I wrote this out and the site decided to delete it all, arrgh.

 

 

Basically, I want to start reloading, and I don't know where to start. I've read stuff on here, and other sites. And it really just further confused me.

 

 

Are there any shops that stock all of your "reloading needs"? I'm a hands-on learner and I'd much rather see all the tools I need to get started, instead of ordering off of a list on the internet.

 

First of many questions to come, I'm sure!

 

 

Thanks

 

 

ETA: I'm interested in reloading 223, mainly because many places are out of stock, and the prices are skyrocketing.

Not many places in NJ to get "Hands on" with reloading equipment.

 

Best bet would be to find someone local who would let you see their setup.

Unfortunately reloading is a lot of reading and books. What works for me and my guns may not work for you. You have to start small and work up a load for your guns.

 

Anyway, I've been reloading for 22 years. I load shotshell also. I'm in Middlesex county -- If no one closer lets you see how it works you can come here.

 

I'm beginning to find that reloading doesn't save any money. The current cost of supplies really puts the price per round at about what you can find cheap ammo on sale at.

I've been working off of supplies I've had for a decade. I get sticker shock now when I go supply shopping. The only real way to save any money is to buy in bulk and a bulk order can easily cost you upwards of $700 each time.

 

Jer

I figured I'd have to see someone elses set-up, to get a grip of it all.

 

When you say $700 worth of bulk, how many round can you produce from that $700 dollars worth?

I figured I'd have to see someone elses set-up, to get a grip of it all.

 

When you say $700 worth of bulk, how many round can you produce from that $700 dollars worth?

Booltis, primers, and powder.

 

It will be completely dependent of cartridge. Bullets seem to be the limiting factor. using something like titegroup 8lbs-$110 will get you about 14k rounds of 9mm. ~90bucks per 1000rds of bullets and ~$35 per 1000 Sp primers

 

so for 700 bucks in 9mm your looking at about 5k rounds.

 

This is if you have cases to load.

I don't really work it that way -- The $700 just seems to be what I end up spending when I max out a hazmat charge.

 

I can't put a round count on it. I'm not spending it on all the components to make a complete bullet. I tend to stock up and have whatever it is for a few years worth of reloading.

 

Right now I'm sitting on primers and powder for a few years worth of shooting.

I wrote this out and the site decided to delete it all, arrgh.

 

 

Basically, I want to start reloading, and I don't know where to start. I've read stuff on here, and other sites. And it really just further confused me.

 

 

Are there any shops that stock all of your "reloading needs"? I'm a hands-on learner and I'd much rather see all the tools I need to get started, instead of ordering off of a list on the internet.

 

First of many questions to come, I'm sure!

 

 

Thanks

 

 

ETA: I'm interested in reloading 223, mainly because many places are out of stock, and the prices are skyrocketing.

I see you are in Bergen County. Closest place I know is Masterclass, in Goshen, NY. They have Dillon's set-up on display that you can see and purchase. If you buy a press there they will set it up for you and provide some instruction in the operation of the Dillon. They are just a little way's past the Woodbury Common Outlets on Rt. 17, maybe 30 mi. away once you cross the NJ border. It may not be that bad a ride for you. The NYThruway gets you there pretty quick. (The original owner died last year, and they are going through some changes so I would call first and make sure your trip there is worthwhile. I was there in March and nothing much has changed but I thought I'd mention that.) http://www.mastercla....com/index.html

Pick up a couple of books, visit some reloading forums, and watch some youtube videos. I did this for about a month and was ready to reload. It's amazing how much I have learned with the aid of the internet.

 

The trick to saving money is buy in bulk and find the sales. Don't pay regular price. For example, I hit a sale at Graf & Son's to get free hazmat and shipping when buying 10K of primers that were on sale. At the same time I bought powder on sale. I can reload .45ACP for 1/3 cost of new & 9mm 1/2 cost of new. So yes - you can save money and shoot more, if you shop smart.

One of the places I called in NJ about reloading supplies told me that they stopped carrying it when the state upped the permit to stock powder and primers from $300 to $600 per year.

 

The few that do stock it are paying that annual fee. I can understand why they would not want to stock it for that kind of silly 100% jump in permit fees. The rest never seem to stock enough, likely because of some sort of restriction on how much hazardous materials one is permitted in one location. That's my guess anyway.

 

I have an economical enough car and I am close enough to PA And NY that a run to those stocking places is far cheaper than any hazmat fee, so that is a very good way to keep costs in line if you can do it.

 

As far as buying 5000 rounds worth of materials, all you would need is maybe 1000 or so of brass and reload them 5 times. I have only 500 9mm brass cases and have shot them the equivalent of 4000 rounds.

 

And this is simply with a turret press for $110

 

 

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If that's true about the permit fees, it's just another reason this state really sucks! They'll suck you dry until you die and then some.

Bullet hole sells powders

Id suggest master class as well. Ramsey outdoor sometimes has reloading stuff, and so does Davis in sloatsburg, but masterclass has the best assortment.

 

Honestly though, i would not start out reloading 223. its a royal pain in the a** and by the time you buy all the tools and spend the time to process the brass, its break even at best.. . unless of course you don't think your time is worth anything.

Pick up a couple of books, visit some reloading forums, and watch some youtube videos. I did this for about a month and was ready to reload. It's amazing how much I have learned with the aid of the internet.

 

The trick to saving money is buy in bulk and find the sales. Don't pay regular price. For example, I hit a sale at Graf & Son's to get free hazmat and shipping when buying 10K of primers that were on sale. At the same time I bought powder on sale. I can reload .45ACP for 1/3 cost of new & 9mm 1/2 cost of new. So yes - you can save money and shoot more, if you shop smart.

 

Any online resources that you recommend?

We sell most pistol bullet styles and weights for online prices, but we're local.

 

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We sell most pistol bullet styles and weights for online prices, but we're local.

 

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Thanks, but I was looking for and other then the one suggestion in NY, was a shop that sold everything you needed. Presses, scales, trays, bullets, powder, etc.

 

Thanks, but I was looking for and other then the one suggestion in NY, was a shop that sold everything you needed. Presses, scales, trays, bullets, powder, etc.

 

 

Don't even worry about that. Online purchases of the tools are nothing. The deals are found when you dodge or minimize the hazmat fees on powder and primers. Focus on that and you are good to go.

 

 

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Don't even worry about that. Online purchases of the tools are nothing. The deals are found when you dodge or minimize the hazmat fees on powder and primers. Focus on that and you are good to go.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

So you're saying order the tools online? How do I know what kind/model of press I need?

 

I'm going to assume that you reload Bulpup, what are the essential tools I need to start reloading 223? And eventually maybe 9mm.

 

So you're saying order the tools online? How do I know what kind/model of press I need?

 

I'm going to assume that you reload Bulpup, what are the essential tools I need to start reloading 223? And eventually maybe 9mm.

 

I reload 9 mm Luger exclusively. I have no AR or any rifles so I do not reload that. This could change the whole balance of a lot of things that I have no experience with so take it with a grain of salt.

 

I started reloading last year and my take is that the Lee reloading equipment is for those that are not so much into competition shooting but want to save a buck.

 

It might not be the best at bullet seating, but so far my Lee turret press has been a god send above my Lee single stage.

 

All I do is load Rainier lead safe flat point FMJ(incredibly cheap) with WSF powder. The kit was a promo from Midway and I was happy as a clam. After a few hundred rounds I bought an electric scale ($35) to replace the balance beam and it has been nothing but simple and accurate since.

 

Those that want you to buy a progressive are the guys that can fire more than 500 rounds per Saturday and maybe 500 more on Sunday.

 

I will shoot 300 max on a Saturday and then help the wife plant tomatos on Sunday.

 

So, progressive is expensive but worth it if you shoot your a** off every weekend to practice for a match. If you are an occasional range guy then go for the cheaper turrets. I hope to have a new .380 auto and .45 to reload for so that will be some more dies and turrets. The dies are caliber specific so you could need 4 dies for each caliber you want to reload. If you are digging my Lee happy post then buy the Lee reloading manual for more specific info. Others don't like it so much, but for the price their equipment is a great way to start.

 

Look for the complete kits to start. How many hundreds if rounds per weekend you shoot should be the determining factor between turret and progressive.

 

 

 

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The way I'm looking at it, it isn't that I shoot alot. I really just want to stockpile some 223, and I think overall reloading would be the cheapest way to do that.

 

I've tried doing some reseach but it's all new to me. I think a progressive type, might suit my needs better. But like I said...I dunno.

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/35839-reloading-setups-minimum-equipment-to-buy/

JohnP,

 

ADD to your reloading tools a "stuck case remover," or at least be in proximity of someone who has one. Last night, for the first time ever in 37 years of metallic reloading, I experienced a stuck case while setting my size die up to load some .257 Roberts. (The case I was using was already sized, and trimmed to length. I use this to set the size die up and also it's trimmed to the minimum length as my guide for case trimming. I had some lube on the case when I ran in it to set it up the first time. It went in and out fine. Then, I sheared the rim off while setting the die and extracting a second time. I didn't think it was TOO stuck, so I grabbed an old drill bit as a punch and tried to tap it out from the top. That didn't work as planned.)

 

I always used to say to myself, "I should get a stuck case remover just in case. But if I lube, why would I ever need one? I haven't had to all these years. Only a dummy would need one."

 

I had made the cardinal sin in reloading. I was multi-tasking in the basement, doing other things and not concentrating and focusing on one task at hand. I had wiped the lube off the case after running it in the first time and some mystical force made me re-try to double-check.

 

I'll be calling RCBS today.

 

Note: you won't need one while reloading straight-walled pistol cases with carbide dies, but it will come in handy when it comes to stuck bottle-neck cases.

Any online resources that you recommend?

 

Do some on-line searches and see what you find. I have used Graf&Sons, Powder Valley, and Cabela's depending what was on sale or giving free hazmat & shipping. I've only found free hazmat at Graf & Son's. Cabela's had an awesome sale on CCI small rifle primers last year. I think I paid about $14.00/1000. Get the 4 or 8 pound jug of powder when you find one you like. One pound will do about 250 - 300 .223 rounds depending on powder and load.

 

We've done some group buys where everyone splits the hazmat & shipping.

 

RCBS had a rebate program going, not sure if it's over. I picked up the RCBS charge master scale\dispenser for about $265 with a sale & rebate. I highly recommend this scale. It's fast, accurate, and maintains its calibration.

bullethole sells some stuff

Cabela's had an awesome sale on CCI small rifle primers last year. I think I paid about $14.00/1000.

 

Really, last year???

Really, last year???

 

I can't absolutely be sure now. I tried to check my orders, but some of the history is missing. I did find one where I paid 19.99/1000, but I could swear I paid less one time.