Almost ready to start reloading

[gordon21]

In another earlier post, I mentioned that I would be ready to start reloading once I could walk into a store and buy EVERYTHING at one time needed to start reloading. Drop the $350-500 on the counter and be able to go home and load my first round that same weekend. Press, dies, primers, powder, etc.

We are getting close. I went to my nearest Cabela's yesterday in the next state and there was plenty of reloading presses, dies, accessories, bullets and primers. BUT, there was only about 100# of assorted powders on the shelf on a busy Saturday afternoon.

None of them for suitable for 9MM according to what I have read lately. There was a bunch of a powder called 7824, 7284 or something similar. Several others too.

Maybe within another 90 days, I can take the plunge into reloading. You can't reload without powder. 9mm bullets were on sale for $0.08 each. I have been saving some brass in anticipation of being able to reload.

 

[federali]

Don't forget to look at plated bullets such as Raineer, Berry's, X-Treme, etc. In my opinion, unless hard-cast, 9mm velocities are a bit too high for lead bullets.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Pass on the lubed lead bullets in favor of coated bullets like from SNS or MB. You will be much happier in this early phase not having to scour lead from the bore.

 

[gordon21]

Berry's plated 115gr were on sale for about $40 per 500. Hornady bullets were costing more than loaded ammo!!!

 

[Maximumbob54]

SNS 9mm 115 Grain Round Nose - Coated - 1000ct

9MM 115 GR RN Cast Lead Bullets

Might find them a few bucks cheaper but these are good bullets. I keep buying the same thing but the .38 special version for my cheap plinking ammo. Flat out, they work, they're cheap, and they're accurate. Just add the shipping.

 

[John R]

Did you buy everything except the powder?
Powder will show up sooner or later.

 

[daniel lawecki]

Delta Precision sells great jacketed bullets. these aren't plated bullets they have free shipping. Google them and check them out.

 

[gordon21]

I didn't buy any reloading supplies yet. It would drive me crazy looking at $400 worth of stuff in the den and not be able to use any of it.

If powder doesn't show up soon, the cost on loaded bulk pack ammo will be just as cheap as reloading. Loaded 9MM is already down to $0.24 and dropping.

The only reason I would reload is to lower costs for target ammo. I have no desire to get into the super accurate-best load mentality. Even if I reload, I doubt I would ever buy a chronograph. Hopefully, I would quickly find a basic target load used by many people and use it. No experimenting.

Reload, target shoot, have fun. Repeat.

 

[SMSgt]

Want-to-be reloaders need to stop looking at the dollar aspect and consider it an extension of the shooting sports. All components can be found with a little effort, even if not on the LGS shelf.

Otherwise, stick with the dirty, nasty, inaccurate bulk ammo that usually goes bang, but not always.

 

[fredj338]

I didn't buy any reloading supplies yet. It would drive me crazy looking at $400 worth of stuff in the den and not be able to use any of it.

If powder doesn't show up soon, the cost on loaded bulk pack ammo will be just as cheap as reloading. Loaded 9MM is already down to $0.24 and dropping.

The only reason I would reload is to lower costs for target ammo. I have no desire to get into the super accurate-best load mentality. Even if I reload, I doubt I would ever buy a chronograph. Hopefully, I would quickly find a basic target load used by many people and use it. No experimenting.

Reload, target shoot, have fun. Repeat.

Except buying in some sort of bulk, I can reload 9mm for 12c a rd or less;
Primer 3c
Powder 1c
Extrm 115gr plated 8c

 

[John R]

Make a list of all the different powders you can use for 9 mm loads and keep it in your wallet, something will turn up.
Any time your at a gun shop pull out the list and look at what they have.

Get the other stuff and get set up.

 

[novalty]

Congrats on getting your equipment! Hope you are able to get a bench set up soon. Powder won't be far behind.

 

[cmichini]

If you haven't bought anything else get a manual and start reading!!

You can spend a couple of weeks on the theory, etc. before you pull the lever for the first time.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Did you buy everything except the powder?
Powder will show up sooner or later.

I've been hearing that for a number of years now. Lots and lots of rifle powders showing. I'm amazed how one company like Alliant can make a gizzalon types of rifle powders but can't get out 1# of common pistol powder.

 

[kbm6893]

I just started reloading last year. Have done 1000 rounds of 38 and 100 rounds of 9MM. Just started 9MM and plan to load 1000 rounds of each caliber this cold PA winter.

As for cost, it's always gonna be cheaper to reload. Walmart has 50 rounds of 9MM for 14 bucks. That's 28 bucks for 100. Over 30 with tax. I can reload 100 rounds for less than half that. 38 is even cheaper. Walmart wants 40 bucks for 100. I can reload 100 for less than 10 bucks.

But the real benefit to reloading is not being a slave to the next panic, and there WILL be another Newtown or some other horrible thing. Other than 22, my days of store bought handgun ammo are over. I might start 30-06 for my Garand soon, too. But I got 1000 rounds of mil surplus of that so no hurry. Am saving my brass though.

I got into reloading way too late.

As for powder, I have some IMR 7625 for 9MM. Stuff meters perfectly everytime. Right to the grain. And won't double charge a 9MM case. Would overflow. I love it and plan to stick with it for 9MM

Powder near me is pretty easy to get now. Not Bullseye or Unique, but I have more than enough powder for my revolvers and 9MM to load well over 5000 rounds.

 

[fredj338]

I've been hearing that for a number of years now. Lots and lots of rifle powders showing. I'm amazed how one company like Alliant can make a gizzalon types of rifle powders but can't get out 1# of common pistol powder.

Powder manuf, like ammo manuf, make product in runs. Some more often than others. Stuff is popping up daily, you just have to be ready to buy. What sucks is you can't walk into your lgs & buy a # of something to try.

 

[rwsmith]

Are you a glutton for punishment.......

Expecting to find everything in one place is still a stretch and maybe it's feasible if you don't mind waiting. But remember also that another bad shooter incident can make all of this stuff go away very quickly. Get components as you can find them. Then buy all the reloading stuff in one heap. There is hardly anywhere that has EVERYTHING these days.

 

[Will2]

Gordon, I'd suggest that you buy what you can find.

If you can't find powder at your LGS, then someone at range will help you out.

I helped out a shooter (that I recently met) that wanted to start reloading, with a pound of powder. I good friend of mine was almost out of his favorite powder, and was able to help him out.

I was looking for powder at my LGS and an employee asked what I needed. Told him I was looking for Bulseye, but still had some. He said he personally had some, if I was almost out. Told him I really appreciated his offer, but I was okay for a while.

Just let if be known that you are trying to start reloading, someone will help you out...

Will

 

[rwsmith]

Yes you can......

Powder manuf, like ammo manuf, make product in runs. Some more often than others. Stuff is popping up daily, you just have to be ready to buy. What Ickes is you can't walk into your lgs & buy a # of something to try.

You can do that. Decide what kind of shooting you'll be doing. Make a list of all powders that will work in your gun from most to least preferable. Buy lb or two of whatever you find that is highest on your list. A pound of some not quite so suitable powder isn't going to break the bank.

That will get you loading, shooting and learning while we search and wait for our favorite powders to become available.

 

[fomcco]

If I closely monitor powders on Gunbot for a few days I always come up with something.
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