Think about reloading

[DFuller]

With all of the problems finding handgun ammo at decent prices and hearing some Politicians say they want to TAX the ammo enough to prevent most people from affording it I have decided that it might be time to learn how to load my own.

I know there are plenty of people on here that do reload and was just curious if it is something that is cost effective? For my own sake I want to try it anyway but not sure if I would really be saving money


.....

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the law breaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is responsible for his actions....Ronald Reagan

 

[beachbum17]

I use my buddies stuff and it works great. I can do 9mm $7.20 a box and .45 for $10.25. 45% of store value.

The equipment is expensive so unless you shoot over 2000 rounds a year (not .22) I wouldn't recommend it. Step 1 would to start picking up your and your friends brass at the range (expensive to buy brass casings)

You want just handgun loads ou can do a progressive hornday press (one pull it makes a bullet). I use my busses hbci or w/e the intials are. It's time consuming but you can do every rifle and pistol caliber. Unfortunately you have to put each bullet through 3-4 pulls to make one because you have to switch out the die after you insides the step with all your carriage your working on. Ill do it at night listening to tv and run 500 rounds through on step one. Switch to step 2, 3, etc and you have a bullet.

Also have to develop a load for each caliber I google around based on the powders I buy and there's plenty of options.

Like I said time consuming and expensive start up cost ($400-$909) saves a lot of money in the long run especially with the way prices are going up

 

[Blackthorn]

The initial cost is a bit but once you get going it is worth it. I reload for a fraction of the cost of factory ammo. Lee makes a good starter kit. You can always upgrade with time and experience...

 

[Etkini]

If you're doing mainly pistol ammo, I would suggest starting with a Lee turret press ($125-150) unless you have a good amount of disposable income and are very mechanically inclined, patient, and observant. It would be a shame to spend $400+ on a progressive only to find out you're not really into reloading, even though they do have a very high resale value.

Not only that, but unless you have someone teaching you, you'll appreciate only having to watch one round at a time (yes, you can use a progressive like a turret, but again the initial investment is 3-4x as much). Unless you're shooting more than 1,000rds a month (of one or mixed calibers), the turret will do just fine. And the turret, depending on your free time, would be able to easily pump out 1-2,000rds a month.

I reload .40S&W for $7.30/box, .223 for $2.15/box, and match-grade 168gr BTHP .308 (that shots better than FGGM) for $9/box. My savings is around 50% on a box of ammo.

Like I tell everyone who asks these questions who are new to reloading - the initial cost may be high, but eventually you will recoup that investment in the money saved. You will be saving money per round, but chances are you will be shooting twice as much because your money spent will go a lot further. And last, reloading will most likely become another hobby, something you can do when you're not at the range. It is fun, rewarding, and gives you a sense of pride knowing you're shooting ammo you made, ammo that's half the price and twice as accurate of any factory load you've ever shot - a load that you've worked on a tailored for YOUR particular firearm.

 

[nyviking]

I am a reloader and use reloads for all my range time and stockpile the commercial stuff and of course my self defense ammo too. I reload .45, 9mm, .223 and .308. It is cost effective and a great hobby as well. And I police my range frequently for all the spent casings even if I don't have that caliber firearm yet. I also can cast my own bullets as well from a stockpile of wheelweights I have collected. Everyone needs a hobby. lol