.38 special and .357 magnum starter kit

[corbach]

i am looking into reloading my own ammo

mainly for 38 and 357

what type of equipement i need?

and what price i should expect to pay for reloading

as an example

i can purchase already reloaded ammo for

1000 rounds of 38 for 235$ .23 cents a piece

1000 rounds of 357 for 280$ .28 centes a piece

so do you think there is something to do?

[buck460XVR]

It depends on how much you shoot and what kind of bullets you use. It will also depend on whether or not you have access to free/cheap lead and will cast your own. Regardless, it will take quite a few reloads to recoup the initial investment if you can continue to buy QUALITY ammo for the prices you list.

[Landric]

Assuming you have brass and use lead bullets, you should probably be able to load for $0.10 per shot. A basic setup can be had for around $250 for everything you need, minus components.

[cp1969]

Or, keep an ear to the ground for someone who is getting out of reloading. It's not for sale yet, but whoever gets my reloading gear will be getting a good one for probably 1/4 to 1/2 of what a new setup would cost.

[Wee Hooker]

I would agree . From a pure $ ( in US currency) point of view:

10-12cents/round is my average fro $.38 spl ( assuming brass is free and buying my components in bulk). So lets say your looking at 15 cents/round savings more or less. If you figure it takes $250 or so in equipment to gets started ( which I concur with) then your looking at a break even mark of 1700 rounds or so. i.e. after coming up with $250 for equipment and another $180 or so for enough components to make 1700 rounds, you'll be at the break even point of what those same 1700 rounds would cost commercially. After that, your savings would begin.
Adjust these #'s up and down depending on the equipment and components that you settle on but you get the idea.
Question is, do you shoot often enough to make the investment worthwhile?

p.s. Many of us find entertainment in reloading and would do it regardless of savings.

[Fishslayer]

Let's see....

10 - 20 cents a bullet, depending on type (when you can find them)

1.8 cents of powder @ 1400 loads/$25 a pound (when you can find it)

3.5 cents a primer (when you can find them)

10 cents per range pickup brass (when you can find it)

Meh... I really reload because .357 is almost impossible to buy and when I find it, if it's 158gr JHP it costs a fortune. .45ACP is the same way.

I also reload because I can build what I want. Powderpuff target loads up to whatever.

Also, like the man said, reloading is fun.

If I had a reliable source of $280/1000 rds of .357 I'd be stocking up if it was good quality brass.

[hamourkiller]

There is another way to count the cost of reloading. How many calibers do you or will you load for?

Once you have the basic kit, now you can load for your 30-30 or 30-06 or .223 etc.

41-44-45 Colt etc.

Once the kit is in the house it just takes an outlay for the dies and components.

Think of reloading as a long term investment and enjoy making your own.

[Landric]

Yeah, you could say I take it somewhat seriously:



I don't shoot factory ammunition. Its expensive and more often than not doesn't meet my needs. Casting my own bullets and buying primers and powder in bulk, I can generally load handgun for between $0.03 and $0.06 per shot (not including the cost of brass, which I already have and can pickup more for free at the range), depending on cartridge. Rifle runs somewhat more, and brass is generally a little harder to come buy and somewhat more expensive if I have to buy it. Even so, I save at least 50% over factory, and often much more.

Right off the top of my head I load for:

.25 ACP, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, 7.62x38mmR Nagant, 9x19mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .30 Carbine, .30-30 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .444 Marlin, and .45-70 Government.

[blastfact]

What I shot today and its cost.

My Reloads: 9mm
200 rds. .14 ea. Berrys Bullets 124 gr. TiteGroup, Brass and Primer
200 rds. .23 ea. XTP Bullets 124 gr. "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" ""

Retail Ammo: 9mm
100 rds. WWB. .23 ea. 115 gr. FMJ
100 rds. Rem. .24 ea. "" "" "" "" ""
50 rds. Fiocchi .34 ea. 115 gr. JHP
50 rds. WWB .34 ea. 147 gr. JHP

7.62 x 25 Tokarev
50 rds. WWB .50 ea 85 gr. FMJ
72 rds. Mil-Surp .12 ea 86 gr. FMJ

As one can see The reloads from basic target stuff to HD/SD Ammo is cheap compared to the retail stuff I had on hand. And tuned for my pistols.

$74 in reloads
$115 in retail

$189,,,, **** I need to reload more.

[ArchAngelCD]

Kempf Gun Shop has a Lee Classic Turret Press Kit for $177.95 that will do everything you need when you add both upgrades at the bottom for an additional $22. You will need to add a scale, a load manual and a set of caliper to round out your necessary tools. If you buy Lee don't buy the standard 4 hole turret press, but the Classic turret press because it's MUCH better. The upgrade includes the Pro powder measure and both large and small Safety Prime systems. For only $199.95 you will be able to load ammo as soon as it comes as long as you have powder, primers and bullets on hand. The kit even comes with your choice of dies, in your case a 38/357 Carbide Die set. In the future you can add additional turrets for only $9.95 each. (because you will end up loading for everything you shoot)

In the beginning you can remove the Auto-Index rod and use it as a single stage press until you learn the ins-and-outs of loading. When you are comfortable you can use the Auto-Index feature and load 180-200 rounds of .38 Special an hour.

As for price, at current component prices I can load .38 Special ammo for $91.78/1000, $0.092 each. For .357 Magnum using lead bullets the price is $124.20/1000, $0.124 each. Jacketed bullets raise the price to $147.87/1000 or $0.148 each.

Good luck and be safe by checking everything twice...