IPSC Shooting

htempelman

htempelman

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Good evening,

Question on reloading for IPSC shooting. .40 para
Let say I would buy a reloader --> Dillon. 550.

How many shots do I have to fire before this investment pay's for it self.
Should a beginner user think about this kind of equipment?

Just so you know, I am a beginner that cannot yet appreciate the fine parameter of power burn rate or bullet weight for finer shot consistency.

Regards,

Harry Tempelman
 
Harry:
It sort of depends on what you see yourself doing in a couple of years, gun-wise. If you only ever anticipate reloading for pistol, I'd really seriously think about Dillon's Square Deal.
If you think you'll be loading high volume rifle ammo get the 550, with 2 caveats, first, the 550 is not an ideal press to learn rifle loading on or to do load development on, and second, if you are only going to load 20 rounds at a time you'll spend more time setting-up and taking down/cleaning the 550 than actually loading.

The time to re-coup the cost of the reloading stuff is dependant on what you are presently paying for ammo and what you want your loaded ammo to do.

Either way, you'll need about 1000 empties to get started, preferably of the same brand. Now you buy brass or you can shoot factory ammo and save the brass.
 
I you will be shooting IPSC, RL550 is just right for your need especially if you will be shooting 40 cal.
As for how many rounds you need to reload before it pays off for itself? It does not take long and it will be very rewarding expense-wise in the long run.:) :) That's looking from reloading point of view to save money. :D :D

Here's how I look at it. Mind you this is just an example and there will be variations in price of the components, BUT this is the actual expenses I spend for each round I handload using the current component prices:
For example you paid $700.00 for a brand new RL550 package.
The price for a reloaded 40 cal round will be 0.1430 cents per round (using WSP, WIN 231 powder @ 5 grns per round, 180 grn FMJ excell bullets and brass). The $700.00 you spent on your RL550 reloader should be paid for itself after you reloaded 5000 rounds of 40 SW.:eek: :eek: Meaning after you have reloaded 5000 rounds, you are only basically spending money for the components itself and the press is paid for.

You may ask how?
If 50 rounds of factory ammo is $14.30, the 5000 rounds would be worth $1430.00.
And if the 50 rounds of your reloaded ammo is $7.15 based on $0.1430 per round, the 5000 rounds would only be worht $715.00. You save $715.00 after reloading 5000 rounds compared to the expense that you would have paid for a factory 40 SW ammo. The $715.00 you save by handloading pays for the expenses you paid for the RL550 press. :D :D

It pays for itself fast eh????:D :D :dancingbanana:

Good luck reloading.. Reload safely. ;)
 
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You might also want to think about an inexpensive single stage press in addition to a progressive. A single stage is a great way to learn all the steps of reloading and what things to watch out for at every step. But you can also do the same thing with a progressive if you start out with the first few cartridges by loading one at a time until you are confident all is going as planned. (And before you load a few hundred and find out that something had gone wrong.)

It helps if you have someone who can help you set up your press and give you a few tips to get you started.
 
Buy the Lyman Handloading Book 48th Edition for a start. Read the whole book until you reach the reloading Data Section before starting to reload. DO NOT JUMP into reloading right away. READ and UNDERSTAND everything what is in the book and you should be on your way to reloading safely.

If you are buying the Dillon RL550, get the video. It will help you a great deal in setting up your press.

Good luck.
 
When I bought my 550 last year, I made up a spreadsheet with all the $$ including the material costs (powder, primer, bullets)..

all said and done, it was 5456 rounds (minor IPSC using w231) before it was all paid off (This compared to purchasing by the case of 1000, of Winchester White box, 165s)

if you are going to load for IPSC, then the 550 (or better) is a must.. you are going to be cranking out the rounds after a while, and your TIME will be worth a lot more then the bullet costs (I can do about 400-500/Hour, when I'm in a groove.)
 
I'm still not sure why you'd buy a 550 over a hornady LnL, a little cheaper, a lot smoother and easier to change calibers on. Also auto indexs.......

but dillons are ok..
 
Although I'm not a big fan of their equipment, I love my LEE handloading guide. Very good explanation for the newby, including a breakdown of cost savings. Best pressure data available, loads tend to be on the light side, but well worth the money.
As for .40SW savings, find out where the local police shoot. Many use .40sw these days and once fireds are either FREE or cheap as @#%@. Seeing as brass is bar FAR the most expensive component of your cartridge, you can knock down the aformentioned payback time by about half.
Have fun.
 
canuckgunny said:
Although I'm not a big fan of their equipment, I love my LEE handloading guide. Very good explanation for the newby, including a breakdown of cost savings. Best pressure data available, loads tend to be on the light side, but well worth the money.
As for .40SW savings, find out where the local police shoot. Many use .40sw these days and once fireds are either FREE or cheap as @#%@. Seeing as brass is bar FAR the most expensive component of your cartridge, you can knock down the aformentioned payback time by about half.
Have fun.
Click to expand...


good tip, they tend to leave quit a pile of once fireds. If you can find out when they book the range, all you have to do is hover like a turkey vulture till they leave.:) And the tip on the lyman 48th edition is a good one, its perfect for starting out with.
 
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