I know nothing about reloading. But just wondering, I’m about to spend $600 at Academy on 1 oz lead loads (15 cases x $40 a cases). This is for next off season, I do this every year. Just wondering if I’m better off reloading. During hunting season, I hunt ducks but do not shoot as much, but shells are a lot more. I shoot kent fast steel 3 inch 4 shot, about $140 a case I shoot maybe 2 or 3 cases, say another $400 that is $1000 a year.

So what is my upfront cost (equipment) and variable cost (gunpowder, pellets, etc....)? I assume the more you pay in equipment, the more shells you can crank out per hr? Throw me some numbers, I’ll do the math unless you want to do it....

are you buying promo loads?

Reloading pays off if you shoot A LOT! Below is a shotgun handloading cost calculator. You can figure out what your ammo cost is, then add in all the equipment on top of that. Equipment is up to you. Generally, the most it costs, the faster it will load ammo and/or the better the reloading press is. The good thing about reloading is you can catter your ammo to what you want to do. But if you are doing it to save money, you won't. What it will allow you to do is shoot a lot more, for a little less per round. You just spend a lot more on supplies and shooting!

http://nouturns.com/rc.htm

Good Calculator Chad.

With a MEC 600JR I reload at a rate of about 100 an hour when I was reloading shotshells a lot. Last time I calculated it the reloads were only slightly cheaper than promotional loads but the reloads are target load quality. I know my scores in trap, skeet and sporting clays were always higher with my reloads than the Promotional loads and that translated to better performance in the field as well.

If you don't shoot competitively, and practice a lot..the initial
costs, plus the costs of lead now will not justify your expense
except on 28ga. and 410ga..Shot is running around $42 to $45 a
bag and up...12 and 20 ga. use the most of it and are the cheapest ammo to purchase retail...the little guns use the least
and run around $10 to $14 a box...Good reloaders will cost you
at least $450 ea. and then you have to setup for the same hulls
and match w/wads and purchase a case of primers and powder in a
large container if loading the larger guns..I used to compete and
shot around 15K to 25K rounds annually..at about $1.50box..now they run around $3 a box and I'd have to do the work...DD

So I guess it is pretty hard to beat the $3.99 a box deal at academy for 1 oz loads.

Hard to beat it as long as lead and powder prices are what they are to relaoders. The cost of powder and shot are about the price of the dove loads at Academy

You can get some really good deals on used presses and equipment on eBay and at pawn shops which helps. For general target/practice use I buy reclaimed shot which saves a ton of money.

Yes, unless you get a smoking deal on lead from someone that has it laying around.

Toolman, where and how do you buy reclaimed shot? Price?

I recently bought 4.5 new bags for $60, and 9 new bags for $180, which was awesome. Paying $45/bag at the big retailers sucks.

I got mine from a local pawnshop after the reclaimers had cleaned up our skeet range. Think I paid $17.99/25 lb. bag. T5he only drawback is the mixed shot size (mostly #8 with a bit of 7 1\2 and 9), but it shoots better than expected. Just Google reclaimed shot or check with the local skeet/trap clubs.
You can also get from the reclaimer, but it it's seasonal. Here's a link:
http://leadrecoverysystems.com/RECLAIMED%20LEAD%20SHOT%20FOR%20RELOADS.htm

I got into shotshell reloading about 25 years or so ago. I have a MEC progressive loader and I load winchester AA lite target loads for .12 guage. I was shooting a LOT when I got started reloading and I figured I was loading shells for about half of the cost of factory loads. I laid off loading (and shooting so much) for about 10 years and recently started to load again. I was shocked at how the price of components had gone up. Long story short, I am reloading again mainly because I want to expose my son to it and he has expressed interest in it. I figure I'm saving about a buck a box over factory loads. If my reloader hadn't been paid for years ago, I wouldn't do it. UNLESS, you enjoy reloading for it's own sake.

I have been loading centerfire rifle and pistol for years, started shotshell loading 2 years ago. Picked up range hulls and bought AA from Cabelas, by my math... It cost me $ 4.00/box to load, BUT that is the best load I have shot so far. 1oz. 7.5 at 1050fps.

I bought a MEC 600 JR 12G on eBay for 31.00 + 15.00 for shipping. I have bought most of the empty hulls off people on here. I think its kinda fun to do it as well. I also will trade people who reload other calibers. This way i also save.

Try this shotshell cost calculator

http://www.dundeesportsmansclub.com/video3/reloading_cost_calculator.htm

I have a MEC781R I think it is in my garage that has been sitting for a while. It is set up for 1 1/8oz loads and has some rust but could be cleaned up and work fine. I will take $50.00 ftf or you pay shipping. I also have a bunch of wads, hulls, primers and powder I will make a deal on.
PM if interested.