Interested in reloading

[roc_my_tims]

I hope its all worth it cause I added it up and I'm just shy of $500.00 in parts to prepare to reload and I don't feel I purchased anything I didn't really need to start reloading on a lee classic turret and I shop for lowest prices.

Aso lee must be doing good cause I've been waiting 3 weeks for my press from fm reloading a well reviewed company. That says lee's behing on moving pressed because of the spike in there sales.

[the86d]

Try over $1,400 for my XL650 setup, and that is not including a trimmer, and other odds and ends...

[giantsfan]

If ammo is $20 bucks a box...you'd have to shoot 25 boxes of 50 rounds or 1250 rounds for the equipment to pay for itself not including the cost of the supplies.

If cost of supplies is deducted from that..s**t I'm just not that smart!! LOL

[skibuff]

if you are plinking you can easily make 1000 .40 for $150 with plated or lead bullets if you have brass.
So say $8 per 50 cost to make.
$20-$8=$12 savings per 50.

[the86d]

On my last spreadsheet I worked up I can reload M855 (steel core) .223/5.56 for about $0.154 each, vs $0.39 each buying a 420 can. This IS a whole lot of savings. 300-400/hour going at a medium speed, and more than 50% savings!!!

9mm plated for practice: $0.092 each, vs Walmart Federal FMJs for $0.215 each, providing that I can get the bulk group buy next time again, otherwise it is about $0.15 each. That is 10 for <$1.00ish vs 10 for $2.15 if that is a point of reference.

.45 reloaders save much more!

[lpspinner]

I was thinking a turret or progressive. Probably turret to get started. While I've never reloaded, single stage looks really laborious.

hmmm, ok....laborious.

IMHO, it seems like you are over analyzing things. Something is telling me, you're not ready to reload yet.

Reloading is a hobby, just as shooting is a hobby. What we do is a love for the sports. That love cannot be measured by the cost.

So far, you never said anything about how often you want to shoot, whether or not you're going to get into competition, go target practice regularly, etc....

You only mentioned that the only reason you want to reload is to practice regularly because you are getting your CCW. What's "practice regularly"? A box of 50 or 100 every other week?

Also, for practical and tactical purposes, you should be practicing with what you are carrying in your weapon. Chances are, you won't be able to reproduce factory SD(Self defense) loads...not to mention the cost of the SD bullets. Your cost per round just doubled over our target/plinking loads.

This is not meant to offend you and if I do, I apologize. Based on your posts in this thread...it seems like you may benefit more from buying your rounds n sale in bulk vs. reloading.


Now don't get me wrong...I'm all for helping people out and getting them into reloading. It really seems to me, a single stage is going to be the most cost effective for you, but you've already dismissed it as too laborious.

Basic will get you going:
Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press $115.99
Lee .40 S&W Dies.... $42.99
MTM Compact Universal Loading Tray...$5.59 x4

With the above all you need is brass, primers, powder and bullets and you're off!

For the cost, I wouldn't worry about being laborious....if anything...do a step at a time.

Recommended:
Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case....$46.99 (noisy but inexpensive)
Digital or Dial calipers... >$20 depending on where.

[Moto4Fun]

Re: Interested in reloading

I don't think everyone subscribes to your theory that you should only practice with the ammo that you keep loaded for self defense. That would be very expensive.

Why wouldn't he be able to reproduce factory SD loads? I am new to this investigation myself, but it seems like load data is available for everything, and. SD bullets seem to be available.

I am not trying to be critical, but I don't see why he shouldn't get into reloading just because he has a CVS and wants to practice more.

[lpspinner]

I don't think everyone subscribes to your theory that you should only practice with the ammo that you keep loaded for self defense. That would be very expensive.

That is true, but if you want to be good, then you should at least practice sometimes with your ammo. You want to instinctively know what your round is going to do.

My carry ammo is Federal HST +P......there is a big difference when shooting WWB's or loads at starting or middle charges.

This is just my opinion and experiences of 35 plus years with a gun. (not including the decade that my voice changed) I just blasted everything in sight then.

[roc_my_tims]

I agree with lpspinner, I would like to recoupe my investment because I like $ and the wife wants to see the $ back more than my smile ( honestly she doesn't know what I spend and I don't go out my way to mention it)

But I am also getting into reloading as a hobby and I'm taking it as that for now. Different unavalible loads sound interesting. And I want to work in my spare time rather it takes me 1 year or 3 years to recoupe my initial $500 investment I know I'll get it back. Lastly the equipment last for decades and has resale value so its still a better purchase than shoes or expensive purses for the wife. Just my thoughts

[glug]

Excellent advice.

If you start with an inexpensive single stage press, you won't have a lot into it if you decide it isn't for you. If you get going and really enjoy loading, you will always have a use for your single stage press, even if you go out and get a top of the line progressive.

Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition and Lyman's 49th are both excellent manuals to get. If you buy one and read it through you won't regret buying the book and will likely know how you want to start.

This.

Buy one or both of those manuals, and I'd also recommend ABCs of Reloading (it doesn't have any load data but is informative nonetheless). Read them cover to cover and you'll have a much better idea of what kind of setup you want to start with, and you'll learn a ton in the process.

I'm also new to reloading and I'd concur with others that you should start small and see how you like it. I started out with this and had a good experience, and am going to step up to a Lee Classic Turret and some more calibers next.

[ivanimal]

If you wish to learn on a 550B and can come to the bay area I will give you a free lesson.

[roc_my_tims]

There's a free reloading class at the stocade in oc this sat, there ph# is 714 894 0584, the class is taught by brian, ill be there starts at 10 to 5 heard its siminar style so stay as long as you want.

[giantsfan]

hmmm, ok....laborious.

IMHO, it seems like you are over analyzing things. Something is telling me, you're not ready to reload yet.

Reloading is a hobby, just as shooting is a hobby. What we do is a love for the sports. That love cannot be measured by the cost.

So far, you never said anything about how often you want to shoot, whether or not you're going to get into competition, go target practice regularly, etc....

You only mentioned that the only reason you want to reload is to practice regularly because you are getting your CCW. What's "practice regularly"? A box of 50 or 100 every other week?

Also, for practical and tactical purposes, you should be practicing with what you are carrying in your weapon. Chances are, you won't be able to reproduce factory SD(Self defense) loads...not to mention the cost of the SD bullets. Your cost per round just doubled over our target/plinking loads.

This is not meant to offend you and if I do, I apologize. Based on your posts in this thread...it seems like you may benefit more from buying your rounds n sale in bulk vs. reloading.


Now don't get me wrong...I'm all for helping people out and getting them into reloading. It really seems to me, a single stage is going to be the most cost effective for you, but you've already dismissed it as too laborious.

By laborious I meant that I could get more done with the same effort by getting something other than a single stage press. That said, the advice to start small to see if it's something I like to do is not lost on me.

As for your assessment about over analyzing...I've been accused of that before often by those who don't think much at all...not meaning you judging by your post lol. It's served me well and saved me money in the end...most of the time!

Your point is well taken and I'm in the investigative phase right now hence the reason for the post.

I have been approved for my LTC and I don't take that responsibility lightly. I intend to attend additional training and like you, I have years of firearms experience just not much recently and not from self defensive postures aside from basic training, an entirely different thing.

More range time, I'm joining my local range and would like to stretch my training budget a little further. My thought is that reloading would accomplish that.

Besides, the Lee turret press vs. the single stage isn't that much more expensive.

Thanks for the links btw.

I don't think everyone subscribes to your theory that you should only practice with the ammo that you keep loaded for self defense. That would be very expensive.

Why wouldn't he be able to reproduce factory SD loads? I am new to this investigation myself, but it seems like load data is available for everything, and. SD bullets seem to be available.

I am not trying to be critical, but I don't see why he shouldn't get into reloading just because he has a CVS and wants to practice more.

I wouldn't carry reloaded ammunition only factory and would reload to match what I would carry for positive habit transfer. That just makes sense.

This.

Buy one or both of those manuals, and I'd also recommend ABCs of Reloading (it doesn't have any load data but is informative nonetheless). Read them cover to cover and you'll have a much better idea of what kind of setup you want to start with, and you'll learn a ton in the process.

I'm also new to reloading and I'd concur with others that you should start small and see how you like it. I started out with this and had a good experience, and am going to step up to a Lee Classic Turret and some more calibers next.

I agree starting out small is the best way to go and manuals are mandatory.

[maschronic]

if you were in so cal, i would show you how to reload. but your up north.

[giantsfan]

if you were in so cal, i would show you how to reload. but your up north.

Thank you for the offer though