When we started shooting at around 11,12, the old man bought a whack a mole hand loader, we loaded trap loads with that thing, we never went through more than a couple boxes as we were hand throwing the clay pigeons. I guess he thought we were saving money, maybe we were, but the shells went bang and the clays broke, can't get simpler to load a box of shells.

Why? I just like doing it.

I have buckets of reloaded AAs yet every year before dove season opens I'll load another 500 for me and my sons.

My reloads do shoot better (I think). But I mostly like stacking up ammo.

If you watch you can find some great deals on MEC single stage loaders I have one in 28, 20 and 12 gauge. I buy once fired AA hulls when I need them but keep around 500 rounds loaded in each gauge. A few more before dove season. I have under $500 combined in all three presses. Parts are available for repairs, and I own about every bushing made as I have found published loads differ slightly and I test the powder drops several times at the appropriate stage of the reload cycle before I load any live shells. I find it really enjoyable and haven't shot any ammo in the last few years other than 22 that I didn't load myself.

I enjoy Shotshell reloading more than others. I'm not sure why. Maybe the versatility of it? I can load BP loads for an old double I have and it's a hoot to shoot. I've killed a lot of game with it. I like an oz. of #5 shot for that. I load 1 1/8'' oz of dove in 7 1/2, 8 , or 9 shot. I load coyote loads for the 10 gauge. I think they shot better. I know they can be more consistent. I have a 20 gauge load with an oz of 6 shot for crows that is devastating to them. It is very versatile. The ten gauge loads are really the only way I can get coyote loads I like right now. I don't want to pay for custom reloads I can do myself. I used to be able to buy 2 or 2 1/4 oz BB Winchester loads for the 10 - now all I can get are steel shot waterfowl loads. Early in squirrel season I like a 3/4 oz load of 4's for squirrels in my 20 gauge. Later when the leave are off 1 oz of 5 shot is better. For pests around the barn lot I use 9 shot and make them fast with 1 1/4 oz payloads for the 12gauge. Sometimes I can get several sparrows if they are all sitting eating my bait. Reloads used to cost half what store bought did. Not sure what they cost now. It's very satisfying to load your own ammo and go hunting and get game to feed your family. Here's my old Baker 12 ga ( belonged to my Great Grandpa bought 1905) with a limit of bushy tails last fall using reload of paper RST shells and BP with 1 oz of 5 shot. What a hoot to shoot. I got to learn why Great Grandpa would take a step to the side after his shot.



PS. BP is easy to clean. It looks terrible but it comes right out of your barrel. I use warm soapy water. I put a can of it on the floor and pull it up into each barrel a couple times with a cleaning rod and rag then dry it off off and oil it. The insides of the barrels look like mirrors. You'll never forget the smell after you shoot with it.

I used to reload just to save money. Now, I reload for best patterns for each of my guns. I can get way better patterns for my shotguns with my reloads than I can with ANY factory ammo. Reloading heavy weight shot (HW-13 & HW-18) is a lot cheaper too. Loading lead shot is way more forgiving than steel/HW.

I have MEC jr loaders for 410/28/20/16/12. Actually I think I have 3 for 12 ga. All have universal charge bars. I typically only load for 16ga, but did load up 10 boxes of 12ga of 1 1/4oz #6 this fall for late season dove and crows.

you need this

Dillon

For me, it's about customization. Making little guns do things big guns can't. Taking the most lethal shotshell to the field every time I go. I'm a shotshell freak, I pattern everything and load meticulously. I even pattern my squirrel loads.

One day it will likely be my primary source of income

That is a fine looking hound on that shot shell box.

All the above. I started loading .410 at age 11 and been hooked ever since. Metallic came a few years later. Bullet casting is the frosting on the cake, and I enjoy scrounging the components. Think I have a dozen presses, both automated and single stage. Enjoy making old beater “tractor guns” into defense shotguns. My sons, and grandsons enjoy shooting slugs like most folks shoot .22’s. Bullet casting makes bullets/ slugs/ buckshot cheap and alloying makes them perform to my needs, not what an ammo company thinks I need.

See that's what I'm saying when I say I'm a lil confused with it.on one had guys like you tell me you've done all this and on the other it's if you don't follow the book EXACTLY you'll blow your face off.... Idk seems like shot guns are one of those deals where you really have to be doing something really really stupid to hurt yourself

i got into reloading when i was 20 as my friends and i where shooting 2-3 cases of shells each in a duck/goose season so there was finacal gain seen and we didnt have too run to the store every day somebody was always out or low plus our kill ratios got higher too as we started shooting ducks and geese at farther ranges with the loads we where making than steel became manditory add we basically stopped still have the equipment but have used up all the supplies after shooting a bunch of skeet

I do it to save money have fun and screw around by putting random things in them like dimes

We used to do it so that we could load what was pretty much equal to Super Pigeon High brass for less than what those expensive rounds costed at the time.

Let's say you are loading magnum loads and carelessly drop in a second load of powder...,maybe you have fullfilled your first scenario.

I'm not going to encourage you to mix up any old crap you want. But, once you have read the manuals, and understand all the components and interactions, you will be in a position to free your inner artist.