I Want To Reload, But....

[RustyFN]

I've thought about reloading for years, but frankly at the risk of offending people here (and I really don't mean to, I'm just being candid), it seems that there are a lot of drawbacks.
leadcounsel no offence taken. For me it's another hobby that I enjoy.
1) It would be too time consuming and tedious shopping around for components, learning yet another hobby, etc.
It doesn't take any more time that talking to us on the computer, maybe less.
2) I would frankly rather get a second job or work more hours and make more money and just buy the ammo I need from the professionals that test their ammo
When you get into reloading you will also be using tested data that is supplied by the powder manufactures. What I like best is being able to load 1,000 rounds of 45 auto for $27 and have better ammo than you can buy for over ten times that price. Again it's a hobby.
3) I have probably 10 or 15 calibers and it would be difficult to reload for all of them, making it necessary for me to have to buy some ammo anyway
I am only loading for four calibers right now, I load for everything I shoot.
4) Components and parts have gotten more expensive and scarce. I'd rather just buy large bulk quantities of ammo and be done with it.
You can still load for half of what factory ammo cost. Loaded ammo around me is as scarce as components.
5) My storage at my house is bulging at the seams, I don't want to add more storage, work space, and store bulk gun powder too!
I can't argue with that one.

I'm only trying to point out the advantages of reloading. Reloading isn't for everybody but for those that like to do it reap the rewards.
Rusty

 

[Dean Williams]

leadcounsel:
I'm in the same boat...

2) I would frankly rather get a second job or work more hours and make more money and just buy the ammo I need...

Well, you might be in a different boat, really. If you would look at reloading as a chore, then it's probably not what you want to do. As far as the time involved in buying ammo or buying components, it's pretty much the same thing.

Personally, I would rather be home reloading than working for another man to be able to afford factory ammo. Even if I didn't save money doing it, if I only broke even, I would rather be in my own place for the time spent.
Either way, something is going to eat your time. Reloading, or your boss. It's an individual choice. It's a bonus if you actually enjoy reloading, (or if you enjoy working for someone else, for that matter).

 

[rightside]

I have only been reloading for a few months, started, due to the lack of ammo on the shelf. I shoot IDPA and USPSA, so I go through a few rounds. I now really enjoy the science. Its one of those things the more you know, the less you know. With my rifles and of late my pistols, I have noticed the accuracy factor, reliability factor and the satification of testing the different mixes. So, started out of need, trying to save some money and ended up with a great hobby.

 

[Walkalong]

I would frankly rather get a second job or work more hours and make more money and just buy the ammo I need...

I find reloading a great deal more relaxing than a second job to pay for ammo. Very soothing.

If you would look at reloading as a chore, then it's probably not what you want to do. As far as the time involved in buying ammo or buying components, it's pretty much the same thing.

Exactly.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Well, I ordered the Lee Classic Turret Press kit from Kempf. I got the .38/.357, 9mm and .45 dies with extra turrets. Now I just have to wait untll the panic subsides so I can start buying components.

 

[EMT40SW]

Get reloading equipment because who know what the availability will be on that stuff in the future. If you get a kit & have trouble getting components you could always get remanufactured ammo for about 2/3 the cost of Winchester white box at Walmart. It is quality ammo, I have shot some:


http://www.mastercast.net/index.html

 

[rdhood]

Maybe some of you should ask the OP what he intends to load before telling him to blow $500 on a press. That would be plain ol' dumb if he just plans to load a couple hundred rounds a month.

WRONG. When I bought my press two years ago, I computed that it would pay for itself in 2000-3000 rounds of 9mm and .40s&w. That is about "a couple of hundred a month" for about a year. When you consider that now it might mean the difference between shooting and not shooting, then it is definitely worth it.

This shortage won't last forever. Powder can still be had, bullets are plentiful, brass is still plentiful (though free brass is not). One could, TODAY, buy enough brass ($53), bullets ($70), powder ($17), primers ($31) and a press and dies ($150 to $300) to produce 1000 .45acp at less than the price of current retail... if you could find 1000 .45acp retail.

 

[Phydeaux642]

By the way, is the Hornady 7th edition book a good book to latch on to? I have a chance to get one for next to nothing but would pass if there was something better.

 

[Dean Williams]

By the way, is the Hornady 7th edition book a good book to latch on to? I have a chance to get one for next to nothing but would pass if there was something better.

The Hornady is a good manual, but like the other manuals put out by bullet manufacturers, it is dedicated to their own bullet line.

The Lyman (newest edition) is best for general reloading info, and has data for many different brands of bullets.

rdhood:
WRONG. When I bought my press two years ago, I computed that it would pay for itself in 2000-3000 rounds of 9mm and .40s&w. That is about "a couple of hundred a month" for about a year. When you consider that now it might mean the difference between shooting and not shooting, then it is definitely worth it.

Not wrong. I never suggested that he shouldn't get a press at all. Just that he may not need a press that costs three times as much as he needs to spend. Read the entire post.

 

[benzuncle]

Phydeaux, you're going to enjoy reloading. The nifty thing about the LCT you purchased is that you can use it single stage and learn the process before dropping in the auto-index rod and making it a semi-progressive press. When I bought mine, I anticipated upgrading to one of the other brands if I liked reloading (which I do ) but after 14 months of use I do not feel that "tug". I load 3 handgun calibers. BTW: the 45acp is an easy round to load and would be a good confidence builder. Let us know how you are doing. There's help here. Also look at the workbench pix; there's some good ideas to be stolen from that thread.

 

[lawboy]

You can get great reloading equipment off craigslist and ebay. Go that route. Don't buy a Dillon progressive right off the bat unless you also get a good single stage setup. For a new loader, learning on a Dillon or any full progressive is a recipe for blowing up a gun. I know it can be done, but the risk of messing something is very real and substantial. Get a good single stage set up piece by piece. No need to be in a huge rush but it won't take long if you just buy what you need used. I say this having a loading, casting, smelting shop that literally could produce custom ammo for sale on a reasonable scale and, at times, has done so. I started with a Lee aluminum press and have now owned at least 150 presses of all descriptions as other equipment most have never seen or heard of. I shoot a lot. But start out with good quality single state equipment, buy A LOT of loading manuals, old and new, and load up on components. The rate at which you can load your ammo means nothing if you don't have primers and powder and bullets. Spend your money on those items!

 

[BullitHolz]

I really like my Lee Classic Cast turret press, works really well and really doesn't take up that much space either.

The problem with turret presses that seldom gets mentioned is that for every round you produce you have to pull the lever for every operation, usually 3-4 strokes, depending on your set-up and dies.

Full progressives produce a round WITH every stroke of the handle since they are doing multiple operations at the same time.

So, decide for your self if you want to sit there and pull that handle 400 times to make a 100 rounds or 100 times to make a the same number of rounds on the progressive.

The most I have reloaded on my LCCT in one sitting was around 300 rounds and that was enough for me. If your only planning on loading 100 at a time it's a great rig to own.

 

[Sam1911]

So, decide for your self if you want to sit there and pull that handle 400 times to make a 100 rounds or 100 times to make a the same number of rounds on the progressive.

Well, technically, it's 103-105, depending on how many dies you set up in your progressive. But, yeah... that's the big draw.

-Sam

 

[flipajig]

I agree you pay for what you get i am new to reloding and i really enjoy it me and a buddy are doing it together and that helps on the cost we have a lee turet press and it works just great we load 6 different calabers verry easy to change dies