The Briefing Room
General Category => Sports/Entertainment/MSM/Social Media => Shooting Sports => Topic started by: Elderberry on November 08, 2020, 12:32:43 am
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Jerry's Outdoor Supply
(https://nebula.wsimg.com/3efbce67e6057222c7041f0efdeb2cb9?AccessKeyId=4CF05517E9DBC5E99BE1&disposition=0&alloworigin=1)
Why Reload?
1) Availability....
Been to a big chain sporting goods store lately & looked at ammo? One thing they all have is plenty of bare shelves as consumer demand has skyrocketed. They are trying desperately to get more product...despite rumors, there is no conspiracy to prevent ammo sales; all businesses want to make money & they do so by keeping on hand whatever people want to buy. But when demand for products increases faster than suppliers can make it, faster than wholesalers can stock it, and faster than the trucking companies can ship it, predictable things happen: supplies get short, lines get long, prices get inflated, people get frustrated, and consumers tend to buy more of whatever they do find just because they don't know when they will find it again. There simply isn't enough to go around.
(https://nebula.wsimg.com/0a9b3d4ef5deb8149b034e1e209ab1f2?AccessKeyId=4CF05517E9DBC5E99BE1&disposition=0&alloworigin=1)
2) Cost...
Average ammunition prices have seen dramatic increases for various reasons. Shortages drive prices up; cost of raw goods including lead, copper, brass, etc have gone increased. Fuel price increases have resulted in higher shipping costs. Most suppliers can no longer say "We'll have it here in a week" as stocks diminish & backorders run months out. Manufacturers are trying to fill orders, but consumer pressure to provide high-demand items has them working 'round the clock.
The average reloader can easily cut ammo costs by 50%, and in some instances the savings can be over 75%, especially when buying low-demand items, most of the big Magnums, or relatively obscure ammo. For example, not long ago i was at a local shop & a customer dropped in for some ammo to feed a newly acquired classic rifle he received from a family member, a sleek old Winchester 43 in .218Bee. With sales tax, 2 boxes of ammo pretty much tore up a pair of $100-dollar bills. I shoot a Bee also, and i can load my own .218 ammo for about the same price as buying .22magnum rimfire ammo. You may find you dont save a ton of money, because you can shoot a whole lot more for the same coin spent....but any way you slice it, the dollar stretches a lot farther.
More: https://www.jerrysreloading.com/why-reload--1.html (https://www.jerrysreloading.com/why-reload--1.html)
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The Case For—and Against—Reloading Your Own Ammunition
NRA Women by Serena Juchnowski posted on July 20, 2020
https://www.nrawomen.com/content/the-case-for-and-against-reloading-your-own-ammunition/ (https://www.nrawomen.com/content/the-case-for-and-against-reloading-your-own-ammunition/)
For some, reloading (often referred to as handloading) ammunition is a hobby; for others, a necessity. And even though reloading is an activity that traditionally has been assigned to male firearm enthusiasts, more women than ever are undertaking this rewarding endeavor. Reloading is made up of a series of simple and repeatable tasks, and its technicalities and complexities can at times appear intimidating if you aren't mechanically minded. But modern equipment—along with detailed instruction and the readily available ammo components—keep this activity within reach for the average shooter. If you’re an NRA Woman contemplating whether you should take the plunge into reloading, read these considerations for and against this unique hobby.
The Case For Reloading ...
1. Cost Savings
Depending on the quality of ammunition you seek, reloading can be considerably less expensive than purchasing factory-loaded ammunition. This is especially beneficial for women who shoot frequently, particularly when shooting match-quality ammunition. While the approximate cost to reload a single round of match-quality .223 ammunition is $0.50, comparable match ammunition runs at least $1.00 per round—about twice as much. (Many reloaders do not count the price of the brass because it is used over multiple firings.)
Example:
.223 Remington – Match Quality
Brass and Primer: Pre-Primed Wolf Brass: $0.15 per case/5 firings = $0.03
CCI Small Rifle Primers (for use after firstt firing of Wolf Brass): $0.03
24-gr. N140: $33.99 per pound/7000 grains x 24 grains = $0.12
Berger .22-Cal. 73-gr. BT Target Bullets: $0.33 per bullet
Approximate cost to load one match-quality round: $0.50
2. Immunity to Ammo Shortages
Once you have become proficient in reloading, unanticipated runs on ammunition will affect you less. Due to factors like the national health crisis, civil unrest and the sudden increase in the number of new gun owners, dealers are currently selling out of certain factory center-fire rounds as soon as they stock them, and shelves are bereft of a once-plentiful supply. However, reloading components such as powder, bullets and primers are generally still available.
More at link.
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My friends and I have been discussing the option of going in together on a really nice reloading set up and setting it up in my basement and using it as we need to in order to maintain a supply of ammo. And given the fact I saw only two calibers of pistol calibers at Academy today (.357 Sig and .32 Auto) and absolutely no rifle calibers...the reloading is looking better and better.
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My friends and I have been discussing the option of going in together on a really nice reloading set up and setting it up in my basement and using it as we need to in order to maintain a supply of ammo. And given the fact I saw only two calibers of pistol calibers at Academy today (.357 Sig and .32 Auto) and absolutely no rifle calibers...the reloading is looking better and better.
I'll have to check out my Academy, I shoot both of those. I think too many of my friends had me trained. They would save all their 38 Special cases and periodically I would do a reloading binge, reloading all their brass. I have quite a lead collection. I haven't done any casting in several years. Other than helping my son cast 9mm, the only other casting I've done in a long while was for my 1in bore cannon. I think its time for me to really get back into reloading. I've currently collected enough components to start by loading 500 or so 357 Sig and a few hundred 358 Yeti. I have always loaded for my rifles, but I haven't loaded much pistol ammo in a good while.
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I'll have to check out my Academy, I shoot both of those. I think too many of my friends had me trained. They would save all their 38 Special cases and periodically I would do a reloading binge, reloading all their brass. I have quite a lead collection. I haven't done any casting in several years. Other than helping my son cast 9mm, the only other casting I've done in a long while was for my 1in bore cannon. I think its time for me to really get back into reloading. I've currently collected enough components to start by loading 500 or so 357 Sig and a few hundred 358 Yeti. I have always loaded for my rifles, but I haven't loaded much pistol ammo in a good while.
When I lived in Kentucky a couple years ago I'd save my .45 ACP brass and give them to a civilian in my unit who made custom built 1911's. He repaid me with a couple of zip lock bags of hand loaded 23o gr .45 rounds. I'm just thinking of cutting out the middleman and making in bulk what I need to have for the guns in my house.
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When I lived in Kentucky a couple years ago I'd save my .45 ACP brass and give them to a civilian in my unit who made custom built 1911's. He repaid me with a couple of zip lock bags of hand loaded 23o gr .45 rounds. I'm just thinking of cutting out the middleman and making in bulk what I need to have for the guns in my house.
Then go beyond "Just Thinking". Decide on starting loads. Place orders for primers, once fired brass, bullets, and powder. Then decide on a press and powder measure and order them. As well as other sundries, such as caliper, case lube pad, primer seater, primer pocket reamer, case tumbler(I never did, my son does), and that covers most things.
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Then go beyond "Just Thinking". Decide on starting loads. Place orders for primers, once fired brass, bullets, and powder. Then decide on a press and powder measure and order them. As well as other sundries, such as caliper, case lube pad, primer seater, primer pocket reamer, case tumbler(I never did, my son does), and that covers most things.
There are whole packages you can buy that have all of that in them right?
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There are whole packages you can buy that have all of that in them right?
I believe so. I've just never dealt with one. I just add to what I've got as the years go by. Tool Packages. Not components.
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I believe so. I've just never dealt with one. I just add to what I've got as the years go by. Tool Packages. Not components.
See I'm looking to get started as quickly as possible with just a basic setup that lets me load my most common rounds then add on from there...hit the ground running so to speak.
Time to do some research.
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See I'm looking to get started as quickly as possible with just a basic setup that lets me load my most common rounds then add on from there...hit the ground running so to speak.
Time to do some research.
We all shoot, rifle wise, .270s, packing in a couple of extra grains of powder. Makes reloading easy. All chambers are different, so there are reloads that won't fit a certain gun. Especially resizing an ought six down. We do an ammo check. Multipule reloaded brass can become weak and a problem.
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See I'm looking to get started as quickly as possible with just a basic setup that lets me load my most common rounds then add on from there...hit the ground running so to speak.
Time to do some research.
Order primers now, if you can find a supplier. Then do your load development and select the general types of bullets. Order bullets and powder. One of my bullet back orders just came in a couple of days ago. I ordered it 4 months ago. I had no trouble with any of my once fired brass orders. Most suppliers no longer allow back orders. They only allow notification requests. You shouldn't have any problem ordering the reloading equipment.
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We all shoot, rifle wise, .270s, packing in a couple of extra grains of powder. Makes reloading easy. All chambers are different, so there are reloads that won't fit a certain gun. Especially resizing an ought six down. We do an ammo check. Multipule reloaded brass can become weak and a problem.
When I chambered my 98 and 95 Mauser in 7mm Mauser, I tried my best to cut both chambers to be the same. That way I didn't have to segregate the fired cases between them and I could get away with just neck sizing. When I was making cases for my 358 Yeti, I used a whole bunch of 270 cases my friend gave me as well as 06, 308, 243, and some more in that same family of cases.
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Order primers now, if you can find a supplier. Then do your load development and select the general types of bullets. Order bullets and powder. One of my bullet back orders just came in a couple of days ago. I ordered it 4 months ago. I had no trouble with any of my once fired brass orders. Most suppliers no longer allow back orders. They only allow notification requests. You shouldn't have any problem ordering the reloading equipment.
:thumbsup:
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I stumbled upon ammoseek.com that will let you know who has what in stock. Twice on primers, I got to a site that showed primers in stock, but by the time I was to complete an order, They were all gone. Well they say the third times a charm, I was able to submit an order for Lg pistol primers today. I'll have to wait and see if and when they ship them. Last week I ordered powder that showed in stock. Afterwards I got the email saying they were getting ready to ship. Now Today they sent me an email saying they most likely won't ship my order for 8 to 10 weeks.
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When I chambered my 98 and 95 Mauser in 7mm Mauser, I tried my best to cut both chambers to be the same. That way I didn't have to segregate the fired cases between them and I could get away with just neck sizing. When I was making cases for my 358 Yeti, I used a whole bunch of 270 cases my friend gave me as well as 06, 308, 243, and some more in that same family of cases.
We used to get miltary .06 then they went to something not primerable.
It has beeen years. Been a long time between shots with any gun for 16 years. Because that right was taken away. uh huh
Either I care enough to be clean or I am a serious stone cold killer. I point a gun at a target I expect it to be dead after one shot.
Save your brass, for sure, and get any available. S storm coming.
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What all I am saying is if you don't have the ammunition, ambition, coldness, coscious heartfullness, in your head...no gun will save you.
Peace out.
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I still have abt 500 rds left of the Greek de-linked 06 MG ammo. It was dirt cheap in its day. My boys have burned thru most of the rest of the 06 ammo. I'm down to 1 bandoleer of M2AP.
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I still have abt 500 rds left of the Greek de-linked 06 MG ammo. It was dirt cheap in its day. My boys have burned thru most of the rest of the 06 ammo. I'm down to 1 bandoleer of M2AP.
Someone said it in a war movie. If I need a gun there will be plenty laying around here soon.
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Someone said it in a war movie. If I need a gun there will be plenty laying around here soon.
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DUFAZcKL3k#)
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Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DUFAZcKL3k#)
Yeah.
I like that movie.
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Why reload? Because magazines are cheaper than a belt-fed rifle?
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Why reload? Because magazines are cheaper than a belt-fed rifle?
Is this one of those Penthouse Forum fantasies?
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Is this one of those Penthouse Forum fantasies?
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f7/b4/b9/f7b4b9054fd1975cb433dbf572b619cb.jpg)
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You said Belt-Fed?
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnmV_uyleO8#)
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You said Belt-Fed?
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnmV_uyleO8#)
That pack looks heavy, but she is certainly fit enough to carry it....
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See I'm looking to get started as quickly as possible with just a basic setup that lets me load my most common rounds then add on from there...hit the ground running so to speak.
Time to do some research.
@txradioguy
Start with a Lee turret press and dies. Buy the one in the wooden box,and use the box as a portable reloading stand.
No,the Lee isn't as "slick" as a turret press that costs 5 times as much,but it WILL reload ammo every bit as reliable and as accurate as any press you can name.
The Lee offers the advantage of allowing you to get into mass reloading right NOW on the cheap,and if you decide late on you just must absolutely and positively have the BEST damn press in the world,no big deal. Buy it. The Lee has already paid for itself,and you can take it to the range with you to reload on the spot if you want.
BTW,I can't even begin to guess how many thousands of rounds of ammo I have loaded in my old Lee press over the years.
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What all I am saying is if you don't have the ammunition, ambition, coldness, coscious heartfullness, in your head...no gun will save you.
Peace out.
@bigheadfred
Fred,nobody knows if they have that until push comes to shove. Lots of people THINK they have it,but don't.
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@bigheadfred
Fred,nobody knows if they have that until push comes to shove. Lots of people THINK they have it,but don't.
As General Patton said, paraphrased: Many of you soldiers wonder if you will have the nerve to shoot, but I assure you when you reach out to a buddy and find a bunch of goo where his face used to be, you'll know what to do.
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How To Reload Ammo: Beginner’s Guide to Reloading [2020]
https://gunnewsdaily.com/beginners-guide-reloading-ammo/ (https://gunnewsdaily.com/beginners-guide-reloading-ammo/)
You’ve heard that going the DIY route can save you money, help you shoot better, and hey, it’s just plain old fun.
Once you’ve decided to reload your own ammo you will need to get some basic equipment and find a space that gives you room to work and has good lighting. We’ll cover the equipment needed, for a range of budgets.
If you’re still deciding if this is for you or not, we’re going to cover the reasons you should reload your own ammo and the reasons why you may not want to. We’ll figure out if you’ll really save money and be a better shot.
As you consider reloading your own ammo there are a couple of things to consider. First off, reloading is a safe hobby if you use common sense and take precautions. It could potentially be dangerous if you allow distractions around you.
If you are not they type of person who pays attention to detail, this may not be the best hobby for you.
Top Reasons To Reload Your Own Ammo
It Saves Money
Custom Loads and Maximum Accuracy
Constant Supply
It’s Fun!
How Do You Reload Ammo?
Now that we talked about how many advantages there are to reloading your own ammo, let’s get on with how to reload your own ammo.
This is an overview of reloading ammo. These are the possible steps to reloading your ammo. Your caliber may require all these steps or only a few. It’s always best to follow manufacturers reloading instructions before attempting to reload.
Parts of The Cartridge
The centerfire cartridge is the most common type of cartridge today. It gets it’s name from the primer being in the center of the ammunition. Centerfire cartridges can be reloaded.
Both cartridges, rimfire and centerfire have four main parts:
1. Case: The case, or casing, holds the primer, powder, and bullet
2. Primer: The primer explodes when struck by the firing pin, igniting the powder
3. Powder: The powder burns, creating gas, that pushes the bullet out the muzzle
4. Bullet: The bullet is what hits the target
The reloading process puts all these parts together.
Case Prep
Priming
Adding Gunpowder
Bullet Seating
Types of Reloading Presses
Single Stage Press
Turret Press
Progressive Press
Conclusion
Reloading isn’t difficult. Anyone can join in on this great hobby.
With some gear and extra time, you can keep yourself well supplied with ammo, while saving time and money along the way.
Happy loading!
Much more at link.
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I love Reloading, I is extremely fulfilling to produce high value beautiful items in large quantities. It's almost better than shooting at the range.
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I love Reloading, I is extremely fulfilling to produce high value beautiful items in large quantities. It's almost better than shooting at the range.
At least you said "almost". I do love to reload, but not as much as shooting. I started reloading as soon as I had a centerfire to reload. My Glenfield 30, I purchase when I was around 14.
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As a historical buff, I have always dreamed of being able to shoot an 18th century musket, to see how my ancestors felt.
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As a historical buff, I have always dreamed of being able to shoot an 18th century musket, to see how my ancestors felt.
I built a kit 45 cal flintlock rifle and it was a joy to shoot. Well, I did modernize it with a vernier tang receiver sight. I was impressed how accurate it was. It sure taught me the importance of "follow thru" after pulling the trigger.
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At least you said "almost". I do love to reload, but not as much as shooting. I started reloading as soon as I had a centerfire to reload. My Glenfield 30, I purchase when I was around 14.
I think that's what I'll probably start my reloading adventures for...the Glenfield 30 I have upstairs.
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I started out reloading for my Glenfield 30 with a Lee Loader.
Gear Review: Reloading on a budget with the Lee Loader (VIDEO)
Guns.com by Terril James Herbert 07/12/2017
https://www.guns.com/news/review/gear-review-reloading-on-a-bare-bones-budget-with-the-lee-loader-video/ (https://www.guns.com/news/review/gear-review-reloading-on-a-bare-bones-budget-with-the-lee-loader-video/)
Reloading your own ammunition can seem very intimidating. Indeed, no matter your experience level, there is always a level of challenge to it. But the biggest hurdle to taking up reloading is getting into it in the first place. With hundreds — if not thousands — of equipment options on the market today, from cleaning equipment to presses to manuals, reloading seems like an art that will take a lot of time, money, and space (note, that is not even including bullet choices, powder choices, and even casting equipment).
There is a lot to sift through to determine what is best for you and I certainly felt the same way when I started in reloading. I didn’t have a lot of money or space and I wanted something uncomplicated. It was then that I decided to buy my first Lee Loader. It costs me all of $26. You could call it a reloader’s “gateway drug.â€
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As General Patton said, paraphrased: Many of you soldiers wonder if you will have the nerve to shoot, but I assure you when you reach out to a buddy and find a bunch of goo where his face used to be, you'll know what to do.
@Cyber Liberty
I am a great admirer of Patton,but in some ways he was a fool. The above is an example. When people panic,they ain't going to recover from it soon enough to become anything more than a quivering target.
Patton's biggest weakness was not his ego,as many claim,but the fact that he thought everybody else thought like he did,and only needed to be reminded to do their duty.
It just ain't so. There are people who are cowards,and there are brave people who just can't bring themselves to point a rifle at a fellow human being,even one in an enemy uniform,and purposely shoot them dead. Some won't shoot at all,and others will shoot without aiming,hoping they don't hurt anybody and that the enemy just goes away. It is rarer than you might think to find so(meone in modern life that has the ability to purposely aim at and shoot to death a fellow human being.
Many of the people who do,and I have no idea what the percentage is,end up regretting it in later life and have it cause emotional and mental problems for them.
Which should surprise no one when you consider "Thou shall not kill!"is a Biblical Biggie. Add to that the FACT that almost nobody even kills or butchers their own meat these days. Hell,a lot of people these days only see meat once it's cooked.
IF I remember correctly,a study about this done by the army shortly after WW-2 ended determined that out of a squad of 8 men,only two could be counted on to take direct aim at and purposely kill an enemy soldier and not be bothered by it. Out of the remainder,4 could ususally be counted on to fire in the general direction of the enemy,and the other two either wouldn't shoot at all,or would shoot up into the sky.
Even the army has recognized this since the Patton days.
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I love Reloading, I is extremely fulfilling to produce high value beautiful items in large quantities. It's almost better than shooting at the range.
@yodaspock
YUP!
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Why Reload?
Because you're empty and it's still coming...
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I started out reloading for my Glenfield 30 with a Lee Loader.
Gear Review: Reloading on a budget with the Lee Loader (VIDEO)
@Elderberry
Hell,I STILL use a Lee Loader as my prime reloading tool for handgun ammo. Well,almost. I use a Lee Turrett Press.
I use a single stage Rockchunker for my "reach out and touch somebody" rifle ammo,and measure everything VEWWY,VEWWY carefully with each load. THIS is where it gets a little anal.
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BTW,the biggest reason is that even if you are only the tiniest bit anal,you owe it to yourself.
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I use one of these now but used a Lee turret press for many years with excellent results.
(https://media.mwstatic.com/product-images/src/Primary/588/588482.jpg?imwidth=2200)
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I'm still using my RCBS jr press. While in the Navy I exclusively used it on a portable knee bench. More and more I also use Wilson Hand Dies.
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I learned to reload on my brothers RCBS Rock Chucker but bought my own Lee reloading kit with a single stage press and reloaded thousands of rounds on it. I think the most important lesson I learned about reloading was...........don't drink and load! My brother and I were having a good time drinking some nice stuff while loading and well let's just say pulling bullets on a few hundred rounds because you can't be sure you didn't throw the charge handle twice is not a lot of fun! But hey that was forty years ago and never repeated.
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I saw a story the other day where Nossler has come out with its 9th edition of it's hand loading book.
The way things are going I'm pretty sure this will become my new hobby for 2021
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One thing I always wanted to learn was Paper Patched Bullets
https://www.montanabulletworks.com/bullet-information/paper-patch-bullets/ (https://www.montanabulletworks.com/bullet-information/paper-patch-bullets/)
Loading Paper Patched Bullets
Paper patched bullets (PPB) are probably the most controversial of all lead bullet styles. Much discussion and cussin have been laid at their doorstep. It has been my experience, however, that most of the cussin has been from folks with little or no personal experience with PPBs! Most shooters, given quality PPBs and proper loading techniques, are delighted to give them a try.
Consider this: when the Sharps Rifle Company was at its heyday in the 1870’s and 1880’s, the PPB was the most common bullet offered in their factory ammunition. Why? Because the PPB was and is the best lead game killing bullet available. The demise of the American Bison can be attributed primarily to PPBs. PPBs were easy to make by the frontiersman, requiring nothing but a skillet, pig lead, patching paper and a mould. Untold thousands of PPBs were made by the campfires during the 1880’s.
My son and I have personally cast, patched and shot thousands of PPBs, both in competition and hunting, and we have a very high opinion of them. My PPBs are cast of soft lead (BHN- 6), just like the old timers did. You can expect 45 caliber PPBs to expand to near silver dollar size and the 40 caliber ones to expand to half-dollar size. The old buffalo hunters reported complete penetration of their quarry with PPBs, regardless of the angle.
I have also found that carefully prepared and loaded PPBs will shoot as well as any other lead bullet style, clear out to 1,000 yds. And why not? The bullet has no contact with the barrel (which means no leading problems, even at 1500 fps), and it emerges clean and smooth with no lube or lube rings to affect it aerodynamically. Barrel clean up is minimal. We have personally shot hundreds of my PPBs during a session, without barrel cleaning and without any deterioration in accuracy. That’s with smokeless powder loads. You charcoal burners will have to clean as you normally do, because of powder fouling. That’s correct, PPBs work equally well with black or smokeless powder.