Should I reload?

A

Anglinfool

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Hey there. I'm wondering if it's worth it for me to get into reloading. When I go shooting, I tend do go through ALOT of ammo :) . At least a couple boxes of 30/30, at least a box of 7mm RM as well as some .308 (I know, it hurts!). Doing this 2 or three times a month is starting to get expensive.

Reloading seems a little complicated, but I've been told it's not that bad once you get set up. I've read up a bit on the forum about what I'll need and it's looking like a $300 or $400 investment.

Take the almighty plunge into the wonderfull world of reloading?
Or just keep supporting my local Crappy Tire?

Any advice is appreciated!
 
Get into it! Reloading is a very rewarding hobby for any shooter.

At times it can be just as expensive as store bought ammo however. It depends what kind of components you decide on using. The ultra premium bullets are over $1 each... for just the bullet. But not many people really get into reloading to save money, its more for the fun of being able to tune your loads to a specific gun and hunting situation.

If you like to shoot, and it looks like you do, it will be an excellent investment. Bu sure you buy quality equipment and it was last you the rest of your life... and then some!
 
Figure $120 for a cheap but good starting setup, Lee Aniversary Kit from http://www.higginsonpowders.com/pages/934271/index.htm
Dies are $35 for full length size set per caliber, need a case length trimmer $7. So about $165 to get started for 1 caliber before buying components. If you kept your brass, you are already a step ahead. I'll take your 30-30 for example, there is 7000g in a pound of powder that runs $25 to $30 depending on type. Varget in the 30-30 with 150g bullet takes about 35g of powder, so you will get 200 rounds out of a pound of powder (more if you use a faster powder, but just trying to keep things simple). 200 primers will cost about $5. 200 standard hunting bullets will cost about $40.
So once you have the hardware, you will be able to load 200 rounds for around $75 of components (if you have the brass, otherwise brass is about $20 per 50 for new). So you can save money. Plus it's alot of fun making your own ammo.
 
How could I forget the fun factor?!
I'm looking at the SIR catalogue.
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit $359?
Any other kits you guys could recommend?
 
3 or 4 boxes of ammo, 2 or 3 times a month. You could be in the black on your ammo costs in about 3-4 months.

Of course, when you save money on ammo you may tend to shoot even more........:p
 
I put scads of .45, .357, .44 and 9mm downrange every month. For me, handloading wasn't optional! I really enjoy it and it has reduced my shooting costs by half! I'm now going to start doing my long gun cartridges .308, 8mm, 30-06 and .223. Handloading is not difficult but it does require your undivided attention! So yes, by all means, get your gear and get loading!!!:D

Plus handloading allows you make excellent cartridges...my favorite is my 230gr .45ACP JHP zombie killers...for about .15 cents each!!!
 
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reloading is easy....once you learn...you will wonder why you neaver started years ago...find someone with the tool,s to give you a demo..then decide.
i bought all i needed here on the EE
 
There's also extra yee-ha! factor when you drop that trophy with one of your loads, kinda like tying your own flies but louder.
 
I got my Lee Press from SIR they have great prices on Lee stuff :) reloading does seem complicated at first, but after a few hours/days it becomes quite easy and straight forward..

Challenger kit is $71 incl dies, or the press alone for about $43 +$31 for dies...

go for it
 
From my own observations.Many people start out with LEE reloading equipment to save money,but many switch to RCBS or other equipment later on.I don't know of one person that started with RCBS equipment then switched to LEE.
 
One thing no one has mentioned - reloading takes time. You will be amazed how much time.
If your life is already full, you won't have time to reload.
That 100 rounds doesn't just appear in the reloading block, it takes a fair bit of work - specially with fresh brass.

But, it is good quiet time, better than watching the tube, involves guns, saves money and lets you shoot more and shoot better.
 
Reloading Starting Kit

Loading Manual Suggest Hodgen #26 for a start/Speer
Good weigh scale RCBS Mod 502/505 either will do. [A MUST]
Press. Partner or Rockchucker [Partner is good starter]
Dies RCBS Hornaday Lyman Lee my preference RCBS [ Carbide set for Pistols]
Case Lube Must for lubing case before resizing.[Kit?] Not required for most pistols
Loading block RCBS or ? used to hold cases.
Powder funnel
Primer Tray or [Flipper]
Trim to Length gauge Rifle-Pistol
Hammer type bullet puller [You will need] sooner or later
Build a solid bench.

Nice to Have
Digital Calipers [check house of tools]
Electronic powder scale & dispenser RCBS $319 + Scales $300-or Lyman Auto Scale $360.
Case trimmer [I like Forster] $83.00-$90.00 For rifle mainly.
Primer pocket cleaning brushes $9.00 ea handle $11.00 again mainly rifles.
Powder measure RCBS Uniflow [I prefer] $110 Lyman same $ as RCBS
Case Cleaner Tumbler $120-$259.00
=============================================================

Shop the Gun shows, Bargain Finder Etc Price 50%-70% depending on condition. You can use Wholesale Sports catalog as a guide to new prices.
=============================================================

If going to load mainly for pistol look at Dillion Blue presses.


Reloading

Take time to phone the following and ask for their free catalogs.

1. RCBS tell them you are going to be reloading soon and would like a catalog and anything else they have to guide you in getting started.
1-800-533-5000 .

2. Do same for Lyman at 1-800-22-Lyman ask for reloading and cast bullet Guide to assist you to start.


As to costs you can calculate by this.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Enjoy its a good way to pass the time in the winter & beats TV anyday.
AL
 
savagefan said:
kinda like tying your own flies but louder.
Click to expand...

Oddlly, I GET that analogy. I really, really get that....but using a load calculator, then Challenger and Win Witebox is still cheaper than reloading for me.

If I get serious about this reloading thing, it wont be for the unit cost of the rounds.....
 
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skeetgunner said:
Oddlly, I GET that analogy. I really, really get that....but using a load calculator, then Challenger and Win Witebox is still cheaper than reloading for me.

If I get serious about this reloading thing, it wont be for the unit cost of the rounds.....
Click to expand...

I would like to see what kind of numbers you are using for you calculations. Excluding your time, I can't see how it could be more expensive to reload.

Or do you get really, really good deals on ammo somewhere?:confused:
 
I haven't shot factory in over 35 years, use the advice given above, get at least 2 reloading manuals, Speer, Hodgdon, Nosler. My stuff is a mix of RCBS, Hornady (Pacific), Lee. Great hobby, have fun! I still remember my first big game animal taken with a "reload".

Use this program to keep track of your data and ballistics, http://www.huntingnut.com/files/pointblank/PointBlankCRBSv18a.zip
 
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Been at it for almost 40 years.
Best advice I could give a new convert is RCBS all the way for Rifle, Dillon for Pistol and Ponsness/Warren for Shotshell. Gave-up on all the other brands long ago, although MEC Shotshell Loaders are a very good buy for the budget-concious low volume shotshell loader. You'll save on rifle considerably if you use good, conventional bullets. The super-premium stuff is a bit of a waste for recreational shooting - and very few out perform Sierra's regularly-priced stuff. Have a bunch of manuals - believe the best initial purchase is Sierra's. Follow with Speer, then Hornady. ( Interesting to see how the data has been "softened-up" from the late 60's to the recommended "Max" loads of today !!! As "Newt" says, you probably wont save much, but you'll get to shoot a hell of a lot more. Time - always a bit of a problem - rifle loading is a bit slow, but then so is tying flies and carving decoys. You'll only get out of your sport/recreation what you want to put into it. Shooting ducks over your own decoys, catching trout with your own flies and taking your deer/moose, whateve,r with your own loads IS VERY SATISFYING ! ( Don't get caught-up into reloading your own Steel Waterfowl loads - that ain't worth it ... when lead was legal, it definitely was ! ( ... Oh for my old 1-1/4 oz. # 4's ahead of 33.5 grains of W-540! - today, I just bite the bullet - 1-1/4 oz. # 3 Kent Impact - a little expensive, but results just like lead - whack-em & stack-em, still the cheapest part of the equation )
 
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