- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Reloading 5.56
Posted on 12/15/13 at 10:31 pm to soco790
Posted on 12/15/13 at 10:31 pm to soco790
quote:
Would like to do 300BO later on also.
This is where you'll see some massive savings.
For those recommending a tumbler, even though the startup cost is a bit higher, I would invest in a stainless tumbler. Besides the fact that it will make ANY case look brand new while cleaning the primer pockets, it also NEVER needs media replacement. As long as you don't lose the metal pellets, it will work forever. The only thing you will slowly replace is Dawn soap and this stuff called Lemishine (found at Walmart).
I love my stainless tumbler because no matter how big of a batch of cases I do, they ALL come out looking exactly the same. There is no guess work with using other dry media either AND it cleans mud and dirt out of the cases without any prep whatsoever. The only two downsides are initial cost and drying time (since it uses wet media).
They recommend 5 pounds of tumbling media (the steel pellets) but I've been using 3 pounds for a couple of years now with the same success. You can fit more cases with less media in there too.
Thumler's Tumbler
Stainless tumbling media by the pound
0
Posted on 12/15/13 at 10:33 pm to soco790
I've heard that unless you shoot thousands of rounds per year, reloading doesn't save you much.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 10:48 pm to The Future
If you aren't a heavy shooter, save the brass every time you go shoot. After a few years of shooting a few different calibers, at that point it may be worth investing in a basic reloading press. If you are a light shooter, there is no point in starting now while you have little to no brass to reload into. Get a couple trashcans full, then make the investment
Posted on 12/16/13 at 2:12 am to TigerTatorTots
well I was loading all kinds of stuff, all year, cant do that when there is no 44 mag on the shelves and with pricing right now loading powder puff 45 acp loads are actually cheaper than chooting 22lr
so I have a Dillon 550b love it, but Id buy a Rockcrusher too, it can be used for so much more, gas check seating, swaging not to mention precision rifle loads etc
Lee 2nd Edition is great, and go buy the Lyman 49th.
Also I have no issue with brands, if the tool works I buy it
so I have a Dillon 550b love it, but Id buy a Rockcrusher too, it can be used for so much more, gas check seating, swaging not to mention precision rifle loads etc
Lee 2nd Edition is great, and go buy the Lyman 49th.
Also I have no issue with brands, if the tool works I buy it
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 2:17 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 6:40 am to The Future
quote:
I've heard that unless you shoot thousands of rounds per year, reloading doesn't save you much.
You definitely save more from shooting more often, that's without a doubt.
Here is a reloading cost calculator. I can load 5.56 for 23 cents a round. That is almost a 50% savings on ammo. Then again, I buy supplies by the 1000 and there is a lot of case prep involved with loading rifle rounds. Pistol rounds require much less case prep.
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 6:42 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 6:47 am to bapple
quote:
You definitely save more from shooting more often, that's without a doubt.
Right, and reloading becomes a hobby in itself. When you need some quality quiet and alone time, go to the loading bench. Also, cooking up some exotic loads with different projectiles gets fun too, then you test them and see how accurate/hot you can get them. Its addicting. One thing I do enjoy very much about the 550B is the ease of caliber changes. Get yourself a new tool head for each caliber and changing from one caliber to the next takes seconds.
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 6:49 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 6:52 am to H.M. Murdock
quote:
When you need some quality quiet and alone time, go to the loading bench.
Amen to that.
quote:
Also, cooking up some exotic loads with different projectiles gets fun too
I had a lot of fun loading some 100gr .380 bullets in 9mm cases since they are the same diameter. I made them super hot with Power Pistol powder and the fireball they make is quite impressive.
quote:
Get yourself a new tool head for each caliber and changing from one caliber to the next
takes seconds.
Once I have enough space, I will be investing in a Dillon. Everyone who uses a Dillon seems to love it but I just don't have the space for a progressive press right now unfortunately.
Posted on 12/16/13 at 7:09 am to bapple
Bapple:
Not only for speed, but accuracy as well...if a person is not cash strapped...do you recommend a RCBS digital scale/powder throw combination?
PROs/cons?
Not only for speed, but accuracy as well...if a person is not cash strapped...do you recommend a RCBS digital scale/powder throw combination?
PROs/cons?
Posted on 12/16/13 at 7:11 am to NASA_ISS_Tiger
quote:
Not only for speed, but accuracy as well...if a person is not cash strapped...do you recommend a RCBS digital scale/powder throw combination?
It would depend on what you're loading. Pistol rounds don't require nearly that much precision.
When I load my hunting rounds, I use my RCBS Uniflow and then use a powder trickler to get it just right.
EDIT: Just noticed you said "not strapped for cash." I thought you meant a budget method... woops.
Well my dad uses a Lyman powder measurer. I'm not sure of the exact model but it does all the work. Simply type in a number and let it roll. It measures it down to the 100th of a grain.
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 7:17 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 8:01 am to bapple
Is powder still in short supply? I haven't had to buy it in a while.
Also, I recommend starting with pistol, reloading for a auto rifle is a beast.
Also, I recommend starting with pistol, reloading for a auto rifle is a beast.
Posted on 12/16/13 at 8:07 am to bapple
Yeah I have a green light to spend on any hobbies. I mean I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and I don't chase women...
Hobbies is all I do...from computer gaming to electronics and plastic models....Reloading is a new hobby that I can spend money on without any repercussions from the wife...Not to mention, I pay the bills!
Hobbies is all I do...from computer gaming to electronics and plastic models....Reloading is a new hobby that I can spend money on without any repercussions from the wife...Not to mention, I pay the bills!
Posted on 12/16/13 at 8:24 am to chrisman17
(no message)
Posted on 12/16/13 at 8:25 am to chrisman17
quote:
Is powder still in short supply?
You have to watch sites and get lucky, so yes and no.
Posted on 12/16/13 at 9:09 am to chrisman17
quote:
Is powder still in short supply? I haven't had to buy it in a while.
I bought 2 pound of Power Pistol at Cabela's about a month ago.
You're gonna be seeing the most common powders.
Pistol: Power Pistol, Red Dot, Blue Dot, Unique, W281, etc.
Small Rifle: BLC2, Varget, RL15, etc.
Large Rifle: RL22, H4831, RL17, etc.
But there is still short supply. That day they had gotten 7 pounds of PP and I was lucky enough to get 2 when there were only 3 on the shelf.
I would order them on websites but they never have enough inventory to justify the $25 hazmat fee.
Now primers, they are finally readily available. Cabela's has 100s of 1000s of those.
Posted on 12/16/13 at 10:22 am to bapple
Thanks again for all the help.
Main reason I want to start reloading was the transition to 300BO. Only way I can justify buying into that caliber is if I'm reloading it.
I probably shoot roughly 500 rounds every 2 month or so, but should be getting some property close by that'll help that number increase
Im also interested in making a few different loads to see how performance is affected by certain variables. I'm an engineer so I like the technical stuff haha.
Main reason I want to start reloading was the transition to 300BO. Only way I can justify buying into that caliber is if I'm reloading it.
I probably shoot roughly 500 rounds every 2 month or so, but should be getting some property close by that'll help that number increase
Im also interested in making a few different loads to see how performance is affected by certain variables. I'm an engineer so I like the technical stuff haha.
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 10:23 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 11:01 am to soco790
quote:
Main reason I want to start reloading was the transition to 300BO. Only way I can justify buying into that caliber is if I'm reloading it.
I also want to get into 300 black out seems like a great deer round for my young son. I have reloading equipment on the christmas list. I will most likely just start out loading for my 7 mag and .270. This seems to be a hobby with no limits
Posted on 12/16/13 at 11:33 am to H.M. Murdock
quote:
reloading becomes a hobby in itself.
Very true. I don't recall the last deer I killed using factory rounds. In addition, a LOT of my pistols are not loaded by the factory or they're unavailable even when supplies are normal. Case in point, two of my favorite prairie dog hunting guns, XP-100's in 22 Rem Bench Rest and 6mm Rem BR.
Posted on 12/16/13 at 11:38 am to TigerOnThe Hill
Most of my guns have seen about 80-90% reloaded ammunition. The only factory ammo I usually buy (when reloading supplies are available) are hollow point defense rounds. I like their crimped bullets, sealed bullets, low flash powder, sealed primers, and nickel-plated cases.
But reloading is definitely a hobby in itself. I love trying out new power/bullet combos.
But reloading is definitely a hobby in itself. I love trying out new power/bullet combos.
This post was edited on 12/16/13 at 11:39 am
Posted on 12/16/13 at 11:39 am to chrisman17
quote:
Is powder still in short supply?
Powder supply is starting to get better, but many are still not available, especially the ones I need. Or, I can find the powders I need, but from 3 different sources.....Not going to pay the $27.50 Haz Mat fee X 3!!
For those of you looking at ordering powders, consider Third Generation Shooting Supply as they have a flat $7.50 shipping. Just be sure it's in stock when ordered onlin as I've heard their online inventory status lags behind real time. Posted on 12/16/13 at 11:43 am to bayoudude
quote:
I also want to get into 300 black out seems like a great deer round for my young son.
Good idea. When my son first started deer hunting, I had a 20" Contender barrel made in 300/221 (AKA 300 Whisper or 300 BO). I got frustrated w/ load development so ended up getting him a Savage bolt action in 308 Win. I worked up a handload using a 125 gr NBT at 150 fps faster than the 300/221. He killed a bunch of deer w/ that load before transitioning to full power loads.
I never did go back to load development for the carbine barrel. 
Page 2 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News