HAZMAT + Shipping: is handloading really cost effective?

[ar15barrels]

Just took out one box to check and there is nothing on the Blazer Brass box that indicates dimensions. Only weight of the round at 230 grain. Other than comparing the primer pockets of Blazer Brass with other .45 rounds, how can I tell?

It's quite easy to see the difference.

[varanidguy]

Ouch! A new shop in big bear city is asking $38/1000 primers and I thought that was too much.

Psh, I wish. I'd buy them at that price to save time driving down the hill. How is their powder prices?

[Mtn folk]

Psh, I wish. I'd buy them at that price to save time driving down the hill. How is their powder prices?

He doesn't have much in stock yet. Maybe 2# not sure what his prices are going to be. He is just getting set up. He has a few thousand primers in stock.

[glock7]

Well, there's the brass that you can reload numerous times and depending on what load you use, a bottle of powder can go a long ways. Savings, not really, but you can shoot more and fine tune the loads for accuracy, to me that's the biggest thing.

[Divehobo]

Lots of good sources for reloading supplies, Midway is not your only choice. Most places I have purchased from will charge Hazardous Material Fee of $27 or $28.50 for up to 40 or 50 lbs of material. You can typically mix and match powder and primers as long as full amount is below max weight.

Imbert and Smithers in San Carlos is starting to have a decent selection of powder in stock, pricey but readily avail ($32.00 for 1 lbs of H4831). I prefer to wait until the show at the Cow Palace to stock up at the Miwall booth. You can buy primers 1k for $29. Powder is limited to what they have on hand and more is available on the first day of the show than the second. Counter folk know reloading and if you know what you want to load, they can usually help pick out a good powder if your not sure which one is right.

Jackson Arms has allowed me to pick up my brass for years, never too much said about it. I picked up my brass there again tonight, nothing said, go for it. Lots of home loaders there, make sure your picking up your own brass not snipping your neighbors.

Now, regarding "is home loading worth it?". Some folks find gardening, tying fishing flies or wood working relaxing, for me it is standing in front of my reloader making ammo. Something to be said about quiet time, very relaxing. Almost reminds me of a long motorcycle road where it is just you, the wind in your face and lots of quiet

[stilly]

So, after doing nothing but read every sticky applicable to my needs in this thread section, I went on midwayUSA to see how much brass, powder, rounds, and primer would cost. I was shocked at the total once shipping and HAZMAT fees were applied:

1lb of Accurate Mag pro smokeless powder $21.49
Winchester pistol primer $29.99 (1000 count)
Starline brass 45ACP $181.99 (1000 count)
Rainier lead safe 45ACP $109.99 (1000 count)

Standard ground $31.08
HAZMAT $57
Powder shipping $9.99

Total shipping $98.07 (to 94066/San Bruno)

Total order for 1000 rounds of 45ACP hand load $441.53

Am I missing something? I can buy 1000 rounds of Blazer Brass between $380-$400 shipping included.

Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated.

LoL.
Never buy primers and powder from Midway, they tend to charge you DOUBLE hazmat... Midway is for GUN PARTS AND Primers OR Powder. NOT Primers AND Powder.
Did you even check at Cabelas? They might still have primers on sale for $19.99.

Look brah, you are doing it all wrong. If you are lokoing to SAVE money, then look for ONCE FIRED BRASS, you can get it anywhere.

Here is the rule about brass:
There are TWO TYPES of brass, NEW and Once Fired.
If you think you have something else, REREAD the rule.
New brass can fail; once fired brass will tell you if it is going to fail or it will fail in secret and you will not know about it until you go to reload it and it sings a different song.
Always buy ONCE FIRED BRASS. It is the best and already seasoned.

You need to learn how to shop smart if you wanna reload for cheap.

[Mtn folk]

Lots of good sources for reloading supplies, Midway is not your only choice. Most places I have purchased from will charge Hazardous Material Fee of $27 or $28.50 for up to 40 or 50 lbs of material. You can typically mix and match powder and primers as long as full amount is below max weight.

Imbert and Smithers in San Carlos is starting to have a decent selection of powder in stock, pricey but readily avail ($32.00 for 1 lbs of H4831). I prefer to wait until the show at the Cow Palace to stock up at the Miwall booth. You can buy primers 1k for $29. Powder is limited to what they have on hand and more is available on the first day of the show than the second. Counter folk know reloading and if you know what you want to load, they can usually help pick out a good powder if your not sure which one is right.

Jackson Arms has allowed me to pick up my brass for years, never too much said about it. I picked up my brass there again tonight, nothing said, go for it. Lots of home loaders there, make sure your picking up your own brass not snipping your neighbors.

Now, regarding "is home loading worth it?". Some folks find gardening, tying fishing flies or wood working relaxing, for me it is standing in front of my reloader making ammo. Something to be said about quiet time, very relaxing. Almost reminds me of a long motorcycle road where it is just you, the wind in your face and lots of quiet

I couldn't agree more. I let a real good friend use my equipment. He has taken an interest in reloading as of late. He has two jobs, family, recreation and all. His life is pretty full, he tries to set time aside to come over and crank a hundred rounds. I tell him nope, reloading is a hobby not a chore. Not something to rush through. We are going to take our time, have a good time, relax and chew the fat or we aren't going to do it. He has has been bit by the man cave bug and tells everyone to take a number, I'm reloading tonight.

[mds2004]

Call your local dealers. I just bought a 8lb keg of H4350 for $207otd at one dealer and 1000 federal Gm210m for $43.

[J-cat]

Reloading is not for everyone.

[ExtremeX]

If you are just testing the waters with reloading, buy from local stores or other members here... if you only intent to buy 1lb lug of powder buying online isn't for you.

If you want to reload pistol ammo with the goal of saving the most money possible... be ready to put down a sizable $$$ investment. It REALLY helps to know what you want, so either have someone help you, do your research.

[Mot Mi]

You can't justify 1lb of powder and 1k primers when I purchase $650 worth of powder and at least $200 in primers altogether Including hazmat and shipping. Need to find cheaper places to shop.

[Anemic AL]

As everyone has said, the only way to save $ online is to buy in bulk. If you buy enough, you save $ even with the hazmat and shipping charges.

My first online order was for about 5k primers and 16lbs of powder. How much are you guys able to buy and still have it shipped in one box?

[stilly]

As everyone has said, the only way to save $ online is to buy in bulk. If you buy enough, you save $ even with the hazmat and shipping charges.

My first online order was for about 5k primers and 16lbs of powder. How much are you guys able to buy and still have it shipped in one box?

I heard that a hazmat was good for 50 lbs.

That could be old and who knows.

[Anemic AL]

I heard that a hazmat was good for 50 lbs.

That could be old and who knows.

That's a lot of powder! I'll have to play around with amounts when I have enough cash. Getting together with a few others would be the best. Maxing out that hazmat fee is the only way to fly ...

[Fordtrucks]

Our lovely state here has laws as too how much powder ur allowed to store at ur house so be aware of that also. I'm not exactly sure of the amount but beleive it's in the order of 20lbs.