 12 ga. or can I order one press and get components that will do all different gauges. I was looking at a Mec 600 Jr. :?

Greybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2005, 08:30:26 AM »

You "can" convert but you really don't want to. Buy three of them. They are quite cheap really. If you bought one Mec 600 and two conversion die sets you'd have about the same money invested as buying two presses. The change over is not quick or easy and you have to reset the adjustments each time. Just not worth the hassle for the small savings.

rich e · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2005, 09:23:13 AM »

Thanks Greybeard, I was afraid that was the the case, while shopping around I was noticing that you had to pick the ga. you wanted.

Throckmorton · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2005, 05:08:43 PM »

Are you hoping to save money,or more like fine-tune your laods?Not much savings for 'average shooters' in shotshells.It is a fun hobby though,so don't let me talk ya out of it. :wink:

rich e · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2005, 05:10:50 AM »

Well, Actually, I recently purchased a 28 ga. Baikal sxs, Its a really nice gun and I'm hoping to do alot of shooting with it, However even cheap shells aren't cheap thats why I was looking into reloading for it. But now I'm thinking maybe its not that good an idea.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2005, 08:44:13 AM »

I keep hearing folks say it doesn't save money to reload shotshells. Either they are counting their time or they pay more for components and/or less for factory than around here. For equivalent shotshells I can usually cut cost in half.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2005, 10:23:11 AM »

Gotta agree with graybeard you CAN save considerable money IF you are reloading the right loads. You will probably save little money if you only load a handfull if target loads for formal or informal trapshooting especially in 12 ga. You can buy those nearly as cheap as you can load them unless you are buying supplies bulk and loading a ton of shells. Where the savings comes into play is hunting loads. A magnum hunting load will only cost you pennies more to load than a target load but may save you $5 or $6 a box over commercial. The savings can also be quite considerable for 20 ga and even more so for 28 ga. I started loading for waterfowl before the steel shot requirements and cut my costs at least in 1/2. I quit loading for a while but started again when the upland game populations took off in my state. Heavy game loads that can cost $10-$12 can easily be loaded for $3-$4. It's not that hard to knock off 100 rnds in an hr with a mec 600. Even figuring your time, unless you bill out at $30 and hr it is still a savings. Not to mention it's good for keeping your dexterity in tune and exercises your shooting arm.

Bob_K · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2005, 06:38:28 AM »

It's a myth that you save money by reloading. If my monthly allowance is $100 for ammo, I just get to shoot more by reloading. And I get to shoot a whole bunch more if I'm shooting 28 ga and .410!

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2005, 12:36:19 PM »

Very true Bob K., very true indeed. We save money per box of ammo but just shoot more boxes. We're gonna spend the money we have to spend, just a matter of how much fun ya get from it.