What is the benefit of Handloading?

[talleymonster]

A buddy of mine recently got into handloading and I'm kind of interested in it myself. I was wondering what the benefit is? I know only what I've read on the forum. Is is really cheaper to load your own? Is it really worth doing if you are just an average shooter? I don't do any competition shooting. I like to go out plinking with some buddies, and I like to do a little hunting. I don't do a ton of recreational shooting. I do some, but not as much as I'd like to. Would it be cost effective for a shooter such as myself to get into it? I'd appreciate any input, knowledge, or just your $.02 worth, etc. Thanks everybody.

 

[CSA 357]

I enjoy reloading, you can work up a load your gun shoots instead of being limited to factory ammo, inmy 44 magnums i can load them down, cheaper? yes i guess it is , i have lots of ammo for all my guns i could never have went out and bought factory ammo for what i spent on loading these my self, and i had a ball doing it! csa

 

[gravelyctry]

"Loads" of fun

Bad pun. I just started reloading a couple of months ago when I joined a bullseye shooting league. I was shooting my .45 alot, and decided I needed to do it to get the costs in line. Since then, it's kind of opened some more doors for me.
Since I got the press and everything set up, I can reload alot of my shells. In fact, since I can reload them so much cheaper, I shoot more now. Also, since I don't have to shoot high power factory loads, it's more comfortable to shoot more. Finally, there are guns that I would have never thought of buying because it would cost too much to shoot them (such as the 500 S&W I got a month or two ago)
Reloading can drop the cost of those shells down significantly. I can shoot my 500 for about 20 cents a shot, my 44 for about 13 cents a shot, my 45 for about 8 cents a shot, etc. I'm also reloading shells for my 300 Win Mag, and can now reload those shells economically.
Not only that, but it's kind of fun to reload your own shells. I haven't been doing it for that long, so I'm still learning - a couple of suggestions would be to read a couple of books prior to taking the plunge. It will improve your understanding significantly when you do start, although initially it will make things seem very complicated. Good luck.

 

[benedict1]

I just computed costs again today--buying components in bulk--2000 bullets at a time; powder at 4# or larger; primers 5000 at a time--

9mm--124 gr plated bullets, $4.45/box of 50
.38 Special--158 gr. plated bullets, $5.05/ box of 50
.45 ACP--200 gr plated SWC, $5.45/ box of 50.

You can't match that at Wal-Mart, or even buying bulk, reloaded ammo online.

I did not include the cost of brass--you can load them many, many times if you shoot low velocity target loads. You can check the prices on used brass and in you factor that it and amortize over 10 or more loads, it adds a few pennies per round loaded.

 

[talleymonster]

What about the inital investment?

What would I be looking at for the initial investment to buy all the equipment I would need for a basic setup? Just a ballpark figure? How did you start out?


By the way, thanks guys for all the help. I joined the forum roughly one month ago, and I have gotten so much helpful tips, advice, and general ideas from everybody. Thanks!!!

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Biggest selling point is it's fun, in and of itself.

Often cheaper -- you can use budget components, but even high-end components can be assembled into really nice ammo at a lower cost than premium factory.

You can tailor rounds to your firearm or purpose. Search for that load that shoots in the 1s & 2s, load extra light, extra hot, whatever it is that you're looking for. You can often create loads that simply are not sold commercially.

Satisfaction of shooting ammunition you assembled yourself is a big point as well.

Take your pick. And have fun.

 

[dcloco]

Talley - first go to a store that has the reloading items out to view.

At most, used, you should be in the $300 price range, MAX, for QUALITY, used reloading components.

I recommend starting off with a single stage. You will ALWAYS need a single stage on the bench anyways. Check Lyman's site, they have refurbished Orange Crushers for $65 http://www.lymanproducts.com/store/page166.html

These are are on the same grade as an RCBS Rock Crusher or Redding Boss.

Case trimmer - Lyman's is good - don't need shell holders. Old or new style RCBS are great. Forster are great as well. Currently have a Hornady - but would not purchase again - have to use their shell holders (larger center hole), but it works well. I drilled a couple of common shell holders to work in my Hornady trimmer - need a nitrided bit and a bench mounted drill press - shell holders are HARD - use plenty of coolant/lube and drill on slow speed!!!

Powder measure (recommend the Hornady with the micrometer adjuster - you will cuss the others) - Lyman #55 is good as well.

Scale - Hornady magnetic scale (longest beam available) or an RCBS 1010. I tried two RCBS Chargemaster combos and two Lyman DPS II 1200 - don't waste your money. Not as accurate, sensitive to external and power supply, and slower than using a manual powder measure and scale.

..and a tumbler - Midway has good deals on the vibrating tumbler, bucket, and seperator. Dillon CV500 would be my next choice - but spendy.

Highly recommend Redding dies, cost a little more but. RCBS, Hornady & Forster are excellent. The Forster Benchrest seaters are awesome.

Digital calipers - buy them at harborfreight - same as what everybody else brands their calipers as...but only $16....versus $38!!

AND buy SEVERAL reloading books. Read them...and then read them again. I have 9 reloading books.....and want more!

 

[BobMcG]

It's a very enjoyable hobby that makes you use your brain and exercise your concentration skills. You'll end up with custom tailored rounds using the bullet brand, weight and style of your choice for each weapon you load for which is rather nice too.

 

[RustyFN]

I'll second MNgoldenbear. I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. I started with the Lee Classic Turret Press. It cost around $250 for the complete setup including tumbler and caliper. Now you can buy it cheaper with the kit that is available now. I shoot a lot so the 200 rounds per hour is what I was looking for. If you don't shoot a lot you can buy a Lee single stage kit for under $100 and still have a quality setup. On a single stage press you should be able to load around 50 rounds per hour. I can load 9mm for $8 per 100 and it is more accurate that factory ammo. I hope this helps.
Rusty

 

[Art Eatman]

And you can save a ton of money by staying out of beer joints at night, reloading instead.

Many of the steps of reloading can easily be done, and safely, while watching such things as football games on the TV. You mix worthwhile accomplishment with entertainment.

Art

 

[SDC]

It's fun, it saves you money (which you promptly use to shoot MORE than you would have before), and it gives you at least a temporary source of ammo that may come in handy if you don't/can't get it anywhere else; I remember trying to buy ammo on 9/11, and they said "Oops, sorry, all sales have been stopped on order of the gubmint."

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Its a lifelong hobby that allows you to have fun and shoot at the same time. While at the press I often wonder if I reload to shoot or shoot just so I can reload. It is a very therapeutic way to spend an evening after a lot of stress at work. So get out of the lounge chair. Shut off the TV and go load some rounds. You will feel better.

So why am I typing on the computer and not loading? It is 6 in the morning and everyone else is asleep!

 

[qajaq59]

It's fun

Loading is essentially a useful hobby. True, it saves you a few bucks and you can come up with more accurate ammo. But really, the best reason for doing it is that it's educational and enjoyable.

 

[Grumulkin]

How beneficial reloading is depends on what gun you're feeding. I thought I was going to reload for 9mm Parabellum; I have dies, bullets and everything but I never have because loaded ammo is so cheap.

Things like 50 AE, 44 Rem. Mag, 458 Lott, etc. are another story. If you shoot them a lot, you will save a lot of money reloading. Also, thus far, there has never been a gun I've reloaded for that I couldn't equal, and the vast majority of the time get significantly better accuracy with reloaded ammo than with factory ammo.

 

[Branspop]

As has been posted above, you can save a lot of money on individual rounds. You will not, however, save any money in the long run because you will find yourself shooting more for the same amount of money.

I think the greatest asset to me, however, is the knowledge and understanding that I have gained on the whole shooting process from reloading. It has made me a better shooter just knowing what goes on in addition to the "bang".

If you are doing pistol reloading I recommend a Lee setup without question.

I started out with this kit:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=622290

And it has served me well. If I were buying now, I would take a serious look at the Lee Classic cast turret press. I didn't take long to desire another scale, however, and I got a PACT digital scale.


http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=883267

Of course, the assorted gear has piled on over the years.

 

[Walkalong]

Fun: versatility: might even save money:

 

[tomhorn]

i have a complete set i gave 210.00 for its used but will out last you unless you take a hammer and torch to it lol press dies( rcbs 3) scale (RCBS )powder drop (redding) lube pad (RCBS)hand primer (Lee) deburrer tool (rcbs)Reloading books (speer # 10 ex shape) buddy of mine is splitting sheets with his wife . also have casting stuff lyman 450 ,molds ect .forgot the little dandy trickler .

 

[scrat]

I load rifle. for rifle i use the lee standard cheeepo c press. i have a set of dyes, tumbler, and an assortment of case prep tools. I also have a lee loader. all in all it was less than 100 for me to start loading. yes less than 100. I now have about 200. in equipment for reloading. A lot of the items i purchased on Ebay. if you shop around you will be able to see prices then write them down. Then look on ebay. When you see something that is cheaper than any of the prices you found so far then bid on it. thats how i got my tumbler delivered to my door for 40.00 my lee c press standard. 15.00 delivered to my door.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

There are 4 big benefits of reloading in my mind, 1) cost savings up to 60%, 2) you can load your power level up or down to suit your taste, 3) my loaded ammo is usually more accurate than factory stuff, and 4) reloading is FUN!

 

[CZ223]

How much you "save" will

depend on what calibers you load for. For example, I have a 220 swift that I load for and have had a 22-250. While the components cost almost the same to buy I saved a lot more money loading the Swift because of the retail cost of loaded Ammo. At the time I believe you could but 22-250 for around $12 a box while the Swift Ammo was upwards of $20. The same is true of the 6mm Rem vs the 243. The 6mm rem is much more expensive to buy loaded ammo for and again the reloading costs are virtually identical. Even if you don't shoot oddball cartridges you will save money. Someone stated earlier that he calculated the cost of loading 9mm with plated bullets at $9 per hundred. Even if you cal it $10/hundred that is half the price of the Winchester Bulk ammo that is going for $20/hundred at Walmart. That is a
%50 savings. With 40S$W your savings will be about the same. $12/100 vs $24. The savings realy show up when uou start loading for the the 357 sig. $10/100 vs $40/100. All of those figure were using the cheapest loaded rounds available, usually through Wal-mart. If you buy your ammo through a local dealer you will really notice a big difference.

Getting started/initial costs- Again it all depends on what you want. If you want a good quality single stage set up new you will probably spend $300 or more including press, scale, powder measure, dies, loading blocks, funnel, book etc. Some people will tell you to buy Lee, I am not one of them. I will not bash Lee and I do like their dies. If you don't mind shopping around, like on e-bay, you can get started with good used equipment for $100-$125, maybe less. See the thread on a portable setup for a beginner I detailed costs there. If you want to progressive I would seriously think about the LNL press from Hornady. They are offering 1000 bullets with the purchase of a new loader and 100 with the purchase of new dies. As much a Dillon fan as I am I have to say that I am thinking about it.

 

[tasco 74]

i can definatly save money reloading... i was just looking at the last midway catalog i recieved........... AMMO PRICES ARE THROUGH THE FRICKIN ROOF!!!!!!! sorry......... i couldn't believe the SALE PRICES on ammo... they wanted more for 20 rounds of what i shoot than i used to give for 50 rounds.... i'm glad i got into reloading because i certainly can't pay those prices...........

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Tasco, I agree 100%. I started reloading for the very same reason.

 

[CZ223]

Yes Ammo prices are high

but so are reloading components. Not to say that you can't save money because you can. The price increases are accross the board, everything has gone up from powder, to primers to, of course, brass and, bullets as well as lead.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

All the reasons above apply.

The 158 gr copper clad .38 spl rounds I load would go for about three times that in commercial ammo. Right now with the increase in components they have gone from $4/50 rnds to $5/50 rnds, but again that is about 1/3 commercial.

With reloading you know that the ammo you want is always available. Before I began competing and found the volume a good reason to reload I often found I had to shop around for hours to find the ammo I wanted. Not so now. If I want hot rounds, powder puffs or whatever they are ready in an hour.

There is a sense of pride that you have built something that is quality and accurate.

It is also a good way to relax: turn on your favorite radio station or music and watch the glistening beauties pile up.

 

[georgetwalkerjr]

Availability

In addition to all the great reasons offered so far, especially the fact that handloading is rewarding as a "hobby," it's also important for other reasons: cost, etc. Another example: I load for rifles only, and shoot two .221 Fireballs. The only available commercial round is Remington's 50gr AccuTip. I'm able to use the best powder, primers, etc. with bullets from Berger, Nosler and Hornday, from 30gr to 50gr. There'd be little reason to own the .221s without the flexibility of handloading my own. Good luck, and enjoy! George