Tired of waiting, I am going to reload!

[HighLander51]

I decided to go reloading, so for some of you with experiencie reloading their own rounds, where do you recommend to beging? (

Brilliant plan, but 6 months too late. There's really only one word in reloading and that's Dillon. Go directly to their store in Phoenix and see if they have a 650 ready to go (1050 is better but more $$$, the Square Deal works fine also and less $$$). Now you need a tumbler, media, digital scale, case gage, and calipers. Go to the powder makers web site for load info, no need to buy a manual. Now the hard part, components. Right now it is wherever you can find them, hit and miss, and they go as fast as the websites show them. Everybody text's their shooting buddies, and the stuff disappears. Powder will be the easiest to find, and primers will be the hardest. Bullets and once fired cases are sporadic. Keep in mind there are only 4 primer makes in the US, and production will be used to make new ammo. It is also the only step in manufacturing that requires a human interface, the screeding of the fulminate into the primer cups, so it takes the longest to refill the 'reservoir'

Properly stored primers will last for decades. Whoever says different has no experience in reloading or shooting.

[Capybara]

Even if you can find components right now, the prices are ridiculous. I have been paying .18 a round for plated bullets, ridiculous. I just scored 1k of SPPs but had to pay 4.6 per primer. Powder is around.

But when it is costing you .26 per round to reload 9mm, I can still find 9mm ammo in stock here and there for the same. Better value in .45 ACP and 9x18 Mak, the other two calibers I am going to be reloading. I was lucky enough to score 5k of LPPs about month ago, good price too. But the bullets, once again, were about .18 ea and I was happy to find them.

I was a year or two short on starting to reload.

[XDRoX]

Even less with cast and homemade lube.



A week ago, I was firmly inclined to disagree. Then I learned of the Lone Wolf replacement barrels: http://www.topgunsupply.com/lone-wol...l-g17-9mm.html

So much for questioning barrel support and polygonal rifling for lead...

The G17 has been around for a while now. Parts and pricing is...impressive.

Am I changed in my thinking totally? Nope, but I have given it some thought.




Darn you.

I don't have aftermarket barrels. Shoot lead in factory barrels (as long as the load doesn't lead) and never had a problem with less supported chambers.

Here's a picture I took:


Not much difference between the three. Most are surprised when they see the picture.

[HighLander51]

They are all unsupported, some more than others.

[23 Blast]

Good god - it's amazing we haven't all been blown up!!!

This is a good thread. Even before the panic I had been thinking of getting into reloading. The gun that really increased the impetus was when I bought a used Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC/.45ACP. A box of factory .45Colt cartridges was $37!!! So I researched reloading much harder of late. However, it's daunting when you think that getting set up will cost nearly $1000 before I've rolled my first round.

[Swagman00]

I don't have aftermarket barrels. Shoot lead in factory barrels (as long as the load doesn't lead) and never had a problem with less supported chambers.

Here's a picture I took:


Not much difference between the three. Most are surprised when they see the picture.

Interesting. Expected that much gap on a Glock, but not that much on a Sig.

I've rarely heard of people running lead through Glocks due to their "recommendations" and warranty revocation for doing such. Then again, other manufacturers have done the same.

How is accuracy? I had to drop velocities of my 9x18 rounds through my cz 82 to around 750 - 800 FPS to keep the bore clean. Could just be the lube. The cast is still better through my East German mak in comparison.

Do you water drop, heat treat and quench or alloy to improve Brinell hardness?

[milotrain]

Even if you can find components right now, the prices are ridiculous. I have been paying .18 a round for plated bullets, ridiculous. I just scored 1k of SPPs but had to pay 4.6 per primer. Powder is around.

But when it is costing you .26 per round to reload 9mm, I can still find 9mm ammo in stock here and there for the same. Better value in .45 ACP and 9x18 Mak, the other two calibers I am going to be reloading. I was lucky enough to score 5k of LPPs about month ago, good price too. But the bullets, once again, were about .18 ea and I was happy to find them.

I was a year or two short on starting to reload.

You have to be more patient. The stuff is out there for normal prices, don't jump on over priced stuff just because you want it now. I just bought a bunch of powder for normal prices, and 5k primers for normal prices.

Bullets are harder to find but I've got a fairly big stockpile of them.

[beerman]

You another huge benefit to reloading is the fact you can shoot so many different calibers of guns,especially those that have cost prohibitive ammo...like 41 mag,44 mag,M1 carbine,10mm auto to name a few. As for the comment on $1K to get started...cummon search e-bay and craigslist for 2nd hand stuff..its out there,just goes quick.

[Nick Adams]

You are not too late. This will blow over, and there will be another panic. Likely each ensuing panic will make reloading a little more attractive.

[MrElectric03]

I going for an XL650 myself. As most have said though finding components isn't any easier than finding ammo.

[jumbopanda]

Stock up on a few 8lb jugs of powder, a few 5000pc cases of primers, and some bullet casting supplies. You'll be able to shoot as much as you want during any shortage.

[Nick Adams]

[QUOTE=GunnerB;10563895]Unless you shoot enough getting your money back out of reloading equipment is a stretch in the short term.
QUOTE]

I bought a Lee single stage kit for around $100. Made my money back in no time. Next step is to cast bullets. I already have a turkey fryer.

[slatroni]

Find a friend that reloads to teach you. If you can't find a friend check out youtube. http://www.youtube.com/results?searc....1.kTfoqZs0OLs
Reloading is not something to guess at. It has to be dont right!

[Jh45acp]

I need 45 acp!!! Reload for me

[bill_k_lopez]

I don't see the missing reloading supplies. Everyone is out of stock sure but you shouldn't have less than 8lbs of powder 5k primers and 1k bullets at any given time when you are reloading, and that will last you three months, which is more than enough time to keep an eye out for when things get back in stock.

Between powdervalley, angeles reloading store, and various group buys you should be fine. As long as you aren't doing massive load development with many different bullets, primers and powders then you should be ok. When you get a chance to buy, buy as much as you can, it's not going to get cheaper and almost none of it goes bad unless you let it sit for 5+ years, and even then only primers are to worry about.

Now Dillon reloading machines are hard to find.

I have plenty of supplies already.... but you're wrong. A month ago things were still available, now its hit and miss - Angeles has had no powder now for almost 4 weeks, no primers, and very few projectiles in any caliber. All the local stores have nothing (thats two Turners and Ammo Bros for me), powder-valley - out, nada and big backlog for the few in-stock items they do have).

I've got plenty of projectiles, plenty of brass and plenty powder in various types - but I'm starting to run low on primers and its now affecting my shooting schedule.

Right now is NOT the time to get started reloading.