.45 ACP Reloading

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Bravo11

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I currently don't reload, mainly because I don't think I shoot enough to justify the cost. I've been thinking about it lately and it might be something I would like to try to do.
Just for information, how much would it cost to get into reloading, basic configuration. And how much do you need to shoot to make it pay for itself.
 
You could go with the Dillon 550. It's a pretty good setup for reloading pistol calibers. I think the cost would come out to around $300. It's easy to set up and easy to use.

Save your brass until you get a couple thousand. A lb of powder will load you between 1 and 2 thousand rounds (figure about 1500, at about $20 per lb powder) Primers are about $20 per 1000. Bullets cost anywhere from $30 to 60 or 70 for 1000.

All in all, compared to a box of 50 rounds at a store ($10-18), I can load a box of 50 for $5 or less.

So you'd save anywhere from $5 to $10 on a box, a little less if you compare to buying bulk. Your margins decrease if you buy ammo in bulk, of course.

So it's gonna depend on what you compare your savings to, and how much you reload. Shoot a lot, save a lot, shoot a little, save a little.
 
If you reload 45acp you can get your money back in about 8hrs on the Dillon 550.

I've been reloading 45acp and 223 on the Dillon 550 and soon I'll be reloading 38 Special and 357 Mag on it.

On the Lee single stage press I reload 30/06, 308 and 223 (only match 223 on single stage).

I load lead 45acp for about $3 a box.
 
If you are going to do pistol calibers ONLY, then I suggest the Dillon Square-Deal B. It auto-indexes (rotates the shell plate automatically) which helps speed.

If you want to go up a step, get the 650. With the case feeder, it's very fast. It also auto-indexes.

The 550 does not auto-index.

-z
 
Unfortunately, if you purchase the Square Deal B press from Dillon you can only use dies made for that press.

One of the best values by Dillon is the AT-500. If you are an occasional reloader or want to go rifle and pistol you can do it without a large outlay of cash. The big plus is that you can pick and choose dies from other manufacturers. So, if you want to run a competition seating die from Redding, L.E. Wilson, or Forster you can. The AT-500 is upgrade capable to a 550B in the future if you desire.

To be honest with you I've never needed auto-indexing. I use a pair of Dillon 550Bs and I'm fine with them.

Don't overlook the other manufacturers of presses. Redding makes a great little turret press as do others.

If you are wanting minimal investment go with a single stage press. In the event you upgrade in the future you will find you still use it for other tasks.

Regards,
Martin
 
Loading will save you some money compared to store bought ammo. I use only jacketed bullets which run about $.08 each. This runs completed ammo up to about $7.00 a box of 50. Walmart has Winchester USA in the 100 packs for about $20 = $10/box of 50. Savings = about $3/box of 50.

More importantly, loading gives me some control over what I shoot. I can tailor make any of the calibers I load to suit the conditions I shoot. For steel plates, I use a 20% load behind a 180 grain (.40S&W) FMJ in my Glock 23 for quick recovery time. The same load won't reliably function my Ruger P944 - I use a 95% load for it for plinking, plates and IDPA. I load differently for my Smith J, K and L frame .357 magnums to minimize the pain of recoil, especially for the J frame. So, I guess one of the things I'm saying is that loading provides you with all kinds of flexibility in your shooting needs that buying store bought ammo will not allow.

Another benefit of loading is that I spend several hours each week reloading, in peace and quiet, away from the boob tube. When I load (4 hole turret press used as multi stage single state - indexer disconnected) I tune out the world and all my worries and problems and just concentrate on what I'm doing. I guess it's therapy, but whatever it is, I like it.

Just one word of caution, loading/reloading is addictive and the bottom line is that you really don't save a cent. You just shoot more for the same money.
 
Another vote for the Square Deal B from Dillon.

If you only reload .45s, its a sweet setup which will pay for itself in short order (I average $3.20 a box using range brass). The factory dies work fine for me - I see no reason to complain.

If you reload a lot of calibers or get into rifle cartridges, a bigger press with standard dies is in order.

Since I shoot by far more .45 than anything else, I just kept my Square Deal and added another press. The Square Deal is always set up to crank a few boxes when needed.
 
I have been reloading for 20+ years and I have a Lee single stage press for rifle only because I like to weigh every load and check the OAL on every round for accuracy. But for the pistol calibers I use a Dillon 650 with all of the bell and whistles for mass production. Don't get me wrong the Dillon produces very accurate loads for pistol, but with the extruded powders used with rifle I have had charge deviations. I use the PACT scale and powder measure combo for rifle. Any Dillon press except for the square deal is an excellent investment. With the square deal you will have to have seperate dies. I figure spend the money up front and keep the dies forever, why buy them twice.
 
megcatia:
Since you don't currently reload, don't know if you'll like it and don't know what the cost factors are. I suggest you do a little more thread reading on this BBS and and few others.

Buy the Lyman and/or Lee reloading manual. The prior posts would have you spending anywhere from $300 to over $800, before you loaded your first round. There are other reloading manufacturers than Dillon. An inexpensive "turret" press is a go way to get your feet wet and comes in handy even for the seasoned reloader.

My lead 45 ACP reloads cost me about $75 per thousand using mail order lead. Jacketed stuff would up the figure to about $100.

Elliot
 
Thanks for the replies guys.
All good information.
E357,
I plan on doing alot more research and reading before I jump in.
Arub,
I'm with you on getting away from it all in the shop.
My shop is my Fortess of Solitude and thats where I would put a reloading setup.
 
It's not about cost. It's about having the absolute best ammo for your firearm. The only way you'll get truly consistent ammo is to load it yourself. Especially as you have no idea what powder etc is used in commercial ammo. That can and does change from lot to lot. You don't have to spend the bucks for a Dillion either. Nice if you can, but a single stage press will work just fine. Speed comes with techique. Then you'll want a good consistent powder thrower. Consistency is the key. Who cares how long it takes?
 
I recently started reloading again. I am only reloading handgun for now. I ordered a reconditioned Lee Progressive in 45acp. It was $84.00 shipped. Go to http://www.leeprecision.com/ and go to the bottom of the page and click on surplus. I was going to order the parts to change the press over to 9mm but another complete reconditioned press was only about $15.00 more. If youare going to reload both handgun and rifle a reconditioned Loadmaster is only $170.00 plus shipping which was $4.00. The site shows that they have 2 of them. You get to pick the caliber of your choice.
 
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