Reloading now vs. then

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Reloading now vs. then

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:36:58 AM EDT

With all the ammo shortages and with whats available being so high priced I am kicking around getting into reloading. I have no experience so will be learning as I go but was wondering if reloading supplies are falling to the same demise? Are they avaialable in .223, .45, and 9mm? Have the prices of the supplies shot up like the allready manufactured ammo. I live in Ohio and was thinking about goin to Fin Feather and Fur in Ashland because I know they have or had the last time I was there a big selection of reloading equipment and supplies. Thanks for the info.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:39:11 AM EDT

[#1]

Start watching youtube vids on basic reloading or get a good reloading manual before you go out and buy stuff you dont need.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:40:00 AM EDT

[#2]

I know 223 supplies are hard to come by, just in the last week or so. I can still find 9mm.

The big rush was ARs, so 223 ammo is what is on big demand. All them new rifles with nothing to feed them.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:48:51 AM EDT

[#3]

The one drawback with reloading .223 even if you can find the components, which was easy a few months ago. Is the same with any bottle neck, high pressure round. Trimming, has to be done when you resize them. You can hook up a Shop Vac and an electric trimmer to mount on a progressive but its expensive.

Id recommend starting with the .45ACP and a single stage to do your hunting rifle rounds to get started. You cant screw up .45ACP, no trimming and they last til the primer pocket falls out. Deer rifle rounds will let you learn the ins and outs you will need to know for 5.56. Then just keep saving your brass, because right now you cant find bulk cheap 55gr bullets or small rifle primers without getting scalped.

Powder, its available thats another thing you could start stashing. Its around for the moment.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:50:23 AM EDT

[#4]

I'm down to my last pound of powder (IMR4064) and only 200 64gr PPs and brass left in .223. I'm ok on primers, large and small and .308 bullets and brass so I'm about to start looking. My bud went looking on Friday for powder to load .223 with and found 1 8 lb can of IME3031. Not ideal, but it will work.

Good luck.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:54:24 AM EDT

[#5]

Lots of luck trying to find reasonably priced components.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:56:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Components are easy to find here in SW Ohio, as well as online. Try some of the larger suppliers like Wideners, or Graf & Sons.

BTW, an OUTSTANDING powder for .223 is IMR 4320. Many people overlook it, so you can often find it in stock when 2230, 4064, and the like are sold out.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:57:16 AM EDT

[#7]

I just started into reloading too. I had bought some 223 components before so I was lucky, but bullets are hard to come by.

I bought a reloading manual from Hornandy. Their loads are worked up using Winchester wsr primers so I stocked a couple thousand. Wish I had bought more. I have Varget powder for both 223 and 308. I have Hodgdon BL-C2 for 223 as well. I put together my first 55 grn loads last night so I am dying to go shooting, but it's really windy.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:01:44 AM EDT

[#8]

Check out the AR15.com Reloading forum in the Armory section. Lots and lots of resources there to help you get started.

I think the key to components is to buy large quantities when available. Bullets by the 1,000s, primers the same way and powder in 8 lb jugs. Getting started will be a large $$ investment but from there just keep an eye out for deals and stock up.

Just don't know how long it is going to be until deals return.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:03:12 AM EDT

[#9]

If you have ANY mechanical ability, it will be easy to learn--unless you want to go full geek into bench rest shooting, then myth is as much as fact.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:04:16 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

With all the ammo shortages and with whats available being so high priced I am kicking around getting into reloading. I have no experience so will be learning as I go but was wondering if reloading supplies are falling to the same demise? Are they avaialable in .223, .45, and 9mm? Have the prices of the supplies shot up like the allready manufactured ammo. I live in Ohio and was thinking about goin to Fin Feather and Fur in Ashland because I know they have or had the last time I was there a big selection of reloading equipment and supplies. Thanks for the info.

I bet there is someone who lives kinda close to you on this board that would show you how to do it first hand.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:06:50 AM EDT

[#11]

I started with the LEE anniversary reloading kit. $99 at Cabela's

then I added a electronic powder scale $35 from Midway usa.

and one set of dies in 300 blackout. (around $70 for a 3 die set)

That's all I do and use and I am making my favorite round and learning a lot.

Powder and primers, etc....will be all you need after the equipment.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:06:56 AM EDT

[#12]

I went to the range yesterday. The guys that left as I was getting there, left me a nice surprise of 230 lake city pieces of brass. Score!
Half hour later some guy shows up with his hot girlfriend (no pics) and he proceeds to lay down another 100 plus pieces of brass..
300 plus pieces of 223 brass. Fortunately I have been stocking up for a few years and I'm sitting on 3- 8lb kegs of 2230, more primers
than i could ever use in lifetime but my bullet count is below 3000 and they are not to be had. In 09 when the cocksucker was first
elected we had the same issue but at least at that time I was able to purchase bullets...this is much worse than anything I have seen before.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:07:30 AM EDT

[#13]

Read here:

Reloading Forum

Tutorials

Tools and Equipment

FAQ's

Read First

Lists of Equipment Required from Bare Bones to Recommended to Deluxe

Reloading components are in short supply in most places. Fortunately we have a dedicated reloading store here with a manager that planned ahead, so I can still get most things I need; but that's partly because I planned ahead, too.

The Reloading forum here pretty much specializes in getting new reloaders off to a good start. But please, read all the information available and at least the first 3 to 5 pages of the forum first, before asking a question that has been answered already.

With the shortage of components, you'll find that you will be forced to use the components that are available, not necessarily what you want or that someone tells you is needed for some "recipe". In a way, that is a good thing for everyone because it forces them to use good practices to work out loads using components that are similar to those in published load data. In other words, it is not necessary to match all the components exactly in order to develop safe and effective ammunition. If we did, we would find ourselves without ammunition.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:08:56 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Components are easy to find here in SW Ohio, as well as online. Try some of the larger suppliers like Wideners, or Graf & Sons.

BTW, an OUTSTANDING powder for .223 is IMR 4320. Many people overlook it, so you can often find it in stock when 2230, 4064, and the like are sold out.

Great advice....NOT. Put down the crack pipe.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:29:29 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Components are easy to find here in SW Ohio, as well as online. Try some of the larger suppliers like Wideners, or Graf & Sons.

BTW, an OUTSTANDING powder for .223 is IMR 4320. Many people overlook it, so you can often find it in stock when 2230, 4064, and the like are sold out.

Great advice....NOT. Put down the crack pipe.

Excuse me; which part of my post do you consider drug-addled poor advice?

1.) Components ARE easy to find in my area. I just bought CCI primers, V-Max 55-grain bullets, and Data Powder 2200 in large quantities at a local show last weekend.

2.) Large online vendors who feature components DO have them in stock. You may not like the recent prices, but they are available.

3.) IMR4320 IS a great powder for reloading .223 Remington. It meters very well, and gives outstanding accuracy. You'll find recommended loads for this powder from many sources.

Oh, and by the way -- give some specifics when you offer a sweeping negation. Otherwise, you just appear to be a confrontational adolescent with nothing of actual value to say.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:39:45 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Lots of luck trying to find reasonably priced components.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Friday I bought 3 lbs. of powder,2k Rem 7 1/2,and a $15 set of Tasco rings....total was $192 !!!!!!

Posted: 1/20/2013 6:01:38 AM EDT

[#17]

The Speer book as an excellent discussion of the ideas and execution, even if you use someone else's machines. You should own and consult more than one manual before you test a load, anyway. This is to ensure that you don't overcharge a cartridge because of a misprint.

Posted: 1/20/2013 12:44:01 PM EDT

[#18]

With the cost of Bullets, Powder, Cases ( if you plan to buy cases ) & Primers you don't save as much money as in the past.

Our Gun club does one or two bulk bullet orders and powder orders a year which saves a lot of money for everyone involved. Online stores like Midway, Wideners, grafs, ok-weber will have sales with very good prices so it is wise to be on their email lists..

Posted: 1/20/2013 12:52:04 PM EDT

[#19]

In the overall, it is not really cheaper to reload. DO NOT GET INTO RELOADING to make "ammo cheaper"

It may be cheaper on a component level but, you will always be buying new tools, upgrading presses, buying some new equipment blah blah blah. It may only cost you $4 a box to build .223 but, how much did your equipment cost? Any "savings" in reloading costs will be determined buy the bulk orders you place. Buying rifle powder a lb (even if it is only $30 or less a lb) at a time will cost you substantially more then buying an 8lb keg in the long run but, the initial investment can be hard for some people.

There are 3 major benefits to reloading.
1. You can tailor your loads specifically to your firearms and get some extremely accurate ammo. Way beyond anything the factory could ever hope to produce.
2. You will not "save" any money reloading. Knowing your ammo costs are cheaper you will likely shoot more often. I find my self burning through more ammo after reloading the before.
3. You can take pride in knowing you can build your own ammo, and in times like these, if you can find the components, you can still shoot :-)

Posted: 1/20/2013 2:12:55 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Lots of luck trying to find reasonably priced components.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Friday I bought 3 lbs. of powder,2k Rem 7 1/2,and a $15 set of Tasco rings....total was $192 !!!!!!

Placed an order back at the beginning of January, 16lbs of H335, 4k SRM primers, 2lb W231, 1k LP primers, $408 total. That 16lbs will do about 4000-4500 .223 rounds and the 2lbs will do about 2400 .45/9mm rounds.

Posted: 1/20/2013 2:26:09 PM EDT

[#21]

As someone else said, straight-wall cases like .45 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, etc., are easier and safer to reload. Bottleneck cases offer the possibility of pushing back the shoulder and also require a lot of trimming and fussing around to get your equipment set up. It's not impossible at all, but it's also easier to screw something up than with pistol cartridges.

Reloading isn't a great way to save money, but it might supply you with ammo when you can't get it at the store.

Posted: 1/20/2013 3:58:22 PM EDT

[#22]

I like my pistols but hate chasing spent brass, When things get tight and i want to shoot my revolvers get more time.
38special gets a good working out because the brass is cheap and last many loadings in the midrange loads, buy bulk 38cal
bullets (a big savings if you find a local caster or cast your own) , low powder use and the hardest thing is primers. Next is my 357 loads
then i load mid range 45lc. I can load 9mm but I got a decent supply of wwb 115 gr loads but do load 147grs for subsonic. Can't tell you the last time i bought 45acp
rounds. You got to reload for it.(i can use the same 230gr lead cast bullet for the 45auto and 45colt for plinking)

If I want to shoot rifle 7.62x54r comes out. If I want to semi i shoot the ak. i save my ar ammo, only shot to check out my aiming.
I used to hunt feral hogs with the ar with 64gr pp reloads. I wish I had a more stock of the 64gr pp bullets.
I need to start stocking up on reloading supplies. I used to never do that but now times are diffrent.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:05:12 PM EDT

[#23]

It depends, I can't find components right now...
Having said that, the ammunition I do load is dead nuts accurate.
it took me awhile, but i finally found a combination that works well in all 3 of my 30-06 rifles.
You go through a lot of powder in a 30-06 though :(
I didn't reload 5.56 before this panic started, so i am not even going to go there, since I don't have the components.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:10:09 PM EDT

[#24]

I just ordered a lee loader to give reloading a try for my 1911. I'm glad to hear .45ACP is one of the easier rounds to load.

I just need to be able to make enough ammo for my bowling pin league right now so hopefully this will help.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:11:58 PM EDT

[#25]

Don't get too excited..reloading components are part of the panic buying as well...

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:22:03 PM EDT

[#26]

OP, reloading is an excellent skill to have. I suggest starting with a single stage press and learning everything about case prep, load development and cartridge building. By the time you figure all that out, you will have a good idea what equipment you need. I suggest starting with the rifle round because it has the biggest learning curve and is where you'll save the most money per round.

Also, if you are not an organized person by nature, then reloading probably isn't for you.

ETA....The thing I like about reloading is that when prices drop, you can stock up on components. I have thousands of rounds in my safe, and thousands of rounds not yet assembled. The biggest problem is the initial cost. You can get started cheap, but if you want to load multiple calibers efficiently, you can expect to spend quite a bit up front.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:25:48 PM EDT

[#27]

You only save money once you start recycling brass. In the '90s, I was reloading .38 Spcl for $2 per 50.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:27:02 PM EDT

[#28]

Sometimes I shoot so I can reload.

It's a sickness.

A beautiful sickness.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:28:58 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Start watching youtube vids on basic reloading and get a some good reloading manuals before you go out and buy stuff you don't need.

Fixed it! Do all of the above OP. Read lots, watch some videos and pay attention so you don't waste money or blow up your guns.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:48:41 PM EDT

[#30]

UltimateReloader.com has great vids to introduce you to reloading.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:53:43 PM EDT

[#31]

Loaded alot of .44 mag with an old Lee hand loader.

Posted: 1/20/2013 4:54:31 PM EDT

[#32]

Good luck getting primers and powder

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:02:08 PM EDT

[#33]

Absolutely get yourself a reloading bench.
Then stock up on everything you need to reload.
It may take a while but get it when you can.
I pretty much can shoot for a long long time.....