Does anyone here not reload?

[BobinNC]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

Holdem,

Do leave off your ceiling fan; I learned that the hard way.....and it helps not to breath heavily on the scale, like leave the Playboy channel off your tv while reloading. Watch Oprah instead

Yes, they are sensitive little buggers.

Have fun,

Bob

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

I would steer clear of the lyman. I owned one. If the charge was sitting on the scale it would slowly climb in weight. I had to constantly recalibrate it and I ended up selling it. I have a buddy that still has his and he is starting to have the same problem.

Buy the harrells its worth it. The lyman takes 13sec on average per charge. The harrells you set with a scale and it is a one stroke opperation. So far it has reliably cut through anything I have fed it and is extremely accurate and consistent. You can't get anymore simple than working a handle up and down.

I use a cheap RCBS Partner press. The Redding dies are sleeved and produce excellent results even on my cheap press. I load 308, 65x284, and 7x300wsm with good results and I don't have to spend hours away from my family.

I used to trim after every reload, clean primer pockets, debur flash holes, turn necks, etc. I have learned that good brass, bullets, and powder compensate for a lot without having to do all the extras. My rifles shoot consistently between 3/8-1/2 moa. Buy good components and load and shoot instead of wasting hours at the reloading bench trying to squeeze out an extra 1/16 moa.

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

One thing to add.

There is no savings in reloading.

The amount of many spent in handloads to factory is a miss conception.

What handloads really do is this.

We all have a budget, some bigger, some small bet we all have one.

Handloading lets us, the shooter, shoot ALOT more for the same ammount of $$$ in a given space of time.

This is the truth.

Every person I know max's out their budget for ammo cost right?

The difference is the handloader shows up with 100, 200, 600rnds. The factory guy has 100 to 150rnds.

But both are broke equality.

John

 

[spotswood]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

Hi Holdem:

I have done both over the past 30 years.
I shoot competitive shotguns in all 4 guages and for the first 15 years reloaded all 4 guages with hydrualic automatic machines.

I also shot competitive pistol and hunted and reloaded both. It was cheaper burt very time consuming.


I then sold all my reloading equipment and bought new shells (shotgun rifle and pistol) in bulk and negotiated with manufacturers and/or distributors. It is slightly more expensive but you need to decide what your time is worth. If you can afford to buy new and leave the brass lay it is a great way to go as this is what I do now.

Look around for bulk purchases directly and you can make it more affordable. If you have a company and tax id it may help. If not, consider creating one for it.

You will give up the ability to develop your own loads but unless you are competing on a professional level it may not make a difference.

Gary

 

[doc76251]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

holdem,

FWIW and I'm old fashioned. Get good mechanical gear first.

I have a mechanical thrower and the Lyman DPS. While I have developed a pattern of assembly that lets me motor along at a pretty good clip. In 308 it takes about 45 seconds to dump a full charge of Varget with the electronic version, but I still weigh each charge on the beam scale. One I can do in any condition, the other I have to make sure the heat/AC doesn't come on or the fans aren't blowing. My mechanical one can also be used in the back of my truck on the range.

Leave the gee whiz stuff for when you get the technique down.

The exception to this is the Giraud trimmer thing. At $400 it's spendy but it is a huge time saver and is NEXT on my list of things to buy ........ after I fix the chimney, fence, wire the barn, replace the hot water heater etc. etc......... In the mean time my drill press works well and has served me for many years.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Lburt]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

I started reloading in 1968 and my oldest son is now reloading using the same RCBS press, RCBS scale and RCBS .308 dies. The rifle he is using was built for me in 1972 by Wally Hart of Robert W. Hart and son. It is a Remington 700 ADL with trued lugs, and bolt face, a Hart 1:13 twist barrel bedded in a McMillan M40 stock.

RCBS used to have packages for an RCBS Jr press, 505 scale and 3 die set for under $50.00, I have no idea what they are now. The rifle was a beat up, shot out 22-250 I bought for $100.00 and the invoice from Hart for truing,the cost of the barrel, fitting and chambering, the cost of the stock and bedding was $400.00. Near as we can figure the barrel has about 7,000 rounds down the tube (about 200 per year) and it has been set back once.

My point is that you can keep your equipment for years, (over 40 now) and load for price and satisfaction. If you want to HANDLOAD for ACCURACY, it's a different ball game and anyone that goes into it thinking they are going to save money, imho is nutz. Handloading for accuracy is at least the cost of factory. (before the screaming starts don't forget the cost of tools and custom dies especially if you use tight neck chambers). The only thing that matters is if you get the enjoyment you want out of your hobbies.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: holdem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
So if you want to start reloading, use the KISS principle. Start with considering reloading for one rifle cartridge (Note: I am excluding pistol and shotshell reloading which by nature demand higher volumes of reloads) say 308 Winchester or 223 Remington. </div></div>

Yes, I would probably do .308 and maybe .223. I can't see myself ever doing 9mm, unless the price spikes to unheard of levels. Once tax is figured in, I have been paying $.191 per round for 9mm.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> To use the Foster you need a set of Vernier Calipers, dial type. There are many good ones, and I got mine from Sears. </div></div>

I have digital calipers already. Accuarate to .0005" and .01mm. Would these work?


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Next you need a powder scale. Electronic is better. I use a Lyman 1500. it costs around $165.00. But a Lyman 1000 should work as well and cost around $110. There are cheaper electronic scales down in the $36. range. I cannot comment on them. </div></div>

How accuarate are these? I do not know what a grain equates to in pounds or grams. I have a scale accurate to the gram, but I am sure this is probably too crude and not accuarate enough.

</div></div>

Right now, 9mm bullets are about 12 cents a piece if you buy in bulk, so for savings it might not be worth your while.

You don't need super high end calipers; your calipers are fine.

1 gram = 15.43 grains. The Dillon Terminator electronic scale is a simple scale that is accurate to 0.1 grains and costs about $140. Use the digital scale, as it is much faster and easier to use than a balance beam; you don't have to wait for the beam to level and is easier to read, leading to lesser chance of error.

 

[Goatman007]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

The problem with factory ammo, is that the burn rates will vary from lot to lot. If you find one lot# that shoots good, you might not be able to find it again. Ammo manufacturers will mix leftover powders together and load it. reloading is definitely the way to go.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goatman007</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The problem with factory ammo, is that the burn rates will vary from lot to lot. If you find one lot# that shoots good, you might not be able to find it again. Ammo manufacturers will mix leftover powders together and load it. reloading is definitely the way to go. </div></div>

What are you basing that statement on, SAMI specifications dictate specific pressure ranges for any particular cartridges. Most US companies anyway, have published velocities. This can not be achieved by throwing together the left over powders and filling the case.

A rifle that won't shoot Federal GMM usually has some problem other than the ammo. There is also a team the post frequently here that is sponsored by Hornady shooting the 6.5 Creedmore. They seem to win their share of matches. IMHO

Jerry

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

If you're going to shoot alot, reloading is a no-brainer. It pays for itself in terms of $$, in basically no time. This poor college boy bought a Lee kit in the box, back in 1972, for 38 special. Then went to the local auto garage and asked for all the wheel weights they had; melted them and cast the bullets. Over time, a Rockchucker jr. then a Rockchucker, now, a Dillon 550. I load multiple rifle calibers, .223, 22-250, 243, 25-06, .308. and all the major pistol calibers. My Lee 1000 paid for itself in the first few hundred rounds of .38/357, and .45 acp and back in the day, I loaded .45 acp for $65 per 1000. Brass was free, just swept it up off the range. Patrons thanked me for cleaning up behind them.

I have been off an on this site for a year or two, and the guys here have great ideas; just filter through and decide. IMHO, to be a good marksman, you have to shoot, alot, and unless you have deep pockets, you're going to pay. As in anything, there's a trade off of time and money. I think most of the guys here are committed shooters, and over time,; have toys I still don't have; along with knowledge, I have yet to attain.

A Lee single stage press, with dies and the components listed above, isn't much compared to the savings, assuming you're going to shoot enough to be any good. Even with the crazy prices of componets, I'm loading .308, Berger moly's, 168 gr. hpbt, 4064, for .56 a round. I think I can order match bullets w/o the molly for less than my local retailer has jacked up the Bergers ($50) a hundred. I can molly coat them myself. Not even sure anymore that the moly coat is a benefit??

 

[acttacus]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

I don't reload, and I go through 400 rounds of FGMM .308 a month. But I don't have a family and eat instant noodles all day.

Hahaha~ Once fired brass?? I have'em!!

 

[JWGILLAM]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

once fired brass, hook it up!!!!!!!

 

[gunlove]

Re: Does anyone here not reload?

Time or money. That's what everything in life costs isn't it.

As for if you can compete buying premium factory loads such as perhaps Federal gold medal or black hills it depends on which classes of precision shooting you want to compete in. The less limited the class the less success you will have. The more doodads they allow the smaller the groups get and eventually everyone reloads.

I can't tell you what to do or even what you should do. I hope what little information I have helps.