Help/Advice/ Dead peoples reloading gear.

[Kingmer]

So,
I am not a reloader (yet), but just inherited a ton’o’crap from my now deceased brother in law (it wasn’t sudden, pancreatic cancer is never sudden, and really it was a mercy). So he knew of the coming of the end, so he had been giving away/selling most of his stuff – however he wanted me to have everything that was new/unopened and sealed – to make sure in his words “I didn’t inherit any problems or bad habits”.

Well here is what I have:

1 New Forsner Co-Ax press, including a dozen of those rings that it uses

1 New rock chucker

A bunch of priming tools, prepping tools, a vibratory cleaner and other misc. stuff

Assorted pistol dies (including 3 sets of what appear to be identical hornady 45 acp dies (huh?))

Speer, LEE, Hornady, Lyman, Nosler and a couple of caliber specific loading manuals

2000 Pieces of new 45 colt starline Brass

500 pieces of new 327 FM Starline brass

1000 piece of fired 45 colt, 300 piece of fired 327, 300 pieces of S&W long,

1000 pieces of 23 acp new, s couple of 5 gallon buckets of 45 acp

3000 45 colt bullets mixed XTP and lead

3000 100 grain MB hi-tek coated .32 lead bullet

1000 mixed 45 acp bullets

1000 assorted other, from 380, 9mm Mak to 357…ect.

49 lbs of powder including:

2400, VV 320. VV 105. VV 3N37, H110, 800X, Universal, AA #7, trail boss, 4227, Lil’gun

Many Many primers. Small Pistol, Large Pistol, Mag in Each, plus a few shotgun, some small rifle in various flavors, CCI, Winchester, Remington, Federal and Tulla

Here is the deal, I shoot 45 colt, 45 acp and now 327 FM as wife let me buy a new single seven in that caliber.

She shoot 380

We expend about 150/200 rounds of each caliber per month at the range

Is it worth setting up the reloading stuff or just selling it and buying ammo….and if I do sell it any suggestions?

Further my favorite bullet for the 327 is not represented in this cache and cannot be purchased as factory ammo, a friend created some 327 cartridges with the Sierra game master 90 gr JHC with AA #7 @ 1800 fps out of my 7.5 inch single seven with laser accuracy.

I have an opportunity buy some of those bullets at what I think is a good deal (you tell me) – 14.85/100 but I have to buy 4000 and would get free shipping.

So…I need some advice…just sell it or go down this rabbit hole?

-Kingmer

 

[dnfd737]

First off, Sorry for your loss, its never easy loosing family.

Well what a score! I would certainly start loading with that, sell what you don't need such as the brass, or....go buy a gun for said brass. Reloading is a great hobby, I do it out of necessity 455 webley isn't easy to find nor is 30 Remington, 303 british or 38 s&w. I say get into it its all right there infront of you, just do it.

 

[Schwing]

To start, cancer sucks. I lost 2 grandmothers, a grandfather and my Mother to cancer. You have my sincerest condolences.

Personally, I would not part with any of it just yet. My advice would be to NEVER buy ammo again and set up what you do have and learn the ropes. I think you will find what 99.99999999999% of all new reloaders find... you will want to keep doing it and branch out to other calibers. There are several calibers I have taken up simply because they looked cool to reload (That 45 colt brass springs to mind)

Down the road a couple of years, if you still are not using certain things, sell those and buy the things that you now wish you had. I can almost guarantee you that those same components will be worth MORE 2 years from now than they are right now.

As a side note, I understand having multiple sets of the same dies. I have 3 sets of .38/357 dies simply because I reload for different bullet styles that all require different flare, depth and crimp. Sure, I could adjust them but, over the last 4 years, I got sick of doing that. My OCD kicked in and it just became easier to buy 2 more sets of dies.

 

[Mauser69]

Do try reloading for at least one gun. Keep monitoring the reloading forums for info, Plenty of time to sell it later if you do not develop an interest.

 

[Toprudder]

Sorry for your loss.

If you do decide to sell, keep in mind that you can't ship the powder. You would have to sell that locally.

Sounds like you have a good start for a new hobby.

 

[TBJK]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

As others have said, you basically have the golden opportunity to reload with minimal cost. Start reloading & if you like it, keep it. In the future you may kick yourself for not saving it.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think that 150 rounds per gun per month x 4 guns is worth reloading for.

Start with the books and learn the techniques, worry about the loads later.

 

[Candyman87]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I've lost a few family members to cancer; it's never easy so hang in there.

That being said, you've obtained a bunch of great stuff. You said you shoot .45 Colt and inherited all that you need to load thousands of rounds. Sounds like this might be a good place to start!

I'd start with one caliber and expand as needed. Don't sell stuff except for what you KNOW you won't use like .32 ACP dies unless you have the gun. You may find yourself needing it later.

Read. Read. Read. ABC's of Reloading is highly recommended. Find someone who can show you the ropes and reference MULTIPLE manuals before loading your first round.

You might have just stumbled upon a way of doing an expensive hobby really inexpensively!

 

[mdi]

Regardless of how many rounds you shoot, reloading is a very rewarding hobby unto itself. I have no idea what my reloads cost me, nor do I care (how many fishermen compare the costs of their equipment and baits vs. the cost of fish in the market?). Yes reload. Not only will you have a new, satisfying hobby, but your firearms knowledge will expand greatly. Reloading will teach you about the guns you reload for.

The Co-Ax is an excellent, premium press. You have inherited quite a bit of mostly handgun powders and primers, which are hard to get now. I would suggest you separate out the dies and components you will use now and store the rest for future use (I once bought a gun because I had 1,000 empty cases for it). Read the manuals' "How To" sections thoroughly and mebbe pick up a copy of The ABCs of Reloading, and you'll learn the methods to assemble ammo plus you'll be able to identify the uses of all the other tools/stuff. Even if you have to buy a set of dies (your wife's 380) and components, you are pretty well "set".

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...

 

[Ironicaintit]

I inherited a bunch of stuff too, and thats what really kickstarted my reloading hobby/habit.
I suggest you dont sell a thing, yet. Not until you really "get" what you have, and what you want to do.
Pick up those manuals and read them through. Maybe watch some videos to help figure oit setups and processes, and then start reloading.
It is addictive, and you'll be happy to do it.
Good luck, no matter which direction ya go.

 

[Reloadron]

The best I can suggest is setup the basics, just enough to load a little. Try it and see if it's for you. Some like myself really enjoy our hand loading and do so for a number of reasons. Some members here simply buy their loaded ammunition and want no part of rolling their own. Individual preference I guess?

When my brother-in-law passed (same deal long term cancer) my sister gave all of his loading gear to his gun club. His guns were distributed among family with my sister still holding several. He made it clear the guns were to be given and not sold.

Anyway, you need to see if hand loading is for you and only you can figure that out. Then make your decisions.

Ron

 

[bocefus78]

Sorry for your loss first off.
Ill say it sounds as if he wanted you to keep it.
So keep it. Read the manuals, and ask questions. Dive in. It's a great hobby and before you know it....you'll be shooting way more than 200 rds per month!

 

[IlikeSA]

I would start reloading it as well. My reloads for 45 acp and 357 average 7-9 dollars a box, and I can get custom loads by doing it myself. Those things to me makes it worth it.

 

[Kingmer]

Okay, you guys have convinced me to give it a shot.....now noone responded to the bullet purchase... should i buy the 4000 sierra .32 90gr jhc for 14.85/100 delivered...kind of a limited time deal....

And...thanks for the kind words everybody..he was a genuinly nice guy...

-Kingmer

 

[meleors]

As to the bullet purchase, while that is a great price (Grafs wants $19/100) that is a $600 purchase and you haven't even decided if you want to reload.

Even if you do decide to reload, you may find that duplicating your friends load is a lot more difficult than you anticipated. Or that reloading is not for you. If that turns out to be the case, you will then have that much more to sell.

It is usually best (esp. for beginners) when beginning to load a new round, to buy in small quantities until you have mastered the process before committing to such large purchases.

Your money, your decisions.

Good Luck with whatever decisions you choose.

 

[Hondo 60]

Sorry for your loss.

We can't answer your question, only you can.
Do you have the time & interest in reloading?
Or would you do it just to get done?

Reloading can be dangerous if you let it.
The thr members who frequent this part of the forum (Handloading and Reloading )
of course would be very grateful if their brother-in-law gave them all the stuff you inherited.

We would be over joyed but you have to figure out if YOU enjoy reloading.
If yes, go for it.
If you really don't have the time or interest, then sell the stuff & buy ammo.

Lotsa GREAT luck in figuring that out.

 

[Kingcreek]

Good luck, whatever you decide. You've either got a great start on the hobby or a nice pile of sale or trade goods.

I inherited a welder from an old family friend. Found out I enjoyed it but I needed clamps, chop saw, grinders, steel to build a welding table, etc.

One day my wife asked me, "How much more is this free welder gonna cost?"

 

[TimSr]

With the calibers you are shooting, reloading should give some serious wallet relief if you have the time and interest. Another set of 327 dies, and some bullets, and you'll never again say "ammo that I can't find". If there are other dies and euipment you are not likely to ever use, AFTER you learn what you are doing, and can reasonably decide, you can then sell that stuff off.

 

[BCRider]

If that Sierra bullet is your favourite and you already know that the gun shoots it well then I'd jump on a thousand of them.

If you THINK you like it and you're not sure if the gun will agree (only test shooting can tell) then I'd still buy a few hundred to cover all the bets. If the gun turns out to hate them you can always resell them.

 

[mdi]

Personally, I wouldn't buy 4000 bullets unless I had a couple good, tried/true loads for the particular bullet that I had worked up....

 

[Glock Doctor]

Six years ago I had a serious heart attack. I, also, owned an entire room full of very expensive reloading equipment. (I was never, truly, into, 'guns' for the shooting; it was the reloading that I really loved!)

When I got out of the hospital it was all still, 'touch 'n go' for me. So while I was recuperating at home, I looked through all of the equipment in my reloading room; then I thought about my wife; and I decided that I'd put her in the unfavorable position of becoming thoroughly stuck with an entire roomful of complicated reloading equipment that she knew absolutely nothing about. (You know, what they jokingly call a, 'gun shop widow'!)

So, for a lousy 2 grand I sold everything to the first fellow who came over to the house, AND agreed to pay the price, AND dismantle, AND move everything out of the house without any help from either of us. Thereafter it took three healthy young men, working non-stop, almost 4 hours to get all of that equipment and supplies out of the house and into their truck.

A few weeks later I got to see pictures of the purchaser's new, 'man cave' posted on one of my favorite gun forum websites! By that time everything was, of course, his new reloading setup. I was a little annoyed because he certainly hadn't paid me anywhere near a reasonable price for everything he got; but - and this is an important, 'but' - I did receive the personal satisfaction of knowing that twenty-five years of meticulously cared for reloading equipment (and a lot of other supplies) had gone to someone who would appreciate them.

I, unquestionably, got a lot of good use, and fun out of that equipment; and I'm glad to know that someone else is going to do the same thing, too.

 

[Reloadron]

Six years ago I had a serious heart attack. I, also, owned an entire room full of very expensive reloading equipment. (I was never, truly, into, 'guns' for the shooting; it was the reloading that I really loved!)

When I got out of the hospital it was all still, 'touch 'n go' for me. So while I was recuperating at home, I looked through all of the equipment in my reloading room; then I thought about my wife; and I decided that I'd put her in the unfavorable position of becoming thoroughly stuck with an entire roomful of complicated reloading equipment that she knew absolutely nothing about. (You know, what they jokingly call a, 'gun shop widow'!)

So, for a lousy 2 grand I sold everything to the first fellow who came over to the house, AND agreed to pay the price, AND dismantle, AND move everything out of the house without any help from either of us. Thereafter it took three healthy young men, working non-stop, almost 4 hours to get all of that equipment and supplies out of the house and into their truck.

A few weeks later I got to see pictures of the purchaser's new, 'man cave' posted on one of my favorite gun forum websites! By that time everything was, of course, his new reloading setup. I was a little annoyed because he certainly hadn't paid me anywhere near a reasonable price for everything he got; but - and this is an important, 'but' - I did receive the personal satisfaction of knowing that twenty-five years of meticulously cared for reloading equipment (and a lot of other supplies) had gone to someone who would appreciate them.

I, unquestionably, got a lot of good use, and fun out of that equipment; and I'm glad to know that someone else is going to do the same thing, too.

And comes the shocking realization ....

Help/Advice/ Dead peoples reloading gear.

This is not the first thread on this subject and certainly will not be the last. Inevitably one of these days I will be the dead guy. While at 65 I would like to believe I have some good range years left there is no guarantee. I seem to be burying plenty of friends lately and many younger than myself.

My wife Kathy could become one of those gun shop widows. Butt deep in guns and reloading equipment trying to remember her primary mission was to drain the swamp (after burying me of course). While Kathy is not a shooter and does not share my love of the gun, she does know what things are worth. She knows how to read the gun inventory and the column of worth. My younger sister was a gun shop widow so Kathy knows how things work and what my wishes are. I also have a brother 10 years younger than I to help her.

I have seen feeding frenzy affairs on estates and watched siblings go at each other. Estate planning is important. We never know when we will be the "dead guy" discussed in a forum.

Ron

 

[Glock Doctor]

Yeah! Of course I had a lot of guns, too. I had them professionally appraised by a local gunsmith. Then I prepared a computerized list: make, model, features, when it was purchased, etc. I put a hard copy of this information with my will; and I, also, made a list of internet firearm auctions along with the names and addresses of several of the more reputable area gun shops.

I've been careful to explain to my wife how NOT to sell your husband's guns based on my own experiences watching widows and other family members come walking through the front door of the gun shop where I used to work, part-time, on weekends.

(It was sad to see a woman and her family come walking through the door with their arms full of guns and cases. There were times when I thought the store owner was going to have an orgasm, he was so happy! All of which taught me that it really ain't all that hard for a widow to get s...... . I've, now, made sure that's NOT going to happen to my wife.)

 

[IlikeSA]

To the OP, read up on the stickies here and head to the library to check out The ABC's of Reloading. Read that book, ask lots of questions on the forums, and buy 100 bullets to load. Then invite your friend over to help you get started.

Take your time checking and rechecking the powder dispenser, powder levels in the brass, seating depth and crimp. While those of us more experienced can load 100 rounds or more easily in an hour, when you first start, take your time. Then decide if this is something you really want to do.

 

[Zendude]

Personally, I wouldn't buy 4000 bullets unless I had a couple good, tried/true loads for the particular bullet that I had worked up....

Regarding the bullet purchase, I agree. If the bullets do not work well, you are only out a few bucks for the shipping cost.