To Reload Or Not Reload. Help!!

[rwsmith]

Common rounds like 9mm....

LOL I think he would give me the equipment for free. So the equipment is not a factor in the cost. So what I am hearing is reloading saves about 50% is that correct?

RIGHT NOW, 9mm is reasonably priced, but ANYHING can cause prices to blow up. But .357, .4X cal and rifle cartridges can save considerable money with each round. Stock up on components when prices are reasonable and you'll have them when prices ARE unreasonable, which nowadays is much of the time. i would CERTAINLY give it a try.

For pistols I use a lot of coated lead bullet, which can be pushed pretty fast (if wanted) and are darn cheap, about .08-.10 cents each.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

My play area. Built it after Irene flooded the house. Used to be a 10x10 kitchen addition. Repurposed an atrium door by cutting down the non opening side and using frosted glass for the narrow part. Was wanting to frost the inside of the door and add Spade and Archer to it.

 

[AJ]

For pistols I use a lot of coated lead bullet, which can be pushed pretty fast (if wanted) and are darn cheap, about .08-.10 cents each.

I cast my own bullets and powder coat them myself. Have not noticed any leading no matter how fast I have pushed them.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Great quotes from previous posts...

"I always have ammo..."

"I save..?"

"You'll shoot more..."

Etc.

Cheers!

 

[AC Man]

Thanks a lot for all the info. My brother is more than happy to give me his reloading equipment. He does not have the patience for it. He hates it.LOL Good for me.

 

[78bagger]

Along with everything else, I load 10mm and .41 mag. They can, and have been, hard to find at times and created a driving force for my decision to take up reloading. As my eyes got a little fuzzy I took to rifle and got a Rock chucker in addition to my Dillon progressive. Reloading rifle rounds added a whole new dimension to the hobby that I really enjoy.

 

[AC Man]

Lots of great info here. I will follow up. Thanks again. I think you have to have the right mind set to reload. Like I said the only person I know that tried it was my brother and he is hyper active and no patience. Said it was a complete waste of time. LOL

 

[rwsmith]

It don't take much.....

I don't have a dedicated place to set up and work . I gave it serious consideration but decided not to for that reason . I'm retired so it would be ideal for me though . Oh well ..

...and it need not be 'permanent'. I had my press on my workbench in the garage but it was too hot or too cold much of the year. I mounted the press on a sturdy piece of 3/4" plywood and c-clamped it to a desk in our spare room. It works GREAT, and I can reload comfortably any time I feel like it. Or remove it if I feel like it.

 

[rwsmith]

Exactly....

The calibers you listed, reloading will definitely save you money plus it is relaxing.
Get you one of these from Home Depot

... what are we looking at?

 

[Norman77]

When i got into reloading, i figured it would not save a lot of money, and this was when primers were between 2 and 3 cents. Problem was the pricey projectile. So i had to get into casting bullets, but i wanted lots of them without too much hazzle. So i ordered a bunch of 6 cavity molds, tumble lube design. And a Lee bottom pour pot. I cast, tumble and load. No handling of individual bullets till loading. Now, i load my box of 44 Magnum for like 5 bucks. So, about ten times less than business price. A bit more with magnumish powders, i mostly load them for paper punching. 9 mm i load for a bit less than 4 bucks, but i got a crapton of primers in time. What is tedious is working up my free rangescrap lead into ingots. But well, 90 pounds at a time can be made. Thats good for some shooting. Casting bullets is a relaxing activity. I do not have to cast bullets all too often, as i cast between 1000 and up to 3000 in one sitting. Whenever i open the 6 cavity mold of the .430 bullets, one buck worth of bullets is falling out... I like it. I also bought a stash of 700 pounds of printing lead to make good alloys. Powdercoating is an alternative to that. I also do not have a dedicated space. All the stuff is mobile, i plant it where i want to hang around. Happy shooting, maybe also loading and casting!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I am sure this comes up but could not find info.

Here is the question, I shoot revolvers/lever action in 357, 41, 44 mag and 45 Colt. I do not shoot a lot. However, I am retired and have the time and it seems like the type of thing I would like to do. My brother got into reloading a couple of years ago, but he is hyper active and doesn't like it at all. says it is a waste of time and money.

My only question is what % on average do you save per round? not worried about labor, that would be a plus giving me something to do.Thanks!

If you do not shoot a lot do not bother. It is a great hobby but not everyone's cup of tea. Just buy ammunition by the case and save money that way.

I have been shooting 60 years and I really enjoy shooting. For the cost of one box of store bought factory ammunition I can shoot three times more.

 

[AJ]

When i got into reloading, i figured it would not save a lot of money, and this was when primers were between 2 and 3 cents. Problem was the pricey projectile. So i had to get into casting bullets, but i wanted lots of them without too much hazzle. So i ordered a bunch of 6 cavity molds, tumble lube design. And a Lee bottom pour pot. I cast, tumble and load. No handling of individual bullets till loading. Now, i load my box of 44 Magnum for like 5 bucks. So, about ten times less than business price. A bit more with magnumish powders, i mostly load them for paper punching. 9 mm i load for a bit less than 4 bucks, but i got a crapton of primers in time. What is tedious is working up my free rangescrap lead into ingots. But well, 90 pounds at a time can be made. Thats good for some shooting. Casting bullets is a relaxing activity. I do not have to cast bullets all too often, as i cast between 1000 and up to 3000 in one sitting. Whenever i open the 6 cavity mold of the .430 bullets, one buck worth of bullets is falling out... I like it. I also bought a stash of 700 pounds of printing lead to make good alloys. Powdercoating is an alternative to that. I also do not have a dedicated space. All the stuff is mobile, i plant it where i want to hang around. Happy shooting, maybe also loading and casting!

My stuff is all pretty much stationary as I am not planning on going anywhere soon (I hope). Have a room 12'X 20' for reloading, gun safes. books and work bench. I buy sparingly now as the prices are up. Was gifted some componets and that helps the cause.

 

[Shibadog]

As noted, you will save some decent $$ vs factory ammo. If your brother gives you the equipment you’re well on the way. Primers and bullets have went up in the last couple years (what Hasn’t?) but you can still save a good bit. Powder has 7000 grains/pound. If you load takes 10 grains that’s 700 rounds. Some of the 30 and 9 mm loads take 3-5 grains. Lots of rounds per pound. Get a good manual and work up to a load You like. I tend to find one or two per caliber and stay with it. I run an ancient Lee turret press, with a different turret for each caliber. Load 9, 45, 38/357, 44 Mag and 45acp. Good luck and enjoy your new hobby��

 

[GypsmJim]

...and it need not be 'permanent'. I had my press on my workbench in the garage but it was too hot or too cold much of the year. I mounted the press on a sturdy piece of 3/4" plywood and c-clamped it to a desk in our spare room. It works GREAT, and I can reload comfortably any time I feel like it. Or remove it if I feel like it.

I had a buddy that had a small ranch house, and a wife and 2 kids. He started reloading for the fun and cost savings, but had no place to do it.

He put his components in a steel locker in the garage. His press and powder equipment was on a board he kept in the closet. After dinner and the dishes were done he clamped the board to the kitchen table with a c-clamp and bullets were made.