reloading

[bretthunting]

doc
i have done it for years,don't know if the savings are quite that good anymore,but i feel that i get more accurate loads and a couple of my rifles shoot odd weights of bullets that i can not buy in factory loads.besides its a good way to go close myself in my reloading room and "get away from it all"

[icehorse1]

Doc,
I shoot Cowboy as part of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS at www.sassnet.com). Really couldn't afford to shoot this much (45 LC) if I didn't reload myself. You can save about 40-50% by reloading vs, buying factory loads. When I first started Cowboy shooting I was buying reloads from AmmoDirect.com. Pricing wasn't too bad, but the freight was a "killer".
If you decide to get into reloading, buy a Dillion press; I use a 550B after some bad (and I mean BAD) experiences with other press manufactures.

[bgak47]

I reload, but I'm more interested in Quality than Quanity. It may be somewhat cheaper to reload some calibers, but I reload for personal satisfaction more than thrift.

[NJ Rich]

Many years ago I reloaded all my own shotgun and center fire ammo. Back then I could save a few bucks over the cost of factory ammo. I shot trap and skeet that meant a lot of ammo fired. My rifle ammo was loaded for accuracy and because I could not get the type bullets in a factory load. Bretthunting said the same things for his reasons. It was also part of my hobby.

I would check suppliers prices and compare them to factory ammo. Don't forget the initial cost of reloading equipment. Depending on how much you shoot it may not save you anything for years.

Remember safety is the biggest concern. Talk with people who reload for advice and read a lot about it. Good Luck, NJ Rich

[mightybooboo]

Great gun site I found....

http://shootersforum.com/forumdisplay.htm?f=32

BooBoo

[michiganfarmer]

I reload all my shells for my 300 weatherby mag. They are just more than I want to spend to buy them. I think I save about 60% when I reload

[Grovers2]

I have reloaded for several years now, for myself and several others. I am more interested in the quality of the loads than the savings. Each gun is different and does best with different loads. By reloading I can play the game of trial and error with powder weights and bullet composition and weight. Besides, it is very relaxing to me.

Jodi

[NWSneaky]

An excellent post to demonstrate the modern problems of humankind; why find self-sufficiency with a determination to kill.

[diamondtim]

Doc,

Most handloaders load their own ammunition for the same reason others cannot drive a car without modifying it to their taste. Some do it for power and performance, others do it for comfort (reduced recoil) and some just like to shoot something they made on their own bench.

As far as economy is concerned, consider this question: What would you have to pay someone to develop a customized formula of case, primer, powder (type and charge) and bullet to optimize the performance of your rifle for a given task (match, hunting) or situation? Because that is what your doing when you handload!

A custom suit is unnessessary for a guy who can get a perfect fit off the rack. But how many of us get a perfect fit off the rack? Or are you willing to settle for what comes off the rack?

Good luck with your quest!

Share the Love,

Diamondtim

[Richard6br]

If you shoot a lot, or are concerned about extreme accuracy, then reload. If you are just a casual shooter-hunter, don't. Most people don't shoot as much ammo per year as they think. I know of hunters that have used the same box of 20 rounds of rifle ammo for years. Actually most hunters use more ammo sighting there guns in every year than shooting at game. The cost for setting up a reloader can go from under $100 to as much as $1000. I am a competition long range shooter, and reload for accuracy plus the calibers that I shoot can't be bought off the shelf. There are a lot of reloading outfits rusting away in basements bought by people that "thought" they were going to get into reloading.

[Richard6br]

NW Sneaky, I have been reloading for 20yrs for competition shooting and haven't killed anything for over 30yrs. I know more people who reload for recreational shooting than hunting.

[skeetshooter]

I reload shotgun shells. I figure that I save about half the price, but for me its being able to custom load the shells for the discipline I'm shooting. The manufactured loads are often over powered for skeet and trap and are dirty. I load about a case a week.

[Quint]

I've been told that your more high quality centerfire rifle ammunition will be going up in price after the first of the year If you're trying to save money on the bulk ammo that you buy in 1000 and 2000 round cases then I don't think you can really save much. It is hard to beat 100 bucks for imported 1000 rounds of .223, 7.62x39 or 9mm or .45. But for high quality hunting loads then you can start saving money.

Oh and NWSneaky that "determination to kill" you are so quick to ridicule keeps us from being forced to kill, keeps us from being killed and allows us to keep our loved ones safe from those who would harm them. Determination to kill in defense of myself and my loved ones? Absolutely. Determination to kill in defense of Liberty? Absolutely. Do I make any apologies for it? Absolutely not. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who wouldn't kill to defend his family or Liberty.

"To be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem.
To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized,
merely the domesticated." - Trefor Thomas

[Jolly]

Reload?

Does 3 standard presses, 1 progressive, and two shotgun reloaders count?

Or the 20 pounds of powder stashed in the cabinet?

Or the molds, wheelweights, flux, gas checks and other acoutrements of the cast bullet shooter?

Yeah, I reload sometimes...

Some pros and cons:

Pro - 1) It's fun. I enjoy rolling my own, and tinkering.

2) You can do some things you can't buy off of the shelf, like a 160g cast 7.62x39 round. Or a 6.5/06 Wildcat round.

3) Most of the time, you can produce a more accurate round. Most of the time.

Cons - 1) You don't save any money. Most folks shoot up whatever they save.

2) Reloads are not always more accurate. Some of the premium stuff today is very, very good.

3) You can't reproduce things such as the Hornady LM line, because you don't have access to the powders, or the technology.

4) Certain calibers are so cheap, you can't load the thing for what you can buy it for.


Just my opinion, YMMV....

[reluctantpatriot]

Depending on the components and what kind of good deals I can get on once fired brass, I can save up to 80 percent of the cost of new ammuntion.

While you can buy cheap imported ammuntion or military surplus rounds by the crate, that is really only good for plinking and burning up rounds. If you focus on shooting for competition or for precision, you will see the value of handloading.

It also helps that I have a few rifles that would otherwise be wall hangers because they are designed for certain pressure burn curves to work properly. Modern commercial ammo would cause premature failures and damage in them. So I handload and come up with pretty good groups for what they are. And I get to have fun shooting and hunting.

The cost of retail ammuntion might be affordable if you just shoot two boxes a year, right before hunting season. I will chime in that if you shoot for accuracy or in volume, you will get more rounds for the same amount of money.

I like reloading because it is fun and I get more value for my money.

[silentcrow]

Since there are so many reloaders here, maybe some one can help me...

My dad passed away over a year ago. He was a reloader and my mom still has his stuff. She has been wanting to sell it, but is unsure of what price to ask. This is older equipment, but should all still be in good shape. I can take pictures and write down any info I find on the stuff. He reloaded for rifles, handguns (I think), and shotgun shells. There is still some brass casings in with things. Please PM me if you may be able to help, and thank you.

[diamondtim]

Silentcrow,

You need to inventory what she has presses, dies, scale, powder, cases, bullets, etc. Gather as much information on each item or lot (Brand name, caliber, Model #, condition, etc.) and look on ebay as to what like items are listed for and have sold for (completed auctions). This will tell you what it is generally worth on the secondary market. Someone is usually looking for what you've got.

This is a better strategy than taking a box of stuff to a flea market, garage sale, gun show or shop and letting someone cherry-pick the valuable stuff and then low-balling you for the whole lot. Then doing the ebay thing themselves.

Powder is considered haz mat for shipping (expensive surcharge) and should be given to the cops or used for fertilizer. Unless you know someone who wants it.

Just my dos centavos

[Dan in WY]

I reload for both rifle and handgun. I haven't bought a box of factory ammo in years. I also cast my own bullets, which is another big money saver. By reloading ammo, reusing cases, and casting bullets, I can shoot most of my guns for less than or just as cheaply as a 22 rimfire.
Reloading is a great hobby in and of itself. It must be approached with caution and common sense.