Welcome to reloading

[rtemp]

It doesn't matter if you are an old hand at reloading, or someone that's just considering getting started. If you have an interest in reloading, this is the place to start. If you are one of those old hands, feel free to jump in and answer the questions that are asked. If you are totally new to this, feel free to ask questions. There's no such thing as a dumb question. Ask away and we will find the answer for you. Or, just let everyone know what you reload.

[FireStar]

rtemp, I greatly appreciate your help in this area. Thanks for taking the initiative!

Just a few questions for you... what caliber/s do you reload, and what kind of system (press?) do you use?

[rtemp]

Currently I load 45 Colt, 9mm, 357 and 223. Even tried my hand at a box of 25 acp. (What a pain!). Messed around with 50 BMG a bit. Have a Rock Chucker on the bench right now, but have used a Lee Pro 1000, RCBS Junior, Lee Challenger (Cast iron). Have a Lyman turret that I'd like to try, also. Have a bunch of MEC presses, but only load shotgun shells to make sure that they are working before I put them up for sale.

[baccusboy]

What was a pain about .25 ACP? Too small? Keep getting jammed-up or something similar?

And I wondered how much should someone shoot before it's feasible to reload? What is, essentially, the break-even point that makes it worthwhile? I imagine this depends on caliber? Say I shoot .45 ACP.

[rtemp]

RE: the 25acp. Yep, too small! I'm a pretty patient person, but ended up taking 2 breaks while loading that box full. Then I still ended up crunching two cases.

If the store carries the ammo that you shoot, it's usually going to be harder to justify reloading as far as economy. However, there is still the enjoyment factor and the fact that you can customize your rounds. The better your skills as a shopper for components, the less per round cost you'll have.

For example, it's hard to save much on 12 ga shell, when Wally World sells them as cheap as they do. However, 410 shells are far more expensive to buy and the component cost is way less than the 12 ga. And, how many stores can you walk into and buy a box of 28 ga?

On the metallic side of things, it's getting harder to justify reloading 9mm while you can usually save a boat load on 45 Long Colt.

Your break-even point moves with the cost of your components. And the availability of that ammo in stores. And, in the amount that you shoot. Cost is not really caliber specific. Depending on components chosen, it can cost more to load 38 spl or 9mm than to load 45 ACP.

Clear as mud?

[drof99]

I've been reloading for a bit but wouldn't consider myself an old hand yet. I started out with a used progressive MEC press for shotshells. Heck it just turned into another hobby to eat up time. Since getting into handguns I came along a GREAT deal for presses. A friend from work had his father's old setups and wanted them to go to someone who would use them. He was just going to throw it all away! I ended up with three presses and two milk crates full of dies. Along with some other goodies as well. Reloading blocks, powder measurer, scale, storage boxes for loaded shells, and two hand primers. He gave me the whole lot of it just to put it to use again. Pretty much the only thing I purchased was a reloading manual and a digital caliper. I've found I don't save money by reloading but I am able to shoot more spending the same. And I've come to enjoy spending time at the bench. I don't mess with changing my loads around from the manual at all. I still remember pulling the trigger on the first shotshell I ever loaded. I couldn't talk my buddies into firing that shot for nothing!

[rowe]

I reload the following.
30-06, 223, 243, some 204, some 45acp, a lot of 380 Auto and 40 S&W

Shot around 15,000 40s in 2011.

[ramman911]

Got a reloading kit for X-mas , Still working up the courage to give it a "shot" without blowing my hand off from screwing it up

Going to try .40 S&W in a few days maybe.

[drof99]

I hear ya ramman. I was a little concerned when starting out myself. Get yourself a good reloading manual and you should do well. A good digital caliper was the last thing I got but put my mind at ease when reloading.

[rowe]

I have reloaded thousands of 40 S&W with no problems. It is a high presure load so pay attention to the manual. Most of the bullets I shoot are cast. I get them from twoalphabullets.com/ they are excelent bullets and priced right.

I use a lee factory crimp die. works well and easy to set up. I have seen a lot of misfeeds at the range because people did not set the crimp die to fully close the case mouth on the bullet.