Do You Reload?

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 23:39:21 -0400

I have been reloading for a number of years as well as some gunsmithing. Anyone else interest in reloading? Maybe we can share recipes, discuss problems we run into either reloading or gunsmithing. I am interested in sharing my knowledge, my experience, strength and hope (if you know what I mean.)

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jun 30 at 2018 11:42 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 23:42:27 -0400

I posted more photos than what shows above so I will try again. If interested, maybe you feel like uploading some of you own photos.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jun 30 at 2018 11:42 PM

Maj Robert Thornton — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 23:42:44 -0400

I have reloaded in the past and I am getting ready to restart my reloading again soon.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2018 11:50 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 23:50:02 -0400

That’s wired, my mouth is watering like a character on a Bugs Bunny Cartoon!

Response by SSG William Jones made Jul 1 at 2018 12:00 AM

SSG William Jones — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:45 -0400

Roger... since I was in my mid to late teens. I'm 70 now. Used to be fun, and I still like to reload but it gets a bit tedious, at times.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 1 at 2018 12:05 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:05:36 -0400

PVT Mark Brown Counter query; if you live in Roseville, CA, have you successfully panned for gold?

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Jul 1 at 2018 12:27 AM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:27:59 -0400

I reload every chance I can...the only way I can afford training for and competing in IDPA, IPSIC, gun and 3 gun shooting matches. The more I shoot and reload, the more I learn. So far I have only reloaded straight case brass in numerous calibers. Bottle shaped rifle brass is my next frontier for reloading but with the cost of 3.35/223 ammo as low as it is, I am just stockpiling the brass. I do not shoot enough 308/7.62/30-06 to justify the dies.

Reloading really driven by two desires which may be at times mutually exclusive. They are the desire to save money for shooting and quality control of the ammunition. For me it is stretching my shooting dollars to enjoy the shooting sports. A "factory new" 9mm round is about 18 to 23 cents where I can "make" a reloading round for about 12 to 13 cents. At even a cost savings of 5 cents, that adds up if you are shooting 1K to 2K per week. I am retired so I do not factor in my labor… :-)

I do limited precision distance shooting so quality and consistency is not an issue. That type of shooting has basically three major variables preventing success: the shooter, the gun, and the bullet. I do derive some comfort in knowing that each round fired is close as possible to the previous round fired. In terms of powder charge, round chamber and BC of the bullet. a good reload breeds consistency and confidence.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 1 at 2018 12:36 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:36:40 -0400

PVT Mark Brown - I don't currently but would love to get started. For the longest time, I didn't burn enough gunpowder to make it worthwhile. As time goes on, I find myself getting more trigger time to the point reloading would be financially feasible.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 1 at 2018 1:10 AM

TSgt David L. — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 01:10:08 -0400

Sadly, and I'm embarrassed, but I DON"T reload. I've been saving 5.56mm brass since 1987! I have other brass from almost that long. I do need to get a set-up and get with it. Ideally I want the Dillion 650!

Response by SSgt Clare May made Jul 1 at 2018 10:56 AM

SSgt Clare May — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 10:56:29 -0400

I thought I sold everything like 30 years ago... then I started finding stuff that was packed away...and I find it simply amazing the prices of powder back in the day when compared to today...lol... like some of these... 540 MS Winchester Western Ball Powder 16 ounce round can for $2.70.... or the Dupont Pistol Powder 5066 8 ounce can for $1.75... and a DUpont Hi-Skor shotshell powder for $1.98 marked on the can...lol. Recon since I kept the Duro matic model 375 shotgun loader... I might as well get back to it... Lol. I even found an old can o DuPont IMR-3031 and IMR-4198...Improved Military Rifle Powders...All I can say if thank the Lord that I live in a dry area... everything is still as dry as the day I got it... and I think that I prefer the old round cans and metal containers than the newer plastic stuff they put out today...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 11:22 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 11:22:00 -0400

PVT Mark Brown Could you post some items required to start re-loading? Thanks

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 1:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 13:16:08 -0400

I reload as well. I enjoy it very much.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 10:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:15:04 -0400

PVT Mark Brown I've been reloading since high school, always open to learning something new.

Response by SSG Tom Pike made Jul 2 at 2018 7:18 PM

SSG Tom Pike — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:18:03 -0400

Well way back about 36 years ago when I was 18 years old it was legal for me to purchase a handgun in a private sale. It wasn't legal for me to purchase handgun ammo from a dealer. There were some pistol caliber carbines back then, but the argument "I'm buying it for a rifle" never seemed to work very well. But there was no prohibition on buying reloading components. So I started reloading (well the first time for new cases was just loading) my own ammunition out of necessity.

Just kept doing it. Back during the Obama ammo scare when no one could keep ammo in stock I had tens of thousands of primers and was casting my own bullets from scrap lead. People were paying .50 per round of 9mm and I was making them for about .03.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jul 2 at 2018 10:28 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:28:33 -0400

I have a basic setup, but between moves & time have not yet actually loaded anything. Right now I'm looking to load for a couple older, difficult to find rounds and look forward to the challenge.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 5 at 2018 2:45 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 14:45:32 -0400

Don't shoot enough to reload.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jul 7 at 2018 6:36 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 18:36:40 -0400

The question has come up as to how to get started. I began writing an answer and found that the directions one can go are endless. I am posting a like here that newer reloaders may find worthwhile.

Here it is: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-reloading-presses-beginners/

Best Reloading Presses for Beginners [2018] - Pew Pew Tactical

There's so many reloading presses. Quickly find out which is the best reloading press for your specific shooting volume, caliber, and budget needs.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jul 8 at 2018 2:20 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 14:20:56 -0400

Looking for dies? Not sure which brands offer the best product in what caliber? Here is your starting point.

https://huntspot.com/best-reloading-dies-reviews/

11 Best Reloading Dies For Accuracy – Reviews and Guides 2018

Fact: A good set of dies acts as the lifeblood of every reloading setup.This explains you’re always recommended to buy the best reloading dies set that meets your specific reloading needs or requirements.If you invest in bad dies, you’re sure to end up with imprecise, inconsistent rounds that give you a hell of issues in …

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Feb 10 at 2019 8:00 PM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:00:50 -0500

I have been reloading for some time and the benefits are enormous. Depending on the caliber and volume there is some cost savings. Then there is the knowledge and control you get, particularly if you are in to competitive practical and precision distance shooting. For IDPA and USPA matches not only do I double check the power and bullet weights but "chamber test" my rounds to eliminate misfires and failures to feed. The level of quality control I get surpasses any factory ammunition and I am assured my "power levels" are within match criteria. Because of the quality control I can exert, I can even get sub-MOA shot groupings out to a 1K meters with even substandard AR 15 platforms. My sporting and game rifles are all deadly out to 15 hundred yards.
SO YEA....RELOADING IS WORTH THE TIME, EFFORT AND EQUIPMENT COSTS.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 17 at 2019 11:32 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 23:32:56 -0400

I'd like to but don't know how to begin