2aHawaii
Tools and Uses => Reloading => Topic started by: Hunter1007 on December 30, 2012, 08:00:22 AM
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Hey guys. How much do you really save when doing your own reloads? With ammo prices set to skyrocket is it worth it to reload? What's your thoughts? Price differences in pistol calibers? Rifle calibers? How availible are primers, powder, brass etc? How much time does it take to load a box? I'm sure there are more people like me who are thinking about making my own reloads. Any input negative or positive would be helpful.
Thanks :shaka:
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Try look through the reloading thread, there was a discussion on this. I think some of them got it down to like .25. It's a really good investment because its cheaper in the long term and you can tune your load. Also helps to buy in bulk. Brass, primers, powder.
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Another question... When ordering brass and bullets, can they be shipped to your household via UPS, FedEx, USPS?
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I'm not absolutely positive, but I'm pretty sure there are no restrictions on those. Flat rate boxes are the cheapest if allowed.
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Another question... When ordering brass and bullets, can they be shipped to your household via UPS, FedEx, USPS?
Yes, brass and bullets are totally inert and don't require an special shipping. They are, however, heavy (especially bullets), and this can run up the price. Montana Gold sizes their cases to fit in the USPS flat rate weight limits, and includes shipping anywhere in the USA in their prices:
http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/ (http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/)
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Yes, brass and bullets are totally inert and don't require an special shipping. They are, however, heavy (especially bullets), and this can run up the price. Montana Gold sizes their cases to fit in the USPS flat rate weight limits, and includes shipping anywhere in the USA in their prices:
http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/ (http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/)
Thank God for flat rate boxes!
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My pistol ammo-
45 auto-230 gr.FMJ can be loaded for just under $10/box 50
9mm 124 gr JHP just under $8/ box 50
Assuming used/free shell casings.
The time spent to do this is proportional to how much you pay for reloading tools.
For a newbie, definitely start with a single stage press loading pistol ammo.
You will load slowly, but learn quickly. The learning part is priority #1.
Components are in short supply now, but the panic buying should subside unless the gov really screws us over.
If you are on the island of Oahu, I can give a quick intro to the process at my house. It will cost you 1 plate lunch. :shaka:
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I don't reload for rifle, but for pistol, if you really want to save money (and your particular gun allows it), you may want to consider using lead bullets. 9mm 147 grn costs me about $6 for 50 rounds, .40 S&W costs $6.60 for 50, and .45 ACP (200 grn. LSWC) costs me just under $7 for fifty. I only use jacketed for .38 super and that costs me just under $9 for 50. Handloads.com has a pretty good reloading calculator, just plug in the cost of components and it gives you the cost. The initial start up can be expensive, it really depends on what type of press and other related equipment you decide to buy.
As far as time wise, it really depends on the type of press that's used. I load on a progessive, a lot of people however recommend starting on a single stage or turret press. How fast you recoup your initial cost really depends on how much ammo you shoot and load. I started on a progressive and although the intial start up cost more, it quickly paid for itself. Just a heads up though, component (especially primers) prices do vary a bit depending on where you buy locally. The cheaper stores tend to sell out rather quickly.
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A single stage press is OK for small volumes, but once you've got the basics down...get a Dillon.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/ (http://www.dillonprecision.com/)
If you shoot in competition, the ammo goes fast. With a Dillon press, once the dies are set up, you don't ever have to readjust them.
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Hey guys. How much do you really save when doing your own reloads? With ammo prices set to skyrocket is it worth it to reload? What's your thoughts? Price differences in pistol calibers? Rifle calibers? How availible are primers, powder, brass etc? How much time does it take to load a box? I'm sure there are more people like me who are thinking about making my own reloads. Any input negative or positive would be helpful.
Thanks :shaka:
It is much cheaper than buying, and can be more accurate too. However, reloading can become a hobby in itself, then costs could grow. It all depends on how far you want to take it, and how accurate you need.
Another question... When ordering brass and bullets, can they be shipped to your household via UPS, FedEx, USPS?
Yes, for now, hopefully with all the BS going down nowdays this doesn't change. The hard part of being out in the middle of the sea is powder and primers. You must get it from local gun shops such as WGS, Security eqpt, Young Guns, X-ring. Some times, if you can find them, people do group buys to ship a pallet over, but it is good to know exactly what powders you want so you can get a bulk.
Check out powdervalleyinc.com for bullets and cases. Best prices I have found for components, unless other places go on special, but even then, they are usually cheaper. They also ship flat rate, which means the best price for heavy lead. (some times my postman is pissed, haah, I just tell him "its a box of rocks." :rofl: )
As stated above, get someone that knows what they are doing to give you an intro on the basics, then do a lot of research on the net and also reloading manuals. Reloads are cheap, but if you make errors the results could be catastrophic.
I started in the beginning to save money, but in the end I ended up shooting much much more and also took the accuracy envelope to a different level. Next thing I knew I was buying custom rifles to catch up to the accuracy that the reloads could achieve, then the equipment upgrades, fancy scales, expensive brass, all to catch those one hole long range paper punching loads.
So, I guess I ended up spending much much more. In the end I really enjoy it, so it is worth it to me. ;D
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Remember, when ammo prices rise so do the components (powder, primer, bullets).
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If you are talking rifle ammo, its definitely cheaper. I don't know pistol ammo, so I can't comment. Brass can be expensive but if you consider that you can reuse it 5 or more times, it gets cheap. If you want 223 or 308 brass, you can pick it up at the range for free, just make sure to ask first. People that don't reload are usually happy that they don't have to clean up after themselves.
here's a breakdown of my 223 handloads:
powder $0.09 $200 per 8lb
primer $0.04 $40 per brick
bullet $0.21 $21 per box of 69gr sierra matchking
brass $0 free lake city brass from my friends sorted by me
total $0.34 per round $6.80 per 20 rounds or $340 per case for match grade ammo
if you buy bulk 55 gr fmj for $87 per 1000, you're looking at $217 per case or $4.34 per 20.
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Being EXTREMELY generous with my calculations, I put a 50-round box of .45 ACP as $8/box.
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My answers to your questions:
Hey guys. How much do you really save when doing your own reloads?
Varies--20 to 80% off retail
With ammo prices set to skyrocket is it worth it to reload?
Depends how much you shoot and what calibers Tell us what you want to do.
What's your thoughts?
Start with a single stage press. You will need it to load rifle ammo and do certain jobs anyway. It is like a baby learning to walk. Some people start with a progressive and get discouraged when the machine jams and produces squib loads. Take the time to REALLY learn what you are doing. I see defective reloads ALL the time at the range.
Price differences in pistol calibers?
Difference between what exactly?
Rifle calibers?
Same answer.
How available are primers, powder, brass etc?
For a newbie, you should not have any problem finding small quantities of components to start.
How much time does it take to load a box?
Pistol ammo
Single stage press-1 hour
Progressive press- 5 minutes typical
Cost of a loading setup:
I see a basic single stage "Lee Breech Lock kit" at Natchez Shooter Supply for $107 add another $50 for dies and misc. stuff. Add shipping. Perhaps a local shop has a kit like this.
For a progressive setup, I figure $400 to $600 will get you a nice Dillon rig. Depends what you want to do.
FYI-YOU CANNOT PROGRESSIVELY RELOAD RIFLE AMMO IN THE SAME WAY AS PISTOL AMMO.
I'm sure there are more people like me who are thinking about making my own reloads. Any input negative or positive would be helpful.
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How much time does it take to load a box?
Pistol ammo
Single stage press-1 hour
Progressive press- 5 minutes typical
I'd like to add that you can't go wrong with a single stage press first. I started on a $100 Lee 50th Anniversary single-stage setup, and I still use it as much as I use the Dillon XL650 progressive press. I thought about giving it to a friend once a while back, but dropped that silly thought minutes later and bought him a new one from Cabela's as a present instead.
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I got into reloading because of the price of 338lm rounds don't come cheap. With two rifles firing 60+ rounds every weekend we go out at $5.25 a shot it adds up . So right now I got it at $3.50 a pop . I figure after I finishe with more load data for different powders I should be able to drop the price a little more. It helps a lot if someone helps you in the beginning. Saves a lot of time and cash
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Reloading also takes up alot of time. I normally calculate my time into reloading to see if it's worth my time. Been a while since I've last reloaded, but I think with all the prep work etc, I could do about 150 .223 plinking rounds per hour and would calculate $15/hr. So that would add on 10 cents a round cost for me. For bulk stuff, it's not really cost effective versus buying ammo in bulk on sale. Save alot of money when it comes to match rounds and accuracy though.
Sometimes can also find good deals on pulled bullets for plinking rounds. Little blemished and maybe a hair off on accuracy, but good enough for practice. I bought 1000 223 62gr green tip bullets for $88 earlier in the year. Harder to find now with all the panick buying though.
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What should I start off reloading first pistol of rifle? Does it really matter. Obviously I won't start off with exotic rounds like .338 or any magnum rounds. I'm guessing start with what you shoot most of. Typically I shoot more pistol because its usually cheaper than rifle ammo but if I reload that's probably going to change. What do you guys think?
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Pistol is easier to reload. Less prep work needed - no need to lube cases in carbide dies, less case trimming, easier to work with. But it's easier to accidentally double charge the powder (putting twice as much powder) which can cause a kaboom.
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Pistol is easier to reload. Less prep work needed - no need to lube cases in carbide dies, less case trimming, easier to work with. But it's easier to accidentally double charge the powder (putting twice as much powder) which can cause a kaboom.
Sounds like you speak from experience.
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Sounds like you speak from experience.
Never had a kaboom, although I have double charged cases that I caught on inspection, or had to redo just to be sure. I have loaded squib loads too where there was no powder in the case.. That was when I was starting out. Learned my lessons.
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What should I start off reloading first pistol of rifle? Does it really matter. Obviously I won't start off with exotic rounds like .338 or any magnum rounds. I'm guessing start with what you shoot most of. Typically I shoot more pistol because its usually cheaper than rifle ammo but if I reload that's probably going to change. What do you guys think?
What calibers where you going to reload?
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Reloading really comes down to time and how particular you are . Which becomes very time consuming. From weight of heads / shell /powder . I got a few RCBS charge masters which help cut down the time a lot . To me the more attention to detail you put it the better the out come . The first load you will ever do is the most nerve wrecking one
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What calibers where you going to reload?
Well ideally whatever I shoot...
pistol rifle
9mm 223/5.56
45acp 308
38 special
357 magnum
I've had my eye on several rifles but the cost of ammo just puts me off (7 rem mag, 300 win mag) So eventually I'd like to reload all of the above.
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Other than saving money, I'm looking into reloading to help me get into other calibers which I would have passed on because of the cost of factory ammo. I'm not looking to geek out on custom loads. I'm sure I'll get there but just wanna be able to shoot more.
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Here's a reloading excel spreadsheet
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/reloads/48165-reloading-cost-excel-spreadsheet.html (http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/reloads/48165-reloading-cost-excel-spreadsheet.html)
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As a fellow reloading noob, the best advice that I can give is to do a lot of research! My first reloading setup for my 308 was a Lee classic loader, the one you use a plastic hammer to seat the primer and the bullet.... :wtf: :o :shake: I've since "upgraded" to a Lee hand press and the task definitely became easier. As others have said, the initial investment will set you back a bit, not to mention the time it'll take to learn the entire reloading process, but once you get a system going, it definitely pays for itself!
Oh, and one last thing: get a GOOD reloading manual! Hope you decide to take the plunge, happy reloading! :shaka:
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In a previous message, I estimated the cost of a basic single stage reloading setup. Other people have agreed on everything that I mentioned in the prior post.
However, I should warn you that there are other somewhat costly accesories that you should get...perhaps even prior to buying a reloading press.
Off the top of my head, herewith are a few items that you will really want to get:
1- Vibratory case tumbler ~ $50 to $100
2-calipers, analog or digital, 6 in size- approx. $20-$100
3-kinetic (hammer) bullet puller-$20-$30
4-Loading trays
I hope you are soaking this all in.
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I agree with the additional needed items listed above and would like to add a chrono into the "extremely useful to have" list. I would however, like to offer a differing opinion on absolutely having to start with a single stage press for safety's sake. If start up cost is the primary limiting factor, then I do agree that a single stage may best be suited. Good ammo can be produced for tremendous savings by reloading and a single stage is without a doubt cheaper than a progressive.
However, although I initially spent a greater amount on my Dillon 550 and all the other necessary equipment, it quickly paid for itself. As far as the safety aspect, I started reloading on the press one case at a time, essentially using the press as a turret type press. I could have easily batch loaded, using the press almost like a single stage, but handling so many cases, so many times just seemed cumbersome. When I became more comfortable with the reloading process, I progressed to using the press as was intended, as a progessive press. With a good progressive press, I am biased to the Dillon as that is all I know, one can always start slow and then go progessive with the same press when you're ready. A single stage is always going to be a single stage. I do not load for rifle, (way too much case prep for my tastes), so I don't know if the single stage is mechanically more suited to producing more accurate ammo than a progessive with its moving shell plate.
I shoot at least 200 pistol rounds a week, usually more if my wife and I can make it to a match. To be honest, I am not one who really enjoys reloading, I reload so that my wife and I can shoot for an affordable cost. I am extremely careful every time I am reloading and pay very close attention to what I am doing however it seems this would be necessary whether using a progressive or single stage.
As far as a progessive being more complex to operate, I really like the fact that I can reload for multiple calibers and not have to readjust dies. I just swap out tool head, the shell plate and if switching to .45 ACP, the primer slide bar and tube. Seems simpler than having to change and adjust dies every time I change from belling to seating to crimping even in the same caliber. I'm not knocking anything that's already been posted, just trying to offer a different view on starting with a progessive.
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Reloading is definitely cheaper, and the ammo you produce can be tailored to your guns, like everyone has said. The biggest reason I reload, however, is for the sake of reloading. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy mechanical stuff, it's an awesome hobby in its own right. There's a real zen to the process, and it's just as enjoyable to me as going to the range, especially since it's in my house, never crowded, and nobody bitches at me if they don't like the way I'm doing something. Your ammo will be something you're proud of, because you made it yourself. And, if you're anything like me, you'll smirk to yourself every time you talk to someone who doesn't like guns, knowing you've got a tiny munitions plant right there in your apartment! >:D
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Reloading is definitely cheaper, and the ammo you produce can be tailored to your guns, like everyone has said. The biggest reason I reload, however, is for the sake of reloading. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy mechanical stuff, it's an awesome hobby in its own right.
I haven't reloaded in a while, and it'll still be a while. I found that I was so afraid of losing brass to reload again, I stopped enjoying shooting. I enjoyed reloading more than I enjoyed shooting, but I'm slowly getting over it.
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I haven't reloaded in a while, and it'll still be a while. I found that I was so afraid of losing brass to reload again, I stopped enjoying shooting. I enjoyed reloading more than I enjoyed shooting, but I'm slowly getting over it.
I've come to the conclusion that even if you bought new brass every time and never actually REloaded, it's still cheaper than buying factory, so I don't worry about it. I set up my brass catcher, but I don't stress if I don't get every single piece of brass back.
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I've come to the conclusion that even if you bought new brass every time and never actually REloaded, it's still cheaper than buying factory, so I don't worry about it. I set up my brass catcher, but I don't stress if I don't get every single piece of brass back.
I'm getting there. ;D
Reloading = :)
Watching friends shoot my reloaded ammo in my guns = :o :shake: :'(
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I'm getting there. ;D
Reloading = :)
Watching friends shoot my reloaded ammo in my guns = :o :shake: :'(
I know that feeling. I don't let anybody else shoot my reloads, in general, because A: I don't want the civil liability, and B: even if they never sued me, I'd feel pretty dang bad about it.
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I'm getting there. ;D
Reloading = :)
Watching friends shoot my reloaded ammo in my guns = :o :shake: :'(
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True dat about friends shooting your hard earned ammo. :shake:
My rifle ammo is just too valuable due to the extra time involved in checking case length and trimming/ chamfering etc.
My pistol ammo is another story. Because I am geared towards mass producing pistol ammo, I enjoyed tossing out some ammo for friends, family and co-workers to shoot. I gave away a lot as Christmas presents. Given the price of centerfire pistol ammo, it was greatly appreciated. Personally, I shoot mostly 45acp medium power lead swc ammo. I cast my own bullets so the cost is spectacularly low. (<4.50/box). Ref the video in "Anybody Cast Bulletts?" thread.
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+1 on not worrying too much about the brass that misses my catcher unless its .45 or .38 super. If its 9mm, I'll definitely not use it unless I know its from my gun. There's a couple of guys in particular who'll usually show up on the pistol side a couple of days before the bigger matches to practice. The thing is, they shoot 9mm Major and will just leave the fired cases on the ground. Not the safest brass to reuse unless its your own and you know exactly how many times its been reloaded and to what velocity they were loaded to. Pretty inconsiderate if you ask me, but try to mention something to them and their response is typically something like: "no worry pare, 9mm cheap, that's why we don't use .38 super anymore". They don't seem to care that some unsuspecting person may think its just regular once fired 9mm brass and try to save it to reload.