Want to stock up - new reloader

[jeffmem]

I dont reload yet but I am thinking that I should stock up while I can. I am looking at buying the Dillon 550b or the Hornady LNL. I will reload .45, .223, .308, and 9mm.

What kind of powder and primers do I need to buy? How long can powder and primers be stored?

[Guest FNandGlock]

Powder and Primer will last for a long time if you store it good. I can get you a Dillion 550B which is far better then the Hornady at a really good price. And the plates as well. I can also get you set up with Bullets at a really good price. Email me with what you need and I will price it for you.

[musicman]

Whew....... that's a hard question to answer for someone who hasn't even started to load yet. There are literally thousands of powder and bullet combinations for every caliber out there. If I told you to buy 20,000 Brand X bullets and 30lbs of Powder Y, and you went out and did that only to find out that you don't like the combination of X and Y in your guns, you would have wasted a LOT of money. While I can understand how you would ask that question since you haven't gotten into loading yet, I don't think you fully understand what reloading is about. Trust me, you'll save a lot more money by trying out some different combinations first before throwing hundreds or thousands of dollars into something you may not want.

Imagine your favorite shampoo (assuming you have hair and wash it normally ) was suddenly discontinued, and you have no experience with any other brand on the market. Are you going to go and buy a 3 years' supply of something you've never tried before, and just hope you like it? I sure hope not! You'll try a couple small or travel sized bottles of shampoo until you find something you like.

Trust me, before you spend a dollar on powder, primers, or bullets, get a good reloading manual and READ IT COVER TO COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEN start asking more questions and decide on a press that will meet your goals. After you do that, start trying out bullets, primers, and powder.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but I would hate to see you blow your wad on stuff you may not like, when all it takes is a little money and time to try out your options.

[Guest Mugster]

+1

Musicman gave good advice. Get a manual and read it, and start acquiring reloading tools. Start with a pound of powder, 100 bullets, and 100 primers and build up slow. You're better off buying bulk ammo at this point, because honestly, you have no frame of reference to buy bulk handloading components.

In terms of storage, power and primers will outlast you if its stored well. I'm still shooting herco I stocked up on over 20 years ago. I can't tell any degradation...and if there is, up the charge a smidge. That is what chronographs are for.

[jeffmem]

I appreciate the advice. I am just concerned that the days of relatively cheap powder and primers are coming to a close and I wanted to stock up before 2009. I can get 1000 free bullets with the hornady (one caliber though) so thats why I am leaning towards the hornady.

I have spoken with a few people at the local club and opinions about reloaders, powder and primers vary to a great degree

[musicman]

I wouldn't pick a press just because of a good deal. I would pick one that meets your needs/desires. If the Hornady happens to fit the bill, then good on ya! I think they are good presses, generally. One bullet that seems to be well regarded by most reloaders is the Hornady XTP. For the most part, you can't go wrong with the XTP hollowpoint in a standard weight for most calibers. However, they are a premium bullet, and I don't use them for paper punching. Also, once you start loading you won't believe how fast you go through bullets. 1K is not much. It's definitely cool to get over $100 worth of bullets for free, though! What you'll want to load for plinking will generally be much cheaper lead, plated, or fmj bullets.

If you're just really itchin' to blow some cash, I think primers are a safe bet to stock up on. Federal is my favorite, but I have used and will use other brands in he future. I just happened to find a good deal on Fed primers a couple years ago and bough about 15k. I've got 3k left now and have to fork out about 50% more than before! ARGH!!

Since there is no metal content in powder, it hasn't seen early the price hike as bullets and pimers. Powders only seem to have gotten about 10%-15% more expensive, versus 50%+ for primers and bullets.

To recap, if you must go out and buy something now, I would say primers are the safest bet. If you have guns with lightened/tuned actions, I would not recommend CCI primers as they have the hardest cups. Especially in competition guns, this can cause a problem with consistent ignition. Federal is generally regarded as having the softest cups and are used almost exlusively by folks with lightened actions.

[Guest Mugster]

Yeah, powder isn't the problem. Bullets, especially big bullets, eat the budget. So do primers...but the metal market just tanked.

My last order, I got 67 pounds of cast .452's for $216 delivered. So things are starting to drop a bit.

Although I need some .427's now. Its an endless cycle.

[Guest sling]

I can get you a Dillion 550B which is far better then the Hornady at a really good price.

This is open for debate and isnt necessarily truth.

I like the Hornady much better than the 550.

You get auto indexing and equal quality on the Hornady for less.

[jeffmem]

I think the political climate is going to make powder and primers go through the roof. My only reloading experience is watching youtube videos of the hornady and dillon loaders. The auto indexing of the hornady is nice plus the LNL seems closer to the dillion 650 than the 550 for a few bucks less. Not trying to start a war ... just my observation.

So what kind of federal primers do I need for 9mm, .45acp, .223, and .308?

[musicman]

9mm- small pistol

45- large pistol

223- small rifle

308- dunno (hang on... God invented google for a reason...) large rifle

[glockster157]

I have used many powders and primers in my Dillon 550 over the years. For the 9mm and 45acp I like WW231, Bullseye, AA #5, Unique plus others. I think WW231 has been the most versatile for me over the years for the 45, 9mm and especially the 38spl. For primers I always use WW large and small pistol for these loads. CCI is my second choice but I would not shun any name brand primer if I got a deal on them.

I have loaded a lot of 223 and 308 on my Dillon and I have found the medium burning ball powders work well. I like WW 748 for both but you can also use WW 760 on the 308. I love Hodgon H335, also like the AA2520 with heavy bullets in 223. I have used a lot of other powders in 308 but not in a Dillon so I cannot speak as to how well they will flow through a Dillon powder measure.

For rifle primers in semi's I would use CCI as they are harder and can take the slamming better, but I have used WW primers also successfully for years so I wouldn't pass on them if I could get a deal. One other thing, I never use magnum pistol primers. I did a lot of testing with magnum pistol primers and I could never get the consistency and accuracy that I got with standard primers. I am sure they have a use somewhere just not on my bench.

Edited October 31, 2008 by glockster157