Should I even bother

[Blkhrt13]

I am thinking of buying a Lee loader and doing the hand loading thing one at a time. But I’m wondering if I will be able to even find the powder, primers and bullets. Is there a specific bullet shape I need? I don’t know bupkis. But hammering them out seems like entertainment. Also is there a powder 44 mag and 38 special will both do. Also is there a 44 special kit? Im clueless.

 

[Targa]

Powder seems to be coming around more often, primers are available if you are willing to pay the ridiculously inflated prices, bullets are still fairly readily available. As for a single powder for .38 and .44 it depends, if you would be satisfied with “light” .44mag loads Universal, HP-38/Win231, Unique are among popular powders that would work well for both. If you want full power .44mag then you will need one powder for that and another powder for .38’s.

 

[.308 Norma]

Also is there a powder 44 mag and 38 special will both do.

I'll take this one. Yes, Unique works well for medium power loads in both the 44 Mag and the 38 Special. The two cartridges use different size primers though - the 44 takes large pistol primers, and the 38 takes small pistol primers. Good luck in finding either size right now.

Also is there a 44 special kit?

And this one. It says, "44 Spec/44 Mag" on my die box. I don't know about a Lee Loader. Besides, if I want 44 Special level loads, I just put less powder in 44 Magnum cases.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Light 44 would be fine. I’d rather not beat my 44 up. Thank you good sir.

 

[Tilos]

I suggest you buy the cheapest press Lee makes, and a set of Lee powder scoops, rather than a Wack-a-mole setup.
You might NOT be able to prime with that press, check it out:
Lee Breech Lock Reloader Press - Titan Reloading
It can be clamped to any table for use.
One guy bolts the press to a $20 wooden stool from Walmart.
OOPs Stool $30
Mainstays Fully Assembled 29" Natural Wood Bar Stool - Walmart.com
thank me later,

 

[sparkyv]

I started reloading with a Lee Loader. It affords a slow and deliberate process that allows one to get a good understanding of each step of the process. Plus it lets one evaluate if reloading is worth doing in the first place without too much initial investment. I highly recommend starting with the LL.


I concur on these powders for both calibers

As for a single powder for .38 and .44 it depends, if you would be satisfied with “light” .44mag loads Universal, HP-38/Win231, Unique

I no longer waste my time with reloading 44 Spcl. I do this:

Besides, if I want 44 Special level loads, I just put less powder in 44 Magnum cases.

 

[Akula69]

I am thinking of buying a Lee loader and doing the hand loading thing one at a time. But I’m wondering if I will be able to even find the powder, primers and bullets. Is there a specific bullet shape I need? I don’t know bupkis. But hammering them out seems like entertainment. Also is there a powder 44 mag and 38 special will both do. Also is there a 44 special kit? Im clueless.

Wow. I applaud your interest in getting started in reloading with 1600+ posts in the forums already. I note this is your first post in Handloading and Reloading - Welcome, and you will get lots of great advice here.
Merry Christmas!

 

[webrx]

I replied on a similar post not too long ago
If you need the portability of a loader, cool, FOR ME - it did not make sense to save money ($50) on the press, the savings (assuming you don't shoot more) comes from cost per round of store bought vs reload.

Summary:
Once you reload your first 1000 rounds, you have effectively recouped the cost of the press and initial equipment needed to load that first 1000 rounds

For roughly $122 you could have the basic hardware you need to reload one caliber and if you decide to load something else, you just buy a set of dies for that caliber.
For roughly $300 you have everything you need to load 500 rounds (and enough powder to load 1000 more and primers to load 500 more)

You could maybe knock that down $50 with a whack a mole or push it up $50 with a partner press like I did, for me it made sense to get the single stage press which I still use today for small batches and rifle loads?

This is what I did when I was getting started, your situation may be different.

Dave

Details if you want to see the breakdown:
Press:
Lee Loader - $35 on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISIO...keywords=lee+loader+.44&qid=1639660386&sr=8-1
Lee Reloading Press MD 90045 on Amazon - 49.99 https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Reloadin...2SF4X5I/ref=dp_fod_2?pd_rd_i=B002SF4X5I&psc=1
I chose the RCBS partner press for my first SS and it is $105 on Amazon right now https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-87460-P...ywords=reloading+press&qid=1639660261&sr=8-18

dies, caliper and scale (you can just dip, some do, I like to weigh and measure)
Carbide Die set on Amazon - $35.99
Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 scale with powder pal funnel on Amazon - $23.99
Wen Digital Caliper on Amazon - $12

bullets, brass, powder and primer (powder and primers are hard to come by these days but if you are diligent you can find them)
Bullets - .016 or .017 cents per bullet
RMR they are a sponsor here an doffer a discount for members, and they are good bullets. $90 per 500
Berrys will run you about $80 per 500

Powder - roughly $.02 per bullet
its about $30 a lb. and you can get about 1500 rounds out of a pound of powder for 45 acp (7000/4.5), watch your local cabelas, sportsmans, it is starting to trickle in again.

Primers - $.04 per primer at $40.00/1k - Not often in stock, you have to call your local reloading store every day and ask if they have any, until the day they do, then get to the store and get some. Primers are normally about $40 per 1000, I have recently seen anywhere from $40 at Scheels to $100 per 1k plus hazmat on GB

Load data - buy a manual, but Hodgdon also has online info.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

Brass - reload what you have or trade for some, or ask around and see if someone has some extras.

The more you reload the faster you get your ROI on the $50 or $100 press back.
Rough ROI - and this was when you could buy factory .44 mag ammo for $39 a box

Retail/50 Cost to Reload /50 Savings % Savings per 1K rounds
44 Spl (Cast lead) $40 $6.40 84% $672.00
.44 Magnum $39 $14.10 64% $498.00

Just my opinion - YMMV

Dave

 

[buck460XVR]

I suggest if you are really interested in reloading to buy a good manual first and read it. Most contain all the basics you need to know and will answer most of your questions about the process of reloading and the tools you need. They are not just recipes.

 

[Rule3]

I am thinking of buying a Lee loader and doing the hand loading thing one at a time. But I’m wondering if I will be able to even find the powder, primers and bullets. Is there a specific bullet shape I need? I don’t know bupkis. But hammering them out seems like entertainment. Also is there a powder 44 mag and 38 special will both do. Also is there a 44 special kit? Im clueless.

No don't bother. Get a inexpensive single stage press. You will thank we later.
Yes you will need to buy dies but again it will be better.

 

[Howa 9700]

I suggest if you are really interested in reloading to buy a good manual first and read it. Most contain all the basics you need to know and will answer most of your questions about the process of reloading and the tools you need. They are not just recipes.

X2

I resumed reloading again in Feb of this year after a decades long layoff. I still had our old Lyman 45th manual. The modern era is up to 50, but basic info is still the same. In terms of volume, vast majority of any reloading manual is load data......amount of powder for a given bullet in a given caliber. But the 'why" of it is up front. All of them good....none perfect or complete.....so 2 or 3 is eventually a good idea.

As for being doable, as noted, I decided to commit to reloading for rifles in Feb.....thinking it could take a year or two to get fully up to speed. Not so.......I loaded my first rounds in April.....so 2 months later. Granted I had some equipment and components, but not much. When I started, you couldn't find anything.......no presses, dies, bullets, brass, powder or primers. Nothing.....at least from the usual suspects.....like the local stores. But then things started breaking loose......trickle at first......and now coming pretty steady.

And two days ago, shot another final test of a load ladder. Put 3 rounds inside an inch at 150 yards. So a gun that a year ago was out of ammo, with nothing available for it is now back up and fully functional.....with a lifetime of components available for it. A few more to go.

 

[mdi]

Well, I may be crazy, but I like and appreciate Lee Loaders. I got my first in 1969, and now have/use 8. I have made some very consistent and accurate handloads with mine (98% of quality handloading is the user). Yes, they are bit slower but is under a minute per round slow? Some wil tell you they make poor handloads, but the 1,000 yard rife record was held by shooter using a Lee Loader. No they are not as versitl as a bench press with dies. But they are a excellent basic learning tool. Not everyone needs/wants 200+ rounds per sesssion, and many don't reload for cheaper ammo.

 

[HowieG]

If you absolutely want to go the hands on route, I suggest you bypass the Lee and buy a Lyman 310 and dies.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Just ordered a manual I guess we are about to see what’s hitting. I will be hunting components next. I think I will go single arm instead of whack a mole.

 

[Demi-human]

I think I will go single arm instead of whack a mole.

You’re worth it!
Lee makes those too.

 

[Blkhrt13]

My trip to academy was absolutely useless for me. Pistol primers, bullets nada. Will keep hunting.

 

[Bcwitt]

I would suggest having several Manuel's & other books on the subject. Is the best resource you can have.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I would suggest having several Manuel's & other books on the subject. Is the best resource you can have.

I will collect a few by the time I’m done I’m sure. But I am not trying to collect everything but the actual components of my first batch. Seems like the machine and dies along with books are the easy to find part.

 

[P Flados]

For primers, the big stores in some medium to big towns seem to get periodic shipments. Ask the gun counter clerks. We only have one (an Academy) and they told me they have gotten zero in since the current shortage started. I am pretty sure they are not even trying.

If you have no local sources (like me), check Midway, Brownells and Natchez on a regular basis (best bet is a weekday routine of first thing every lunch break). You will pay a little over $100 per thousand on-line.

Finding primers before buying anything else would make sense. Buying a pound or two of powder at the same time will save you some $$$.

Go to the powder vendor web sites and get load data. Printing out a burn rate chart is a good idea. For 38s and light to medium 44s, anything fast up to medium pistol (Unique) will work fine. Buying a pound of something pretty fast and a pound of something more medium is a good idea. Make a long list of acceptable powders that you can find load data for. I have spotted the following on-line recently: WW 244, AA #5, Nitro 100, WW 231, Titegroup, True Blue, Competition, N 320.

 

[webrx]

Keep an eye on the PIF and for sale and trade threads. Maybe someone will post up something you need. I have seen local folks who sold, traded, pif all kinds of dies and had folks in reloading help me out with components on more than one occasion in PIF. You return the favor when you have something you have extra of or don’t need.