Plan to start buying supplies, questions

[muddywings]

I'm saving up for my first reloader. Looking at either the 550 or throwing caution to the wind and buy once/cry once with a 1050 (80% leaning towards the 1050).
While saving up for it and also dealing with new-to-me house remodeling and IRS audits, I want to start buying supplies such as primers, powder and bullets.
I figure I would rather be sitting on supplies and no equipment than vice versa when the next panic occurs.

I'm planning on reloading 9mm in 124 grain and 223 mostly in the 55 grain but will probably want to fine tune some 69 grain rounds for the long distance/precision shots.

Feel free to throw me some recommendations on powder, and a fair/good price and what primers I should look out for.

Thanks for any opinions


EDT: meant 69 grain.

[Joe Manco]

Get a Horady LNL ammo plant. The whole deal(press, case feeder, and bullet feeder) about $1000 on Amazon. Got ones month ago and no problems with it. There are horror stories about it but Hornady has addressed them and mine works flawlessly for the first 2000 rounds I have turned out so far. Caliber changes are easy and cheap too!

[DenverGP]

I'm a reloading newbie , only reloading 9mm and 45acp pistol calibers so far, so no input from me on the 223.

Pistol powder has been in short supply lately.

Here's a list of pistol powders I've either used, or that have been recommended to me:
Accurate No. 5 (used, metered great, no issues)
CFE pistol (used, metered great, no issues)
Titegroup (used, metered great, no issues, probably my favorite so far)
Winchester 231
HP-38 (same as 231)

I've used the first 3, and been very happy with them. The only place in the Denver area I was able to walk into and buy pistol powder was Dad's Wholesale, up by the Denver Mart (where they do the denver gun show). He's a little pricey, but usually has some pistol powder available.

Next option is to order powder online, but be aware that in addition to any regular shipping charges, they tack on a $30 "hazmat" fee on any order containing powder or primers. So when buying online it's best to order several pounds to spread the hazmat fee. Even buying online, pistol powder is hard to find. It'll show up and then be out of stock within about an hour.

A pound of powder at Dads ran me around $35. I was able to catch some powder online (at Powder valley) and with shipping and hazmat fees, came out to around $30 a pound.

For bullets, I've been very happy with the plated bullets from Xtreme bullets. I've used their 9mm 115gr and 124gr. They supposedly have thicker plating than most plated bullets, and in my experience, they load the same as FMJ bullets for a bunch less $$$. They also sell .223 fmj bullets, but I don't know how the price compares.

For primers, I've had no problems buying them locally, prices usually close to online, and no hazmat fees. I don't know the 550 / 1050, but I know some presses run better with certain brands of primers, so I'd start there. For 9mm, you'll need small pistol primers.

[Tim K]

Powder Valley has Hornady 55g fmjbt in stock. I just ordered 2,000 today.

I went to Tula SR magnum primers for all .223 stuff. They're generally easier to get and less expensive. They have a reputation for accuracy, and I've noticed no degradation in my precision load since switching to them. Depending on barrel twist, I'd buy 69 or 77g Sierra SMKs for longer range shooting.

I use Varget for both blaster 55g loads and precision 77g ammo. It's convenient if you can find it.

Do the 1050. I did a 650 and wish I'd popped for the real deal.

[Hoser]

When you find powder grab it. I use mainly Varget in 223 and 308. Titegroup in mist all pistol calibers.

When you can find a sale on bullets and primers grab them.

They dont go bad so leaving them on the shelf is no big deal.

The 1050 is an awesome machine, even better when you start loading military calibers.

[MarkCO]

X-Treme for blaster bullets. Skip the 62s and go to 69s, Nosler or Sierra for stuff past about 300. If you want to stick with 55s, Nosler BTs are really good for accuracy.

I mostly use WSR primers, Accurate powders for the blaster stuff. TAC for the 69s. For 9mm, I use WSP and E3.

You won't find E3 listed for pistol rounds, but it is a great powder with all the features high volume loaders want.

[XC700116]

Pretty much the same as above, here only I prefer Winchester Autocomp for pistol powder, H335 for 55 FMJ's and other blasting ammo, (Both of which I load on a dillon 650 and both powders meter very nicely) and Varget (if and when I can find it, a good substitute is RL15) for the heavies/precision loadings in 223.

Primers, I mostly run CCI's of various flavors.

Bullets - Pistol is normally Xtreme, 223 fmj's, Whatever I can find cheap, and precision 223 I've been having good luck with Berger 73gr BT Target and Hornady 75gr HPBT's

Like TimK mentioned, I too wish I'd have sprung for the 1050 vs the 650. But now that I have it and everything is set up, I'm probably not going to switch over.

[Great-Kazoo]

Buy when you can, buy what work, when you buy, buy in bulk. Those 6K of hornady 55gr btfml's may seem like a lot, till you find out everyone has is marked as OOS, NO BACK ORDER.
I like the 650''s, haven't tried loading on the 1050 yet. I's set up for processing 223 & 9, too lazy to load when the 650's & 550 handle the work load.

[Duman]

I've used the RL-550B for years, with no complaints. Never used a 650 or 1050, and really don't know what their advantages are. The 550 can crank out tons of ammo, quick changeover, and reliable.

[muddywings]

well great, now I have something else to waste my time at work with...looking for supplies.

[cstone]

I've used the RL-550B for years, with no complaints. Never used a 650 or 1050, and really don't know what their advantages are. The 550 can crank out tons of ammo, quick changeover, and reliable.

650 has more holes for dies and the case feeder is very nice.

1050 swages, has more holes for dies than I can imagine using, and the case feeder. If you are producing large quantities of ammunition, the 1050 is awesome.

Add a Dillon trimmer to either the 650 or 1050 and brass prep as well as reloading becomes much easier.

For me, a 550 is just about perfect for the normal range ammunition I make.

If anyone is considering a Dillon, I would suggest this site to do some reading on which press to start with: http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html

[Great-Kazoo]

I've used the RL-550B for years, with no complaints. Never used a 650 or 1050, and really don't know what their advantages are. The 550 can crank out tons of ammo, quick changeover, and reliable.

when you have time, drive up and road test both.

[Duman]

Great-Kazoo,
Thanks for the offer, will take you up on that.

Probably see you next weekend, have some things to run by you.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Great-Kazoo,
Thanks for the offer, will take you up on that.

Probably see you next weekend, have some things to run by you.

Dooooont do it. Ask me why I say this.

[crays]

Dooooont do it. Ask me why I say this.

I have a guess...[dig][Sofa][dig]

[Coffee]

[HighCaliber]

When you find powder grab it.
.

We have been using this powder successfully:

Maxam CSB-5

[Danimal]

Deleted

[Zombie Steve]

How much do you shoot?

[Great-Kazoo]

How much do you shoot?

Valid ? if you shoot a few hundred per year single stage or 550 style is more then adequate. Shooting idpa, 3 gun or like lots of range time, it's a move in to a larger volume press.

Flip side. i know a few volume shooters still run a s/stage as it's their relaxing time.

[Great-Kazoo]

Dooooont do it. Ask me why I say this.


I have a guess...[dig][Sofa][dig]

[Coffee]

First taste is always free ;) besides crays is long over due for a visit, BRO [Beer]

[muddywings]

How much do you shoot?

not enough.... lol
i like to shoot uspsa, 3 gun, steel challenge. when house drama slows down, I'll look into an NRA instructor cert or something.
I could see 1000-2000 rounds a month depending on the time of year.
Reason for the 1050 is frankly reloading doesn't sound like it would be relaxing to me. Just something that allows me to shoot more with the same monthly fun budget. Probably just want to get in and out.
I've hear to many stories of, 'I started with a 550, but quickly upgraded to the 650 but really should have saved another month or two and just gone to the 1050.' Figured I'd learn from other people's mistakes. (not saying that that 650 is bad)

[muddywings]

well, got an standard email ad from Natchezss and like a neon sign it had Varget for sale so I picked up 4 lbs which pretty much means I'll be eating ramen noodles for the rest of the month....

With that being said, if anybody is still reading this thread- what is a good price per/pound for powder. (I doubt I got a good deal)
Also, what is a good sale price on primers, pistol and/or small rifle?

[Great-Kazoo]

$25 per lb no more than $30 TOPS. Primers, i'm still using ones that i paid $15-20 per 1k for. Average CMV is $30 per 1K