Recently I've been shooting a lot of trap and skeet. It costs me about $5.50 per box to reload shells. I just (yesterday) bought several flats of Estate shells at the LGS for $49.95 per flat ($5.00 per box). These had 1-1/8 oz. of shot in 12 gauge and 7/8 oz. in 20 gauge. The only sizes were 7-1/2 and 8 in 12 gauge and 8 and 9 in 20 gauge.
This is not a unique experience. In December, Cabela's had a sale for $5.40 per box, shipping included, on Herter's shells.
With these prices, why hand load? 28 gauge is different, though. the same place selling 12 and 20 for $49.95 was selling the same brand of 28 gauge for 89.95 per flat.
Someone told me that the "cheap"brands had softer shot than Remington, Winchester, etc. but I tend to doubt that.
