Myself and a few others were thinking about getting into reloading for our pistols of .40 SW and .45ACP but we really wanted to find out if it was worth it. We found a Dillon 550B for about $600 used with the conversion kits and more. From what I have experienced so far it's about $20 roughly for a box of 50 of the .40SW. I've been shooting about 300-400 rounds at the range each visit which is nearly every weekend so it gets rather pricey. Would reloading save me money or not ?
Reloading Advice
- Thread starter kevt
- Start date
Yes and all the bullets and brass and primers and powder can be had in bulk for reasonable prices it seems. Basically the seller tells me I could reload that same day after buying the Dillon with all the extras for under $700. And a used Dillon is as good as a new Dillon is what he is saying.
Assuming that you shoot an average of 350 rounds per range session and you cut your costs in half by shooting reloads instead of factory ammo, you will be saving about $70 per range trip at the prices you quote. If you can pick up a used Dillon 550 with the accessories you need (dies, toolheads, and conversion kits) for $600, you will be ahead of the game after nine range trips.
The 550 is definitely appropriate for your needs. Don't get a lower capacity press; you will find reloading very time consuming if you do. If you only plan on loading .40 and .45 on the press, you might even want to consider a 650 with a case feeder. The initial cost and therefore the payback period is higher, but you will be able to spend less time loading ammo.
I only recommend the 650 over the 550 if the following apply:
1. You plan on using a case feeder- this is where auto indexing is a real benefit.
2. You plan on loading large quantities of ammo in a small number of calibres- 650 toolheads and conversion kits are much more expensive than those for the 550.
The 550 is definitely appropriate for your needs. Don't get a lower capacity press; you will find reloading very time consuming if you do. If you only plan on loading .40 and .45 on the press, you might even want to consider a 650 with a case feeder. The initial cost and therefore the payback period is higher, but you will be able to spend less time loading ammo.
I only recommend the 650 over the 550 if the following apply:
1. You plan on using a case feeder- this is where auto indexing is a real benefit.
2. You plan on loading large quantities of ammo in a small number of calibres- 650 toolheads and conversion kits are much more expensive than those for the 550.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Grab the Dillon before somebody else does.
In my area, Greater Vancouver, commercial reloads are $15 for 50round/box of 40 cal and $18 for 50rd/box of 45 acp.
Component cost (primer, powder and heads) for 40 cal is approx $8-9 per 50rd box, $9-10 per 50rd box.
Lots of free 40 cal range brass at my club. 45acp is scarce at the range, but you could buy them off the EE at about 10 cents each.
Since there are 5 of you, your share for the Dillon 550B is only $120+- or so if the rig is complete (for additional equipment you will need a tumbler, bullet puller, powder scale at the very least if you wish to produce safe and clean ammo). Another $150 or so. Divided by 5, that is peanuts.
Dillon has a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. I used to load 400 rds per hour but that was hustling. Never rush reloading chores...not a good idea. Read reloading manuals and more threads in CGN and others. Slow but sure, if you want to retain use of your hands and eyes for the rest of your life. No alcohol while reloading, as well.
Do the math and you, as individuals can recover your share of the Dillon in weeks.
Cast your own bullets and you will be hitting yourself on the head for not thinking of this sooner.
In my area, Greater Vancouver, commercial reloads are $15 for 50round/box of 40 cal and $18 for 50rd/box of 45 acp.
Component cost (primer, powder and heads) for 40 cal is approx $8-9 per 50rd box, $9-10 per 50rd box.
Lots of free 40 cal range brass at my club. 45acp is scarce at the range, but you could buy them off the EE at about 10 cents each.
Since there are 5 of you, your share for the Dillon 550B is only $120+- or so if the rig is complete (for additional equipment you will need a tumbler, bullet puller, powder scale at the very least if you wish to produce safe and clean ammo). Another $150 or so. Divided by 5, that is peanuts.
Dillon has a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. I used to load 400 rds per hour but that was hustling. Never rush reloading chores...not a good idea. Read reloading manuals and more threads in CGN and others. Slow but sure, if you want to retain use of your hands and eyes for the rest of your life. No alcohol while reloading, as well.
Do the math and you, as individuals can recover your share of the Dillon in weeks.
Cast your own bullets and you will be hitting yourself on the head for not thinking of this sooner.
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The cost saving's increase the more you often you reuse your brass (the most expensive reload component). As an example, if I reuse my brass 5 times, the cost of a box of 20 rds is $34/box (180 gr Barnes TSX); for factory ammon, the cost is $63.
I got an EXCEL sheet that calculates the cost savings of reloading vs factory (a person on another site kindly shared it with members of that forum). PM me if you are interested in getting a copy of it.
I got an EXCEL sheet that calculates the cost savings of reloading vs factory (a person on another site kindly shared it with members of that forum). PM me if you are interested in getting a copy of it.
Reloading most assuredly saves money on handgun ammo. Also means the endless search for the best price goes away. Mind you, if you're planning on using jacketed bullets, the cost saving drops.
"...When I crossed the border..." If that's the U.S. border, exporting components, including powder, without their permit, is illegal. The U.S. Homeland Security types are known for doing random spot checks on outgoing Canadian vehicles too. All it takes is getting caught once to be denied entry Stateside, forever.
"...When I crossed the border..." If that's the U.S. border, exporting components, including powder, without their permit, is illegal. The U.S. Homeland Security types are known for doing random spot checks on outgoing Canadian vehicles too. All it takes is getting caught once to be denied entry Stateside, forever.
