Thinking about reloading couple of questions

[Peetmoss]

Well more then a couple I guess so here it goes.

1 Can I learn to reload from a reloading manual, such as the one provided by RCBS in there Rock Chucker kit?

2 Can the Q3131A 5.56 ammo that made in Isereal the stuff that Ammoman sells be reloaded?

3 Can I reload my own cheaper then the 200 bucks for a thousand rounds I am paying now. Not including equitment and my time?

4 Figuring the 250 or so for the RCBS kit how much more money would I have to invest to get started reloading 5.56 excluding bullets, primers, and powder?

5 How much space does a starter setup need?

I know I am probably being a pain in the butt, however I appreciate any help. I am thinking about 5.56 for now seeing this is my biggest ammo expense. Maybe 44mag a little later.

 

[capbuster]

It sounds like you are ready to buy the RCBS kit. The rockchucker version is excellent and includes pretty much all the equipment you will need to load your own quality ammo.The kit also includes a Speer reloading manual which will be an excellent source of information on technique and choice of components.I started reloading .22/250 back in 1970 and the information that came with the dies and the reloading manual gave me more than enough information for me to complete my rounds.Reloading is a great pastime for a shooter and basically you will need powder,primers,and bullets to get you started. Your reloading manual will guide you with this.The brass case is your most expensive component and every time you reload it that cost diminishes.You can reload any brand case as long as it has a boxer type primer with its one flash hole and it is indeed made out of brass.You should be able to load your own cases for about half of what your pay for commercial rounds.Reloaders are a pretty wise bunch when it comes to cutting cost so you can lower you overall cost by doing such things as watching for sales and buying in bulk to name just a few.When it comes to reloading handgun cases you can really get some mileage out of your brass.You have a support group on this forum and others so just do it and enjoy.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Hi, peetmoss--

First, let me welcome you to the wonderful world of reloading. Hope we see a lot of you on the H&R forum.

Second, I urge you to use the SEARCH function, both here on THR and also in the archives at www.thefiringline.com, for various topics such as:
getting started
Newbie question
what do I need to start loading
and variations on those themes. There are at least a dozen threads along this line. No doubt, someone will post several links here on your thread.

Your questions, in order_ - - -
1 Can I learn to reload from a reloading manual, such as the one provided by RCBS in there Rock Chucker kit?
To some extent, yes. You'll do well to otain at least one full scale manual, such as one from Speer, Lyman, or Hornady. Don't just try to start and then research cures for your problems. Rather, you should READ the whole section on getting started.

2 Can the Q3131A 5.56 ammo that made in Isereal the stuff that Ammoman sells be reloaded?
Yes, it can.

3 Can I reload my own cheaper then the 200 bucks for a thousand rounds I am paying now. Not including equitment and my time?
Surely, if you choose your componets carefully. Check with the various suppliers such as Widner's, Midsouth, and others. Do a net search and you'll find more than you can handle. I buy most of my primers and powder at nearby gun shows and save on hazardous materials shipping fees.

If you've been shooting Q3131 ammo much, I gather you are shooting mostly semi auto for paper or plinking. FMJ military style bullets can be purchased in bulk for very reasonable prices. OTOH, if you are setting up for super accurate bench rest or varmint hunting work, you'll probably want the more expensive bullets

4 Figuring the 250 or so for the RCBS kit how much more money would I have to invest to get started reloading 5.56 excluding bullets, primers, and powder?
Sorry, I don't have a list of what comes in that kit. With all the gadgets around, the sky's pretty much the limit. For instance, unless you have a solid source of once fired cases, you'll need to trim cases sooner or later. You can spend several hundred dollars on this alone--Or you can buy the slower but still effective Lee case trimming gear for $25 or 30. You can get along for a while without calipers, ut lief is much easier if you can measure case lengths, length of loaded ammo, and so forth.
I imagine the kit comes with a scale of some type. If you're loading in much volume, you'll want a powder measure. Figure anouther hundred for odds and ends, and then pick up other items as you become convinced you really need them.

5 How much space does a starter setup need?
You can really expand, but realistically, three feet of clear bench space plus some shelf space will serve pretty well. I've know guys who operated with two feet of bench top, and who kept their components and accessories in a foot locker on the floor. Workable, but inconvenient.

Seriously--- do some reading, run a couple of searches and read all of THAT, make yourself a list of questions, and get ready to learn a bunch. Nice group of people here on H&R forum, and most want to help out.

Best regards,
Johnny

 

[Standing Wolf]

I bought an R.C.B.S. Rock Chucker in the late 1970s. I still have it. It still works perfectly.

Twenty-odd years after I bought it, I called R.C.B.S. to ask whether I could buy any sort of left-handed handle for it for the sake of my arthritis. Well, no, there wasn't, the technical support woman said, but insisted on sending me the new handle with the ball instead of the old-fashioned bicycle-style grip. She wouldn't even let me pay for the postage.

If it'd wear out, I'd buy another one, but it'll probably outlast me.

 

[444]

I handload a lot of .223. I am not sure what the ammoman is selling but the Q3131A Israeli stuff with the Winchester headstamp is certainly reloadable and is very nice brass. I have 2000 rounds of it that I am using here.
As was mentioned, if you pay attention, you can handload .223 for about half the price of factory ammo. Or put another way, I handload for about the same price as Wolf factory ammo.
The problem for me is that handloading rifle ammo takes time. The cases must be lubed and sized, then you have to remove the lube. And every so often the cases need to be trimmed. None of this stuff has to be done with handgun calibers and takes considerably longer to load than handgun ammo. There are things that can be done to speed up the process if you are willing to spend the money, but it still won't be near as fast as loading handgun ammo. As a result of all this, I can't handload .223 fast enough to keep up with my shooting. So I buy factory ammo and augment it with handloads. I actually shoot a lot of Wolf .223 along with my handloads.
Something that I am doing now is taking a Lee Handpress to work and sizing .223 cases while on the clock. I am sure if I am caught something will be said because it is not PC. But, I have no primers, powder, or firearms, so it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Peetmoss]

Wow thanks guys. This thread has been very helpful. I am thinking of reloading for several reasons. One of wich is I am bored LOL. And yes most of my shooting is from semi auto's. I don't even own a bolt gun at this time. Also all my shooting is range work.