Should I start reloading or not?

[Lizard Hill]

Hello all, I'm new here, but been a fan of the forum for a while. In the past 6 months or so I've had a hankering to start reloading. I know, I waited until possibly the worst time in shooting history to get started. I've bought a couple of books and read them and the tools seem to be out there, but there are no primers and not much powder. I don't want to buy all the tools and then not be able to reload because I can't find components. Just looking for a little advice. So what do you think, will things get back to normal or is this the new normal?
Thanks,
LH

 

[ericgst]

If you keep looking you will find everything you need at normal or close to normal pricing. Availability is getting better and will continue to get better.

 

[GT1]

There was no time ever to not start reloading, if one does any amount of shooting.
Primers, powder and bullets can be had with a little patience, at regular old prices.
Knowledge is the key, have a plan, and a list, so you know what you are buying when it is available. You won't get to take a day or two to decide if something is what you need. It might be gone in an hour, or minutes sometimes.

Some things are definitely improving, it could be a year or more before things get back to where they were last December. The longer you wait, the longer it will be before you are reloading and setting yourself up to make it through the next panic unscathed.

 

[ldlfh7]

Buy a few manuals, read them and understand them. By the time you accomplish this the shelves should be full with components again.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Since you've read your books and done your homework I will suggest that you start buying tools and components as they become available. Shop around for the tools so you get some good buys. Components are available, but limited. You will probably not find the ideal choice on components. Primers and powder are the killers because of the haz-mat charges. Buy those locally if you can.

What are you wanting to load for?

 

[Lizard Hill]

Thanks for all the advise. I thought I would start out loading for the 38 Special, then maybe 357 mag. Once I feel confident with these I would like to load for 40 S&W and 44 Special. If I decided to load for rifle it would be 270 Win and 30-30 Win. But I would like to get my feet wet with the 38, it seems to be the go to cartridge in learning to reload.

 

[Don McDowell]

Don't expect to save any money by reloading, as you probably won't , but you will shoot a lot more for the same money or less than buying the factory loads.
Have patience these shortages have been almost a biennial thing since the 1990's and a couple of times prior to that, the supply chain will get caught up.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The 38/357 is an excellent "starter" round. Straight wall case, easy to resize and crimp. Another advantage is a long list of powders to choose from.

 

[rugerman]

As of right now I'd say it is a bad time to start reloading, but I'm not saying to not start. Due to availability you will have a tough time getting the stuff you need to get started (I looked at several reloading sites Thursday and powder & primmers were in short supply all over as were bullets). Right now I would get a manuel and read up on it, go to different reloading forums and read what is there. That will give you a good idea of what is involved and what you will need. I've been reloading for shotshell for about 45 years (started out with a lee, hammer & bathroom scale) I got into metalics in the 70's, pistol first then rifle. Its a great hobby, you'll learn a lot. Lots of folks start out with a progressive but I'd start with a single stage press-much easier to learn on. good luck

 

[Lizard Hill]

Yeah, that's kind of what I've been doing. I've read the ABC's by Dean Grennell and an NRA book on reloading. I've been keeping my eye on fleabay for a good deal on a Lyman 49th and a Speer manual. From what I read on the forums those two seem to be everyone's picks. I've also been keeping an eye out for a good deal on a single stage press. I figure by the time find the manuals and buy equipment one piece at a time, I'll be old and grey. Wait a minute, I'm already old and grey. Thanks again for the advise, keep it coming.

 

[readyeddy]

There's a fair amount of stuff to acquire so start shopping for the best deals. In addition to your LGS, check out the sites like Midway, eBay, Missouri Bullet, etc.

 

[Nevmavrick]

I presume that you have a .357, and not a .38 AND a .357. My point is that unless you have a .38, there is no reason to even have .38 cases around...if you reload.
If you have a .357, load a different case with a light load, say 3.0-3.5gr Bullseye and a lead bullet, and another with ie 2400, or H110 and a jacketed bullet.
In MY case, I use nickel cases with a "magnum" load, and a "mid-range" load in brass cases.
The reason I say this is...if you shoot any amount of "soft" loads in the shorter case, you will form a ring of lead/carbon at the end of the chamber. It's not a terrible thing, but you WILL have to clean it...a PITA. A different case makes it more identifiable, especially if choose to shoot the same bullet. I use lead SWCs for both of my ammo.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[Lizard Hill]

I have one 357 and a hand full of 38's, I just thought 38 would cover most of my handguns, at least at first. And yeah, I know the PITA about 38's in the 357. As they say, been there, done that. I just grin and bear it and use a little more elbow grease.

 

[45lcshooter]

You will save money, sometimes a lot of money by reloading. Yes it is hard to find stuff right now, but we all find a honey hole sometimes. Don't just look at one or 2 websites for components, have 5 or more.

A buddy that works security was complaining that 40sw were so expensive to buy at the store. I said to him, buy the components, and use my press. Caseing, .05, primer .03, powder .02-.10, bullet .09. That's $0.27 to make a 40sw and you avg 30.00 for box of 50 is $0.60 a round.

I much rather would pay 13.50 for reloads I made rather than fight everyone for a 30.00 box of factory.

Dive into reloading bud. You will always save money even more when you reload multiple calibers. Right now I'm loading 15 different calibers, and haven't bought a factory round in 10 years. Its a great hobby.

 

[FROGO207]

I would always advise one to start reloading. The biggest reason for me is my being able to control so much of what my ammo is and availability at all times. My first thought is do you have a mentor or reloading friend local to you? Having someone go through the motions and answer the to us reloaders obvious questions is the most important part of starting to reload IMHO. Most find it easier to learn the first basics that way. So even with the problems now facing a starting reloader---------go for it. When things come back on the shelves you will be a step ahead of most when finding elusive components that you seek.

 

[SpentCasing]

Right now is not the worst time in history to start. It was about 3 months ago when I started..... and I couldnt be happier.

3 months ago I got my press. I just shot my first 200 rds last night. The great thing about right now is you arent in a hurry... in a hobby that you shouldnt hurry.

In Jan I got my press but had no dies, no bullets, no powder etc. So what did I do in the meantime? Read. Research. Asked questions. Learn all the ins and out of my press. Then a few weeks later I found my dies. Again, read, researched, asked questions, learned about my dies and how they interact with my press.

Then my powder arrived. Then my brass, then my brass prep, etc etc etc.

I know my press and all my components very well now, and am not sure I would have had this if I just bought it all at once. Pacing things out really gives you time to study and ask questions literally step-by-step.

As I said last night I shot my first batch of reloads. MY reloads . Shot better that any cheap factory ammo I have ever purchased and Im hooked. I have to say, taking my time, and pacing things out only led to better results. SAFER too.

So I say yes. Do it. Im hooked and now is as good a time as any. Good Luck.

 

[Geno]

There is no bad time to begin loading your own ammo. It gets addictive...lots of fun. There are several reloading manuals, and most have different data. Enjoy yourself and give us some updates with your experience.

Geno

 

[gspn]

In this environment my advice would be to buy your components first...and then if/when you are able to acquire enough you buy your press.

It's just a tough time to start for sure.

 

[david bachelder]

Yes.

 

[gamestalker]

Even though there is a panic of sort going on at this time, it is still very feasible to start reloading, better now than to wait.
And although it may be more difficult to find those components you need, they are out there, just start searching.
And welcome to The High Road!
GS

 

[stavman11]

I started reloading about 2 years ago, but just in the last 3 weeks was able to find all the components to start loading .357

So i say YES

get what is available... Read up on what yer gunna load

and sooner or later all the components will be available and youll be set

Loading is a lot of fun and adds another aspect to the shooting hobby

have fun, be safe and RE-LOAD

 

[glc24]

I too am new at reloading. Plus 1 to what everyone else has posted. Be diligent and you will find what you need.
In the last 2 months,I've been able to acquire cases,powders and primers. I wanted Precision Delta bullets so I'm paying the price. Another 7 weeks of waiting. Doesn't really matter at this point,as I still don't have my Dillon press. If the 6 to 8 weeks wait for Dillon is accurate,I still have 3 more weeks wait at the most (hopefully).

Greg

 

[BYJO4]

Things will get back to normal but no one knows exactly when that will be. Reloading is a great hobby and allows one to produce accurate ammo based on their individual needs and preferences. After deciding on what equipment you want, I would buy it as it becomes available. I would also buy componets when you find them at reasonable prices. It may take 6 to 9 months to put everything together without paying outrageous prices. You will be very happy once you load your first round.

 

[Bush Pilot]

When is the perfect time to start reloading? It's like having chillens, if you waited until things were ideal you'd never start.

 

[Lizard Hill]

Man, I just got back to the computer for a minute and look at all the responses. You guys are great, thanks for all the encouragement. I don't have any friends that reload, so it's the books and The Highroad. Thanks again