PROFESSIONAL RELOADING MACHINE

[Babalooie]

My son is working for a guy who has a gun shop and range. He's considering reloading the spent brass from his range. My son has requested information on automatic "professional" reloading machines. Have any of you had experiences with reloading mass quantities of brass? We're looking for recommendations for a quality reliable automatic reloading machine. All input is appreciated.

 

[rwsmith]

Do you want a fully electric model....

The Dillon 1050 has automatic feeds on some of the components, but you still have to pull the handle but a motor can be added.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUBHVk4KQW8[/ame]

 

[ontargetagain]

Might look here for solid info. Howell Machine, affiliated with Xtreme Bullets.
Camdex is other thought too.
Karl

 

[fredj338]

If you are serious, Camdex. If you just want to play with it, Dillon 1050.

 

[Bkreutz]

My son is working for a guy who has a gun shop and range. He's considering reloading the spent brass from his range. My son has requested information on automatic "professional" reloading machines. Have any of you had experiences with reloading mass quantities of brass? We're looking for recommendations for a quality reliable automatic reloading machine. All input is appreciated.

Before he starts looking at machinery, he needs to investigate the licensing and insurance aspect. The machinery is the easy part. A Dillon 1050 with a Mark 7 motor kit is the bottom end of the spectrum at around $2500. A Camdex starts around $25,000 and goes up from there. Then there are even more expensive setups. Another potential problem is getting components in enough quantity to keep them running (and the licensing and insurance on storing that much powder in one place). It can be done, but it's not easy.

 

[DWalt]

Setting up a large volume commercial reloading operation may have many unforeseen (and expensive) problems beyond equipment selection, which is actually one of the cheapest and simplest issues. Going from hobby level to something which can make a living is far from simple for any business, and maybe even more difficult for a commercial reloading business. Getting insurance won't be cheap.

 

[epj]

Insurance and licensing issues are one thing. For a single shop/range, a 1050 would probably suffice. What is essential, is someone operating the machine who knows what the hell he/she's doing and is very detail oriented. The more automated the process, the more opportunity for error.

 

[fredj338]

Setting up a large volume commercial reloading operation may have many unforeseen (and expensive) problems beyond equipment selection, which is actually one of the cheapest and simplest issues. Going from hobby level to something which can make a living is far from simple for any business, and maybe even more difficult for a commercial reloading business. Getting insurance won't be cheap.

Sounds like the owner wants to reload for sale in his range, a pretty small operation. If running a gun range, licensing is already in play, just another hoop to jump through. Worth doing for sure, just at what level.

 

[Wise_A]

Insurance and licensing issues are one thing. For a single shop/range, a 1050 would probably suffice. What is essential, is someone operating the machine who knows what the hell he/she's doing and is very detail oriented. The more automated the process, the more opportunity for error.

Agreed. You would need to not only have a strong understanding of reloading--specifically, reloading for multiple guns--you would need to be well-versed in manufacturing principles. Not just for maximizing profit, but even for critical details like choosing a safe and reliable charge.

Not something to be approached lightly.

 

[StakeOut]

How many calibers and load variations does he wish to produce in quantity?

Several Dillon 1050????

 

[rwsmith]

Good question.....

How many calibers and load variations does he wish to produce in quantity?

Several Dillon 1050????

Which calibers on his range are shot the most?

Some case prep probably ought to be considered.

Also scale and caliper for Q/C.

 

[Tom S.]

Things the owner will (or at least should) do before spending a dime:

Get in touch with his local and state government. His property may not be zoned for manufacturing, and there may also be prohibitions on how much powder he can store, or if can even make ammunition.

Call his insurance agent. Liability insurance may make this endeavor cost more than it will return. It will also effect the cost of his fire insurance.

Check with the EPA. While home reloaders are immune, the EPA may have requirements due to the amount of lead he will be using/handling.

If he clears these hurtles, he then needs to procure a FFL license to manufacture ammunition for sale. While the license is only $30, getting it can take several months.

At a bare minimum, he will need a Dillon 1050, and an automation system for it, unless he plans on paying someone to pull the handle for him. Figure around $2500 to $3000. If he's really serious, Camdex (located about 20 miles from me) machines, which are capable of over 4,000 rounds an hour, start out around $12,000 and work up from there.

 

[H Richard]

With the 1050 Dillon, he wouldn't want to change it over for different calibers if he had any volume at all. So he might need one for each caliber. I'm not familiar with change over on the 1050, if it makes it too much of a hassle.

 

[StakeOut]

So,can he produce and sell his reloads cheaper than the factory ammo you and I can buy at our local Walmarts?

 

[Babalooie]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll forward this information to my son.

 

[federali]

Considering Our Litigious Society

One case I'm directly familiar with: A shooter thoroughly leaded up his Glock .40 by shooting lead bullets loaded to too high a velocity and ignoring Glock's warning not to use lead bullets in a gun with polygonal rifling. He then thought he could shoot out the lead by firing a Remington jacketed factory load through the bore. The heavy leading offered enough resistance for the gun to fail---Kaboom!

Well, the gun owner demanded a new gun from Remington, blaming their ammo for the mishap. At the time, I was at the S&W Academy, was a certified Glock armorer and asked to help get the Glock apart.

Remember, even if your loads are perfect, they will be blamed for any gun failures because nobody wants to admit personal responsibility and most of us want a free gun replacement.

Thanks but no thanks. Selling reloaded ammo is one area to avoid.

 

[federali]

M&D Reloading Explosion

In 1982, an explosion rocked a Long Island, NY reloading firm known as M&D Reloading, killing two off-duty police officers who were moonlighting at the small company. At the time, virtually all police departments were still using revolvers and the bulk of their commercial output was .38 Special. The explosion apparently occurred through faulty maintenance when accumulated priming residue somehow ignited and then ignited the powder reservoir at a commercial machine.
L.I. BLAST KILLS 2 OFF-DUTY POLICEMEN - NYTimes.com

This is an advisory to all reloaders, whether commercial or personal, to be sure to thoroughly clean up powder spills and primer residue as all of us manage to crush an improperly seated primer, from time to time. This is also a hazard that any start-up reloading company must be aware of and take seriously.