Good idea to start on pistol. Also get with a seasoned loader and hang out, watch, help and load some. Powder selection and the action you're shooting it in is important too. Like for the 9mm, I'd use Winchester 231. Since your mostly going to shoot that in a auto, it'll work the action. Fast burning powder. I also like W/W primers. They still work on a light strike. I'm a big fan of Winchester loading components. You'll have to find what works best for you
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Considering reloading - worth it?
- Thread starter StefanB
- Start date
I just started loading a few years ago but enjoy the time spent reloading. It does get expensive because I started with only a few thousand rounds of 9mm and .40 brass. I gained a number of rifle rounds from the weapons I had. I bought an RCBS press single stage press and basically a whole rcbs kit which set me back about $1000 pretty quickly. Cutting to the chase I enjoy loading my rounds one at a time, and I can see a big difference in my rifle groupings after you get the load that matches your weapon. I think anyone is better starting with a single stage press and building your knowledge in addition to your stock. Looking at a finished product (bullet) and knowing you loaded it and the process and time it takes invested to do it right gives you an added sense of satisfaction when you pull that trigger….then you start digging for spent brass..lol. Good Luck..
On the point
Chipshot
makes above - I don't know anyone who reloads regularly - even guys with multiple Dillon 1050s - that don't also have a good, solid single-stage press somewhere in their reloading den.
It's far too useful for pulling duds, adjusting seating depths, doing load development and bullying badly-behaved brass into shape when you need to do it to not have one.
Chipshot
makes above - I don't know anyone who reloads regularly - even guys with multiple Dillon 1050s - that don't also have a good, solid single-stage press somewhere in their reloading den.It's far too useful for pulling duds, adjusting seating depths, doing load development and bullying badly-behaved brass into shape when you need to do it to not have one.
I just bought a used Turret press but only have room for one press and I just can’t make myself remove that RCBS. They are very well made and it has become my friend.
A turret can do everything a single-stage can do - except - maybe handle resizing brass that came from an LMG or bigger - like an M249. I nearly bent that Hornady press trying to process a couple hundred rounds of 308 that maybe I should have just left alone.
Full auto used brass is sometimes a real beast.
I still use my lnl ap to resize stubborn 308 brass. But if it's really that stubborn, my handy lee challenger does what it is supposed to do.
I started out on a RCBS Rockchucker over 40 years ago. I still have one and use it regularly for various tasks. My first progress was a Dillon 550, sold it and went to a 650. In my opinion you can't beat either of those for reloading volume pistol or rifle rounds. However, these are designed for low to mid-range reloading.
The 550 will do any caliber that the 650/750 will do but just a little slower and less expensive.
The 550 will do any caliber that the 650/750 will do but just a little slower and less expensive.
If I wasn’t already balls deep into reloading with multiple progressive presses set up and bunches of components, there no way I would think about reloading now. I still stack factory ammo deep as well in many calibers, just incase….
I know it's late in this post but just my opinion. If you're a high income earner and can afford to "hoard" ammo, I'd just buy 5 years worth of ammo and replace as shot. Nothing is more uncertain than the future!
I've been retired for almost 5 years and I've been accumulating powder, bullets and primers since the Obama years. I only reload for pistol cartridges (9mm, 45ACP and .38 special). This weekend I'm going to load 1,000 rds of 9mm, it will take me about 6 hours on my Dillon XL650. I probably won't need to load any more till the fall when its cooler in the garage.
You will need to base your need to reload on how much you shoot and can you dedicate the time to learn how to reload properly.
I don't hunt, I only shoot my AR-15's for fun and of course I have been accumulating 22LR ammo for 1 pistol and 2 rifles.
I'm a member of gun club which is 62 miles from home, I try to get to the club at least once a month and I usually have the pistol ranges to myself.
I've been retired for almost 5 years and I've been accumulating powder, bullets and primers since the Obama years. I only reload for pistol cartridges (9mm, 45ACP and .38 special). This weekend I'm going to load 1,000 rds of 9mm, it will take me about 6 hours on my Dillon XL650. I probably won't need to load any more till the fall when its cooler in the garage.
You will need to base your need to reload on how much you shoot and can you dedicate the time to learn how to reload properly.
I don't hunt, I only shoot my AR-15's for fun and of course I have been accumulating 22LR ammo for 1 pistol and 2 rifles.
I'm a member of gun club which is 62 miles from home, I try to get to the club at least once a month and I usually have the pistol ranges to myself.
Short answer, no, you won't save any money.
To get a decent reloading setup your looking at a couple grand, you will lose money reloading 9mm, I buy my plinking ammo for a couple cents less than I can reload it for. 300 blackout, if your willing to convert 223 brass, you'll save a couple bucks per range trip. IMO your 6.5 is the only one worth reloading for, you'll see better accuracy for a better price.
Ultimately, dont get into reloading for the money savings, get into it if you think you'll enjoy it
