Is it even worth trying to start reloading now?

[Rooskibar03]

I've only been into this hobby for two years now and really enjoy it and always said it would be nice to reload to shoot more but at this late in the game is it even worth it?

I hear stories on how it's darn near impossible to find the components, but its also darn near impossible to find ammo. Am I shooting myself in the foot right how investing in gear and supplies at today's prices? I would only be reloading 9 & 5.56 so I don't need anything really fancy.

Any thoughts?

[Tim K]

It's not impossible to find components, it just takes time. I've managed to buy a number of items at normal prices just by being patient and checking the usual places regularly. By regularly, I mean 2-3 times per day. In addition, the supply issues seem to be loosening up, so I suspect the situation will improve as long as we don't have another "event".

[rondog]

Yeah, supplies availability sucks right now, but it'll loosen up. I'd say to get whatever you can now, as far as misc. stuff, then those items will be out of the way at least.

[BuffCyclist]

If its any consolation, I bought my first press (Lee Classic Cast with Breech Lock System) about 3 months ago. I slowly pieced things together, but I'd say I'm pretty set right now, and I'm loading 9mm at $8.33 per 50rds and .40s&w for $9.45 per 50rds. I can get primers and powder from my LGS, which surprisingly enough, at only $1 more per 1k than what MidwayUSA sells 5k for BEFORE HazMat. So thats $5 extra bucks instead of the $30-35 for HazMat, and I don't have to wait for it. Powder on the other hand, is a bit harder to find. My LGS isn't getting any shipments in, but I have 2 lbs of pistol, 1 for 9mm and 1 for .40s&w.

I just took delivery of 1k 9mm and 1k .40s&w bullets from xtremebullets.com.

The key is, go to your LGS and see if they have powder and primers. Those require HazMat when purchased online, and unless you're buying large quantities at once (wish I could but thats another story), its best to just buy the tools you need and the bullets online.

I agree with TimK, it just takes time to find everything in stock (and avoid getting ripped off on forums/armslist/craigslist) and you need to be diligent about searching daily.

Hopefully you have at least started saving your brass, so you have that to load.

[kwando]

I just picked up my first press today. A lee classic turret. So the answer is no, its a long term investment.

[Musashi]

You should definitely do it. Obviously it takes time - lots of it, and patience. I am glad I bought most of my gear years ago although I want to start reloading .223 and have everything but bullets (very bad timing on my part). Look at places like midwayusa, sinclair intl, widener's and check often, like everyone says it takes time. I would pick out a couple of recipes you want to work try out and look for those components as when I first started I didn't and ended up with bullets, etc that I couldn't use.

[KS63]

Just be patient and backorder if possible at normal prices. Check this board often as deals do tend to appear from members.

[Rooskibar03]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna take the plunge and start shopping for stuff. I've been needing an excuse to buy a new workspace in the basement so this will be it.

Not the challenge, which press to start with. There are 100 different opinions on that one.

[BuffCyclist]

Here's my thread on purchasing my gear: http://www.ar-15.co/threads/88267-Opinions-on-My-Acquisition-of-Reloading-Gear

I opted for the single stage, everyone told me that no matter what, there is always a need for a single stage press. And while I wanted to churn out a higher volume of rounds and get a Dillon 450/550, I can pay much better attention to what I am doing and ensure I am getting everything correct. It also gives me a reason later to upgrade to a different press. I just picked up my .223 dies, but I still need to get some case lube, powder and primers for that before I can load it, but I'm having lots of fun loading 9mm and .40.

[cstone]

Accumulating components is an ongoing process. Brass, primers, powder, bullets. All of them will need to be replaced; some faster than others. Brass prep is something I spend a lot of time on. Cleaning, decapping, sizing, trimming, can all be done long before you get primers, powder and bullets. Getting everything prepared ahead of time will streamline your loading later.

I am concerned with the lack of primers and powders. I was just able to pick up some Tula primers from Powder Valley. As TimK and others have said, shopping for components has become a regular part of reloading.

I've come to believe that if I want to shoot, I have to reload.

Happy Hunting.

[Chilipepperlewis]

My uncle and I just starting reloading, mostly .223, and 40. We have had tons of problems finding componets, but I have turned it into a game, almost a treasure hunt of sorts, trying to locate everything we need. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning when I find what I'm looking for. It is far, far cheaper to reload then to buy new obviously, so this alone is making it worth the effort for us to reload everything we can. Things are starting to loosen up a little bit and things are starting to come up more and more. We found a local shop that had 8lbs of powder the other day so we bought it and just put it in the fridge until we get some more primers. It will be worth your time in the end if you just stick it out, good luck!

[kidicarus13]

You can spend your time looking for ammo and paying more or spend time looking for components, paying less, and spending more time working your press. Me? I have things I'd rather be doing than reloading but that is me. To each his own.

[ray1970]

Since I can still load .223 for right around 20 cents a round, I think I'll just keep loading my own. That doesn't factor in the cost of the brass but I have tons of it on hand. A fair amount of it I just find laying on the ground at the range. Left for me by those who don't reload.

[cstone]

Since I can still load .223 for right around 20 cents a round, I think I'll just keep loading my own. That doesn't factor in the cost of the brass but I have tons of it on hand. A fair amount of it I just find laying on the ground at the range. Left for me by those who don't reload.

Bring me some or better... let me know when you are going and I will go harvest my own [Flower]

[ray1970]

Harvest? That's an interesting term.

Seriously, I seldom arrive at my range and not find forty to a hundred pieces of .223 just lying on the ground.

[cstone]

Harvest? That's an interesting term.

Seriously, I seldom arrive at my range and not find forty to a hundred pieces of .223 just lying on the ground.

If I have to dig them out of the mud it would be mining [ROFL2]

[ray1970]

I usually just have to bend over and pick them up.

Would that be exercise?

[cstone]

I usually just have to bend over and pick them up.

Would that be exercise?

It would be for me, but it's good to work the core once in a while. [LOL]

[Rucker61]

In the past two weeks I've picked up 1500 55 gr FMJs, 300 50 gr varmint bullets, 2500 small rifle primers, almost 1000 pieces of brass and four pounds of powder. Things are getting better.

[Great-Kazoo]

In the past two weeks I've picked up 1500 55 gr FMJs, 300 50 gr varmint bullets, 2500 small rifle primers, almost 1000 pieces of brass and four pounds of powder. Things are getting better.

I did that monday afternoon;) substitute 62's for the 50's though.

[Chilipepperlewis]

I just picked up 1000 55 grain fmj bullets two days ago for 100 bucks, now I gots to find some more primers. Anyone have luck with wolf brand magnum primers? Never used them, we have been using the cci 400 and have good luck with them.

[scratchy]

Wolf magnum work very well in the AR platform. They have the hard cup to prevent slam fire. Enjoy. Wolf and Tula are the same thing.

[Chilipepperlewis]

I just bought 1000 br 400 primers at specialty sports in the springs for 5.49 a box limit 500 per person. Then tonight while grocery shopping at Walmart, I wandered back to the sporting goods and saw a clearance shelf, so I went to look and there was a 1000 count box of cci 400's for 3.97 a box, no limit apparently so I bought those to. This is turning into an expensive little hobby.

[BuffCyclist]

I just bought 1000 br 400 primers at specialty sports in the springs for 5.49 a box limit 500 per person. Then tonight while grocery shopping at Walmart, I wandered back to the sporting goods and saw a clearance shelf, so I went to look and there was a 1000 count box of cci 400's for 3.97 a box, no limit apparently so I bought those to. This is turning into an expensive little hobby.

Agreed, I have my pistol bullets for now, but the primers are a little expensive. I'm getting them at $39/1k which seems good, especially since my LGS has them in stock all the time. Granted, midway sells them at $30/1k which I guess including hazmat and shipping taking it up to around $35-37 per 1k.

Finding the dies you want though is getting harder, but I luckily just snagged a set of lee carbide .38spl and .45acp dies for $40 for both shipped. Pretty good deal in my opinion. Now, all I have to do is buy a 45acp pistol and I'll be set lol.

[Great-Kazoo]

I just bought 1000 br 400 primers at specialty sports in the springs for 5.49 a box limit 500 per person. Then tonight while grocery shopping at Walmart, I wandered back to the sporting goods and saw a clearance shelf, so I went to look and there was a 1000 count box of cci 400's for 3.97 a box, no limit apparently so I bought those to. This is turning into an expensive little hobby.


So you paid $5.49 per K or $5.49 per 100 ? If you paid $5.49 per K you got a smoking deal. If you paid $5.49 per 100 and purchased 1K you got taken.