Get a few hundred bucks, go to your local FFL and change that. Guns are cool, fascinating and most importantly its fun. Oh and its your right. Give it a shot one day, youll like it. No pun intended. All decent humans are welcome in the gun community
i only shoot 100yd target, i chose 300 BO, cases don't need trimming the first 100 times. big oy bullets with small powder charges some 1 hole groups.@@jasebrown9761
@jasebrown9761 I'm in the States. I've only found large rifle primers available from one company and they won't ship to my state. Other than that, I can find small pistol, small rifle, and shotshell primers.
I got started because of boutique rounds like 303 and 50AE. When I was hunting, it was really nice to have consistent deer loads year to year. I am now a member of an 800 yard range
It wasn't coordinated but I would like to spread that rumor. I have been working on a ton of crazy content that I think you guys will enjoy. I wish I was a better planner and could be more consistent.
@@BoltActionReloadinga friend just told me it's all but impossible to find primers. I had called him to ask if if he had some of them for a project I was working on.
I couldn't agree more with you and this video. After two yrs of reloading, I believe I might have finally broke even on the cost I put into everything. My shot groups have dramatically improved. I found several combinations for my rifle and I average .25" groups with it at 100 yards. You have assisted me in reaching this goal. Thank you and keep up the amazing work.
Wonderful Video! SO true. I started out over 40 years ago with a single stage Lyman Orange Crusher press, loading 45 acps, then 38 spcls. needed for shooting 3-4 times per week after work. By the time my tooling required was adequate, I could have purchased my Dillon 550B press. I discovered myself dreading the reloading, knowing how long it took compared to how much, how fast I shot that ammo. Eventually, I did acquire the Dillon 550B, set up with separate plates for many different calibers and loading about 3-600 rounds per hr. still pausing to check powder charges every 10-20 rounds. I kept and still use my single stage Lyman press for all of my rifle loadings, which take tons of prep time, done one at a time. Some years ago, I decided that I would no longer need the Dillon so sold it all, then by habit got back into shooting big time. Now I have a Lyman multiple station progressive press that allows me to have 2 calibers set at all times, with separate powder chargers on each station. A completed round every 3-5 seconds, with pre-primed brass. I still practice a constant of checking powder charge and overall lengths, appx. each 10-15 rounds, stuck on using my large quantity of IMR 700X powder for all of my pistol target rounds. Reloading is a splendid hobby, relaxing and rewarding. The excitement of knowing the load is more accurate than that possibility of the shooter is a good thing. Salivating over the Wonderful, Splendid tooling this gentleman has, is dangerous for any budget. Single, torn 1 hole groups are easily obtainable with practice and study. Thanks again for this and other similar educational videos.
I bought a Dillon 550 in 2000, and have reloaded thousands and thousands of pistol & rifle ammo. I shot IDPA & PLC monthly for several years, and in those days it was much cheaper. Now a days it's just being able to reload when ammo is frightening expensive & I continue to reload with pre-covid purchased componants. I also just enjoy the process. There is a simple pleasure in shooting ammo I reloaded.
Just getting started. Wasn’t going to unit I got a .500 magnum. Now I’m hooked. Going down this deep rabbit hole. You are saving me tons of money and time thank you!!!
Thank you for making this video. I been shooting for 20 years and have thought about getting into it many times. After watching your video I think I will wait to start reloading until I want to do precision shooting
Just started reloading I only have 223/556 die so far but I really like it it's kinda like therapy I put on some music or a podcast and just get in the zone. Thanks for the info and welcoming me to the hobby. 🎉
If you are a hunter, pick your first caliber to reload on a basic easy cartridge like a 308 Win, 270 Win, 30-06, 6.5 Creedmor, 7mm-08, etc. Pick something that has plenty of brass, bullets, to experiment. I would recommend a Lee breech lock hand press also. It stores out of the way and doesn't need to be mounted on a bench as a single stage press setup.
Don't buy once fired brass buy new brass so you are able to check consistency buy weight of a finished cartridge. Range pick ups are good especially if you see the person shooting new factory ammo
When I first got into it I was going to make pistol and 223 cheaper. Then it moved to avaialability with the 2012 shortage. Then got into long range shooting so it moved over to better than factory ammo. Now it's my favorite hobby to craft super consistent accurate ammo. Guess we all get into it for similar reasons and sometimes those reasons change or evolve.
I've been watching your videos for years, this is the best recap of what's important... I really appreciate it. It's so easy to get wrapped around 5,000 different axles when it comes to reloading.
I honestly started because I wanted cheaper ammo, but, reloading feels like it puts me on a personal level with my 338, similar to working on your car and that’s why I still do it. Not fast, but I enjoy all the little bits to it.
Been wanting to get into reloading for decades... However, I never pulled the trigger. I helped folks... but never did this on my own. When ammo shortage are high, we couldn't find bullets, primer, powders, etc... Then the cost of dies, powders, etc. Sounds like a moeny pit. That said... I was looking at reloading 458 SOCOM, 35 Whelen, 6.5 Grendal, 7 PRC, 44 mag, 5.7, 300 Savage, etc... All my "man, why did I buy this caliber... ". I ddn't even think about casting... If I do this, not sure I want a kit or go to a muti press... then a tumbler, etc... Thoughts?
I have every tool to prep the brass... And took a step back and do most by hand with a handpress, a lee cutter, hornady chamfer tool and primer tool. I do it in front of the tv or looking youtube videos. It somehow feel less like a burden and all the brass are ready to be load at the end of the week. I bought a lyman gen 6 powder dispenser and it's the tool I "need" the most! After that I use my arbor press and le wilson bullet seater... Looing at youtube videos, taking my time 😂
I started out 30 years ago wanting to load accurate sub-moa rounds from a hunting rifle on a budget. Lee products were my go-to for cost.(I'm cheap) After failures of 3 different presses, I got an RCBS cast steel (not cheap aluminium) Going cheap cost me more in the long run. I still have my Lee powder dump, but all else has been replaced by RCBS, Lyman or Hornady (not their small weigh electric scale though. That was complete garbage) You have a lot of great products in this video, but there has to be a middle ground cost for hunting accuracy reloads
I've been using a big cat litter jug some dawn soap and lemmie shine for years now to clean my brass I've never had a Tumblr or a sonic cleaner or any of that. I'll admit my brass isn't the shiniest stuff around but it's clean and works for precision rounds.
I started reloading 30 years or more ago. I reload because it is a hobby. I enjoy my time listening to some music in my garage and reloading. It does my soul good.
I bought my stuff at auction and got into it right. But the Lee Loader is the ticket for the hunter. I just loaded forty rounds for my Savage 1898 in 30,30, last night. They are easy on brass and allow you to do ladder test loading right at the bench. They dont stretch brass because it only neck sizes. You can start with one 20 round factory box and load it 100 times.
You used to be able to save money by reloading your own ammunition. But the component manufacturers decided to raise their prices so much that the savings are just about gone. They all raised prices at the same time by almost the same amount. Common sense says that some manufacturers shouldn’t have to raise their price as their competitors. They all go up because they know people will still buy their products and they don’t want to leave money on the table. Used to manufacturers would lower their prices to grab market share and prices were competitive but the market has completely changed. No longer do they keep their prices low or are worried about market share. Reloaded have proven they will pay any price and suffer through any shortage and beg for product at any price. I don’t blame the companies, I blame all of us , the consumers. It started with Bill Clinton and his assault weapons ban. The manufacturers saw that consumers would pay four or five times as much for the same weapon that they were barely selling just a few years before. You see AR-15 rifles and the like were not very popular until the government said you couldn’t buy them anymore.
What I do is that I buy Norma Golden Target in 6,5x55swe, 50 rounds is $54,61. Then I go to the range and practice those rounds and saving the brass, I then reload those brass into hunting rounds. Vihtavouri N560, Fiocchi Large rifle primer and Norma Bondstrike 6,5 143 grain bullet. Norma Bondstrike factory load price per round $5,22 I get to practice my shooting, doing my hobby as reloader and I get great cartridges for hunting. But as you said, I have probably 1000 more rounds until my equipment, powder, bullets and primers goes even.
I just hate trimming cases . I enjoy the process and the ritual of everything else. So much so that got me into premium brass . I have good luck with Nosler rifle brass. Rcbs x dies have helped quite a bit as well
Ironically, I love the idea and sciwnce of reloading very much but I dont shoot alot. Its just something I wanted to learn. I am completely content to sit in my reloading room, surrounded by all my jars full of colored bullets and buckshot and just read a book or watch tv on my phone. I really love having the know-how of reloading, I just dont hunt or even shoot much. I just like knowing that I can if I want to😊( Not to mention that the idea of using up all my components that I bought before 2020 will be difficult to get again as they cost so much)
One way I sometimes save time when I get a new gun in a new caliber is buy some different factory loads and see how they do. If one performs very well, i will break down at least 5 rounds measuring everything from COAL, to potential powder being used and its average weight (or what ever comes closest to it) using my chrono graph results. Then use that data to replicate the same performance in a hand load and tweak from there.
I recently sold my reloading equipment, prior to watching this video. I asked myself all these questions. The best advice I could give, is to find all your components First. Considering time and equipment, it's hard to save money like you could years ago. In my opinion, you need to really enjoy the hobby. Over the counter ammo is fine for over the counter Rifles . Like was stated " you can't shine a turd " . Also, when ammo is short , components are short. There is also neck turning. Case annealing, concentricity tools , on and on . A quality trigger is a priority. This can be an expensive hobby. If you're a common man hunter, I suggest keeping it simple.
The lyman xpress trimmer is an awesome unit aswell. Paired with the rcbs brass boss. Ive reloaded since 2020 and still dont own any tumbler. Never had brass get so dirty even at prs comps that felt the need to get one.
Great Video ! Dig your channel . I too wish, I knew then what we know now about reloading . You nailed with the Giraud Trimmer... best tool I bought out of the entire reloading room that saves ALOT of time !
You are one hell of a gadget man but you’re a good reloader I’ve watched a lot of videos you have made and it has helped me to understand xyz thanks for sharing
The Lee case trimmer and cutter (ca. $8) with gauge (ca. $6) works very well. If desired, use an electric drill, or, get the Lee Zip Trimmer for about $25.
Greetings BAR. Excellent videos. 1 Thing I'd ask you to mention is... When people are thinking about purchasing "Factory Seconds" when buying projectiles. Sure- we all want to save money... but saving a few pennies per round at the cost of accuracy just isn't really worth it. (Unless maybe your just making blasting ammo for your AR). I've made this mistake more than once. Keep up the great work.
The benefit I see is the availability issue during shortages. Anytime a politician or influential person around government says something even remotely close to gun grabby, every dealer or sportsman store runs out of supply for weeks or months where I am at. And then when inventory shows up, it’s already gone due to people who put in an order and waited. It can be 2 whole months before someone can walk in and buy off the shelf sometimes.
The variety of reloading kits or presses and accesories these days is a bit daunting for a pretty fair number of people,. Much easier for a person with only one or two guns to start out with, to buy a kit like a Rockchucker kit, and have it last thru a lifetime and add goodies as they see fit, doesn't come with everything, but, has the least amount of stuff to upgrade shud a person go down the various rabbit holes and add guns, or get into disciplines that need the different accessories.
I just want to make 200 accurate hunting loads per year. Both for less cost and want 1/2moa. A mix of mainly light projectile varmint (65-80gr) and a few heavier for pigs and goat and light deer (100-110gr in 6arc). Maybe a few subsonic loads for the rabbits. The ideal cheapest press and scales and comparators and gas annealer and tumbler and trim debur etc for the return on consistency and accuracy is what I’m interested in. Try a couple of load developments first and but hopefully settle on some basic repeatable 1/2moa loads. I’ll look at garage sales or something for finding tools. I’d use 10-20rnds per hunt session on monthly pest control for 6months of the year and I might try 4” gongs to 300m to make sure I can get foxes at longer range and know my limits. I’d be happy with that. And to learn more about the craft for interest. Would love all the fancy luxury but I don’t want to send lead pollution everywhere and rather every shot count on a few game animals for meat and mostly pest control and some long range practice (first shot hits, not 10rnd mag blowing $60 per 10mins).
In Norway We pay about the same price for factory lapua cartridges as we do for lapua brass. Are there any reasons to purchase brass instead of factory ammunition then? I just bought a new barrel and 200 rounds with it. My thoughts are to use those rounds to “shoot in” the barrel. After that the barrel is more consistent and I can start load development.
Something else to think about....when ammo dries up, so does at least one component. So you need to stack components up when available and store them until needed. This can be an added headache.
Gordons reloading tool is also a great help to develop loads and gives you a lot of insight on how much each factor will influence your pressure and velocity.
I hate tedious things, however, I love the precision of reloading. I load for a 300 win mag, it's extremely expensive to buy them from the factory. 3 to $10 per cartridge. So I can save about a. $1.50 per cartridge by loading my own.
The value gained from hand loading varies a lot by cartridge and application. If you are shooting 9mm Luger for fun, I don’t think there is a break even point. However, factory .45 Colt is stupidly expensive. The cases last forever, and you can load anything from very mild “cowboy loads” to near .44 Magnum (lever action rifle only!). For rifles, a similar comparison might be .223 vs. 7x57 Mauser. Factory ammo for 7x57 is hard to find and very limited. However, it is a great cartridge and with modern bullets and powders you can do a lot with it.
I can break even on 9mm.... but only just and only if I watch the sales. Unless I add my time, then I'm done. Lol😂 Seriously though, you aren't wrong. Where I make up money is for hunting or match rifle rounds....or obscure calibers. I can nearly match a high quality round for about half the cost, that's where the pay off really is for me.
I got a couple of those. One has more exotic components and the other can use very common ones. There is a certain thrill of the hunt that comes with it.
Got into reloading after buying an m1 and M1A. Good308 ammo is about $2 a round. American eagle m1 ammo is 1.65 a round. It’s adding up fast. I’m mostly loading for plinking ammo and cheap ammo is kinda disappointing.
I do reload to save money, but I also shoot at least 200 9mm, 150 5.56 and 40 7prc every Monday. I firmly believe that constant practice is critical to both performance and safety. I also conceal carry making constant practice even more important. Also, my wife doesn't care if I spend time. The same can't be said for money...lol
You can save a significant amount per round but you will end up shooting more. Total cost to shoot per year went through the roof compared to what I was paying buying ammo. But there again my total rounds shot more than doubled as well.
Been out of reloading game long time. I am guilty of prob having to much of certain types of powder that I bought when crunch started. But I feel if in long I don't need it. I can sell or trade with those who do. Not necessarily a win win. But an option none the less.
I have a question. I have a friend who has all the high end reloading equipment and does a fantastic job for my 6.5CM and .308. But I don't want to make him do anything that I could be doing. There is no way I can afford to get into reloading, but maybe I COULD get into cleaning and prepping the brass for him. What set of equipment would THAT take? I really need specific recommendations, not just a laundry list of components. I am not well-off financially, so chances are that I will only be able to acquire1 thing at a time, and even though my budget is a problem, I don't want to skimp on the quality. I'd rather take extra time saving for acquisitions. Buy once, cry once. Any help would be appreciated.
If you can afford it....I would buy a cheap single stage lee reloading press, and a decapping die. Altogether, if you can find them used, should be about $100 to $120. Then buy a Harbor Freight rock tumbler and a pound of stainless steel pins. Decap the brass, toss about 20 pieces in the tumbler with water and a small amount of dawn, tumble for about 2 hours. Use a household screen type strainer to strain the water out, knock the pins out by hand and rinse by hand. Place them on a cookie sheet in your oven for an hour or so to get excess moisture out. He will then have clean brass, ready to trim, form, and prime. You would save him a few steps. When clean and dry, put them in a ziploc bag, and throw in a silica packet from anything you get shipped to you. As an alternate, dry vibratory tumblers cost less than $60 on sale sometimes.....and you can skip the drying. Clean brass is easier on his dies and easier to pick up the defect on.
Once upon a time, you could save money as a "hobby" reloader. That is no longer true. When you add up the cost of primers, powder and bullets, you might save a fraction if you reuse your brass. But if you have to buy brass, then you most likely will exceed the cost of factory ammo. If you catch the components on sale, then you can save a little. And I didn't even factor in the cost of equipment! The main reason these days seems to be for improved accuracy, (Just my opinion and math on the cost!) I used to use a dry tumbler but switched to a wet tumbler here a while back. Wish I had done that a long time ago! A little Dawn dish washing detergent and lemi-shine go a long way!
This is really good. I like the way you put this together. I also have a question on the testing of your load work up. Once you do a load test. Say 5 shots each of 7 different loads in .5 increments. There are three of them pretty good. The best load and one on either side. Do you go back to retest? Now, taking the best load and going out .4gr on either side in .2gr increments? Example: Best load 46.5gr Either side. 46.0 and 47.0 Test. 46.1, 46.3, 46.5, 46.7, 46.9 Once you find the best of the best, do you do a seating depth test also? I like a consistent and precision shot. I would love it if you would do a video on indepth reading of the targets. Where do you change powders or primers and or seating depth? How do you get that bullet hole in bullet hole target? Or even close to it. Chronographs are awesome. I just can't afford one. And now supplies are much more expensive. I love my shooting and hunting. Can't stop due to prices. Thank you, Jeff D.
I just recently started reloading for 300win mag. I love the series you did years ago on it, great information. I have recently acquired some N568 and have found it to be.... Ok? Any chance you would be interested in busting out the ol 300 for a round of testing with 568? I'm curious how Quickload feels about 81.3gs under a 212eldx seated to 3.550 oal..getting 2890 fps out of a 24" Barrel. Brass looks fine, but that's not always an accurate read.
If you really want to save money as a prime reason for reloading, make sure you're shooting at least 1000 rounds of handgun or 500 rounds of rifle per year. Then buy quantities of components that actually give you a quantity cost reduction. Then consider how much you value your own hourly rate. Then determine the max throughput per hour of the tools you buy. My favorite tip in this video was talking about learning from someone else. I wish I had access to people who reload so I could learn from them with them on their tools while they're making their own rounds. Do not undervalue this luxury. Take the opportunity if you have it.
Having a hand loading mentor is gold. There are so many little things that you can pick up just watching someone else reload. Just make sure that you keep thinking for yourself and use multiple information sources.
Thank you. I’m interested in reloading but I can buy factory rounds cheaply so I’ll hold off until I have a good supply of brass. I use a .223 and .308; do you have any recommendations for factory rounds with a view to reloading the brass?
They do pop up online occasionally, but I have found them at my local shop pretty consistently. (at least CCI-200s) I found some Winchesters last time so I picked up 500 just to try them out.
Haven’t seen any in 3 years! I’m in NE Georgia. If you go in any gun shop and ask for them, you just hear laughter! Can’t find them at Midsouth shooters supply, or Midway USA. I’ve been waiting for 3 years to purchase reloading equipment because I was not interested in spending the money and not being able to find supplies! I don’t know why we can’t get large rifle primers in this area! Thanks for your videos!!!
Yup, thousands of rounds to break even on paying off the equipment. Initial equipment cost can be a thousand dollars. Divide that by all the rounds you make. Little equipment things, most scales that I've seen come with a 50 gram calibration weight to calibrate the scale. But we weigh powder in fractions of a gram in some pistol cartridges. As an engineer, I have a set of weights that goes down to this level. For instance, 3 grains of powder for a small handgun round is almost 0.2 grams. So when I'm reloading those little guys I use the 0.2 gram weight to check my scale. When I'm reloading 223 I check my scale with 1 1/4 grams. I also have a gauge block for checking my digital caliper. The more cartridges you shoot and reload the faster you can recoup your investment. IF that matters. Read all the introductory chapters in the manual. That is more important than the load data. Many powder manufacturers list additional powder loads in their own publications or websites. Don't think the reloading manual is the only option. But don't trust any slob on a message board. Clean your dies, scale, powder measure and press. Some people wear gloves when reloading. You know, lead, nitroglycerine, stuff like this isn't good for the body or mind. . Shortages happen in reloading stuff as well. Some of us have a thousand dollars worth of components in addition to the thousands of loaded rounds.
Can you or anyone suggest a decent scale I shoot about 3500 cartridges a year would be more but components are now difficult for a 6.5x284 Norma. I'm 68yrs disabled so the best bang for the buck. Thank you for your time.
Depends for the application. I have a 223 Wylde SPR barrel and a Bartlein 6.5 CM from WOA and they are both very good. I have another few custom chambered Bartlein barrels and they are so far I am very happy.
Great video, have question. I usually reload for my bolt guns, the semi auto is diffrent to me, I have read, watched videos but nothing really lays it down. So my question will standard 5.56 dies work ? And does the AR PRIMERS a must or can I use small rifle ?
You are already starting out with terminology that I have no idea. "Sammy" spec? Cartridge Overall Length vs ... and by how much? what are the considerations +/- ?
Any advice for reloading milsurp? Im reloading so i could save money of the expensive ammo i have for my more rare surplus rifles, such as i found a very good video on converting 303 brit shells to 30-40 krag rounds, wich. If you know a box of 30-40 is currently like a 100 dollars right now per box.
You won't save much doing 9mm especially if you count your time. If you load boutique ammo it adds up. I reload 180g xtp 44 magnum full powers for .50 cents vs the cheapest 44 rounds are at least a 1 per.
Reloading tools that aren't in your reloading kit playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLXl7rMHW73NPuwsykAr9sWCRShsN6sjIB
I started reloading- in 1971 because I couldn't buy factory ammo for the only rifle I could afford- a 7.7 Arisaka. Now, I load for accuracy.
I have 2 Arisakas but I never fired them
An arisaka converted to 257 bob is the reason I'm now trying to learn to reload. I inherited it from my father and I only have 1 box of ammo for it
If you think you're wasting time. I am watching this as a non gun owner.
I’m sure you’re great at conversations tho
The algorithm has spoken 🙌🏼
Get a few hundred bucks, go to your local FFL and change that. Guns are cool, fascinating and most importantly its fun. Oh and its your right. Give it a shot one day, youll like it. No pun intended. All decent humans are welcome in the gun community
Hahahahaha love you
Made my day
Choose a cartridge that is easy to reload with good case life. Choose a caliber that has a good available inventory of bullets and powders.
That’s why i chose 308
i only shoot 100yd target, i chose 300 BO, cases don't need trimming the first 100 times. big oy bullets with small powder charges some 1 hole groups.@@jasebrown9761
Where do you get primers? For the life of me, I can't find large rifle primers anywhere.
@@THall-vi8cp I’m in the UK and it’s hit and miss, powder, bullets and brass are no problem. Primers are on back order constantly.
@jasebrown9761
I'm in the States. I've only found large rifle primers available from one company and they won't ship to my state. Other than that, I can find small pistol, small rifle, and shotshell primers.
Lapua, Lapua, Lapua… didn’t believe until starting loading 6.5 PRC. Incredible difference. Love the Chanel
I got started because of boutique rounds like 303 and 50AE. When I was hunting, it was really nice to have consistent deer loads year to year. I am now a member of an 800 yard range
This is wild. Its been two months since youve posted and 10 months since Johhny's reloading bench posted. Now yall both are back the same day! 👍
Haha thought the same thing. Praise be reloading channels
It wasn't coordinated but I would like to spread that rumor. I have been working on a ton of crazy content that I think you guys will enjoy. I wish I was a better planner and could be more consistent.
@@BoltActionReloadinga friend just told me it's all but impossible to find primers. I had called him to ask if if he had some of them for a project I was working on.
I couldn't agree more with you and this video. After two yrs of reloading, I believe I might have finally broke even on the cost I put into everything. My shot groups have dramatically improved. I found several combinations for my rifle and I average .25" groups with it at 100 yards. You have assisted me in reaching this goal. Thank you and keep up the amazing work.
Wonderful Video! SO true. I started out over 40 years ago with a single stage Lyman Orange Crusher press, loading 45 acps, then 38 spcls. needed for shooting 3-4 times per week after work. By the time my tooling required was adequate, I could have purchased my Dillon 550B press. I discovered myself dreading the reloading, knowing how long it took compared to how much, how fast I shot that ammo. Eventually, I did acquire the Dillon 550B, set up with separate plates for many different calibers and loading about 3-600 rounds per hr. still pausing to check powder charges every 10-20 rounds. I kept and still use my single stage Lyman press for all of my rifle loadings, which take tons of prep time, done one at a time. Some years ago, I decided that I would no longer need the Dillon so sold it all, then by habit got back into shooting big time. Now I have a Lyman multiple station progressive press that allows me to have 2 calibers set at all times, with separate powder chargers on each station. A completed round every 3-5 seconds, with pre-primed brass. I still practice a constant of checking powder charge and overall lengths, appx. each 10-15 rounds, stuck on using my large quantity of IMR 700X powder for all of my pistol target rounds. Reloading is a splendid hobby, relaxing and rewarding. The excitement of knowing the load is more accurate than that possibility of the shooter is a good thing. Salivating over the Wonderful, Splendid tooling this gentleman has, is dangerous for any budget. Single, torn 1 hole groups are easily obtainable with practice and study. Thanks again for this and other similar educational videos.
I bought a Dillon 550 in 2000, and have reloaded thousands and thousands of pistol & rifle ammo. I shot IDPA & PLC monthly for several years, and in those days it was much cheaper. Now a days it's just being able to reload when ammo is frightening expensive & I continue to reload with pre-covid purchased componants. I also just enjoy the process. There is a simple pleasure in shooting ammo I reloaded.
Just getting started. Wasn’t going to unit I got a .500 magnum. Now I’m hooked. Going down this deep rabbit hole. You are saving me tons of money and time thank you!!!
Thank you for making this video. I been shooting for 20 years and have thought about getting into it many times. After watching your video I think I will wait to start reloading until I want to do precision shooting
Just started reloading I only have 223/556 die so far but I really like it it's kinda like therapy I put on some music or a podcast and just get in the zone. Thanks for the info and welcoming me to the hobby. 🎉
Careful when you measure something and you hear numbers on the podcast.
Have fun. What press did you get and for what rifle?
@@onpsxmember lee single stage
I can never get enough of your videos mate. Please keep them coming!! I direct ALL new shooters to your channel. Absolutely top shelf 👌🏼
If you are a hunter, pick your first caliber to reload on a basic easy cartridge like a 308 Win, 270 Win, 30-06, 6.5 Creedmor, 7mm-08, etc.
Pick something that has plenty of brass, bullets, to experiment. I would recommend a Lee breech lock hand press also. It stores out of the way and doesn't need to be mounted on a bench as a single stage press setup.
Don't buy once fired brass buy new brass so you are able to check consistency buy weight of a finished cartridge. Range pick ups are good especially if you see the person shooting new factory ammo
When I first got into it I was going to make pistol and 223 cheaper. Then it moved to avaialability with the 2012 shortage. Then got into long range shooting so it moved over to better than factory ammo. Now it's my favorite hobby to craft super consistent accurate ammo. Guess we all get into it for similar reasons and sometimes those reasons change or evolve.
I've been watching your videos for years, this is the best recap of what's important... I really appreciate it. It's so easy to get wrapped around 5,000 different axles when it comes to reloading.
I honestly started because I wanted cheaper ammo, but, reloading feels like it puts me on a personal level with my 338, similar to working on your car and that’s why I still do it. Not fast, but I enjoy all the little bits to it.
Been wanting to get into reloading for decades... However, I never pulled the trigger. I helped folks... but never did this on my own. When ammo shortage are high, we couldn't find bullets, primer, powders, etc... Then the cost of dies, powders, etc. Sounds like a moeny pit. That said... I was looking at reloading 458 SOCOM, 35 Whelen, 6.5 Grendal, 7 PRC, 44 mag, 5.7, 300 Savage, etc... All my "man, why did I buy this caliber... ". I ddn't even think about casting... If I do this, not sure I want a kit or go to a muti press... then a tumbler, etc... Thoughts?
I started down the rabbit hole with 9mm & .223, now I'm one of THOSE GUYS with 5 gallon buckets of brass.
I have every tool to prep the brass... And took a step back and do most by hand with a handpress, a lee cutter, hornady chamfer tool and primer tool. I do it in front of the tv or looking youtube videos. It somehow feel less like a burden and all the brass are ready to be load at the end of the week. I bought a lyman gen 6 powder dispenser and it's the tool I "need" the most! After that I use my arbor press and le wilson bullet seater... Looing at youtube videos, taking my time 😂
I started out 30 years ago wanting to load accurate sub-moa rounds from a hunting rifle on a budget.
Lee products were my go-to for cost.(I'm cheap)
After failures of 3 different presses, I got an RCBS cast steel (not cheap aluminium)
Going cheap cost me more in the long run.
I still have my Lee powder dump, but all else has been replaced by RCBS, Lyman or Hornady (not their small weigh electric scale though. That was complete garbage)
You have a lot of great products in this video, but there has to be a middle ground cost for hunting accuracy reloads
I've been using a big cat litter jug some dawn soap and lemmie shine for years now to clean my brass I've never had a Tumblr or a sonic cleaner or any of that. I'll admit my brass isn't the shiniest stuff around but it's clean and works for precision rounds.
I started reloading 30 years or more ago. I reload because it is a hobby. I enjoy my time listening to some music in my garage and reloading. It does my soul good.
I bought my stuff at auction and got into it right. But the Lee Loader is the ticket for the hunter. I just loaded forty rounds for my Savage 1898 in 30,30, last night. They are easy on brass and allow you to do ladder test loading right at the bench. They dont stretch brass because it only neck sizes. You can start with one 20 round factory box and load it 100 times.
Took me back seeing those boxes of .32 Win special.
Outstanding video. I’ve been reloading for years and always pick up some valuable information from watching your videos. Keep up the good work.
You used to be able to save money by reloading your own ammunition. But the component manufacturers decided to raise their prices so much that the savings are just about gone. They all raised prices at the same time by almost the same amount. Common sense says that some manufacturers shouldn’t have to raise their price as their competitors. They all go up because they know people will still buy their products and they don’t want to leave money on the table. Used to manufacturers would lower their prices to grab market share and prices were competitive but the market has completely changed. No longer do they keep their prices low or are worried about market share. Reloaded have proven they will pay any price and suffer through any shortage and beg for product at any price. I don’t blame the companies, I blame all of us , the consumers. It started with Bill Clinton and his assault weapons ban. The manufacturers saw that consumers would pay four or five times as much for the same weapon that they were barely selling just a few years before. You see AR-15 rifles and the like were not very popular until the government said you couldn’t buy them anymore.
What I do is that I buy Norma Golden Target in 6,5x55swe, 50 rounds is $54,61.
Then I go to the range and practice those rounds and saving the brass, I then reload those brass into hunting rounds.
Vihtavouri N560, Fiocchi Large rifle primer and Norma Bondstrike 6,5 143 grain bullet.
Norma Bondstrike factory load price per round $5,22
I get to practice my shooting, doing my hobby as reloader and I get great cartridges for hunting.
But as you said, I have probably 1000 more rounds until my equipment, powder, bullets and primers goes even.
I just hate trimming cases . I enjoy the process and the ritual of everything else. So much so that got me into premium brass . I have good luck with Nosler rifle brass. Rcbs x dies have helped quite a bit as well
Ironically, I love the idea and sciwnce of reloading very much but I dont shoot alot. Its just something I wanted to learn. I am completely content to sit in my reloading room, surrounded by all my jars full of colored bullets and buckshot and just read a book or watch tv on my phone. I really love having the know-how of reloading, I just dont hunt or even shoot much. I just like knowing that I can if I want to😊( Not to mention that the idea of using up all my components that I bought before 2020 will be difficult to get again as they cost so much)
I reload in order to become un-disarmable.
i want to reload for 3 reasons: 1 cost saving, 2 finding and making loads that work best for my arms, and 3 i like tools and such
Cost is #1 for me. Buy bulk when on sale. Availability and cost of ammo in Canada is a challenge.
One way I sometimes save time when I get a new gun in a new caliber is buy some different factory loads and see how they do. If one performs very well, i will break down at least 5 rounds measuring everything from COAL, to potential powder being used and its average weight (or what ever comes closest to it) using my chrono graph results. Then use that data to replicate the same performance in a hand load and tweak from there.
I recently sold my reloading equipment, prior to watching this video. I asked myself all these questions. The best advice I could give, is to find all your components First. Considering time and equipment, it's hard to save money like you could years ago. In my opinion, you need to really enjoy the hobby. Over the counter ammo is fine for over the counter Rifles . Like was stated " you can't shine a turd " . Also, when ammo is short , components are short. There is also neck turning. Case annealing, concentricity tools , on and on . A quality trigger is a priority. This can be an expensive hobby. If you're a common man hunter, I suggest keeping it simple.
The lyman xpress trimmer is an awesome unit aswell. Paired with the rcbs brass boss. Ive reloaded since 2020 and still dont own any tumbler. Never had brass get so dirty even at prs comps that felt the need to get one.
Great video! Been reloading a year now, only handgun. May start rifle soon, a little intimidating, but channels like yours help. Thanks
Great Video !
Dig your channel . I too wish, I knew then what we know now about reloading .
You nailed with the Giraud Trimmer... best tool I bought out of the entire reloading room that saves ALOT of time !
Excellent video! Thank you ! 🙏
Definitely will share with friend’s interested in reloading.
Awesome, thank you!
I reload because I shoot obsolete ammo 😂
22-250 shooter here, I feel that
Me too. Lmao😂
You are one hell of a gadget man but you’re a good reloader I’ve watched a lot of videos you have made and it has helped me to understand xyz thanks for sharing
The Lee case trimmer and cutter (ca. $8) with gauge (ca. $6) works very well. If desired, use an electric drill, or, get the Lee Zip Trimmer for about $25.
Greetings BAR. Excellent videos. 1 Thing I'd ask you to mention is... When people are thinking about purchasing "Factory Seconds" when buying projectiles. Sure- we all want to save money... but saving a few pennies per round at the cost of accuracy just isn't really worth it. (Unless maybe your just making blasting ammo for your AR). I've made this mistake more than once. Keep up the great work.
The benefit I see is the availability issue during shortages. Anytime a politician or influential person around government says something even remotely close to gun grabby, every dealer or sportsman store runs out of supply for weeks or months where I am at. And then when inventory shows up, it’s already gone due to people who put in an order and waited. It can be 2 whole months before someone can walk in and buy off the shelf sometimes.
The variety of reloading kits or presses and accesories these days is a bit daunting for a pretty fair number of people,. Much easier for a person with only one or two guns to start out with, to buy a kit like a Rockchucker kit, and have it last thru a lifetime and add goodies as they see fit, doesn't come with everything, but, has the least amount of stuff to upgrade shud a person go down the various rabbit holes and add guns, or get into disciplines that need the different accessories.
I just want to make 200 accurate hunting loads per year. Both for less cost and want 1/2moa.
A mix of mainly light projectile varmint (65-80gr) and a few heavier for pigs and goat and light deer (100-110gr in 6arc). Maybe a few subsonic loads for the rabbits.
The ideal cheapest press and scales and comparators and gas annealer and tumbler and trim debur etc for the return on consistency and accuracy is what I’m interested in. Try a couple of load developments first and but hopefully settle on some basic repeatable 1/2moa loads. I’ll look at garage sales or something for finding tools. I’d use 10-20rnds per hunt session on monthly pest control for 6months of the year and I might try 4” gongs to 300m to make sure I can get foxes at longer range and know my limits.
I’d be happy with that. And to learn more about the craft for interest. Would love all the fancy luxury but I don’t want to send lead pollution everywhere and rather every shot count on a few game animals for meat and mostly pest control and some long range practice (first shot hits, not 10rnd mag blowing $60 per 10mins).
Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy it because it is a lot of fun.
Shooting is a SPORT and reloading is a HOBBY !
Shooting us a hobby too, unless you're winning money.
In Norway We pay about the same price for factory lapua cartridges as we do for lapua brass. Are there any reasons to purchase brass instead of factory ammunition then? I just bought a new barrel and 200 rounds with it. My thoughts are to use those rounds to “shoot in” the barrel. After that the barrel is more consistent and I can start load development.
Was considering getting into reloading. Thanks for talking me out of it. Ill stick to tying my own flies. Would be nice for shortages though.
Something else to think about....when ammo dries up, so does at least one component. So you need to stack components up when available and store them until needed. This can be an added headache.
Gordons reloading tool is also a great help to develop loads and gives you a lot of insight on how much each factor will influence your pressure and velocity.
I hate tedious things, however, I love the precision of reloading. I load for a 300 win mag, it's extremely expensive to buy them from the factory. 3 to $10 per cartridge. So I can save about a. $1.50 per cartridge by loading my own.
Great advice.
Reloaders always spend more than factory ammo however i find it very satisfying to have great groups with ammo i assembled
Good video! Lots of great information. The book you recommend in your video is no longer available! :(
The value gained from hand loading varies a lot by cartridge and application. If you are shooting 9mm Luger for fun, I don’t think there is a break even point. However, factory .45 Colt is stupidly expensive. The cases last forever, and you can load anything from very mild “cowboy loads” to near .44 Magnum (lever action rifle only!). For rifles, a similar comparison might be .223 vs. 7x57 Mauser. Factory ammo for 7x57 is hard to find and very limited. However, it is a great cartridge and with modern bullets and powders you can do a lot with it.
I can break even on 9mm.... but only just and only if I watch the sales. Unless I add my time, then I'm done. Lol😂
Seriously though, you aren't wrong. Where I make up money is for hunting or match rifle rounds....or obscure calibers. I can nearly match a high quality round for about half the cost, that's where the pay off really is for me.
I shoot antique rifles that use obsolete ammunition. Need I say more?
Same here
I got a couple of those. One has more exotic components and the other can use very common ones. There is a certain thrill of the hunt that comes with it.
What reloading equipment do I need. To start loading 410 shells. Thanks Glenn
Got into reloading after buying an m1 and M1A. Good308 ammo is about $2 a round. American eagle m1 ammo is 1.65 a round. It’s adding up fast. I’m mostly loading for plinking ammo and cheap ammo is kinda disappointing.
I do reload to save money, but I also shoot at least 200 9mm, 150 5.56 and 40 7prc every Monday. I firmly believe that constant practice is critical to both performance and safety. I also conceal carry making constant practice even more important. Also, my wife doesn't care if I spend time. The same can't be said for money...lol
I agree 100% with everything you said lol. 0% cost saved bc you shoot more. Also same thoughts on 9mm buy it instead of reloading it.
Great video! I have always enjoyed your video's, Lots of great info presented very straight forward. Please keep them coming.! Thank You
You can save a significant amount per round but you will end up shooting more. Total cost to shoot per year went through the roof compared to what I was paying buying ammo. But there again my total rounds shot more than doubled as well.
Whole reason I’m getting into reloading is because it looks pretty fun and I’m gonna mostly reload rarer ammo, like 45-120 Sharps
Thanks. Great video.
Been out of reloading game long time. I am guilty of prob having to much of certain types of powder that I bought when crunch started. But I feel if in long I don't need it. I can sell or trade with those who do. Not necessarily a win win. But an option none the less.
I have a question. I have a friend who has all the high end reloading equipment and does a fantastic job for my 6.5CM and .308. But I don't want to make him do anything that I could be doing. There is no way I can afford to get into reloading, but maybe I COULD get into cleaning and prepping the brass for him. What set of equipment would THAT take? I really need specific recommendations, not just a laundry list of components. I am not well-off financially, so chances are that I will only be able to acquire1 thing at a time, and even though my budget is a problem, I don't want to skimp on the quality. I'd rather take extra time saving for acquisitions. Buy once, cry once. Any help would be appreciated.
Watch GunBlue490, he has many vids on reloading & gear.
If you can afford it....I would buy a cheap single stage lee reloading press, and a decapping die. Altogether, if you can find them used, should be about $100 to $120. Then buy a Harbor Freight rock tumbler and a pound of stainless steel pins.
Decap the brass, toss about 20 pieces in the tumbler with water and a small amount of dawn, tumble for about 2 hours.
Use a household screen type strainer to strain the water out, knock the pins out by hand and rinse by hand. Place them on a cookie sheet in your oven for an hour or so to get excess moisture out.
He will then have clean brass, ready to trim, form, and prime. You would save him a few steps. When clean and dry, put them in a ziploc bag, and throw in a silica packet from anything you get shipped to you.
As an alternate, dry vibratory tumblers cost less than $60 on sale sometimes.....and you can skip the drying.
Clean brass is easier on his dies and easier to pick up the defect on.
about trimming cases - I only reset the case 0,002mm and I havent trimmet a case i 5 years.
Love the channel and all the information!
Much appreciated!
Once upon a time, you could save money as a "hobby" reloader. That is no longer true. When you add up the cost of primers, powder and bullets, you might save a fraction if you reuse your brass. But if you have to buy brass, then you most likely will exceed the cost of factory ammo. If you catch the components on sale, then you can save a little. And I didn't even factor in the cost of equipment! The main reason these days seems to be for improved accuracy, (Just my opinion and math on the cost!)
I used to use a dry tumbler but switched to a wet tumbler here a while back. Wish I had done that a long time ago! A little Dawn dish washing detergent and lemi-shine go a long way!
Great video, as always.
What tool head wall holder are you using in the video? Thank you
This is really good. I like the way you put this together. I also have a question on the testing of your load work up.
Once you do a load test. Say 5 shots each of 7 different loads in .5 increments.
There are three of them pretty good. The best load and one on either side. Do you go back to retest?
Now, taking the best load and going out .4gr on either side in .2gr increments?
Example:
Best load 46.5gr
Either side. 46.0 and 47.0
Test. 46.1, 46.3, 46.5, 46.7, 46.9
Once you find the best of the best, do you do a seating depth test also?
I like a consistent and precision shot.
I would love it if you would do a video on indepth reading of the targets.
Where do you change powders or primers and or seating depth?
How do you get that bullet hole in bullet hole target?
Or even close to it.
Chronographs are awesome. I just can't afford one. And now supplies are much more expensive.
I love my shooting and hunting. Can't stop due to prices.
Thank you,
Jeff D.
I wish I had known that if you adjust your sizing die per die manufacturers instructions you'll probably have excessive case headspace.
I just bought a 6.8 western, not any ammo at my local gun stores
I just recently started reloading for 300win mag. I love the series you did years ago on it, great information. I have recently acquired some N568 and have found it to be.... Ok? Any chance you would be interested in busting out the ol 300 for a round of testing with 568? I'm curious how Quickload feels about 81.3gs under a 212eldx seated to 3.550 oal..getting 2890 fps out of a 24" Barrel. Brass looks fine, but that's not always an accurate read.
Great video. Totally agree. Have your SS pins gone dull on you or have they stayed shiny? If shiny, what is the secret sauce please.
Have you done a video using the pressure trace to track increases in pressure based on barrel cleaning and degradation and accuracy
If you really want to save money as a prime reason for reloading, make sure you're shooting at least 1000 rounds of handgun or 500 rounds of rifle per year. Then buy quantities of components that actually give you a quantity cost reduction. Then consider how much you value your own hourly rate. Then determine the max throughput per hour of the tools you buy.
My favorite tip in this video was talking about learning from someone else. I wish I had access to people who reload so I could learn from them with them on their tools while they're making their own rounds. Do not undervalue this luxury. Take the opportunity if you have it.
Having a hand loading mentor is gold. There are so many little things that you can pick up just watching someone else reload. Just make sure that you keep thinking for yourself and use multiple information sources.
Thank you. I’m interested in reloading but I can buy factory rounds cheaply so I’ll hold off until I have a good supply of brass. I use a .223 and .308; do you have any recommendations for factory rounds with a view to reloading the brass?
Where do you get large rifle primers? Where oh where?
They do pop up online occasionally, but I have found them at my local shop pretty consistently. (at least CCI-200s) I found some Winchesters last time so I picked up 500 just to try them out.
Haven’t seen any in 3 years! I’m in NE Georgia. If you go in any gun shop and ask for them, you just hear laughter! Can’t find them at Midsouth shooters supply, or Midway USA. I’ve been waiting for 3 years to purchase reloading equipment because I was not interested in spending the money and not being able to find supplies! I don’t know why we can’t get large rifle primers in this area! Thanks for your videos!!!
Wet tumbling: use chips instead of pins. Makes it much easier.
Yup, thousands of rounds to break even on paying off the equipment. Initial equipment cost can be a thousand dollars. Divide that by all the rounds you make.
Little equipment things, most scales that I've seen come with a 50 gram calibration weight to calibrate the scale. But we weigh powder in fractions of a gram in some pistol cartridges. As an engineer, I have a set of weights that goes down to this level. For instance, 3 grains of powder for a small handgun round is almost 0.2 grams. So when I'm reloading those little guys I use the 0.2 gram weight to check my scale. When I'm reloading 223 I check my scale with 1 1/4 grams.
I also have a gauge block for checking my digital caliper.
The more cartridges you shoot and reload the faster you can recoup your investment. IF that matters.
Read all the introductory chapters in the manual. That is more important than the load data.
Many powder manufacturers list additional powder loads in their own publications or websites. Don't think the reloading manual is the only option. But don't trust any slob on a message board.
Clean your dies, scale, powder measure and press.
Some people wear gloves when reloading. You know, lead, nitroglycerine, stuff like this isn't good for the body or mind. .
Shortages happen in reloading stuff as well. Some of us have a thousand dollars worth of components in addition to the thousands of loaded rounds.
Can you or anyone suggest a decent scale I shoot about 3500 cartridges a year would be more but components are now difficult for a 6.5x284 Norma. I'm 68yrs disabled so the best bang for the buck. Thank you for your time.
If it comes down to buying a new barrel, which brand or company would you recommend?
Depends for the application. I have a 223 Wylde SPR barrel and a Bartlein 6.5 CM from WOA and they are both very good. I have another few custom chambered Bartlein barrels and they are so far I am very happy.
I started reloading after a couple shortages, and to have ammo for odd calibers.
Great video, have question. I usually reload for my bolt guns, the semi auto is diffrent to me, I have read, watched videos but nothing really lays it down. So my question will standard 5.56 dies work ? And does the AR PRIMERS a must or can I use small rifle ?
Wish I would have never bought a kit. Got stuff I never used and replaced most of the components. In the long run I ended up spending more!
Great video we need more please thank you Donald Costello
Please do a "reloading manual(s)" video.
I’m looking at doing it mostly because it feels like I’m beginning to horde spent factory brass and the price for what i use isn’t that bad
How to work a die for bulletrefill you can explain me with the hepl of 3d animation.
Thanks for convincing me not to reload. I thought it would save more money than it does but hey there's always the old .22!
You are already starting out with terminology that I have no idea. "Sammy" spec? Cartridge Overall Length vs ... and by how much? what are the considerations +/- ?
Any advice for reloading milsurp? Im reloading so i could save money of the expensive ammo i have for my more rare surplus rifles, such as i found a very good video on converting 303 brit shells to 30-40 krag rounds, wich. If you know a box of 30-40 is currently like a 100 dollars right now per box.
Looking forward to the Garmin and 7 prc.
Thank you !
You won't save much doing 9mm especially if you count your time. If you load boutique ammo it adds up. I reload 180g xtp 44 magnum full powers for .50 cents vs the cheapest 44 rounds are at least a 1 per.