to reload or not reload?

hobbist

I have recently retired and now have plenty time available. My main shooting calibers are 38 Special and 357 Magnum. My question is: "does it make economical sense to reload if I will shoot approximately 1000 rounds per year each?"

robsguns

It absoloutely makes sense. It will allow you to tune your loads to your weapon, load the bullet that you want without having to hunt it down at a store, shoot reduced loads for target practice saving money and powder.It will give you more of a sense of accomplishment, an understanding of exactly what is going on when that bullet comes out of the muzzle, and best of all, its fun, and its a lot cheaper. It will pay for itself if you load for a few years.

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SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

roundball

I've reloaded rifle, shotgun, and hangun for almost 20 years and have found if you shoot a lot it will be economical to reload, and I specifically reloaded 38/357, 45ACP, and 45 Colt because I was heavily into action pistol shooting and would shoot 1000-2000 rounds a month;In your example however, if that's the only caliber and quantity you'd be reloading, I would not think it would be economical;However, there is another major aspect to reloading that is not in the economy, but in the hobby and self satisfaction of it;I came to enjoy reloading so much that when I buy a new caliber of something, I just automatically order a set of reloading dies for that caliber, because I WANT to build my own ammo...it's very interesting, fun, and while you may not SAVE money, you can afford to shoot a lot more ammo than you normally would. And it's nice to take a Deer with a .30-30 or .30-06 cartridge that you've made yourself, etc. REMINDER: If you do try it, buy a current copy of Hornady (or Sierra) reloading manuals and read/study them from cover to cover before you start...also, Dillon reloading equipment is hard to beat with their lifetime warranty and believe me they deliver;Do the above and you'll have a safe and enjoyable hobby !

oneshy

If you have the brass a lead reload will cost about 8cents. Brass is about 3cents a piece and can be reloaded a min. of 5 times with full power loads, twice that for target loads. You can get started with a progressive press for $350. $175 for a single stage. This includes powder scale and supplies. If you're buying name brand ammo at $10-$12 you're spending $400-$500 per year.

gruntled

He asked "economical sense" & the short answer is NO. .38 special & .357 mag can be purchased too cheaply to be able to recover the set-up costs in any reasonable time if you only shoot twenty boxes a year. If youstart to shoot more or if you shoot more expensive ammo then the answer changes. It also depends some on how extensive a re-loading setup you use. If you used the simplest Lee loader the startup costs would not be much but no one is likely to be satisfied with that for long.

jonk

If you go with Lee stuff you can get into reloading quite cheaply. Pays for itself in 4-5 boxes of ammo, especially if you cast your own lead bullets. But you'll find you don't REALLY save any money... you'll just shoot more! I say go for it.

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"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

kaboom

I think almost any high-volume shooter would be smart to reload. But If you only shoot 1000 rounds per year you may not save enough by reloading to worry about. That's a big IF because you may find yourself shooting a LOT more than that if you start reloading. Sellior & Bellot .38 lead bullet ammo from CTD runs about $120 per 1000, plus about $15 shipping. By buying components in bulk, I can load .38 wadcutters for about $45-50 per thousand if you don't count the brass. That's about 1/3 the cost of the S&B factory ammo. I don't count the cost of brass because with that light load cases will last for 15 or 20 reloadings, and once fired cases only cost me $22 per 1000. .45acp, .45 Colt, and .44 mag reloads cost around $70 per 1000 with lead bullets. Jacketed bullet reloads cost about twice what lead bullet loads do, but lead is fine for low to medium velocity loads and outdoor ranges. If you do start reloading and find yourself shooting 3000 rds per year instead of 1000 you will also find yourself shooting much better and therefore having lots more fun with it.

kimberkid

While I agree with all the above, remember reloading (espically on a single stage press) is a somewhat tedious process and not for everyone ... reguardless of the satisfaction and economy of it ... but even if you discover its not "for you" its a great learning experiance.On the down side, reloading will cut into time that could be spent corrousing and chasing wild women ...

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GUN CONTROL: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com

hobbist

Thanks everybody for input. I think I will buy five or four stage progressive press. Only question is remaining: " which manufacture to select?" Lee looks very attractive and price is OK, Dillon looks good too but it cost more. Does price for Dillon press is justifiable?Thank you for any advice.

gunnut

Yep, Dillon equipment is great, I don't have any exp. with the Lee stuff but people seem to like it also. For Rifle stuff I use the RCBS Rock Chucker as speed is not my goal for Rifle loading. You might want to call Texoma Shooters Supply in Sherman Tx, Last time I was there they had some 550's for 15% off blue press prices thats $277 plus tax!

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~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~

kimberkid

I have 2 Dillons RL550B's, 1 I leave set up for large primers, the other for small. They were the first to make a progressive loader and what all the rest seem to be compared to. I use both for loading pistol & rifle caliburs and have never had a bit of trouble with either ... the "old one"has loaded at least 500,000 rounds and still runs like new.

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GUN CONTROL: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com

Shootist3006

I've had a Dillon for about 20 years. It started life as a 450 and with upgrades it is now a 550B. Prob. loaded only about 400,000 rounds as I only shoot about 2000 rds a month. In all that time I have had 3 minor problems and each was cured by Dillon customer service instantly (well, as quick as the mail could get me the needed replacement parts) at no cost! Good equipment and even better service, worth every penny of extra cost.

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Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis

will270win

It might not make sense, but it sure is something to do that gives one great satisfaction in knowing that you "rolled your own."

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Eat healthy, exercise, avoid smoking........Die anyway. will270win@aol.com ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~