Reloads

[super1050]

I started on a Dillon Super 1050, it costs a bit much but it will do just any caliber u come up with, i reload 223, 40 s&w, and S&W 500, and just to see how many rounds i could shell out, i pumped a clean 1000 in 1 hour or 223, and shot it up with my buddys a week later,every round fired flawlessly, so in a nut shell i recomend Dillon 100%. oh and there tech support is top notch, any question you might have they will answer and walk you through it.

[shooting4life]

Reloading let's you shoot more but it also let's you buy guns that you would not have been able to before. Like I have 3 357 maximums, no new factory ammo available. I shoot a 338 Norma mag that would cost 6 dollars a shot, reload for a little more than a dollar a piece. I also shoot 44 mag, 44 spl, 41 mag, and 45lc that all cost around 30-50 dollars a box that I reload for around 5 dollars for 50

[Fishslayer]

ah, ok.. how hard is it to find things lie powder, primer and that sort?

Not hard at all. Sometimes ya gotta be patient, call around... and be ready to pounce.

Awhile back primers were REALLY hard to find. Not sure about now, since I stocked up when I found them...

Nice thing about reloading, you can lay in a supply of this, that or the other at different times and find you have several thousand rounds worth of makin's.

We pay a premium on supplies here in the PRK. I found powder at $17/lb in Kansas recently vs the $25/lb I normally pay. You can save by buying bulk.

[Chief-7700]

For powder and primers www.powdervalley.com is hard to beat.

[Boots]

For powder and primers www.powdervalley.com is hard to beat.

You left out the "inc"

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

[kenz]

Hello, can anyone tell me any pros/cons about reloading their own ammo. I've been thinking about doing this for a few months now. Also can anyone tell me what do I need to, start reloading my own ammo.

the best and cheapest way to get started:

Go to Midway or Grafs.com and get a Lee single stage press for $28.00. You can get a set of dies for about $30. *For popular handgun rounds make sure you buy the deluxe 4 die set with factory crimp die instead of the 3 die sets.
I cast bullets with $20 Lee bullet molds and a $60 melting (production) pot. Lead ingots or wheel weights can be purchased on ebay for about 1.00 per pound. Plus you'll need to lube those cast bullets (Lee liquid Alox or pan lube)
Primers ($3 per 100) and powder (approx. $20-$25 per pound) you should buy locally to avoid hazmat charges.
Also, you nee a Lee auto prime $20 and the appropriate auto prime shell holder $3.

There are some other things you may eventually want/need depending on what you are reloading: case trimmer with appropriate attachments, sizing dies (for cast bullets), primer pocket tool, chamfer tool, bullet boxes, case cleaning stuff, powder measure, etc.

[bjl333]

I think everybody covered just about everything. There is only one thing i want to add. To get yourself an experienced reloader to guide you through all the steps. That way you can call'em up if you run in to problems, and you will !!!

Reloading is fun ... Be safe !!! THINK SAFETY ALL THE TIME ...

[Malthusian]

You didn't mention what calibers you had in mind
The larger calibers are the most effiective
Nowadays I could not afford to shoot my .44 or 50AE if I did not reload for it
Also exotics like the 50GI are more affordable then their factory ammo
With the abundance of brass for sale here on Calguns after you stock up on the brass
of your favorite caliber. Primer, bullets and powder will be you only expense after the press

Here is a cost calculator:

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[Fishslayer]

I think everybody covered just about everything. There is only one thing i want to add. To get yourself an experienced reloader to guide you through all the steps.

Should we break it to him now?

You will save NO money. You'll just shoot a whole lot more.

[tmart0311]

kinda brought this thread from the grave. I was looking at midway usa for bullet heads, the .22 is the same round for .223 right?

[Chief-7700]

If your thinking the the .22 rimfire bullet will work in a .223? I would have to say no.

[Pugster]

1) I am not reliant on other stores for my ammo anymore. Not having to wait 20 minutes at the Walmart sporting goods section is bliss.

2) I can save 50% or more in costs from factory ammo.

3) The ammo I make can be cleaner, more accurate and either lighter/hotter than factory ammo.

[Cowboy T]

".22" refers to the caliber (i. e. bore diameter), not the cartridge. All of the bullets you see there are for any .22-caliber rifle, such as .223 Remington, .222 Rem. Magnum, .22-250, .220 Swift, etc. They're all ".22" caliber, which is why MidwayUSA lists 'em that way.

You're in the right section if you're reloading for .223 Remington.

[Boots]

kinda brought this thread from the grave. I was looking at midway usa for bullet heads, the .22 is the same round for .223 right?

Actually, you'll be wanting .224 bullets for reloading a .223/5.56 shell.

[stewiegriffin]

I've had good luck with Midway's Dogtown Bullets .22 cal in both hollow point and soft point 55gr. Good price too.