Who reloads their own ammo? (Read 33236 times)

Tom_G

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #40 on: September 25, 2011, 01:29:56 AM »
I finally found a source for .357 ammo, so my "imminent" needs for reloading are postponed.  But when that day comes, I am saving brass for .30-06 and for .357.  Currently, I can still get ammo for .30-06 for $0.64/round, which beats reloading prices marginally.  And .357, ordered thru Cabelas using a freight forwarder, is about .74% the cost of reloading.  I don't expect either of those to last, but I am investing a considerable sum in ammo to forestall the day I have to reload. 

Yes, I used the word "forestall."  Deal with it. 
The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

nf9648

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #41 on: September 27, 2011, 04:27:19 PM »
Working on .308 this week, resized and primed 1 ammo can's worth of loose brass, starting a second now.  Waiting for the next paycheck to pick up 1000 175gr SMK's and 1000 MK319 mod 0 projectiles (130 gr barrier blind).  Ill be glad when the .308 is done so I can focus on the 5 cans of .223 again.

mksak

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #42 on: September 27, 2011, 05:00:37 PM »
I reload using a Dillon 650

wirecounter

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #43 on: February 18, 2012, 02:23:14 PM »
I've been reloading for about a year with a Dillon RL550B.  .223, .308, 9mm, 38spl, and 357 magnum.  I can press out 500 - 600 rounds per hour once I get a good rhythm going.  The powder measure is accurate to 0.1 gr which is close enough for me.

Cost per round is from slightly less to significantly less (especially for .308 & JHP), but more importantly, I can taylor my loads to my pistol/rifle for increased accuracy.  Don't really save any money, I just get to shoot more. LOL

I really like my Dillon RL1200 trimmer as I can resize the brass at the same time and it has a vacuum attachment to suck out the brass trimmings.

birdmove

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #44 on: December 30, 2013, 05:32:42 PM »
   I know this thread goes back a bit. I second the Lee Hand Press. I have two now. I wore one out over years of heavy use. But they are very portable and work great as far as I am concerned. I am 60 and stuck in my ways I suppose, but I don't trust progressive presses, and hand loading isn't something I want to rush through either. I use Lee carbide dies. I have a powder measure that uses variable bushings to throw the powder charges. But I would never trust the advertised list of what powders throw what charge through each bushing. So I took my powder scale and threw a series of charges using some of the powders I used a lot of and carefully weighed a few charges and then listed them. I do have a case trimmer and a set of metal bits that chuck into an electric drill. I have a clamp on drill stand and I clean each case one by one using an abrasive cleaning pad. I also have a simple case chamfer tool to use after trimming a case. I used to compete several times a month and used the same Federal .38 Special cases over and over again with very few case failures .I also reloaded for a friend that competed with me, and he used a TC Contender in 32-20. My reloading equipment is all very compact yet works great.  It can be stored away without taking up much room. I have heard stories of guys using progressive presses and had a problem and that destroys any time saved if you have to go back through 100 rounds to figure out how many got through after the powder hopper ran out or something. I also reloaded a lot of 30/30 for a TC Contender handgun with 10" barrel for 200 meter IHMSA matches. 30/30 may be a middle of the road cartridge in a rifle, but in a 10" handgun you have  very potent shooter that can easily knock down a 60 pound steel ram at 220 yards. I still reload the way my Father taught me many years ago when I was 13-14 years old, and speed has no place in my reloading technique. But I have never reloaded a dud or had a misfire.

Mr. Farknocker

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #45 on: December 31, 2013, 12:41:12 PM »
I gotta admit that I love reloading almost as much as I do shooting my reloads.

I reload the following using a Lee Breech Load single stage press:

.32 ACP
.38 spl
9 mm
45 ACP
.223
.270
.30-06
7.5 Swiss

I try to reload every caliber I shoot except for 7.62X39 and 54R since they are still cheap. I probably buy firearms just so that I can reload them. Yeah, I know...I need professional help.

kekoa

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #46 on: January 01, 2014, 05:19:09 PM »
And .357, ordered thru Cabelas using a freight forwarder


Which freight forwarder do you use. Can they ship powder and primers too or only ammo? Sorry for the thread highjacking :D

Dolomite

Re: Who reloads their own ammo?
« Reply #47 on: January 01, 2014, 07:04:40 PM »

I gotta admit that I love reloading almost as much as I do shooting my reloads.

I reload the following using a Lee Breech Load single stage press:

.32 ACP
.38 spl
9 mm
45 ACP
.223
.270
.30-06
7.5 Swiss

I try to reload every caliber I shoot except for 7.62X39 and 54R since they are still cheap. I probably buy firearms just so that I can reload them. Yeah, I know...I need professional help.

Nothing wrong with that? :shaka: