Thread: Looking at learning to reload, cost effective or better to keep buying cheap ammo

I think loading myself just for FTR I'll save $40 a month, on 100rounds over club bought ammo (so not including extra for competitions) so 20months payback for $800 worth of mostly Lee reloading kit (Im going to get better 308w dies I think), 2 seasons. Plus my son wants to shoot plus WSRA ammo. I could do 50~70 rounds a month for WSRA (even double that, incl son), $150~$250 a month on reloading, that sure adds up.



but it keeps me in the man cave out of harms way, so all good

In terms of reloading kit I think the Lee 50th anniversary press kit plus a set of Lee dies is a good start, so $300 delivered ($200+$70+delivery). NB I saw such a set go on trademe last week second hand (2 die sets though) for over $280 so you get most of your $s back if you dont like it. With an ultrasonic cleaner ($200), digital scales ($70), calipers ($50+), a good data reloading book ($40+) and other bits I think its $700~800 odd investment up front. There are more expensive press kits, double that easily, hard pushed to say they are worth it to start with, some ppl say yes some ppl say no Lee is fine....Ive gone Lee...

Get onto youtube, look up ammosmith, and iraqveteran888 great videos IMHO.

Reloading: A Complete Beginner's Guide to Handloading for your Rifle - YouTube

Reloading Basics (Decisions To Make) - YouTube

Ammosmith Reloading - YouTube

I was recommended the lee classic cast press. and I have no problems with it.

If you are looking at a cheap way to get started, I aquired one of those archaic Lee hammer kits (303) in my dealings. Surprisingly it actually works, the priming system seams a bit sus though.

Steven,how do you get to 40c saving ? I'm working on about 20c cheaper....

Thanks guy, i know can start with Lee, but i know what i'm like, ill use it fir 6 months and then end up getting something better, and spending more in the long run

i'm currently looking at the hornady lock n load range, as Dillion is quite pricey and "RED" is my lucky colour, so that rules out Dillion, lol

Another problem, is i am one of the those guys that likes things to look the same, hence my woodworking shed if full of Festool tools in Ports and Lie Nielsen Tools





I have issues

Sweet jeezus ! FESTOOL

Is there any reason you are stuck on hornady gear? there are other good brands to choose from as well Lyman, RCBS and redding are other really good options oh and redding and RCBS colours will match the green bits on those drawers

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing & Reloading Tools: Reloading Stuff +, Reloading Kits

Originally Posted by hunter308

Is there any reason you are stuck on hornady gear? there are other good brands to choose from as well Lyman, RCBS and redding are other really good options oh and redding and RCBS colours will match the green bits on those drawers

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing & Reloading Tools: Reloading Stuff +, Reloading Kits

No real reason, Cause they are red and i can get dust covers for them i will look at the other brands

I normally research the shit out of something for a month and think about it thoroughly before pulling the trigger and spending the coin.

Originally Posted by ebf

Sweet jeezus ! FESTOOL

Best work working power tools you can buy, German made of course

The Festool vac is awesome, that works with all of the tools, dust free workshop is great.

I got the festool Kapex drop saw as well, and a festool clock and festool radio

Once you go Festool you never go back, unless you end up bankrupt... i should curb my spending, lol

i've even labeled the gauge of the screws and length as well as head type, yes i have issues, lol

I would say that reloading is a way to save money. I bought my kit second hand and the money I've saved on reloading would easily have paid for the gear. The 243 and 308 I've been saving about $1 a round on and have made about 400 rounds. The kit and components didn't cost anywhere near that. I just look for good deals. $40 for an ultrasonic cleaner. $16 for a reasonable pair of digital calipers. Plus other handy bits as they come up on Trademe.

This is some of what I started with, and haven't added a great deal more.

Originally Posted by ebf

Steven,how do you get to 40c saving ? I'm working on about 20c cheaper....

um....PFC charges $30 for 20 rounds and 4 "free" sighters. I still need to get a firm cost for 2206h or 2208 off them but im assuming 45grains of powder somewhere around 40cents, 7 cents for the primer and I think its 42~48cents for the projectile. I have not counted lapua brass at $111 a hundred....20reloads? 6 cents I suppose, so I can load for just ander $1...on 500gramme powder tins 171 loads, 4kg brings down the price more but 4kg is $500+ and im not keen on that much powder at once.



For 303Brit and 54R I will be using barnual projectiles I think. 185gr fmjs are 31cents each...I got 100 to look at, the obvious thing is their weight varies by 1 gr or more (183 to 185) so I need to batch them. So "Rubbish" for 54R (only 100m) good ones for 303Brit. The cost on the 54r worked out at a bit less than barnual steel 54R ammo, around 78~79cents. 303brit is $162 for 100 so half price reloading on those.

At the end of the day it is your choice on what gear you get I have owned an early model lyman crusher press which was my first o frame press and loved it and it churned out many very accurate reloads also I have had the opportunity to reload on a RCBS rock chucker a mate of mine owns and that too was nice to load with. Plus I never used to worry about dust covers for the press even though it pays to keep balance beam scales covered when not in use mind you my presses never wore dust covers as I was in the man cave damn near everyday reloading just to go and shoot off ammo at the range when I was unable to hunt after an operation I had on my knee which took a bit of time to recover from.

ebf, I found my spreadsheet....buying 2206h or 2208 at $75 per 500g, 45grains and 7 cent primer cost, nossler comp in 250 lots I can reload 308 for 89cents not incl brass. If I can get cheaper powder and nossler's through the NRA it gets better.

Sweet, our club ammo is a bit cheaper, and my calcs were done using NRA prices for components & consumables.