Reloading Ammo - Questions & Discussion (Vanity)

02/03/2013 | BuckeyeTexan

[BuckeyeTexan]

With ammo being difficult to find lately and selling for much higher prices when it is available, I decided to purchase some reloaded ammo (9mm) and also consider reloading my own. I have no experience doing either. So naturally, I want to ask fellow FReepers for some advice about reloaded ammo.

• What should I look for when examining reloaded ammo before buying and using it?
• Can you recommend some articles or web sites about buying reloading ammo?
• Can you recommend a beginner's kit I should purchase for reloading my own ammo?

[OldMissileer]

There are so many companies producing excellent presses and accessories. I started back in the late 70’s with a RCBS Rock Chucker press, dies, scale, and all the trimmings. I also bought most of the reloading data books; Lyman, Speer, Hornady, etc... and worked up my loads. I make 20 to a batch and then test them at the range for accuracy.

I keep detailed notes on powder charge, primer mfg and group size. I also keep control of the brass and make sure I have a note card that stays with the cases that lets me know how many times the cases have been fired.

I have since moved up to a Dillon 550 press so I can speed up the process.

For rifle cases I use a full length sizing die and I always buy Carbide dies for my pistol rounds. I pretty much stick with RCBS dies but have a couple sets of Lee dies that work well.

I am very careful with my powder charges/weights and can honestly say I have never had a misfire or dud (I have had a handful of factory ammo misfire) and once I get the right powder charge and bullet combination the accuracy is better than any store bought ammo I have used. Then again, I have never purchased the really expensive match ammo that is out there but I have never felt the need to spend that much cash when the ammo I reload suits me fine.

[CodeToad]

I know the guy that owns probably one of the largest gun stores in the country. His comment about “gun show” ammo: DON’T!!! The majority of people returning to his store asking about warranty repairs and repairs in general have been people that used reloaded ammo.

I reload, but I know me and I know what I do to ensure every single round is perfect as can be, but I still wouldn’t expect you to trust me to make you any ammo. Maybe in some kind of close friendship whereby you see what I do for reloading and you have experience with me shooting my ammo, maybe.

You might find a guy that supplies a lot of ammo but they make ammo with a shoulder shrug if it doesn’t work versus factory ammunition makers that base their entire business on making safe ammo and immediately cease to exist if they make crap ammo.

Even some factories make crap ammo I will not shoot. Some people shoot lots of the stuff and think it is fine, but I’ve had problems that I don’t care to experience with some factory ammo. So even factory ammo should be scrutinized for quality.

Just my 2 cents.

[lacrew]

Some 9mm pistols have instructions that warn against extensive firing of unjacketed bullets...something to keep in mind when buying and pricing bullets.

I second what others have said...its scary buying other people’s reloads.

[mylife]

The biggest problem you will have is finding components.

It is hard to find parts nowadays
Wideners is out of stock on primers.

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|284|317

[Yo-Yo]

Buying reloaded ammo is like buying Sushi: It's not how it looks, it's how much you trust the Sushi Chef (or reloader.)

The worse thing that can happen is you get one round with a double charge of powder and your gun goes "boom" when you fire it.

The second worse thing that can happen is you get one round with no power charge, and it goes *pop* when you fire it, and the bullet has just enough oomph to get lodged in the barrel. If you don't realize what happened and shoot again...

So, know thy source of reloaded ammo.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Make sure you can concentrate completely.

I am riddled with ADHD. So I will definitely take my meds first. Heh. Manageable chunks is good advice. Thanks much.

[CodeToad]

“All manufacturers say this. It’s for liability only. “

Not true. It is because they have had years of experience with bad quality reloads that have damaged firearms returned for warranty work. I have personally spoken to two very large gun manufacturer CEOs who have backed that statement. They find reloads safe as any ammo when assembled correctly, it is just that reloads compared to factory ammo is radically different. Reloads account for nearly 100% of firearms damaged by defective ammunition so they strike reloads from the warranty.

[Sparticus]

Reloading allows you to shoot more for your money, but don’t expect to break even on your investment for a good while. Also, you can forget about finding all the components you need right now as they are even more scarce than loaded cartridges. Primers are sold out pretty much everywhere.

[mylife]

Wideners is out of stock on 9mm bullets too.

It’s getting crazy out there.

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|281|1080|1112|1446

[mylife]

I had forgotten you have ADHD.
Reloading DEMANDS attention.
I know you are capable of it as you are a coder, and that DEMANDS attention to detail.

[Texas Fossil]

Don’t buy reloads from someone you don’t know.

Find a local knowledgeable reloader and ask him to help you get started. Most reloaders love doing that.

Decide how many calibers you want to load. If only 1 and it is simple, you might start with a Lee hand loader. I have used them and they work, with a few cavots.

Start with a single stage press. Lee Classic loaders are pretty decent and inexpensive. (I use a Redding Boss press)

If you shoot tubular magazines or automatics you need to be careful with crimping the brass.

Start with jacketed bullets. Later if you like and are inclined you might think about casting bullets. There is an artform connected to effectively doing that. If you can find a source for cheap wheel weights you can have very good results for many calibers. For anything shooting over 2000 fps, I would not recommend this.

[mylife]

Perhaps you can find a local club that has reloading equipment and folks to teach you.

http://www.majorsgunclub.org/

[Red in Blue PA]

Check out some of the videos by gavintoobe on youtube, also known as UltimateReloader. I learned almost everything I needed to begin right there:

http://www.youtube.com/user/gavintoobe

[bitterohiogunclinger]

I've been shooting and reloading ammo for over 40 years.
Reloading is an enjoyable aspect of the hobby in it's own right. The quality of ammo you can produce can exceed that of “factory” products because you tailor the bullet / load to your firearm / needs.
If you are not a meticulous person and have difficulty paying attention to details, don't even consider reloading.
The question you first have to answer is “how much ammo do you plan to reload”? Are you going to want to reload only for your 9mm, or do you plan on other calibers as well?
At a very minimum you want to invest in a quality reloading manual, an accurate reloading scale, and a quality reloading press / die combination.
If you are only interested in reloading handgun ammunition, I'd highly recommend purchasing a dillon precision square deal B. It comes already adjusted and set up in your preferred caliber, and you can add caliber conversion kits easily. I can't speak highly enough about the quality and customer service dillon provides.
The price of the square deal is actually less than what I've seen for “starter kits” based on quality single stage presses when you factor in the cost of a set of dies and shell holders.
Feel free to PM me should you have any questions or need more info.

[piroque]

A good site with videos.

http://www.midwayusa.com/category/reloading

A few more places to start with

http://reloadbench.com/main.html

http://www.reloadammo.com/

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/

Utube also has quite few videos that can help you get started

[BuckeyeTexan]

Cleaning brass on Superbowl Sunday?

[Tupelo]

Well yes. I do not do feetsball.

[sjmjax]

Reloading is a great idea. I've been doing it for decades.

Only problem is your timing.

Tools are available but the reloading components, brass, powder, bullets and especially primers, are as hard to find as loaded ammo right now. Hopefully, the panic buying will soon start to cool off and return to something less frenzied.

I'd still recommend you pursue it. It's a rewarding hobby and allows you to fine tune ammo to your guns and shooting needs.

Generally, it doesn't save you money in the long run as once you start reloading, you start shooting more often and using more ammo!

[BuckeyeTexan]

The biggest problem you will have is finding components.

Yeah, I'm finding that out. What are we gonna do if ammo & parts are still scare come June? Geebus. I have plenty (a subjective term at this point) now, but may not after the shoot.

[mylife]

Tumbling brass is easy.

Set it and forget it!