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- #21
Understanding Reloading as a newbie
- Thread starter Tytalus
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Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
Oh, I probably have (at current prices)-$500-600 of equipment. Plus (10) sets of dies, counting carbide revolver dies-$500. Components and powder on hand-$600. I have had most of the expensed dies and loading equipment since starting in 1963. So. $1000 divided by 50 years=$20 per year expensed. Plus $500-800 components a season. Actually, I turn over an average of one gun a year and have to buy new dies. So say $100 per year equipment expense but then I sometimes sell the old dies with the firearm.
However, I shoot every week a least once for usually 7 months a year, both centerfire rifle and pistol. I probably shoot 280 centerfire shells a month, mostly the high cost stuff, e.g. 9.3x74R and 7mm Rem Mag, .357 and .45 Colt revolver loads. The labor doesn't count because I am retired. Figure 20 CF rifle or 50 CF revolver loads costs me $15/each. So $100 a month in component costs. My highest volume of center fire ammo a month is .257 Roberts at about $10 a box.
However, I shoot every week a least once for usually 7 months a year, both centerfire rifle and pistol. I probably shoot 280 centerfire shells a month, mostly the high cost stuff, e.g. 9.3x74R and 7mm Rem Mag, .357 and .45 Colt revolver loads. The labor doesn't count because I am retired. Figure 20 CF rifle or 50 CF revolver loads costs me $15/each. So $100 a month in component costs. My highest volume of center fire ammo a month is .257 Roberts at about $10 a box.
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,976
- 290
Since you are new to shooting/hunting, I would shoot factory for a year and feel it out. Save your brass as you shoot. From there you will know what you want. If you are like many of us, you will want more accuracy and a round that you made for your rifle. I started out with a Lee kit and still use most of the tools. You will upgrade as you progress with your loads and how in depth you get with the process. When it comes time to buy, post questions here and everyone will be willing to help out. With the help from members here, you will be able to make loads that are better than factory in no time.
Nice!
Some of my reloading equipment has been used now for over 60 years. After that period in time, price becomes a non-issue. However I did buy most of what I needed to reload for our second home, a couple of years ago, on line used for $80. Now this gets you nothing fancy, but you don't need fancy. I load one shell at a time on a 60 year old press, using 40 year old dies, hundreds of cases that I have bought used, traded or picked up. Two days ago I was loading out of a brand new, unopened box of Speer Hot Core 250 ,358 bullets that were probably 30+ years old. I use a plastic spoon to move the powder, typically don't use a measure, and weight each round. Granted my setup is very simple, but my point is you don't need complexity or expensive equipment to load quality hunting ammo.
Some of my reloading equipment has been used now for over 60 years. After that period in time, price becomes a non-issue. However I did buy most of what I needed to reload for our second home, a couple of years ago, on line used for $80. Now this gets you nothing fancy, but you don't need fancy. I load one shell at a time on a 60 year old press, using 40 year old dies, hundreds of cases that I have bought used, traded or picked up. Two days ago I was loading out of a brand new, unopened box of Speer Hot Core 250 ,358 bullets that were probably 30+ years old. I use a plastic spoon to move the powder, typically don't use a measure, and weight each round. Granted my setup is very simple, but my point is you don't need complexity or expensive equipment to load quality hunting ammo.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
I agree, I read people's comments in out newspaper every day and it make me wonder what country I am living in. Believe me, I have worked and travelled in several countries: including Germany, India, France, and China. This country has changed faster than any of them into something in which I feel like an anachronism in now. The young people whose comments I read in the local paper are not Americans as I knew them. I would not have any idea what to say to them?
cloverleaf
Handloader
- Sep 10, 2006
- 4,381
- 1,014
I guess cost savings is a big part of it. Honestly, we live in the golden age (IMHO) of rifles and ammo. You can get good rifles comparatively cheap and factory loaded ammo is as good as its ever been. If you are just getting started shooting, buy yourself a comfortable .22. Savage makes a decent accu trigger and mine have been accurate. Start experimenting with different .22 ammo and you will likely fing one that your rifle likes best. If you get bit by the bug when you shoot that elusive "cloverleaf" (4 holes that touch) then you might want to think about reloading. If it were me it would depend on how much room I had and cash to lay out for a set up. You may decide its cheaper and more practical to buy off the shelf 'til you are sure of a calibre you like etc. I reload,, because years ago, I got hooked on a low recoiling cal. that droipped a pronghorn like lightning (lucky shot...).
Dad had been reloading since the 60's so I am all set. Much like Guy, I have lots of good memories reloading with Dad. So, thats what got me in it..... CL
Dad had been reloading since the 60's so I am all set. Much like Guy, I have lots of good memories reloading with Dad. So, thats what got me in it..... CL
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
CL, this is true. When I was working before 1964, I could not afford to buy Colts and Winchseter Model 70's. They cost a week's wages and I have about $50 in a saving's account. A model 70 at $130. is cheap but when you make $140/week it is not. I started reloading so that I could shoot more and get better accuracy with better bullets to hunt with. Hunting bullets in the 1960's were not always accurate or did they expand [properly.
H4831 was $1.75 a pound and 100 bullets cost about $8 in the mid-1960's. Even Nosler Partitions in .338 Win were about $13, primers were $.80 a box of 100. I bought a package deal on a press (RCBS) Rockchucker, a scale (Ohaus/Lyman 500) and a (Lyman) Model 55 powder measure all for less than $100. I still have them and use them.
I still have and still use some RCBS (.270 Win) dies that are stamped "66" (1966) and my son has several sets made before that. I gave him all my dies several years ago and got just a couple of sets back from him and bought new ones because I wanted Forster dies where possible.
H4831 was $1.75 a pound and 100 bullets cost about $8 in the mid-1960's. Even Nosler Partitions in .338 Win were about $13, primers were $.80 a box of 100. I bought a package deal on a press (RCBS) Rockchucker, a scale (Ohaus/Lyman 500) and a (Lyman) Model 55 powder measure all for less than $100. I still have them and use them.
I still have and still use some RCBS (.270 Win) dies that are stamped "66" (1966) and my son has several sets made before that. I gave him all my dies several years ago and got just a couple of sets back from him and bought new ones because I wanted Forster dies where possible.
nosler06
Handloader
- Nov 13, 2012
- 253
- 35
Tytalus":382ft4ez said:
Tytalus, I started reloading many years ago now, but all I did was purchase a RCBS starter kit and a set of dies. This ran me about $450. At the time I was only reloading for one rifle, so only needed one set of dies. When you start shooting you make sure to keep all of your shot brass from any factory loads that you shoot. Then a box of bullets, 1lb powder and primers, like me in Canada we pay more, so about $70 and you are pretty much on your way. You find someone from a Rod and Gun club to mentor and help out. Then you stay on a fabulous forum like this and gain so much from alot of experienced, knowledgeable people always willing to answer your questions. It is a fun and very rewarding hobby to get into. Also gaining knowledge before your kids are of age is very valuable.
Don't get too worried about huntingbc site it took my profile a bit to get approved as well. Look me up when you get set up.
