Thinking about getting into reloading.

[Scrapper]

I have been thinking about getting into reloading. My father-in-law has been patient to show me some of the basics and give me a walk through on loading ammunition. However, he lives a couple hours away, and I don't have any of the equipment of supplies. Is it cost effective for a person that only shoots less than a thousand rounds a year to buy all the equipment, and supplies to reload? The 3 calibers I would reload are: 9mm, 45ACP, and .223. Have heard it is pretty difficult to find primers as well.

Suggestions, on what it might cost for equipment to get started, and how much you think it cost per-round to reload, would be greatly appreciated. Don't really count my time as it is a relaxing pass time.

Thanks in advance!

Hand-loading will also keep you sharp, keep you on your toes, and is a fun pastime.

 

[BillyWayne]

Handloading is a bunch of fun. I started with Lee equipment because it is inexpensive and got me into the game. As for getting the bullets, brass, primers and powder....well....I check some online places regularly and some shops around my area often as well. I also have a friend that lives 90 minutes from me checking. I get things here and there and now have enough for a while.
But have fun reloading and spend some time reading about it. People look at my uncle and I funny when we are talking about how fast a 140 grain 6.5mm bullet can go with 46.5 grains of Reloder 22 and maybe we should try.........well you will see.

 

[matsu]

smith crazy shows how hand-loading saves money that is not right, it lets you shoot more but you will spend a lot of more money!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PDL]

And don't neglect the used market. It's usually someone who's moving up from a single stage to a progressive etc. It's not like the things wear out. So you need some dies, but you'll need them anyway.
We were out at the range today and someone had an RCBS rockchucker for sale for $60, just as an example.
If you're near in or near a gun club, take a look at the things up for sale. Also there's the sale thread here.
You don't need a 'new' press necesarily, especially for a single stage. But you do want good dies.

 

[novalty]

A single stage is what my father-in-law has been teaching me how to use. I am not necessarily concerned about the high production numbers per hour. Have been checking locally, and think the RCBS Rock Chucker kit would be nice, not really interested in picking stuff up piece-meal, but if the right deal comes along...

 

[m657]

re: "1. about on average, how many times can you reload the brass? "

I've got 38/45acp/45LC that I've been reloading for most of 20 years.

While I may get a split case (say 1 or 2 out of a match of 150 or so) the low pressure stuff doesn't tend to wear out fast. I'd guess the upper end of my own well-used stuff is maybe 20-30 times. Brass brass is more pliable than nickle-brass.

Unless I'm loading specifically for a big match, I tend to just add "50" new brass now & then to keep my ongoing batch refreshed.

Since retirement I get to do a bit more shooting and reloading than I used to.

 

[WILDCATT]

reloading

I started in 1937 loading for a win 73 and had a win tong tool and mold.still have the mold and tool.
go to midsouthshooters.com get their cat.
I have a 4 hole lee with lee dies and the auto disk measure. with extra turrets at $10 [about].you can change cal in seconds.I have a measure for half of my turrets (25)you can do single stage or auto advance.I would do lots at first. and then go to auto advance.there is some tinkering,but its worth it.I also have lees 20 lb melting pot and lees molds. I have both 2 cavity $18 and 6 cavity $36.
lee gives a shell holder with their dies.and the pistol dies have a powder thru expander.
Lee also have vidieos on their web sit you can see the tools in operation.