[dandean316]

Sorry if these questions sound stupid, but I am new to reloading.

Anyone know of a good source for once fired brass (ie. decent price)? I know of a shop/range that sells brass, but you have to pick through it to get what you want. What should I pay for used brass and is it all cleaned up?

Then, is a tumbler to clean up brass a good idea? I was looking at that setup from Dillon for $200. I am only reloading .45 ACP so far, and will only be doing pistol in the future if that helps. I asked the guy at the reloading shop and he told me when he first started reloading he cleaned his brass with soap and water. Granted he's been reloading for 40 years, but he had the opportunity to sell me something and he didnt. So, is cleaning really necessary?

Also, who would you guys recommend for reloading components online? I see many dealers, but want to deal with the good relaible ones. Right now I am more interested in loading lots for cheap.

Any help is appreciated!

[Zak Smith]

I've used http://www.brassmanbrass.com/ before with good success. You might be able to find once-fired brass cheaper. There's also http://www.oncefiredbrass.com/

Before I had a tumbler, I attempted to clean approx 2000 .223 cases using "soap and water". It was a big mess. Even in the dry climate of Colorado, it took a couple days for all the water to evaporate away - after I had towelled off the outside water, and "shook" them as dry as I could get them.

A tumbler is essential, in my opinion. You get all the dirt and powder fouling out of your reloading "system" and your equipment and guns will last longer.

I have the smaller Dillon tumbler and I use it all the time. I use the crushed corn cob media (buy from Dillon, or try the 40lb bags you can get from a local feed store for about $16). It holds several hundred .45ACP cases and will clean effectively in an hour or two, if you have fresh media.

If you do small batches, the smaller Dillon size is fine. If you prefer to do larger batches (1000 rounds?), the large Dillon size would be better. Also, get the "birdcage" media separator: it sure beats picking 300 cases out of a bowl of media...


To answers the rest of your questions: Powder and primers incur a $20 "hazmat" fee if they have to be shipped, so I still buy those locally. For the cheapest .45ACP, I would suggest using some good hard-cast lead bullets (around $30/thousand?) or some of the copper-plated (not jacketed) lead bullets, like Berry's or West Coast. If you buy in bulk from the manufacturer, it's usually a lot cheaper. I think you get special pricing and "freight" shipping if you order 270 lbs from West Coast.

-z

[larryw]

What Zak said, but I prefer walnut media with a touch of Dillon's Rapid Polish instead (six of one, half-dozen of the other). Walnut media is sold through the usual reloading sources and in bulk at pet stores as rodent/reptile bedding; get the 1/8" stuff.

I like PowderValley for primers and powder; they'll combine an order into one box to save you shipping, but you do need to buy more than abrick and a pound to make it worthwhile. http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

For 45ACP bullets, I like the 200gr SWC from West Coast Bullets. You can buy direct from them and if you feel like ordering over 200 pounds ('bout 7000 bullets for your 45), their group buying plan will save a bunch of money (roughly $50/K delivered). http://www.westcoastbullet.com/

Try 4.3gr of WST behind a 200gr plated or lead SWC for a sweet 45ACP practice/target round.

Keep on asking, everyone's here to help! :)

[dandean316]

I got 500 200 gr. semi wadcutters, cast lead for $22 + tax. I am not sure of the name brand (why does Midwest something come to mind). They are flat nose, much like most .40's That seems like a decent price - best I've found, then I haven't looked the hardest either. I loaded up 200 rounds with 4.4-4.5 gr of 700X powder to practice with. I tried about 20 out just shooting real close at a coffe can and blocks of wood and the recoil is real light. Seems to be a decent practice round.

I will take your advice on the powder. I wasn't sre what to get so I got the 700X. The guy at the store was one of those "I hunt only", and he reloads about 10 rounds a year, so he didn't really know what to suggest.

My goal is to shoot pistol at LEAST twice a week, about 200-250 rounds a session. Once trap season ends that won't be a problem.

Now I just need more brass. I thought I had more .45, but have tons of 9mm and .40 - what all the suburbanites like. It's mostly range scrounge, but nice stuff since most guys at the range I frequent don't reload. That oncefiredbrass.com looks like a good bet.

[Hutch]

Check out www.midwayusa.com for their tumbler, polish, and media seperator. You won't go wrong. Unless you're reloading in very large lots, the smaller of the two tumblers will work just fine. As others have said, get the media locally from anyone who is in the Yellow Pages selling abrasives. It cost me about 15$ for 50lbs that way.

As far as scrounging brass is concerned, it's more of an art than a science. Keep your ear to the ground and your eyes open. That'll improve your chances of finding some:p

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

A rolling tumbler keeps all dirt residue and media inside. A vibratory brass cleaner can throw lead containing primer dust into the air you breathe. In separating the brass and media wear gloves and long sleeved shirt and wear a dust mask. Handle media carefully to not breathe primer lead residue.. Dispose of used tumbling media well wrapped into the trash and keep your reloading area dust free by whatever method you choose.

Paul Jones

[Standing Wolf]

So, is cleaning really necessary?

Possibly not, but the dirt on cartridge cases will abrade your sizing die in P.D.Q. order, and dirty brass won't always chamber in semi-automatic pistols.

I have a Dillon 500 tumbler that's been working like a champion for about five years.

[t driver]

I use a Lyman Auto-Flo case cleaner and like it. It works best for me with the corncob media. I feel cleaning is important, but probably not vital. You can get a decent cleaner/tumbler for quite a bit less than $200.

I think MidwayUSA also sells used brass. I can't remember for sure and haven't looked in a while. All used brass is not cleaned and prices vary greatly. You might also check Gunbroker.com or ebay.

I buy primers and powder locally to avoid hazmat fees. It radically changes the per round costs. The cheapest I have found powder and primers in local gun shows, but would guess this to vary by region.

I buy my bullets from MidwayUSA, usually with a couple misc. items.
Most of my brass is range scrounges. I just spend a little time sorting by headstamp and overall condition. Certain brands (Amerc comes to mind) get pitched out right.

[mwithers72]

Hello all!! I am new to reloading and enjoy it very much. I had a friend of mine give me an old rock tumbler that I would like to use for case cleaning. It has two quart size paint cans (that never had any paint in them) that is the containers for the media and brass. it is a older tumbler that is belt driven and the cans sit on rubber wheels. I realize that I will not be able to clean a whole lot of brass at one time but seeing that I reload for only one cal. at the time I am willing to do it in smaller batches. Will it do a good enough job for starting out. thanks in advance...


mark

[Zak Smith]

A rolling tumbler keeps all dirt residue and media inside. A vibratory brass cleaner can throw lead containing primer dust into the air you breathe.


The Dillon tumblers are covered.

-z