[Big Dog]

Oxford - you are one of the "Grand Old Men of G&G"! You've helped us all out at some time.

Billy, I just loaded up 100 rounds of .308 Win, and resized fifty .243 Win cases into .308, and loaded ten of them. Gonna test those 'converts' tomorrow at the range. I loaded them just a tad light, for safety's sake!

[billy]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Big Dog

Oxford - you are one of the "Grand Old Men of G&G"! You've helped us all out at some time. Billy, I just loaded up 100 rounds of .308 Win, and resized fifty .243 Win cases into .308, and loaded ten of them. Gonna test those 'converts' tomorrow at the range. I loaded them just a tad light, for safety's sake!

cool
as always
keep us posted!

[Greyhawk50]

Hope ya'll don't mind me jump'n in. This forum has been inactive for a while but, Oh well.
I've read this entire forum & it is great. Looks like a 10X to me.

Quote:       Originally Posted by Big Dog

Works for the Dot.Gov! You could get a job at The Fed. I can load especially for certain guns - my old Spanish M1916 Mauser in .308Win, needs lighter loads for safety's sake - I make a couple 'mild' boxes just for it.

Thirty some odd years ago, my uncle gave me a pre-war 99 Arasaka. Shells were impossible to find back then. Now they can be found but they are pricey. An experienced loader helped me make some out of 30-06s. We started with a light load because Jap. rifles have a questionable track record. As it turned out, this pre-war model is very sound. Actually, because I was young & poor, it was the only HP rifle I had for my first deer hunting trip to Pa. Boy did I get razzed. That is until I drug my first deer back to camp. Just one more reason to load. It makes great memories when done right.

Thanks, Grey

[snowman1]

Handloads are the only way to go, seeing one hole groups from ammo you made yourself is very sastisfying. The cost calculator will tell the rest of the story. Pay close attention to the signs of high pressure and you'll be just fine. Happy shooting.

[Big Dog]

This past Saturday, I tested some new loads I made for my Spanish M1916, in .308Win. I had just bought two 50-piece bags of .243Win cases from SW, and reformed them into .308. My first loads using H414 powder, and I used .30-40 data from Hodgdon to keep pressures low for this old rifle.
The range testing went very well. Placement was same as my previous 'light 7.62X51' loads, with a good 1.5 inch grouping at 50 yards, about eight inches high over the bullseye. Next time I will try a 6 o'clock hold insted of dead center. Forgot my chrony, so I couldn't check velocity.
Recoil was very moderate, actually a pleasure to shoot but not 'wimpy'.
I used Hornady's 150 grain FMJ-BT bullet.
Next batch, I will up the loading slightly, to the high side of the .30-40 loading (still under the normal minimum for .308Win.
I was getting a bit of sooting on the neck, indicating a bit lower pressure than needed for complete sealing(?).

My costs:
Using bought brass - $16.16 per twenty rounds.
Using free range brass - $7.76 per twenty rounds.
Brass is the single most expensive part of reloading! Save that brass!

[gandog56]

I'm confused. I would think .308 Win would not be rare, so why convert something else to them?

[Big Dog]

Because the local shops are sold out! NO 'military type' calibers of brass available. So, I use what is available - "Improvise, adapt and overcome!" as the Marines say.
And, it's fun. Makes them truly "My" loads!

[338RUM]

I really need to reload for my rifles..... I have all of the things at my grandfathers house including powder I just need to get it here..... I was loading and now I am dangerously low on ammo....

[tarza]

i like to reload because when my wife wants me to do something i just tell her that i'm reloading the bullets she shot and she says thanks honey -i really had fun shooting those targets yesterday

[Silvertip44]

All the replies are correct for those who really understand reloading and why they reload. ACCURACY--ACCURACY--ACCURACY is the name of the game too, and most likely it will not come with blistering speed but with more moderate loads.
Those who do load their own ammo can shoot more and enjoy the sport rather than having to pay $30 or more for a box of 20 rounds.

[deadzero]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Silvertip44

All the replies are correct for those who really understand reloading and why they reload. ACCURACY--ACCURACY--ACCURACY is the name of the game too, and most likely it will not come with blistering speed but with more moderate loads. Those who do load their own ammo can shoot more and enjoy the sport rather than having to pay $30 or more for a box of 20 rounds.

^Absolutely correct^

I've had people ask, "why don't you just shoot new ammo?" or some bad comments being made by a guy to his wife and kids about reloaders being "poor people", that they didn't think I could hear. (they never heard of electronic muffs). but when I bring my target boards back up with 6 or 8 targets with ragged little holes where the bullseye used to be, I simply state "you can't buy this kind accuracy off of a store shelf ". and on that one occasion the kids wanted to go see Daddy's targets afterwards.... I kind of felt bad for the fool and his 4" group.

[iflylow74]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the info in this thread! I've been wanting to start reloading for about 2 years now, ever since my dad gave me an old Lyman turret press. I've been back and forth about what caliber to load, where to set up my loading equipment ect. I think this weekend I am going to start collecting the components and dies that I need to get started!!

Right now I'm trying to decide between .223, .243, .45acp, and .38sp. Is one of these calibers "easier" for a beginner or are they basically all the same?

[Farmer]

I started to save money on bullets but i found i save money by being more accurate, i mostly shoot for meat. The more accuarate i get the more meat i get the less meat i buy. Also less spoilt meat from bad shots.

Also feels good knowing u did it better than the factory.

[deadzero]

the easiest will be the 45acp and the 38sp. start with those to get the hang of it. grab a couple of loading manuals first. Later read up on rifle loading it's a little more involved.

[rifleman14]

huh. my 30-06 loads are $37.28 for 50 rounds. not a huge savings but its a savings. plus theres a sense of savings that you get from being able to say hey im out of ammo, then sitting down and making some! i find myself shooting my firearms a lot more since i started reloading

[deadzero]

Quote:       Originally Posted by rifleman14

huh. my 30-06 loads are $37.28 for 50 rounds. not a huge savings but its a savings. plus theres a sense of savings that you get from being able to say hey im out of ammo, then sitting down and making some! i find myself shooting my firearms a lot more since i started reloading

that seems a bit high but your only using more powder. but I buy powder in 8# jugs. primers are from a local shop at $30.00/1,000. and Hornady A-Max 168Gr. for my .308 in 250 bulk. my cost on 50 count .308 is at 21.50 for 50 rounds. the cheapest I sell in the store are 18.99 for Remington Cor-Loct or Winchester Power Points and thats a box of 20 rounds. so I'm still able to shoot over twice as much for the money spent buying in bulk. bullet is 28 cents ea., primer is 3 cents ea. and powder is 12 cents a round. or 43 cents total a shot. (reusing brass)

prices are items bought in the last 60 days.

[ArkansasHunter]

Why Reload and Cost Information...

As of yesterday I've entered the world of reloading, well sort of. I bought a 3 die set in 375 Winchester from Hornady.
The ammo now cost close to $39.00 a box the dies cost with shell holder under $24.00 I bought them at dealers cost.

All I need now is what ever powder, bullets and primers I decide is best, and my hunting buddy with the ffl has all the books and the die set came with recipes to. for the 375 Win.
I have over 200 case's plus a guy gave my friend 4 empty box's of 375 case so I'm about good to go.

Now will I relize a saveing by reloading NO ! Because I don't want to use this rifle very much because it's rare and has become a collector to Marlin collectors.
Yet I did think it was a smart thing to do, by buying the dies for it while there still available.

My friend hunting buddy has all the other stuff press's primer gizmo's, tumbler ect where I can reload the case's though I entend to buy my own over time.

I hope to by dies and other related things for my 9X18 and 308 in the futher.

[Big Dog]

Never try to factor in the cost of press, dies or any other basic loading equipment into the 'cost' of the ammo produced. I consider the cost of components ONLY.
This is a hobby, so I don't count the cost of my time. The equipment is a one-time expense up front.
Otherwise, you will be forever adjusting the costing of the ammo as you try to amortise more calibers into the mix. Even the Government's 'creative accounting' isn't that powerful.......

[ArkansasHunter]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Big Dog

Never try to factor in the cost of press, dies or any other basic loading equipment into the 'cost' of the ammo produced. I consider the cost of components ONLY. This is a hobby, so I don't count the cost of my time. The equipment is a one-time expense up front. Otherwise, you will be forever adjusting the costing of the ammo as you try to amortise more calibers into the mix. Even the Government's 'creative accounting' isn't that powerful.......

I agree 100% But as an example, Say I'm just getting started and I don't factor equipment cost.
The 375 is one of those calibers that probably will exceed or equal the cost of buying a box off a shelf as well as other non-popular ammo when you consider todays prices for componants.

Even if you have the brass, the other stuff needed has ski rocketed in cost.
Though it does appear to be an enjoyable hobby that alone can make it worth it what ever the cost might be within reason.

[deserthobbies]

A. H. Ive only been reloading for a few months, it gives me something to do as im retired, I can for sure say you can make a more accurate round than store bought ammo. I just take my time, im not looking to pump out hundreds a day, I can get .40sw for $30 per 100 up here in the bootheel for winchester whitebox but they are not as accurate as a handload. the brass cost $24 per hundred. so even though im not saving any money I get to shoot the 30 dollar rounds then reload them and have a better more accurate round. and it is something to do on a rainy day. by the way, we are getting soaked today, heard maybe 5 inches.