Reloading 12 ga. sabots

[dstegjas]

I thought I would start a different thread on this subject since the other one actually started out about the price of shells.

Since a few people have convinced me that reloading sabots is the way to go. I have ordered everything material wise that I need to do this. However there are a few other questions. The hulls I ordered are primed so this is not an immediate concern. However, once fired obviously I need to punch the primer out and seat the new ones. My days of reloading shot shells have long passed. So I don't have my press any longer. That being the case is there another way to do this without buying a complete press. If not, my thought was to just pick up a used MEC Sizemaster hopefully at a decent price and be done with it. However if anyone has another suggestion I am all ears.

Thanks,
Jim 

[varmitbob]

The Lee Load All is only approx $35 at Cabelas.  This will let you do primers and more.

[dstegjas]

Thanks VarmintBob. That's what I needed to know. I appreciate you letting me know about that option.

Jim

[varmitbob]

Glad I could help.  I have received help here, and it is good to return the favor to others.  It is nice since it handles 2-3/4" and 3" Shells if you do want to do some reloading.  It works best on used shells.  I have used new shells, but I had to put Vaseline up in the crimp station to get good crimps.

[woodchukhntr]

What is a good source for the sabot components?  I am sick of paying the ridiculous prices for sabot loads.  You have to pay as much for 5 sabots as you do for 20 .30-06's.  It makes practicing too expensive.

[eye shot]

  lightfieldslugs.com just got done loading some. All one piece-- very accurate!

[dstegjas]

Hey Eye Shot,
What does the cost of reloading the lightfields cost per slug. I just reload some sabots using the Hornady 45 cal. XTP bullet. The price was about $1.10 per bullet. I was wondering how they compared. I was thinking about going the Lightfield route but decided to try these first to see how they performed.

Jim

[eye shot]

I would say the LF-IDS are about .90 to a  1.00 apiece. If I can remember--
 slug0.80
 primed hull .07-.10
 powder- .05
 What sabot and twist rate are you using?

[varmitbob]

ballistic products at ballisticproducts.com sells some great slugs that are very easy to load, are extremely accurate, and very affordable.  The best thing I like is the accuracy and the heavier weights of these slugs.  I can tell you first hand that they put the deer down very quickly.  I have not found any other slug that is more accurate as the dangerous game slugs they sell. With a rifled slug barrel on my 870 with iron sights, I can consistently hit a pie plate at 150 yards.  I have not tried them with a scope.