On shotshell nomenclature:
box = 25 cartridges
[excepting some 'promotional ammo' sold in 20 cartridge boxes]
case = 20 boxes of cartridges
flat = 10 boxes of cartridges
Some of us use these terms correctly, but others do not, which can lead to some confusion.
Both flats & cases are sold in different markets. Here in the US, I believe only flats are now presently being marketed, but still frequently see cases when out of the country.
Spot market lead prices have fallen dramatically recently. There are no lead shortages, but there are wholesalers who bought at the higher prices; do not expect to see any immediate decline in the price of shot until those inventories have been sold. Business is normally reluctant to come off prices at retail as quickly as they fluctuate at wholesale. And that works in both directions, so some businesses confronted with rising wholesale costs let their margins be squeezed to avoid raising prices.
With the possible exception of .410 & 28ga. ammunition, at present RETAIL prices for shotshell components, it is difficult to beat or match quantity wholesale or promotional & discounted ammunition costs. That has been the norm for the last ten years, predicated on at the moment circumstance. The majority of shooters at my club no longer reload for that reason, inclusive of some high volume target shooters. A few years ago the majority of high volume target shooters were reloaders. Some of that trend has been driven by the increases in Sporting Clays where gas guns are prevalent & they do not lend themselves to hull retention. Some double gun shooters retain their hulls when shooting Sporting Clays, but the vast majority I see today do not. Virtually all of the Corporate & charity Sporting Clay shoots see nothing but factory ammunition being used and the hulls left behind for the clean-up crews.
I see no shortage of once fired hulls. I reload as much for the simple pleasure of it as for the control over intended application & use, but never pass up an opportunity to buy quantities of factory loaded ammunition when the price is sufficiently attractive or when it is better than I can produce.. 2.5" Winchester AA Sporting .410's w/1/2oz. #8.5 shot and 3" Fiocchi .410 w/11/16oz #7.5 being two examples that quickly come to mind where factory ammunition trumps my best efforts at reloading.
Generally 'economy in target shooting' simply means that one gets to shoot more for the money being spent. Pay less for the ammunition = shoot more targets. Become a better shot(?), perhaps;-)
addendum: Money spent for a good instructor can often prove the better investment rather than just shooting more.
Last edited by tw; 05/27/11 02:18 PM. Reason: hindsight
