Thinking about relaoding... a couple of????

[Alpha13]

As the title stated I am thinking about reloading I currently own to calibers (22 & 45), I would probably only reload the 45 at this time. Just a few questions for you that already are reloading.

1. How safe is it? (probably the biggest question I have)

2. What would be the least expensive way to get started?

3. What is the minimum equipment needed?

4. Does it really pay for itself?

Thanks in advance

[DWARREN123]

Is it safe? As safe as anything if you pay attention, read up on reloading and use common sense.

Probably a single stage press kit, not fast but you can inspect each step and this can, if you follow the common sense rule, be very safe.

Die set, scale of some type, primer of some type, press and consumables.

No but you can and probably will shoot more for the same amount of money. Once you start it gets to be a hobby in and of itself.

One thing you can do when reloading is make very good ammo for your firearms. I would also suggest you find someone to mentor you if you can.

Hope this helps. And it is just my opinion.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DWARREN123

[roverboy]

DWARREN123 pretty much summed it up. If your like me you'll enjoy it but may not save a lot, but will get to shoot more. Sometimes companies like MidwayUSA will have kits that will have pretty much everything you'll need except powder, bullets, primers. You don't say if you have .45 ACP or .45 Colt. If ACP you may need a 4 die set with the taper crimp die.

Edited December 7, 2010 by roverboy

[leroy]

Alpha:___________

Dwarren's answer(s) are right on target. Been reloading for about 45 years now. I'll add a few things about safety:

Some folks worry about storing powder in your home or outbuildings. Smokeless powder is classified as a "flammable solid'. Handle it just like you would a 5 gallon can of gasoline. Check this out for details: Alliant Powder - Storage & Handling

Primers are the most "dangerous" thing you will handle. Be careful with them, they will go off, and they can hurt you (...loose an eye or cripple a hand...). The bottom line of the "primer thing" is to be an adult and handle them carefully, dont "force" them into a primer pocket, keep primers fully identified and in their original packaging, and store them where they cant fall off the shelf and detonate. Check this out for details: Primers, the Sparkplug of Centerfire Cartridges

The answer on "saving" is simple. You can save about "half" on reloading most cartridges. We load big bore pistol and shoot lots of it. Almost all with "hard cast" lead semi wadcutter bullets.

If you shoot 9 mm or 223 (...556 military...), you wont save too much. There are lots of good deals on military type ammo out there. If you want the "best" ammo for long range shooting or target work, reloaded ammo is the "best"; as it can be "tailored" to individual firearms.

Again, as Dwarren said, reloading is a great hobby; and his observations on "mentoring" are a great idea.

The guys here on TGO are a great resource for help. Dont be bashful about asking questions.

Have fun,

Leroy

[Guest sneakboxer]

I just started a few weeks ago and i love it. I have a very basic hand press, dies, a scale, case trim kit, and reloading books. The first two posters summed it up pretty good. I would like to add that you tube has a bunch of videos on reloading and they will give you an idea what it looks like. I would also recommend reading a reloading manual prior to buying a kit. That way you know what you are getting and why. over the last year I have read the Lee, Lyman, and Nosler books before buying my kit.

Saving money well that is all relative...

For example i hunt with a 308 and shoot silver ballistic tips from Winchester. With these loads i can shoot about a 1.75 to 1.25in group at 100yds for about $1.75 per round. I now make my own Nosler ballistic tips for $0.49 a round and they will shoot .38 to .5in at 100yds. (sounds pretty good right) here is the catch.

I shoot way more than i ever have in the past. You might break even but you will; quite possibly gain much better accuracy, realize the full potential of your firearm, have more options on bullet and ballistic combos and a gain a great new hobby.

Best of luck,

[gregintenn]

Reloading is as safe a hobby as I can think of. I'd suggest you buy a good reloading manual, and read it. Then you'll be able to make a more informed decision as to what you need. You can spend the next fifty years filling in the "want" gaps. When you buy brass, bullets, powder, and primers, you won't save a lot over buying factory ammo. When you pick those empties up, you will have powder left, so your only expense to make them go bang again and again will be primers and bullets. There's where the cost savings will come into play. Having more options and being able to experiment is more a reason to reload than money savings. Also, if you get into odd guns, reloading is pretty much the only way you can shoot some of them.

[McAllyn]

Just a clarification, if you mean .22 as in rimfire, you won't be able to reload that. However, you'll be able to load almost any centerfire cartridge out there.

Necessary items:

LOADING MANUALS (as many as you can get your hands on)

press

dies

calipers

powder scale

nice to have items:

tumbler

media separator

storage boxes

loading blocks

bullet puller (I'd almost say this is a necessary item since we all make mistakes)

specialty dies (factory crimp, roll crimp, full length resizing)

Round for round, you're looking at 50% cost of reloading vs. buying new, assuming you scrounge the range and pick up brass. This is a ballpark figure, the more common the round, the less you'll save. Won't save alot on 9MM, but you'll save a ton on 45.

Good luck starting out, and there are a ton of people here who would be happy to help along the way, myself included.

Mac

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Those are good points, Mac.

I haven't checked prices lately, but in the past .357 mag was also a round where you could save a lot of money reloading. The retail price of .357 mag always seemed on the high side, though the actual components are not especially expensive.

[Alpha13]

Thank You! Leroy especially, that alleviated my fears of the compustables.