DECIDING TO RELOAD YOUR OWN AMMUNITION
Reloading for Beginners

 

Ammunition Reloading Equipment
Ammunition Reloading Equipment

Cabela's Reloading Center 

Reloading Supplies

Top of the line reloading components

RCBS Rock Chucker? Supreme Reloading Press

Loadbook Reloading Manual

 

WHY RELOAD AMMUNITION?

For most people the answer is to save money, but how much money are you really saving and how much work are you willing to do to save it. Please consider the following when you are deciding whether to reload your own ammunition or continue to buy it at the gun store. See our Reloading Page.

 

Why Reload Your Own Ammunition?

  1. To save money.

  2. To get a new hobby and pass the time.

  3. To shoot more.

  4. To improve the accuracy of your ammunition.

  5. Because your friends do.

  6. To gain knowledge.

 

Do You Know the Dangers Involved with Reloading or Shooting Reloaded Ammunition?

See Reloading Dangers.

 

Do You Have the Discipline for Reloading Ammunition?

Reloading is not for everyone. Are you capable of total concentration while reloading your ammunition without distractions such as the radio, television, conversation or other? Are you capable of not making any mistakes while reloading?

 

Do You Have A Safe Room for Reloading Ammunition?

A safe room is a secure room separate from your household with no distractions where you can work in peace and privacy. Good lighting and ventilation is required. The reloading room and/or reloading equipment and supplies in the room must have the capability of being locked.

 

How Do You Learn to Reload Ammunition?

If you don't have a knowledgeable friend to teach you and show you exactly how to reload, be prepared to buy some reloading books and do a lot of reading up on the subject. Also, spend time viewing ammunition reloading videos on the internet to get a feel of what it's all about.

 

How Much Will It Cost to Start Reloading Ammunition?

The costs vary to widely to provide a cost estimate for reloading equipment and supplies. It all depends on your circumstances, what you are reloading and how much you are willing to spend. You have to do your homework and shop around.

- basic reloading equipment
- optional reloading equipment
- cost of reloading books and videos
- cost of supplies
- cost of miscellaneous equipment (reloading bench, lights, fans, ect.)

 

Is It Easy to Get Reloading Supplies?

Friends that do a lot of reloading tell me that have to do a lot of online shopping to find their reloading supplies and that it is not always easy to find what they need. Also, the price varies greatly as well as the shipping costs. Buying in bulk is cheaper but having large quantities of gun power around isn't always safe. You also have to wait for the deliveries.

 

Wives or Roommates May Not Like The Idea of Reloading In Their Home

The person living with you may not appreciate the reloading equipment and the dangers that come with it, especially the bulk gun power laying around.

 

How Long Does It Take To Reload Ammunition?

The time it takes to reload your own ammunition depends on many factors including the equipment that you have, the condition of your casings, whether your casings are clean or dirty as well as the workspace that you are in. If you are experienced and have a multi-stage reloading press, a rough estimate is that you can reload about 100 rounds per hour.

 

Is Reloading Your Own Ammunition Worth The Hassle?

You have to decide for yourself. If you enjoy being alone and like peaceful and quiet activities then reloading might be for you. My friend equates it to his "Zen Time". I prefer lots of noise and the television blaring.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Reload 9mm Luger Ammunition?

Component Costs as of January 2010 - Jacketed bullet $ .10, Powder $ .02, Primer $ .04
Total $ .16 per round of 9mm Luger Reloaded Ammo. Compare to $.32 per round of equivalent factory ammo retail price. Conclusion: Reloaded ammunition costs about half the price of store bought ammo.

 

Is It Worth Reloading 9mm Luger?
(As of January 2010)

Assumptions:
- With a good turret press a practiced loader can conceivable load a 100 rounds an hour.
- For a beginner lets assume that he can load 50 rounds per hour (1 Box of 50)
- Current Cost of 50 rounds of 9mm Luger is $16 (including 7% tax as of 1/13/2010)
- Reloading your own ammunition saves you 50% of the cost of new ammo.

Conclusion:
Therefore for the work that you are doing to reload your own ammo you are saving (or making), depending on your point of view, $8 per hour. This does not include the many hours of learning how to reload or the costs of the equipment and supplies needed.

If you assume $250 for reloading equipment costs, then $250 / $8 per hour = 31 hours. Therefore, the number of hours you would have to work reloading 9mm cartridges to recoup your initial investment in
equipment would be 31 hours (just to break even). That equates to producing 1,550 rounds of 9mm luger ammunition.

Note: Cost savings for most other calibers would most likely be higher because 9mm is about the cheapest commercial ammo
available. So there is a cost saving, depending on the caliber of ammo that you reload. Availability of commercial
ammunition is another consideration.

  

RELOADING QUESTIONS

Why is reloaded ammo bad?

Reloaded ammo can be bad if you don't know who made the ammo or how it was made. It could be dangerous to shoot. Reloaded ammo doesn't have the same level of quality control as factory ammo does. Maybe the reloader made a mistake and used too much powder which could cause an explosion when fired. Maybe he used too little powder which could cause a squib which could be equally disastrous. Maybe he used the wrong primer or bullet or used casings with cracks or imperfections. There is a whole lot of things that can go wrong with reloaded ammo if you don't know what you are doing or are careless during the reloading process.

  

What if primers are not fully seated?

Typically primers that are not fully seated do not impose an increased danger level, they probably just won't go off when you shoot them. This is due to the firing pin not have sufficient "travel" distance to gain the required force to set off the primer. In such cases you can try firing the round again (if often shoots the second time) or break the round apart and reuse the components.

  

What is I use incorrect gunpowder?

Using incorrect gunpowder for reloading could be disastrous. Reloaded ammunition uses specific components with exact quantities of gunpowder for safe shooting. Different gun powders have different energy levels and burn rates and are made for specific purposes. Using the wrong gunpowder or using the right gunpowder but not the right amount can lead to all sorts of problems including damage to the firearm or injury or death to you or those nearby.

  

Is reloading ammo worth it?

Yes and no. A friend once told me "Reloading doesn't save him a lot of money, it just lets him shoot more." No - If you have lots of money and there is no shortage of ammunition at the retailers, reloading probably isn't worth the cost and effort. Yes - If there is a shortage of ammunition in the market place then reloading is worth it. If you want an enjoyable hobby then reloading is worth it. If you want to learn about guns and ammo then reloading is worth it. If you shoot regularly and want to save some money then reloading is worth it. If you want to make sure you have custom and accurate ammunition then reloading is worth it.

 

 

 

Comments & Questions

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Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Subject: Learning How To Reload

Thank you for this post. I've been researching for some time, and how I wish I had someone to actually talk with about reloading - a seasoned reloader. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to know that I (hopefully) won't hurt myself or anyone else starting this alone. Looks like a kit is the best way to go.
HB

Response - HB
It's pretty hard starting out if you don't have anyone to give you advice and answer your questions.

There's a lot of research, reading and learning to do. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'll try to answer if I can. Best regards,
Tanner

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Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010
Subject: Reloading Equipment For Beginners

For a beginner, what equipment would you suggest I buy to reload, 9mm, 45. and 223.? I see the complete kits, but as is everything... What a manufacturer says you should have and what a seasoned reloader says you need maybe different. Also, it would be nice if one day you could post as your personal opinion...what powders, brass, primers..etc... you think are the better resources to use. I just don't want to waste money. In this economy, we need to make the best decisions for our money. Your input is appreciated.
Wes


Respone - Wes,

I am far from a seasoned reloader. I have only reloaded about 6,000 rounds. So far I have only reloaded 9mm Luger. As far as the equipment goes I can only tell you about what I use. A complete listing of my reloading equipment can be found at
http://www.reviewsofthings.com/guns/reloading_equipment_for_beginners.html.

I have had no problems with any of my equipment and would recommend it. It works great for the 9mm and I'm sure it would be fine for the .45 and the .223 as well.

I don't buy any brass. I just use range pick ups. Any brand of brass cases does fine for the 9mm as long as they are in good shape.

I use Winchester and Wolf small pistol primers. So far no problems with either.

For powder I first began with Win 231 (which I was told was the safest and best) but it became too scarce and difficult to obtain so I stocked up on Hodgdon Titegroup which is cheaper and works fine. I don't experiment too much with different brands of powders. I just buy what works for me. I only use reloads at the range so I am not too concerned when people talk about the accuracy or the speed that various powders produce. As long as it shoots safely and hits the target is fine with me. For pistol shooting at an indoor range with a max distance of 50 feet accuracy of powder makes little difference.

I buy my primers and powder from Powder Valley. http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

When I buy my primers and powder I combine orders with a friend to save on the hazardous shipping charges.

I buy my bullets from Precision Delta. http://www.precisiondelta.com/product.php?indx=5

If you have any specific questions regarding 9mm which aren't on the website I'll be glad to answer them if I can.

Best regards,
Tanner


Follow-up - Tanner,
Absolutely appreciate your reply. I will start all of my research on all your suggestions. I have not purchased anything yet, but now I am becoming increasingly confident in beginning this hobby. That took a bit of work for you to supply this info, and I take this as a great favor.

I hope to exchange e-mails with you in the future as I try my hand at this. Thank you again for your time and knowledge.

Wes

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Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Subject: Feedback Form

How do I know if the bullet is seated properly. i have heard of crimping the bullet. My ammunition is a .222. My friend has the same and it looks like his bullets may be over crimped. how do i know before i shoot.
Jon


Response - Jon,

Sorry, but I only reload 9mm Luger casings which don't require crimping. I have no experience with reloading .222 or rifle ammo. I have heard others talking about the dangers of overcrimping leading to the buildup of too much pressure. I don't know how to tell if your friend's ammo is overcrimped, but I would get one of your friends reloads, then I would get a factory round of ammunition. I would then pull them apart and examine the crimp marks on the bullets. If your friends crimp marks are deeper and more pronounced in the bullet he may be overcrimping.
Best regards,
Tanner

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