Snuffy

Having just got my 20 ga I entertain the idea of reloading for the 20 ga. I settle for the 1 oz loads. After putting the pen to the paper decided that wasn't a good idea thenI changed to the 7/8 oz load not much of an improvement. I can go to wallly world pick up 100 round pack for right at 25 bucks. Hell my time is worth much more than the few pennies if any save on reloading.

Johngoboom

Where you save big money on any shot shell reloading is hunting loads. If you are buying low brass loads with 7 1/2's or 8's for breaking some clays or general purpose shooting there is really no reason to load your own. But, if your looking for the equivalent of high brass loads that are good for pheasant, long range squirrel, crows, or runs shot bigger than 6's reloading is the way to go. A box of high performance 20 gauge shells might run $15 a box at your local. I can load those up for $3-$4 a box.

The only other reason to load your own 20 gauge shells is to get a really nice ultra light load. I know guys that shoot 5-10 rounds of skeet a week. By loading down to a 1/2 ounce powder puff load, they save a lot of wear and tear on their shoulders.

The same pretty much holds true for 12 gauge as well. But you won't find value packs of 16, 28 or .410 so any of those are worth reloading for anything.

ONE LAST THING...if you are thinking about ever reloading your empty hulls, buy the REMINGTON value pack stuff, they load up great, and don't have a separate base wad like the crappy Winchester Universals, and they are brass instead of steel. The Federal hulls are OK but not as good as the Remingtons, plus they have a straight (instead of tapered hull design) that means your going to have to use special wads.

Snuffy

Great points thanks for the education pal.

Johngoboom

No Problem!

Snuffy

Ok I have ended up with a new press shock, the story of how that happened is in the lounge. Anyhow back to the Remington value packs to load a 1 oz of shot what wad am I going to need? What powder will give me the most loads for the buck?

Johngoboom

So you're looking to just load up some 1 oz field/hunting loads then?

If that's the case I really like a powder called Long Shot...It makes some really nice hunting loads, and can get a 1 oz payload going close to 1200 FPS. Blue Dot might be a bit cheaper though, and is only about 40 FPS slower, although you will need 4 grains or so more of it per shell.

For wads I would stick with Remington SP20 wads.

What 209 primers do you have Snuffy?

The loads listed are all for Remington Hulls.

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Long Shot 1 oz Field Loads:

16.0 Gains Powder, Rem. SP20 Wad, Rem 209P Primer

16.5 Grains Powder, Rem. SP20 Wad, Win 209 Primer

15.5 Grains Powder, Rem. SP20 Wad, Fed 209A Primer

16.5 Grains Powder, Rem SP20 Wad, CCI 209M Primer

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Blue Dot 1 oz Field Loads:

20.5 Grains Powder, Rem SP20 Wad, CCI 209M Primer

21.0 Grains Powder, Rem SP20 Wad, Win 209 Primer

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Hope that helps Buddy!!!

Snuffy

I have Winchester 209's and in the deal I got 250 sp20 1 oz wads. I have some shot, hulls I have nothing at this time. would the bulk/ value pack Remingtons work for the loads ? The bar is 7/8 but I cna get a 1 oz bar no problem from Midway. The Bushings I have are 20 23 and 24, who makes the powder your taking about?

Johngoboom

Hodgdon makes Long Shot...The value pack Remington hulls will work fine. Just open them up and make sure they are brass and not steel. Sometimes you have to look a little more for the brass ones, but they load up really nice, and are one piece construction.

The Lyman MEC bushing chart lists the following for Long Shot:

13A= 15.6 Grains
14= 16.4 Grains
15= 17.2 Grains

Snuffy

I have decided to go with the 13A as the mec paper work says a single stage press will throw a heavier charge. This way I'll a good load and with a pound of powder can load 448 shells almost a case. I know wally world calls a case 10 boxs but its always been 20 boxs and that is 500 rounds.

Snuffy

Your right John I haven't found one of the value packs to have brass yet but I got time lol.