Question For Reloaders

[mountainhunter1]

As a follow up to the last couple of comments in the Hevi Shot discussion down below, is it really that expensive to initially get setup to handload one's own TSS? What would a person expect to spend with the below list and anything else needed that I have missed to get started?

I am not expert, so please be merciful if I have missed some needed items, but beyond some type of hull trimmer (or a shell vise to improvise with a home made measurement with something like PVC), a dependable digital scale, a few spoons, a shell block, a dental dam, a drill press or a hand crank roll crimper, the actual crimper bit itself, - beyond that what else is needed to load besides the obvious stuff like shot, hulls (with primers), shotwad (some need mylar), felt/wax cushion, overshot card, etc.?

What have I missed that is not in the above list?

Am I correct to think that a person is saving 3.50-5.00 per load to load their own TSS once beyond the initial investment to get started? (It will take a while to get that investment back no doubt, and I would load some for other hunters/friends for at least long enough to get back to break even on initial equipment cost - my buddies are begging me to do this).

[Alabama556]

It's probably cheaper to buy TSS shells rather than reload it yourself when you take everything into consideration. I think my patterns are close to the same as what is available commercially.

I like rolling my own but it takes time and equipment. Shipping, taxes, buying components in bulk, etc gets expensive. Plus once your friends find out they will want shells also.

You can get away with a roll crimper, scale, and hand drill and make some shells.

If I found out about TSS today, I would just buy as many 20 gauge Foxtrot shells as I could afford. I like their shells because they are fold crimped. I would just stock up in the off season when you can get what you want.


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[zelmo1]

So this is a multi tiered question. First of all, I don't roll crimp. It sounds like you have all your tools/equipment. It depends on the load you choose to load. Example: I load 28 gauge 1.5 oz #9 TSS.  The cost is @ $340 plus shipping. for 53 shells. It looks like $6-$7 per round. If you have some of this material or buy in a bigger bulk, you will save a little bit. These are ballpark numbers that I got off the Precision Reloading Site, Ballistic Products are about the same prics too.  Z

5 pounds of shot is    @ $225
100 wads are          @ $15
100 primed new hulls  @ $25
lg can of buffer      @ $15
250 felt spacers      @ $12
100 mylar              @ $8
1 pound Lil Gun powder @ $40

[Bowguy]

It's somewhat pricey to get started but get piece by piece. Once you get enough supplies on hand you'll not be without.
Throughout all the Obama nonsense of making things tough I shot all sorts of guns planet as I had everything.
Than there's the "coolness" factor in a sense of doing it yourself whether it was lead, tss or metallic cartridges. If you like that sort thing it'll add to your sport.
Understand TSS loading is not reloading in a sense it's more of putting parts together. Reloading involves lots of testing, changing, massaging loads. TSS loads are often high pressure loads. Can't mess with them too much

[Alabama556]

It's somewhat pricey to get started but get piece by piece. Once you get enough supplies on hand you'll not be without.
Throughout all the Obama nonsense of making things tough I shot all sorts of guns planet as I had everything.
Than there's the "coolness" factor in a sense of doing it yourself whether it was lead, tss or metallic cartridges. If you like that sort thing it'll add to your sport.
Understand TSS loading is not reloading in a sense it's more of putting parts together. Reloading involves lots of testing, changing, massaging loads. TSS loads are often high pressure loads. Can't mess with them too much

Don't overlook the coolness factor. When you break out some shells at Turkey camp and somebody says "where did you buy those" it is fun.


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[bbcoach]

Not trying to high jack this thread but add to it.  This just popped into my pea brain. I already have a Mec 600 Jr for 12 and 20's, that I use to reload dove loads, plenty of 12 and 20 gauge 2 3/4-inch shells, would TSS be easy peasy for the MEC's?    You guys are always talking about using card stock and roll crimping them, so the DUH light just came on.  I normally use the 8-point crimp.   

[Dtrkyman]

It's cheaper to load your own if you don't buy a loading press.

I roll crimp with my cordless and an adapter to make it a press, I had one a neighbor gave me but they are cheap.

Components are cheap, powder is cheap in the long run but initially it's not. Can load hundreds of shells with a can of powder.

Hulls, wads and fillers come between 100 and 250 at a crack so they last a long time!

I like loading them, I know what I'm getting and once choke and gun are dialed your good!

If you only shoot a couple rounds a year I would just buy it!

I started out before you could buy loaded shells so I just kept at it.


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[Dtrkyman]

Can definitely use your mec, and maybe some of the same hulls and powder you already have.

Just ask a  supplier if he has any loads that use some of your components!


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[bbcoach]

Can definitely use your mec, and maybe some of the same hulls and powder you already have.

Just ask a  supplier if he has any loads that use some of your components!


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Thanks!  Good to know.  All I would need is a recipe, add primers, powder, wads and the TSS.  Got me thinking now.

[zelmo1]

I crimp with a MEC and it works fine. IF you follow a trusted recipe then there should be no issues. Z

[Bowguy]

Not trying to high jack this thread but add to it.  This just popped into my pea brain. I already have a Mec 600 Jr for 12 and 20's, that I use to reload dove loads, plenty of 12 and 20 gauge 2 3/4-inch shells, would TSS be easy peasy for the MEC's?    You guys are always talking about using card stock and roll crimping them, so the DUH light just came on.  I normally use the 8-point crimp. 

It's somewhat pricey to get started but get piece by piece. Once you get enough supplies on hand you'll not be without.
Throughout all the Obama nonsense of making things tough I shot all sorts of guns planet as I had everything.
Than there's the "coolness" factor in a sense of doing it yourself whether it was lead, tss or metallic cartridges. If you like that sort thing it'll add to your sport.
Understand TSS loading is not reloading in a sense it's more of putting parts together. Reloading involves lots of testing, changing, massaging loads. TSS loads are often high pressure loads. Can't mess with them too much

Don't overlook the coolness factor. When you break out some shells at Turkey camp and somebody says "where did you buy those" it is fun.


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I do all I can myself that's why I mentioned it. Load my shells, brass, make arrows, including standing, finishing them including cutting full length feathers and splicing the feathers to make neat combos. Mouth calls, Tie my flies, make bowstrings, used to cast black power projectiles, etc etc etc.
Just keeps us more in touch with our lifestyle.

[mountainhunter1]

So this is a multi tiered question. First of all, I don't roll crimp. It sounds like you have all your tools/equipment. It depends on the load you choose to load. Example: I load 28 gauge 1.5 oz #9 TSS.  The cost is @ $340 plus shipping. for 53 shells. It looks like $6-$7 per round. If you have some of this material or buy in a bigger bulk, you will save a little bit. These are ballpark numbers that I got off the Precision Reloading Site, Ballistic Products are about the same prics too.  Z

5 pounds of shot is    @ $225
100 wads are          @ $15
100 primed new hulls  @ $25
lg can of buffer      @ $15
250 felt spacers      @ $12
100 mylar              @ $8
1 pound Lil Gun powder @ $40

I was guessing that one could save 3.5-5 dollar per load doing it themselves, and if it is coming in at around 7 dollar in materials give or take, that was close. Your response was very helpful - Thank you Zelmo.

[mountainhunter1]

/quote]

I do all I can myself that's why I mentioned it. Load my shells, brass, make arrows, including standing, finishing them including cutting full length feathers and splicing the feathers to make neat combos. Mouth calls, Tie my flies, make bowstrings, used to cast black power projectiles, etc etc etc.
Just keeps us more in touch with our lifestyle.

That is why we need to be living next door to you Mike. You are a cut above the rest. Glad you are doing really good again. Wish we were closer to each other, I could learn something from you.

Thanks to EVERYONE who replied - all replies helped me to get a better grasp on going down this road. I may reach out to some of you by way of phone (I have the phone number for a few of you) or private message and ask a few follow up questions if that is ok. Thanks again!

[Marc]

So this is a multi tiered question. First of all, I don't roll crimp. It sounds like you have all your tools/equipment. It depends on the load you choose to load. Example: I load 28 gauge 1.5 oz #9 TSS.  The cost is @ $340 plus shipping. for 53 shells. It looks like $6-$7 per round. If you have some of this material or buy in a bigger bulk, you will save a little bit. These are ballpark numbers that I got off the Precision Reloading Site, Ballistic Products are about the same prics too.  Z

5 pounds of shot is    @ $225
100 wads are          @ $15
100 primed new hulls  @ $25
lg can of buffer      @ $15
250 felt spacers      @ $12
100 mylar              @ $8
1 pound Lil Gun powder @ $40

Great post.  Back when I was a kid, we loaded all our lead shells...  Target, upland, waterfowl, etc...  Much cheaper to purchase in bulk, and my father's friends would get together every couple years and make a bulk purchase...  Loading shells was half or less the cost of factory, and we get better loads...  Currently with non-tox loads, I do not see the savings, especially when you factor in time.

I do have to ask (for all the TSS loaders), why not load 2 3/4" shells, and not use spacers?  I would think cheaper and less time consuming???

[bowbird87]

The prices on here are accurate. I roll crimp on a drill press. Really the crimp, shot and powder are major cost. You do save some cash on each shell, but I enjoy doing it and can continue to make shells ever if production stops from major companies.


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