pick a loader

[jkcerda]

Hornady Lock-n-Load
Lee loadmaster
Dillon550b

broke, but may be willing to invest, I dont shoot as much, 1k rounds per year, .308 and .40 cal might get 7.62 x 39.

I have searched here and seen horror stories on the loadmaster, according to Lee the issues have been resolved.

the loadmaster is the most affordable at 250 including dies for .308

the lock & load is the next step up at 400 minus the dies

the 550b seems to be the most popular, but the price just kills me.

this will be my first time reloading, I may not shoot enough to justify the more expensive models, wondering if the Lee will hold up to just 1000-1500 rounds per year.

help is appreciated.

[JHC]

Since you're new to reloading and don't shoot that many rounds a year you should consider a single stage or turret press. You'll save money over a progressive press and have alot easier time setting it up. Progressives are great for pistol calibers but not so much with rifles in my opinion.

I use a loadmaster and while it did have minor problems it worked fine once I figured everything out, but it's definitely not what you'd want to learn on.

[Mikeb]

+1 for what JHC said. You can get everything you will "basicly" need for a little more than $100 with single stage or one of the Lee turret presses. You will spend more on all the little gadjets and gizzmos that you will want. More than one good book is part of that too.
I can't get to excited about the Dillon 550. Seems to me if you aren't doing things single stage style (ie. deprime everything, inspect everything, prime everythin, charge everything, visualy inspect everything, seat your bullets and crimp. ) you would want the auto index. Useing my Loadmaster I stay busylooking at the powder charge and setting the bullets in place having to manualy index the the shell plate seem like a PIA. Also for rifle ammo I like to weigh each charge carefully.
take care
Mike

[jkcerda]

thanks guys, single stage may be it, Hornady has a deal , you get $250 worth of ammo if you buy the lock & load, other deals available depending on what you order.
my QTY's are small I guess 500 rounds at a time, if you guys think single stage would be better , than i just might go for that, this will be my FIRST time reloading sad to say I dont count with much time as I am always buried in work, thats why I was thinking of the progressive.

[Sunwolf]

Single stage hard to beat:http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=317831

[r08ert209cali]

+1

Single stage hard to beat:http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=317831

+1 on this setup.hardy press for the most demanding rifle calibers.and precise enough for small pistol calibers. In my opinion the lee turret press has little too much play and can slow you down.

[buffybuster]

My advice:

They ALL work! Buy whatever you can afford and get loading. One way or the other you will upgrade or replace as your needs demand. They are all threaded 7/8-14 and take the same dies.

[jkcerda]

thanks guys

[Corbin Dallas]

I dont shoot as much, 1k rounds per year, .308 and .40 cal might get 7.62 x 39

Honestly, you don't shoot enough to make financial sense.

Forget the machine alone, how much is your time worth? A single stage press is a PITA to work and for 1000 rounds a year, you'd be better off just buying ammo from the local gun shows.

I shoot 1000 a month if not more. That's why I got into reloading, my investment has already paid for itself and now I'm actually saving money. It took me almost a year to realize the savings.

Let's say you get a press for $100.

How long do you think it will take to load 100 rounds? I can do almost 1000 an hour on my 650. If you add in prep time, 1.5-2 hours / 1000.

Single stage? I'd be willing to bet it takes you 2 hours to do 100 rounds.

Average rate - $15/hr = $30/100

Bullets: Buy in bulk for max savings, but since you are not loading thousands, you'll pay a bit more.

40S&W - 100 rounds of 180g FMJ = $15 from gun show, or $20 online including shipping charges.

Primers - $22+tax / 1000 (You'll need Small pistol and Large Rifle) approx $50

308 bullets - 100 rounds 155g FMJ = $20-25 from gun show, approx $30 online including shipping. GOOD thing is you can use for BOTH 308 and 7.62x39.

Don't forget the powder. One for 40S&W, another for 7.62x51 and 39... (Low cost 1lb powder is around $25+tax)

So, for sake of argument you get your brass for free. You still need case lube, die sets and a tumbler with media to clean the brass.

Just in components alone (press, tumbler, media, dies) your initial investment could be way more than $200...

Then add in your reloading costs (bullets, primers, powder) and you're talking in the low end of (150+22+25+tax)/1000 = approx $20/100

Now you haven't even loaded them. Add in your 2 hours of work @ $30 and now you got $50/100 hand loads.

Call me crazy, but a box of Winchester 40S&W is $25/50 at wally world. MiWall reloads at the gun show are $150/1000 or ($7.50/50)

So in conclusion, anyone who tells you that reloading is much less expensive than buying them either A) shoots a LOT (like me) or B) has no idea what they are talking about...

Reloading to me is:

-A great way to fine tune my rounds to my liking
-A long term investment (10+ years)
-A way to better understand weaponry
-A great way to kill time I don't have
-Another money pit, like my gun collection


DO get into reloading because:

-You want the experience
-You see the long term benefit
-You intend on shooting a lot more or already shoot a LOT

DO NOT get into reloading because:
-Someone told you loaded cartridges would cost less than buying them


Just my .02

[jkcerda]

Honestly, you don't shoot enough to make financial sense.

Reloading to me is:

-A great way to fine tune my rounds to my liking
-A long term investment (10+ years)
-A way to better understand weaponry
-A great way to kill time I don't have
-Another money pit, like my gun collection


DO get into reloading because:

-You want the experience
-You see the long term benefit
-You intend on shooting a lot more or already shoot a LOT

DO NOT get into reloading because:
-Someone told you loaded cartridges would cost less than buying them


Just my .02

Great post, couple of things.

A) I AM interested in quality ammo, maybe not handgun, but Rifle, you bet.

B) the price of ammo with the lead free is at 42 bucks per box of 20, my initial 200 investment pays for itself in 10 boxes or so, if my per round cost ends up being at 1 dollar and that is with Quality ammo

C) I am looking for the experience as well, I rarely shoot now as I do see 15-25 bucks per box of ammo as a rip off.

your post was very informative, i understand that i will not be saving much, but I will if all goes right be shooting quality ammo made by myself

[Corbin Dallas]

Great post, couple of things.

A) I AM interested in quality ammo, maybe not handgun, but Rifle, you bet.

B) the price of ammo with the lead free is at 42 bucks per box of 20, my initial 200 investment pays for itself in 10 boxes or so, if my per round cost ends up being at 1 dollar and that is with Quality ammo

C) I am looking for the experience as well, I rarely shoot now as I do see 15-25 bucks per box of ammo as a rip off.

your post was very informative, i understand that i will not be saving much, but I will if all goes right be shooting quality ammo made by myself

A) I completely agree

B) Have you priced out Lead Free 308 bullets yet? You might want to look into that. (Nosler Lead Free is $33/50 + ship, barnes is a dollar more) Add in a box of primers, powder and your time to get a realistic number.

C) Wait until you're spending $40-50/box when you load it.


NOTE: I am not trying to dissuade you from reloading. Just trying to get you to think of all angles possible before diving in.

Just as a side note, my reloading setup is in the $2k range with everything I've bought. I have 4 tumblers, 223 trimmer, automatic case loader and dies for 9mm, 10mm, 357SIG, 40S&W, 45ACP and 223rem.

Once you start, you cannot stop... (They're like pringles)

[buffybuster]

Myth: You will save money by reloading

Reality: You spend the same amount of money, if not more. But you shoot a heck more.

[jkcerda]

Myth: You will save money by reloading

Reality: You spend the same amount of money, if not more. But you shoot a heck more.

you shoot QUALITY VS the run of the mill stuff, that I can deal with

[RogueSniper]

Reloading is a hobby as much as a "money-saving" endeavor. I reload 9mm, 45ACP, 32Auto, 38/357, 32 S&W Long, 223Rem, 308Win, and 8mm Mauser. I find it relaxing to just go into the garage and try different loads with different bullets to see which one works best for my guns and rifles.

Financially, it comes down to cost of set up (press and components). Your mileage may vary. For me, reloading 32Auto and quality 8mm Mauser saves me money. Reloading the other calibers is just fun. When Walmart is selling 9mm for $9/box, it isn't worth reloading, but I do because it's fun.

I have a Lee Pro-1000 and a Lee Handload kit. I must have about $200 in dies, $500 in Primers and Powders, $200 in accessories, and $500 components. Yeah, it's going to take awhile before I can get my ROI (Return On Investment) back in step.

[r08ert209cali]

I agree reloading is a drug.I reload for 50dtc,50 bmg 7mm mag 270wsm,30/06 30/30 223 204 ruger 44 mag 45 40s&w 357/38 spcl. 9mm and 380.thats just my personal calibers not saving much as I'm always buying components.some stuff is cheap to buy factory loaded some not.Takes a lot of my time but I enjoy it.Your always going to want another reloading tool or just not going to use the stuff like you thought you would.that being said look on this board and ebay for used stuff can usually find some good deals and save some dough on the tools and or components.