Reloading pros and cons?

[Mr. Blue]

[longrange99]

[Duluth88]

WOW, that is a loaded question. Pros: create precision ammo specific to your gun. I like reloading as q hobby in itself. Do not start reloading if you wantbto save money.

$500 will get you started in BASIC reloading. My powder trickler cost $350. Single stage is an easy way to go, progressive reloading is good for 300+ rounds an hour for plinking or competition.

I started reloading progressives to load 38 Super for competition, not a round that is easy to buy.

Reloading is an expensive slippery slope.

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[sghart]

Cons: I spend a lot of time alone in my garage away from my family....

Oh wait....

[Mr. Blue]

The only calibers I have are .223/5.56 9mm and 45ACP. I’m pretty sure rimfire can’t be reloaded. I’m completely new to the prospect of reloading but when I get into something, I spend a lot of time researching to do things correctly. And since my fascination of all things guns hasn’t subsided in the last two years, I figured reloading would be a good thing to learn/implement. I hear the term “hot loads” a lot so I figured that meant something with more grains.

300 rounds an hour, thats pretty quick. So the material needed would be the brass, primer, powder, bullet and everything to prep the materials? Do you pick up used brass or buy it? Has the availability of components become more available, or are things as dry as ever? Would you recommend any setup? Should I skip the $500 starter kit and invest the money into a real system, as that is the progression anyway? I assume there are different types of loaders, some that work 1 at a time and others that will pump out 5 at a time? Any particular models you would recommend that I look at?

[JackEllis]

The main reasons I decided to start reloading was so I could obtain ammunition without an enormous hassle. The nearest retail store in California that carries ammunition is about three hour drive round-trip (Cabelas is 45 minutes away). When Prop 63 passed being able to reload meant I could source components from anyone, anywhere without having to worry about driving an hour and a half only to find out the store didn't have what I wanted.

It helped that someone gave me a press, a powder dispenser, a trickler and one or two other little pieces. I still have a few hundred dollars invested in tools like a primer, a prep center, a tumbler (that's sitting on a shelf), gauges and scales. The stuff I make myself shoots as well or perhaps a bit better than factory ammo. I produce lead-free rounds for about half the retail price, and the savings add up if I shoot varmints in California.

[Donny1]

You can start cheap and go from there (when conditions improve). If you buy a Single Stage or Turret press to start you will always use it if you move up for tasks in the future, de-priming, priming, sizing or just leave it set for a specific load or cartridge.

I started with a MEC shotshell loader for $200, then a Turret press and 2 used beam scales from Ebay for less than $150. Lots of research and time and I have never regretted one penny spent.

But, if you don't enjoy the tedium of learning and loading it won't go far. I find it relaxing and rewarding but many give it up after a while.

[TKM]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1647992&highlight=sharpshooter

The hottest loads are almost never the most accurate. You reload to improve accuracy and theoretically save money. Look at how much money you could save with that Sharpshooter kit.

[ghideon]

As everyone says don't get into for 'saving' money. It's a hobby, just like any other. I enjoy it.

I started out 10yrs ago with a Dillon XL650. At some point I was shooting 1000 9mm a month in competition and practice. Having a progressive setup certainly helped feed my needs.

But then you want to reload 38/357. New dies, new tool head, separate powder measure, bits and bobs for the caliber conversion.

But then you want to reload 223/556. More dies, new tool head, separate powder measure, bits and bobs for the caliber conversion.

I have to trim this rifle brass? Another trim/size die, trimmer, new tool head.

Didn't like the volumetric powder thrower when trying to do a ladder load in .2 grain increments? Got an RCBS Chargermaster in the mail yesterday.

It doesn't stop. You have to enjoy it.

[tigerpan]

[The War Wagon]

Pros



- as long as you have components... you HAVE ammo!
- helps you spend quality time in the basement, AWAY from the wife & kids!
- you become intimately familiar with the various bugs of your AO, and discover, that they LOVE your basement too!
- discover LOTS of new friends in the shooting community, who will love hanging out WITH you in the basement, and... saaaaayyy... would you mind reloading some ammo for ME?





Cons


- you CAN possibly blow yourself up... along with the house, wife, & kids, if you're careless...
- it doesn't REALLY save money, until your several YEARS into it
- if components AREN'T available... like... NOW; you're back in the same boat as the rest of us.

- the wife & kids MIGHT miss you!

[TheSpaceNeedle]

If you are a reasonably intelligent person there are quite a few pros. If you're a dummy the cons are never ending. You know youself better than anyone. You decide.

[newbie1234]

Pro:
.... Many to post

Con:
- If you are a smoke person then FORGET ABOUT RELOAD.
- It is too late now, hard to find equipment and primers.

But if you willing to do it then,
- Start with Lee single stage $25 at Lee website.

https://leeprecision.com/factory-second-breech-lock-reloader-press.html

- Get the 4 dies set , so you can easily upgrade to Turret or Auto breech Lock press.

https://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/hand-gun-dies/4-die-set-pistol/

https://leeprecision.com/ultimate-rifle-die-set/

[Full Clip]

Not a great time to consider reloading.
But you can start by saving your brass. I did that for almost two years before i bought my first reloading setup, a simple Lee Loader kit that came with all you see here:



All I needed was a a Lee reloading book, mallet, scale, 100 bullets, 100 primers and a pound of powder to make about 30 rounds an hour.
I think it was about $150, all-in.
After making and shooting all 100 rounds, I was hooked and bought an RCBS turret press, which sped up production quite a bit.
You don't have to spend a lotta money to find out if reloading is for you.

[CSACANNONEER]

Pro:

It's a new hobby

Con:

It's another hobby

Seriously, handloading is a hobby. If you don't look at it as a hobby, you'll learn how to do it and just stop doing it. If you're not ready to take on a new hobby, don't start reloading. If you want to become a reloader, be prepared to find yourself FORCING yourself to go to the range to test loads so that you can do some more loading.