how hard is it to make your own ammo?

[loki99]

i was just wondering if it is hard to make your own ammo? is it more expensive to get into? is it cheaper to just buy ammo instead of make it? just wondering? any advice is greatly appreciated

[MLB]

I don't reload myself, but in general, reloading is more practical for larger calibers. Say, .40 and up. 9mm are just as cheap to purchace new as I understand it.

[tptplayer]

My friends who reload say it is a long term commitment to reloading (for handguns) to make it cost effective. Most reload more for the competitive advantage of matching loads to the specific need. If you shoot a lot and have the time to reload (they say), however, you can save money.

[loki99]

hmm...........i was just wondering, maybe i will start when i start to get more guns and what not! it would be pretty cool to learn though you know? thnx for the replies!

[5ontarget]

Initial cost for equipment will be around $500 for new equipment, if you plan on loading multiple calibers, then the costs rise as you'll need better equipment and more equipment.
I have a couple of friends that reload .45 for competition. They don't load 9mm as they say it isn't worth their time to do so. I know of a guy that loads .357sig, .45, and .38, .357mags but he shoots at least 25000 rds a year.

I'm with you, loki99, maybe someday when I have more time to shoot, and more time to load...

["DoubleAction"]

loki; This is the one stop shop for everything and everyone in the business of reloading ammunition. You can download an order form and purchase an instructional video, recieve brochure from reloading manufacturers and suppliers, bench plans. data guides, catalogs, and alot more.

The National Reloading Manufacturers Association

www.reload-nrma.com/

[loki99]

HEY THNX FOR THE LINK! pretty interesting stuff! maybe when i get into higher calibers i will start? i dunno? it seems like its pretty expensive to get started, what with the money to get started i could probally buy enough rounds for like 2 years and another handgun ;D hmm................................ that sounds nice! now i only must convince the wife!!! probally won't happen though! thnx again for all the info

[TMan]

Before you spend any money, let me tell you why I don't reload:

I've lived with me all my life - I screw up, and I know that sooner or later I'd have a brain-fart and either not put in enough powder or too much.

If you don't put in enough, like way less, you can end up with a squib and the bullet never leaves the barrel. If you notice it, you can drive it out. If you pull the trigger again, you will at minimum ruin the barrel.

If you put in too much, you can have what they call a kaboom, where you literally blow the gun up. I've seen too many pictures of kabooms.

So, in spite of "friends" giving me free advice telling me that I really should reload, I'm not even considering it. (Something about free advice - you get what you pay for).

[tptplayer]

When I figure what my time is worth per hour, it doesn't make sense to reload. If I am still alive when I retire or if my wife lets me buy an open gun, I will reload. (It is necessary to reload your own .38 Super to shoot an open gun).

["DoubleAction"]

tptplayer said:

When I figure what my time is worth per hour, it doesn't make sense to reload. If I am still alive when I retire or if my wife lets me buy an open gun, I will reload. (It is necessary to reload your own .38 Super to shoot an open gun).

TPT; How much velosity , for which bullet, do you need for IPSC major ( open division ) with the 38 Super ? The only factory loaded cartridges I have in 38 Super,with the listed velosity, are the georgia arms 147 gr., with a velosity of 1200 fps.
With the bullet weight of 147 times the muzzle velosity of 1200, and divided by 1,000., that would put this cartrdge in with a power factor of 176, six over the required factor of 170. Correct me if I'm mistakened about this, this is all new to me.

[kynardsj]

I've been reloading for about 30 years and love it but then I don't shoot a lot of semi autos. Most of my pistols are wheel guns. If you were to reload for a lot of any caliber I would recommend a progressive reloader and there you're getting into some bucks. My time has been spent in front of an old rock chucker. Time consuming but a lot cheaper.