Is it really this easy?

[ratled]

Thanks for al the tips. I've marked your videos to be checked out next. I found this as a little better quick and over all video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMCo0rRsehg

Looks like this might be better for me to weight until next year when I retire and can pay it the attention it needs but will spend the year learning more about it. I can spend this year getting once fired brass though. Sounds like a single stage is a good way to

Thanks again

ratled

[Mot Mi]

Once you get the hang of it everything just comes together and it becomes easier than heading to the range just to shoot the ammo you just made.

[bandook]

Also, get a bullet puller - and don't be afraid to use it. These are cheap and if you suspect your powder throw, PULL THE BULLETS.

[TKM]

Old Mr. Lee has a little portable press that you can work with a rock or a hammer and crank out rounds about every 40 seconds.



Later on you can go nuts and get a big progressive and produce hundreds of rounds an hour of good safe ammo.





Don't use a rock. It buggers up the headstamp.

[CK_32]

Reloading is easy, not blowing your self up is where the challenge is.

[sunborder]

Reloading is easy, not blowing your self up is where the challenge is.

I don't think it's that challenging. The challenge is making sure you are born with a halfway decent IQ (say, 90+), and nurturing your ability to read high-school English. He should get a reloading manual or two, and stick to published loads. As long as he can pay attention to what he is doing, he'll be fine.

[Captiontom]

You won't save any money reloading, you will just shoot more.

Making reloads for half the price of factory ammo, end up shooting three times as much

[thomashoward]

it helps to put your OCD to work. It can be a science, remember, there is a wrong way to do everything.

[ratled]

Looking at it some more, including mvpat's vids, without being a competitive shooter or shooting an odd caliber, how would you describe the break even point? I know it's not a dollar thing but effort in to learn, gather gear etc for it to be worth while. A 1000 round/year of 55gr 556 wouldn't be worth it as I see it, but a few different calibers, a special load for target shooting or a hunting round and just because, as in my case, it should be worth while and rewarding

TIA for all the input
ratled

[uhlan1]

Just take your time, look into every case after the powder drop and allow no, as in zero, distractions. Always finish your shell plate if you ever have to leave for even a minute, like to go tinkle or something.

You won't save a dime because you will shoot a helluva lot more.

Now is a good time to hoard bullets and primers. When powder is back, hoard that too. You will then have the independence to shoot right through the inevitable next panic.

[Sir Toast]

Do not use the lee perfect powder thrower. Lee is great, inexpensive, yet quality, but not the powder thrower. Get a different one.

[bruce381]

Looking at it some more, including mvpat's vids, without being a competitive shooter or shooting an odd caliber, how would you describe the break even point? I know it's not a dollar thing but effort in to learn, gather gear etc for it to be worth while. A 1000 round/year of 55gr 556 wouldn't be worth it as I see it, but a few different calibers, a special load for target shooting or a hunting round and just because, as in my case, it should be worth while and rewarding

TIA for all the input
ratled

1000 223 cost around? $300 or more, for that you can get a nice lee started press and dies. The laod your own for half as much as factory.

[09cs]

Reloading is easy - physically
Reloading is not as easy - mentally

THIS!

[tujungatoes]

Looking at it some more, including mvpat's vids, without being a competitive shooter or shooting an odd caliber, how would you describe the break even point? I know it's not a dollar thing but effort in to learn, gather gear etc for it to be worth while. A 1000 round/year of 55gr 556 wouldn't be worth it as I see it, but a few different calibers, a special load for target shooting or a hunting round and just because, as in my case, it should be worth while and rewarding

TIA for all the input
ratled

You hit the nail right on the head. There are basically four reasons that people reload. To make bulk ammo affordable, to make the most precise ammo for your particular firearm, oddball calibers, and lastly "because I can" reloaders. Most of us fall in between 2 or more of these categories, and unless you're strictly concerned with volume loading and the financial aspect, the break even point can be very difficult to identify. It could be a cost savings, the shrinking groups sizes on targets, the deer meat in your fridge, or finally being able to shoot that 1874 Gras MLE that you bought, or god knows what else.

As has been said already, many of us just enjoy the process. It can be very zen-like. I know for me personally I'm an oddball caliber/because I can reloader. I just enjoy making stuff. I cast my own bullets, make my own ammo, firearms, tools, bread, and beer. I really think it just comes down to personal satisfaction.

[ElDub1950]

You won't save any money reloading, you will just shoot more.

This gets repeated way too often but excluding special purpose or rare ammo, it doesn't hold true.

The truth is that, except for a few months during the ammo panic, most people don't limit their shooting due to financial reasons. We shoot about a much as we want and have time for the range.

I shoot 250-500 rnds per week on average. I don't have the time and often not the desire to shoot 1000 rnds a week. I save more than 50% on ammo by reloading.

In most cases, you really do gain a significant cost savings and it's a very valid factor in your decision to reload.