IF YOU HAD 50k to spend on reloading How would you do it?
- Thread starter horsemen61
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WestKentucky
Member
Very easy for me to spend money.
50k won’t go far. Even if I’m starting over.
I’m going to assume that this is a residential shop with 240vAC because that’s what just about all of them are. I’m spending the first 5 grand on a 480 3 phase transformer and appropriate wiring. The next 10 grand on a good used knee mill with basic CNC inputs and good DROs for manual machining. Another 10grand on a decent used lathe with at least a 48 inch bed. 3 grand will go an awful long way towards building a furnace for melting brass, aluminum, and other soft metals. 2 grand for a nice industrial type metal cutoff saw (bandsaw style). A solid 10 grand will be needed for cutting tools to use in all of these machines.
That’s 40 grand spent and I’m not even to reloading specific stuff. I’m really good at spending money… now, to tie this all together for reloading purposes, the machine tools would be for making custom bullet molds and tools for things that are otherwise hard to find or expensive to buy. Doesn’t hurt that they can build gun parts too.
I have 10 grand left.
A nice bench framed with 4x4s along the front edge is enough. Slatwall over the bench.
Nice lead furnace with bottom pour, not sure which one, but better than the Lee furnace I have now for sure. A couple 6 cavity molds for the different pistol bullets I shoot, a couple double cavity molds for each rifle bullet I shoot. A good gas check maker for 30 cal, 7mm, .277, 25 cal, and 22 cal rifle bullets, 32 and 38 cal pistol bullets need a gas check maker too. Die sets for all of the guns I own. At this point I probably am getting pretty close on budget, still need a Lee classic cast, a Lee 4 hole classic turret, RCBS pocket swager, cheap ultrasonic brass washer, a couple of the old style Lee hand primes to keep set up in large/small format. Need basic machines for loading each of the major shotgun sizes, Lee load-all is fine for me, it works and meets my basic needs but nicer is always good if it’s a vintage machine for a good deal. A good digital scale, Lee safety scale for good measure, and a set of check weights. Old Lyman manuals are my favorite so I’m just keeping what I have. With any money left over I’m buying gas to go scrounge brass at the local ranges, and lead scraps from RMR. The last $500 gets used on a computer and wireless speaker set. I’ll ask for a mini-fridge for Christmas and a microwave for my birthday.
50k won’t go far. Even if I’m starting over.
I’m going to assume that this is a residential shop with 240vAC because that’s what just about all of them are. I’m spending the first 5 grand on a 480 3 phase transformer and appropriate wiring. The next 10 grand on a good used knee mill with basic CNC inputs and good DROs for manual machining. Another 10grand on a decent used lathe with at least a 48 inch bed. 3 grand will go an awful long way towards building a furnace for melting brass, aluminum, and other soft metals. 2 grand for a nice industrial type metal cutoff saw (bandsaw style). A solid 10 grand will be needed for cutting tools to use in all of these machines.
That’s 40 grand spent and I’m not even to reloading specific stuff. I’m really good at spending money… now, to tie this all together for reloading purposes, the machine tools would be for making custom bullet molds and tools for things that are otherwise hard to find or expensive to buy. Doesn’t hurt that they can build gun parts too.
I have 10 grand left.
A nice bench framed with 4x4s along the front edge is enough. Slatwall over the bench.
Nice lead furnace with bottom pour, not sure which one, but better than the Lee furnace I have now for sure. A couple 6 cavity molds for the different pistol bullets I shoot, a couple double cavity molds for each rifle bullet I shoot. A good gas check maker for 30 cal, 7mm, .277, 25 cal, and 22 cal rifle bullets, 32 and 38 cal pistol bullets need a gas check maker too. Die sets for all of the guns I own. At this point I probably am getting pretty close on budget, still need a Lee classic cast, a Lee 4 hole classic turret, RCBS pocket swager, cheap ultrasonic brass washer, a couple of the old style Lee hand primes to keep set up in large/small format. Need basic machines for loading each of the major shotgun sizes, Lee load-all is fine for me, it works and meets my basic needs but nicer is always good if it’s a vintage machine for a good deal. A good digital scale, Lee safety scale for good measure, and a set of check weights. Old Lyman manuals are my favorite so I’m just keeping what I have. With any money left over I’m buying gas to go scrounge brass at the local ranges, and lead scraps from RMR. The last $500 gets used on a computer and wireless speaker set. I’ll ask for a mini-fridge for Christmas and a microwave for my birthday.
LV Gun
Member
I would sell the house we have and get a another home the size we have but it would have to have a 3 car garage, I would convert one stall into the reloading room I have always wanted , I have all the equipment I need but my dream reloading room at this point in my life would be icing on the cake 
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.Bob Willman
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2018
- Messages
- 184
A double rifle, reloading dies etc, ammunition with what's left.
NRA Benefactor
NRA Benefactor
Targa
Member
Probably one of these https://www.mark7reloading.com/the-mark-7r-revolutionr
After that I have no idea.
After that I have no idea.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 13,416
Best answer of the thread.How to spend 50k in reloading? That's easy! I'd use it to send the wife and kids on a month long vacation with shopping money so I can have more time to reload!
westernrover
Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2018
- Messages
- 2,044
It's an unfair question, but with good intent. If I were to "start over" and wasn't limited in budget, what would I spend a lot of money on? I will exclude land, facilities, and even components and focus on tools, equipment, and machines.
First of all, I don't know because I haven't done the research to make informed decisions. I have some hints, but I would certainly do some more learning before I spent a lot, and I would almost certainly learn things that would change my decisions.
I'd get a larger tumbler. I'm assuming that I'd have a lot more brass. Rather than using a cement mixer, I'd get a large (90 lb.) capacity rock tumbler like a Diamond Pacific 65T.
I would get an annealing machine. Maybe an AMP with the case feeder, but maybe there is something better.
I would want a rollsizing machine. I favor rollsizing because it sizes the base of the case whereas dies cannot.
I would want Camdex machines for the cartridges I shoot in volume (right now, revolver and intermediate rifle).
I would probably have a Dillon (possibly Mark 7) progressive with a case feeder and automatic indexing. I don't load from start to finish on a progressive and would not go back to doing that. I would not use a progressive for producing large volumes of cartridges. I'd use the Camdex machines for that. The progressive would only be to feed cases into a multi-die process. My four-station Lee progressive with a good aftermarket case feeder does what I need, but if I had to burn money, I'd replace it with a Dillon even though I would not use a lot of its capabilities because I'd still want to do a lot of processes off-press, and I'd also have the Camdex machines.
I might get more Lee Deluxe APPs with aftermarket case feeders so I could have several setup for different operations without having to change them. I use them primarily for decapping and priming and I might find a better way to do those things with the expensive machines, but so far, I have not found anything better than the Lee Deluxe APP.
I'm sure I'd spend more money on dies, especially if I was shooting more cartridges. I often favor the Redding dies, but SAC are good for some cartridges, LE Wilson seaters, and sometimes Lee makes the best tool for the job like their Factory Crimp Dies.
I could certainly spend enough if I were to buy general machine tools, a lathe and mill for example or other machines and materials to make my own tools.
As it is, I'm blessed that I do not lack anything that I really want. Even before I bought any of the things I've listed, I would need to shoot more than I do now to justify it, and I am able to shoot a lot more than I want to as it is. Even before I really needed the more expensive machines I've listed, I could do just as well by buying more new brass instead of costly machines to recondition old brass.
FWIW, my reloading tools and equipment (not counting land, building, or components) probably total something like $2500, not $50K. I have all the tools to make the best quality cartridges I know. If I were to spend a lot more, I would only improve the efficiency while increasing the volume. Besides that, I could increase the variety of cartridges loaded, but that would also incur great expense in components and firearms.
First of all, I don't know because I haven't done the research to make informed decisions. I have some hints, but I would certainly do some more learning before I spent a lot, and I would almost certainly learn things that would change my decisions.
I'd get a larger tumbler. I'm assuming that I'd have a lot more brass. Rather than using a cement mixer, I'd get a large (90 lb.) capacity rock tumbler like a Diamond Pacific 65T.
I would get an annealing machine. Maybe an AMP with the case feeder, but maybe there is something better.
I would want a rollsizing machine. I favor rollsizing because it sizes the base of the case whereas dies cannot.
I would want Camdex machines for the cartridges I shoot in volume (right now, revolver and intermediate rifle).
I would probably have a Dillon (possibly Mark 7) progressive with a case feeder and automatic indexing. I don't load from start to finish on a progressive and would not go back to doing that. I would not use a progressive for producing large volumes of cartridges. I'd use the Camdex machines for that. The progressive would only be to feed cases into a multi-die process. My four-station Lee progressive with a good aftermarket case feeder does what I need, but if I had to burn money, I'd replace it with a Dillon even though I would not use a lot of its capabilities because I'd still want to do a lot of processes off-press, and I'd also have the Camdex machines.
I might get more Lee Deluxe APPs with aftermarket case feeders so I could have several setup for different operations without having to change them. I use them primarily for decapping and priming and I might find a better way to do those things with the expensive machines, but so far, I have not found anything better than the Lee Deluxe APP.
I'm sure I'd spend more money on dies, especially if I was shooting more cartridges. I often favor the Redding dies, but SAC are good for some cartridges, LE Wilson seaters, and sometimes Lee makes the best tool for the job like their Factory Crimp Dies.
I could certainly spend enough if I were to buy general machine tools, a lathe and mill for example or other machines and materials to make my own tools.
As it is, I'm blessed that I do not lack anything that I really want. Even before I bought any of the things I've listed, I would need to shoot more than I do now to justify it, and I am able to shoot a lot more than I want to as it is. Even before I really needed the more expensive machines I've listed, I could do just as well by buying more new brass instead of costly machines to recondition old brass.
FWIW, my reloading tools and equipment (not counting land, building, or components) probably total something like $2500, not $50K. I have all the tools to make the best quality cartridges I know. If I were to spend a lot more, I would only improve the efficiency while increasing the volume. Besides that, I could increase the variety of cartridges loaded, but that would also incur great expense in components and firearms.
WestKentucky
Member
Ain’t that the truth. Have you checked the price on trail boss recently…One 8lb jug of RL 26, then I would be broke
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Honestly, I'd dump it all in ammunition stock and keep reinvesting the capital gains and dividends.
Akula69
Member
This...and then all y'alls purchases would earn me money!
JFrank
Member
Two new built top of the line long range Benchrest rifle runs about $6k, add a second barrel for $900 more plus a second magnum bolt$400. Now add a top of the line scope betweenn$2500-$4500, let’s say 10k per rifle. Add 10k in componets and top of line reloading equipment, another 10k.
Let’s spend another 3k on range gear and your getting close.
Let’s spend another 3k on range gear and your getting close.
Equipment wise I'd get a FX-120i Powder system and an AMP fully decked out. Maybe a Dillon 750 for pistol. I'm totally satisfied with my 550B and Rockchucker for rifle. I suppose I could switch over to bushing and mandrel sizing and get some Redding dies for that purpose. Might as well get one of those crazy expensive Dillon primer tube fillers too. Maybe replace my Harbor Freight drill press with something nice. I'd try to sneak in a bigger safe but I don't think that follows the rules totally.
What would do me the most good is a remodel of my reloading room. A nice bench that ran along one wall, new LED lighting, power strips and a nicer floor. Some custom shelves and cabinets big enough to store the following:
With the remainder I'd fill the shelves and cabinets with a gigantic stash of components, nothing but Lapua and Petersen brass for everything that I load, a wide selection of bullets in the Berger class plus all of my favorites, and 1 8# jug of every powder currently on the market. I forgot primers, those too. Hopefully my cabinets will still have room for Federals.
What would do me the most good is a remodel of my reloading room. A nice bench that ran along one wall, new LED lighting, power strips and a nicer floor. Some custom shelves and cabinets big enough to store the following:
With the remainder I'd fill the shelves and cabinets with a gigantic stash of components, nothing but Lapua and Petersen brass for everything that I load, a wide selection of bullets in the Berger class plus all of my favorites, and 1 8# jug of every powder currently on the market. I forgot primers, those too. Hopefully my cabinets will still have room for Federals.
armoredman
Member
I wouldn't have a clue - I've been working with a shoestring budget for so long, I would not know where to start.
The "bench" is a converted TV stand I've been using for 20 years, for instance. The powder magazine is a wooden two drawer filing cabinet, the primer magazine is a kitchen cupboard that was going to be thrown away. Brass storage is a book shelf from the side of the road. The "stool" is a kitchen table chair that came with the Ikea set we bought - only two of us so I "repurposed" it for here. You should see my casting setup outside, on a condemned dining room table with an office chair a cat threw up on, so I just put a cover over it while using it. Also, nobody ever tries to steal it.
What would I do with 50K? First thing I would do is wondering why I was wasting it on reloading stuff when I have stuff that works...maybe by a new press?
Edit to add, that is a 1981 RCBS RS single stage, only press I've ever owned...and it was a gift, too.
The "bench" is a converted TV stand I've been using for 20 years, for instance. The powder magazine is a wooden two drawer filing cabinet, the primer magazine is a kitchen cupboard that was going to be thrown away. Brass storage is a book shelf from the side of the road. The "stool" is a kitchen table chair that came with the Ikea set we bought - only two of us so I "repurposed" it for here. You should see my casting setup outside, on a condemned dining room table with an office chair a cat threw up on, so I just put a cover over it while using it. Also, nobody ever tries to steal it.
What would I do with 50K? First thing I would do is wondering why I was wasting it on reloading stuff when I have stuff that works...maybe by a new press?
Edit to add, that is a 1981 RCBS RS single stage, only press I've ever owned...and it was a gift, too.
Last edited:
JFrank
Member
I use the same press, why buy another when it still sizes brass as well as a $1000 press ?I wouldn't have a clue - I've been working with a shoestring budget for so long, I would not know where to start.
The "bench" is a converted TV stand I've been using for 20 years, for instance. The powder magazine is a wooden two drawer filing cabinet, the primer magazine is a kitchen cupboard that was going to be thrown away. Brass storage is a book shelf from the side of the road. The "stool" is a kitchen table chair that came with the Ikea set we bought - only two of us so I "repurposed" it for here. You should see my casting setup outside, on a condemned dining room table with an office chair a cat threw up on, so I just put a cover over it while using it. Also, nobody ever tries to steal it.
What would I do with 50K? First thing I would do is wondering why I was wasting it on reloading stuff when I have stuff that works...maybe by a new press?
Edit to add, that is a 1981 RCBS RS single stage, only press I've ever owned...and it was a gift, too.
Legit, true story, no snark I agree with that. 50k would be a good start toward a small scale reman operation, or rig to make Matt Dardas style specialty cast bullets.
OK that is a thing now I see lol
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 13,416
That and “Full-On Flat Earther” to mean, “doing what works because it works”
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
For $50k I'd train a monkey to do it.
armoredman
Member
Then you could concentrate full time on leatherwork!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
All my guns are in a spreadsheet but I've never added reloading equipment (did my wife put you up to this?). I have two Dillon 650's, two RCBS turrets and an LCT. Probably 40 die sets, plus a few powder measures, case trimmer, cannelure tool, etc.. I'm pretty sure I could replace it all for $10k. Spend another $10k on a really nice used Bridgeport. Another $10k on a decent lathe and start building guns. Then I'd have another $20k to spend on replacing all the crap I'd tear up through the learning process.
Soonerpesek
Member Shnember
It’d be really hard to get $200/50rd box…..
But………..give ‘er a go……
I’m rootin’ fer ya……!!
Mark_Mark
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 22,825
so math true! at the hight of 9mm mania (Look up Tulips Mania 1636, very cool) they were $1 a round. So if past performances = future profit. Then I will have a COOL $250,000 !It’d be really hard to get $200/50rd box…..
But………..give ‘er a go……
I’m rootin’ fer ya……!!
