[Yo Mama]

Hello All,

I was just looking at my safe, and all the nice items in it, and realized I can't shoot my .45s any more, .....at least for some time.

With the economy, the house, gas, work stability, and everything else I can't see myself enjoying my true pasions, my .45s!

I have others I can use while money is tight, my .22 has been fun, and bird season with the 12 guage was great. But there is nothing like my .45s.

I can even shoot 60 - 7.62 * 39s for 5 bucks less than American made .45s!

I used to go to the range, let off 100 rounds, and feel great. Now I'm getting sadder thinking that it will be a long time till I can get the funds to do this again.

I wanted to co-miserate with anyone else feeling the hit of the market, and on your gun budget with your favorites?

[JImbothefiveth]

Get yourself some snap caps for that .45!
Just because you can't afford ammo, doesn't mean you can't practice.

[orionengnr]

Think about reloading.

I shoot 50 rounds of 45 acp each week. Costs about $7 per 50 rounds, as opposed to $20/50 rounds of factory ammo. :)

I also shoot .22LR to "warm up", about 100 rounds worth before I shoot the centerfire caliber of the week.

My range fee is $10, so I spend less on ammo than on range fee, and can still afford to do it once a week (less than $20 total).

Do it right and it is still very affordable.

[Floppy_D]

I know it's old hat, but +1 reloading/casting. Assuming I pay $25/k primers, and $15/k powder loads, with range pickup/wheel weight lead and scavenged brass, that's $4/100 rds. Be it 44mag or 40SW. The other cool thing, is that since it's raining balls right now, (noreaster) I still get to play by reloading ammo I'll get to shoot later.

If nothing else, convince a friend of yours to get into erloading, and borrow his equipment, like all of my friends do to me. :D

[firinginfenton]

I understand your pain.
Reloading doesn't save me ANY money. I just spend more on components and shoot more.
I installed a .22 conversion and practice / plink with .22's, BUT, before I go home I feed it a few mags 45acp.:)
Then I load and chamber my SD ammo hopeing I never need to use them.
.
Have you considered a conversion?

[f4t9r]

I was thinking the same thing about the price of ammo.
How about everyone sends me 1 round of 45 ammo.
Then i could shoot my 45's. Also send one round of 38 super.
I do not know how many members we got here but that has got to be a good day at the range.

i really do understand your issue with ammo prices !!!!!!!! Times are tuff here also

[P90shooter]

I dont know I still find the funds to pick up the WWB 100 rounds for 30 bucks. I just cant give up my .45 thats my baby.

[cliffy]

Handloading makes the baby affordable. A Lee Anniversary KIT can put anyone onto the playing field for about $80 plus dies ($25). For about $200initial expense, one should be able to shoot for a year, and thereafter for about $100 a year. JUST SAVE YOUR BRASS, along with anyone else's who doesn't reload! Hodgdon Clays powder goes a long way per canister at 5.0 grains per load, and it's great stuff. 185 grain Berry-Plated bullets are dirt cheap in 500 unit lots. I reloaded 2000 rounds of nice .45 ACP loads, and barely felt the BITE. cliffy

[Powderman]

My wife purchased a .357 for me when we got married. It unfortunately got sold--but I couldn't shoot too much. Even in 1981, the price of .38's and the occasional box of Magnums were pricey.

We went overseas, and the gun got sold. When we came back, she bought me my Model 29, which I still have.

Range trips were a luxury--back then, 210 gr. JHP (Federal) cost about $25.00 a box. Ouch!

I finally got into reloading in 1986; an RCBS Partner Press kit, a can of Bullseye, 300 CCI Primers and some Monarch copper washed 240 gr LSWC got me started. I loaded up 100 rounds and headed to the range. When I got back, I hand cleaned my cases and loaded them up again.

I was saving money--but it was only when I started casting my bullets that I REALLY started shooting as much as I wanted to. And, my casting allows me to shoot rounds that are otherwise EXTREMELY expensive.

Case in point--I reload for my only (so far) black powder cartridge rifle--a .45-120 Sharps. One box (20 ea) of cartridges--comercially loaded--runs about $88.00. :eek: My cost, after casting and lubing, the powder used (Goex or Swiss, thankyouverymuch--none of that substitute stuff for me!)
and other costs runs about $4.00 per 20 rounds.

So, get reloading and casting! Buy one of the kits, get the components, and go for it!

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

I wanted to co-miserate with anyone else feeling the hit of the market,

Look at the bright side. Double the enjoyment you derive from this hobby. Reload! The monetary savings may or may not be realized, but you are in for more good times. You will not regret it.

[loop]

I have many guns, but I enjoy my .45s more than any other.

My cost on a box of 50 is $4.80. You have to reload to get that price, but it really isn't too bad. Initial investment was about $250. Since then shooting .45s is really cheap.

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

Years ago I bought a "Ciener" .22 cal conversion kit for my .45 so I could shoot it more often. I paid just over $200 dollars with a second mag. I've taught my kids to shoot a .45 using this kit. I really enjoy shooting my .22 conversion,low recoil, low cost of ammo,and helps control occasional flinching, getting back a steady hand. Not to mention the cost of 50 .22's over a box of .45. Best of all it only takes seconds to convert it back and forth,,best of both worlds.:)

[chris in va]

Here you go. Scroll down to the hand press. Don't have to bolt it to a bench.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/rlpress1.html

[Mad Magyar]

I used to go to the range, let off 100 rounds, and feel great. Now I'm getting sadder thinking that it will be a long time till I can get the funds to do this again.

Yeah, I know what you mean....I budget just one box of 50 now-a-days...I realize the meaning of making "each shot count"....:( The .22 is nice, but the satisfaction level really drops off....

[TRP1]

The high prices of Ammo really suck! I've been thinking about getting into reloading. I want to start out with .40 and .45 and when I'm comfortable with it I want to load .460 and 500 Magnum rounds. That stuff is really Expensive!!!!!

[lowercase]

My Desert Eagle .50AE costs about $1.25 every time I pull the trigger.

[Floppy_D]

My Desert Eagle .50AE costs about $1.25 every time I pull the trigger.

You sound like another reloading candidate. Jump in, the water's fine.

[Yo Mama]

Ok, I've been waiting for a springboard into reloading. Now I'm going to take the plundge.

What parts in reloading are required. I would also appreciate a short description of how to get more information on this.

THanks.

[mainmech48]

IMO, about the cheapest way to get the stuff you need to do a reasonable volume of pistol cartridges with the least time and hassle involved in the process, and still have the option to load for most rifle rounds with the same outfit is one of the Lee turret kits, with or without the 'auto index" feature, your choice.

Comes with virtually all of the basic necessities except dies and ammo components. Some sources include your choice of one set of dies in their package price, so looking around is a good idea.

None of it's fancy, but all of it works just fine and will last a loong while with a minimum of care. Paying the little bit extra to get a package with a powder measure rather than dippers is worthwhile, IMO, but not strictly necessary.

The newer turret set-up from Lee uses a 4-hole turret, which is nice for most pistol/revolver ammo. Extra turrets are inexpensive so it's very easy to have one already set-up for each caliber you load. Take my word for it, if you like: not having to change and subsequently readjust dies with every operation is a Very Good Thing.

Ckeck with Lee's website and the monthly sale flyers from Midway, etc. for current options and prices.

FWIW, if money is extremely tight, Lee has a program where 1st time reloaders can get "factory 2nd" tools and sometimes even entire kits at hugely discounted prices. These are "2nds" only for cosmetic blemishes, and every bit as functionally sound as their 'perfect' counterparts.

[jjohnson]

Yeah, I cut my intake of high $$ foods some years ago. I'm not a senior citizen on Social Security, but when things get tight, something has to go. I watch for deals on reloading components and I buy my .22 ammo at Walmart. I hate to sell a firearm to buy ammo - that's like eating your seed corn :eek:

Save yourself a few bucks a month, get some minimal reloading equipment, or find a friend that reloads, and share the work and cost. We're all in this together. :o

[Sylvan-Forge]

For a basic primer on handloading:

http://www.rcbs.com/guide/default.aspx

.

[Springfield_1911SS]

the reloading section here on the high road is great

[ZeSpectre]

I only have one .45ACP gun....and when I ran the numbers it was still cost-effective to go out and pick up the .45 dies today. (cost effective as long as folks keep leaving me nice brass at the range anyway).

A lesson in economics and reloading. (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=394682)

[Walkalong]

If you buy just the basic reloading stuff, a cheap casting setup, beg free wheelweights from gas stations and tire stores, and scrounge bullets from the back stop, you can shoot those .45's on the cheap. ;)
(cost effective as long as folks keep leaving me nice brass at the range anyway).

Don't you just love it. :D

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

Even if you had to pay 15 to 20 cents per pound of wheelweights at tireshops, that is still less than 1 cent per bullet, after allowing for the clips and other junk that come with WW.

[Defensory]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

If H/R isn't a good option for you, buy something like Federal American Eagle (or the Winchester and Remington equivalents) ammo, in cases of 1000 rounds.

Shop around before buying. Look for sale prices online, at Wal-Mart, "big box" outdoors/sporting goods stores, gun shops/shows, etc.

Be a smart shopper, and you'll be able to shoot more often than you think, without going broke. I've cut back on my driving, not my shooting. ;)

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

Very true. It is easier to relate the economic viability to the number of rounds it will take to recover the cost of reloading/casting equipment.

Actually I computed the break-even point, compared to bulk .38 spl ammo ($250.00/1,000 plus shipping) for my LEE Loadmaster .357/.38 set-up with tumbler and weighing scale at around 2,000 rounds, using commercial hard cast LSWC bullets.

For my bullet casting equipment (Lee 20 lb bottom pour, 6 cavity tumble lube .357 SWC mold, Lee Classic Cast single stage press for resizing, etc), the break even point, compared to commercial hard cast bullets, was around 4,000 bullets.

[WheelgunZealot]

I bought a fairly inexpensive reloading setup for myself (~$100) and LOVE IT. My break even point was a little under 1,000 rounds. I went from $23.99 per box of 50 to $12.54 per 50. At the rate I shoot I already paid for it in under one year. Loading good ammunition doesn't cost a fortune. More money buys additional speed, not necessarially quality.

[kcshooter]

My reloading setup cost me about $800 total for Dillon 550 press and heads and dies for 4 pistol and 2 rifle calibers.
Since I shoot between 350-500 rds a week, I could never afford to keep up if I didn't reload. $50 a week as opposed to $150. Or $200 a month vs $600 a month.
Trust me, reloading will pay for itself very quickly if you shoot a lot.

[Defensory]

If you shoot about a thousand or more rounds per month, handloading/reloading is worth it.

If you shoot noticeably less than that, you're better off buying Federal American Eagle factory ammo or similar brand, in cases of 1000 rounds. Shop around and catch a sale somewhere.

Group buys are another good option. Find some shooting buddies who'll chip in on a 5000 or 10,000 round quantity purchase. Most of the time, the more you buy, the more you save.

[earplug]

While I shoot and reload for several S&W 625's in .45 acp, I have recently had lots of fun with a Marvel .22 conversion for my 1911 pattern pistol.
I can shoot .22 rf during my club Bullseye match, shoot at my local steel shoot in .22rf or shoot my 45 acp reloads.
If I was manly i'd shoot .45 wadcutters for bullseye, the .22 is just fine.

[JImbothefiveth]

You said you had a .22, maybe a conversion kit for your .45 would be more thrilling than the .22 you have.(of course, $300 buys a lot of ammunition.)

I don't usually shoot anything but my .22s, I suppose I could buy some 12 gauge, but 25 rounds of 12 gauge is about the same price as 300 rounds of .22.

[loop]

You can buy a Lee progressive press for under $200. You can buy the components to load 1,000 rounds for under $100.

That's $300 for your first 1,000 rounds. That's $30 a 100.

After that you are down to $10 per 100.

Then there is the fact you can tune each round for function and accuracy specifically suited to the gun...

I only have 1,400 rounds of .45 sitting in two boxes in my closet. I shoot all I want, any time I want.

[Yo Mama]

How do you melt them?

[rfurtkamp]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth. I shoot in large quantities (the UPS guy loved the 10k 7.62x51 orders back when it was $105/k a few years back, let me tell you), and it's just not worth my time. On 9mm and even on 45 where I have guns that shoot even the dreaded Wolf defensive-practice accurately, I'm not willing to pay myself the functional equivalent of minimum wage for the process.

Why? I get no tangible enjoyment in reloading. I hate policing brass, prepping brass, and pretty much the whole process. If all I shot was revolvers, it'd be different - but I shoot automatics 99% of the time.

It's the same reason I pay to let someone else do most of the wrenching on the car these days - I don't enjoy it, and I can afford to pay them.

Reloading is for folks who have more time than money, or who want super-tailored loads for particular guns.

I won't even get into the fun of policing HK brass that's scored from the fluted chamber and goes godsknowwhere into the next county.

I respect the folks who enjoy reloading, but it's not for everyone.

[MCgunner]

I load .45 ACP or .45 Colt cheaper than CCI mini mag. I cast my own bullets from range scrap lead and they shoot just as straight or straighter than anything you can buy. I've even killed deer with my own cast bullets in .357 magnum. If you value your time that much, if you're friggin' stupid lazy, well, I can't help ya, but I quite enjoy working with my presses and molds. It's a neat past time. Since you're lamenting not being able to shoot due to costs, I suspect you're not Bill Gates. :rolleyes:

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth.

Exactly. How much do we value our time? It is different for all of us. I'm not a high priced lawyer or doctor, so my time is relatively inexpensive. But it is not always about economics.

However I see my time on the reloading or casting bench as my leisure time, to recharge the batteries so to speak. At times, it is also therapy.

[ZeSpectre]

Well here's what I learned today about reloading, .45 ACP, and LRN bullets.

If you over crimp (taper crimp) a lead bullet it WILL "mushroom" forward causing your reloads to not feed in your 1911.

Don't quite know how I got my crimp set as severely as I did, must have not been paying attention somewhere.

Fortunately I had only done 5 "test loads" before I attempted to use them and found my error.

Ruined the bullets but all else was reusable. so much for time savings <grin>.

[theotherwaldo]

If you're serious about using Lee equipment, check out their Factory Sales Outlet (http://www.factorysales.com/). You'll likely save a bit over typical retail price.

[kcshooter]

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth.... I'm not willing to pay myself the functional equivalent of minimum wage for the process....Reloading is for folks who have more time than money
Exactly. How much do we value our time? It's not that bad. Actually, the thought that I didn't have time to load was what kept me away from it so long. But I get up on Sunday mornings and with the radio on and a pot of coffee, I load about 500 rounds in an hour and a half, including set-up time.

So for 6 hours a month, I save $400 a month. That's $66 bucks an hour. I make good money, but not that good.

If you don't shoot as much, you won't save that much, but your time investment will be less. If you can spend an hour and a half loading 500 rounds, how long will those rounds last? Is that worth a time investment of 1.5 hrs?

And since it's Sunday mornings when I'm up before everyone else anyway, I really didn't lose any time that I was putting to good use.

I don't cast my own bullets, because I don't have time for that, but with a GOOD progressive press, you'd be suprised how much output you can do in a short time.

[rfurtkamp]

So for 6 hours a month, I save $400 a month. That's $66 bucks an hour. I make good money, but not that good.


Once I calculated in brass recovery, inspection time, etc, and other prep-work, it wasn't nearly as much for me, it topped out in the $10/hr range.

And yes, I've used Dillon 550s. Yes, I know how to reload. I find it boring as watching paint dry - there's less than zero enjoyment in doing it.

If you can spend an hour and a half loading 500 rounds, how long will those rounds last? Is that worth a time investment of 1.5 hrs?

Factoring in the 'do not enjoy' and brass recovery/prep times, it's not worth it for me. FMJ bullets (I will not and cannot use bare lead in some of my firearms because of gas systems and rifling) and primers, 9mm saves me less than $30/case in bulk. .45 saves me < $45, but I don't go through it like the fun guns do 9mm. Picking up and prepping 1k brass takes longer than people give it credit, and again, don't enjoy it.

You don't have to be Bill Gates to not benefit from reloading - just have to not enjoy it.

If I shot magnum rifle calibers, it'd be different, a lot different. But for handgun and commonly available surplus cartridges, it's not a cut and dried thing.

[cliffy]

Can become boring after awhile. Small Pops and no real feeling of POWER, yet if face-to-face with a killer, eight-foot RATTLESNAKE, how comforting a suddenly needed .22 can become! SUDDENLY, a flash-back! What .22 ammo did I just purchase? How much money did I save? I hope this next round POPS? Did I choose wisely? Will I vanquish my immediate enemy? Will I die via a poor purchase?

It's amazing what can go through one's mind in a milli-second . . . cliffy

[Ala Dan]

Due to the recent economy downturn, I have seen more "shooters"
exploring the handloading market as an alternative. I sell R.C.B.S.
handloading supplies; and our sales have jumped thru the roof. We
also carry a full line of Hornady and Nosler bullets; and a variety of
Magnus hard cast lead bullets. With the upcoming election, it might
be a wise decision to enter into this phase of the game~! ;) :)