Recoil-12 gauge minishells vs 20 gauge.

[10x25mm]

After reading these replies and doing some research I keep coming back to the thought of reloading. I reload for pistol and rifle but not shot-shells. Are these components as hard to find too? Any idea how much it would run for a beginners low output setup for a 20g.?

Since the passage of California Proposition 63 in 2016, there has been a run on reloading equipment and supplies because California did not regulate reloading equipment and supplies the way they regulated completed cartridges. The draw from California shooters created a nationwide shortage and dramatically escalated prices, particularly for shotgun ammunition supplies.

The worst of the Proposition 63 shortages seem to be behind us, but prices are still increasing. Shotgun primers were almost impossible to obtain, but now are readily available. Shotgun reloading presses were also hard to come by, but now can be had new if you are willing to wait a month or so. Both Lee and MEC are about caught up with demand, although their prices continue to escalate.

Used 20 gauge reloading equipment is scarce, but occasionally available. A single station 20 gauge MEC 600 or 700 press will usually sell for around $ 100 on eBay or Craigslist. The more spartan 20 gauge Lee Load All II is rarely found used, but can be had new for around $ 75. Used shotgun presses don't ship well, so you want to find one available for pickup if at all possible.

MEC has a good video showing the steps to use their Model 600.

Lee does not have a decent Load All video, but there is one from 314299 Shooting Channel on You Tube.

Once you get a reloader, you will need hulls, 209 primers (about $ 10/100), powder (about $ 35.00 per pound), Claybuster 1075-20 wads (about $ 13 per 500), and shot (about $ 50 per 25 pounds). Once-fired hulls for low recoil 20 gauge loads are difficult to find. You need the lowest internal capacity possible, which is exactly the opposite of what most ammunition manufacturers strive for in 20 gauge hulls. The Winchester 'Super Target' and the Herters (made by Winchester) are the best. You may have to buy complete shells to start your hull collection, but often you can pick up these empties at skeet fields.

Loading 0.75 (3/4) ounce loads, you will get about 500 (14.0 grain) loads per pound of powder and 533 loads per 25 pound bag of shot. There are 7,000 grains in a pound. Claybuster offers some very good loading data for their CB1075-20 wad. Use the Winchester AA data with the Winchester Super Target and Universal hulls.

Recoil impulses from the Claybuster data loads are in the low 2s, and recoil energy is in the 10 to 12 ft-lbf vicinity. If you use one of the many recoil calculators online, a 3/4 ounce shot charge weighs about 323 grains and the Claybuster 1075-20 wad weighs another 20 grains. Double or triple the powder charge weight because gun gas exits the muzzle at 2 - 3 time the velocity of the shot charge.

[beaverislander]

Thank you 10X25mm for the very detailed answer!