+1 to all of the above.
It should be noted that for $300k Clifford probably isn't talking about a semi-auto Dillon 1050 but more like a full Candex set up with Brass sorting, Loader, and packaging machines.
Mil-surp brass is available but it's very limited in what you get; basically tons of 5.56 and 9, and a tiny bit of 7.62 and other stuff. You still need to aggressively hunt every other major caliber. ( If you check the fine print it say's No Export without authorization. Usually nothing about mandatory de-mil so technically your gtg for the domestic market ).
The alternate is to become a high end uber specialist. Don't do bulk, stick to high end hunting or target calibers only and charge a premium. That's the technique
Corbin is based on with their bullet making equipment and it seems to work fairly well for them.
LOL I did actually consider Dillon's and did have that as part of my feasibility assessment, the pro's were cheap, but quality product, However, the labor involved (even at $12.50/ hour) vs amount produced per hour, would quickly take off from the bottom line. It just didn't make sense. I'm all for starting small and working up, but for something where you do want to make some money at. You are correct I liked the Camdex and called them.
Its funny that you brought up high end vs bulk. I spent time looking at this, and decided to go the way of bulk in phase 1, then in phase 3 add a precision premium. Mainly I felt (and this is my opinion, so I can be wrong here) is most people want to put as much lead down range as fast as possible! Look at the bulk deals around, tula and norinco bring out these deals on 7.62x51 and they seem to sell like hotcakes. Now if you could bridge the gap of bulk and quality, that I feel would be a good niche. Later I would want to add the premium precision line, but this now has a few drawbacks as well. First you would be marketed as a cheaper, bulk manufacturer in turn trying to be lead sniper. Its like Dodge making a car to compete to a Rolls Royce Phantom corniche at the same price point (and the Viper is not comparable to a rolls!). I'd take the Rolls! So now its a big marketing campaign, and marketing is a HUGE necessity, but with a hefty price tag! Best way for marketing, IMO, would be to get at a price point below all competition, yet have a margin for all dealers to be double or better than any other brand. Let the dealers push the customers to the product! By doing that though, lowers my line, but in the end, consumers get the product over another brand. But you still need to get it to the dealers hands! Maybe later if it gets profitable enough, and good enough brand power, could be sold out to a large company for the big bucks (yep I'd sell out, thats where the money lies!)
Also for the precision rounds, I feel that it is a much smaller market. Yes most people buy the expensive rounds for hunting big game, but for the most part, I'd say the ones who shoot a lot competitively would continue to roll their own, unless you provided a perfect quality product every time at considerably less than what they are now, but I'd think the margins and time would not warrant much of the market. My opinion
There is a market out there, and with ammunition it would be great for the whole community, cheaper costs to feed would mean a ripple effect in the industry. I know I have passed on certain firearms because I would not be able to use it as much as I would like to.
