[BaserRonin]

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.......

Why not? I found it rather interesting actually. When I first got my dillon I started doing the math on what it would take to mitigate the cost. I remember sitting down and cranking out around 2-3k .45 ACP's that night and thinking, "cool, the new press just paid for itself. Anything after that is just the cost of componenets."

New dies are a different story, I don't bother trying to justify the cost of those. They are cheap enough they are "paid for" in the first 50-100 rounds generally.

That make sense to you guys?

[ArkansasHunter]

I can buy a new Hornady lock and load press at dealer cost for $115.00 is that a good deal ?

[BaserRonin]

I know nothing about Hornady's presses AH so I can't speak to quality or anything. I did a search though and I see both a single stage ($130) and a progressive (about $350 - $400) under the Hornady Lock-N-Load name. So, as far as price goes, $115 doesn't sound too bad.
It looks like cabellas and amazon have the best prices for comparison. Wish I could say about the press quality.

[ArkansasHunter]

Thank you sir...Mike

[J&S Bullets]

Reloading is a great thing to get into and it is much cheaper. I can reload 9mm for about 50% to 75% cheaper than buying factory ammo, depending on whether I shoot cast or jacketed. I also get more accurate results.

[blueice]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Oxford

My observation on Mooseman's thread: Just finished reading all the posts in this thread on reloading. All the gentlemen who made their posts here are sharing with other g&g members really valuable information...all for free, and learned from their personal experiences. Not that anyone cares what I think, but I honestly would rate this thread as one of the best I've read in quite a while.

You beat me to the punch, OX....Excellent thread and should be made a sticky....Hear is to you, Moose.....

Thanks to all of the rest of the posters, for their contribution....

[jimkim]

Found a new cost calculator. Handgun Cartridge Reloading Cost Calculator I like this one even better than the one on Handloads.com

[Inthesouthwoods]

It seems that the forum is always getting the same question asked Over and Over again...Why reload and how cost effective is it ?
The Answer is simple...You Reload to save money over the Long run of shooting a lot of ammo over a long period of time , the savings will add up , even though prices for Powder, primers, and bullets are up significantly over what it was the past few years, it is still somewhat cheaper by as much as 25%-50%. It is however Labor intensive to load hundreds or thousands of rounds irregardless of what press or Loader you have, or use.
The Main reason to reload however, is to Develop a load that your guns shoot
The MOST Accurately...and then you stick with that load !!!
It is also to develop special Hunting loads with High Performance Bullets that may not be available in a factory load...It involves a lot of trial and error shooting and testing and measuring groups.

It is NOT to see how fast you can push a bullet, or how big of a blast or fireball you can get, or how close you can come to blowing up your gun...
If that is why you want to load your own, FIND ANOTHER HOBBY !
You are dealing with controlled Explosions of High pressure gasses along with a fast moving Deadly projectile and even the smallest mistake can have devastating consequences to you and other Bystanders...Especially in a cheap or worn out firearm...

I have been loading and reloading since 1975 and I am still learning more each day with new bullets and powders coming on the market.
SO, if you decide to load your own, Buy good equipment, take good care of it, Buy good Reloading books , for the brands of bullets you intend to shoot, and read Them ...Several times... and memorize the safety rules for everybody's sake.

Rich



Amen!

[adrians]

i can go to my loading cave and its instant karma for me and very relaxing i'm in some kind of 4th dimention and i'm zoned out of everyday life for a little while anyway ,,and no i'm not smoking wacky backy lol.
adrians

[longrangehunter]

If i buy a die set do i need to buy a collet for that caliber as well? How many collets would i need if I plan on reloading 300 wsm,win mag,savage, .30 carbine, 223, 308, 40s&w, 7mm-08, 270, 357 mag, 30-06, 243, 44 mag, 444 and 450? I know that is a lot.
I was looking at both kinetic and collet pullers, do you need both are can you do with just the collet?

[Mooseman684]

Quote:       Originally Posted by longrangehunter

If i buy a die set do i need to buy a collet for that caliber as well? How many collets would i need if I plan on reloading 300 wsm,win mag,savage, .30 carbine, 223, 308, 40s&w, 7mm-08, 270, 357 mag, 30-06, 243, 44 mag, 444 and 450? I know that is a lot. I was looking at both kinetic and collet pullers, do you need both are can you do with just the collet?

I think you mean Shellholders...While I dont have a chart nearby, looks to me like you will need 6-8 different ones. The .308,270,7mm-08,30/06 and 243 all use the same shellholder I believe , but you can buy them pretty cheaply sometimes in sets or find used ones.

[Huey Rider]

Sometimes a shellholder s included in the dieset.

[jimkim]

Quote:       Originally Posted by longrangehunter

If i buy a die set do i need to buy a collet for that caliber as well? How many collets would i need if I plan on reloading 300 wsm,win mag,savage, .30 carbine, 223, 308, 40s&w, 7mm-08, 270, 357 mag, 30-06, 243, 44 mag, 444 and 450? I know that is a lot. I was looking at both kinetic and collet pullers, do you need both are can you do with just the collet?

I'm gonna take a guess your talking about a bullet puller. You will need a collet that fits every bullet you want to pull if your using something like the Hornady Cam-Lock puller. Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller : Cabela's
If your using the Quinetics style puller the "chuck", that comes with it, should pretty much cover everything, that will fit in it. QUINETICS : Quinetics Bullet Puller -

[longrangehunter]

that would be it. I was looking at both kinetic and collet since i read somewhere I would need both. I have also read that i would not need the kinetic type just the collet type which I was looking at the RCBS. The collet is something different than what comes in the die sets?

[big boomer]

The cost savings depend on caliber. I reload all 44 and 45 and rifle shells. I don't waste time reloading 9mm as I can buy as cheap as reload them. Odd and hard or impossible shells to find make reloading needed. Try to find a box of 10.4 Italian revolver shells some time or 9mm Glesenty (Italian semi auto has to be less powerfull than 9mm luger but the same otherwise)

[jimkim]

Quote:       Originally Posted by longrangehunter

that would be it. I was looking at both kinetic and collet since i read somewhere I would need both. I have also read that i would not need the kinetic type just the collet type which I was looking at the RCBS. The collet is something different than what comes in the die sets?

Yes the collet is different. You don't actually NEED a puller. You can get by without one. I prefer to have one. I use either the Quinetic puller or my needle nose pliers. If I'm not going to save the bullet I use anything(pliers, side cutters,etc) that will grab it. Instead of buying a new collet type puller I would find a used on eBay.
You might even like the Hart bullet pullers.
Reloading - Shop Reloading Tools & Supplies at MidwayUSA

[deadzero]

Quote:       Originally Posted by BaserRonin

Why not? I found it rather interesting actually. When I first got my dillon I started doing the math on what it would take to mitigate the cost. I remember sitting down and cranking out around 2-3k .45 ACP's that night and thinking, "cool, the new press just paid for itself. Anything after that is just the cost of componenets." New dies are a different story, I don't bother trying to justify the cost of those. They are cheap enough they are "paid for" in the first 50-100 rounds generally. That make sense to you guys?

Thats funny, because I did the exact same thing about 30 years ago when I got my Dillon 550, and I'm still using that same machine today.

I sure would like to know how many rounds I've loaded on that thing since.

[OKIE2]

Quote:       Originally Posted by longrangehunter

If i buy a die set do i need to buy a collet for that caliber as well? How many collets would i need if I plan on reloading 300 wsm,win mag,savage, .30 carbine, 223, 308, 40s&w, 7mm-08, 270, 357 mag, 30-06, 243, 44 mag, 444 and 450? I know that is a lot. I was looking at both kinetic and collet pullers, do you need both are can you do with just the collet?

Lee sales a box with all the shellholders you need for any caliber

[samuel]

You can pull a bullet in an emergency by using sidecuts and putting the cartridge in the press with no die and running the bullet out the top of the press and clamping the sidecuts on and raising the handle which will pull the bullet.If you're careful you can do it and use the bullet again.I have done it when the collet didn't hold on my puller. ,,,sam.