Why Reload
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:58 am
I reload for two reasons.
1) I can reload cheaper than factory prices. (This allows me to shoot more.)
2) I can build a more perfect round.
.45 - When I first bought my Dillion 650 with case feed, I calculated that I could buy a box of .45's for around $13. I could reload a box for around $3.00. At $10 a box it doesn't take long for the savings to pay for a reloader. Prices for factory .45's have dropped. A few years ago, I bought 1000 rounds at a gun show for around $200. I have seen better prices since.
.38 Super - You can't hardly find this ammo in stores. You can buy it on the internet. I am well above 20,000 rounds of Supers. Price is not a consideration. I am only concerned about building a more perfect round.
The EGW undersized resizing die makes brass scrounging worth while.
.40 S&W - My Para P16 prefers handloads. They are a different OAL than my daughters Glock. .40 Brass is getting so cheap ($8 per 1000) that it's not worth picking up the brass. This is a problem because it clutters up the range. For resizing Glock brass, use an EGW undersized resizing die. It has taken my reject rate down to nearly none.
9MM - Factory ammo is so cheap that it's now a mistake to reload.
12 Gauge - Mistake. I bought a top of the line MEC. (Ok, it's near the top of the line.) This spring I bought my first set of componants. Did some figuring and discovered that I wasn't saving any money. AND, I am not good enough with the reloader to build reliable rounds for my Rem. 1100. Other Gauges may be better canidates for reloading. I am going to run through the componants that I have then go back to factory rounds.
.243 - Used for deer hunting. 25 years ago you couldn't buy perfect rounds. Now, I think you can. My son and I both have .243's. They like different OAL's.
.223 - Factory ammo is cheap but I have only found a couple of brands that my rifle likes. I haven't bought the tools to reload. I will consider my options in the future.
1) I can reload cheaper than factory prices. (This allows me to shoot more.)
2) I can build a more perfect round.
.45 - When I first bought my Dillion 650 with case feed, I calculated that I could buy a box of .45's for around $13. I could reload a box for around $3.00. At $10 a box it doesn't take long for the savings to pay for a reloader. Prices for factory .45's have dropped. A few years ago, I bought 1000 rounds at a gun show for around $200. I have seen better prices since.
.38 Super - You can't hardly find this ammo in stores. You can buy it on the internet. I am well above 20,000 rounds of Supers. Price is not a consideration. I am only concerned about building a more perfect round.
The EGW undersized resizing die makes brass scrounging worth while.
.40 S&W - My Para P16 prefers handloads. They are a different OAL than my daughters Glock. .40 Brass is getting so cheap ($8 per 1000) that it's not worth picking up the brass. This is a problem because it clutters up the range. For resizing Glock brass, use an EGW undersized resizing die. It has taken my reject rate down to nearly none.
9MM - Factory ammo is so cheap that it's now a mistake to reload.
12 Gauge - Mistake. I bought a top of the line MEC. (Ok, it's near the top of the line.) This spring I bought my first set of componants. Did some figuring and discovered that I wasn't saving any money. AND, I am not good enough with the reloader to build reliable rounds for my Rem. 1100. Other Gauges may be better canidates for reloading. I am going to run through the componants that I have then go back to factory rounds.
.243 - Used for deer hunting. 25 years ago you couldn't buy perfect rounds. Now, I think you can. My son and I both have .243's. They like different OAL's.
.223 - Factory ammo is cheap but I have only found a couple of brands that my rifle likes. I haven't bought the tools to reload. I will consider my options in the future.
and w/ the battle sites)