I want another hobby in the winter, and I want to start reloading shotgun shells.I will mostly be reloading different turkey loads for my numerous guns.It isn't about saving money,It's about adding a new hobby for myself.
I have not been a reloader but my father was a hardcore waterfowler for over 30 years and used to reload when I was a kid and should have most of the equipment that I can use.
My question are, how many of you reload turkey shells and do you have any tips? and advice.Is it possible to reload "hevi shot" type shells? which equipment do you use? and do you find your reloads pattern as well as the store bought ammo?.
I am a hardcore bowhunter who would like to add a new hobby during the winter when i am not building arrows and tinkering with archery equipment.
As far as turkey loads you can get the recipes from Hal or Shooter when you buy the shot from them. They are easy to follow and load
Equipment wise you don't need much really. A roll crimper, scales and some odds and ends like a funnel but that's about it. You can make it as complicated or simple as you like as far as that goes.
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Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on March 29, 2018, 06:41:57 PM
I want another hobby in the winter, and I want to start reloading shotgun shells.I will mostly be reloading different turkey loads for my numerous guns.It isn't about saving money,It's about adding a new hobby for myself.
I have not been a reloader but my father was a hardcore waterfowler for over 30 years and used to reload when I was a kid and should have most of the equipment that I can use.
My question are, how many of you reload turkey shells and do you have any tips? and advice.Is it possible to reload "hevi shot" type shells? which equipment do you use? and do you find your reloads pattern as well as the store bought ammo?.
I am a hardcore bowhunter who would like to add a new hobby during the winter when i am not building arrows and tinkering with archery equipment.
Yes you sure can reload turkey shells, lead or tungsten. You can often load a better load than you can buy, whether shotgun or rifle, because you tailor it to your own weapons and applications. You can use the same equipment for turkey, duck, target or whatever...the limiting factor is the shell length in most cases. Reloading is a fantastic hobby. There are many options in reloading equipment. You first need to figure out exactly what you want to load and then we can help you a little better.
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I am wanting to reload 20 gauge 3" shells for my turkey guns, and probably 12 gauge 3" for my tc encore single shot.I want to reload "hevi shot" type shells.I am also on board to purchase all the equipment i would need new instead of using 40 year old equipment that has been in my parents basement for 26 years and not used.lol.I actually would prefer to buy new if I can keep the cost low for equipment and add as I go.
Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on March 29, 2018, 07:26:58 PM
I am wanting to reload 20 gauge 3" shells for my turkey guns, and probably 12 gauge 3" for my tc encore single shot.I want to reload "hevi shot" type shells.I am also on board to purchase all the equipment i would need new instead of using 40 year old equipment that has been in my parents basement for 26 years and not used.lol.I actually would prefer to buy new if I can keep the cost low for equipment and add as I go.
Send me your email through pm and I will send you what you need.
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Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on March 29, 2018, 07:26:58 PM
I am wanting to reload 20 gauge 3" shells for my turkey guns, and probably 12 gauge 3" for my tc encore single shot.I want to reload "hevi shot" type shells.I am also on board to purchase all the equipment i would need new instead of using 40 year old equipment that has been in my parents basement for 26 years and not used.lol.I actually would prefer to buy new if I can keep the cost low for equipment and add as I go.
There are multiple types of hevi shot. 12g/cc, 15g/cc, and 18g/cc. Most loaders here are loading the 18g/cc stuff, called TSS. The shot is only made in China. There are some folks who have been loading it for a long time and they have taken the time and money to load these shells and have them pressure tested to ensure they are safe to shoot. These guys now order the shot from China and sell it with their pressure tested recipes. I would start by reach out to them. They will help you understand all that is needed to get started and provide step by step instructions. Hal Abbot is who I purchase all mine through but Tommy Duliba is another great source.
You should have no trouble loading shells on that older equipment, as long as it in usable condition. Shotshell loading has not changed much, just the components. I'd get set up and load some target loads, and see if you like it before you spend a lot of money on new equipment. I was also thinking about loading some TSS loads, till I priced it! That stuff is a little pricey, but of course you'll only a few of them a year, so I guess it's not that bad. I have more fun loading 7/8oz 12ga target loads, they are a blast to shoot.
Loading TSS is safe and easy, loading 12 gm/cc Hevi-shot not so much. It is not possible IME to load a 2 oz Hevi-shot load for a 3" 12 ga and stay within SAAMI max pressures with the canister powders available to handloaders. If you want to shoot Hevi-shot, I would advise staying with factory ammo.
Thanks...sounds like more of a chore than fun,think I will stick to buying it and continue building arrows.
Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on March 30, 2018, 08:34:09 AM
Thanks...sounds like more of a chore than fun,think I will stick to buying it and continue building arrows.
I really enjoy it. It's a cool feeling to harvest birds with shells you've loaded on your own. Loaded it for some of my friends for the first time last year. They were able to harvest 5 birds with the shells I loaded which was cool as well.
Where's the best place to get roll crimper and scales THANKS
Start with light loads and work your way up...better safe than sorry.
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If I was to do it,It would be for "hevi shot" or nothing and that seems like it really isn't worth the hassle so I will just buy the ammo as I have been doing.Thanks for the info and help with this.I was bored last night and was thinking of reloading "hevi shot" because it is so hard to find up here, as it seems from what I have been told most hunters are to tight to purchase it.
So, maybe this thread will get somebody else motivated and started in reloading but my motivation has dropped to nill.
Quote from: jmart241 on March 30, 2018, 05:23:47 PM
Where's the best place to get roll crimper and scales THANKS
Send me your email and I will forward info.
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Quote from: jmart241 on March 30, 2018, 05:23:47 PM
Where's the best place to get roll crimper and scales THANKS
Ballistic Products for the scale. Their $35 scale does all I need it too, never had an issue. Roll Crimper from Precision Reloading. Theirs seems to make a better roll than both of Ballisitc Products offerings.
Thanks for the info everyone
very helpful! been thinking about moving to reloading myself
Quote from: yungbuck on April 04, 2018, 03:37:15 PM
very helpful! been thinking about moving to reloading myself
If you like the tungsten shot products, especially for high volume shooting such as waterfowl, you will reap the benefit of reloading tungsten. It is a neat hobby anyway. Studying ballistics and patterns and components etc is just plain addictive. Nice thing about Tungsten loads, you really don't need to deal with 3" or 3.5" stuff, and you always get superior performance compared to other shot types. Some of that performance may be unnecessary, but its nice to have it. And since you are relying on pellet density instead of speed for that performance, heavy recoil is usually non-existent. If I can help let me know. Enjoy.
I tell myself I'll start reloading almost every year.
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 05, 2018, 12:18:29 PM
I tell myself I'll start reloading almost every year.
You should at least give it a try if you are interested. The equipment cost for low volume tungsten hand loading with roll crimps is like $100. For TSS, you'll be able to load your own shells for $3-6 apiece instead of $11-12 for store bought.
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Quote from: drakehammer on April 05, 2018, 12:39:17 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 05, 2018, 12:18:29 PM
I tell myself I'll start reloading almost every year.
You should at least give it a try if you are interested. The equipment cost for low volume tungsten hand loading with roll crimps is like $100. For TSS, you'll be able to load your own shells for $3-6 apiece instead of $11-12 for store bought.
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That's just it. I haven't made the switch to TSS; otherwise, I'm sure I'd be loading my own already. The hevishot I'm currently using is only about $2-$2.50 per shell after rebates and sales, so I'm just under the tipping point.
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 05, 2018, 12:57:17 PM
Quote from: drakehammer on April 05, 2018, 12:39:17 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 05, 2018, 12:18:29 PM
I tell myself I'll start reloading almost every year.
You should at least give it a try if you are interested. The equipment cost for low volume tungsten hand loading with roll crimps is like $100. For TSS, you'll be able to load your own shells for $3-6 apiece instead of $11-12 for store bought.
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That's just it. I haven't made the switch to TSS; otherwise, I'm sure I'd be loading my own already. The hevishot I'm currently using is only about $2-$2.50 per shell after rebates and sales, so I'm just under the tipping point.
yeah the hevi-shot rebates help alot.
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Quote from: stinkpickle on April 05, 2018, 12:18:29 PM
I tell myself I'll start reloading almost every year.
Me, too. LOL! This thread is now the sign pointing me to enter those thoughts again this year. I just don't feel that I shoot enough to justify buying the equipment, then the supplies to reload. Even if I switch to TSS (which I plan to do in the future), it would probably only save me $25-30 a year TOPS with the number of shells I shoot...it would take a while to make up the amount invested at that rate.
I have been thinking about trying reloading for my 20 gauges,I have sent a local guy an email seeing if he has access to what i would need to start reloading #7 tss and #7 lead.If so,I may try it out.I can buy the federal tss #7 for 42.00 per 5 if I can't get the components to re load it.
Quote from: The Heartbreak Kid....... on February 07, 2019, 10:38:36 AM
I have been thinking about trying reloading for my 20 gauges,I have sent a local guy an email seeing if he has access to what i would need to start reloading #7 tss and #7 lead.If so,I may try it out.I can buy the federal tss #7 for 42.00 per 5 if I can't get the components to re load it.
Your going to mix TSS #7s and lead #7s or load the two independently?
Unless your state requires #7s shooting anything larger than #9s in TSS is a waste especially in the smaller payloads of a 20 gauge.
I was going to load them separately and #7's are the smallest we are allowed to hunt turkeys with,I can get the #7's tss federals locally for $40.00 per box of 5.I haven't heard back and talking to a good friend that reloads for rifles basically told me it was a waste of money and time for the amount I would use and reload,I honestly just want to have 100 shells ready to shoot or hunt with instead of buying 4 packs of 5, and having to look around every spring and hope one of the local shops has them,or can bring them in.It is very sparce up here as they still haven't figured out that #7's are now legal to turkey hunt with.I called around today and they just try and sell garbage lead 5 or 6"s...no,thanks.I am looking for certain shells, and it isn't what you have in stock....almost as hard to find hevi shot for 20 gauge in a turkey shell.I may just have to buy a few packs every spring,as I haven't had much luck getting anywhere with info from two "reloading" shops...yet.
If you are limited to 7s or larger, I'd recommend loading HWT 7s (15 g/cc).
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on February 07, 2019, 06:01:42 PM
If you are limited to 7s or larger, I'd recommend loading HWT 7s (15 g/cc).
I am definitely looking to reload the #7 heavyweights,I sent the local "reloading" shop a email stating exactly what I want to do and also asked on if they have what I need to reload that certain shell and the equipment,I have not received a reply yet.Hopefully soon.I do not mind spending a couple hundred on the equipment and then purchasing the proper components to reload #7's,as long as It is worth it with the quantity oh shells.I want to have 100 ready to go at all times,I may not shoot them but the peace of mind knowing I have them is what I want to have,the constant looking and searching for a box here or there of the shell I want or need is just a headache.I would rather be set up to build my own at anytime I may want or need too.
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on February 07, 2019, 06:01:42 PM
If you are limited to 7s or larger, I'd recommend loading HWT 7s (15 g/cc).
Agreed. If I had to shoot #7s from a 20 it would be 15g/cc not 18g/cc (TSS).
I appreciate the helpful info,as I am not a re-loader and my father has long since given it up.He basically told me it wasn't worth doing,the equipment he has would work but it is 12 gauge equipment,not so sure exactly what i would need to get it to 20 gauge,i assume a 20 gauge die set...but I may just buy brand new and start off the correct way and be set for life.
You don't need a die set at all. For turkey loads it's one at a time, by hand, and with simple tools and powder and shot scales.
I was going to purchase this,what items do i need? what crimps the end?
https://leeprecision.com/20g-load-all-ii.html
The easiest loads are roll crimped. You can get a roll crimp bit from Precision Reloading or Apex. It fits in a drill. I like the old hand crank antiques that show up on eBay.
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on February 07, 2019, 07:17:29 PM
The easiest loads are roll crimped. You can get a roll crimp bit from Precision Reloading or Apex. It fits in a drill. I like the old hand crank antiques that show up on eBay.
That's the best option. Another is a hand crimper.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Shotshell-Reloading-Crimp-Reloader-Equipment-Tool-20-Gauge-Zn20/826378690?_trkparms=aid%3D666006%26algo%3DPRP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20170106093223%26meid%3D0cd4adde621e4cd79dfe539574602eec%26pid%3D100709%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26&_trksid=p2349526.c100709.m4710
That is a cool little tool
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Can someone please pm me with what I need to reload tss and info of where to get it.
For low Volume reloading.
Get tss from Hal. He will give u the recipies
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