Making your own 9mm ammunition

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DarkStalker

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I have not found any threads stating how to make our own 9mm ammunition, just read that I could buy the Lee 50th anniversary kit from Cabelas for 129$ but of course they are back order :mad:

What is needed for a cheap 9mm reloading setup ? I have no idea what is needed except a press/die/primers/brass and powder ?

It would be great if somone could list the cheap/good quality stuff needed for a non expensive setup keeping in mind good components.

thanks in advance :)
 
Work backwards. How many rounds a year will you shoot, or how much $$ do you have available for ammo.

Inside that answer, is the press and equipment you need.
 
Lowest cost setup, not including powder, primers & bullets is the Lee Loader - $33 (plus taxes) at Wholesale Sports. It's more work than a press, but does perfectly good ammo.

If you want to step up from there, you can spend as much money as you have, and 5% more. Phishroy's advice is bang on - buy yourself a reloading manual (all the major ammo companies publish them and they're all pretty good) and read it. Then start thinking about equipment.
 
Canuck223 said:
Work backwards. How many rounds a year will you shoot, or how much $$ do you have available for ammo.

Inside that answer, is the press and equipment you need.
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:agree:

Take a good look at what you think your needs will be and choose a press based on that rather than cost as a primary concern. Personally, I would consider a turret press as a bare minimum for pistol reloading, with a progressive being preferred; single stage presses are extremely slow.

Any good reloading manual will have instructions on how to reload.
 
Check out some You Tube videos on reloading to get an idea of what you'll need to get started. There are plenty about reloading 9mm. Also Lee Precision's web site has demonstration videos showing the reloading sequence on most of their pressses.
 
Thanks for the help guys, I have no idea how much I will shoot since I just bought my first 9mm.

I like to do my own stuff and since everyone says its cheaper its a good way to spend time :)

I also have a 30-06 which of course costs a bunch to feed but since moose hunting is 10 days a year I have not really thought about it.. If I get some reloading equipment for the 9mm, I will use it for futur pistols like .40 or .45 and I guess the 30-06 will benefit also :D

As for looking at videos there is only dialup connection where I live LOL so I cant do that :(
 
DarkStalker said:
I have not found any threads stating how to make our own 9mm ammunition, just read that I could buy the Lee 50th anniversary kit from Cabelas for 129$
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Just noticed - If you're going for a press, you'll need to include the price of a set of dies, too. Figure $40, but check the EE here for a better deal.

Oh, and the Cabelas website is now saying the Lee kit is $109. Lee makes good stuff - actually, all of the major manufacturers are pretty good. It comes down to personal taste.

I would suggest that you not blow a lot of bucks to start off with. You can blow four figures faster than Rosie can down a pizza and not make ammo one whit better than the Lee Loader.
 
DarkStalker said:
Thanks for the help guys, I have no idea how much I will shoot since I just bought my first 9mm.

I like to do my own stuff and since everyone says its cheaper its a good way to spend time :)

I also have a 30-06 which of course costs a bunch to feed but since moose hunting is 10 days a year I have not really thought about it.. If I get some reloading equipment for the 9mm, I will use it for futur pistols like .40 or .45 and I guess the 30-06 will benefit also :D

As for looking at videos there is only dialup connection where I live LOL so I cant do that :(
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I shoot FMJs in my 9mm and I can load a box for $7, If I went with lead it would be cheaper yet ,9mm at the store is $14-$20 a box .I would a the minimum go with a Turret press to start off (lee make a not to bad one and I think @ $129 ) 20 boxs of ammo will pay for the press ............
 
Buy store bought ammo shoot save the brass you can decide down the road if you shoot enough to warrant investing in a loading setup.
 
Where do you buy your brass and bullets ?

I see brass is pretty expensive, I know you can reuse the same brass a couple times (how many is safe ?) but still one pound of powder is approx 35-40$, primers are 35-40 per 1k, so the high cost are mainly the bullet + brass right ?

I think Ill go with the turret since its not all automatic like the progressive press and also I can use it for 30-06 if I decide in the future, I'm not in a hurry to make 500 pieces/hour.

Thanks for the suggestions :)

BCboy said:
I shoot FMJs in my 9mm and I can load a box for $7, If I went with lead it would be cheaper yet ,9mm at the store is $14-$20 a box .I would a the minimum go with a Turret press to start off (lee make a not to bad one and I think @ $129 ) 20 boxs of ammo will pay for the press ............
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Turret is a very good start. Get the best dies you can afford as they last veeery long time and some come with Lifetime warranty, so you can move them from press to press.
For pistol ammo, you will eventually move to progressive if you start shooting seriously.
A good progressive that will allow you to load many calibers including rifle ammo at reasonable cost is Hornady LNL AP.

Buy books, ABC of reloading and a couple of Reloading manuals that cover your calibers.
Bullet puller, powder scale, primer flipping tray, etc. - they are a must.
 
DarkStalker said:
Where do you buy your brass and bullets ?

I see brass is pretty expensive, I know you can reuse the same brass a couple times (how many is safe ?) but still one pound of powder is approx 35-40$, primers are 35-40 per 1k, so the high cost are mainly the bullet + brass right ?

I think Ill go with the turret since its not all automatic like the progressive press and also I can use it for 30-06 if I decide in the future, I'm not in a hurry to make 500 pieces/hour.

Thanks for the suggestions :)
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I use win 231 $23 perpound
primers Bought @ $30 per 1000 Last year ( but $36 at higginsons)
Bullets BDX $98 per thou when I bought them (now $112) Fronter copper plated $84 per thou at Higginson
brass free
$7.06 abox /.14 a round;)
 
ATOM said:
You can blow four figures faster than Rosie can down a pizza and not make ammo one whit better than the Lee Loader.
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Yep, this is true and happens more frequently than most would admit. Also, you'll want to check out the "SFRC" sponsor's link above. You can buy professionally reloaded 9mm much cheaper than new.

Do Not Buy A Single Stage For Handgun Ammo!!!!! Anything more than 50 rounds a week and a Lee Turret Press is the minimum. 200 rounds an hour once a week is my routine.
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Well I disagree. A SS press will do a satisfactory job, particularly if a few hundred rounds a week is all you require. Its all about how you organize yourself. Run batches of at least 200 or so rounds through each process and you'll be surprised how efficient your SS press can be. A $20.00 Lee hand priming tool is fast and convenient too. Canuk223's advice is tops. Match your $$ outlay to your needs and don't forget to check out those prices on "reloaded" ammo. Buying from SFRC then selling back the brass may be a good alternative if your needs surpass the inexpensive SS setup.
 
Now that I selected the press, which powder are you using ?

I cant find win 231 but I have access to Alliant Powder Pistol which seems to be liked on the net for 9mm..


I have so many things to learn :cool:

Then there are bullets.. lol!
 
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