I am thinking about getting into reloading. I am getting sick of buying ammo paying the high prices and crazy shipping costs and then waiting for days or weeks to get the stuff!! My questions are as follows. I would only go with a progressive I think, I don't know that much about this but to me it seems like the best way to go. I would like to buy this once and I am sure just like guns there is always a nicer one for just a $100 more. I will be shooting in the area of 1k or more monthly of 45 and at least that amount of 9mm. I would love to hear anyone's opinions and suggestions.

 

1. The initial outlay for hardware (press.dies and any other gotcha items)?

 

2. What brands do most people use? There seem to be quite a few out there.

 

3. Any idea how many 45ACP rounds it would take to actually break even?

 

4. I think it's best to start with 45 as 9mm is cheaper to buy new, am I correct

 

5. How is the process of changing the parts out to go from caliber to caliber or pistol to rifle?

 

6. How long does it usually take to finish 1k rounds (just a guess)?

 

7. What brand of press and misc. parts do you recommend?

 

8. What are the best types or brands of powders, primers and bullets?

 

I probably left out a few things that I need to know but don't know enough to ask about!! So if you have anything that you think I need to know let me know. Thanks in advance for sharing the knowledge!!

Read through this thread:

http://njgunforums.c...__fromsearch__1

and then read the resources in the thread.

 

That should help narrow your very wide set of questions.

 

Then offer Lugerman a steak dinner in exchange for a reloading lesson and you'll be on your way!

45ACP is a good round to start reloafing in because it's low pressure and very forgiving of measuring errors. Also, I would start with a slow burning powder since you use more of it and an accidental double charge will be easily noticed. You can get a Dillon 550B progressive press in a single caliber for around $700. With 45ACP you will have made that back in a couple of months.

To get an idea of cost savings with .45ACP, it costs me about $6.75/50 using 230gr LRN. This is using free brass. If you're shooting indoors, it's best to load FMJ to cut down on the smoke. FMJ will cost approx +$130.00/1000.

 

I like Velocity Bullet for lead heads and Precision Delta or Montana Gold for FMJ. The trick is to buy in bulk and try to find sales. I hit a sale at Graph & Son's that gave free Hazmat and shipping if ordering 10K CCI pistol primers which were on sale. HP38 (same as Win231) is a great all around powder for 9mm, 38SP, and .45ACP.

 

We don't know what's going to happen with the upcoming elections, but I have heard predictions of ammo shortages and possible component shortages. It was tough to get pistol primers during the last one. Buy in bulk and get enough supplies to last a year or 2.