Buy or Reload?

[rfwobbly]

1) Can a newbie without experienced supervision be safe and productive with a few hours of working at this?
2) If the decision were made to reload, is there a "kit" that would have everything needed to get started for the beginner- say 1 to 3 calibers?
3) Given the available dollars mentioned, what would the advantages/disadvantages be of reloading vs. buying standard ammo.

1) Typically 'Yes', but it depends wholly on their mindset. If you believe "more is always better", that it's the governments job to insure your personal safety, that lawyers can always make it right, or are in anyway connected with the Occupy crowd, then it's best that you keep standing in line at WalMart.

2) No one kit on the market has "everything you need" simply because reloading auto pistol cartridges is vastly different from reloading revolver cartridges is vastly different from reloading bottleneck rifle cartridges. There is always extra stuff you'll need AND extra stuff you'll want.

Nor does one reloading company make all the equipment you'll need or like. In the end, by the time you are comfortable with your outfit, you may have some equipment from every manufacturer.

3) Generally speaking: Greater accuracy, increased availability (including 2AM), and lower cost per round.

 

[kutter]

Knowledge is power

Here is the 1st thing I would do. First go here: http://www.amazon.com/The-ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-ebook/dp/B004GUSBP6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335622115&sr=8-1 the Kindle version of one of the quintessential reloading books is a buck and 99 cents, you can download the free Kindle app for your computer, so for less than 2 dollars you have a great first publication to begin making informed decisions. If you decide to reload it will be one of many, just like all the assorted paraphernalia you will acquire to reload.

I started out inexpensively, and I still think it is cost effective, especially more so for some rounds than others.

 

[Horsemany]

Done both. Reloaded and bought. Reloading was fun until it got tedious and then it was just more work.

Now I just buy the premium ammo. And that's more fun now.

I agree completely with Shoobee. I've kind of come full circle, don't shoot high volume and there's plenty of ammo available that shoots to my satisfaction. Sometimes with reloading it's hard to get to a point of satisfaction. You could always tweak, change components slightly etc. etc. It can be a neverending quest and while some people love that I've grown not to.

 

[newfalguy101]

Re-load, no doubt about it.

For what its worth, the whole "you wont save money, just shoot more" kinda confuses me.

If 1000 rds of 9mm costs $300 ( just throwing out numbers here, bear with me) and I can reload the same 1000 rounds for $100, didnt I in fact save $200

Or even if I spend the same $300, didnt I save $400 and end up with 3 times the ammunition?????

Sounds like saving money to me..........

 

[JohnM]

This same question gets asked in some form or other constantly.
For a lot of us, maybe most reloaders, reloading is a part of the shooting sport.
If someone has a slew of questions about whether or not they should reload their own ammo, then maybe they should just continue to buy factory stuff until some time in the future when they have more shooting time under their belt.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I got into reloading back in 2005, after researching how much it could save me in cost/round.

I have a couple thousand 40 S&W rounds loaded that cost me about 11 cents/piece with 2005 component cost's. With today's bullet cost, it would be about 15 cents/round. Compare that to 35 cents/round for factory.

I just recently got into 9mm reloading, after buying a Ruger SR9-C. I can load this ammo for about 12 cents/piece or $6/box. Factory ammo still runs 20 cents/piece or $10/box. I'm still saving 40% even on 9mm.

I'm loading .308 with Nosler custom comp hpbt's for about 45 cents/round. That's $9/20. Factory ammo with run of the mill 150 grain soft points are $1/round. Factory match ammo runs about $1.25/round. I'm saving about 75 cents/round and arguably shooting better ammo.

I also enjoy it as a hobby, its fun putting ammunition together. Its a great way to "clear my head".

With .223, sometimes I barely eek out a savings. When some of the super sales happen, you can buy the ammo for $6/box. It cost's me about $4.20/box to load it. I still enjoy doing it though.

 

[GT1]

Saving money is the only reason I reload. My rounds cost less to make than buying factory ammo.

It isn't rocket surgery.

There is a lot of satisfaction shooting my own rounds and finding they do as well or better than the stuff I buy. But that isn't the same motivation as money saved.

 

[gamestalker]

I good friend of mine decided to jump head first into reloading and didn't spare a dime when picking equipment. I mentored him and spent long hours trying desparately to help him grasp the process, yet he just didn't have the mind set or ability to understand some of the more detailed elements of the hobby. After a month or maybe less into it, he sold everything and went back to factory. He just didn't have the patients or attention to detail to effectively engage the hobby. So be sure it is absolutely what you want to do, and if possible find someone that will let you get your feet wet with their stuff to see what you think, before dropping the money and time into it.
GS

 

[blarby]

Sounds like you've described a "reloader-to-be" pretty much to the " T " in your post.

Do it. You won't be unsatisfied.

 

[GLOOB]

I think that you have to enjoy it to some degree. You could save a lot of money by buying a whole pig and making your own sausage, but not many people do that.

I personally save money by reloading, I'm sure. Having to buy ammo never stopped me from going shooting. But nowadays when I get behind on my reloading I'll forgo a day of shooting to process some brass.

I do shoot a bit more per session than I used to, but not enough to put me in the hole. And I haven't caught that bug that makes me want to buy every piece of fancy reloading gear under the sun. The only things I use other than the stuff that came in my Lee anniversary kit are : a tumbler, an RCBS chamfer tool, a Hornady primer pocket reamer, and a Lee Zip Trim Chuck and holder and 223 guide. My only splurge was on a Wilson case trimmer, which I don't use anymore.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

For what its worth, the whole "you wont save money, just shoot more" kinda confuses me.

I know I pay less per round now that I handload.
I also know that I spend 3 times more money than I used to, because I love loading as much or more than I love shooting. You absolutely do save money, per round. But the fact is, more money is leaving my wallet than it used to. That means I'm not saving money. The whole, "You don't save money" concept is from a personal budget mindset, not a cost per round mindset.

Bottom line, when I'm talking to my wife it's always, "But baby, I'm saving money." Women understand crap like that.
In actuality I spend much more than before, but have a lot more fun.

 

[SRH78]

Definitely reload and it can be much cheaper, especially for rifles. I reload jhp 357 sig for considerably less than fmj factory 9mm. I save even more with my 454, and 45-70. Reloading does require some studying and certainly attention to detail but it is not rocket science and it is not difficult. While it is nice if you plan to load a high volume of handgun rounds, you don't have to have a fancy high dollar setup. A simple single stage press can be used for small handgun calibers or magnum rifles. I would start out simple and then, once you get the hang of it, upgrade as you choose. The added benefit of a single stage for a new reloader is that with one step at a time, it is easier to avoid mistakes.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Like many activities, hand loading requires an upfront investment that can eat a part to all of your budget. Thereafter, you derive great benefit in all three goal areas.

I have been hand loading since 1978, with heavy activity since retiring. Most days, I can't tell whether I shoot to reload or reload to shoot. I do know I use FGMM as comparators in .308 and .30-06 and Fed premium with Sierra hunting bullets as comparators...and then hand load to improve on terminal ballistics or accuracy. I find it both an enjoyable hobby and a way to increase my enjoyment and volume of shooting...and I currently load .38spl, .357 mag, .40S&W, .44 spl, .44 mag, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .223 Rem, .25-06 Rem, 6.5x55 SE, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg and, as of this evening, .270 Win. I anticipate starting .280 Rem or .280 AI in the near future. If I cave in and get a .375 H&H or 9.3x62, you can bet I'll be loading them.

(I am one of the great once-fired brass scroungers in North America...just ask my RSOs).

FH

 

[Lost Sheep]

(edited for brevity)A simple single stage press can be used for small handgun calibers or magnum rifles. I would start out simple and then, once you get the hang of it, upgrade as you choose. The added benefit of a single stage for a new reloader is that with one step at a time, it is easier to avoid mistakes.

Hear, hear!. Virtually every handloader I know has at least one Single Stage press in their stable or presses, no matter what other presses they own. That tells you something about the utility of the single stage.

Lost Sheep

 

[blarby]

I agree with sheep, but wish EVERYONE owned one

We'd explain a lot less about press functionality and brass tolerances if everyone did !

I've reloaded about 800 rounds of handgun on mine in the last 3 days at a leisurely pace.... No expensive auto-press required.

 

[coalman]

Poll

 

[Husker_Fan]

Buy ammo for the first year or so and save the brass. Then invest in a basic reloading kit and components as you shoot up the ammo.

I generally replenish my brass by buying bulk ammo on sale. Of course, .38 and .357 brass hasn't worn out on me yet and 9mm and .40 seem to multiply at the range (it magically turns into two three pieces of brass when it hits the ground).

 

[buck460XVR]

With the variety and numerous calibers/gauges you list, I'm thinkin' you could do both. Depending on how much you shoot of what. I reload for all of my magnum handgun calibers because that's where there is money to be saved and it's what I shoot the most. I also reload for .32 special even tho I only shoot 40-50 rounds a year because ammo is about $30 for a box of 20. But for my '06s and 30-30s, that I also only shoot 40-50 rounds a year, since I can buy quality Winchester/Remington ammo on sale at Wal-mart for $12-$14 a box, I have yet to invest in dies and components(altho I do save the brass). Same goes for my shotgun ammo. When it comes to 9mm and .45ACP, I do both. Many times I find a deal on either in bulk, where the price of loaded is not that much different that components, and then I reload that brass after sending the factory bullets downrange. When it comes to .460 ammo, I save about a $1 or more on every round I shoot. That's a no-Brainer and the primary reason I got into reloading. Have I saved any monies? Nope, not at all, but I have learned a great new hobby and I have gotten into shooting more than ever. It has also caused me to buy a few more guns in calibers I enjoy reloading for. It also gives me something to do on rainy/snowy/cold winter nights instead of watching reality shows on TV.

 

[4895]

If you go to midsouthshootersupply.com they have RCBS reload set on sale for $300. That equipment is very sturdy and will last a lifetime. The resale value continues to hold its own. Just a thought.

If you like to put puzzles together, then you will like reloading.

If you like to bake cookies or cook dinner, then you can reload well.

If you like to spend time by yourself in the quiet spaces of your "Man-cave", then you will enjoy it and perhaps spend a lifetime rolling your own.

 

[Scott-NC]

Posing such a question on a reloading forum (where, presumably everyone reading your thread is an active reloader or considering it) is virtually guaranteed to get answers biased towards, "yes".

I hope my rambling is not off-putting and proves as useful as the effort to read it.

Lost Sheep

Good point- I think at some level I knew where to ask to get the answers I wanted.

Your "rambling" is appreciated- lots of good insight- thanks!

 

[Scott-NC]

Thanks to everyone for the time you took to answer. I got the kindle book mentioned- it is packed full of detail. Hearing what y'all say has been great. I plan to read first then keep my eye out for some equipment.

 

[chrome_austex]

Consider that a 'cheap' single-turret reloading setup can eat up $800-1000 once you've got all the small bits, gauges, and some inevitable quality-of-life upgrades.

It will take up a small dedicated workspace, and will eat a decent amount of time, especially when learning, but there is no hurry and you can go at your own pace.

You don't need a personal instructor if you're willing to read a lot, ask questions, and watch a few online videos. Private individuals have been reloading for as long as cartridges have existed, even before the internetz, so you're almost certainly capable of doing it safely.

Reloading will allow you to shoot a little more, or shoot higher quality ammo, but the initial costs may take 1500+ round to recoup (so 1-2 years?).

Me? I'd just buy the cheaper pistol rounds and focus on reloading a few types of expensive rifle rounds, and perhaps some of the expensive or harder to find pistol rounds.

Another plus, is that once you're setup to reload, your tools and setup will last a very long time. In the long haul, its very possible to save a lot of money, at the expense of personal time. For me, the hobby eats up otherwise dead-time, so I don't mind a few hours here and there.

 

[popper]

It's attitude! If you go to the range to check your scope or see if your gun collection still works, NO. If you just want to pull the trigger, hear the bang and see holes - nope. My first 30-30 range trip was 60 rnds @ $12 a box. My first .40 trip was 200 WallyW for $80. I started reloading. Now I cast and reload. Yes, I save money, gas for the trip is the limiting factor now. Rcmodel is correct in setting goals. Evaluate your attitude and resources and make a choice.

 

[Certaindeaf]

You could start small with one caliber and see if it's for you. Even if you take the "bold" step of getting a Lee cast iron turret that'll load everything and auto advances etc many and then finding reloading just doesn't make sense in your life, you can sell it for probably 70-80% of what you paid for it.

 

[J Paul B]

I agree with most of the "regulars" regarding reasons to re-load versus buying factory ammo. I have one other reason: I started re-loading 357's about a year ago because my oldest son had an urge to buy a used 357 revolver - I never knew he had any interest in pistols! He asked if I could re-load some ammo for him, I had been loading lots of 308's and 30-06's as well as 12 and 20 ga. shot shells for several years and I replied "sure". I bought the dies, read the books, talked to several guys that reload and started - my son and I now spend more time together than we ever did - he's 26, I'm 61. Do I save money, hell no, but he does!! and I don't mind a bit. I ended up buying myself a 357 and a 9 mm and also a better revolver for him and we shoot together every channce we get. I now have a Dillon 550RL to do the 357 and 9mm. I work full time, but I enjoy loading for about an hour or so every night that I can after work, and when he and his wife and daughter come for a visit (45 mile drive), we end up at the "pit" trying out the latest loads! Quality time that would not have happened without the reloading