Reloading Setup

roymunson

5 year old buck +
I don't do a ton of shooting, but based on the availability of rifle rounds, it may be worthwhile looking into. Anyone here do it? Is it worthwhile? If it's a wash financially, I'm ok with it because I'm guessing I can get loads right that I like, that are custom, and can be more effective than store bought.

I have the real estate for it on my workbench, but don't know much about it or if it's worthwhile.

Didn't see a lot of threads on here regarding the subject, but figured it'd be worth asking.
 
Once you have all the equipment it’s probably a wash. I use my father in laws press and equipment to reload rifle shells.

The one thing I like is you can come up with some extremely accurate ammo compared to store bought.
we weigh each powder charge on a digital scale so they are extremely close. Only neck size used shells and seat the bullet depth based on the individual chamber of the rifle.

You would be surprised what something so simple can do to dial in a round. I’ve seen 1 grain of powder more or less change groupings.

When trying to dial in a load, I always start by loading 5 shells only with a certain powder/bullet combo. That way you don’t have 20 clunkers.
 
Your own custom ammo is like magic in some rifles. I've seen it over and over - time and time again. Some guns that won't group better than 2 MOA with factory ammo become tack drivers when you find the right load. I own several rifles and crank out custom ammo for most of them.

Look around for a good book on how to do it, and invest in some good equipment. You won't be sorry if you are an accuracy nut like me.
 
I think over a lifetime reloading pays for itself and way more. Not just in cost savings but more so in confidence in the guns you load for. It's a satisfying hobby to get into.

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Powder & primers are just as scarce as complete rounds. People are hoarding stuff then reselling. It will balance out over time but not soon.

Find some shooting sites that talk about ballistics, reloading, long range shooting. Those are the folks that folks that discuss and argue ballistics, grain weight, powder more than we argue about WR vs WW. There are lots of good books, it is definitely a science that involves many variables.

A good site is Long Range Hunting

I just saw a thread that showed the cost of reloading 6.5 CM, assuming you could get 5 reloads out of the brass, cost was ~$0.70/round. That did not include the cost of the equipment.

I just bought 1,000 rounds of 5.56 for $0.60/round.
 
I say go for it. I really enjoy reloading. Keeps me an the kids busy on a snow day. Watch around for used stuff from estate sales. I bought 2500 lapua 6.5 gren brass for $110! Worth a small fortune these days;)

A good chronograph is worth the investment. I load for lower standard deviation more than group size. Consistency in velocity equals small groups when you do your part. Its cool obtaining higher velocities than most store bought ammo with various powders.. Learn what to watch for with pressure signs. I got a little 6.5 grendel that gets near the same velocity as box ammo in 6.5creedmoor using cfe223 powder. Anyhow sorry to ramble...

Have any questions just holler
 
Depends what your goals are. If you shoot a lot or do a lot of diverse hunting with the same rifle it's probably worth it. If you don't shoot much and only go after one species in one area, I can't imagine it would be worth it.
 
Your first round of premium hunting ammo, self loaded will run you ~$500. But the good news is the next will only cost you 250! But seriously, if you ignore the cost of equipment you can usually load a premium hunting round cheaper than a factory. Also you can often tune your ammo to the rifle in question and your preferred bullet (not always, I have had some rifles that just didn’t like certain bullets no matter the powder and load). Availability is pretty much as bad as ammo. Components go scarce the same time ammo does. The advantage on loading is that if you keep you powders and primers fairly standardized you can have say 5000 rounds worth of components stored, and just load up the cartridge that you are needing at the time
 
I’ve been reloading for years. It’s a hobby all unto itself. I have a Hornady progressive press that I use for handguns that I used to shoot when I dabbled in IDPA. For Rifles and handgun hunting rounds I use a Redding press and dies. It’s like everything else. Get good quality stuff. RCBS and Dillon make great presses too. I prefer Redding and RCBS dies. I’d also invest in a chronograph and read a lot. I like to say I don’t save any money but I shoot a lot more for the same amount of money. Components can be hard to come by too. Back in the first Obama term you couldn’t find primers, powder, or brass. I called it reloading alchemy - brass was like gold. Once you get a good stockpile of components though you’re all set. It’s certainly not a cheap hobby to get into but after the initial expense it’s not bad at all. I load for a couple more obscure calibers as well as main stream ones. 338 Federal and 6.5 x 55 are usually hard to get ammo for so it’s nice to work up your own loads and just have ammo when you want to Shoot or go hunting. its Also nice to know you can work up specific loads for your specific rifle. Again, read a lot, watch your pressures and test in gradual increments and you’ll be fine. Use good loading manuals, start with minimum published loads, work up slowly, and don’t trust anyone’s loads but your own, and as always - don’t believe things you read on the internet.
 
Thanks fellas. My FIL went to gunsmithing school in the 70s, has some really old school stuff, and told me to go for it, but didn't offer up his equipment.

Here goes nothing.
 
and for the record... Holy Overwhelmed! I'm gonna sound like an idiot when I go buy stuff... There's a lot of moving parts and very specific pieces I'll need.
 
and for the record... Holy Overwhelmed! I'm gonna sound like an idiot when I go buy stuff... There's a lot of moving parts and very specific pieces I'll need.

You'll figure it out. It's not hard to understand once you get your head around the jargon. It's a bit tedious, but the rewards are worth it.
 
wow, pretty tough to find bullets and brass these days. wanna do 7 rem mag and my 350 legend if I can.

Any powder recommendations or websites whre you can recommend that aren't sold out of everything.

i did the usual cabelas, midway usa, etc
 
You don't actually need that much. A single stage press is fine and a set of dies. A scale and something to measure powder. Probably the cheapest way to get into it is with a kit from Lee. If you stay in reloading you will probably want to replace your lee stuff pretty quick. I disagree that its a wash. I don't have any figures because any can of powder or brick of primers in my cabinets may be 10 years old, but unless (MAYBE) you are comparing to bulk military surplus, steel cased wolf, etc., you cant even come close to the cost of home rolled. Any high volume shooter can confirm.

You will be able to load stuff you can not buy (at least reasonable). Yes Buffalo bore and others sell "ruger only" 45/70 (no. 1) level loads and 45 colt but not at a reasonable price. As others stated above, you can find a load that will make a rifle shoot by trying several bullets and powders until you find it. Then you can using a chronograph find a "zone" where a few tenths of a grain up or down doesn't change velocity or accuracy much. Once you find it you can throw charges vs. trickle charging every one. You will never worry about finding ammo for a discontinued round (remember the short magnum craze). You will also be able to load special stuff (varmint rounds for a 30-06) and or youth reduced level loads.

I say go for it. It will probably be a good investment for you if you like to shoot.
 
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