doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Shotshell Reloading Costs

Has anyone else noticed that it is now sometimes less expensive to purchase new bargain shotshells than it is to reload?

Reloading component prices have been rising lately, yet there seem to be lower prices on some of the imported shotshells. Both shot and powder prices have risen more than 10%.

Lately, I've been able to purchase RIO and NOBEL 12 gauge shotshells below $50 per case. That's just about what my reloads cost me, not even counting any cost for the fired hulls.

This seems strange, and I'm not sure how long it will continue.

JERRY

I reload more to control the pressure my guns have to deal with than the saving, if any, that I may get by reloading. That and the fact that I can load a 7/8 oz. , low pressure load in a Federal Paper shell that looks perfect, shoots well and smell great when I take them out of the gun.

Compared to Wally-world shells, i think my reloads have less recoil and better patterns. That means more to me than saving a couple of $.01 per shell.

it's a temporary thing, until new shells go up to cover the price of lead.

Standard 12ga trap loads are cheaper than reloading right now, but it still makes sense to load small gauges and specialty stuff.

I bought all the Rio 'trap 32' I could afford at $49.75.

Buy now, the situation won't last.

Last shot I bought was still $33/bag, out the door. I know it's higher most places. With the new 20ga 3/4 ounce wad now available from Claybuster, I almost never reload 7/8 in the 20 these days. That's about a 14% savings on shot right there. And if you use cheaper primers--I'm always way under pressure ceilings, and usually substitute Cheddites for Winchesters, and Nobelsports for Remingtons--that drops the cost even more.

In a pinch I shot a European made factory target load. First shot - I swore that my gun doubled. I don't need the pain. I'll stick with reloads.

Are you getting these shells "over the counter" somewhere? Anyplace I look it is about $20 shipping, that really raises the price quick. I found targetsportsUSA has cases with free shipping, and B&P has cases with free shipping, but they are 65-85 dollars a case, not 50.
Thanks,
CHAZ

Just the price of non-toxic shot alone is reducing the cost savings of reloading. But if you have an older gun reloading offers a lot more advantages than just cost savings, maybe not to save the metal but to give the wooden stock a break (No pun intended or implied).

Hoof: Wholesale supplier in quantity through a local club.

I'm fortunate to have more than one club nearby that pool resources and orders a couple times per year.

Lead by the ton, shells by the pallet, etc.

It's the most economical way to feed all these guns.

The $2/box rebate on the major brands of target ammo helps.
bill