Im getting into reloading, and this is where I'll be asking my stupid questions.

[tightgroup tiger]

You'll find out that loading your own at a reduced cost over buying factory only baits you in to shooting more and you don't end up saving anything.

We all suffer from that,

You will also have to start buying your consumables in bulk to get even better prices, then shoot even more.

I have 4 handgun calibers I cater to and with staying with those calibers I only buy a new gun for the cost of the gun.

If I add a caliber to what I load now, I can count on another $150-$200 or more for 1k of bullets, primers if a different size, powder, dies, shell plate, die block and so on.

That kind of takes the fun out of trying new calibers but if you plan for it, it's not so bad. A lot of us, myself included, have been loading for decades and have accumulated everything we need, thought we needed but didn't, or couldn't live without just because.

Pace yourself with what you do need and you will do well. From the way you described your LGS, you now know what I mean.

Don't hesitate on spending more for quality items but spend you money where it needs spent the first time and you'll be much better off in the long term.

 

[buck460XVR]

The sudden realization of what I've started hit me yesterday. The term Pandora's Box doesn't really cover it, does it?

Kinda what I meant when I said "welcome to the addiction"........


Wait till you start loading for your .460. That cartridge really shines when handloaded and cost savings are quite sizable compared to .45ACP.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You'll find out that loading your own at a reduced cost over buying factory only baits you in to shooting more and you don't end up saving anything.

We all suffer from that,

You will also have to start buying your consumables in bulk to get even better prices, then shoot even more.

I have 4 handgun calibers I cater to and with staying with those calibers I only buy a new gun for the cost of the gun.

If I add a caliber to what I load now, I can count on another $150-$200 or more for 1k of bullets, primers if a different size, powder, dies, shell plate, die block and so on.

That kind of takes the fun out of trying new calibers but if you plan for it, it's not so bad. A lot of us, myself included, have been loading for decades and have accumulated everything we need, thought we needed but didn't, or couldn't live without just because.

Pace yourself with what you do need and you will do well. From the way you described your LGS, you now know what I mean.

Don't hesitate on spending more for quality items but spend you money where it needs spent the first time and you'll be much better off in the long term.

Yeah pacing myself is hard. I'm one of those folks who likes to buy all the stuff they need upfront for an activity and then just have fun cranking away. I usually have several extra magazines before I ever buy a gun. It's a bad habit since I have a mortgage. So self control will be essential.

I never had any intention of saving money. Just shooting more. I've not yet finished exploring cartridges that I may want firearms for. Before investing in any reloading supplies though for s gun, I need to buy the gun and see if I like it. Otherwise money may be wasted on tool heads and other bits and pieces that I don't need. Man..... That Sig was beautiful though. NICE trigger.

As far as bulk consumables go, your absolutely right. I figure id start out small, try some loads and see what I, and my guns like first.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Kinda what I meant when I said "welcome to the addiction"........


Wait till you start loading for your .460. That cartridge really shines when handloaded and cost savings are quite sizable compared to .45ACP.

Sure thing and you were right. It is addictive even pondering the possibilities. I'm almost more excited about this than buying a new gun just so I get to shoot the guns I have a lot more.

And yes, the 460 mag is one of the main draws here for me. I thoroughly enjoy shooting that gun but at roughly a $1.50 per shot, it just isn't economic. Really, heavy loads at moderate velocities is a type of load I'm very interested in. I've got a Ruger No 1 chambered for 460 mag, so I'd like to see what I can do with that gun also. I see I have years of fiddling around to do.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Pacing is difficult. I had to put myself on a budget. I am doing better now. Seems like I got enough gear to hit critical mass for pistol and rifle reloading. Those initial startup costs were tough, I was starting with nothing.

 

[Hondo 60]

Im getting into reloading, and this is where I'll be asking my stupid questions.

No such thing as a stupid question.

We're dealing with HIGHLY combustible items like gunpowder & primers.

The only stupid question is the one NOT asked that gets you killed or worse!

 

[thomas15]

Yeah pacing myself is hard. I'm one of those folks who likes to buy all the stuff they need upfront for an activity and then just have fun cranking away. I usually have several extra magazines before I ever buy a gun. It's a bad habit since I have a mortgage. So self control will be essential.

I never had any intention of saving money. Just shooting more. I've not yet finished exploring cartridges that I may want firearms for. Before investing in any reloading supplies though for s gun, I need to buy the gun and see if I like it. Otherwise money may be wasted on tool heads and other bits and pieces that I don't need. Man..... That Sig was beautiful though. NICE trigger.

As far as bulk consumables go, your absolutely right. I figure id start out small, try some loads and see what I, and my guns like first.

I'm guilty of picking up more stuff than I actually need. But it is nice to go out in the garage and work on a number of different things without having to go to the store first. We all try to pace ourselves, some just have more will powder than others I guess.

But I try to keep things in perspective but at the same time I have a running shopping list and try to pick up something every week, a pound of powder, a brick of primers, a box of bullets. It's a good hobby.

 

[wbstx11]

- The most stupid question is the one you don't ask.
- Shot placement is far more effective than an extra 200 ft/sec. If you hit the target, a 22LR is as lethal as anything else.
- I reload several rifle and pistol calibers, but for self defense loads, I buy quality commercial ammo. Reliability counts. The two loudest sounds in the world for a shooter are (1) "click" when you expect "bang", and (2) "bang" when you expect "click".

 

[FROGO207]

Looks like you are off to a good start OP. Well my caliber acquisition always starts like this it seems.

1 I find some fired brass at the local pit-say 40 S&W, then more, until I start To think about buying a pistol to use it in.

2 Then at a random gun show I find a set of Lee dies NIB for $20 and buy them pronto.

3 We then get a President in office that starts a run on ammo. Shortly I notice that the last two boxes of handgun ammo left on the shelf at WM are 40 SW.

4 Next week I am in the LGS and find a S&W 40 SD for around $200 and it walks out the door with me. When I get home I call Missouri Bullet and order 2K assorted 40 cal bullets. That is enough lead to load 1/2 the brass I have picked up at the range at that point. I find that I already have the propellants and primers need to load them.

Happy day---------another toy to learn about when USPS shows up in a couple days.

Four years later and I still don't think that I have a problem.
Fast forward to today---I still don't have a problem.

 

[kerreckt]

You done it now. This reloading addiction has had me in its grips from my very first reload (16ga shotgun). That was about 35 years ago. I have loved every minute of it. Take your time setting up everything and get a good understanding how the equipment works, how to adjust dies and such. I randomly check powder drops. I try to do everything exactly the same every time. The hottest .45acp load I shoot is 6.2-6.5gr. Unique or N340. Accurate and doesn't batter the pistol. I currently reload over a dozen calibers both handgun and rifle. Best wishes and be careful and safe.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Haven't checked in for a few days. Thanks all for the well wishes. I find this is becoming sort of like working on a car in my garage. A part here, an adjustment there, and eventually I'll have it running properly.

It's funny, I picked up a Vortex Spitfire optic this weekend at a Cabela's promotion for 55% of the normal price. I intend to put it on a CZ Scorpion Carbine when they are released. Even though I got a great deal, I almost felt guilty I wasn't spending that money on reloading equipment.

The obsession has taken hold.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Hey what do you guys think of this bell? Too much?

 

[SwaneeSR]

Yes

It is too much in my opinion. But I may be weird and go with too little bell.

Swanee

 

[readyeddy]

Should be ok. You just need enough so that the bullet will sit. Anyway, it's nothing a taper crimp won't fix.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It looks too me to be like 15% more than I need? I'll back that die out a quarter turn and see what I get.

 

[FROGO207]

You only need enough bell at the mouth that the bullet (whatever you are using) will slide down inside enough that you can push the bullet into the brass neck with hand force and then pick up the round without it falling apart. I have adjusted my bell on cases for years with this method and never had a problem. You only need to prevent shaving the bullet when starting it in the case, that gains max neck tension. The less you work the brass the longer they will last without splitting.

 

[BigBore45]

probably only need an 1/8th turn.

try to get the least amount of bell needed for good bullet seating.

this is where most 45 acp cases fail as the belling of the case causes the neck to split from work hardening.

 

[aladdin]

Sound like you are getting it figured out. I don't see any comments about a powder scale. There will be plenty of recommendations for what brand to buy. I like my Dillon beam scale the best.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Roger guys thanks.

Aladdin, I haven't bought a scale yet I'm leaning towards the Brian Enos scale. Not sure yet.

 

[LiveLife]

Brian Enos $160 digital scale has .02 gr resolution with lifetime warranty which is as good as you can get for a digital reloading scale - http://www.brianenos.com/store/be.scale_pd.html

- AC Adapter (batteries not included)
- Weighing and powder tray
- 20 gram F2 class calibration weight
- VibraKill® Pad
- Hard plastic storage case
- "ANTISTAT" Powder Pan

BTW, Brian recommends not using batteries.

Note for running it on batteries only: I've heard reports from several customers that this scale is a "battery hog." So if you you plan to run it on batteries only, I would not recommend purchasing this scale.

It's the same scale sold by My Weigh as Gem Pro 250 with 50 gram capacity (770 grains). Sears sells for $124 with free shipping - http://www.sears.com/my-weigh-gempr...0001i&kpid=SPM7370676203&kispla=SPM7370676203

Gem Pro 250 from Sears comes with:

- AC adapter
- Calibration weight
- Stainless-steel weighing-tray
- Expansion scoop-bowl
- Protective hard-case
- Lifetime 30 year warranty


FYI, Old Will Knot Scales sells .05 grain resolution Gem Pro 500 with 100 gram capacity for $142 + Free shipping with these extras - http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-500.html?gclid=CKOf5f_WmMsCFQWUfgodUGkAkQ

- VibraKill® Pad (An Old Will Exclusive)
- Expansion Tray
- Hard Protective Case
- 20 Gram Calibration Weight
- AC Power Adapter
- Ferrite Choke (For Electronic Interference Suppression - An Old Will Exclusive)

 

[LiveLife]

On different forums, users reported interference/inconsistent readings and Brian Enos suggested the use of Ferrite Choke/Magnet clip on 110v power cord for electronic interference suppression - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/3...Digital_Scale_Review___Update_2_14_in_OP.html

For a new reloader, I still would suggest starting out with a good beam scale and a set of check weights as higher .02 gr resolution digital scales are sensitive electronic equipment and subject to shock/vibration/temperature extremes (most have 60F-95F operating range) of bench use that more durable beam scales can endure without being affected by temperature fluctuations/power issues. For sorting of bullets by weight etc., cheaper sub $30 .1 gr resolution battery powered digital scales would compliment the beam scale. While I use Ohaus 10-10 beam and FA DS-750 digital scales on the reloading bench, I keep .02 gr resolution Gemini-20 digital scale away from the bench.

Dillon sells Eliminator beam scale with 511 grain capacity and .1 gr resolution for $70 which is essentially an Ohaus scale - https://www.dillonprecision.com/dillon-s-eliminator-scale_8_7_25215.html

While aluminum reloading check weights (down to .5 grain) can be bought for under $30, you can get aluminum gram/mg check weights (down to .15 grain) for $11 and stainless steel Ohaus check weights (down to .015 grain) for $56 + free shipping - https://www.zoro.com/ohaus-calibrat...gclid=CPC-2P3fmMsCFc1hfgodruoEbQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[aladdin]

Dillon sells Eliminator beam scale with 511 grain capacity and .1 gr resolution for $70 which is essentially an Ohaus scale - https://www.dillonprecision.com/dill...8_7_25215.html

Yes that is the one I have. It is a very nice high quality scale. And you can not beat Dillons warranty and customer service.
I do not trust electronic scales for weighing powder. A beam scale and a set of check weights is the most reliable way to go. Set up your scale so it is at eye level. Many people try to use a beam scale on the bench. On a sturdy shelf above the bench is a good place.