reloading 20gauge

[steve04]

How much cheaper is it to reload 20 gauge shells for trap shooting? is it worth it?

[biggfish]

I reload 12 gauge its cheaper enough to be worth it best part is my trap score improved greatly once I found my perfect recipie

[C-Money]

12 ga is the way to go. No savings other than a tad less shot depending on how much you use. Lots of guys reload 20ga for skeet, but not for trap.

[wadu1]

12 ga is the way to go. No savings other than a tad less shot depending on how much you use. Lots of guys reload 20ga for skeet, but not for trap.

C-Money is correct; a little less shot and powder. I only use a 20ga for skeet and for sub gauge sporting clays. 

[steve04]

Does it matter what gauge you use for trap and skeet? I just figured it was personal preference.

[CP]

How much cheaper is it to reload 20 gauge shells for trap shooting? is it worth it?

How much are you paying for shells?  I can reload 7/8oz 12g loads for $3.90 a box.  20g cost would be about the same.

[steve04]

For estate 20 gauge they are 6.79 a box for target loads. Not sure of the shot size. That's a lot cheaper if you ask me. What powder, wads, hulls do you use?

[Hilltop123]

How much cheaper is it to reload 20 gauge shells for trap shooting? is it worth it?

How much are you paying for shells?  I can reload 7/8oz 12g loads for $3.90 a box.  20g cost would be about the same.
 the same

7/8 out of a 12 is the same  as 7/8 out of a 20, yes some will argue the patterning aspect.......but the fact remains ...if your on target, the bird will break.

[wildweeds]

The most expensive component is the shot if you ask me,I practice with a .410 for savings at skeet , I get two shots for one as compared to a 20 gauge with the shot charge.You use less powder also.The benefit and curse to it is you will shoot crappy for a bit because you've got to be right on the money with your shot,with practice you will be breaking 20+.When you go hunting with a larger bore you'll be on the money provided your guns fit the same.

I reload for both 20 and 410,I use claybuster wads,international clays powder AA hulls for the 20.For .410 I use superspeed hulls,aa wads,hodgon 410 powder. The savings on the 410 is incredible when compared to buying shells.

[bobcat]

I've never heard of anyone shooting trap with a 20 gauge. At least not on a regular basis. If you're competing you'll want to use a 12 gauge. If you don't care about your score, then fine, use a 20.

You might do fair from the 16 yard line, but move back to 19 or 20 and I bet you'll see a big improvement in your score with a 12 versus a 20.

[steve04]

Sorry for the confusion but I'm new to the whole trap/skeet thing. So skeet you use a 20 gauge because of the closer distance your shooting? CP, when you say you are reloading for $3.90 a box, in what amounts are you buying your wads, powder,shells,etc.?

[C-Money]

Skeet shooters are looking for a fast swinging shotgun. Targets are close, and moving at some steep angles. The 20ga is a great choice for skeet. Trap, you shoot targets that are moving away from you, some at an angle. A 20ga is fine to get women, or young shooters involved in the sport, but a 12ga is the way to go.  Singles trap is shot from the 16 yard line, and broken into classes. AA, A, B, C & D...etc...   Handicap trap, is based on your average score. New shooters usually start on the 20 yard line, and shoot there until an average is established after 500 targets. Shooters earn yardage by winning a Handicap event, or breaking 96 targets or higher in a handicap event. When I buy reloading supplies, it is smart to buy with your local gun club, cause you usually get better pricing when a large order is placed. I like to buy powder by the 8lb keg, wads by the case (5000), primers by the sleeve (5000) and I am always looking for a good buy on shot. My father and I will by it by the ton if the price is right. I have been shooting a lot of reclaimed shot to keep the price down. Hope this helps, feel free to ask questions.

[steve04]

How many times can you reload a shell? what hulls are good to use, and what is the difference on number of crimps?

[CP]

I buy in bulk from either Graf & sons or Gamaliel.com.  5000 primers, 5000 wads, 2 – 8lb jugs of powder.  Noble sport primers are cheap and as good as any other.  I use clay buster wads, Promo or Clay Dot powder, again cheap and does the job.

Shot I buy locally from wherever I can find it cheapest, usually Kenmore range or from someone who is making a bulk buy.

I only load Remington hulls; they are one piece hulls and can be reloaded several times.  Hulls with a separate base wad e.g. Rio, some Winchester, should be avoided. 

Crimp, 6 or 8 point, doesn’t matter.

[C-Money]

I load mostly Remington STS or glad nitro hulls. You can load them 8 or more times usually, just keep your eyes sharp for any sign of cracks in the side wall or large cracks going down the side from the crimp. Some hulls are 6 crimp, usually hunting loads, some are 8, usually dove/target loads. Not sure if there is any real difference in performance. I have a 6 crimp starter and and 8 crimp. Only time I use the 6 crimp is when I reload  Federal Paper hull hulls, or the Remington black hulls or the green Sure Shot Remington hulls.