Reloading 9mm in Canada---worth it?

jdman I load hundgun ammo on a 550. I buy tool heads and powder dies on ebay for cheap $. It is so sweet to switch tool heads and just move the powder thrower over to the new head. The dies are undisturbed from the last time I loaded that caliber.

Changing dies means getting the bell mouther just right, getting the powder thrower cycle just right, gettign the taper crimp just right and setting the seating depth.

With a separate tool head for each caliber, at worst all you have to change is the seating depth. I have a set of dummies for ech caliber withthe varous bullets in them so settign seating depth is easy.

Ask Santa for some tool heads. I think i pay $23 each.
 
For the cost of 550 toolheads, the time saving is well worth it to buy one for each die set. I guess if you were really cheap, you could buy extra lock rings and double up on each die to keep your adjustment, but you would still have to screw them into the toolhead.

Get a reloading press that has appropriate capacity for your ammo consumption needs and you won't find it excessively burdensome. I don't mind reloading, but I sure don't want it to consume all of my spare time. I would consider a progressive press a must for most pistol reloading.

I don't know how people managed to shoot in quantity in the dark ages before progressive presses became widely available and reasonably priced. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and note the pricing in 1979 for Star reloaders and accessories.

http://www.starreloaders.com/
 
I load for about $9/50; I just bought 10 boxes of 9mm at Le Baron (cheapest place in Ottawa) for $17.80 after tax (I like 147). I am not a hard core loader that goes to the basmeent and sits there for hours on end; I can load about 100 rounds on my Lee Pro 1000 in about 20 minutes or less if you include primer tray filling and case tube filling. I go downstairs for 20 minutes 3-4 times/week and pump out eonugh ammo to do me for the coming week or two (use ~150-200/week).

My big saving is tieh the 38 Special; a friend gave me some Win 231, and I cast my own bullets for less than a penny per bullet, so I can shoot my 27-2 cheaper than my 617 with the Lapua practice ammo :).
 
its a hobby and it saves me money .. I load 30-06 for half the price of american eagle .. the saving would be greater if I bought more expensive ammo .. I enjoy shooting and loading
gerry
 
It is cheaper, and you can tailor the ammo to what you like. It has become a hobby in itself for me, trying different loads and seeing how they perform. Not that hard to crank out lots of pistol ammo with a progressive. And after going to the range you should have a good collection of brass. Ones mans junk, is anothers treasure.
 
My cost right now per thousand 9mm, 124 grain TC TL mold. Brass is free, range pickup.

1. 1000 WSP = $40.00
2. Universal powder = 14.00
3. Wheelweights = 13.00

TOTAL = $67.00 per thousand rounds 9mm or $3.35 per box of 50
 
I tumble my 125gr cast with Lee Liquid Alox and it works well. The only downside is that the bullets are sticky for a while even after drying for a couple days.

When I have time I am going to make up a batch of lube and try pan lubing to see if it is better.

Cactus
 
Basically, you won't save much in reloading 9mm due to the fact that you will actually shoot more :D For myself, I am reloading 9mm because I can control how much power factor I want and how much recoil I like to have. For factory ammo, they are normally hotter than reloads. If you are shooting IPSC, you won't need that much power factor.
 
Ohno said:
Do you guys that shoot cast lube your bullets? If so what do you use?
Click to expand...

Lee Liquid Alox or XLox. I use them for both the Lee Tumble Lube bullet designs as well as my .401 (40 cal) Lee 175 grain TC single groove.

To avoid stickiness, use Alox very sparingly, just enough for a very thin coat, resize, then another very thin coat. It will still be somewhat sticky but not annoyingly sticky. Some guys roll in talcum powder after second coat. I don't bother, just wipe off the excess lube with turpentine/kerosene dampened rag while watching NCIS returns.

I hear the Alox sold by CGNner "phishroy" is good, for price and performance, as well.
 
when you calculate time cost and equipment cost reloading really is not that much of a savings. When you factor in hobby, enjoyment, and control over your bullet, accuracy etc, reloading cannot be accurately valued. Well worth it to some and to others, should be avoided all together as you really MUST pay attention to detail or it could cost more than one ever imagined.
 
For me I have my reloads down to $0.13-$0.15/round. That beats the $0.30/round that is the cheapest factory ammo I can get in Edmonton (or at least cheapest I have found anyways).

Plus I really enjoy hanging out with my buddy doing reloads in the workshop!
 
About $160 (afer tax and stuff) per 1K, reloading 115gr plated bullets.
I collect/recycle brass (free) most of the time thou.
 
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