Randall's "pistol ammo is too expensive" list

[ar15barrels]

Almost every week there is a thread from someone interested in reloading.

With ammo prices the way they are, many want to start reloading to keep costs down.
Others want to reload in order to customize ammo to their guns.
Either reason is good enough in my book.

The investment into reloading is considerable, especially if you buy the good equipment.
It's a wise investment though which will lead you to shooting a lot more than you do now.
It is true that reloading does not save you any money because you will be shooting 2-3 times as much as you used to.
The good news is that you will be spending the same money that you used to.

It's quite common to see 45acp ammo selling for $0.50 a round.
It's also quite common to be able to reload your own for less than $0.20 a round.
That's $0.30 a round savings.
It's quite easy to justify the reloading equipment if you shoot in volume.

I have worked up four lists, two higher-end and two lower-end.
This is the complete setup of tools you would need to reload 45acp ammo at a significant savings over purchasing new ammo.
I used 45acp in my example, but almost any other cartridge would have similar startup costs.
Once you have the startup tools, it's MUCH cheaper to load other cartridges as well.
All you need is the die set and shellholder/shelplate for each additional cartridge you intend to reload.

All of this is from Midway and Dillon, but better pricing is probably available on some items if you shop around.
Even better deals can be had by purchasing good used equipment or watching ebay.

First, the really good setup:
This will get you started for about $1000
This would be a good choice for someone who shoots at least 1500 rounds per month.
You can expect to load about 750 rounds per hour if you work at a liesurely pace.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Midway Product #: 217655

Dillon XL 650 progressive reloading press 529.95
Dillon Stock #: Dillon XL 650

XL 650 Casefeeder - 110 Volt 209.95
Dillon Stock #: Dillon XL 650 CF

Dillon Carbide 45acp Dies 60.95
Dillon Stock #: dpd3ds

Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale 54.95
Dillon Stock #: 13480

Dillon Primer Flip Tray 16.95
Dillon Stock #: 13606

Dillon 4 Large pick up tubes 19.95
Dillon Stock #: 20050

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Midway Product #: 414369

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Midway Product #: 119190


Taking a step down:
This will get you started for about $675
This would be a good choice for someone who shoots at least 500 rounds per month.
You can expect to load about 400 rounds per hour if you work at a liesurely pace.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Midway Product #: 217655

Dillon RL 550B progressive reloading press 406.95
Dillon Stock #: 14261

Dillon Carbide 45acp Dies
Dillon Stock #: dpd3ds

Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale
Dillon Stock #: 13480

Dillon Primer Flip Tray
Dillon Stock #: 13606

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Midway Product #: 414369

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Midway Product #: 119190


Here is an economy progressive setup:
This will get you started for about $300
This would be a good choice for someone who shoots up to 500 rounds per month.
You can expect to load about 350 rounds per hour if you work at a liesurely pace.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Midway Product #: 217655

Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit 45 ACP 159.99
Midway Product #: 351321

Kit Includes:
Pro 1000 Progressive Press
45acp Carbide 3-Die set
Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure with 4 disks
Pro 1000 Primer attachment
Case Feeder attachment with tubes
Shell plate

Lee Safety Magnetic Powder Scale 100 Grain Capacity 21.99
Midway Product #: 712103

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Midway Product #: 414369

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Midway Product #: 119190


You don't have to buy a progressive press to make good ammo.
The equipment below will still make good ammo, it will just take more time to get it done.
Here is a single stage setup as the least expensive way to start:
This will get you started for about $250
This would be a good choice for someone who shoots up to 250 rounds per month.
You can expect to load about 40 rounds per hour if you work at a liesurely pace.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Midway Product #: 217655

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit $104.99
Midway Product #: 121744

Kit Includes:
Lee Challenger Reloading Press
Lee Auto Prime.
Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set of 11.
Lee Cutter and Lock Stud.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure.
Lee Chamfer Tool.
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
Lee Safety Powder Scale.
Lee Powder funnel.
2 oz Tube Lee Resizing Case Lube.

Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 45 ACP 26.99
Midway Product #: 661032

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Midway Product #: 414369

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Midway Product #: 119190


Then you need powder, primers, brass and bullets.
Start saving ALL your brass NOW, even if you don't think reloading is for you.
As you progress in your shooting addiction, reloading is just part of the game.
Don't fight the addiction, just go with it...

[Uriah02]

Thanks for the info, I am looking to start reloading in the coming months.

[5150Marcelo]

Nice write up. Ive een saving brass for a while now. I still haave alot of ammo to hold me over but I do wanna start reloading soon.

[Arteel]

Thank you for the info.

[AEC1]

Randall, Thanks for including the Lee 1000. I love my .45 set up so much, I bought one for 9mm, then set it up to do .223. Lee is great for the money. One day when I have more dollars then sense, I will go dillion.

[tamalpias]

nice work buddy. i already got a reloading setup but putting in such effort to help somebody new deserves props.

[oddball]

Thanks Randall for the info and push. I decided today to start my quest for a reloading system and the Dillon 550b looks like a winner. Your $675 start up costs looks promising. I hope it doesn't get into the $1K territory with all of the cool doo-dads that hopefully I can get along without..

[screaming_spool]

thanks for the info.. Are the Dyes interchangable? I have some RCSB dyes. can I use them on a Dillon press?

[scrat]

Yes unless your dealing with 50bmg. most dyes are interchangeable. A lot of people will purchase a really good press then get lee dyes for the price and go from there.

[SixPointEight]

You don't have to buy a progressive press to make good ammo.
The equipment below will still make good ammo, it will just take more time to get it done.
Here is a single stage setup as the least expensive way to start:
This will get you started for about $250
This would be a good choice for someone who shoots up to 250 rounds per month.
You can expect to load about 40 rounds per hour if you work at a liesurely pace.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Midway Product #: 217655

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit $104.99
Midway Product #: 121744

Kit Includes:
Lee Challenger Reloading Press
Lee Auto Prime.
Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set of 11.
Lee Cutter and Lock Stud.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure.
Lee Chamfer Tool.
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
Lee Safety Powder Scale.
Lee Powder funnel.
2 oz Tube Lee Resizing Case Lube.

Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 45 ACP 26.99
Midway Product #: 661032

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Midway Product #: 414369

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Midway Product #: 119190

I have been thinking about getting into reloading but was concerned about the cost. But that setup comes in at a good price. Looking at Midway, I'll probably go with a better tumbler, but that takes care of my issues. Looks like when I pay off my credit card I got something to buy.

[Harley]

Nice write up and thank you very much for the info.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Thanks good Info. Just geting started into reloading.

[rockman]

Great info. I just ordered a Dillon 550 with all the goodies. Total came to 1400, but this includes dies for 9mm 40 and 45. Also electronic scale. Seems like alot at first. but like you stated my wife and I will diffently start shooting more often.

[Bulleh]

Thanks for the very informative post. I did some searching on the web and came across, "Lee's Hand Press." I'll probably try to use that press along with some of your recommendations for my first reloading set up. I just started shooting and I think I'll be using only 100-200 rounds a month cause of my wallet

[craneman]

Sometimes a little luck is all you need

I just don't know where to start. I am not trying to be an @$$, just excited, thats all. I have been seriously looking to start reloading and been saving my pennies for a press kit. Low and behold, while putting some stuff away in storage at my work, I noticed an open box with something that looked blue sticking out of it. Further investigation revieled a Dillon RL550 press setup.

I asked the owner about it and seems it belonged to a family member who was an avid shooter and hunter that passed away. He had told another employee 3 yrs. ago to "get rid of it" and it never got done. I asked him how much he wanted for it, and he said "take it, its yours. That stuff should not be stored here".

Digging further I found the powder measure kit (missing some small pieces), the auto prime set-up (missing some small pieces), but over-all fairly complete. Its a bit dirty, a bit of surface rust on the ram which cleaned up pretty well. I also found 6 sets of RCBS dies. 7 sets of shellplates, buttons, powder funnels. A RCBS Rockchucker single stage press. 700 cci LP primers. 19lbs. of assorted pistol and rifle powders, that seem to be in excellent condition. The factory containers are sealed. The outside of the containers are very dirty, but the inside is clean and the powder looks to be in great shape. I even found the old instruction and set-up manuals. I should have bought a Lotto ticket this weekend.

Now I need to get a hold of Dillon for parts, a scale. I already have some good reloading manuals. I guess I could finance the scale by selling some of the dies and shell plates I will never use.Sorry for the long post, jsut excited to join the reloading group, and be able to shoot more.