Reloading cost questions

[FLGun]

Afternoon,

I have several S&W and Ruger .357 and 38 revolvers. Have been shooting for several years. Haven’t ever reloaded or know much about it at all. With the rising costs of .38 and .357 ammo, I would love to be able to continue to shoot my revolvers consistently and hopefully for more affordable prices while learning a valuable skill. Can someone tell me the current costs to reload .38 and .357 with the various costs of necessary components primers powder ect, would a Lee Loader be all that’s needed and a simple as it gets ? Thank you

 

[BC38]

If you have brass already, figure 7-8 cents per primer, and about the same per powder charge, and about the same for the bullet.
So 20-25 cents a round is a good rough estimate. That's $10.00-$12.50 a box of 50
Of course that doesn't count cost of equipment - but if you're shooting and reloading a few thousand a year you'll recoup that cost pretty quick saving $20 a box of 50. Especially of you buy used equipment and don't go for the really high-dollar brands.

A simple, basic, single-stage setup can be had for as little as a couple of hundred bucks.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The cost of the case represents about 40% of the cost of a loaded round of ammunition in the current retail market. By reusing the case several times, even allowing for the fact that you will be paying retail for your supplies you will still save a lot (roughly 50%) by rolling your own and you can get exactly what you want. A Lee Loader will do the job, I started with one. It is , however, slow. You could probably buy a single stage press used somewhere pretty cheap and that would go a LOT faster. The LEE powder dippers will also do the job though a scale and adjustable powder measure will, again, be faster and more versatile, at a cost. I have not bothered to calculate what the cost comparison is if nothing else due to the fact the .38 and .357 ammo is scarce in my neck of the woods, I have little to compare it too.

 

[rockquarry]

Invest $20 in a Lyman handbook (the regular one, not the cast bullet manual) and read the front part, before the load data. You'll not only know what to buy, you'll also figure out if you really want to get involved in the handloading process.

 

[FLGun]

Any recommendations on what single stage used press and what to look for when looking at used?
Regarding the Lyman reloading manual is this the one, the 51st reloading handbook? Also is it considered the holy grail of reloading books? You are being redirected...

 

[GypsmJim]

$10 a box is about right at today's component prices. If you're not 100% sure about the hobby, or you are cost limited, buy a Lee Loader for about 40 bucks to get started. You can upgrade later.

If you are pretty sure you want to do it, buy a Lee Single stage "kit" for less than $200, plus about $50 more for .38 spl dies. They will load .357 as well.

I started with Lee Loaders when they were only 10 bucks. Then I started casing my own bullets. Then moved up to a press. Since I anticipated the current shortages, I stocked up when stuff was cheap. My 50 round boxes only cost $2.50.

If cost is your motive, think twice. If you are not mechanically inclined, or not a home craftsman, the task may bore you. Personally, reloading to me is as much a valuable hobby as shooting itself.

 

[tlawler]

I keep costs down by buying used equipment, cherry picking what I need, then selling spares and what I won’t use. Where in Florida are you?

 

[rockquarry]

Any recommendations on what single stage used press and what to look for when looking at used?
Regarding the Lyman reloading manual is this the one, the 51st reloading handbook? Also is it considered the holy grail of reloading books? You are being redirected...

I didn't know there was a newer one than #50. It's more expensive, but get it; money well spent. I don't think there is a "holy grail" in loading manuals or anywhere else in the hobby, but it's a good book. So are the Sierra, Speer, and Hornady. The Lee is okay, also, but the others are probably better for the beginner. I'd still go with the Lyman if you're only going to buy one.

As for single stage presses new or used, there's probably not a bad one on the market. Some like to criticize one brand over another, but take your time and get a basis first so you can make a more educated decision than what some Internet maestro or YouTube crackerjack suggests.

 

[gwpercle]

I started out with a Lee Loader ... the mallet powered "whack-a-mole" Classic Loader ... it is a workable loading system ...But
Lee has a better mouse trap now ... The Lee Hand Press !
The Hand Press is a small hand held single stage reloading press , it's not bench mounted , it is held in your hands and there is no pounding with a mallet .
I've been reloading 50+ years , have several bench mounted reloading presses but prefer to do all my handgun and 30-30 with the hand press ...
sit inside the house or office with ac or heat and reload at computer desk or kitchen table ... everything fits into s gym bag...
I will be honest ...the Hand Press has the Classic Loader beat Seven Ways to Sunday and then some . The kit has a primer seating tool .
Just buy the Lee Hand Press Kit add dies / shell holder and you are in business .
Gary

 

[glenwolde]

I started out with a Lee Loader ... the mallet powered "whack-a-mole" Classic Loader ... it is a workable loading system ...But
Lee has a better mouse trap now ... The Lee Hand Press !
The Hand Press is a small hand held single stage reloading press , it's not bench mounted , it is held in your hands and there is no pounding with a mallet .
I've been reloading 50+ years , have several bench mounted reloading presses but prefer to do all my handgun and 30-30 with the hand press ...
sit inside the house or office with ac or heat and reload at computer desk or kitchen table ... everything fits into s gym bag...
I will be honest ...the Hand Press has the Classic Loader beat Seven Ways to Sunday and then some . The kit has a primer seating tool .
Just buy the Lee Hand Press Kit add dies / shell holder and you are in business .
Gary

The hand press is great but last I looked the Reloader Press was actually cheaper.

 

[taz666]

The Lee Loader will get it done (lots of tapping to annoy others in the house) ... but .. I'd get Lee's Priming Tool to use instead of the Loaders' "tap the primers in" function. The tool is cheap and no popped primers
Even if you move up to another single stage press, you'll probably still make use of the priming tool.

 

[Durango Slim]

Spend the extra hundred or so and get a turret press. It makes life easier since you can set the dies once and leave them alone.

Look at the different sites that sell reloading equipment and watch their sales. You can likely get a complete kit for less than buying one piece at a time.

 

[Empe]

I started reloading about a 18 months ago for .45 ACP , .357 Magnum and .38 Special for pretty much the same reason you are looking into it .
Using my own brass I can reload for about .25 per round at current prices , That's about $12.00 -$13.00 per 50 rounds ,
Many are complaining about the current high cost of reloading components but that still works out to less than half the cost of factory ammunition .

I bought a Lee Classic Turret Press Kit when they were on sale for $265.00 ...not sure how much they are now .
This kit got me started reloading and I have no complaints with it.

I did upgrade the Lee powder scale with an RCBS 502 I bought off ebay for $50.00...it was new old stock and was an improvement.

Overall I have very much been enjoying the reloading process . I still consider myself new to the hobby and am still in the learning stages.

One thing to think about . Up until very recently both primers and powder were pretty difficult to find due to component shortages .

It appears we may be heading into another shortage the coming year so if you're considering getting on board with reloading it might be a good idea to get stocked up on the necessary supplies somewhat soon.
When I first purchased my reloading equipment it was during the last shortage ...not too long ago by the way .

As a result it sat unused for a little over a year before supplies ...particularly primers became available.

 

[BC38]

Invest $20 in a Lyman handbook (the regular one, not the cast bullet manual) and read the front part, before the load data. You'll not only know what to buy, you'll also figure out if you really want to get involved in the handloading process.

I'll second that, but for a complete novice, I like and recommend the Lee Reloading Handbook. IMO, it is the most new-reloader friendly manual, because it is written in the simplest terms for those with no prior knowledge or experience at the reloading process.

But you really can't go wrong either way. You will want to have multiple reloading handbooks to cross-reference as you get into the hobby of making your own ammo.

So which manual you buy first isn't a major issue - because if you decide that reloading is for you, you'll want more than one anyway.

 

[Rodan]

The Lee turret (not progressive) press can put out a lot of ammo pretty quickly without breaking the bank. And if you expand later, you can keep a caliber setup on the turret and just swap them out.

Check pawn shops and local 'for sale' ads... last week at one of our local pawn shops I saw a turret press with 3 turrets, two die sets and a powder measure for $150.

I also prefer the Lee hand priming tools to on the press priming. More control, and it gives you the opportunity to inspect your cases.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Any recommendations on what single stage used press and what to look for when looking at used?
Regarding the Lyman reloading manual is this the one, the 51st reloading handbook? Also is it considered the holy grail of reloading books? You are being redirected...

I believe you want a single stage press that uses 7/8"-14 TPI (threads per inch) dies these have been the universal standard since the 1950's there are others. They are not bad, they are just not interchangeable with the common dies.

When looking at used presses, the main part that moves up and down is called the RAM. You shouldn't mind a very light surface rust, but if pitted or with RUST SCALE move on to the next one. You want one that the ram moves freely up and down. You don't want any twister frames or sprung linkage. Some companies used PROPRITARY SHELL HOLDERS. Unless the press comes with the shell holder for 38 Special OR the adapter to common, walk on by. Old presses are often very heavy for added strength and often look obsolete, not a problem (Unless you are shipping it!)

Shell holders have numbering systems that differ from brand to brand.

I have the Lee Hand Press and one other light weight Lee aluminum press; IF you are only going to own one press and it stays at home, I would avoid them, and the lightweight aluminum presses from RCBS too.

Good used single stage presses are from:

RCBS
Hornady
Pacific
Herter's
C-H
Lyman (Spartan & All American)
Texan
Hollywood
Bonanza

I have not bought any for several years. But I have put together many reloading kits for Missionaries in 3rd world countries. Into the late 1980's I would have a press, one die set, shell holder, lube pad & lube and necessary priming tool in a metal toolbox, for $25 to $35. (This was bought retail, at gun stores not yard sales!) Prices have most certainly gone up, but at $70 you would be well served!

38 Special is the most common used handgun die set you find, 30-30 is the most common rifle.

Have fun and enjoy.

Ivan

 

[AJ]

If you are serious about this then start with a press. Everytime I can get a Lee Loader that a friend has started with I throw it in the trash. An old Lyman 310 Tool is way superior to a Lee Loader. The Lee Hand Press is the present day Lyman 310. Cost savings at first will not be great, in fact to buy all the stuff to reload you will be going backwards at first. Once you get on the right side of the costs to reload after the initial outlay, things get better. You can tailor your loads to your guns for better accuracy. The variety of loading available to you is immense. If you know anyone that reloads try to get them to show you how it is done. Once you get the feel for it, you may decide reloading is not for you.

 

[jb28]

I started out with a Lee Loader ... the mallet powered "whack-a-mole" Classic Loader ... it is a workable loading system ...But
Lee has a better mouse trap now ... The Lee Hand Press !
The Hand Press is a small hand held single stage reloading press , it's not bench mounted , it is held in your hands and there is no pounding with a mallet .
I've been reloading 50+ years , have several bench mounted reloading presses but prefer to do all my handgun and 30-30 with the hand press ...
sit inside the house or office with ac or heat and reload at computer desk or kitchen table ... everything fits into s gym bag...
I will be honest ...the Hand Press has the Classic Loader beat Seven Ways to Sunday and then some . The kit has a primer seating tool .
Just buy the Lee Hand Press Kit add dies / shell holder and you are in business .
Gary

In a different post I said if I was starting out on a budget, Id probably go with the lee breech lock challenger kit. But the lee hand press kit, set of dies and the lee powder dipper set would be even less money and as posted above has a few advantages. And a few disadvantages compared to the challenger kit.
The hand press is portable and requires basically nothing for a dedicated bench. The challenger would need a bench or a board and clamps, something for the powder measure and scale. But would be faster than the hand press. Neither are fast, but if you don't need high volume they will work.
Actually after reading gwpercle's post I'll probably end up getting the hand press kit just so I can sit in font of the tv and process brass. LOL
Reloading is fun, give it a try. And like others have said you
won't need to worry if you can find 38/357 ammo on the shelf anymore. At least once you have a nice little pile of supplies.
Making your own ammo has it's own satisfaction.

 

[JoeDice]

Spend the extra hundred or so and get a turret press. It makes life easier since you can set the dies once and leave them alone.

Look at the different sites that sell reloading equipment and watch their sales. You can likely get a complete kit for less than buying one piece at a time.

Lee Classic turrent press is great. That is what I use for 38Special and my wife’s 380Auto .

 

[dmar]

Any recommendations on what single stage used press and what to look for when looking at used?
Regarding the Lyman reloading manual is this the one, the 51st reloading handbook? Also is it considered the holy grail of reloading books? You are being redirected...

I started out with the Lee Turret press, and it worked great, and produced very accurate ammo. Used it for a couple of years before upgrading to a progressive press. I now have three progressive presses, 2 Dillons and a Hornady. The only reason I upgraded to progressive was for more production/speed. I’d honestly go insane if all I had was a single stage press, no, no, no on that! Single stage is okay for rifle load development, but no way would I suffer through that process for my main reloading. The Lee Classic Turret is a nicer option than the regular Lee Turret press, and is still very affordable. Plus, that’s a good platform to also develop rifle loads instead of using a single stage press.

I also used Lee dies, and they have never failed me, they work well. I’ve upgraded some calibers to Redding dies, just because I could, but still use Lee dies, as well. The Lee powder thru expander die is a nice set up, and the factory crimp die works well for production ammo.

One thing that you’ll figure out if you get into reloading is that it is much more than just a cost savings. You’ll learn the beauty of building accurate ammo, and that’ll help make you a better shooter, and enjoy shooting more. And if you’re good at buying components when times are good and they’re plentiful, you’ll never be subjected to ammo shortages and price gouging. That’s a nice situation! Of course the cost savings is nice, especially when you’re reloading expensive calibers…