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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why would I be interested in reloading?
Well, you're obviously here because you're interested in shooting. And there isn't much shooting without ammunition. Eventually you will find that ammo costs too much, it's outrageous honestly. The more shooting you do, the harder you will find the cost bearable. Also you will find that ammunition just isn't sold in the varieties and applications you might want. Hand loaded ammunition is far more accurate for long range shooting.
2. How much will reloading save me?
You will always hear this from most reloaders: "Well, it won't save you anything, because you'll be shooting 5x more!" It's deceiving and doesn't actually answer the question. The truth is yes it will save you a lot of money. How much? Currently, ammoman.com sells 1,000 rounds of M855 5.56mm for $399.00 shipped. If you are any respectable enthusiast you could collect that "useless" brass at the local ranges, your friends brass, and your own and eventually end up with 1,000 brass cases. After 12 months of collecting brass at a leisurely pace you can trade up to what you need.
1,000 .223 cases scrounged..........$0.00
4lbs WCC-846 powder.................$42.50 (cheaper if bought in bulk)
1,000 Wolf Primers......................$15.00
1,000 SS-109 Projectiles..............$70.00
--------------------------------------------
Total cost for 1,000 M855 rounds..$127.50
With a little effort bending over and picking up brass, and $127.50 you can load the same ammo for nearly 1/4 the cost of purchasing it. And considering a good amount of these components can be purchased at garage sales, second hand, and from other hobbyists you can cut down on the costs even further.
3. Isn't loading ammo dangerous?
By comparison shooting guns is just as dangerous. If you can fill a shot glass with whiskey you can load ammunition.
4. Alright, how much does it cost to get into reloading?
It all depends on your budget and how patient you are. Reloading presses can cost as little as $28, and as much as $10,000. Much like guns, you get what you pay for. A simple entry level single stage RCBS Rockcrusher will run you about $150. A complete RCBS entry level kit including just about everything you would need will run you $299. Higher end progressive presses start around $420 and allow you to do higher volume and less headache. Depending on what exactly you want to reload, there are additional expenses such as a case tumbler to clean and shine your brass, case trimmers if you're reloading rifle rounds, and then of course dies and components. Does that seem expensive? Consider this: while any decent rifle will run you around $1,000, how many of them save you money every time you use them?
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Types of presses
1. Single Stage
ex: RCBS Rock Crusher, Lee Classic Cast
Single stage presses consist of a single lever activated ram which forces a single case at a time into a single die. These style of presses are the most basic, and are also regarded as the most accurate, seeing as all of the precision parts of the machine are mounted to rigid surfaces. However, this style of press is considerably slower since each stage is completed separately. First re-size, deprime, and prime the cases in stage 1. Stage 2 you will be measuring and dispensing powder to each case. Stage 3 you place your bullet seating die in the press, and seat your bullet. Stage 4 (optional) you crimp the bullet. Removing and resetting your dies each time does take a while, as does measuring your powder. However, for long range accuracy this approach is proven to be the most reliable. There are many purists that will only use single stages.
Pros:
* Cost - varying from $28-$299 depending on options and complexity.
* Accuracy - the most precise approach to handloading.
Cons:
* Speed - the slowest of all reloaders, high volume can be a headache. 50-100 rounds per hour.
* Ease of use - get your calipers ready for removing and adjusting dies on a regular basis.
2. Turret
ex: Lyman T-Mag II, RCBS Turret Press, Lee Classic Turret Press
Turret presses are somewhat of a hybrid between a single stage, and a progressive. The focus on these is maintaining accuracy while improving volume. However, the volume increase is not as substantial as a true progressive, but this style is more appealing to higher volume rifle shooters since it generally has better perceived accuracy per load. Turret presses work much like a single stage, with one case in the shell holder. However, the difference is all dies are mounted on a turret, which the operator rotates each stage onto the single case to complete it. This allows less handling of the case.
Pros:
* Price - $130-$250.
* Accuracy - Better per load accuracy than a progressive.
* Volume - a reasonable 200 rounds per hour.
Cons:
* Ease of use - these presses generally have less automated features than a progressive.
* Complexity - a good understanding of the reloading process is required, and each stage must be monitored.
3. Progressive
ex: Dillon Precision RL550B, Hornady Lock-N-Load, RCBS Pro 2000.
A progressive press differs from a single stage with it's focus on volume. While a single stage press forces a single round into 1 die, a progressive press forces 4 rounds into 4 different dies or stages simultaneously. To complete this "progressive" progress, the 4 round plate is rotated 90 degrees each pull of the handle, allowing each round to complete a stage. Once you're moving, a complete round drops into your collection bin each time you pull the magic handle. The only thing you have to do is stick an empty brass case into the first stage, drop a bullet onto the case in the third stage, and pull the handle. So - stick, drop, pull until you've filled your ammo can. These presses resize the case, deprime, prime, meter your gun powder for each round, seat your bullet, and crimp the case all themselves. Entry level progressive presses will run you between $365-$700 depending on your needs. Additional features can be added such as automatic case feeders, automatic trimmers, etc. Higher end progressive presses can be automated to shoot out ammunition at 1,500 rounds per hour while you read a magazine.
Pros:
* High volume - 400-1,000+ rounds per hour.
* Quicker caliber changes - All dies can be mounted to a removable tool head - no readjusting dies.
* Ease of use - when properly dialed in, a child can effectively run the press.
Cons:
* Price - $385-$576. These presses will run you about twice as much as a single stage, and easily more. switching calibers involves more than just dies, with shell plates, and powder dies coming into play.
* Accuracy - although the differences are negligible, progressive systems generally do have slight variations in seat depth, powder measuring, and resizing given their additional complexity.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Incomplete as of 11/28/10 - I will continue to add to this each evening to build a comprehensive FAQ for everyone. I encourage and questions or suggestions to further help anyone interested.
Update 09/14/11 - was able to cut costs to almost half of previous example.
1. Why would I be interested in reloading?
Well, you're obviously here because you're interested in shooting. And there isn't much shooting without ammunition. Eventually you will find that ammo costs too much, it's outrageous honestly. The more shooting you do, the harder you will find the cost bearable. Also you will find that ammunition just isn't sold in the varieties and applications you might want. Hand loaded ammunition is far more accurate for long range shooting.
2. How much will reloading save me?
You will always hear this from most reloaders: "Well, it won't save you anything, because you'll be shooting 5x more!" It's deceiving and doesn't actually answer the question. The truth is yes it will save you a lot of money. How much? Currently, ammoman.com sells 1,000 rounds of M855 5.56mm for $399.00 shipped. If you are any respectable enthusiast you could collect that "useless" brass at the local ranges, your friends brass, and your own and eventually end up with 1,000 brass cases. After 12 months of collecting brass at a leisurely pace you can trade up to what you need.
1,000 .223 cases scrounged..........$0.00
4lbs WCC-846 powder.................$42.50 (cheaper if bought in bulk)
1,000 Wolf Primers......................$15.00
1,000 SS-109 Projectiles..............$70.00
--------------------------------------------
Total cost for 1,000 M855 rounds..$127.50
With a little effort bending over and picking up brass, and $127.50 you can load the same ammo for nearly 1/4 the cost of purchasing it. And considering a good amount of these components can be purchased at garage sales, second hand, and from other hobbyists you can cut down on the costs even further.
3. Isn't loading ammo dangerous?
By comparison shooting guns is just as dangerous. If you can fill a shot glass with whiskey you can load ammunition.
4. Alright, how much does it cost to get into reloading?
It all depends on your budget and how patient you are. Reloading presses can cost as little as $28, and as much as $10,000. Much like guns, you get what you pay for. A simple entry level single stage RCBS Rockcrusher will run you about $150. A complete RCBS entry level kit including just about everything you would need will run you $299. Higher end progressive presses start around $420 and allow you to do higher volume and less headache. Depending on what exactly you want to reload, there are additional expenses such as a case tumbler to clean and shine your brass, case trimmers if you're reloading rifle rounds, and then of course dies and components. Does that seem expensive? Consider this: while any decent rifle will run you around $1,000, how many of them save you money every time you use them?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Types of presses
1. Single Stage
ex: RCBS Rock Crusher, Lee Classic Cast
Single stage presses consist of a single lever activated ram which forces a single case at a time into a single die. These style of presses are the most basic, and are also regarded as the most accurate, seeing as all of the precision parts of the machine are mounted to rigid surfaces. However, this style of press is considerably slower since each stage is completed separately. First re-size, deprime, and prime the cases in stage 1. Stage 2 you will be measuring and dispensing powder to each case. Stage 3 you place your bullet seating die in the press, and seat your bullet. Stage 4 (optional) you crimp the bullet. Removing and resetting your dies each time does take a while, as does measuring your powder. However, for long range accuracy this approach is proven to be the most reliable. There are many purists that will only use single stages.
Pros:
* Cost - varying from $28-$299 depending on options and complexity.
* Accuracy - the most precise approach to handloading.
Cons:
* Speed - the slowest of all reloaders, high volume can be a headache. 50-100 rounds per hour.
* Ease of use - get your calipers ready for removing and adjusting dies on a regular basis.
2. Turret
ex: Lyman T-Mag II, RCBS Turret Press, Lee Classic Turret Press
Turret presses are somewhat of a hybrid between a single stage, and a progressive. The focus on these is maintaining accuracy while improving volume. However, the volume increase is not as substantial as a true progressive, but this style is more appealing to higher volume rifle shooters since it generally has better perceived accuracy per load. Turret presses work much like a single stage, with one case in the shell holder. However, the difference is all dies are mounted on a turret, which the operator rotates each stage onto the single case to complete it. This allows less handling of the case.
Pros:
* Price - $130-$250.
* Accuracy - Better per load accuracy than a progressive.
* Volume - a reasonable 200 rounds per hour.
Cons:
* Ease of use - these presses generally have less automated features than a progressive.
* Complexity - a good understanding of the reloading process is required, and each stage must be monitored.
3. Progressive
ex: Dillon Precision RL550B, Hornady Lock-N-Load, RCBS Pro 2000.
A progressive press differs from a single stage with it's focus on volume. While a single stage press forces a single round into 1 die, a progressive press forces 4 rounds into 4 different dies or stages simultaneously. To complete this "progressive" progress, the 4 round plate is rotated 90 degrees each pull of the handle, allowing each round to complete a stage. Once you're moving, a complete round drops into your collection bin each time you pull the magic handle. The only thing you have to do is stick an empty brass case into the first stage, drop a bullet onto the case in the third stage, and pull the handle. So - stick, drop, pull until you've filled your ammo can. These presses resize the case, deprime, prime, meter your gun powder for each round, seat your bullet, and crimp the case all themselves. Entry level progressive presses will run you between $365-$700 depending on your needs. Additional features can be added such as automatic case feeders, automatic trimmers, etc. Higher end progressive presses can be automated to shoot out ammunition at 1,500 rounds per hour while you read a magazine.
Pros:
* High volume - 400-1,000+ rounds per hour.
* Quicker caliber changes - All dies can be mounted to a removable tool head - no readjusting dies.
* Ease of use - when properly dialed in, a child can effectively run the press.
Cons:
* Price - $385-$576. These presses will run you about twice as much as a single stage, and easily more. switching calibers involves more than just dies, with shell plates, and powder dies coming into play.
* Accuracy - although the differences are negligible, progressive systems generally do have slight variations in seat depth, powder measuring, and resizing given their additional complexity.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Incomplete as of 11/28/10 - I will continue to add to this each evening to build a comprehensive FAQ for everyone. I encourage and questions or suggestions to further help anyone interested.
Update 09/14/11 - was able to cut costs to almost half of previous example.
I'll even buy brass if it is cheap enough, although I'm trying to keep what I shoot if I can. Either way, if I can cut it from 35-45 cents a round to 25 cents for BRASS rounds - this is interesting stuff to me.
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