Will you learn to reload now?

[shuvelrider]

After reading so many posts here and elsewhere about ammo shortages , it still amazes me that more people do not start reloading. I am a small time reloader that started around 6 years ago, and do around a dozen calibers as I need them. My supplies are usually 3-5 thousand primer of each type I use, brass I've accumulated and of course bullet and powder as needed.
I cannot remember the last time I actually bought commercial ammo out of necessity, as I usually roll my own and just put it away. Some for range time/hunting and other I just keep for preparedness. I am doing this with a LEE single stage press too, just relaxing time for me sit at my table and roll ammo.
My latest project is .308 Ball for my FAL rifle, I have 700 primered cases I found online before the "scare". Then on to ammo for the AR or some of the other rifles and pistols I own. What I'm trying to say to some of these people who are wringing their hands over lack of ammo, it doesn't take that much to get started at reloading and keep yourself supplied with ammo.

 

[Plan2Live]

Probably not. There is a ceratin level of risk involved with reloading that I personally don't want to assume. I will increase my minimum reserve number but I will leave the loading to factories with better technology than I can afford.

 

[heavydluxe]

I'm on the cusp of buying a Lee single stage press or turret, myself... Just trying to decide how cheap to walk in the door. I don't feel a real rush in that components for the caliber I want to reload (.223) are basically nonexistent.

 

[SigSour]

OK, so I wasn't brought up around firearms (damn you NYC and your restrictions!!!) and I've been REALLY interested lately about reloading (been to the Bass Pro Shop here in CO. and checked out a few reloading kits) and have and I'm sure will have a questions that I'm positive you fine folks here on THR will be able to answer. The first being, is reloading as simple as youtube videos make it out to be or are there any "gotchas" or dangers in the process to be on the lookout for?

I have this image in my head of firing my first reloaded cartridge my gun blowing up in my face like Elmer Fudd... only it won't be nearly as funny.

Any videos out there anyone could recommend on the proper reloading procedure? And what would you say the cost (per round) of reloading is compared to purchasing?

Thanks

 

[ngnrd]

The process is simple. The devil is in the details.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Been reloading since about 1961 when I got my first 1911 and 38 revolver.
There's just no way I'll pay the cost of factory ammo.

Can you imagine what this would cost if it was Wal Mart WWB? (costs me about $3.50-$4.00 and 8-10 minutes of my time for 50 rounds.

 

[shuvelrider]

There is risk in everything we do on a daily basis Mr. Plan, if you stay within the parameter's of the reloading books for your chosen caliber------then no problem. To Mr. Heavy I suggest to jump in and buy the press you want and then pick up supplies as they become available.
Just a matter of taking your time, reading, ask questions, and double check your work. It's not a race, it's a hobby you learn and continue to learn more as you go along.




M2, that is impressive. I imagine you have a progressive press by now

 

[Certaindeaf]

They can't/don't afford a set of eyeballs making sure there's even an actual hole in the flash hole.. the list of potential and actual failures of/by manufacturers is very long.

 

[horsemen61]

I started reloading before the panic so I will continue to do so.

 

[BHP FAN]

I load .45-70's for about $6.00 a box, the last commercial .45-70 I saw was $45.00 a box. Oh, here's some cheap stuff for $33.00 a box, but there's some for $90.00, too.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/che...t-prices-c-10480_14658_14743_14909_14768.html

 

[Steve CT]

I resumed reloading a year ago, my previous reloading experience was 30+ years ago. I use a Lee Classic Turret, but currently as a single stage press.

Reloading is straightforward and fairly easy, but requires patience, precision, and attention to safety, just like shooting. I find it to be relaxing and it keeps me connected to shooting even when I am not shooting. Fortunately, I was already in acquisition mode for components, so I am pretty well set. Between factory ammunition (or, as I now refer to it, "future brass") and components I am good for about 10K rounds in 9mm, .45 ACP, .357, and .223. And I'm picking up 10K in .22 lr tomorrow as part of a group buy.

 

[cfullgraf]

Reloading is a hobby for me that extends my enjoyment of shooting. I have been at it for 32 years.

Reloading, like anything, is not for everyone. That is ok. No one should feel pressured to reload. No one should feel pressured to not reload.

I do have my idiosyncrasies. I hate football on TV and I have my cars serviced even though I have a fully equipped automotive repair shop at the house.

 

[2zulu1]

I began reloading in the 60s and learned that reloads were typically a higher quality than a lot of factory stuff. When I went into LE, reloading allowed me to practice with a lot more rounds than factory ammo, especially as a Patrolman with a growing family.

Buy several good handloading manuals, follow proper common sense protocol and your good to go.

 

[BHP FAN]

A lee hand press costs about $30.00, and a set of dies are about the same, for just about any caliber you want, Lee's Modern Reloading book cost me $8.00. You can easily get into loading your own ammo for $100.00, or less.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I will leave the loading to factories with better technology than I can afford.[/

I have no records to prove this, but taking into account the ratio of the number of reloads I've shot over the years compared to the number of factory rounds I've shot, there has been a good percentage more factory failures than reloads.
Just this past Sunday a couple lady students were shooting my .32 ACP reloads and 9mm factory ammo. They had two dud primers in the factory rounds.
Yesterday I had 4 Remington 22LR cases that contained no priming. This is very common, especially with Remington.

Last year a friend was shooting a .223, using Remington ammo. The accuracy was terrible. You could hear the variation in the sound indicating a rather large difference in the powder charges.

I can go on and on. "Factory loaded" does not necessarily mean correctly loaded.

30 years ago a bad factory round was very unusual, not now days.

 

[BHP FAN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6IoNCtFHwU

 

[gspn]

Just a heads up...you're too late. If you plan to get into reloading now because of the ammo shortage all you'll be left with is the expense of the equipment...and still no ammo.

That's because almost all the components have been sucked up by panickers/hoarders.

If you are considering reloading do yourself a big favor...order your COMPONENTS first...you'll always be able to buy a reloading machine...but right now you can't get any primers, powder, and dang few bullets.

 

[M2 Carbine]

M2, that is impressive. I imagine you have a progressive press by now

Yeah, I've had this old 450 Dillon for many years. No telling how many hundreds of thousands of rounds it's turned out.



The press is set up all the time and ready to go. I can be turning out loaded rounds seconds after I sit down.
That way if I have a little time with nothing to do I can turn those few minutes into loaded ammo. I seldom have to take time away from anything else to reload but next thing there's another 50 cal. box of loaded ammo.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Just a heads up...you're too late. If you plan to get into reloading now because of the ammo shortage all you'll be left with is the expense of the equipment...and still no ammo.

That's because almost all the components have been sucked up by panickers/hoarders.

If you are considering reloading do yourself a big favor...order your COMPONENTS first...you'll always be able to buy a reloading machine...but right now you can't get any primers, powder, and dang few bullets.

What he said. This shortage caught me with my pants down and only a few hundred primers. Now I can't get anymore. Reloading is about to come to a smoking, screeching halt for me unless supplies start to catch back up. I imagine it will stay that way for quite a while.

 

[chris in va]

Probably not. There is a ceratin level of risk involved with reloading that I personally don't want to assume. I will increase my minimum reserve number but I will leave the loading to factories with better technology than I can afford.

Clearly know nothing about reloading.

A lee hand press costs about $30.00, and a set of dies are about the same, for just about any caliber you want, Lee's Modern Reloading book cost me $8.00. You can easily get into loading your own ammo for $100.00, or less.

Ditto.

 

[robhof]

robhof

Started reloading in 1992, when I scored a great deal on a DW 357max, had a 357mag many years ago and foolishly sold it. I knew when I bought the gun that the cartridges had been discontinued, but I did see brass for sale on
Ebay at the time, a Lee single stage and a set of dies and now I'm loading for several calibers and have jars of brass primed and waiting for a rainy day or any bad weather to load up for the next several range sessions or next hunt. The joy of dropping game with home rolled ammo is as good as B/p hunting and I do that too. Haven't made my own B/p recently, did in high school in the 60's to feed a kit pistol I assembled. Haven't saved any money, but get many more rounds down range than if I were buying by the box. I usually take a bag or ammo can full and shoot til empty or I'm tired, as before it was a box or two and home again.

 

[gp911]

I've been meaning to for years. This one put me over the top. The next trip to the LGS is gonna be expensive but I'm getting all the stuff I've been putting off.

 

[readyeddy]

Yeppers, too late. Components are hard to find. Even Lyman's 49th reloading manual is sold out on Amazon!

 

[mgmorden]

Been reloading for nearly 8 years already, and will continue to do so (though components are getting harder to find too).

As to the factories having better technology - thats true, but they're targeting different criteria with their better technology. Namely production speed and automation.

Why do you think many hunters load their own premium hunting ammo and competitive benchrest shooters all handload their own. The reason is simply that handloaded ammo typically is of higher quality.

Its kinda like comparing McDonalds to a homemade hamburger. Sure, Mickey-D's is faster and more convenient, but if you can't make a better burger in your backyard then something is wrong with you .

 

[Ivy Mike]

I've been seriously thinking about it lately as a couple calibers I own are getting rare and expensive.
I think a few hundred cheap rounds of 6.5jap or .30-40 krag would be nice.