I was curious---how many of you folks reload cartridges &
shotgun shells. Do you load to save $$ or as a hobby or
both. What reload machines do you use. Do you use lead or jacketed bullets,etc. etc.

 

The cost of lead has skyrocketed to a point that even reloading shot shells is not very cost effective. Although, one that regularly shoots 28ga and .410 still find it better to reload than to buy.

Those that reload cartridges normally do it for custom ballistics.


The brand of reloader used is simply a personal preference. I use MEC for shotshell loads, and Lee for handgun loads. I don't load rifle shells.

 

You are correct about the cost of lead ( $1.65 # )
When I started reloading 40 years ago, I would save at least
50 % over buying. Now it is just a hobby.I have been hunting, target shooting, reloading almost 40 years.
In all that time I never met more than a dozen people that reloaded.Today I use Lee loaders because there is no rush
for quantity reloading. The Dillion machines are dusty. I use Mec for shotshells.I does keep me busy..........

 

Hey j Howard...
Be glad to take those Dillons off yer hands..let you free up some workspace...heh heh heh

When I had more free time I would reload at night during the week (in my barracks room, shhhhhh don't tell anyone) and shoot on Sat and Sun. I'd normally put up 300-500 a night on my Lee 1000. Didn't experiment much, found one load that shot close to 230 hardball, and stuck with that.

Used to be much cheaper for me (in CA at the time). I could pick up 5000 jacketed bullets at a gunshow or a small shop pretty reasonably, and powder was not bad. Since I could police my own brass, no prob there.

It's been almost 10 yrs since I did any reloading . I still have the setup, cased up in the garage. As soon as we get all (most) of the projects done here at the new house, it'll be broken out again. I saved a space in the corner of the garage for a bench and there's a real nice range about 7 miles outside of town.

Now, back to those Dillons........

 

I still have a little room left for my Dillions. My reloading room about 120 sq. ft.--3 benches-3 lee loaders-2 Dillion machines-2 Mec machines-1 combo lathe & milling machine for making parts. roughly 10000 rounds of vatious cal.
800 shotshell cases. 9000 rounds of .22 cal. I have almost run out of reloading equip. to
buy--I said almost......................

 

Shooting is a sport.
Reloading is a hobby/addiction.

I won't buy a firearm I can't reload for. .22RF being the exception.

Using wheel weights the tire shop gave me, I can still cast and load 9mm for $4.00 per 100.

Recent price increases at retail for loaded shotshells makes reloading look better than it has for awhile. But it is still significantly more expensive than it was just two years ago.

Loading 1 oz, 12 ga target ammo saves me $0.50 to $1.00 per box compared to promo ammunition and $2.75 to $3.00 per box compared to AA or SST. To save even more I am loading 3/4 oz 12 ga for skeet. Saves on pricey shot, hasn't hurt my score and very easy on the shoulder.

Using standard Sierra bullets, I am loading 7mm RSAUM for $6.80 a box. Last time I looked at Cabela's, they were over $30.00 These savings are significant.

My best advice, Don't ever start reloading. It is an addiction.

Everyone is invited to our local Reloadaholics Anonymous Meetings. It is time to get started on your twelve step recovery plan.

 

Was trying to think what the 12 steps might be:
1. denial
2. blame
3. acceptance
4. resize
5. de-prime
6. seat
7. crimp
...but it's been too long and I couldn't remember them all.

410a, just because it's probably interesting, do you mind describing how you melt and cast? I made some scuba weights by melting wheelweights- my bernzo propane torch exactly fits under two upended concrete blocks, and I melted weights in a coffee can.

 

I would be happy to.

In a steel pot I bought at a flea market, over the propane burner of my fish cooker, outdoors, I melt wheel weights or other scrap lead I have accumulated. I scrape off and discard the steel clips, valve stems, lug nuts, washers and any other trash that floats to the top. I also remove as much dross as possible. With a ladle, purchased at the dollar store, I pour the lead into one pound ingots for future use.

When ready to make bullets, I will melt 8 or 9 ingots in a 10 pound, bottom pour electric pot. I am using a LEE. I will add a pinch of candle wax and stir vigourously. Sand and other impurities will float to the top. These are skimmed off and discarded. I will lay my mold on top of the pot to warm it up. I will make some test pours. If I am not filling out the mold, I will add a little 50/50 bar solder. If I need hard bullets, I will add some magnum bird shot or linotype.

I fill the mold. Let it cool a few seconds. Knock the sprue plate with a plastic hammer and drop the ball or bullet.

Later, pistol bullets are run through a Lyman Lubri-sizer, to precision size and lubricate the bullet.

After all that, I get to work up my brass and load some ammo. If time allows, I get to go shooting too!

Wheel weight ingots must be segregated from soft lead ingots. The soft lead is reserved for muzzleloader balls and bullets as well as split shot. WW are too hard for split shot.

Wear all the safety gear you can find. Gloves, heavy boots long pants and shirt, safety glasses. Water and other liquids must be banished to the next county. Even a drop of perspiration falling into the melt will cause a dangerous explosion.

Sometimes I wonder if it is worth all the labor. But I get great satisfaction shooting small groups and taking game with ammo I built myself. And I laugh when I think that my 9's cost less than the .22's my buddy is shooting.

Welcome to my addiction!

 

Reloadaholics Anonymous 12 Step Recovery Plan

1) We admit to be powerless over nitro-cellulous, nitro-glycerin and the smell of Hoppe's No. 9. Our lives have become unmanageable.

2) We come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.

3) Made a decision to turn our will, our lives and our horde of reloading supplies over to the care of God as we understand him.

4) Made a searching a fearless inventory of our powder, primers, wads, shot, bullets, brass, molds, dies, casting alloys, tools and supplies. No corner, no drawer, no shelf, no closet, no safe, no garage, no shed, no attic shall remain unsearched.

5) Admit to God, to ourselves and to our loved ones, the exact nature of our addiction.

6) We are entirely ready to have our spouse remove the inventoried materials from our cherished loading bench and dispose of same at a garage sale.

7) Humbly ask the Lord above to prevent us from commiting murder or seeking divorce.

8) Make a list of all the persons we have harmed or neglected by our reclusive behavior and be willing to make amends to them all.

9) Make direct amends to such people whenever possible.

10) Continue to take inventory. Dispose of offensive supplies and tools when we remember where we hid them.

11) Through prayer and meditation, seek the power of God too guide us clear of the gun store and shooting range.

12) Having had a spiritual awakening, carry this message to reloadaholics and practice these principals in our daily life.

 

Used to shoot trap every weekend and reloaded with a MEC. It's in a box in the garage now.

 

And stand upwind so you don't breathe the fumes!