I have a few friends that do reloads quite a bit and I did ask them about it. From what I gathered, reloading can save you money, but only with certain kinds of rounds. One of the big things I was told about was that you have to be very careful when packing in the powder or you could melt the blast cap. I actually saw that happen with my friends reloads when I was at the firing range with him. But keep in mind my info is second hand.
ok, first let me address the above post. Brother filling a brass case with powder does NOT generate any heat whatsoever. Filling a case will not cause the PRIMER to ignite, or melt. Your information is extremely faulty.
Reloading can save money, but that is only one of many reasons to reload. For some the primary reason is the ability to fine tune the ammo to your weapons. The ability to alter seating depth of the bullet, charge weight, and degree of crimp can have a huge factor on the accuracy of your ammo. By far most who reload are making ammo much better then what can be bought.
Ever wonder why competitive shooters reload? Its all about the accuracy.
On the saving money part, if your a moderate shooter, lets say 150 rounds or more a week, the savings can be rather substantial. A basic reloading set up, press, powder measure, dies, scales etc ready to go can be done for less then $400.00. You will save on average 40-60% the cost of a factory box of ammo. Now, like all things we enjoy you can always upgrade. LOL!!
I still use the simple Reloader Special press from RCBS I started with, I also have a Lee Classic....very simple, affordable presses. I use to use alot of Lee Dies about $40.00 per caliber. Of course I now use Redding Competition Dies that are around $250.00 a set. Started with a Lee powder measure $20.00, now use a Redding Bench Rest #3 measure $250.00. Use to use a very simple Lee Beam Scale at about $25.00 now use a RCBS Range Master at $125.00 get my drift.
Brass cases can be used again and again. For the wifes 38 S that is shot with 100 gr DEWC and 3.5 gr Trail Boss powder (Very mild, pleasant load, minimal recoil) I can use a case 20-25 times before it will show signs of stress. On the other hand using new Starline Brass 357 Mag loaded Full House I will get 10-12 firings before I have to replace. My bolt action rifles in .308 I will get a good 15 firings, however I do have to anneal the necks after 3 or 4 firings (blow torch in the bathroom).
Bullets run the whole range of quality and performance. My bench guns I use Nosler or Sierra competition pills about $70 for 250, for plan jane shooting I have been using a lot of Match Grade cast from Penn Bullets around $50.00 per 500. For jacketed I will go to ZERO for my 44 and 45 HP about $120 per 1000. For any given caliber however I will have a choice of at least 10 different bullet styles (38/357 20-30 choices, .308 40-50 choices). So I have options you do not have with factory.
Powder is rather cheap depending on what your shooting. Around $25.00 per pound. There is 7000 grains in a pound. If I am shooting .308 and using 45 gr. of RE-15 per round I will get about 150 rounds from that pound of powder.
If on the other hand I am shooting 45 ACP and loading 5 grains of Bullseye I will get about 1400 rounds from that pound of powder. So powder cost depends on caliber.
Primers....there are so many different brands out there. I tend to stay away from the "economy" type primers like Wolf or Tula. I use a lot of Remington, Winchester and for my bench shooters Federal Match. Rem/Win will run about $30 per 1,000 Federal Match runs about $45 per thousand.
If your aim is to shoot alot cheap, you can do that. If your aim is to make the best possible ammo in the world for your shooters you can do that.
Reloading can become an addiction in its self. Sometimes I think the only reason I shoot is so I have another case to load...LOL!
When you reload you will shoot more, no question. You will also learn a whole lot about ballistics, this does make you a better shooter. Leaning to reload opened another exciting door for me, maybe it will for you as well....
DOOM
Also....what no one will tell you......You save money reloading, but you see what you can do, so you shoot more for the same money you were spending, so no savings there. Then you start buying Bench Rest equipment and spend more on reloading then you thought possible. But...you will enjoy the heck out of it!!
:lewx4:
