Posted on 01/30/2009 9:06:16 PM PST by KoRn
I've recently gotten back into shooting. I was shocked to find how high ammo prices have risen. Ammo is literally twice as expensive as it used to be.
Today I stopped by the local gun shop and picked up 1,000 rounds of 5.56(he had a huge stack last week, today all but 1/3 of it was gone). As I was paying for the ammo, the gun dealer told me he would buy back the brass if I wasn't going to reload it myself, so this got me to thinking about it.
I was wondering if any FReepers out there could share any general information about reloading ammo. What equipment does one need to get started? How expensive is it? Is it worth it? Are there any good websites out there on reloading where I could learn more about it or buy equipment?
As always, thanks to all for any information.
old brass is good brass
Thanks!
There are many places to go, Cabelas and Midway, Nachez and Brownell’s are some of the sites I go to buy items online. Start with a kit from Lyman or RCBS, and enjoy!
And you can spend as much (Dillon 650 XL: $500+) or as little (Lee Handloader: $25) as you want.
It's very much worth it! I can load 45ACP for ~$7/box of 50 vs. ~$18/box (in case lots).
Might as well go here, because you'll wind up there anyway: http://www.dillonprecision.com/.
Great folks, outstanding customer service! And sign up for the "Blue Press" while you're at it...
If you want everything in a nice kit, check out RCBS’ Partner Press Reloading Kit. New, it might set you back $200 for the press, the scale, funnel, loading block, some case lube and a lube pad, a primer flip tray.
You’ll need reloading dies and shell plates for whatever you’re reloading.
You could get just about everything you need to load one caliber for, oh, $300 new. Less used, altho it might be more difficult now. What you need most is the press, the dies, etc.
OK, are there cheaper ways to go? Suuuuure. Check out a “Lyman 310 tool” — if you’re not crimping your loads, the little Lyman 310 tool will load rounds with your hand instead of a press. I think by the time you put together a set of dies, a powder throw & scale, the 310 tool, etc... you’re probably under $200, new. It is much more compact. The press (Partner or otherwise) needs a bench or a table. With the 310 tool, you could reload while watching TV.
Is it worth it? This is a qualified ‘yes’ - you can load more accurate ammo. You can load more specific ammo - ie, you can put the exact bullet you want on the size powder charge you want, and the specific type of powder at that, with the specific primer. Being specific about the powder can be an issue with gas-operated semi-auto rifles.
Is it cheaper? This is where the qualification comes in. If you’re just loading a few rounds (say, less than about 500 over years), you’re not going to see savings. Where you see savings is in re-using the brass again and again.
OK, so how many times can you use the brass? Out of a bolt gun (or other non-semiauto), you can see a dozen or more reloads on one set of brass, as long as you’re not loading such hot loads that you stress the brass. In semi-autos, eh, maybe six or eight reloads, tops. The brass stretches, and you’ll have to get a case trimmer and some calipers to measure the brass length and trim to size.
I’d recommend that you go down to your library and see if they have reloading books in their stacks. Most all reloading books have instructions on how to reload, as well as data. Look for some of the older Lyman reloading books - they were really very complete in their instructions, down to giving tips on accuracy loads vs. hot-rock loads.
I'm interested in getting an AR15, but I've been approaching it somewhat backwards (because they're a bit scarce in the local gun shops) - so this week I ordered a bunch of 30 rd mags, and today I picked up 400 rds of .223 Remington 55gr. FMJ (at Dick's Sporting Goods) at about $10.00 per box of 20 rds.
My shooting experience is with handguns, not with rifles, and so I'm still early in my learning curve... (the two cases of .45 ACP FMJ practice ammo that I bought three years ago are some of the best investments that I've made in a long time - too bad I wasn't interested in AR15s back then)
Before I lost all of my reloading gear in a freak boating accident, ... :)
For equipment, you’ll need a press, dies, scale, powder dispenser, and some other sundries. Components include brass, primers, powder, and projectiles (plus wads if you’re stuffing shotgun shells).
You can get started with decent equipment for under $200, cheaper if you go used. As they say, the first round you reload is the most expensive.
But before you do anything, get a reloading manual and give yourself a good education on all the different angles of this fascinating hobby, and pay close attention to anything safety-related — you could put your eye out! It would help if you had a mentor in the form of a friend who can get you started.
In the meantime, save your brass!
I notice that a lot of that stuff is back ordered. That's how it goes these days. The press only noticed guns flying off the shelves but everything is. I have two rifles I can't mount scopes on because the rings I want are unavailable. Word to you - if you see something you want available, don't dither, buy it right away.
haven’t reloaded since I was a kid. But, really not a big deal.
Get a decent kit, one that can measure, drop and top about 20 at a time.
Be careful though, know your loads and make a system for each. I tried, by accident to put the wrong primer in the wrong casing. Kept punching and pulling. Got irratated and one went off. Step father came in and said hey dummy were is your list. I said I thought I had the right ones.
He said, dingbat. Never load without your list and check your line up.
Thank God I was on the primer side and didn’t overload a round.
Just have your list and check it, twice.
Ping for later reference
As you can probably tell by now from all the other comments you will not “save” all that much money by reloading. But yeah, it is worth it because (and this is important) you WILL shoot more which will make you a better as in more accurate shooter. Remember-practice makes perfect!
The best place to start is with a good reloading book, Speer, Lee’s or a number of others will lay out the basics for you. You can get a lot of good information from the Internet, but you will appreciate having the instructions right there in front of you in hard copy. You’ll be going at it like a pro in no time. I started reloading over thirty years ago, and now I enjoy it as much as shooting. ...How much you save depends a lot on what you are shooting. With .223s you might do just as good buying surplus. I haven’t had a .223 in years, so I don’t really know. I load some 308 for my FAL, and I would guess I do a little better than break even over he cost of surplus. The loads are much better though. Loading for magnum rounds, especially the short magnums will save a ton of money. Unless you buy eight or more pounds of powder at a time, get it locally. Same goes for primers, but you can get some good deals on bullets and brass on the Internet, Midway, Graf and Sons, Midsouth and so on. Get the book before you do anything.
I’m going to forward this thread on to my daughter since she is thinking
about reloading. Thanks for bringing it up.
Reloading doesn’t save you any money at all. It allows you to shoot more. If you aren’t interested in shooting and practicing, you would be wasting your money by reloading.
Reloading is a skill like model making and you’re going to need a clean and comfortable environment for it such as a spare room.
To reload and develop the skills needed will cost about a thousand dollars to start and that is to do it right the first time. Anything less will waste your money.
Reloading is another extention of your hobby. If you aren’t going to really learn, you would be wasting your time and money. Think it over before deciding.
After deciding, you need:
A Dillon 550 and it comes with one set of dies. Accept no subsitutes or you will waste your money.
A powder scale.
Six inch caliper.
Reloading Manual for the bullets or powders you have in mind to use.
Vibratory case cleaner. It looks like a large bowl which vibrates to clean the brass.
Brass/media separator.
There are a few more things that make life and reloading a little more enjoyable. Check my profile page for one picture.
Been giving that new AR of yours a good workout, eh? =;^)
google dillon precision. they are a very nice company in the phoenix area that will work hard to put you safely in the reloading business at the best possible price.
I can literally roll a round of reloaded 9mm handgun ammo for about 5 cents with a lead bullet loaded therein. I used to reload 45 acp ammo for about $4.00 per 50 rounds with 230 gr lead cast bullets.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.