Considering Reloading.

[Coedwards5]

Hey all, I can't shoot as often as I would like because ammo prices for .40 and .38 special are a bit expensive. Do you all recommend purchasing equipment for reloading my own? If so, what's the average cost per box of 50 so I can get an idea. Also, who's the best reloading equipment manufacturer out there?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Beer]

[Whistler]

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[Pop]

[lifeon2]

I couldnt tell you how much a box but I cast all my own bullets and reload for about $75-80 per thousand on those two rounds.

[gnihcraes]

I usually estimate half price of retail. (FMJ)

But for practice/plinking in 38, I usually just shoot Hard Cast, really cheap and no issues cleaning etc.

[Great-Kazoo]

$105 per K of .38

$95 per K of 9mm

I'm focusing on getting the .38 load down then will move on to 9mm. Too many irons in the fire get me side tracked.

[Colorado Osprey]

You won't save any money by reloading... you just end up shooting more knowing that each round cost you less.

[rondog]

I love reloading, but it's a whole 'nother hobby by itself. I load about 12 calibers, and damn sure make more than I ever get to shoot. Can't comment on the cost vs. retail though, I don't track it.

AFA equipment, that's a whole 'nother can o' worms. I can't even begin to count how many manufacturers and types of presses there are, and each has its own fan base. I use a Lee Cast Classic Turret Press, and it works great for me. Just realize that you'll always turn around and be needing (or wanting), some other reloading item. Not to mention that you'll become a brass picker overnight.....you'll grab every reloadable case you see, whether you shoot that caliber or not.

But it's a lot of fun!

[spqrzilla]

When talking about progressive presses, then it almost makes sense to discuss the "best" manufacturer. Hornady has its fans and Dillon has its fans.

But otherwise, there is not any "best" manufacturer. Lee's reloading die sets are good value. I like RCBS single stage presses but Lee's, Lyman's, and others all work well enough. Handheld priming tools is a place where I have strong opinions (Lee's sucks, Hornady's works best for me) but you'll find others that disagree with me.

A single stage reloading press does not have to be very expensive, and buying a used one makes a lot of sense. Even if you think you'll want a progressive, start with a single stage and learn reloading. The single stage will always have a purpose even after you buy a progressive later.

[Coedwards5]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I have a buddy that reloads. Maybe I could pay him for the mats and a little extra for his time, since he's retired and get some rounds cranked out. I don't know that I would have enough time to do this anyway, but it does give me ideas for later on.

Maybe I'll turn into a brass picker now and store up for the future. I know I've had people at the range grab my .40 casings while i was still shooting.

[Hoser]

Equipment wise....

Single Stage, RCBS is fine and is completely bulletproof. The Rockchucker is most likely the most popular press out there. I had one for a long time and now I use a Forster Co-Ax.

Progressive, there is Dillon then everyone else. Everyone has great warranties and customer service. But Dillons hold their value where the others do not. My first progressive was a RCBS Ammomaster. It blew goat. Then I got a used Dillon 1050. Now I have three 1050s and two 550s.

[anomad]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9UxnYUDzvcw/TzMjYZZ89OI/AAAAAAAAAEc/WlvzoQOLV6c/s400/Kool%2Baid.jpg

[Caithford]

I always ask at the range before taking anyone's brass... but if they say they don't want it... it all goes in my bag :)

I shot less than 50 rds last night at the range. Probably came home with 400 brass. Most of it 9mm, which I don't own. So I'll either trade it for 45 or hold onto it until I do get a 9mm.

[Coedwards5]

It's not a big deal unless I was actually reloading myself. But, when you got garbage tongs grabbing brass near you while your shooting, it tends to try your patience. I think I'll make up some T-shirts for the wife and I that say, "Keep your hands off my Brass!". What do you think? Business venture?

[SideShow Bob]

Forget about your next gun purchase or two if you get a progressive press, the initial cash output to get properly set up will take a good chunk of change.
You will not recoup the cost in savings from reloading for several thousand rounds. But the knowledge and experience gained from reloading is priceless.

[G__Fred]

IT FUN! FUN! FUN!

And once you start there is A LOT more you can do.

I started with a single stage and bought all components. I now have a 5-stage auto progressive & a single stage, and cast / lube ALL my bullets.

Note, I started to re-load to save costs.
I now shoot so I can reload!!

:Cool:

[rondog]

JMO, but I wouldn't consider a progressive press until you're comfortable with reloading and decide that you really plan on shooting a bunch, and that you need the high production capability of a progressive. Or if you just want to build a huge stockpile of ammo. Or if you just gotta have the best. But one is definitely not necessary just for casual reloading.

My Lee turret press will make more ammo than I can shoot up, and since the dies go into an aluminum ring that costs about $10, I have 12-13 sets of dies all setup in rings, and can change calibers in just a few minutes. Takes longer to setup the powder measure than it does to change the dies/shellholder.

And people reload differently. Some take fired brass and just give it a basic cleaning, then run it through the press doing all the steps from depriming, sizing, repriming, filling, seating the bullet, and crimping (if they do that).

Myself, I take all my brass and deprime it first with a universal decapping die, then clean and polish, then reprime them until I have a bucketful. That way, I start loading with brass that's ready to go, all I have to do is size it and fill it up. Just my way of doing it, but the Lee dies have a removable depriming pin, so you can resize brass that already has new primers in them. So when I want to load a certain caliber, I just grab a bucketful of shiny, pre-prepped brass and go to town.

[C.hud]

"Keep your hands off my Brass!". What do you think? Business venture?

I'll take one. Gets pretty annoying especially if they dont listen when you say you want your brass!

[Great-Kazoo]

I always ask at the range before taking anyone's brass... but if they say they don't want it... it all goes in my bag :)

I shot less than 50 rds last night at the range. Probably came home with 400 brass. Most of it 9mm, which I don't own. So I'll either trade it for 45 or hold onto it until I do get a 9mm.


There is a brass weasal at the range i go to. He sniffs around while you're shooting. To remedy the issue i have some crap brass i piss on and take just to make sure he has some brass for his use. Just being neighborly.

[jerrymrc]

There is a brass weasal at the range i go to. He sniffs around while you're shooting. To remedy the issue i have some crap brass i piss on and take just to make sure he has some brass for his use. Just being neighborly.

Have to say that I have never seen this but then I normally shoot at a range that has little traffic. If someone starting grabbing my brass like that I would have to have a word with him.[Rant1]

[Great-Kazoo]

Have to say that I have never seen this but then I normally shoot at a range that has little traffic. If someone starting grabbing my brass like that I would have to have a word with him.[Rant1]
The guy's a dick and told him so before. Since he insist on scrounging i may as well do my part.
I've already informed him that someone as close as he is to my firearms is considered a thief and will be dealt with accordingly.

[Hoser]

I had a brass rat picking up my brass one day. I informed him that if he kept doing that I could not be responsible for an AD in his direction. He got the point and went somewhere else to steal brass.

[gnihcraes]

Rock Chucker on Craigslist, price is a little high or I would have snagged it by now. Been on there a while too.

http://denver.craigslist.org/spo/3007628719.html

[rondog]

I'm a confirmed brass rat, but I'd never consider getting close to someone else while they're shooting and pick up their brass, or even any near them. That's just ignorant. I like my space and privacy, and respect that of others as well. But once they're done, pack up and leave, I consider their brass on the ground as up for grabs. Anything wrong with that?

[PAshtr77]

It blows my mind someone would do that. Especially with a loaded weapon in your hand.

[Zombie Steve]

Picking up my brass earns you free lead to go with it.

[Coedwards5]

[ROFL2] I have to say I had no idea others felt the way I do about their brass. I suppose we need to start a support group with optional group hugs. Kinda reminds me of that movie, "Anger Management".

Thanks again all!

[jerrymrc]

[ROFL2] I have to say I had no idea others felt the way I do about their brass. I suppose we need to start a support group with optional group hugs. Kinda reminds me of that movie, "Anger Management".

Thanks again all!

I take it you do not reload a caliber that is not common where brass can be very expensive.

Otherwise you would not have made such a stupid comment. [Rant1]
I'm a confirmed brass rat, but I'd never consider getting close to someone else while they're shooting and pick up their brass, or even any near them. That's just ignorant. I like my space and privacy, and respect that of others as well. But once they're done, pack up and leave, I consider their brass on the ground as up for grabs. Anything wrong with that? Not at all.

Many leave perfectly good brass even though at least the ranges I have shot at in the last 20 years always have a policy for one to police there brass.

Depending on the time of year and vegetation and the gun I am shooting recovery rates range from 50% to 100%. AR's drop things in a nice little pile. Many others are forward in a 10X20' area and then some like to throw it 30' behind/right and all over the parking lot.

Hoser knows about this one now. ;)

[PAshtr77]

[ROFL2] I have to say I had no idea others felt the way I do about their brass. I suppose we need to start a support group with optional group hugs. Kinda reminds me of that movie, "Anger Management".

Thanks again all!

Sir,

Feel entitled much?

[rondog]

Methinks Mr. Edwards may have been misunderstood......

[Coedwards5]

Methinks Mr. Edwards may have been misunderstood......

I think you hit the nail on the head. A little sarcasm doesn't go a long way. But Hey! At least I rooted out the forum trolls.

BTW, jerrymrc and PAshtr77, thanks for the warm welcome.[Coffee]

[lifeon2]

I always ask before I go after someone elses brass just seems polite and in some cases I have even had folks that picked it all up and dropped it off with me.

[PAshtr77]

I think you hit the nail on the head. A little sarcasm doesn't go a long way. But Hey! At least I rooted out the forum trolls.

BTW, jerrymrc and PAshtr77, thanks for the warm welcome.[Coffee]
Sarcasm is a first language with me.

Unfortuntely, sarcasm is usually lost in the written word. Sorry for the mix up.

[rondog]

I always ask before I go after someone elses brass just seems polite and in some cases I have even had folks that picked it all up and dropped it off with me.

Heh, I pulled into range 10 out at BLGC one day, apparently just after someone with an M1 Garand had left. There wasn't any '06 brass on the ground, but they'd picked up their Greek HXP M1 enbloc clips and left them on the bench for whoever wanted them, which just happened to be me. WOOT! 18 freebies!

And I found like, 2 boxes worth of brand-new just fired .300 Win Mag brass under a bench one day. Added to my trading stash. And .223? People leave new .223 laying around like they were .22LR. 9mm and .40S&W, I'm pretty much sick of picking those up, but I still do. Pooper Scooper works pretty good for picking up brass, just put a piece of duct tape across the rake tines so they don't slip through.

Hell, I'll pick up ANY brass that's not rimfire. If it's Berdan primed, it goes in the scrap bucket. Calibers I don't use go into the trading stash. I'm not quite anal enough to rake up the rimfires and shotgun shells yet.

[anomad]

Can you turn hulls in at the scrap yard? I've never asked.

[rondog]

Can you turn hulls in at the scrap yard? I've never asked.

Brass rifle/pistol cases, yes. Don't know about shotgun hulls. May have to cut the plastic part off of the brass bases.

[anomad]

Brass rifle/pistol cases, yes. Don't know about shotgun hulls. May have to cut the plastic part off of the brass bases.

Yeah I have sold a few loads of scrap brass over the years. Never really thought about shotgun hulls. Probably some easy money for the right guy.

[20X11]

A. Do you need a new hobby?
B. Do you have plenty of free time?
C. Would you rather shoot? Load? or both?
Do an economic analysis for your self...Let's say you spent $1000 on reloading gear and you saved 20 cents per round over new ammo...you break even on the equipment is 5000 rounds. How many rounds per year do you shoot? We haven't factored in you time spent on reloading yet, but you see where I am going with this?
I've been reloading for over 20 years, so my answers to the above questions are pretty obvious.
On the plus side, I can reload better quality rounds than I can buy. I enjoy the hobby. Even when I can't shoot (weather, time,etc.) there is always something I can do at the reloading bench.
BUT, there is a LARGE investment in time and equipment on the downside.
Is it right for you? ONLY you can decide.

[Coedwards5]

A. Do you need a new hobby?
B. Do you have plenty of free time?
C. Would you rather shoot? Load? or both?
Do an economic analysis for your self...Let's say you spent $1000 on reloading gear and you saved 20 cents per round over new ammo...you break even on the equipment is 5000 rounds. How many rounds per year do you shoot? We haven't factored in you time spent on reloading yet, but you see where I am going with this?
I've been reloading for over 20 years, so my answers to the above questions are pretty obvious.
On the plus side, I can reload better quality rounds than I can buy. I enjoy the hobby. Even when I can't shoot (weather, time,etc.) there is always something I can do at the reloading bench.
BUT, there is a LARGE investment in time and equipment on the downside.
Is it right for you? ONLY you can decide.

Excellent food for thought. Thanks for taking the time to narrow down what can be a confusing consideration. Cheers! [Beer]