Then it's on to Raleigh. I recently introduced a buddy of mine to handguns. He is gravitating to a S&W L frame probably a 686 for a truck piece. He hasn't attained the advanced state of awareness yet to go the carry route. We may try some out at Daviis time permiting. They have a great selection of range guns. The largest and best kept I have ever seen.
DAdams,
I've been to Daviis up in Raleigh (or is it just Davis?). Awesome selection of guns, ammo, and accessories. I was like a kid in a candy store. NIB gun prices were on the high side (Ruger GP100 was $509 their and $455 local), but everything else was reasonable. I didn't have a chance to use their shooting range, but maybe next time I'm up there I'll try it out.
Are all the +Ps where they should be?
Acronyms correct? (I'm not familiar with some; what's TMJ?)
* 80 gr. Glaser Safety Slug
* 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX
* 110 gr. Federal Low Recoil HS/JHP
* 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots +P
* 125 gr. Winchester +P JHP
* 129 gr. Federal Hydrashok JHP
* 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P
* 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match full wadcutter
* 158 gr. +P LSWCHP FBI (specify brand in post below)
* 158 gr. Buffalo Bore +P FBI
* 158 gr. Magtech Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP)
* 158 gr. Speer +P TMJ
* Home brew reloads (specify by posting below)
Okay, let's help Nem out here, shall we?
The 110 Cor-Bon DPX and 158 Magtech are both +P rounds. I think the 129 Hydrashock is too, but you may want to wait for others to confirm.
For those wondering, the Wallie World value pak 38 Special 100 rnds sells for about $24 locally. But I can get 158 grain Remington RNLs at my favorite gun shop for $10.95/50. Not too bad.
The best deal I found on the R38S12 FBI Load was $26.99 plus shipping from
The Outdoor Marksman. I'm not sure what shipping would be like, but they have 500 rounds of reloaded 158 grain RNL 38 Special for $65.
Yet another reason to reload...
Happy dance!!! Most of my reloading equipment arrived last night and today. The UPS and USPS trucks were linin' up at the door, it was like Christmas when I got home! So many boxes to open, so much fun!
Needless to say, I may not be around The 642 Club much over the coming days (weeks
) while I get setup.
For those of you wondering, this is my setup (prices
include shipping):
From ebay:
- Hornady Model M magnetic balance scale, 500 grain capacity: $45
- Lyman Scale weight check: $31
From Harbor Freight:
- 6" Cen-Tech digital caliper, item # 47257, $25
From
Kempf Gun Shop (shipping on entire order was $14.06
):
- Kempf exclusive reloading kit, featuring: Lee Classic 4-hole Turret Press for 38/357 Mag, including Lee Lever Prime System for small primers, Lee carbide 4 die set (incl factory crimp die) and shellholder, $144.95
- Upgrade to ProAutoDisk powder measure (I highly recommend), $9.95
- Kinetic bullet puller, $14.95
- 38/357 100 Round MTM ammo boxes (5), $12.50
That about does it (except for manuals). I also bought a Lee primer pocket cleaner from Midway for $2 or something. So exluding manuals, the above equipment cost just under $300, including shipping.
BTW, I also order the following cast bullets from Kempf (prices include freight):
1000 148 grain double end wadcutters, $54.50
1000 158 grain round nose flat point, $56.50
So basically that's 5.5 cents per bullet. Primers are about $30 / 1000 locally, so that's 3.0 cents each. The only thing I am uncertain of is how long the powder will last. Note that the cost of reloading is heavily depending on whether or not you buy your brass or pick up good quality stuff at the range (if you range permits that). The brass is the most expensive component, so start saving you empties (store 'em in a cool dry place) now if you think their is any chance of reloading for you in the future.
So that's 8.5 cents per round, excluding powder and brass. Guessing 4.5 cents per round for powder, that puts the total cost per round at about $ 13 cents. The cheapest I can buy ammo locally is about 20 cents per round for CCI blazers.
Of course I don't plan on saving money, just more shootin'!
