Anyone into reloading?

It’s a hobby for me more than a cost savings and I was excited when my wife took a nice buck with one of my hand loads. Even buying new brass it’s a bit cheaper per round than new factory loads and more like 25% cost the second time you shoot that brass. Problem I have is that I tend to just keep buying brass and stockpiling.... reloading and hoarding go hand in hand.

I have the rock chucked supreme kit from RCBS and have been very happy with that setup.

I did it for a long time but I don't anymore, just dont have time now. I got into it to make my guns shoot the way I wanted them to and I really enjoyed it. Don't get into to it to save money, you'll have to shoot ALOT before that happens. As far as the Democrats go, I'm sure if it get to the point of restricting ammo they'll restrict components too. I guess you'd just have to hoard powder and bullets. I started with RCBS tools but eventually had things from several manufacturers. The old rock chucker single stage press was all I ever used. Its pretty rewarding to run your own loads through the chronograph and shoot groups as small as you want.

It depends on how much you shoot. If you shoot your pistols at least once a month and go through a lot of rounds, then it may be worth your time to look into a progressive. I have a Dillon 550B (which I don't think they make anymore) and can change out the dies on the head unit and base plate in minutes. It reloads pistol and rifle rounds. Have a look at the link below. Yes, they are expensive machines but have a lifetime warranty and are very easy to deal with. I reload approximately 5-6000 rounds a year and have never had an issue with mine.

Dillon Precision

I'm not trying to discourage you. It can be a very rewarding hobby but it does take some time. As said above, if it comes down to restricting ammo, all they will need to do is restrict one of our reloading components and we are out of business. You can only stockpile so much.

You can save a lot of money if you reload magnum type calibers but probably not if you are only going to shoot the calibers you mentioned in your initial post. The last 2 boxes of Weatherby cartridges I bought at Bass Pro were about $160. It costs me about $20 a box to reload.

This is exactly why I got into it. Take most any factory ammo and look at how much cannelure is exposed from round to round. Once you find out how much jump your barrel likes those groups get alot smaller.

For 270,30-06,30-30 yes. Single stage for pistol and 556? No way. I have a lee classic cast and it's one of the best presses in the market. I wouldn't try to load fir volume though. I'll load 20-50 precision rifle rds though. I buy ammo in 9mm and 22lr. I handload for my rifles.

troyt37,
Yes, I'm into hand loading! Been doing it >35 years using the same press I started with, a Lee Classic 3 Hole Turret. Handloading's an integral part of my hunting experience. I don't remember the last time I killed a deer using a factory load. I suggest you consider the turret press instead of a single stage press. The turret is twice as fast as the single stage, but not nearly as fast as a progressive. The turret is easily converted to a single stage. One way to increase your volume when using a single stage or turret is to use a powder charger instead of weighing each round. If you're mainly anticipate loading high volume for handguns or plinking 223/5.56, you can find an acceptable powder charger that's not very expensive.

As far as cost vs benefit ratio, I had the same discussion this weekend w/ my son who's thinking about starting hand loading. What I recommended to him (and everyone else) is don't expect to save lots of money; expect to shoot more for the same amount (or slightly less) of money. One benefit of hand loading is being able to load for rounds that are hard to find or not loaded by the factory. For example, a large part of my hand loading is for rounds not available by the factories (or are cost prohibitive) like the 22, 6mm and 25 Rem Bench Rest, 284 Winchester w/ 140 gr Nosler Accubond bullet and 260 Rem w/ 120 gr Speer bullet..I like to hunt w/ different bullets and combinations that may not otherwise be available. Now days I usually load 10-15 rounds for each gun before dee season.

I share a lot more thoughts and recommendations on equipment at this old thread. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Keep us updated.

My step-dad does this. He thinks the world is going to go to shite pretty quick and does it to stockpile ammo though

He seems to enjoy the activity as well for whatever that’s worth.