getting into reloading????

[adrenalinejunkie]

I'm thinking about getting into reloading. Where do you get your bullets/primers/powder? I want to check out some prices on .223. I didn't save any of my brass before either so i'll need to buy more. What would I need to get that most starter kits don't come with? Also, how many times can brass be reloaded? Thanks.

for my 9mm .45 and .357 I cast my own, lead is about 1.00 per lb

I buy 1k of primers + and 10+ lb of powder at a time so it's less than below.

I get about 56 125gr bullets per lb
100 primers = 3.00
1lb powder = 18.00 (over 1400 loads per lb)

so it cost me about .06 - .10 per round for my hand guns

[grant22]

@adrenalinejunkie: I buy Lake City once fired brass on Gunbroker for $150/2500 cases.

Primer, powder, and bullets can be obtained from Graf's and Sons, Midway, Widener's, and others.

You can make the equivalent of PMC Bronze or better for about 20 cents a round your first load which becomes 15 cents a round thereafter. This is all give or take a penny, mind you.

Rifle brass will last between 6 - 12 firings.

[adrenalinejunkie]

@adrenalinejunkie: I buy Lake City once fired brass on Gunbroker for $150/2500 cases.

Primer, powder, and bullets can be obtained from Graf's and Sons, Midway, Widener's, and others.

You can make the equivalent of PMC Bronze or better for about 20 cents a round your first load which becomes 15 cents a round thereafter. This is all give or take a penny, mind you.

Rifle brass will last between 6 - 12 firings.

Awesome thanks for the info man. Now I just have to decide if i'll be shooting enough in the future to buy the kit. What would I need to get on top of the kit that isn't included? Brass tumbler? Also i'm seeing a lot of 224 diameter on midway. Is this the diameter to use?

[pdq_wizzard]

adrenalinejunkie

get the ABC's of reloading and read that before anything.

you can also look on the ammo market place here on CG's for brass and other components. (as for primers and powder if you mail order there will be a $25 Haz-Mat fee)

if you are going to be reloading .223 you will need to get a tool for removing the primer crimp, you will also need a case trimmer (these will not come with most kits)

[adrenalinejunkie]

adrenalinejunkie

get the ABC's of reloading and read that before anything.

you can also look on the ammo market place here on CG's for brass and other components. (as for primers and powder if you mail order there will be a $25 Haz-Mat fee)

if you are going to be reloading .223 you will need to get a tool for removing the primer crimp, you will also need a case trimmer (these will not come with most kits)

Thanks for the info i'll go pick up the ABCs. I may have done my math wrong but for 2000 rds including the initial kit without including the stuff that doesn't come with it'd be around $800 which is about .40 a round :/

[wilit]

don't mean to thread jack but how much do you guys end up saving once you start reloading? let say you already have 2000 brass shells and you only need to buy the other stuff, do you save a lot more by reloading 9mm instead of buying it at Walmart? a box of 9Mm costs $10.97 at Walmart so what can be we expect to save?

Sent from Los Alamos Nuclear Facility

Here's a calculator to figure out what your cost per round is. http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

I'm going to cast my own bullets/boolits so I can save a little more.

[milotrain]

It's going to take you a while to make the cost of your machine setup back, and then you'll keep buying reloading toys for a bit. Once you've made the cost back you'll find that instead of saving money you are just shooting three times as often.

I don't really think you'll save money but it's certainly worth it If you find yourself a member of a range with an annual fixed cost then you'll find that shooting just got much cheaper. I usually equate the cost of shooting with Golf for a new shooter but with reloads and a range membership it is much more reasonable.

[adrenalinejunkie]

It's going to take you a while to make the cost of your machine setup back, and then you'll keep buying reloading toys for a bit. Once you've made the cost back you'll find that instead of saving money you are just shooting three times as often.

I don't really think you'll save money but it's certainly worth it If you find yourself a member of a range with an annual fixed cost then you'll find that shooting just got much cheaper. I usually equate the cost of shooting with Golf for a new shooter but with reloads and a range membership it is much more reasonable.

Haha I would definitely be shooting 3x as often but that's 3x a month for the price of 1x a month I guess. Even still, the time it would take to make that cost back at my shooting rate would be so long i'll probably just keep buying bulk for now, even though reloading seems really entertaining once you get into it haha.

[grant22]

Yes, 224 is the diameter you want for 223 ammo. And no, when I state my rounds are 20 cents/15 cents, that is not including cost of the tools/machine. They will pay for themselves, though. And although I hear alot of people say they save half, but shoot twice as much.........that's up to the individual. That was not the case with me, so the savings CAN be there.

What got me into reloading initially was the goal of stockpiling 10k rounds of 'brass' 223. PMC is around 35 cents each totalling $3500. I knew I could do 223 alone at 20 cents each (more accurate, too) which would cost $2000 total. So with a goal like that in mind, the equipment has already paid for itself.

[adrenalinejunkie]

Yes, 224 is the diameter you want for 223 ammo. And no, when I state my rounds are 20 cents/15 cents, that is not including cost of the tools/machine. They will pay for themselves, though. And although I hear alot of people say they save half, but shoot twice as much.........that's up to the individual. That was not the case with me, so the savings CAN be there.

What got me into reloading initially was the goal of stockpiling 10k rounds of 'brass' 223. PMC is around 35 cents each totalling $3500. I knew I could do 223 alone at 20 cents each (more accurate, too) which would cost $2000 total. So with a goal like that in mind, the equipment has already paid for itself.

Thanks for the info man. Yeah in a situation like that it'd definitely be worth it to reload. I'm waiting till I have the extra money to spend on reloading. Shooting twice as much for the same price is still better though hahaha.

[EWILKE]

fieldtime in westminster CA

he hold a reloading class a few times a month

[IntoForever]

For those of you who want to get into reloading, indicate the general area you live in, someone might offer to help you with getting started.
There are various stores around that offer free classes to get you started, call or ask around.
Generally, you save per round but shoot more so it balances out.
I enjoy reloading, keeps me relaxed.

[adrenalinejunkie]

I'm in the LA SFV area if anyone would be so kind as to show my the basics for when I have the money to buy the stuff. Also IntoForever is that an FZ in your avatar? I have an 05 R6

Edit: I just noticed youre also in the SFV hahaha where at? If you have some free time it'd be awesome to find out more about reloading and maybe go for a ride

[IntoForever]

Is an SV1000s. I'm fairly new to reloading but I can offer a bit of help.

[adrenalinejunkie]

Is an SV1000s. I'm fairly new to reloading but I can offer a bit of help.

Hey any help would be great I know basically nothing about it thanks man.