t bell
Member
Anybody recommend a good kit? I hate the fact that I have a Shield ordered and can't shoot it.
Thinking of loading my own ammo
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32_d3gr33s
Member
youll have just as much luck finding components for reloading, as you will finding ammo.
if you want to reload, start reading. get at least a couple good books before you even attempt to reload.
do you know anything about it? how much ammo, how often, how many different calibers?
if you want to reload, start reading. get at least a couple good books before you even attempt to reload.
do you know anything about it? how much ammo, how often, how many different calibers?
I think ammo will be in stock before components (or your Shield). You might find bullets and brass but strike out on primers and powder. What a mess. Once ammo becomes available it'll be almost as cheap or cheaper than handloading your own. Anyway, I started with a Lee Anniversary Kit back in the 90's and I'm still using most of it. Some people sneer at it because it's a bargin, kinda like M&P vs Sig, but I've created some incredible rifle ammo with mine. It's a great kit to get you started.
I use the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press & their 4 die kit for 9's & 38 special. It is a fine unit along with their dies. I don't use their scale because of a lot of negative reviews. Because of current conditions, your process of accumulation of equipment will be slow & somewhat frustrating, but get started. You'll get one thing here and one thing there. You'll be on a wait list for other stuff, but hang in there, you'll eventually produce your first round.
MITCHB
Member
a dillon square deal b is a great machine ive had mine 4 mo,its fun,cheaper(not crazy cheaper) but its a very enjoyable hobby,and the searching for components is kinda fun.
Agree, recently got my SDB and very happy with the results making 9mm. Better than factory ammo since I can tailor the load, and much cheaper. Finding components is hit and miss, but doable. Collect your factory brass and that takes care of one of the more expensive components that you can reuse several times. I recently scored on primers and powder (HP38), so I'm set for awhile.
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RCBS rockchucker...all you need...and around here reloading components are much easier to find rather then ammo
you get what u want,when u want it
you get what u want,when u want it
MichiganScott
Member
I spent the day setting up a NIB RockChucker kit I took in trade in 2002 for my son-in-law. I realized that with this older kit all he needed to start was a dial caliper, powder trickler, dies and shell holders. The newer kits need a little bit more, but not much.
I've used my RockChucker since 1974 and loaded literally tens of thousands of rounds with it. I view handloading as an interesting part of the hobby and a good way to spend the winter months.
The components will become available. Be patient, and don't pay more than MSRP for anything.
Good to know. Where is here?
John in SE Indiana
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I started out with a Lee Classic Turret - solid, economical press. I reload everything I shoot except .22LR/.22Magnum. Press works fine for handgun and rifle calibers. I would suggest spare turrets for multiple calibers - makes changing super simple and quick.
But before you load ANYTHING, get a reloading manual and a good scale.
But before you load ANYTHING, get a reloading manual and a good scale.
jeffhughes
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Go blue. Dillon is really the only way if you are serious about loading.
Get a 650 with all the trimmings. Buy once, cry once.
Get a 650 with all the trimmings. Buy once, cry once.
Powder, primers, brass.... all components and re-loading materials are tough to come by now. There are other things you may want to be doing while we wait for shooting materials to loosen up....
I always try to convince people new to the activity to find someone in your area who already has experience with all aspects of re-loading. Many local re-loaders would be willing to help and most like to show off their skills. It will shorten your learning curve and help you learn why safety and attention to detail is so important with this hobby.
If someone will help you start out they should already have many of the tools and components. You can quickly find out what you need and what you finally want for equipment in the process.
Be prepared for a very interesting new hobby! You'll start out with a caliber or two then like many of us, end up loading for most of the popular calibers...
Just sayin'
I always try to convince people new to the activity to find someone in your area who already has experience with all aspects of re-loading. Many local re-loaders would be willing to help and most like to show off their skills. It will shorten your learning curve and help you learn why safety and attention to detail is so important with this hobby.
If someone will help you start out they should already have many of the tools and components. You can quickly find out what you need and what you finally want for equipment in the process.
Be prepared for a very interesting new hobby! You'll start out with a caliber or two then like many of us, end up loading for most of the popular calibers...
Just sayin'
SMMAssociates
Member
I bought a Dillon XL650 right before the stuff hit the fan, after thinking about it for about 40 years! Components are tricky to find, but it is cheaper if you ignore the cost of the press. Even if costs drop back to about what they were, you can still save a few bucks, though.
The downsides to the Dillon: $100-$200 to set up for a different caliber unless you want to spend a LOT of time setting up a caliber change. And, a bit of time and mechanical work to swap calibers.
I cheaped out on the case feeder. $200-ish. You don't really need it, but it is handy.
You DO want the "Strong Mount" and maybe the Dillon mounting hardware kit (included with the "Strong Mount"). Likewise, there's a powder tester that rides into the case after the filling operation. The "Strong Mount" allows you to put the press on any old tabletop, without parts of the system hanging over the edge.
Assembly is a bear - the really tough parts are pre-assembled for a single caliber (you need to specify), but a whole bunch of stuff still has to be done. Nothing much to it, but the manual's a little fuzzy, and some things are a little non-intuitive.
You'll also need a tumbler to clean cases, some cleaning agents (ground corncob, for example), and a good separator to get the cleaning media out of your cases. I still have to buy a good separator. The cheap one I bought doesn't cut it.
It's not really a good idea, IMHO, to handload .40's. They're awfully close to SAMMI specs when loaded at all, and may be dangerous to play with. 9mm and .45's, or .38/.357 or .44/.44Mag should be a lot easier.
I'm told that RCBS makes a clone of the Dillon XL650 that's half the price. Might be worth a look. There has also been a suggestion to buy several very inexpensive presses and just leave them all set up, each to a specific caliber. Not the worst idea anybody ever had....
Enjoy!
The downsides to the Dillon: $100-$200 to set up for a different caliber unless you want to spend a LOT of time setting up a caliber change. And, a bit of time and mechanical work to swap calibers.
I cheaped out on the case feeder. $200-ish. You don't really need it, but it is handy.
You DO want the "Strong Mount" and maybe the Dillon mounting hardware kit (included with the "Strong Mount"). Likewise, there's a powder tester that rides into the case after the filling operation. The "Strong Mount" allows you to put the press on any old tabletop, without parts of the system hanging over the edge.
Assembly is a bear - the really tough parts are pre-assembled for a single caliber (you need to specify), but a whole bunch of stuff still has to be done. Nothing much to it, but the manual's a little fuzzy, and some things are a little non-intuitive.
You'll also need a tumbler to clean cases, some cleaning agents (ground corncob, for example), and a good separator to get the cleaning media out of your cases. I still have to buy a good separator. The cheap one I bought doesn't cut it.
It's not really a good idea, IMHO, to handload .40's. They're awfully close to SAMMI specs when loaded at all, and may be dangerous to play with. 9mm and .45's, or .38/.357 or .44/.44Mag should be a lot easier.
I'm told that RCBS makes a clone of the Dillon XL650 that's half the price. Might be worth a look. There has also been a suggestion to buy several very inexpensive presses and just leave them all set up, each to a specific caliber. Not the worst idea anybody ever had....
Enjoy!
If you're up for a trip to central Ohio, you can get set up with everything you'll need. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your desires) it will take all day shopping as the press, powder, primers and bullets are all available at different places.
I bought individual components when I started reloading, starting with a basic single stage RCBS press. You'll need dies (get carbide dies available in all brands), a scale, and a powder dispenser (there are several styles). I have the small Lee tumbler, which works well for cleaning small lots of brass. A caliper for measuring is handy too. If I were starting today, I might look at one of the RCBS kits, maybe this one.
As others stated, primers and powder are in short supply now. Brownells said primers and powder should be arriving in the late April through early June timeframe (Federal primers, Win 231, and Bullseye).
As others stated, primers and powder are in short supply now. Brownells said primers and powder should be arriving in the late April through early June timeframe (Federal primers, Win 231, and Bullseye).
I unpacked my Lyman Spar-T press that I have not used in over thirty years to reload .38 / .357 and .40. I needed to buy die sets for these calibers as I only had done 30-30 before. Like everyone says components can be tricky but I stop at about 6 different places and find what I need. Small pistol primers always seemed to be the bottle neck but I just walked into a small store in Vt yesterday and they had all I wanted. Read everything you can and there are a few good forums to visit that have great info. Most important, take your time and double check your measurements.
1fly2ty
Member
While the hazmat and shipping fees do add alot to the overall cost ,the way to minimize them is to do a group purchase with a couple of friends that reload. you only pay one hazmat fee and if it is divided up 3 ways its not as bad. I always buy a minimum of 5000 primers, and never buy anything other than 8 pound jugs of powder.
You don't have to buy expensive equipment to reload quality ammo, but the person that recommended carbide dies was spot on, then you won't have to lube the cases before you resize them. I also have a Dillon Square Deal and it is truly a very nice way to reload pistol ammo. Eeloading is a great hobby and will almost always be more economical than buying factory loaded ammo.
You don't have to buy expensive equipment to reload quality ammo, but the person that recommended carbide dies was spot on, then you won't have to lube the cases before you resize them. I also have a Dillon Square Deal and it is truly a very nice way to reload pistol ammo. Eeloading is a great hobby and will almost always be more economical than buying factory loaded ammo.
Houdini1953
Member
Just like 32_d3gr33s stated start by getting a couple of reloading books, even though the process of reloading is basically decapping the primers and resizing the case then priming the case after cleaning it and then adding a charge of powder (the most critical part and dangerous if you aren't careful) and then expanding the case mouth to accept a bullet and then seating the bullet to an OAL or COAL of a maximum as stated in such books and then crimping the bullet to prevent setback and overpressure.
Hodgdon has a free reloading manual and then there are those by Richard Lee as in Modern Reloading Second Edition there is also a Speer Manual as well as online resources from manufacturers.
I would suggest a single stage press especially if you are going to be reloading for 9 millimeter or any handgun it will give you the firsthand experience to know what all you like in a press and the various components and how they all work together to produce accurate and reliable and safe ammunition that will work in your particular weapon, in other words you will be making your own custom ammunition just for your gun and how you want it to perform, good luck!
Hodgdon has a free reloading manual and then there are those by Richard Lee as in Modern Reloading Second Edition there is also a Speer Manual as well as online resources from manufacturers.
I would suggest a single stage press especially if you are going to be reloading for 9 millimeter or any handgun it will give you the firsthand experience to know what all you like in a press and the various components and how they all work together to produce accurate and reliable and safe ammunition that will work in your particular weapon, in other words you will be making your own custom ammunition just for your gun and how you want it to perform, good luck!
MichiganScott
Member
I can buy one 8lb jug of powder from Powder Valley, add HazMat, and it's still cheaper per pound than local 1 lb purchases.
The secret to buying over the Internet is to wait until you need a bunch of primers and powder or get several friend together to place an order.
JeffF64
US Veteran
Not planning to reload, but was wondering is it worth pic
Cling up brass? Do or will reloaders purchase once fired brass? What's it worth?
Cling up brass? Do or will reloaders purchase once fired brass? What's it worth?
I stopped at two of the shops I buy reloading supplies at over the last two days and stock is up for sure. First one I picked up 500 small pistol primers and after I got back to my camp I thought of going back to buy more just to have. On my way home today stopped at another to see if they had any mags for the FS 40. They didn't. But had loads of primers so I picked up another 500. 200FMJHP 165 gn bullets. Now I have plenty to keep me going. I find reloading very therapeutic and relaxing.
I get my brass from what I shoot and I have a friend that is a LEO and he grabs there once fired of me after there qualifying shoots. Most people the reload trade brass and a few might buy it. Not sure there is much of a market other than scrap prices. Other may add...
1fly2ty
Member
Right now in my area once fired brass is in demand! The shelves at most of our LGS are bare of loaded ammo and more people are starting to reload and 223 is running about .15 each pistol brass is running $15-20.00 for 250 once fired .9mm, .40, .45. my buddy sells once fired brass at local gun shows and on saturday mornings his table is stripped clean of any brass with in the first 2 hours of the doors opening. The longer this drought lasts the more expensive things will get. I had 3000 rounds of once fired .38 special brass and it was gone in 30 minutes. Its like a school of Piranahs feeding on a dead animal!!
jeffhughes
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Before things got tight you could reload for about 120/1000.
It's probably closer to 150/1000 now.
Components will drop, and I bet the days of 200/1000 for factory ammo are gone forever.
With a Dillon 650 you can turn out several hundred rounds per hour. So, it seems quite worthwhile.
Don't expect to actually save any money, because you will just shoot more, but it's still all good...
It's probably closer to 150/1000 now.
Components will drop, and I bet the days of 200/1000 for factory ammo are gone forever.
With a Dillon 650 you can turn out several hundred rounds per hour. So, it seems quite worthwhile.
Don't expect to actually save any money, because you will just shoot more, but it's still all good...
walkin' trails
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I started in 1994 with a Dillion 550. A fellow shooter suggested that it was about as idiot-proof as any reloader could be a the time. I never had a problem with it, but boxed it up in 1996 and haven't touched it since as I really haven't had to buy much more than .22LR or .308 for a while ( and I don't shoot enough 308 to worry). This day and age, however, I am thinking about dusting it off again although I realize the components are going to be scarce. It was a very relaxing activity as I recall. Give Dillion a look.
