Thread: Has the price of cartridges gone up?.

You can start reloading quite cheaply, just depends how much time you want to save with $$ to upgrade to powder measure/digital scales,multi stage presses, fancier presses.

A $3-400 lee setup gets you most of the way there with components. But the only part of my original kit I have & use regularly might be the powder funnel.....

Originally Posted by Coop

Depends on the load. At $55 a box it must be buckshot/slugs or one of the high-end steel loads. Trap ammo is still less than $20 a box or $150ish a slab. Standard lead rabbit loads are around $30ish a box of 25.

Yes it was a high end steel shotshell waterfowl load.

The Lee classic will do the job well, esp if you add a set of scales.

But I still think your better off with a press and 2 die set plus scales. There are heaps of gear you can DIY . Later on get a trimmer.
Plenty of used gear about sold cheaply if your patient.

It's actually surprising how little you need to load well.

BASIC RE-LOADING PROCEDURE

1. De-Prime
2. Clean (optional) I use an ultrasonic cleaner. Water, vinegar, detergent. Rinse and air dry
3. Visual inspection of fired cases looking for signs of pressures, case separation or neck cracking
4. Anneal every few reloads or as required.
5. Lube & lightly lube inside of neck
6. FLRS or neck size, including deprime.
7. Wash/clean and air dry. Or you can just wipe off the lube.
8. Trim all cases & de-bur. Every load or as required.
9. Prime.
10 Charge. I then check them all using a torch to ensure none have been missed.
11. Seat projectile and check length. (OAL)

Keep in mind what happened Tuesday. Prices should come down in the next year. Ukraine won’t need our components and I bet Israel won’t either so that should free up alot of production for the market. In 2017 prices dropped because of the 2016 election as companies were holding back inventory to keep prices high because they were banking on the woman to win and when that didn’t happen the flood gates were released because nobody was buying ammo or guns. Over $500/1000 of 223 down to $310/1000 with a $50 rebate so $260/1000.

Be patient and stock up when it happens.

Originally Posted by NZ32

You can start reloading quite cheaply, just depends how much time you want to save with $$ to upgrade to powder measure/digital scales,multi stage presses, fancier presses.

A $3-400 lee setup gets you most of the way there with components. But the only part of my original kit I have & use regularly might be the powder funnel.....

So you reckon a simple Lee Loader Classic (@$80) would be fine for starters? The wife has a digital scale that can measure in grains she might let me use.

Edit: I just spotted they don't make the Classic in 6.5CM.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

So you reckon a simple Lee Loader Classic (@$80) would be fine for starters? The wife has a digital scale that can measure in grains she might let me use.

Edit: I just spotted they don't make the Classic in 6.5CM.

Just sell your spent brass, usually works out you get 20 factory rounds for every 100 once fired cases.

Also, try and find a retailer that does a bulk discount, buy a case of 200 instead of 10 boxes of 20. Will all be the same lot as well.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

So you reckon a simple Lee Loader Classic (@$80) would be fine for starters? The wife has a digital scale that can measure in grains she might let me use.

Edit: I just spotted they don't make the Classic in 6.5CM.

What is your objective?

Save money?
Make better ammo?
Both?

How many rounds per year do you fire?

Both, but mostly the former. I'd like to be able to shoot out to 300m at some point, but the cost inhibits practice, so 50 rounds per year?
I buy cheap ammo because it's good enough for 100-200m shots, and I don't want to waste my premium ammo on goats. If I could halve my costs, I'd shoot double or more. I mostly shoot .22LR at the range.

Do you know any other shooters who reload ?
I’m sure someone would reload some ammo for you ( you already have the cases from your factory ammo ) and or show you what to do so that you can see if reloading is for you before outlaying to much money .

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

So you reckon a simple Lee Loader Classic (@$80) would be fine for starters? The wife has a digital scale that can measure in grains she might let me use.

Edit: I just spotted they don't make the Classic in 6.5CM.

I’ve used a Lee kit for years only thing you need is new scales the Lee ones are no good


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OK, you have a scale that might do the job initially?
Shop around for used press and dies, also case holder.

You will need a few extra bits and bobs but it will get you started.

E.g.
DIY or buy a loading block.
DIY a scoop from a case.
Buy a powder funnel.
Prime gently using a punch or buy hand primer.
Lube using coconut oil and roll cases in your hand. it works.
Use an empty case as a trickler. Yep, it works too.
Buy, borrow a set of vernier calipers. (Later)

Later a trimmer. But you can build up the gear gradually.

I don't know the prices over there, but here, if your patient there are real bargains.
And the suggestion someone show you the ropes is a very good one.