A couple random questions

[swopjan]

I'd like to begin reloading at the end of the year, I have a couple questions. How much do you typically pay for bullets (not interested in casting my own) and where do you get them? I got brass for a few calibers on gunbroker for an average of about 6 cents a round shipped but it seems most sellers want more than the cost of brass for their bullets, that seems odd to me. Can't re-use bullets, usually.

Second, how often do you change tumbling media and how do you know when it's time to change? I know the 'dryer sheet' trick is supposed to make it last longer and will probably do that too.

If I were to trim a case into a smaller cartridge (say .357 to .38 or 9x19 to 9x18) should I stick to once-fired brass or will trimming down extend case life? Does it matter?

['ol shooter]

I bought 9mm plated bullets recently, $65 for 500, about average. Trimming a 357 to a 38 is pointless, there are so many 38 cases around, dirt cheap. It's a little more expensive for most components than it used to be, but prices are starting to go down, and availability is going up. Hang in there, I think it's getting better. It still beats paying retail.

[shooting4life]

You should only trim if you cannot find factory brass in that caliber. It is a lot of work trimming brass.
Learn to love lead bullets. They are usually about half the price as jacketed.

[Germz]

I can cast 550 124gr lead bullets for just about $10. lead is easier on your bore than jacketed or plated as well.

go to gun shows, Last one here in del mar they had Xtreme bullets for $50/500.

really depends on the caliber you plan to load.

2. I change my media at intervals of 50-60hrs of use time, which is a lot and I probably should change it more frequent than that but it still works!

[stilly]

I'd like to begin reloading at the end of the year, I have a couple questions. How much do you typically pay for bullets (not interested in casting my own) and where do you get them? I got brass for a few calibers on gunbroker for an average of about 6 cents a round shipped but it seems most sellers want more than the cost of brass for their bullets, that seems odd to me. Can't re-use bullets, usually.

Second, how often do you change tumbling media and how do you know when it's time to change? I know the 'dryer sheet' trick is supposed to make it last longer and will probably do that too.

If I were to trim a case into a smaller cartridge (say .357 to .38 or 9x19 to 9x18) should I stick to once-fired brass or will trimming down extend case life? Does it matter?

Get in on the group buy that is taking place for OC in the PRIVATE SALES FORUM. You can get GOOD prices for plated rounds and folks like to order that stuff by the ton it seems. Oh yeah, they got like $61 for 1k 9mm 115gr bullets right now from the drum they are ordering.

For plinking and pistol rounds I typically use plated bullets. They expand nicely and work great. Good stuff and your hands are clean at the end of the day.

Dunno about tumbling media since I use SS media or Citric Acid. But I have been known to dump Basmati rice into my thumler with shells to clean off lube or other things. Rice works well too. If you can get rice for very cheap then go for it.


As for cutting down cases. I say be careful. 9x19 may not equal 9x18 which may not equal 9x17 due to the webbing and other measurements in the cases. If you have a lot of 9mm luger and you want to make them into 9mm largo/makrov then that might work, but do your research and make sure it is okay to do that. I would not ruin a .357 mag case to make a .38 special out of it. THAT sucks and is pointless. Gun Broker has a ****pot of 38 brass if you wanted some... or you could just make .357 bunny fart loads. I am sure they exist, prolly with WST or Clays... I hate to cut brass down. I also do not have to but it is a nice thing to do from time to time I suppose... Now that I have started using a vibrator on my press I noticed that my .45 acp cases are slowly growing...

['ol shooter]

Do the wife or kids ever complain about the rice's taste?