To Reload or Sell Everything?

[unclerandy]

About 1993 I started doing some reloading for a short time. I had two presses, Rock Chucker single stage and a RCBS progressive. The reloading table and the presses, dies etc was sitting in my parents garage for 20 years untouched. In November 2013 I picked up a couple crates of stuff not really knowing/remembering exactly what was in them. My wife and I finally had bought our first home and I planned on getting the table and presses in about two weeks. I was finally going to have a place to set it up and use it. Two weeks later most of their garage burned down. Unreal. So now I'm debating with myself what to do. I have new condition die sets for almost every pistol caliber 9, .357, .40, 10mm, 44, 45 and 243, 22-250, 300 win mag, .30 and I think 30-30. A couple thousand primers, some bullets and a bunch of the reloading accessories that happened to be in the crates. Should I buy a new press? Are the dies compatible with the press that I might buy? Is it cost effective anymore to reload the basic pistol calibers vs buying factory ammo. I don't really feel a strong desire to get back into the hobby. I'm stuck wondering if I will really kick myself if I sell it all and then the ammo crisis happens again or other California ridiculousness. I know in the end only I can decide what I ultimately will decide to do but I'd love to get some pros and cons and any opinions/advice what to do??

[Kmai24]

Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

[unclerandy]

Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Thats true and was thinking that way. I started to price stuff out that is left and I could sell it all really really cheap and still get a chunk of money or trade for a gun etc..

[unclerandy]

I'm just not sure I see myself relearning it all and buying everything new thats gone. I also had a buddy that worked at Turners with me at that time and we were reloading together which was fun but no reloading buddies anymore

[BigBronco]

Sounds like you need a reloading friend. Get involved with the reloading clubs. Great way to meet a few reloaders. Should you choose to sell it correct place the sales post in the correct forum and not in this one for discussion. I am curious as to what model RCBS progressive you have that is about 20 years old Piggyback or a 4X4?

Hard to get a good opinion on what to do from us reloaders. We would all say keep it and get back in to the hobby. My evil side says sell it Cheap Cheap Cheap and PM me with your number. I am not going there though. Any one that knows me knows I have more gear than I can ever use. Where are you located? It might help getting some one to help you get started again. Or then there are the Club workshops.

[M1NM]

Buy yourself a used single stage - reload some and see if it's something you can enjoy and save some $. if in 6 months you don't like it then sell everything.

[unclerandy]

Sounds like you need a reloading friend. Get involved with the reloading clubs. Great way to meet a few reloaders. Should you choose to sell it correct place the sales post in the correct forum and not in this one for discussion. I am curious as to what model RCBS progressive you have that is about 20 years old Piggyback or a 4X4?

Hard to get a good opinion on what to do from us reloaders. We would all say keep it and get back in to the hobby. My evil side says sell it Cheap Cheap Cheap and PM me with your number. I am not going there though. Any one that knows me knows I have more gear than I can ever use. Where are you located? It might help getting some one to help you get started again. Or then there are the Club workshops.

The presses were damaged beyond saving in the fire. I believe it was an Ammo Master. I have the 5 station plates and star wheel.

[BigBronco]

Ah, Never seen an ammo master up close. I miss read I thought you got it out before the fire. Sorry for the loss. Looks as if you may only need a press if you do have the dies. Where you located? I could loan you an old press to see if you still were interested in the hobby.

[unclerandy]

Ah, Never seen an ammo master up close. I miss read I thought you got it out before the fire. Sorry for the loss. Looks as if you may only need a press if you do have the dies. Where you located? I could loan you an old press to see if you still were interested in the hobby.

I'm in Rancho Cucamonga. I think my hesitation is my personality of being a perfectionist and anal. If I get back in I will have to educate myself beyond belief. I usually go way over the top with the latest and greatest and learning way way past what is needed. If I had a shooting or reloading buddy near by they might act as a buffer to my OCD and methodical nature thus making it more enjoyable. Its sad to say but I'm thinking that if I'm doing it on my own it wouldn't be enjoyable.

[sunborder]

Second idea of "cheap" single-stage. Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock, Rockchucker, etc... Dies basically use a standard size/thread, so they are interchangeable between presses and brands.

Only hard thing to get these days is rifle powder. If you are willing to stock up components, you will save money or shoot more in the long run.

Pistol reloading is still a bargain. $0.15 per round for .38spl or 45 ACP, a tiny bit more for 9mm, 40S&W, since your brass doesn't last as long. Compared to the $0.40 or more at walmart?

If you are willing to cast your own bullets, consider shooting .38spl for $0.07 per round, or so. That's a more significant investment of time and equipment, though. Pays for itself pretty darn quick, though. The first 1,000-2,000 rounds pays for the casting equipment, and that's vs buying bullets and reloading. Vs factory ammo, $300 worth of press/melting pot/mould will require reloading 1200 rounds to break even.

[unclerandy]

Could you post some links for the better higher end melting pot and mold stuff that would be needed?

[BigBronco]

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mag25furnace.php

[45R]

You should give RCBS a call and let the, know about the presses. There is a good chance they may replace or refurbish it for you.

[Sheldon]

There are some Dillon stories of them replacing presses in cases like this....pretty good p.r. move.....worth a try to ask.

[Mayor McRifle]

Buy yourself a used single stage - reload some and see if it's something you can enjoy and save some $. if in 6 months you don't like it then sell everything.

Good advice.