Reloading has made a 'Gluttonous Pig' out of me...and I couldn't be happier.

[peppercorn]

A few months ago I started a thread...well, anyway, here it is:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reload...ding-dillon-press-help-just-ordered-550b.html

Now bring it forward to today, or, the past few weeks anyway.
My two die sets are in the caliber 38/357 and 44.
I used to shoot a ton of .38 special out of my .357s for the sake of economy. Occasionally I would pull out the .44 and shoot a box or two or three, three if i was feeling flush, financially.

I must say that this has been a real game changer, reloading that is. My approach used to be, save up some ammo, over time, allow more time for .44, and then go to the range and shoot till it's almost gone and then repeat, eventually, depending on ammo prices/sales/availability and so forth.
This past weekend I shot nothing but .44. I just kept reloading and pulling the trigger, as if I were shooting rimfire. it was/is almost intoxicating, which brings me to the glutinous part.
After about 30 rounds of 20.0grns. of 2400 over a 240gr. semi wadcutter the barrel was too hot to hang onto while I cleaned out the lead with a rod and some bronze wool.
Well, simple enough right, just let her cool down a bit. No, instead I grab another .44 and load it up and shoot till she is too hot to hold, and so on and on it went. Back and forth. I couldn't help but smile, a lot, and think about how 'free' I felt to do just what I was doing, with abandon. Yeah, glutinous pretty much sums it up, I think. I can't wait for the next lead fest.

I will eventually get back to 38/357, just not for a while, this big bore stuff in volume is just too fun.


Here are a few shots of some recently loaded up 240 gr. Laser Cast semi wadcutters.

 

[Dale53]

If you think you are feeling good, now, just imagine casting your own bullets to go with that Dillon. That's a whole 'nother rush! Then, when you take your first deer with your own home cast bullets you can throw out your chest, and say, "Match that, sucker!", then you will have really arrived.

Congratulations on reloading. Now, you can save up for the next step>)).

Dale53

 

[semperFi]

I would like to get into reloading. How much for the setup together started functioning? What does it cost to reload a box of .44 240 grain? .357? Or.38?

 

[chud333]

Nothing quite like "rolling your own" for the range.
I bought 1000 lasercast swc bullets just like yours for my N-frame
.357's and i settled on 7.5 grains of Unique. It shoots really well
out of my model 28-2 Highway Patrolman 4". Have'nt gotten arond
to shooting any in my 27's yet. My old Lyman manual had 8 grs. as
book max for Unique with the 158 grain bullets so i loaded up 300 rds at the 7.5gr and went to town. Very controllable loading. Nice and easily manageable through an N-frame.
Just gives you a real satisfaction shooting a load you made yourself.


chuck

 

[Engineer1911]

You have successfully started the "Look at all the money I'm saving by reloading ammunition!!" plan. You will save even more money casting bullets.

Ask me how I know.

 

[MichiganScott]

You have successfully started the "Look at all the money I'm saving by reloading ammunition!!" plan. You will save even more money casting bullets.

Ask me how I know.

I started saving money in 1972 with a Lee loader. My reloading area now consists of an 8x12 room. Saved a whole bunch of money over the years.

 

[walnutred]

I would like to get into reloading. How much for the setup together started functioning? What does it cost to reload a box of .44 240 grain? .357? Or.38?

Not counting time I figure my pistol loads cost me around $3.00 per 50 if I cast my own bullets. Recently I purchased some cast projectiles for 32-20 and they cost me $55 per thousand delivered, so $5-$6 per 50 with purchased bullets and factory 32-20 cost around $30 a box of 50 in the area.

Most people who reload don't spend less, they shoot more. Face it, most of us have a dollar amount in mind we feel comfortable spending on our hobbies. I cast and reload on bad weather days and shoot in good weather.

 

[David LaPell]

I can't even begin to say how much I save by reloading my own ammunition, but even more by casting my own bullets. Probably enough to buy a new gun if I chose to (and didn't have bills).

 

[lebomm]

Peppercorn;
FYI, I'm pretty sure you meant "gluttonous", right? "Glutinous" means sticky-gooey like bread dough. Although come to think of it, shooting a whole bunch of .44 Mag all at one go could soften a guy up some !

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Reloading and casting are the only way to go if you want to shoot a lot and improve your skills...congrats!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

And you get a new hobby to boot! I really think I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. It can also save your relationship with your significant other. Say for instance my wife has control of the TV remote and must watch a chick flick or some other drivel and I am out of "beat my chest and grunt, my remote, me boss point's" I slink away to the man cave and do manly things like reloading some quality ammunition. It also saves my sanity dureing those cold evil nights of winter by giveing me something to do other than shovel snow. Is there nothing handloading cannot do? Enjoy your new hobby!

 

[MichiganScott]

I would like to get into reloading. How much for the setup together started functioning? What does it cost to reload a box of .44 240 grain? .357? Or.38?

Midway has the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme reloading set on sale right now with a $50 rebate on top. You can get started for around $300.

If you buy your components in small quantities as opposed to bulk, you would save about $5-10/box of plinking grade .38 special, although the quality of your handloads would be much better. Buying components in bulk could double your savings.

Currently I am loading match grade .223 for the upcoming competition season. Using small quantity prices, they cost me $0.34/round. Factory ammo of the same quality would run me $0.60-0.80/ea depending on whether or not the case is new or once fired. Again, buying in bulk or on sale would increase my savings by about 1/3 to 1/2. Note that handloaded match grade ammo in .223 actually costs less than Federal XM855.

Even using the higher priced components, you will break even at 60 boxes of .38 special or a little as 1000 rounds of match grade .223. You will save considerably more if you handload higher priced ammuntion like .44mag or .375 H&H.

Admittedly, single stage presses take longer to load the same amount of ammunition. However, they are cheaper and much safer for a noobie to start on. Besides, here in northern Michigan we usually have nine months of winter and three months when the skiing's not so good, so I have plenty of time to fill. Plus, I enjoy the whole process.

 

[Skip Sackett]

45 Colt, 255gr RNHP(which cannot be purchased, only cast at home)cast from free lead, over 9.2gr of Surplus Unique ($8/lb) and Wolf primers ($18/1000) makes 50 of these run $1.43/50!

What is not to like about that? hahahaha

Pepper, you are hooked!

 

[semperFi]

Midway has the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme reloading set on sale right now with a $50 rebate on top. You can get started for around $300.

If you buy your components in small quantities as opposed to bulk, you would save about $5-10/box of plinking grade .38 special, although the quality of your handloads would be much better. Buying components in bulk could double your savings.

Currently I am loading match grade .223 for the upcoming competition season. Using small quantity prices, they cost me $0.34/round. Factory ammo of the same quality would run me $0.60-0.80/ea depending on whether or not the case is new or once fired. Again, buying in bulk or on sale would increase my savings by about 1/3 to 1/2. Note that handloaded match grade ammo in .223 actually costs less than Federal XM855.

Even using the higher priced components, you will break even at 60 boxes of .38 special or a little as 1000 rounds of match grade .223. You will save considerably more if you handload higher priced ammuntion like .44mag or .375 H&H.

Admittedly, single stage presses take longer to load the same amount of ammunition. However, they are cheaper and much safer for a noobie to start on. Besides, here in northern Michigan we usually have nine months of winter and three months when the skiing's not so good, so I have plenty of time to fill. Plus, I enjoy the whole process.

Nice rundown. I'll check it out. Figure I'd do .357, .44; .45 ACP and LC; and.44. Thanks

 

[semperFi]

45 Colt, 255gr RNHP(which cannot be purchased, only cast at home)cast from free lead, over 9.2gr of Surplus Unique ($8/lb) and Wolf primers ($18/1000) makes 50 of these run $1.43/50!

What is not to like about that? hahahaha

Pepper, you are hooked!

Nice mouthwatering numbers. I've seen $35 a box of 50

 

[semperFi]

Midway has the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme reloading set on sale right now with a $50 rebate on top. You can get started for around $300.

If you buy your components in small quantities as opposed to bulk, you would save about $5-10/box of plinking grade .38 special, although the quality of your handloads would be much better. Buying components in bulk could double your savings.

Currently I am loading match grade .223 for the upcoming competition season. Using small quantity prices, they cost me $0.34/round. Factory ammo of the same quality would run me $0.60-0.80/ea depending on whether or not the case is new or once fired. Again, buying in bulk or on sale would increase my savings by about 1/3 to 1/2. Note that handloaded match grade ammo in .223 actually costs less than Federal XM855.

Even using the higher priced components, you will break even at 60 boxes of .38 special or a little as 1000 rounds of match grade .223. You will save considerably more if you handload higher priced ammuntion like .44mag or .375 H&H.

Admittedly, single stage presses take longer to load the same amount of ammunition. However, they are cheaper and much safer for a noobie to start on. Besides, here in northern Michigan we usually have nine months of winter and three months when the skiing's not so good, so I have plenty of time to fill. Plus, I enjoy the whole process.

Thanks. You all are giving me incentive to get moving.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

45 Colt, 255gr RNHP(which cannot be purchased, only cast at home)cast from free lead, over 9.2gr of Surplus Unique ($8/lb) and Wolf primers ($18/1000) makes 50 of these run $1.43/50!

What is not to like about that? hahahaha

Pepper, you are hooked!

Skip............Who made that mold and what is their p/n? Thanks , Mike(Big Time Caster)

 

[blujax01]

...
Admittedly, single stage presses take longer to load the same amount of ammunition. However, they are cheaper and much safer for a noobie to start on. Besides, here in northern Michigan we usually have nine months of winter and three months when the skiing's not so good, so I have plenty of time to fill. Plus, I enjoy the whole process.

Scott I disagree with your statement that single stage presses are "much safer for a noobie."

Single stage presses are not safer than a progressive for anyone, new or experienced. Progressives are not significantly more complicated to operate and can be successfully figured out in short order by any reasoning human.

Do lots of people prefer single stage? You bet and I have no issue with that. Personal preference and all that.

I started on a progressive yet can see the need (want?) for a single stage in the future. They do what they do well which in my case will be R&D in small batches.

To the OP, sorry for the thread drift.

 

[MichiganScott]

Progressives are not significantly more complicated to operate and can be successfully figured out in short order by any reasoning human.
To the OP, sorry for the thread drift.

Blujax,

Although I agree with your statement, progressives do have more opportunity to goof up. The noobie needs to concentrate on getting each individual step correct instead of worrying about all of them at once.

Those of us that frequent these gun boards tend to be firearm enthusiasts and open for suggestions and ask for help when needed. My strong feelings on what someone needs to start reloading comes from working as safety officer at my gun club and seeing the garbage many non-enthusiasts want to jam in their firearms because of the mindset of so many once a year shooters. Many people will only want to load a box or two each year and the rusty presses found at yard sales and gun shows attest to that fact.

I enjoy the whole process and differentiate between handloading and reloading. One of the guys I shoot with absolutely hates to reload and his ammunition shows it. He would probably benefit from a progressive so he could finish the whole process and start doing something else he would prefer to be doing.

 

[epj]

I would like to get into reloading. How much for the setup together started functioning? What does it cost to reload a box of .44 240 grain? .357? Or.38?

I load any pistol caliber for about $3.50/box. How? Casting my own bullets. If you buy bullets especially jacketed ones they are pretty expensive. You can still probably save half the cost of store bought ammo. Cast bullets are less particularly if you can find a local caster.
Loading equipment can be cheap or expensive. Look at eBay for deals. Some of the Lee stuff works pretty well. All the Dillon stuff works real well but costs a lot more. Do a search on this subject and you will find lots of info.