Just wondering approximately how much it will cost me for a complete setup to start re loading 45acp. Also what are average savings vs factory ammo? And is it easy enough to learn to do it safely and produce consistent quality ammo?
how much $ to start reloading
- Thread starter led21
- Start date
Probably at least $400 for a Lee auto turrent, dies, scale, tumbler and a reloading manual. You could spend more for a RCBS, Dillon etc.
I find that there is no savings for me shooting my reloads vs factory BUT I do shoot a lot more and have better quality ammo.
I find that there is no savings for me shooting my reloads vs factory BUT I do shoot a lot more and have better quality ammo.
it will cost as low as $300-400 for single stage press, dies, scales, etc and over $1000 for more expensive gear.
box of 50 factory ammo = ~30 bucks and tax
box of reloaded 50 = ~7.5 bucks
its a fairly safe process, and you get quality ammo, and can choose the power of the charge
box of 50 factory ammo = ~30 bucks and tax
box of reloaded 50 = ~7.5 bucks
its a fairly safe process, and you get quality ammo, and can choose the power of the charge
Hope I am not hyjacking this but I am in the same phase. Loaded shotguns for 30 years but never rifle so want to get started this year.
In shot gun I have replaced or upgraded everything and wish I had of just bought the better quality first. So with that in mind what gear within reason should we both be looking at.
If you were starting new knowing what you know now what would you buy for yourself as far as press, tumbler etc. for some one that may shoot 1000 rounds a year in three calipers and is not rich.LOL
In shot gun I have replaced or upgraded everything and wish I had of just bought the better quality first. So with that in mind what gear within reason should we both be looking at.
If you were starting new knowing what you know now what would you buy for yourself as far as press, tumbler etc. for some one that may shoot 1000 rounds a year in three calipers and is not rich.LOL
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- Location
- Halifax - NS
Sorry, to answer a question with a question, but we really need to know two things to properly answer.
How much ammo per month are you planning to make?
What's your spare time worth?
After startup costs, you could save as much as 50% if you get a consistent supply of brass.
I've met people who I don't understand how they manage to get up and dress themselves in the morning that make safe, consistent ammo. It's not a problem!
It all depends on how much shooting you want to do. Google LEE Reloading kits.
They have a very neat little hand held, lever press. For one set of dies, press, powder scoops (great for pistol) and priming tool, under $150 delivered.
If you are going to shoot a lot, a decent, cast iron frame, turret press is the way to go. If you have a bit of patience, they usually apper at gun shows at very reasonable prices.
They have a very neat little hand held, lever press. For one set of dies, press, powder scoops (great for pistol) and priming tool, under $150 delivered.
If you are going to shoot a lot, a decent, cast iron frame, turret press is the way to go. If you have a bit of patience, they usually apper at gun shows at very reasonable prices.
If you are loading .45ACP, the minimum I would recommend would be a Lee Turret Press. 150+ rounds per hour once you get used to it and it will do all pistol calibres up to the magnum length rifle calibres. Cost is only slightly more than a typical single stage press set up.
Using a single stage press is OK if you are loading 50 rifle rounds in an evening, but for a semi-auto pistol you want more production than that. At least I do; I never seem to go to the range and burn less than 100 rounds per gun when shooting pistols. It takes a long time to replenish the supply at single stage press rates of production.
Mark
I'm sorry for jumping in, but I have a similar question. I want to set aside a fair quantity of .223, 300 win mag, 9mm and 10mm. As well I want to shoot about one hundred .223, 9mm, 10mm and about twenty five 300 win mag a week.
What would you purchase and is there a kit that would include everything I need. I prefer to purchase what works best the first time and be done.
What would you purchase and is there a kit that would include everything I need. I prefer to purchase what works best the first time and be done.
Then don't buy a kit! Pick and choose your equipment. MY experience with Lee scales and powder measures are not stellar, they are in the garbage. Lee presses and other equip rate high with me, though.
RCBS make good scales and powder measures. If money is no object get one that throws a premeasured amount electronically. That is where I wll one day end up, but until then, I find reloading a relaxing pasttime in the winter when it is -30 without windchill and will continue to do it slow and easy. I did move up to a turret press and like it, but most of my stuff is loaded on a Lee hand press, watching TV, in the living room with the fam (decapping and resizing is done in the basement at the bench).
Oh, yeah, I don't use the powder dippers from Lee either, I'm too inconsistent on the method, I guess since I have had variances of up to 1 grain +/-.
My .02 cents. Just ordered Hornady progressive, dies, plates, tumbler, scales, trays, pullers and some accessories. Turned up close to 600 - all bought across the border. Decided to skip the single stage(more chancs to f##k up when loading large batches) and Lee turrets (mixed reviews). And Hornady is still giving away 600 bullets of your choice if you buy press and dies. You might flip those on EE to recoup some expenses.
Look on the ee for deals, local shops, etc, and you can outfit yourself pretty cheap if time is not critical. It took me probably two months to get set up to load .308. Lee single stage, rcbs case lube kit, and lee hand priming tool, lee safetry scale was i think 120 bucks (dad bought it for me, used press, other stuff new). lee Case trimmer & lock stud, case length gauge and shellholder, and rcbs chamfer/debur tool were 20 bucks off of ebay. Dies were relatively cheap off of the ee here, I think 30 bucks? If you want it all new and RIGHT NOW, and a turret press, it will be signifigantly more.
All this stuff is an initial investment. Your consumables are relatively cheap. a pound of powder is 35 bucks or so, and for handgun you should get somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1500-1800 rounds (7000 grains in a pound?), primers are 5 bucks per hundred if you buy them per hundred. If you get a pot and track down some wheel weights, you can cast your own bullets super cheap.
I'm not a fan of turret/indexing presses...they just seem flimsy to me. My next purchase will probably be a second single stage press, so i can leave my decapper/sizer set up in one and bullet seater/roll crimp in the other.
All this stuff is an initial investment. Your consumables are relatively cheap. a pound of powder is 35 bucks or so, and for handgun you should get somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1500-1800 rounds (7000 grains in a pound?), primers are 5 bucks per hundred if you buy them per hundred. If you get a pot and track down some wheel weights, you can cast your own bullets super cheap.
I'm not a fan of turret/indexing presses...they just seem flimsy to me. My next purchase will probably be a second single stage press, so i can leave my decapper/sizer set up in one and bullet seater/roll crimp in the other.
I agree with mr jones above, the single stage is a good press to start. I got the Lee Classic Cast new for 125 and bought dies, trays and odds and ends when I started 9mm in January for about 200.00. With a good quality single stage (there is some flimsy crap out there ) I now load 2 rifle and 2 pistol caliburs.
Once you make the initial investment it is under 50.00 for each new calibur set of dies, shell holder(s) and a case length gauge.
You really see a quick savings when you reload the higher priced rilfe and pistol rounds. I bought factory .38sp last night for about 25.00 per box. Since I with my own cast bullets, I will reload them for about 5.00 per box. Saving 20.00/box on .38sp will cover the 50.00 for the setup when I load my 3rd box. You can't beat that. I will save even more on .357mag!
As another poster mentioned, single stage is slower but when it's cold outside, a box or two loaded per night is time well spent.
Cactus
Once you make the initial investment it is under 50.00 for each new calibur set of dies, shell holder(s) and a case length gauge.
You really see a quick savings when you reload the higher priced rilfe and pistol rounds. I bought factory .38sp last night for about 25.00 per box. Since I with my own cast bullets, I will reload them for about 5.00 per box. Saving 20.00/box on .38sp will cover the 50.00 for the setup when I load my 3rd box. You can't beat that. I will save even more on .357mag!
As another poster mentioned, single stage is slower but when it's cold outside, a box or two loaded per night is time well spent.
Cactus
