Reloading...I think I can do that

[melissa5]

Yesterday, I watched a guy at my local LGS reloading .45s with a Dillion progressive press. He explained the steps and it sounded/looked easy enough. But, I'm wondering how much I can really expect to save on 50 rounds? He told me that the setup he was using cost around $2,500. For those of you who reload for .45, how much does it cost you for 50 rounds?

[MW surveyor]

Yes you can

Melissa,

From reading your posts, you can definitely reload. All you need to do is follow directions and take your time. Also, you will save money per round/box or however you want to figure it. Presently it costs me about 12 to 13 cents per round depending on the loading. I'm reloading for 9 mm, 38 spl, 357 and 45 ACP, so a box of 50 ranges from $6.00 to $6.50 (357 AND 45). Not much savings for the 9mm but hey, everything counts. Most of the savings come from the 38, 357 and the 45. You however may not save any money as you will probably shoot more. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!

Ok, next step is to get a few reloading manuals and read them. I have a Lyman for pistols and also the Lee manual. Look at the videos on youtube and ask questions here.

When I first started reloading a year ago. The sales person at my local reloading store tried to talk me into the most expensive press that they had in the store. Progressive type with a bunch of bells and whistles. I'm kinda cheap and decided to go with a Lee single stage kit. Learned a lot using that kit and am using the single stage this morning for de-priming, sizing and re-priming about 500 rounds of 45 ACP that I'll reload later today. It will not be on the single stage though.

I've graduated to the Lee classic turret press with the auto drop powder measure. I can crank out nearly 200 rounds per hour with this press while with the single stage 50 to 60 per hour was pushing it. One real good thing about the Lee, you can use it as a single stage press by not installing the rod. That way you can learn easier and have the benefit of having a turret press.

Wow, this is getting too long. I'm sure that there will be others along shortly. But remember -

YES YOU CAN RELOAD!

[Bawanna]

What he said. I'd look at Hornady manuals also. There's alot of good stuff in them too.

I agree that it's best to start slow with a single or maybe best a turret press as MW said. That way you see whats happening at each stage.

Reloading takes time and patience and attention to detail. Components fluctuate in price just like loaded ammo. Primers suddenly dissappear, powder will go up in price or become hard to find.

If you find a recipe that works you can stock up on stuff when things are good and you don't have to worry about it.

Lot's of smart reloaders around here to help ya if you jump in. With you new found 1911 kick and obvious obsession for guns it might be your time.

[TucsonMTB]

Hey Melissa!

Everything Bawanna and MW Surveyor said is spot on, especially the advice about buying components. When I priced the equipment and components a couple of years ago, the cost savings was minimal, so I passed.

However, most of the guys who reload around here do it either for greater accuracy compared to commercial ammo, or because they want special low power loads for competition shooting or their recoil sensitive spouses. Eventually, the cost helps justify the initial investment and the time spent.

Even the best of these guys will admit to having at least one squib round and sometimes a minor catastrophe as the result of not noticing the squib (usually no more than a ruined barrel). My wife shoots. If I loaded a squib and she had a problem, I could never forgive myself.

The final justification from the most active "reloader" I know, is that it is therapy. Rick sometimes shows up at the range with several hundred rounds he has to shoot, just so he can reload them again. Good emotional/mental therapy is expensive if you need professional help, so reloading may be a better answer.

Just my two cents . . . as always YMMV

[earle8888]

yep to all the above! I am finding it hard to find jacked 230FMJ, 45ACP for less tha 19 cents a piece in 500 or less round purchase, thus not really great savings over factory on sale boxes. It is a great HOBBY, yes hobby for shooters. I have had and used reloading for many years and have a supply of primers and powders, so its the bullet cost for me. I don't mold anymore.

[OldLincoln]

I just checked and can get 230gn copper plated 45 for 13 cents including tax from my local reloading store. That's up 2 cents compared to 2 months ago. Even with that, powder is 5 cents and primer 4 cents so I get a box of 50 45 ACP for $11. I've been told that those who recast lead can push the cost down to $8 box. However I'm not getting in that deep.

Didn't price it today but 115gn RN Copper plated 9mm + powder & primer should be around $8 per 50.

So you do save over retail cost for what you shoot, but you have to decide if you want to do it. I started out only to save money (it was cheaper then) and got hooked. I loaded 300rds of 9mm last night on Bawanna's Rock Chucker. For me it's about the only hobby I can do where I save money. Well, I guess there's yard work but I don't like that 4 letter word "work".

[melissa5]

Melissa,

From reading your posts, you can definitely reload. All you need to do is follow directions and take your time. Also, you will save money per round/box or however you want to figure it. Presently it costs me about 12 to 13 cents per round depending on the loading. I'm reloading for 9 mm, 38 spl, 357 and 45 ACP, so a box of 50 ranges from $6.00 to $6.50 (357 AND 45). Not much savings for the 9mm but hey, everything counts. Most of the savings come from the 38, 357 and the 45. You however may not save any money as you will probably shoot more. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!

Ok, next step is to get a few reloading manuals and read them. I have a Lyman for pistols and also the Lee manual. Look at the videos on youtube and ask questions here.

When I first started reloading a year ago. The sales person at my local reloading store tried to talk me into the most expensive press that they had in the store. Progressive type with a bunch of bells and whistles. I'm kinda cheap and decided to go with a Lee single stage kit. Learned a lot using that kit and am using the single stage this morning for de-priming, sizing and re-priming about 500 rounds of 45 ACP that I'll reload later today. It will not be on the single stage though.

I've graduated to the Lee classic turret press with the auto drop powder measure. I can crank out nearly 200 rounds per hour with this press while with the single stage 50 to 60 per hour was pushing it. One real good thing about the Lee, you can use it as a single stage press by not installing the rod. That way you can learn easier and have the benefit of having a turret press.

Wow, this is getting too long. I'm sure that there will be others along shortly. But remember -

YES YOU CAN RELOAD!

You are correct, Sir! I would only shoot more!

[melissa5]

I just checked and can get 239gn copper plated 45 for 13 cents including tax from my local reloading store. That's up 2 cents compared to 2 months ago. Even with that, powder is 5 cents and primer 4 cents so I get a box of 50 45 ACP for $11.

That's still a lot better than $17.99 for a box of 50 Atlanta Arms reloads.

[MW surveyor]

Did a new work up for my 45 ACP loads using HP38 instead of Bullseye as HP38 is about $2.00 more per pound here. So:

powder @ 5.3 grains= 0.024
primers = 0.03
bullets (LRN) = 0.08
cost per round =0.134
per box of 50 =6.711 tax is already in the costs of the powder, primers and bullets.
I use range pickups so no cost in brass.

So you can reload the 45 at about 1/3 the cost of even reloaded factory ammo!
The cost of the new dies was paid off in 190 rounds.

There's nothing wrong with shooting lead as the 45 was originally designed to shoot lead bullets! Also, most loading of even FMJs are below 900 fps!

PS- only reloaded 200 rounds today, too darn hot in the shed to load more!

[Dietrich]

Hi Melissa,below you will find my latest cost layout for .45 cal. reloading components including the price for once fired brass.After I started reloading,I pretty much stopped buying any factory ammo except for SD rounds because I liked reloading so much.The one thing that will help you more than anything else though is a good mentor.If you decide to get into reloading I cannot tell you how valuable an asset they are.When I started,my next door neighbor,who had been reloading for years,took me under his wing and the help he provided was priceless.He was able to answer any question I had about the process [even the really dumb ones] and watched over me step by step in all aspects of setting the machine up and getting started.Reloading is a wonderful way to increase your enjoyment in the shooting sports but if you aren`t careful it can jump up and bite you in the behind.When you start the process,have no distractions around you.If something does draw your attention away from what you`re doing,even for an instant,stop and check where you are in the process before resuming.All of this is the best advice I can think of.

230 gr.FMJ $.12
primer .03
powder .01
brass .08
Total $.24

Once you get by the price of the brass your cost in reloading drops dramatically.The prices listed above were rounded off to the nearest penny.Like all other endeavors,shopping around for the best price helps.Even including the price of the brass the cost of a box of 50 rounds of .45 is $12.00.I don`t think Wallyworld can touch it.

[melissa5]

Thanks for the encouragement and really good info, everyone! As much as I like to shoot, this would either save me some money or let me shoot more. I believe I will start reading and watching videos as one of you suggested. Then, I'll come back with questions.

[jimbar]

Thanks for the encouragement and really good info, everyone! As much as I like to shoot, this would either save me some money or let me shoot more. I believe I will start reading and watching videos as one of you suggested. Then, I'll come back with questions.

Hey, Melissa, I'd be interested to know if you take the plunge, and get into re-loading. I've been thinking about it for a few months now, and still haven't done it. Having said that, I just bought a Ruger Vaquero, and those long colt's are not cheap. I found cowboy loads for $18.99 for a box of 20. If I buy bulk of 300 rds at Cabela's, I can get the cost down to about $.56 per rd.
I researched and added the cost of several loaders, and equip from Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, and found I can get all, (except powder, primers,etc) for about $600,........I will probably do it later this year, looks it would be fun to do, and cost effective,...
Oh, look on Youtube, there's a lot of videos showing the process using different types of equip,....good luck.

[MW surveyor]

I researched and added the cost of several loaders, and equip from Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, and found I can get all, (except powder, primers,etc) for about $600,........I will probably do it later this year, looks it would be fun to do, and cost effective,...

jimbar

I have all Lee equipment and have not spent that much for equipment. All told, I've less than $450 into my reloading equipment. That's including the first kit then adding the turret press. As I suggested to Melissa, if I would have know at the start, I'd have bought the Lee turret first and hand picked what I now know are the essentials. But hey, what did I know then? Next to nothing even with all of the research that I did before I made my first purchase.

I really like my Lee turret with the Pro Auto disk. Sure makes it much easier and faster to make quality rounds.

Make sure that you save those empty cases! Sure cuts down on the reloading costs if you don't have to buy them. Return on your initial cost for equipment by reloading that cartridge is gonna be quick if you like to shoot a lot.

MW

[garyb]

I had wanted to reload since I was a little guy. I am new to it but found that it was not difficult to learn by reading, watching a few videos and watching someone you know who is reloading. In addition to saving money and being able to shoot more, reloading is simply fun. It is a good quiet hobby. Your mind goes into the reloading process and escapes the day to day grind of work, kids, bills, etc.... It is kind of a meditative process that seems to be healing in a way. Reloading allows you to 'tinker' with loads but of course within reason. The manuals are very specific on the loads that can be used. There are a great deal of options when considerning all the brands of powders, primers, bullet types and weights, etc... It is not that complicated once you get rolling. It takes a little time, money and effort to get everything set up, but just take it slow and realize it is a process to get started. I suggest you call the manufacturer of the reloading equipment you plan to use and pick their brains. I contacted Hornady as I was getting set up and they were very, very helpful with selecting the dies and stations on the reloader. I jumped right into a Hornady LNL auto progressive because it is fast, offers tremendous versatility and easy conversion to other calibers. The price is right on this tool too. I already love the benefits of this reloader and find the powder cop to be a nice feature to verify my powder charges are accurate every time. Even when taking my time by intermittently checking the powder drop with a scale, I can pump out 100 rounds of 40S&W in about 15 minutes or less. It is easy to accurately and precisely reload 400-500 rounds an hour on this press. Give reloading a try and you won't regret it. Other than personal defense ammo, I don't see myself purchasing much ammo in the future. Saving and cleaning up the spent brass is a big money saver. Simply put...Reloading is Fun and Easy!

[Bawanna]

I've always felt that it didn't pay to buy brass unless it's some hard to find caliber. 45 Colt comes to mind around here. Expensive and hard to find. All others I think it's most cost effective to buy factory, save the brass and start from there. Along with picking up any decent range brass you can find.

Lots of shooters dont reload and most are more than willing to give you their brass.

It does produce a warm fuzzy feeling to have a decent size bucket of bright shiney brass though, wonderful thing.