Shotshell reloading is usually regarded by target shooters as a way to save money on ammunition. The majority of new Skeet, Trap, or Sporting Clays shooters show up at the club with some shells purchased at the local Wal-Mart or sporting goods store. After a few weeks of shooting they find that the volume of shells that they are using has become a significant expense. Upon asking the other club members the new shooter will find that a large group of his peers are involved in reloading their own shells. Luckily, most shooters who reload are more than happy to get a new reloading buddy started by showing the new guy the reloading machine, and demonstrating the techniques of shotshell reloading.

  Shooters who are new to reloading will find it is a safe and satisfying hobby, if a few basic rules are followed. All powder manufacturers publish booklets containing recipies for specfic hull, primer, powder, wad, and shot weight combinations. This information is also available on the internet from Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester. It is MOST important that the beginning reloader follow the manufacturers recommended recipies for the sake of his safety, and the safety of fellow competitors. Part of the satisfaction in reloading is finding a published recipie and using it to produce shells with the ballistics that are most compatable to your specific shooting sport and style.

  Of course the beginning reloader needs a reloading press in the particular gauge shell he is interested in reloading. The most popular starter machine is the MEC 600 JR. The 600 JR is a single stage machine which is very reliable and safe. Available in all popular gauges, an occasional shooter or hunter can easily keep up with his ammunition needs with one of these fine machines. The next most important piece of equipment is a reliable scale. The new reloader can get along fine with any of the number of balance beam scales that are availble from several manufacturers. Both MEC 600 JR and reloading scales can be found in quanitity on ebay. More information on MEC reloaders can be found at MEC's website.To search ebay for MEC reloaders use this link.MEC Reloader

  The components to reload shotshells are as a rule purchased locally. The weight of lead shot, and a UPS hazardous materials fee on primers and powder, make shipping those items cost prohibitive. Your local shooting club and fellow reloaders will be a good source of information on component purchases. Some clubs have a person who coordinates component sales, sometimes a local sporting goods store stocks the equipment and components needed to get started. Most important is to ask your fellow shooters and reloaders to find the bargains.

  As the new reloader develops his skills and has the need for faster reloading production, a progressive press is just the machine he needs. A progressive press produces a reloaded shell upon every operation of the handle. The shells revolve in a turret and are filled with components and crimped at different stations. A good starter progressive is the MEC 650, resonably priced and readily available the 650 is very popular. Those in search of more speed, and hull resizing capability, choose the MEC Grabber or 9000G, both resize the brass portion of the hull and the 9000G is auto indexing. Auto indexing is the term to describe the shell turret moving to the next desired location upon the pull of the handle, a big step up in speed and efficency. Some other companies producing progressive reloaders are RCBS, Dillon, and Ponsness Warren. They all have websites where you can get more information about their machines.

  Shotshell reloading is a safe and satisfying hobby that can save the weekend shooter some money. Remember to follow published recipies and weigh your powder charge with a reliable scale. You will find it is very satisfying to see a target broken or a game bird brought down with a shell you have re-manufactured yourself, to your specifications.