I'm currently shooting 5 calibers and counting.
>7.62x54
>7.62x38
>8mm Mauser
>.303 British
>9mm
>Soon to be also .45
I'm already starting to realize the hole I'm digging into my pocket with my monthly shooting trips. I end up shooting anywhere from $30-$45 at least on a trip to the range. I like my shooting, and would love to do more, but can't on a budget. If I invest in a reloading setup, about how long would it take for me to start making my money back?
>>29360768
For rounds such as .223, it takes about 1000 before you start saving a good amount of money.
>>29360768
a cheap Lee setup will take around 3k 9mm rounds to make back. 9mm you save about 66%. I'd say your rifle rounds will be much more profitable.
>>29360768
Depends on how much of each you typically shoot. If you like to shoot .303 or 8 Mauser a lot, I figure about 500 rounds compared to buy something like prvi.. Depending on where you get components and how lucky/thrifty you can be it might take less.
The thing is you may just end up shooting more.
>>29360831
I rarely shoot the 9mm, that's just a CC. I really only take my rifles out to the range. And I plan on buying more rifles, in various calibers. So with a wider range of calibers, would it be wise to start reloading? Only things that are really a pain to buy right now are the 8mm and the .303
>>29360768
I did the math a couple of years ago and it would take over 6000 rounds of 9mm reloads to pay for the setup and that's including using used range brass.
Since you are reloading the more obscure rifle rounds, factor on how much you shoot them minus the cost of reloading supplies. It's a damn good hobby and a buddy of mine is already doing it and he agreed to teach me to reload. I recently got a 300 blackout upper and I figure as soon as I reload 1000 rounds I can get a fairly decent rig paid for just by reloading.
>>29360878
>>29360891
Once I get the Mauser completely to my liking I'll be shooting that A LOT. And I really like shooting the new Enfield I got, so I plan on taking it out every time and if we lived in a world where we got everything we wanted, I'd be sending at least a hundred rounds down each trip with that thing. So yes, the more expensive/unique rounds are what motivates me to reload.
>>29360890
I got into reloading because my jerk of a best friend got me into collecting milsurp.
I can shoot .303 or 8mm Mauser for the same price or less than the guy next to me shooting .308 win.
If you want to shoot milsurp, reloading is a necessity.
>>29360878
This anon is correct. How inexpensive each round will be depends on what components you use and from where you source them. Also correct in that you don't save money but end up shooting more. Some rounds break-even earlier than others. I reload too many different cartridges it's starting to make me worry.
>45-70 Gov't (much savings per round)
>.303 British
>7.7 Arisaka (basically load the same as .303)
>8mm Mauser
>30-06 Springfield
>30 Carbine
>45 Colt (why are commercial cowboy loads retard expensive?)
>45 ACP (saving like 50% per round)
>38/357
>9mm (I question if this is even worth my time)
>>29360935
I got into guns right around the time of Sandyvag, and I still remember the shortages of ammo.
Personally I would get into reloading not only to be able to afford to shoot the 303 and your Mauser but also learn to reload the common calibers, AND have a stockpile of powder and primers on hand.
But before you do anything get a copy of the Lyman reloading manual 49th edition, read it form cover to cover, then read it again.
Reloading isn't just about saving money. If you do any serious bench rest shooting even at a beginner level you will notice massive improvements in accuracy AND a reduced cost.
Example ; I was buying match grade 308 for 1.45 a round. I was able to relaod that same 308 for 45 cents a round and have much tighter groups than the factory ammo.
you can save money reloading but mainly its about getting more for your money.
>>29361115
>>29361154
Sorry, that's what I mean. I'm fine with spending the money, as long as I get MORE bang for my buck.
>>29360768
I got into reloading pretty heavily a couple years ago and I don't really find myself saving money just shooting a lot more for the same price lol
>>29361205
You will. It's a cake walk read the manual (or check online) make sure to start loads low and check each one until you are confident in your dispenser. I got a Lee 50th anniversary kit and it took me 300 rounds of 308 to make back the initial investment.
>>29360891
i can reload 9mm for $0.15 per round and cheap range ammo is $0.30 per round.
my reloading kit cost me $150 (Lee press and 9mm dies).
that's 1k rounds assuming you don't get a tumbler right away.
>>29361115
Got any links for learning how to produce match grade ammo? I know you can go crazy with concentric guages and all that
>>29360768
There's a few rounds worth reloading, and there's a lot that aren't worth it. Big, powerful $1+ per shot rounds are worth it. 9mm, 223, 7.62x39mm are not. I reload 357 magnum for 5 cents a round and it has proven to be the biggest return on investment. 45acp has been decent, but bullets are expensive.
For your current reloading desires, I'd only get into it if you wanted match grade ammo, and you will be spending HUGE money on a press, dies, case trimmers, priming tools, and above all else the best powder measure and scale you can find. Buy a 38/357 ruger revolver, a cheap lee turret press, some dies, and some cast lead bullets and give it a try if you want.
>>29361437
The key is just in finding a combination of factors your specific firearm likes, and then repeating them with nearly flawless consistency. The hard part is finding the former, the easy part is the latter.
>>29361437
The shit plinking ammo I make already beats any "match" grade ammo I've ever bought. Then again, I like to make my plinking ammo glint in the sun, so I may just have higher quality standards.
>>29361368
My figures included everything, including tumbler.
However the initial round count may have gone up due to the price drop in 9mm over the last couple of years now that its becoming available again.
I only thought about reloading again when I bought my 300 blackout upper, ammo's expensive and hard to find, but damn is it versatile. I can go as light as a 110 grain super sonic going at 2200 fps to 240 grain sub sonic going as low as 900 fps.
To think I left all my 45acp, 9mm, and 5.56 brass on the ground at the range the last couple of years, hindsight man, it sucks.
>>29361577
>>29361437
He's pretty much said it. Anything you produce will probably be better than match grade.
Buy match bullets like Sierra Match King. Make sure your brass is uniform and measure each load. The key is constancy.
Fisrt step is the to get an accurate load worked up then make minor tweaks to things like OAL or fine tune the powder load.
>>29361523
Is that 45-70 Government?
How do you get the lube off of the finished casings?
Is it safe to tumble the finished rounds in a corn cob media? If not what do you use?
>>29361577
What powder dispenser is that? Im getting sick of using my little electronic scale for each load which is the most time consuming process
>>29361719
Sierra match king bullets are excellent. Their pro-hunters are almost as good, and much cheaper. I buy .311 game kings by the 500, there work wonders in my .303, 7.62x54, and 7.62 argie.
mine keeps getting bigger for some reason
>>29361863
Agreed. I love the 175gr HPBT in my 308 R700. Very nice bullet.
>>29361915
I use the 180gr spitzer, #2310, because I love heavy bullets.
Probably why I own three rifles in 35 rem. That is a great caliber for relatively large bullets.
>>29361938
Do you neck size and keep track of what came out of what rifle? That's got to be a PITA with 3 rifles.
>>29361998
I am lucky that all of those rifles have bore diameters less than a thousand of an inch different. Also given the ballistics of 35 rem, and the type of rifles that are chambered in it, it'll never be a long range precision rifle. They are more brush guns. <3in groups at 100yrds are acceptable to me.
So in short, no I don't really. I have different loads for lever vs semi in that caliber, but other than that the rounds are pretty interchangeable.
>>>>29362048
Makes sense. Cheers. Stay safe out there.
Cement mixer is best brass cleaner BTW, lol
Just noisy as fuck
>>29360768
I recently took stock of the calibers I shoot, currently at 14 cartridges plus 5 different muzzle loaders (.36, .44, .54, .58, .69).
Pic related
>>29360768
My hornady Lock N load progressive paid for itself in about 100 rounds of .44mag.
Reloading is really worth it if you shoot more than 1000 rounds a year and or like to have precise ammo.
>>29362279
Any kind of rotary tumbler does a great job.
>>29362795
I love my ultrasonic cleaner, tumbler always took too long for me.
>>29362279
>>29362795
>>29362861
Ultrasonic cleaners clean them the best. They even clean out the primer pockets. I use one to clean my brass fresh from the range. I then use a tumbler with Zilla Lizard Litter + NuFinish to clean and polish them after sizing and trimming.
>>29362886
Rotary tumblers do too if you use steel pins.
>>29362886
>>29363026
You should still have a primer cleaning tool if you plan on multiple (5+) load runs with an individual case.
Personally I take my cases out of the ultrasonic give them a quick bath under the tap then put them on the shoe rack inside my drier on high heat. Clean as can be and only takes about 25 minutes total time.
I've never been able to find steel media for my tumbler, still use it when I have a ton of straight walled cases.
>>29363667
I do. I have the Lyman case prep center and a hand cleaner, but I've always gotten a better job with the ultrasonic cleaner. It's cleaned the crud out of primer pockets, and the carbon buildup on the inside of the case, right down to the bare brass.
>>29363026
I don't like the idea of having to separate wet media from brass.
>>29360891
Not OP, what about .45 ACP? If I bought a beginners reloader set from RCBS, when can I see it being worth it?
>>29365547
It's really not so bad.
I just have a basin that I pour the water and media into, the frankford tumbler has a screen to keep the brass in the tumbler and will get most of the pins out with out much issue. the media magnets they sell are also super convenient.
>>29366480
I know nothing about reloading, but won't steel scratch the brass?
>>29361724
Of course it's safe.
How did you think the factories do it?
>>29361811
That would be a Redding. Probably a BR3.
Little pricey but they are quite accurate out of the box.
>>29361724
I tumble my brass again after sizing to remove the lube, then only handle with nitrile gloves afterwards. I usually wipe down the finished rounds with a clean cloth or viva paper towel before I place them in a storage case/can/box
>>29362705
Eric?
IMO for those asking you'll get tired of a single stage press pretty quickly once you try to do any volume. Id say step and start with a turret if the caliber you want to do fits it.
Getting ready to 9.3x74r any one have experience with it? Sadly that doesnt fit my turret so ill probably pick up a rock chucker or something. I'll be doing soft shooting loads eventually tailored to the rifle a nitro proofed 112+ year old double rifle. I may need to size the bullets. That'll be my first rifle cartridge I've reloaded. Realod 9mm 38/357 40s&w 30 carbine 45 50ae 32short and a few others atm all pistol.
>>29361523
Are the 357s pretty mild or is that for a full powered round?
>>29369826
You can load it from pracitally a mild 38 special up to basically super hot and being able to take any game on the north American continent (although that doesn't make it the best choice).
>>29369826
I would expect his cheaper rounds to be a bit above 38 spec, but not a lot. Depends on the powder he s using, and how the soft the lead is on the cheap lead bullets I assume he is using.
Could be wrong though.
>>29368291
The media I'm talking about is very small pins that are just kinda moving around the brass, it has both a scrubbing and polishing effect, cleaning and polishing the brass.
>>29371864
You tell me.
>>29369826
225 power factor, hardly mild.
Factory 125gr 357 magnum has a power factor of 180
I've been reloading for a few years and I want to upgrade from my Lee turret press to either a Hornady progressive or a Dillon 650. I reload 5 calibers, among them 10mm and 300 BLK which I like to tinker with. Any anons out there have experience with both presses and can steer me in the right direction?
>>29361724
Yes that's 45-70. I wipe off the lube once they're done and ready to go.
>>29361811
It's a redding no.3 powder measure.
>>29374743
Get the Hornady. Cheaper, same size aftermarket, comes with a better powder measure, same warranty, every bit as reliable.
If you like the removable toolplate then the RCBS is also a good choice
>>29374791
Thanks, that's what I'm thinking. Lots of Dillon fanboys out there, but they usually can't offer any argument except "hurr get uh Dillon, it just works durr"
>>29361863
What is your argie load? I need a good cheap plinking load for my 1909
>>29360768
hey everyone how accurately do you measure your powder?
I do +/-0.02 grains wondering if I'm wasting my time.
>>29377327
I can only expect -.1gr to +.2gr accuracy from my setup but most throws I measure are dead on or +.1gr and I weight the throws every 20ish just to make sure there isn't a huge variation; generally visually confirming each case has roughly the same amount of powder is sufficient.
It depends what you want to accomplish, I'm loading +p or defensive ammo copy recipies so it's pretty hot and thus for my purposes that .1 is fine and makes minimal difference to the end product. For accuracy I'd want dead on and that is where a powder trickler or electronic dispenser comes in.
Sticking that strictly to it for plinking ammo is unnecessary imo
>>29374791
+1 on the Hornady. Got mine a couple years ago on sale at Midway for $399 and it came with 500 bullets.
>>29377327
I use pic related. It throws down to ±.1gr, but is mostly spot-on every time. I charge and seat bullets at the same time. I set this up to throw another charge as I'm seating the bullet. The best part is every throw gets weighed, and it won't throw another charge unless it's tared properly.
>>29377566
i can't afford anything fancy right now. I just use a cheap 0.001g (+/-0.002g) scale.
started loading 9mm and it seemed like 0.1gr out of ~7gr might be significant but now that I'm doing .223, 0.1gr out of 23gr seems pretty insignificant.
I've been praying for one of these threads all week. Im getting a cz550 FS in 6.5x55 refugee and was wondering just how viable reloading it would be money wise.
>$700 for...
>rifle
>dies
>200 Winchester lr primers
>80 pc of new Lapua brass
>>29378491
6.5x55 isn't all that expensive compared to other full power rounds. Privi makes some for cheap, I guess reloading would be nice for hunting or something nicer than a 100 year old surplus rifle. Doesn't sound like a half bad deal though.
>>29378115
I can't either. I used points to get it for damn near nothing. It is worth what they're asking for it.
>>29378541
I just did the math and I could probably reload it for about 45 cents per round using prvi partizan projectiles
>>29360768
>7.62x38
For what purpose?
ok people question here:
I have some 223 brass and .224 bullets and for the powder I have they only have 223 reloading data (I'm going to some stores to check more books) is the only difference between 223 and 556 the amount of powder I put in the shell?
![IMG_0686[1]a.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/yXHawRK.jpg "IMG_0686[1]a.jpg")
>>29361523
Lyman T-Mag bro!
>>29382220
bump! cmon someone must reload 556
>>29382220
pretty much, the ramshot people publish 5.56 data and most of them have min loads hotter than the 223 max... you will probably blow primers if you don't have a way to crimp primers...
>speaking of blown primers
popped two on my max loading of CFE223 and 175SMK... 2964fps out of a 26" barrel... damn... The min load was still running 2788... I may go up half a grain from there and see how it groups...
>>29382220
>>29382800
You need a reloading manual before you do anything else. .223 and 5.56 have the same load data, but because you didn't know that you either skimmed your book or you don't have one. That will result in you blowing a hole in your face.
Go back and read the book.
>>29383704
To expand so you don't go all autist on me:
The chamber dimensions for .223 and 5.56 are functionally the same, where they differ is throat length and occasionally tolerance allowance. This has the result of some .223 chambers being tighter than some 5.56 chambers (tolerance). More importantly the throat length means that 5.56 tracers will not be happy in a .223 varmint chamber, however .223 chambers on ARs are almost always some degree of long throat .223 chambers. In an effort to find a happy middle ground that shoots everything well but doesn't suck with accuracy the .223 Wylde chamber was born.
What you need to do for .223/556 reloading is to shoot a factory round in your rifle, and use one of the many methods of checking throat length. This way you can mic the factory ammo against the fired round and have a throat measurement to get a better idea of what kind of chamber you have on your rifle. Then you work up a load for that rifle and watch for pressure signs.
Ultimately reloading is not "reloading .223" it's "reloading .223 for my specific rifle". When you want to reload for .223 generally and not just your rifle then you take extra steps to make sure the ammo is safe across the board, you go lighter on the load and you seat the bullet shorter.
>>29360768
OP, share your 8mm mauser loads?
>>29369783
Nope.
i reload. 556, 300blk, 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 38spl, 357 mag, 8x56r hunn, 7.62x54r, 6.5 creedmoor.
i realize the biggest saving on the300blk, 8x56 and 6.5 creedmoor. if i start casting ( the pistol calibers will be dirt cheap to make.
my 6.5 creedmoor is $1.32 per round for the first reload ( using varget, Sierra Matchking 140grn, cci primers, and hornady brass)
i can get 8 reloads per case with out worry.
over the life of the case the cost per round is $.64 per round.
new hornady 140gn loaded ammo is $1.45 new.
I live 100 miles from grafs reloading, i make a monthly run for powers and primers, and to visit family.
>>29384118
.357 mag is monstrously cheap to reload compared to factory. All the factory is "oooh big fancy .357" and 90% of the time I want .38sp in a .357 case so the lever runs right. It feels free.
Im looking for .45acp bullets, for around .16cpr. Anything from 185-230gr. I usualy shop everglades ammo, but everything but hollow points and swaged are sold out. Havent had much luck anywhere else-random sites from google. What do yall think about having nothing but 230gr hp on hand? Not having fmj or plated kinda worries me..
>ill shoot plated, but not swaged.
>tried it, hated it, dont want it.
>>29384436
What about PC? These are .10c a bullet
acmebullet com/bullets-reloading-brass/HiTek-Coated-bullets?product_id=438
For practice PC is very good, all the benefits of plated but cheaper.
>>29383747
>Wylde chamber
that's what I have
>What you need to do
So I take it the brass I shoot will take the shape of my chamber after being shot and that is why you want to measure spent brass from your rifle?
I have pictures of reloading data from a Hornady reloading manual and the difference between 223 and 556 is less than 1 grain out of ~25gr for 80gr bullets. that's it? that's probably within the error margin of some people.
>>29384684
pic related. I use CFE223 powder. seems pretty insignificant difference but I'm no expert.
the 75gr bullet difference is about 2gr on the hottest load. doesn't seem like a huge deal if your starting from colder loads and checking for over pressure.
>>29384684
>>29384726
With a Wylde you will work the load up for that chamber. Yes that's why you measure your spent cases with a mic.
For a Wyle chamber use the Hornady 75 HPBT with 23gr of CFE223. Work up to the load to make sure you don't see pressure signs, load them mag length. That ammo should outshoot you.
>>29384585
I check it out. Clicked on 500, its never done loading. Ill keep at it. Try from a different computer.
>>29384585
>>29386217
Got it. Just put in an order for 500. I hope i like these, that fucking .11 cents per bullet gave my bank account a boner.
>>29384585
>>29386217
>>29386272
I just shot my first reloads with hi tek coated bullets yesterday. Got them from bayou bullets. Google castboolits hitek for like a 300+pg thread on the hitek coating, how to use it, loads that do and don't work with it (pretty much ses Amy handgin is gtg and some high velocity rifle works) and the manufacturer steps I'm frequently to answer questions talk about experemtal products and help out.
I loaded some hi tek coated 135gr 38spl to copy the 135gr +p gold dot short barrel loads. They shot great, with good accuracy. The only real problem I had was that since the bullet is all lead it is shorter than the 135gr gold dot HP so it had to be seated out farther than what the rsoerra eloading data said. Found some Lyman info on 130 140gr cast least and used that.
Next try will be some 147gr 9mm out of my 10.5" sbr loaded to be shooting like 147gr +p federal HST so around 1100 fps out of a handgun. If I'll get any leading it's here that I'm concerned.
>>29386143
so when I surpass the max load for 223 then I'm all of a sudden shooting 5.56? do I have this right? They use the same dies after all.
>>29387682
External dimensions are the same. The difference is that 5.56 has a thicker base and 5.56 chambers have a shoulder that is slightly forward in comparison. Ergo, don't reload too many times if you're firing .308 brass in a 5.56 chamber, or else you can have case separation.
>>29388161
i tried to buy 556 brass but the stores I went to only had 223 brass. even online I can't seem to find brass that is for 556.
>>29361523
meh, I understand x39, but I reload everything else, because fuck it.
>>29388182
You need to buy Lake City.
Most of the time it is once fired.
>making another cancerous general
>newfag edition
Stop posting and start lurking
>>29389077
>Lake City
lake city 556 brass is sold as 223/556. I'm starting to think people don't sell "just 556" bass. I'm starting to think the cases are all exactly the same even though the spec might be slightly different.
>>29389301
>Stop posting
why don't you take your own advice? jerkoff.
>>29389301
>being this salty because you are too poor to reload
topkek
