Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting reloading? is it worth it?

[mickeyblueyes]

Hi I was wonder if some one with experience could tell me if its worth getting involved in reloading. I have a 45 long colt a a box of ammo is like $30. 00 I know the more ammo you load over time the cost of each one goes down. But with purchasing primers and powder and maybe brass can I justify reloading? This is not high precision shooting just plinking. If it cost $1. 25 to buy a 45 long colt any idea how much to reload it from scratch?

 

[JKreiss]

I can't speak for the long Colt but in some cases, yes it is cost effective to get into it. What you might find however is an incredibly fun and relaxing hobby. My dad taught me how and i've been doing it for a couple years now. For plinking it's great because you shoot a lot but you can also produce a lot. You'll never run out of ammo or have to run out and find what you're looking. You can get a lot done on a Sunday afternoon, especially with winter coming along. With rifle, i've found that you can knock factory stuff out of the water. What impressed me most was the consistency in accuracy that can be achieved with handloads. The best thing i think would be to buy a book and read up a little on it, see if it's something you might be into.

 

[WesJohnston]

In addition to what JKreiss said, the more calibers you reload for the cost per round also decreases. All you have to buy is dies, shell holders and components (bullets, powder, primers) since you will already have the press and other major gadgets. So, what that means, you will probably have to increase your arsenal!!!!



Shoot - reload - shoot - reload - buy new gun - shoot - reload... . it's a viscious circle!!!

 

[GHarman]

Hi I was wonder if some one with experience could tell me if its worth getting involved in reloading. I have a 45 long colt a a box of ammo is like $30. 00 I know the more ammo you load over time the cost of each one goes down. But with purchasing primers and powder and maybe brass can I justify reloading? This is not high precision shooting just plinking. If it cost $1. 25 to buy a 45 long colt any idea how much to reload it from scratch?

Costs have gone up for everything since I started. However, the more and longer you reload the cheaper per round it is.

I started reloading at the tender age of 16. That was in 1964. I started with the old black powder cartridges and lead bullets. Commercial lead bullets were few and far between for the . 45/70 and . 45 Colt. So I cast my own. On a kids wages, I shot alot of ammo! Then I bought a . 243 and several other rifles and was hooked. Other than my time in the Corps, I reloaded all the ammo I shoot. Starting out is always expensive. However, amortization is the key. If you start and quit in a couple of years it wont be worth it. However, involving family members and shooting alot will make a considerable difference in your ammo bill.

Commercial lead and "lead free" bullets are available for the . 45 at a fair discount. 7000 Gr/Lb divided by the charge weight will give you a cost breakdown on powder and buy the primers by the case if you can or by the box of 1000. Start out with new brass or reload fired factory cases. Always safety first! Get a couple of manuals for reference. Dont be afraid to post questions! The only dumb question is one not asked! GregH

PS, If you cast your own bullets from scrap lead and wheel weights, the cost is only for the bullet mould, the lead furnace and electricity to run it. Do this outside or in a ventilated area. Bullets are then less than $0. 01 each if you cast alot!

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Thanks guys ,I need a hobby anyway. I always wanted a cowboy style wheel gun and 45 long colt would be a good caliber for that also. I see Henry makes a 45 lever action also so this may work out . I will look for some used stuff first. I think this could be like a gym membership all hot and heavy then it falls apart.

 

[CKelley1]

after obama election all reloading components became scarce and high priced like the ammo. i reload many different calibers and shoot a lot. i was able to stock up before the obama election and can load cheap. the 45 long colt is about 9 cents per round. it is a good hobby within its self. go to Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders they have the best. i do not think that you shoot nearly as much as i do. look at the square deal B. i have been loading on the 550 for about 17 years. most of the competition shooters in my area have the 650. on a good prairie dog day i can shoot a 1,000 rounds in one day. in cowboy action shooting i have shot up to 500 rounds in one day. on the 550 i can load 500 rounds per hour. i could never afford to shoot factory ammo

 

[CKelley1]

i agree with gharmen if you cast the price drops dramatically. lyman makes the best. by buying surplus powder and bulk buying primers i could reload 45 acp for 3 cents per round. i got away from casting because of the time it was taking. now that i am not in competition shooting i may pull out the casting stuff.

 

[Bill Lins]

The other advantage to reloading, other than cost, is that you can build custom loads unavailable commercially, if you choose.

 

[AABEN]

If you will look around you will find that LEE loading equip is a money saver . Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment have all LEE and have been reloading for 32 years. LEE 3 hole press 68. 00 4 hole with auto index 73. 00 . If you do not have the powder scales you can buy the kit for 110. 00 at MID WAY USA part # 622-290 . In the summer I will reload around 400 rounds a week. This is one big savings for me. I shoot 223 - 243 - 2506 - 30. 06 In hand guns 38 - 357 - 40 - 9MM 380 -40 - 44SP - 44Mag And a DAN WESSON 375 - 357 super mag. I buy my powder by 8Lb and my primers by 5000 at a time . == GOOD LUCK ==

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Good advice above. I will say for me I started spending more money over all after I started reloading - but it's because I was shooting a LOT more. I also spent quite a lot on equipment because I got hooked on the ability to improve my accuracy significantly. When your loading your own you can tailor the rounds you load to your specific gun - hint, the max load even if it's pressure safe is almost always NOT the most accurate load. Dillon definitely makes the nicest stuff out there. However, for a first time reloader I think the Lee Turret press w/auto index is a great idea. It's not a fully progressive press. With a progressive press every time you pull the lever a loaded round is produced, so multiple processes are happening at the same time. One case is being sized and deprimed, another is having the neck flared and a primer seated, another is getting it's powder charge, and another is getting the bullet seated (and sometimes another is crimping the case). With the Lee turret press each time you pull the lever one process is happening but you go through the whole process with each round - so you have to pull the handle 4 times for each round produced. The advantage for a new reloader IMO is that you can more closely monitor what's going on. Later on if you want to get a fully progressive you can still use the turret press as a single stage press. It's how I went about it and I'd do it the same again.

 

[GCroyle]

I haven't weighed the economics of this question, most likely never will. But for an evening challange reloading is pretty tough to beat. Quiet time, hand skills, pride in the finished round but the big payout is when the stuff performs and hits where the sights are looking. That is the satisfaction factor hard to put a price on. I have an old '03 sporter that is my white tail piece and I have put 3 factory rounds touching at 100 yds and done the same with handloads. I'm not doing quantity blasting, I got hooked on NRA bullseye shooting and hitting the X-Ring with 30-06 . 223 and enjoying it thats' a good day.



My rig is a Hornady progressive and once you get it figured out, well I like it. It offers versatility and good results.



One thing that I elected to do was to check each finished round on my scale, that creates an additional check and a nice feeling about your consistancy.



Buy a real caliper, not a plastic toy.



KEEP RECORDS!!!!!!!!! LABEL YOUR WORK!!!!!!

 

[GHarman]

Starting out

My first tool was a Lyman 310, tong tool with dies. My O press was a Herters. In 1970 I bought a Rockchucker press, which I use to this day. I also use wilson dies and an arbor press for high precision. All this stuff is single stage. The Dillon has always been interesting and Hornady has a their new "loc-n-load progressives. These have a different method of carrying the dies. You do what is in your budget. However, buying the best the first time keeps you from accumulating unnecessary equipment and expenses.

There is alot of safety procedures that you need to be aware of. Get a couple of manuals or use the internet for instruction. Always safety first!

Store your powder in a cool, dry place. It will deteriorate fast if it is not used, when stored in high heat/humidity.

One can of powder on the bench at one time. This is a big safe practice issue!

Ask Questions! GregH

 

[BIGNASTY]

reloading

I have to say that I cant see any cost saving's for me because the more I shoot the more I want to but as was said above I shoot way more. I have two machine's RCBS O press and a Dillon Progressive I use the progressive for pistol and the O press for rifle. Have fun with the hobby and always follow the recipes in the reloading book's

 

[The patriot]

If you shoot moderately you can save a lot of $$$ plus the satisfaction of rollin your own.

 

[p-Bar]

when my wife turns on Dr. Phil I'm out in the hobby room pullin the lever on my XL 650 Dillion and saving me a lot of money

 

[AABEN]

You'll know there are a lot of different brands of reloading equipment for sale! So what a man uses is what he likes so I hope this site does not get in to who's is best ! !

 

[AMink]

Go on Craigslist or eBay to start with. A lot of people get into it and don't continue. I like the satisfaction of putting together a quality round and using it in the field. I also like loading cheap target loads for my handguns. I have a Lee progressive that works fine for plinkin loads. I use an RCBS single stage for my hunting loads. 1 at a time and every one is weighed and measured for consistency.

 

[GHarman]

That depends

If you only want to hit the barn door, across the barnyard, that is fine. However, if your desire is to thread a round through the key hole in the lock hanging on the barn door with a cold bore shot across a 40 acre field, we definitely need to discuss rifles AND reloading techniques, including equipment. GregH

 

[GCroyle]

If you only want to hit the barn door, across the barnyard, that is fine. However, if your desire is to thread a round through the key hole in the lock hanging on the barn door with a cold bore shot across a 40 acre field, we definitely need to discuss rifles AND reloading techniques, including equipment. GregH

Greg,



I like your thinking. I can't match that but I LIKE it.



Reminds me of watching the guys at Memphis Sport Shooting Assn. hold a 600yd egg shoot, cold bore F-Class stuff.



Gary

 

[BIGNASTY]

Dr Phil

when my wife turns on Dr. Phil I'm out in the hobby room pullin the lever on my XL 650 Dillion and saving me a lot of money

Your's is Dr Phil my signal to reload is OC or NY wives or what ever those cackling hens on TV are:-laf