Posted: 2/23/2008 8:55:29 AM EDT
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I bought an old Pacific reloader off eGay for less than $20 including shipping, a pound of powder, bought some dies (and bullets) from a guy at work, and bought a scale last Sunday. Since last weekend, I've been reloading my .357 mag casings. I haven't had so much fun since homebrewing. It is great to load a couple rounds, go outside, and fire away. What a rewarding experience! I highly recommend it. |
I disagree. For casual loads it's easy to turn out safe ammunition as long as you pay a reasonable amount of attention. It's the maximum power and hyper-accurate competition loads that require a high level of attention. |
Mmmmm... I don't know about that. There is equipment out there that takes all the hard work out of it. |
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It is rewarding in many ways. Accuracy, consistancy, and it is entertaining. That is when you are safe and use common sense. Also having an up to date reloading manual is a must. It will have the data to show you what your max and min loads should be with a certain powder, primer, case length, overall length, blah blah blah. It's actually good to have more that one makers reloader's manual. Usually the foreword / beginning of the manual will layout reloader saftey. Also there are instructions that come with the dies to tell you how to properly set the equipment. With all that said, it is fun. I wouldn't say it's cheaper but when you can shoot through a retail box of 20 rounds and hear / feel the difference in one round to the next it makes you appreciate hand loads. (More so the cheap stuff not so much match ammo). Your accuracy will greatly increase as well. |
If you can read and follow directions, you'll be ok. People who do a few rounds at a time are probably less likely to have an "oops" moment than people who reload in bulk. There's less fatigue factor, and less temptation to use a recipe that they've "memorized". Serial reloaders could also be the ones to wear out cases and experience case failures that one-in-a-while reloaders will never live to see. |
| As long as you don't get distracted, it is a safe activity. Just watch out when loading large cartridges like .45 Colt with light cowboy action shooting charges where you can double the powder if you're not careful. You can't go wrong loading one round at a time. |
When starting off, one must be aware that one: 1. cannot safely exceed the maximum recommended loads; 2. must seat the bullet to the correct depth; 3. make sure you don't overcharge or undercharge the casing. 4. make sure every round has a **new** primer in it. After you have the powder drop and dies set up, the major problems are #3 & #4. THAT is where the meticulousness comes in. I have had one squib load since I started loading .45 ACP in my Dillon; the primerless cartridges are pretty obvious. (They spill powder all over my press!) |
Keep in mind I havent reloaded a single bullet, so salt, etc. But. According to my calculations, shooting the 2 calibers I shoot, 40 & 223, I would need to shoot close to 125 metric tons of ammo before the reloader pays for itself. |
Agreed, I bought mine thinking about the savings mostly. There aren't any, especially if you include the cost of your time. It's about the accuracy and the experience. |
I've been doing both for several decades. Both are highly rewarding and entertaining. Reloading isn't rocket science, just pay attention. Proper charge, proper lengths. No big deal. Homebrewing infinately more detailed, especially formulating your own recipes. I've been very sucessful. But the two don't mix. Reload First, then shoot, then enjoy a Homebrew!!  Edit: You CAN save money, buy bulk bullets and powder. Much cheaper than storebought that way. If buying 1 pound powder and 100 bullets, usually breaks even. (but think of the fun your'e missing!!) Edit: Unless, of course, it just builds up in ammo cans against the wall!! Which it will do. Then it's called Collecting!! |
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Hell, for 20 bucks (plus consumables), how can you go wrong? If nothing else, having a little "Schumer insurance" against possible ammo bans, licensing, engraving legislation, 1000 percent taxes, shortages during SHTF, etc. makes it worthwhile - even if you don't use it during normal times. |
Follow these simple rules: 1) Never drink before reloading 2) Never drink while shooting I reserve magnum reloads for my Rugers only. They're built like tanks and I never go beyond published maximums for powder. |
I've been loading for my AR for awhile now... You can reload match ammo for about the cost of wolf, tuned to your rifle  My DPMS bull barrel produces cloverleaves at 100 yds now.With the pistol calibers I find that unless you are willing shoot lead bullets its not cost effective to make blaster ammo. However, you can load (especially 9mm) rounds with high-performance bullets for much less than factory high-performance ammo. It never hurts to have a few thousand golden saber bullets lying around. I just got a lee loadmaster, and the full progressive thing is going to be REALLY fun. 
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As long as the load data doesn't specifically state "Ruger, T/C Contender, Freedom Arms only", and you're within the published load specs, you're fine shooting max loads---but only if you have gradually worked up from minimum and there are no excess pressure signs. |
Well I wouldn't personally recommend just throwing powder in to a casing, seating the round and going forth but it isn't rocket science. As long as you are following the guidelines 100%. The meticulous part comes from those of us with nerdy pursuits like long range precision shooting. Then you have to be meticulous with the process and measurements etc. For example a change in powder thrown can significantly open up your groups. |
What kinds of loads are you shooting? According to my records, I shot ~1350 in Highpower competition last year. Average cost per round is $.23 so thats ~$310 in ammo. Black Hills reman Moly 77SMK is $.68 per round through Midway in a case lot. So in 1 year the $600 in ammo savings nicely pays for a Dillon 550. Then theres blasting ammo for .13 per round. Then there's the 6.5-284, 30/06, 30-40, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 9mm, 38 spl, 30 carbine and a few others. So don't buy your bullets one at a time or your powder by the ounce and a reloader should pay for itself in a few thousand rounds... unless you're one of those who thinks their free time is worth $100 per hour. Then it might take a few thousand more. 
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I've been reloading for over two decades. Biggest fallacy: "You will save money" You won't; you'll spend the same amount of funds, however you will shoot MORE for the same amount. This is the American way: fat free potato ships= more crunch. When I started, ammunition cost was a factor, years later my rifle reloads would always better the factory ammunition. Today's match ammunition while pricey, their accuracy (Federal GMM/ Blackhills) is difficult to match much less "consistantly" surpass. Last Wed, I fired over 100 rounds though my PSS (.308) if they were factory rounds I would have only fired 40 rounds (2 boxes). I shot most of them from seating, kneeling, prone positions (200-600 yards). Great satisfaction |