[CavDV]

I've been shooting for about 20 years now +/-. Most of which was in the army or federal security so the ammo was always provided. Now that I'm out of both, I need to learn a new skill set so I can keep shooting as much as I would like to with out spending thousands of dollars every few months. I'm currently looking at the "Lock-N-Load® Ammo Plant 110 VT". The way I look at it, I don't mind paying a little more at the start so I know I can pump out a lot of rounds. My Ol' lady and four kids want to shoot each time I go as well. I'll take my time when I'm wanting Precision with my M-14 and 1911. I'm also looking to load 12G for my Saiga.

Any advice I can get about loaders, bullets, powders for each... etc.

 

[4th award expert]

I have a MEC junior for shotgun shell's, been using it for 40 years. Its simple and reliable, and its not so complicated that I have introduced my grand kids to reloading. What ever reloading press you get you need to get a selection of powder bushing's and different shot charge bushing's. If you haven't reloaded before then make sure and get a good reloading manual, or reference the online data center's. Here are some powder supplier's with reloading reference.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.alliantpowder.com/default.aspx
http://www.accuratepowder.com/
http://www.ramshot.com/
http://www.norma.cc/en/Products/Components/Powder/
http://www.nosler.com/
Also make sure and do a search on this forum for reloading tips.
Good luck and have fun.
Bob

 

[bwaddell]

I second the MEC for shotgun. Between my dad and I we have 4 of them. He started me reloading at about 10.

As far as rifle and pistol, I invested in an lnl-ap and wouldn't trade it for the world. It isn't the ammo plant, do I have to feed casings and bullets, but still quick enough for me.

 

[jbkf1003]

Mec Jr is what my dad uses. He has loaded thousands of rounds on it for our trap league. It's good to go..

 

[luvingoutdoors]

I have a l-n-l press. If I were going to do it all over again I would go with a Dillon press.

 

[3Gunnah]

If you're going to be shooting any amount of volume I would definitely go with the Dillon! You will be able to make good precise ammo at a reasonable rate with great customer service.

 

[perazziboy]

I have both Dillon and MEC shotshell loaders and have been loading for over 40 years. The MEC is way better than Dillon for shotgun. Easier to use and better crimps,
more consistent rounds. Prefer the Sizemaster because it re-sizes the base, keeps from having any chamber fit problems no matter what gun you run them through.

Metallic cartridges I use Dillon 550, GREAT machine!

 

[boltaction]

Hello, With the price of shotgun ammo being so low, why reload for it??? But, I also thought that about .223 at one time..... Yet, I now reload for it.
But, I like shooting paper and steel... not clays as much.. But, Mec does have a good reputation as a shotgun reloading setup.

 

[rstofer]

I've got 3 Hornady 366 loaders (.410, 28 ga and 12 ga) plus 2 Ponsness-Warren loaders (28 ga and 12 ga). I used to shoot quite a bit of skeet and a small amount of trap and sporting clays. These days, not so much.

Make sure you have an economical source for lead and check around for powder and primer availability. A couple of years ago, you couldn't by either. The thing about shotgun powder is that it is also used for pistol and pickings got slim for the handgunners.

When Winchester changed the AA case to the new HST version, they really messed up reloaders. Ask around and see which loaders will crimp this case. I haven't been able to get my 28 ga P-W to make a decent crimp without crushing the case so badly it won't extract from the shell holder.

It may be that AA isn't the preferred case any longer.

12 ga is pretty cheap to buy. Make sure you do the math before starting on reloading. Particularly lead...

 

[ray55classic]

With #4 shot and smaller now averaging $45/50 per 25lb bag and buckshot @ $25 per 5lbs along with the pistol/shotgun powder shortage it's been a while since I reloaded shotgun shells.
When I did MEC was my choice.

 

[Earthquake]

I loaded a ton of 12g on a cheap LEE press until I found a used MEC 600 jr, if you want to load 00 buck I think you have to drop the pellets by hand because I dont think any press will meter them. I use a piece of aluminum arrow shaft cut to length with a plug in on end that I fill with 00b pellets fill it to the top, that way I get the right number of pellets, I put the pellets in a pan and let them roll into the tube.

http://leeprecision.com/12g-load-all-ii.html

https://www.mecshootingsports.com/p-382-600-jr-mark-v.aspx

Casey

 

[NightFisher]

Hello, With the price of shotgun ammo being so low, why reload for it??? But, I also thought that about .223 at one time..... Yet, I now reload for it.
But, I like shooting paper and steel... not clays as much.. But, Mec does have a good reputation as a shotgun reloading setup.

I took up trap shooting this past summer and dusted off my old MEC Jr to load my 12 and 20Ga shells. You have to really shop around to get the best prices on Shot, Wads, and Primers to beat the Walmart prices on field loads and from what I've seen those Federal shells they sell are pretty good. I track my material costs and right now 12Ga. are costing me $21 per hundred and the 20Ga. is $19 per hundred without factoring in the Hull costs. Saving 1-2 bucks per hundred it would take a good amount of shells to pay for a Mec Jr.

If you are feeding a 16Ga, 28Ga, or a .410, yea, you can save some dough there.