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May 17, 2010
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Not sure where to start? I do not have a fancy work bench but here is the guts of the operation:
That picture is too dark.. but it shows a 10# lead bar in front of the box of home cast bullets.
Not a bad pic of my EWK shrouded 15-2 with from left to right:
180gr cast flat nose SWC
Nosler 158gr JHP
148gr cast (small cone) SWC
The three rounds on the table are the 180gr .357 being motivated by 13.1gr of LilGun.
Same shot lower angle. Note the Lead bar.. now a paper weight and a few boxes of primers.
And again but with even more variety.
Left most Nosler 158gr on top of a .357 with 17gr LilGun (max is 18gr)
Next is .38+p with same bullet.. 3.8gr TiteGroup
Last is the 148gr in the .38 +p on top of 3.4 gr TiteGroup.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
February 11, 2010
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Keep rambling, you had me at reload. I have'nt jumped in the water yet
but If I stop for a minute and figure what I have spent on ammo this
season I would probably get very ill 
-Blacktop
November 14, 2009
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I like you choice of reloaders, the Dillon. I thought those copper jacketed bullets were Sierra, they look a lot like the ones I use.
Happyness is a Hot DW and a pile of used brass!!! Rich
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January 24, 2009
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I haven't tried a 180gr in a .357 Mag shell yet, but I bet it's sure stuffed in there.
That's the bullet size I use in my .357 SM reloads.
My favorite .357 Mag load thus far, is 158gr FMG Berry's & 7.0gr Unique. One of these days I should dabble into casting bullets, yours sure look nice.
BTW, I'm a flincher too, I hate it.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Coming along Pine. I overtook the laundry room; upgraded from a spare closet and now I need my own room...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
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July 2, 2011
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I have a couple of reloading questions. I used to reload 12 ga. years ago when I shot allot of trap and skeet. I did it for the economy not so much custom loads. Well the occasional batch 3" mags load for goose hunting and some really interesting slug and buckshot loads.
Anyway, do you guys who reload find a dollar savings or is it more for the ability to custom load? What are the front end costs to start? I find myself shooting more .38, .357, and 9mm. I also have a .45 on my personal watch list and will be getting an AR sometime in the future. I just know that one will EAT ammo.
Ammo online is pretty cheap. Is there a significant savings after you pay off the initial investment?
GO BLUE 6-0!
Sparty is on the menu for next week.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
May 17, 2010
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From where I sit the savings are substantial, but I am fortunate to be among some real reloaders and bullet casters. For instance I bought 2000 148gr SWC for very cheap ( for get the exacr cost now). I also went in on a group buy for powder and primers. Cases ( .38 and .357) are re-used. It adds up pretty quick. Here's how it breaks down around here:
Walmart ( win White box) $14 to $15 per 50
Internet Custom New $14 per 50
Internet reload $12
My Reloads:
Primers $3.50 /100 ( non-group buy FULL price)
148gr Cast $5.50/100 (home made)
3.4 gr TiteGroup *100(really guessing) $2.00
Cases (free re-used)
$11.00 per 100 or $5.50 per 50
When you try .357 it gets just riddiculess Prices for a box of 50 start at $18 and normally run $23- $25.
Of course I can bump up my own costs by doing things like using jacketed bullets ($39 per 250@158gr)
Other than the internet I dont think you will find 180gr cast .357 for sale for any price. So thats where custom comes in.
Also as far as custom, to me powders are very different. Pistol powders need to burn very fast ( Titegroup) because there can be no expectation for barrel length ( snubbie) but I mostly shoot the 6"... so I could benefit and prefer a slower powder. The only way to get that .. is roll your own.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I think I started as a reloader (shotgun also) and have progressed to handloading. I enjoy all the aspects of casting and handloading to develop a load for a particular gun. Along the way, I enjoy saving a bit of cash as well.
You can do some calculations using this cost calculator:
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp or this one:
http://www.10xshooters.com/calculators/Handgun_Reloading_Cost_Calculator.htm
Regards, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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May 2, 2009
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Well, let's put it this way... tonight I just cranked out 900 rounds of 9mm 
..
Tomorrow I will probably crank out another 1,000 just because I have the day off...
I will shoot all of it with no worries because it is much cheaper than buying ammo (even as cheap as 9mm is).
I'll fire up the 357 press in the near future and keep loading until I run out of brass or bullets--whichever comes first.
Not only is is cheaper, it is a source of great relaxation for me.
SHOOT
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November 17, 2008
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Alright guys it is time to fess up. Reloading does not save you money! You just get to shoot a lot more for the same money!!!!! 
Cus you still are going to spend it. 
And of course tailoring your ammo to a specific need or firearm is also a plus.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
May 17, 2010
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lbruce said:
Alright guys it is time to fess up. Reloading does not save you money! You just get to shoot a lot more for the same money!!!!!
And of course tailoring your ammo to a specific need or firearm is also a plus.
LB
Don't tell my wife that!!!! but yeah...
There are other "side" benefits to reloading ( that I have found):
My wife is nervous around the gun powder and bullets so she stays away
I have convinced her that is takes total concentration or it will blow up... so she stops her incessant talking.. as do the kids
She sees all the bullets and cant stand for them to be piling up.. and WANTS to go shooting with me!!!
I let my son pull the handel on a few. He though it was very cool that he "made" something. (when I get back to .38's I will let him do the whole process {closely supervised of course})
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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January 24, 2009
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Pinetor said:
I have convinced her that is takes total concentration or it will blow up... so she stops her incessant talking...
Why didn't you tell me that before? I could have used valuable info like that years ago!
Regarding the cost savings, once you've purchased the main big stuff, reloading definitely saves money. To me, the bigger the bullet, the more savings you see. Factory .44's are normally $1 or more per shot, and .445's are pretty much $2 per shot...that's more painful than the stout recoil!
I'm happy when I can reload those two for under 50¢ a shot. It's been a while, but I think the last time I added up the cost for my .44's, it was about 42¢ per round.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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lb- I can agree w/ you on that point. It's kind of like my wife using a Stage charge card on certain days- they always tell her how much she saved; I always disagree and tell them no, she actually spent xx$ and didn't save anything...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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