Newbie ?

[dup1028]

I have been shooting handguns alot lately with my son and we really enjoy it.My question is we have been shooting alot ammo across the counter stuff and thought mabe for the economics of it maybe we should reload. Is the savings great enough to get setup to do this or is it marginal .
thanks Brian

 

[Truck10]

Re: Newbie ?

What caliber are we talking here?? I personally never had much luck reloading autos (9mm-.40). And for me the price of your "take to the range" 9mm and 40cal ammo is still cheap enough to justify buying. My father has been reloading 44mag ammo for along time, and considering the price for magnum and some revolver ammo reloading might be a good idea for you..

 

[dup1028]

Re: Newbie ?

9mm and 45 right now.all autos

 

[SVG308]

Re: Newbie ?

I load 45ACP and the savings is substantial. Factory rounds are $17-20/box and I load a box of 200g LSWC for around $5.

 

[dup1028]

Re: Newbie ?

Wow that is quite a savings !Any paticular brands better for reloading pistol ammo as far as presses and dies go?

 

[tacdrver]

Re: Newbie ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: leadslinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been shooting handguns alot lately with my son and we really enjoy it.My question is we have been shooting alot ammo across the counter stuff and thought mabe for the economics of it maybe we should reload. Is the savings great enough to get setup to do this or is it marginal .
thanks Brian</div></div>
the initial cost might scare u off... depending on how much your shooting will let you no how much your going to save... the more you buy at fisrt the cheaper it is... buy bulk... 8lb powders brick of primers and 1000 bullets...

 

[vman]

Re: Newbie ?

I always advise large volume shooters to get into handloading.

If not for the long term, its a great hobby within a hobby.

"Im a handloader, that occasionaly shoots"

 

[Jhnmdahl]

Re: Newbie ?

Dillon arguably makes the best value high volume handgun reloading equipment. They have quite a few different models and package features - check out their website at http://www.dillonprecision.com/ for more info.

John

 

[Magstang1]

Re: Newbie ?

Dillon presses are top of the line. But $$$. I run a hornady lock n load. I have a few thousand rounds through it and have had no issues.

Reloading will reduce your cost per cartridge. I can reload .45 with jacketed bullets for half or less of new manufactured ammo.

The ability to taylor your ammo and increase the quality is worth the time.

For a progressive press and all the other tools you will need to get started plan on $600 to $800.

 

[dup1028]

Re: Newbie ?

thanks everybody for all the info.looks like I have some homework to do.

 

[Magstang1]

Re: Newbie ?

Ask lots of questions. Go to some manufacturer websites and look around. Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Lyman. Winchester has a loading database on their website.

The most important part of loading is having a current, quality load manual. It tells you all the dimensions and charge weights you need to follow. Most have a section in the front that detail every step of the loading process. If you are going to reload, go buy the Lyman manual ($25) and start reading. LOTS of good info in there.

Have multiple manuals. Data can differ from book to book. Not all manufacturers are listed in every manual. I never work up a load until I look it up in three different places. Some you can get for free. Next time you go to a store that sells reloading supplies ask for some literature from the manufacturer. Most will have a mini manual for free.

Make a shopping list and post it here. You will have a difficult time figuring out every piece of equipment to buy. Some things are worth the money. Some (I'm convinced) are designed to take your money.

As far as dies go, I like RCBS. Good quality and reasonably priced. You want carbide dies for pistols. Longer lasting, and no lube required when using carbide.

A good scale is a must. Digital scales are touchy and cost $$$ for a good one. Many people use them, but I don't own one. RCBS 505 is an easy to use, accurate, quality scale. Highly recommended.

I asked a million questions when I got started. I hope you do to.

Edit: I just found a nice cost breakdown calculator. With current component prices, and $800 worth of equipment to reload, my break even is about 3,500 rounds of .45acp Depending of what caliber you shoot, this may increase or decrease. If you plan on loading for rifles, just buy a press now.

 

[dup1028]

Re: Newbie ?

I will definitely check out the manuals.Will I be able to reload TMJ ammo or is that something strictly for the manufactures.It was a long winter here so did alot of shooting at an indoor range which required clean range ammo which can be expensive.28.00 box for 45 .

Thanks Brian

 

[Magstang1]

Re: Newbie ?

This is the great part about reloading. You can make whatever you want.

Copper plated bullets in FMJ form are usually 100% covered in copper. The lead core is encapsulated. Berry's and Ranier are manufacturers that I know makes bullets this way.

FMJ bullets that are truly jacketed (not plated) usually have an exposed lead base in the center on the bottom of the bullet. The lead slug is wrapped with copper and pressed into a die. Some jacketed bullets are double struck (represented by the designation DS) to ensure uniformity of the jacket. Montana Gold and Precision Delta are jacketed bullets I have personally used with good results

So to answer your question in short form, yes, you can make "clean" ammo.

When the powder burns in the casing, if the base of the bullet doesn't have exposed lead the powder can't burn a bit of the lead and release it into the air. Encapsulated lead core, no lead released.

Now, that's not to say this ammo is "safe". Primers have all sorts of nasty stuff in them that isn't good for you. Burnt gun powder is probably not the best thing to be breathing either. After reloading, or handling components, WASH YOUR HANDS.

You can't tell the difference when the ammo is loaded if the base of the bullet is exposed or not. It's inside the brass casing.

With all the variables the same from the last time I ran the calculations, If you are paying $28 per box (assuming a box is 50 rounds) your break even would be 1964 rounds. That $28 per box of ammo would cost me $7.64 to make.

So, what kind of press are you going to get? lol.

One more edit: If you are going to reload 9mm and .45acp you should start off looking at Winchester 231. That is the powder. Usually just called W231. It is a common, readily available ball powder that meters well, and works very well with both calibers. One less variable. You don't have to worry about getting powders mixed up. And one less component to buy.

Meters well meaning: when your powder drop drops the powder into the case, it measures each charge weight uniformly and consistently. Each time you get the same amount of powder.

 

[Lefty06]

Re: Newbie ?

As others have said reloading can be economical if you load enough. I got into casting my own. 40 Cal bullets and its just about cheaper for me to shoot my .40 than my .22LR