Reloading 12/20g Anyone?

[Musclefox]

Anyone reload 12 or 20g , just wandering what's the best kit out there to buy..

[ProHunter]

Lee load all 2 for the money, I've got a lot of different setups for reloading shotshell / slug but for the money can't beat it

[SPARKIE]

ive got the lee loadall 2 which was originally 12g ive just bought the 20g conversion kit for about £22 so I'm now set for both in total you could have a set up press for about £80 to do 12 and 20g

[Musclefox]

I was looking at them on H Krank Sparkie, not bad prices, can you use spent cartridge?

[Musclefox]

Can anyone shed some light on what I need to set up cheers..

[Junes1]

I reload all my shotgun cartridges, 12g but mostly 20g. What do you need to know? A lot of the reply would be based around how many you intend to shoot. My supplier of choice is John at Folkestone Engineering Services, he manages to come my way once in a while and drop off supplies post free.

[Junes1]

Can anyone shed some light on what I need to set up cheers..

Personally I wouldn't use a Load-all but would stump up for a second hand Mec 600jr at the very least and a progressive press if you want to load more than a box or two per week. I use a Mec 650 semi progressive for reloading 20g and knock out around 300 shells per hour without rushing but I would get a 9000 if I was starting out again.

[Musclefox]

I wouldn't be reloading a large amount, maybe 100 shells a month, not sure what basics I need, as in shells, powders, shot, primers, wads etc.. I don't want to go out a buy something not suitable..
Can spent shells be used over? I assume they can depending on condition?
Thanks..

[Junes1]

I wouldn't be reloading a large amount, maybe 100 shells a month, not sure what basics I need, as in shells, powders, shot, primers, wads etc.. I don't want to go out a buy something not suitable..
Can spent shells be used over? I assume they can depending on condition?
Thanks..

Spent shells are best reused just the once as the crimps tend to split afterwards which makes for a nasty looking shell and it's not as if they are in short supply. You will learn which ones reload best.
Lower brass causes less resizing issues and in 12gauge you are best to stick to 70mm because most recipes are for this length. Probably best to stick to this length in 20g too though 67mm has become very popular of late in the clay club bins so I have proofed some loads for this size.
If you bought a Mec 600jr you can buy different die sets but constantly setting up would be a pain so you are best to have dedicated presses for either gauge.

Recipes depend on whether you want plastic or fibre wad and how much lead you want in a given shell.

[Musclefox]

Thanks fella, some food for thought for me there..

[deershooter]

For 100 shells a month I would not bother you will cost yourself a fortune

[Flat Badger]

A Lee loadall is a good basic starting press the only other bit of kit you really need is a set of scales to check that the bushes are throwing the right weight of powder. The rest is consumables but it would probably be cheaper to buy cartridges ready loaded, but you will miss the enjoyment of reloading.

[Musclefox]

I just fancied messing about with some loads to be honest..

[Uncle Albert]

I started off with a Lee Load-All. Very basic press but cheap. It does, however, produce excellent cartridges though. It is limited though, in that it's not very easy to adjust anything unless you use simple washers, so I eventually progressed to a MEC 600J, a much more robust press which, coupled to an adjustable charge bar, allowed me to load different shells without the fuss of changing bushes. Using this you can dial in exactly what you want. You still have to check the weights at the start but it is so much easier.

The only other thing you will need is a set of scales measuring in Grains. I use the MTM set of digital scales at about £20.00 on the Internet. A set of accurate calipers, measuring in "thou's," will enable you to check the overall length of the cartridge, but they are not vital.

Don't forget the important things, Safety Glasses, Reloading Recipes, and of course powder, primers, shot and Hulls. Pick these up from clay grounds but make sure they are dry and not covered in rust. They are not all the same, some are better than others. Avoid the thin walled ones and stick to one size, 70mm ones.

Get someone to show you how to set up and use your press and get them to watch you whilst you make your first box of 25 carts. Don't panic, you will make mistakes, just take it slow. Leave your phone elsewhere any shut the door. The last thing you want is kids running about the place and disturbing you. Remember you are using explosives. The powder will not explode, it burns. Primers are explosive, hence the safety glasses.

Once there join the ranks of the Hobbits who inhabit their "Mancaves," pouring over recipes and weird machines, churning out cartridges to load into our bang sticks and thence return to our mancave to refill them. Just part of our hobby and they pattern better than any factory made shell. Have fun!

Uncle Albert.