Too late to Start reloading???

Wait until things calm down. Unless you are very wealthy, it is too late.

In person, stop by BassPro and Academy, or their equivalents, regularly. Talk to clerks and see what you can find out about delivery days. Buy loaded ammo as you find it because it’s usually a fair price at these stores, it just doesn’t last long.

Three weeks ago I found 556 for 10.99 per 20. And a couple of pounds of powder last weekend(no hazmat) for an “ok” price.

Learn to be an opportunist by showing up at the stores regularly.

Gunbroker is still your friend. More expensive than buying off the shelf, but if you learn to use the search features then you can find what you want for a palatable price. Except dies... dies are problematic but for odd stuff like 375 Ruger you might luck out.

Here is how I find stuff on Gunbroker that is reasonable.

Type in what you want in the search bar. Last thing I bought was .224 bullets so that’s what I typed in. When the search popped up it gave all of the premium ads and high dollar mess, so don’t even look at that. Click the filter button and select to only show “buy now” items and then accept the filter criteria. When it goes back out to the search click the sort button and sort by price.

In my case I found the hornady .224 55gr FMJ that I wanted for $17 a hundred and bought 4 so with shipping it was about $75. The same bullets at auction we’re going for 300 per thousand at auction. Normal price on the shelf is about 16 per hundred. I felt like I did OK considering the buying climate. I have done the exact same thing for guys I work with and found them the things that they were looking for at about 10 percent over “normal” price. I call that supply and demand, asking double or triple normal price is gouging. Once I make a purchase I send the seller a message thanking them for having honest pricing and let them know that it will be remembered when pricing comes back to normal.

While it may be a bad time to start, it's not "too late." Just be patient and when life gets back to normal (whatever that is) go for it.

Just be patient is all the advice I can give you

Like others have said, I would wait till supplies come back. It's not necessarily too late to start reloading, but it may be a tad early.

Huntolive said:

I have an unopened gallon of quality powder, brass in most caliber I shoot but only bullets for 45 Colt and 454 casull

Click to expand...

...but, bullets appropriate for .45 Colt are not necessarily appropriate for .454. One of the biggest mistakes I see folks new to reloading make is buying the wrong components in their anxiousness to start stuffing bullets. many times it's because they don;t know better and then there are times like these where there just isn't anything else out there. During component shortages like we have going on now, we see a ton of threads about using bullets intended for .45ACP in .45 Colt, .454 and .460.....and vice versa. Or using a fast burning powder in attempt to make magnum type loads. Many times a powder that works well in one caliber doesn't work well in another, having only one powder can be a major handicap too. While these things may work, most of the time, they do not work well. New reloaders have a hard enough time making quality ammo when using the right components, getting decent success with inappropriate or "good enough" components can be like chasing your tail.

I would wait and use the time to research, what it is you need to reload for the calibers and purposes you have. If you have appropriate components, go ahead and make a few rounds. But don't burn up good bullets(the most expensive component next to brass) in an attempt to just put something downrange, unless you can do it right. Right now finding components is next to impossible. Finding them at a reasonable cost is even harder. Paying thru the nose for components that will only give you Ho-hum performance is not the idea behind handloading.

Huntolive said:

Thanks guys BTW can someone please explain what I need to watch out for using bullets mostly designed for 45 Long Colt being used for 454 casull?
What I mostly have is corn a day I think 250 grain xtps with which I could either make 45 Colt plus p or 454 casull.
For 454 casull I use small rifle primers correct?
What about for 45 Colt plus p?
What do I use for 357 Magnum 460 Smith & Wesson Magnum and 44 Magnum?

Click to expand...

Those xtp bullets are probably ok for the casull. Here are a lot more fragile bullets that at casull pressures could be problematic in that they would essentially shatter on impact and the damage would be shallow potentially not carrying through to vitals.

357 uses just about any jacketed .358 bullet, 44 uses just about any jacketed .427 bullet.

I wouldn't say it's too late, just bad timing.
I wouldn't pay exorbitant amount of money for equipment either. The situation we are in is temporary.
Patience is a virtue. Wait until things calm down, which they will no matter what you hear from fearmongers, and get prepared for the next time this happens.........which it eventually will.

Oh yeah, definitely a bad time for anything related to the shooting sports. I recently acquired a Carcano Carbine in 6.5X52mm, I've got all the cases, powder and primers necessary to reload for it, just need the dies, got those on back order for several weeks.

Dies and other components come in and go out of stock on a regular basis. Put 'Notify Me' watches on the items you want at multiple websites.
Primers and Powder it seems you need to kep the web page open and refresh it throughout the day to catch when they come into stock. These will sell out in mere minutes.
Other items like bullets, dies, brass, you can often just place them on backorder.

It is never 'too late' to start reloading, but starting now will require a bit of patience.

Huntolive said:

So I wish I had gotten serious about reloading two years ago when there were stacks of AR-15s for $500 and primers collecting dust on the shelves.
But no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition or a pandemic followed by a democratic election and paramilitary uprisings
I have friends and neighbors who reload who have all the equipment all I would need is a couple sets of dies and I always collect my brass from multiple calibers of Big bore revolvers and hunting rifles from 243 to 375 Ruger.
I have an unopened gallon of quality powder, brass in most caliber I shoot but only bullets for 45 Colt and 454 casull and maybe a hundred large pistol primers and small rifle primers and I believe I have the dies for 454 .

I realize buying ammo for under a dollar around in a decent caliber is unobtainium but so are bullet ingredients like primers.

So where should I get started and how can I get the components at a reasonable price?

Or should I just wait and conserve ammo and rely on what I have stockpiled for the next year?

Click to expand...

You might need the 454 in case you run into The Killer Rabbit.

WestKentucky said:

Those xtp bullets are probably ok for the casull.

Click to expand...

For paper or steel velocities/pressures they are okay, but for legitimate .454 velocities for deer and larger game you want to use the XTP-MAG bullets in either 240 or 300 gr. They have thicker jackets for better terminal performance and the thicker jackets reduce the risk of damage to the forcing cone/barrel from flame cutting. They also reduce the risk of separation of the jacket from the core in the barrel at .454 velocities. Those are the same bullets I use in my .460, along with Speer's 300 gr Deep Curls. They cost a little more, but for hunting with full pressure loads, they are what you should be using. Keep those 250s down at .45 Colt velocities and pressures an you are fine. In .357 and .44 you need to use bullets appropriate for what you are doing. Stay away from bullets designed for SD if hunting and vice versa, especially when it comes to jacketed.

I put my entire setup together in 2020, the only thing I don't have is a case trimmer. Now I'm sitting around waiting for primers wishing I would have started in 2019 instead of 2020.

Huntolive said:

So I wish I had gotten serious about reloading two years ago when there were stacks of AR-15s for $500 and primers collecting dust on the shelves.
But no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition or a pandemic followed by a democratic election and paramilitary uprisings
I have friends and neighbors who reload who have all the equipment all I would need is a couple sets of dies and I always collect my brass from multiple calibers of Big bore revolvers and hunting rifles from 243 to 375 Ruger.
I have an unopened gallon of quality powder, brass in most caliber I shoot but only bullets for 45 Colt and 454 casull and maybe a hundred large pistol primers and small rifle primers and I believe I have the dies for 454 .

I realize buying ammo for under a dollar around in a decent caliber is unobtainium but so are bullet ingredients like primers.

So where should I get started and how can I get the components at a reasonable price?

Or should I just wait and conserve ammo and rely on what I have stockpiled for the next year?

Click to expand...

I don't think you are late to the party - far from it! I got back into reloading in December. While supplies have certainly been challenging to find, it's not been impossible. With savvy shopping, you won't even require a second mortgage. ; - )

Presses and dies are starting to become available again. Do your research before buying a press, and cry once. A used high quality press could possibly be the wisest choice. Take your time, and buy smart. I like a progressive or single stage. For me, there is too much potential for error on a turret press. I far too easily distractab... look! A squirrel! ; - )

Dies won't require as much consternation. Lower prices don't necessarily equate to inferior equipment. Buy Lee, Lyman, Hornady, etc., and sell them if you don't like them. You won't have a problem recouping your $.

Powder is the lowest number in your cost-per-round formula. Consider adding a few more varieties to your 1lb stash. You will be happiest with the best powder for each caliber/load. Buying local is often the best choice, as the HAZMAT and shipping fees from on-line vendors will almost double the cost of a 1lb jug.

I emptied the brass buckets at my range one evening and came away with an additional 400 cases for the calibers I load. All it cost me was a few minutes after work. If that isn't an option, brass can be found in the swap shop here for very reasonable prices.

Lead - with or without coating - is the most economical way to buy bullets. I have had very good luck with Acme and Brazos. Others will chime in with their favorite - I'm sure all are good choices. In the case of Acme and Brazos, stock comes in and out of availability all the time. Check their websites often, and buy when you can. Acme ships quickly, and their wooden boxes are pretty darn cool!

Primers are the wild card. I keep this thread open on my phone all day, which allowed me to score some primers from Powder Valley last week. They weren't sold at pre-COVID prices, but they were a far cry from the gougers you will find elsewhere. Naturally, its good Karma to contribute to the thread when you can.

I'm also constantly monitoring a Discord page that updates availability of supplies. I know next to nothing about Social Media, so others here will be able to talk to you about other SM resources.

Your local brick-and-mortar gun shop may have everything you need. Give them some business, bake them some cookies, and ask nicely... you never know what might happen.

For the adventurous or desperate (or those with limited cranial capacity...?), there is Prime-All. I qualify on all the previously mentioned fronts, and have had good luck with Prime-All, although my experience is still quite limited. Consider your own risk aversion, and proceed as you see fit.

All of this aside, you will want to give serious consideration to the following:

• Brass Prep... Wet Tumble, Sonic Cleaner, or Dry Tumble. FWIW, I prefer to wet tumble.
• Don't cheap out on a powder scale (or powder thrower if you go single-stage). Do your research, and buy smart.
  
• This light has become an invaluable addition to my bench. I use it to light up my press, and for 1,001 other little things I didn't know enough to anticipate.
• Load manuals are a must for newbies like us. There is a plethora to choose from... I went with Lyman because it was available when I was looking. I also have these for the calibers I load.

I have already droned on too much... good luck, and good hunting!

Not the best time to start ! Just pick up what you can when it’s available.
Better now than later , when primers show up your good to go .

Timothy Tuxedo said:

I often wonder about the best press for the beginner. Single stage requires changing the dies in and out, which could lead to error and setting changes. And we are dealing with multiple cartridges all at a time. Progressive presses are nice and fast, but again we are dealing with multiple cartridges and multiple actions all at once. With a turret press we are dealing with one cartridge at a time, watching one action at a time start to finish. It is the same every time, one at a time. Once dies are set and powder charge is set - no changing unless we are done and change loads. I'm not sure if it's what we like, but more what is best at the beginning. Also we might go with carbide dies to get the whole lube crap out of the way. Just my opinion for consideration.

Click to expand...

I was taught on a Dillon 550 at first we walked them through one station at a time checking each step , loaded a couple hundred that way till I understood what was right and wrong and what to look for
Bought my own 550 . I still load on it have been very happy with it.

I use an old single stage press. Have a much more modern one and haven't taken it out to look at how it works. The singe stage is straight forward enough and keeps it simple, so - I'll just roll with it for now. Nothing wrong with just getting a basic single stage press, components, and all the gadgets and such are plenty available from what I've seen. Then if components come back down to sane prices - powder, primers, you're set up, and practiced and have a bunch of brass prepped and ready to go.

Reloading for me is a hobby in itself. I enjoy reloading. The cost saving is a bonus. If one goes into reloading for the cost savings only they may not stay with it. It does take time and patience. Better to be left alone with no distractions while reloading.

There is little forgiveness at the reloading bench.

Heck yeah start anytime' we are open 24/7 around here.
J

Personal preference is 2400 or H110 for heavy magnums, these were the gold standard for many years. Longshot, SR4759, or 4227 would also be great for stout, heavier charges.

My take on the subject is just that.

This happened after Sandyhook.
People suddenly laid into components, and they became scarce.


This shortage will last longer than many think, but it will end.

I'd start learning about casting bullets. Become self sufficient. Get a goodly stash of lead, and know how to work it.