Reloading 22-250 round...is it worth it?

[Bobby714]

I just bought a Remington 700 sps 22-250 rifle and I absolutely love it. The only drawback is that its about a dollar a bullet and it adds up when I go through 60 rounds every other weekend shooting. I did some research on reloading machines and they are about $400 + dies, brass, powder, etc...

I go shooting about 2-3 times a month shooting about 40-60 rounds each time with the rifle. Wanted to know if its worth the investment of buying a reloading machine and how much a bullet will cost when reloaded.

Also, any recommendations on machines that are pretty decent priced, I heard Dillion reloader are the best...

[pisarski]

you dont need a dillion get a single stage press and all the stuff that you need and you can reload for less than half the cost of new.
you can go with a lee kit or a rcbs or ?? its up to you have fun

[Fjold]

It depends on what your expectations are when you shoot. If you are just pllinking then you can shoot twice as much every time that you go shooting for about the same price.

If on the other hand you want to shoot little bitty groups or tiny targets, reloading will pay off immediately.

[Mrskylinetou]

I like the hornady lock and load kit. Comes with the majority of the stuff u need. Redding dies are the best but unless u wanna squeeze every bit of accuracy cheaper dies will work fine.

No matter what it's always cheaper to reload and each round bit tailored to your gun, yr specs, u can pick the bullet, everything. I love it and it leaves me a lot more money for.... More ammo!

[Tom Slick]

I reload .22-250 with a Hornady single stage press. It costs maybe $13 to reload 20 but those are my own custom loads. Does your local gun shop carry anything but 55gr ammo for it? when you reload you can load any sort of round you'd like.

[gunboat]

Plenty of used reloading tooling available here in the ammo for sale foum.

With care you could probably get all the tooling you NEED for 100 to 150 bucks.

Some guy had a lee single stage, scale and some other bits and pieces for sale there for $80 -- plenty good for most loading.

[Cowboy T]

Dillon is very good gear, no question. But for what you're talking about, pretty much any single-stage press from any of the major manufacturers will give you excellent results. The Lee Anniversary Kit ($80 to $100) is good, the Hornady presses are good, the Rockchucker is legendary, Redding's good stuff--you really can't go wrong no matter which single-stage press you choose.

[Johnny6gun]

Get a good press, you never have to upgrade. This is what i use for 22-250AI

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=271710

Lee dies, Lee hand primer, Lee trimer and a good beam scale, you will be ready to reload.

[Bobby714]

I appreciate everyone ones help, I think I will go with the single stage press, Just gotta find a good deal on one now...so other than the press it self, can someone please tell me every single thing I will need to start reloading and the process step by step. It seem very meticulous and just want to make sure I know how to do it 100% before I do. Thanks in advance.

[Cowboy T]

To get started, you don't need much.

1.) Press
2.) Set of dies, and shell plate, for your cartridge
3.) Case lube, since you'll probably be using steel (not carbide) dies
4.) Good scale (I recommend a beam scale)
5.) Powder dippers (yep, I still use 'em to this day)
6.) Hand priming tool
7.) Calipers (I personally prefer analogue ones)
8.) Eye protection (this is MANDATORY!)
9.) At least two good reloading manuals

You could get a lot more than this, e. g. a case tumbler, case trimmer, case mouth deburrer/chamferer, and so on. However, all that stuff can wait until after your first reloads. In the meantime, just wipe the burnt powder residue off of your cases with a damp cloth. Seriously, that's actually quite sufficient for your very first ones.

Then, just get your components, and you should be good to go.

[Fjold]

I would add:

Case blocks to hold the cases as you fill them with powder
Powder measure - set it .2 grains light for speed and then use...
Powder trickler to top off the powder.
Shell holder -0.473" size for 22.250 (you can also use it for 308, 30.06, 243, 45ACP, etc.) (Shell plates are used for progressive presses.)

[SixPointEight]

If you're only shooting 120-180 rounds a month, you could get a hand press and do fine. I got started reloading 2 calibers for under 200$

[707ace]

I have owned three 22-250s 2 rifles and one pistol and have not shot any thing but handloads in the last 15 years. once you take the step you will never go back. I like H380 40g nozler

[MG34]

You can save so much money. Shoot more for less money. I got a used RCBS Junior press for 25 bucks back in 1975 since then I have reloaded over 5000 rounds of 22-250. Buy your powder in 8 pound kegs. I use Varget and Nosler BTs from Powder Valley. I think I shoot for about 35 cents a round. Its a great hobby you will enjoy it.