First reloaded rounds

[socaltrailrider]

So, I finally bit the bullet and picked up a Lee Classic Turret press kit with dies for .45 and 9mm, a media tumbler, and some powder, primers and projectiles. Spent the last couple of weeks reading the manual, several web sites and watching a few videos on youtube. Loaded up my first 20 rounds of .45 to test and shot them today. They all went bang and were as accurate as any other ammo I have shot. No signs that I could see of high pressure. The 1911 cycled as it usually does. I was happy with the result, as well as the cost savings vs. factory ammo. Just means I can shoot more!

My loads were as follows:

4.8 gr WIN231 powder
Extreme 230gr copper plated bullets
Winchester large pistol primers

I loaded these first rounds as a single stage press in batch mode so I could take my time. Can't wait to build some more this week. I now look at brass on the ground like a crack addict looks at a piece of crack! lol

[russt]

Congrats on your first batch. Now the disease will consume you. Have fun.

[balmo]

Congrats on your first relaods! I too reload the 45 and when I joined my friend at our local inddor range and looked at the price on their 45, it just gave a a smile on my face.

[Big Ben]

Good for you. How do you like the Classic Turret? I'm preparing to bite the bullet myself, and keep wavering back and forth between a Lee Classic Turret vs a single stage. Thoughts?

[socaltrailrider]

Good for you. How do you like the Classic Turret? I'm preparing to bite the bullet myself, and keep wavering back and forth between a Lee Classic Turret vs a single stage. Thoughts?

Midway has the classic turret kit on sale right now, so it was only $80 more than the single stage kit. You can remove the index rod and use the turret kit as a single stage if you want, so it's like two presses in one. Also, you only need one extra turret versus three extra die holders if you want to be able to change your dies quickly, so there's some savings there.

I figured for the price difference, I'd be happier with the turret press in the long run. Lee also sells a deluxe turret kit that's cheaper, but I hear its not as stout as the classic turret press.

So far I'm happy with the set up. I picked up a tumbler from harbor freight using their 20% off coupon to clean the brass.

[indetrucks]

So, I finally bit the bullet and picked up a Lee Classic Turret press kit with dies for .45 and 9mm, a media tumbler, and some powder, primers and projectiles. Spent the last couple of weeks reading the manual, several web sites and watching a few videos on youtube. Loaded up my first 20 rounds of .45 to test and shot them today. They all went bang and were as accurate as any other ammo I have shot. No signs that I could see of high pressure. The 1911 cycled as it usually does. I was happy with the result, as well as the cost savings vs. factory ammo. Just means I can shoot more!

My loads were as follows:

4.8 gr WIN231 powder
Extreme 230gr copper plated bullets
Winchester large pistol primers

I loaded these first rounds as a single stage press in batch mode so I could take my time. Can't wait to build some more this week. I now look at brass on the ground like a crack addict looks at a piece of crack! lol

Honest question here.
After how many rounds of reloads will it take to break even following the purchase of all the equipment?

[jameshenry]

Welcome to the world of reloading! You get such a feeling of pride when you look at your targets.

[socaltrailrider]

Honest question here.
After how many rounds of reloads will it take to break even following the purchase of all the equipment?

By my math, I should break even after about 1k of .45 and 1k of 9mm. This is based on Walmart prices or factory reloads. Would be even faster compared to quality ammo.

Using my brass, it's about .18/round for .45 and .12/round for 9mm. I should be able to lower these costs by buying bulk and shopping around when components are available.

[socaltrailrider]

Welcome to the world of reloading! You get such a feeling of pride when you look at your targets.

Yes it was! Was happy to see all of the rounds within the orange.

Btw, I see you're in Fairfield. I grew up there, but left a long time ago. Sure has changed a lot since I lived there. I still go back once in awhile to visit family.

[Big Ben]

Midway has the classic turret kit on sale right now, so it was only $80 more than the single stage kit. You can remove the index rod and use the turret kit as a single stage if you want, so it's like two presses in one. Also, you only need one extra turret versus three extra die holders if you want to be able to change your dies quickly, so there's some savings there.

I figured for the price difference, I'd be happier with the turret press in the long run. Lee also sells a deluxe turret kit that's cheaper, but I hear its not as stout as the classic turret press.

So far I'm happy with the set up. I picked up a tumbler from harbor freight using their 20% off coupon to clean the brass.

Funny, I've actually had the Lee classic turret sitting in my "cart" on Midways site (along with too much other crap), but have been wavering on committing to it. You've convinced me. I'm doing it.

It I don't love it, it's your fault!

[Revoman]

"Honest question here.
After how many rounds of reloads will it take to break even following the purchase of all the equipment? "

If you view the equipment cost as money out of pocket, in my mind you're viewing it incorrectly.

I view it as simply renting the equipment. Once you're done with it, what will you do, you'll sell it. In most cases, you will end up with a minimum of half of what you paid, usually more if you buy right the first time.

So, if you paid $1,000 for the equipment and you made thousands of rounds, yet still sold it for $500 and had it for 10 years, then you rented the equipment for $50 per year for that 10 years. ALL of the loading you do within that year would be clear profit minus that $50, which depending upon the ammunition that you're loading could be between 3 to 5 boxes of factory.

If you think that you will load more than 3 to 5 boxes per year, then your reloading is 'free' except for the components themselves, which is like buying factory ammo, except you get better ammo.

If that ain't worth it, I dunno what is....PLUS, it's GREAT hobby unto itself and enhances your shooting experience. I know it does mine!

[bigchinner]

good math socaltrailrider. It doesn't hurt to hear "bang" as much when you reload. I started with a rcbs single rock chucker 10 years ago. I haven't reloaded 45 but reload 9mm, 40 and 38 special on my dillon. It sure beats paying .50 a pop.

[uhlan1]

Went shooting last night with a friend. Merrily blasting away with my reloads, he his store bought.
After a while I discover him putting away all his stuff. Claimed he was tired.
Grabbing a bite to eat, it dawned on me. "How much did you pay for that ammo?"
I almost had a stroke.

[Capybara]

Wow, I think I am your Doppleganger.

I just bought a Lee Classic Turret Kit

I just bought .45 ACP and 9mm dies

I just learned how to reload

I also bought the Harbor Freight tumbler with the SS media, Dawn and Lemishine.

I just reloaded my first, but they were 9mm, not .45 ACP.

Congratulations and enjoy!

[mike.h]

Enhance your savings for the .45acp. I like the 200 gr lead SWC from Penn Bullets, use the match grade which is $90 for a 1000.