After all the wear and tear and hook'n.................
I thought it might be time to re-spool....................
I thought it might be time to re-spool....................
So you're thinking about getting into reloading...
- Thread starter novalty
- Start date
Correction to be made. I received an email with tracking number for the return of my 550. No one from Dillon called, so I called them to give my credit card info. I was never one to look for a freebie.
They sent me over to billing, and the nice gent looked up my RMA. No charge, warranty issue, primer feed...yada.Yes I had some issues with the primer feed, though minor.
I didn't even ask what was done to the press, we'll see when it gets home on Saturday.
BUMP!
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A Mainer bumping another Mainer
FYI I DO NOT BUMP and GRIND :O
OP
novalty
Member
Bump.
reddoginga
Member
I didn't read the whole thread, but my father reloads, he enjoys doing it, it gives him something to do, I have reloaded also but the price I can buy a box of ammo for today at wal mart $9.78 for box of 50. its not cheaper for me to reload. I can just go buy a box of ammo and go shoot.. no time invested or money, i guess if you buy all your stuff in bulk it is a little cheaper but still. and this is for 9mm others might save some more.
OP
novalty
Member
Bump to top.
venomballistics
Member
bump to the top
OP
novalty
Member
Bump to top.
Many may laugh but for short money and a minimalist reloading setup, don't rule out the Classic Lee Loader. It's cheap, simple, highly portable, well made and reliable. Like many, I find reloading an enjoyable process, and this stupidly simple kit forces me to slow down and focus on deliberately building each cartridge rather than churning them out with greater efficiency. When it's range time and I load one into the chamber, each carefully constructed round becomes something of more importance, and I savor every shot because I know I put the time in. Keep in mind my range time is mostly slow-shooting and deliberate (except for practicing an occasional self defense scenario); someone who runs through more ammo more often might be better off with a more efficient reloading setup.
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OP
novalty
Member
Bump to top.
Gentlemen,
Just an FYI - It's not necessary to bump this thread just to keep it readily accessible. Lee added this to the Notable Thread Index last year.
Look at the top of the front page of the reloading section and you'll see the following:
Sticky: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/166159-notable-thread-index.html
Click on it and you'll find a link to this thread near the top of the GENERAL section.
Just an FYI - It's not necessary to bump this thread just to keep it readily accessible. Lee added this to the Notable Thread Index last year.
Look at the top of the front page of the reloading section and you'll see the following:
Sticky: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/166159-notable-thread-index.html
Click on it and you'll find a link to this thread near the top of the GENERAL section.
OP
novalty
Member
Hello S&WChad,
Any reason this thread cannot be added as a "sticky" at the top?
Novalty
Any reason this thread cannot be added as a "sticky" at the top?
Novalty
Gentlemen,
Just an FYI - It's not necessary to bump this thread just to keep it readily accessible. Lee added this to the Notable Thread Index last year.
Look at the top of the front page of the reloading section and you'll see the following:
Sticky: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/166159-notable-thread-index.html
Click on it and you'll find a link to this thread near the top of the GENERAL section.
kbm6893
Member
Bull. That 9.78 is for 50 rounds. I reload 9MM for about 13 bucks for 100 rounds. So your 100 rounds will cost you over 20 bucks while mine cost me 13.
And let's not forget how much 9MM was going for after Newtown. I remember 14 bucks a box for 50 rounds. And that's IF you find some. I got into reloading during that drought.
Reloading saves you money. There is no denying that. Just like it's cheaper to grill your own burger over getting one at a diner.
Yes, there are a few very good reasons why we don't do that.
You'll notice that there are 20 different links to "outstanding" threads in the Reloading section http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/166159-notable-thread-index.html. The http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/166146-notable-thread-index.html in the S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 section has links to 48 different "outstanding" threads.
If these were all separate links, the Stickies would dominate the front pages of the various discussion forums and the staff announcements would be lost in the mix. We have a hard enough time getting people to notice our rules, terms and disclaimers as it is.
There's one last reason and it's the most compelling of all. Lee structured it this way and he owns the board!
Biggfoot44
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
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- 2,060
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6893 above has hit upon the current generation's example.
Generic 9mm fmj is the example that has the narrowest gap between storebought and component costs. If you are satisfied with random generic, and it meetd your requirements , ,buy it by the case and don't look back.
For the previous generation this was commercial reload .38spl. Heck , at one point there was commercial reload WC for less than my component cost. ( Economy of scale, I bought components by the thousands vs by the truckload.) But , theirs had 105fps ES , would group within 10 ring of B-27 @ 7yds on a good day. 8 stopped shooting it even for free, because it took more than an hour to scrub my gun afterwards, and life was just too short. My slightly more expensive loads would shoot 1in @ 25yds in guns otherwise capable.
So my point is in addition to pure $ , loading your own gives you control over quality, accuracy, specific bullet weights & vels, or tailoring for a specific pistol. Any of these might be meaningful to you or might not.
Generic 9mm fmj is the example that has the narrowest gap between storebought and component costs. If you are satisfied with random generic, and it meetd your requirements , ,buy it by the case and don't look back.
For the previous generation this was commercial reload .38spl. Heck , at one point there was commercial reload WC for less than my component cost. ( Economy of scale, I bought components by the thousands vs by the truckload.) But , theirs had 105fps ES , would group within 10 ring of B-27 @ 7yds on a good day. 8 stopped shooting it even for free, because it took more than an hour to scrub my gun afterwards, and life was just too short. My slightly more expensive loads would shoot 1in @ 25yds in guns otherwise capable.
So my point is in addition to pure $ , loading your own gives you control over quality, accuracy, specific bullet weights & vels, or tailoring for a specific pistol. Any of these might be meaningful to you or might not.
kbm6893
Member
I spent probably 600 bucks total for press, dies, calipers, scales, wood to build my reloading bench, etc when I started 2 years ago. I've loaded at least 5000 rounds since then and the savings on that alone has allowed me to recoup that cost. .38 Special is a real money saver. 14 bucks for 100 rounds vs 45-50 bucks for store bought.
And I'll never be a slave to the next drought.
And I'll never be a slave to the next drought.
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I've decided that I have to begin reloading. I MUST if I am to take longer range .308 and 5.56x45 to levels that I want. Meaning quality, consistency, and long-run price per round. I also intend to reload 9mm, .38 and .357 for fun shooting and maybe defensive carry.
So... I guess I have a lot to learn before even spending a buck. This thread will be an excellent resource. But later. My brain hurts. I think I'll go out and create some brass.
*voice in head: surely there's a tried and true whole set available somewhere that fits my needs.
So... I guess I have a lot to learn before even spending a buck. This thread will be an excellent resource. But later. My brain hurts. I think I'll go out and create some brass.
*voice in head: surely there's a tried and true whole set available somewhere that fits my needs.
kbm6893
Member
Pistol ammo is much easier to reload. I would start there. And whether you buy Lee dies or not (I do. I like their crimping die), the Lee website has excellent videos showing how to adjust the dies. Once they are adjusted then lock them down. I use a hornady press and the hornady twist out adapters. Mount the die in them, adjust to where you need to be, and lock it down. Once there, removing a die is a simple half twist and its out. I have yet to reload rifle ammo yet but probably will one day. Just more steps to it is all. I don't feel like trimming my brass.
OP
novalty
Member
Bump to top with added review of the new Hornady Iron Press.
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RobertJ.
Member
Post #1 is the single best forum post I've ever seen concerning reloading, and I couldn't believe it when I realized I hadn't "liked" it!
