average prices?

[mr_dove]

I searched the forum and looked in the sticky for this kind of information but found none, even though it does deal with reloading economics.

There are two issues that I'd like to discuss.

the first is that of average/good prices to pay for reloading supplies. See, I've been looking at different supplies for when I can finally afford my first press (maybe a few more months) but I wouldn't know a good deal if I saw one.

Perhaps we could post the prices that we should pay for certain supplies so that those of us without the information don't get ripped off and end up paying too much.

The second thing I'd like to discuss is methods to save money on reloading supplies. Advising people to buy in bulk or buy locally instead of over the internet in order to avoid the extra fees associated with shipping primers and powder would be good examples. I'm sure there are lots of ways to get cheap brass locally as well. Perhaps even a price comparision between using lead bullets, FMJ, and TMJ, etc.

I could make a long list of questions to ask but I thought discussing these topics broadly might bring up some issues that I may forget.

thanks,
Mr Dove

 

[Valkman]

For Dillon equipment you can't beat Brian Enos - 10% off of Dillon's prices and shipped straight from Dillon.

I've bought a bunch of stuff lately off of Ebay, but you have to know what to pay. I saw 1000 .223 brass go for $48 when the Brassman sells it for $17.50. I bought a LNIB Hornaday Lock-N-Load Powder Measure for $20, so there are deals. Also make sure the shipping isn't too much. I tend not to trust brass sold on Ebay as "once fired" either - one guy tells you it is then says how other people collect it. If other people collect it how can he guarantee it's once fired? Nope, not for me.

Midway is the place I like the most and I buy alot of reloading stuff there. Sign up for the sale emails!

For brass I like The Brassman. Good prices, and he's in Vegas so I just meet him and get it. Good guy also!

G.I. Brass has some good deals on brass, bullets and powder. Pulldown powder for .223 is $64 for 8lbs.

Bear Creek seems like a good place for moly coated bullets - cheaper than Precision because they have free shipping. I just ordered 2500 bullets from them.

That's all I have time for now! Looking forward to hear what others have to say.

 

[Cortland]

Boses Guns has excellent prices on Lee and Hornady gear.

Midway may not always be the cheapest, but they're usually close. They've certainly got the user-friendliest website out there and the biggest variety of stuff.

Wideners has a really sh***y website, but they've also got (correction: did have) WC846 (Hodgdon BL(c)-2 equivalent) for $50/8 lbs. I've found that buying powders and primers on-line typically offers only minimal savings with the exception of milsurp powder, which is dirt-cheap enough to still be a heck of a deal.

Finding lead bullets locally (and at gunshows) is usually your best due to shipping cost, but T&T Reloading has excellent prices on lead bullets (but again, shipping costs).

 

[mr_dove]

thanks for the info we have so far guys. What I'm really hoping to get here is info to prevent situations like what Valkman described of paying $48 for brass that's only worth $17.

For example: how much should I pay for 1000 9mm or .45 acp brass? How much should I be paying for 1000 primers? etc.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I usually shop gun shows for my components, except bullets. There are a couple dealers that go to the (monthly, I think) show at the Outreach Center in Colorado Springs that usually have good prices. The biggest one will be right inside the front door.

1000 primers should be $15.00 or under. $70-75 per sleeve (5000) is what I usually pay for Winchester LP primers.

 

[ojibweindian]

I just went to the G.I. Brass link and they have incredible deals on powder. I'd like to get 8lbs. of either WC872 or WC860. Does anybody know where I can find data concerning these powders?

 

[Valkman]

ojibweindian, he (Jeff) usually says right in the description of the powder what powder data you can use for loading. For both of the powders you like he says to use Hodgdon H870 data.

Brassman sells 9mm brass for $9/1k mixed and $20/1k same brand. .45 ACP goes for $40 mixed and $55 same brand per 1k.

 

[ojibweindian]

Valkman

I researched Hogdon's web site for data concerning .30-06 loads using H870, but was not able to find anything. Would you happen to know what current manuals would have such data?

 

[35whelen]

ojibweindian

Since you and I both live in North Alabama let me give you my two cents.

Go to the gun shows in Birmingham to buy lead bullets, powder and primers. Buy in bulk if possible. Store powder and primers correctly and they last forever.

Alabama Ammo from Moulton is allways there and they have good prices on powder but get there early as the best stuff allways sells out the first day. You can also go to their shop in Moulton but they have strange hours and you better call first.

Midway is about as good as it gets for having items in stock and getting it shipped quickly. Overall they are pretty competitive.

Midsouth shooters supply has better pricing but not the breadth of inventory, get catalogs from both, check their website and get on their specials list.

BTW Hodgon 870 is way to slow for 30-06.

I would look at my manuals and get familiar with the powders I want to use. Don't buy powder just because its cheap.

I have bought surplus IMR4895 from C & R Pawn in Cullman. I think I paid 75.00 for 8#. Been very happy with that powder.

You will just have to research your pricing constanly from a variety of sources. Thats about the only way you will know when you run across a good deal.
And I agree, you better know what your looking at before you buy off of
Ebay.

 

[Cortland]

H870 is not suitable for .30-06. It's quite slow and only suitable for the biggest magnums, .50 BMG, etc.

 

[JA]

I buy all powder,cast bullets,cases,and primers at gun shows. To save money buy primers by the 5000(5x1000) case at a time. Dealers will let you mix/match sizes in the case and will knock a $1 or $2 off each carton of 1000 primers. The same goes with powder as they will let you mix/match types of the same brand in a 12-1lb can case. Shipping is a big part of the cost of bullets and at gun shows there are usally 2-3 dealers selling locally produced cast bullets. Buying boxes of 1000 bullets over boxes of 500 bullets will save a couple of $. Buying several 1000 boxes will usally get you more of a discount.
The selection of jacketed bullets is pretty limited at gun shows so buying a case(2000) online from Midway,Graf's,Wideners,etc........is the most cost effective(cheap) way. I also buy most all tools and dies online, but some good deals can be found in the newpaper want ads and buying used equipment at gun shows.
For testing different types powder or primers I buy from one of the local gun shops and then if it works out I buy in bulk at the next gun show.

 

[Tiny]

I get 45 acp brass for a nickle each and I make my own bullets and with the lead being free my total cost per round is between 2 and 3 cents per round... that's bullet lube primers and powder. cheapest fmj bullets I've found was 69 bucks per 1000 of the 230 round nose fmj's at http://www.deerfieldarms.com/ ... there may be cheaper out there and I don't know what shipping charges are cause I've never bought any but that's a lot cheaper than you can get them from around here... if you buy lead bullets look at paying about 50 bucks per 1000 ... might be able to find them for 40

 

[Alan R]

Valkman -

Have you had any issues with the Bear Creek moly bullets? I've thought about trying them but I was told that the moly coating needs to be scrubbed clean from the barrel before std. lead bullets or jacketed bullets can be used.

 

[Valkman]

I just ordered the Bear Creek stuff and haven't gotten it yet - but I have shot Precision bullets with no problems. I don't know why some shooters get the moly in their bores but I haven't had it happen in the 3 guns I shoot them in.

I get 45 acp brass for a nickle each and I make my own bullets and with the lead being free my total cost per round is between 2 and 3 cents per round...

WOW! Now that's saving money by reloading!

 

[Alan R]

Thanks for the info.