Debating getting back into reloading...

[Arkansas Paul]

That's a heck of a buy. The press alone would cost more than that. You're basically getting everything else free.
I'd definitely buy it.

 

[glaizinman]

I used to reload ammo on a Rockchucker press back in the 80’s and 90’s, so it’s been a minute. I’ve been stacking factory ammunition pretty deep over the past few years, and planned to keep building up my stash. I toyed with the idea of getting back into reloading down the road but hadn’t really priced anything out seriously...but I figured it was better at this point to just add to the cases of factory ammo.

But a sporting clay shooting buddy at the American Legion comes up to me yesterday and asks me if I’m interested in buying his reloading gear. I had no idea he even reloaded centerfire pistol ammo...we only shoot shotguns together.

Anyway, he has a Dillon 650 setup. He’s gonna throw in everything he has, including his sets of dies (9, 10, .45, .38, 30-30, 270, ‘06), scales, tumbler, bunch of brass, assorted bullets, primers, powder...not sure what else he has...everything but his loaded ammo. All for $500.

Right off the bat, it covers the pistol rounds i shoot. I’ll need to add a few rifle calibers, but that shouldn’t be an issue.

Just looking for a logic check here, since this seems like a very good deal...and I rarely fall across really great deals. Thoughts? Thanks...I’m weak in my reloading wisdom these days...

SCREAMING DEAL !!!!

 

[Big Wes]

I'd give him the $500.00 and then tip him $100.00 more for beer money. That deal is awesome! Only a fool would pass that deal up!
If it were me, I would have stuffed the money in his hand before he finished talking about all he was throwing in with the deal. Let us know if you buy it.

 

[RikSors]

You just won the Jackpot. Buy it.

 

[lightman]

That is a great deal. But only you really know if you want to get back into reloading. Right now 9mm, 40 S&W and 223 ammo are cheap. Cheap enough that some think its not worth reloading for them. Some other calibers are also cheap right now but not that cheap. Those cheap prices could easily change after the next election. Its happened before and certainly will happen again! As mentioned, you will need a loading bench and room to set everything up and to store the components.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Sounds like a heck of a deal. If you decide that you don't like a progressive press, it will be easy to sell, and with all the rest still still in hand, you would come out ahead.

You could then buy a nice "built-like-a-tank" Redding T-7 turret press which is still pretty efficient time-wise, or a Redding Big Boss 2 if you like to take your time.

In my opinion, comparing Redding presses to RCBS presses is like a Porsche compared to a Volkswagen Karmen Gia.
They both get the job done, and are similar at first glance, but the Reddings are so much nicer.

Building a bench out of 2x4 lumber and 3/4" plywood is cheap enough and easy enough, and you can always find room for reloading in a corner of the basement or the garage, or even in a storeroom or large closet.

9 mm and .40 caliber are pretty cheap in bulk factory loads, but the others are not.
I shoot mainly .44 magnum, and .45 Colt with lead bullets. Reloading is considerably less expensive, as it is with most rifle rounds.

 

[DRAINSMITH]

I reload on Hornady and wouldn't even have a Dillon on my bench. But that being said I would suggest that you buy it. If you decide not to buy it beat your head against a brick wall until you knock some sense in your head and then BUY IT.

 

[Buzznrose]

Again, thanks much for the reassurance. I'm going over to his place on Wednesday to pick it up. He's one of my "American Legion Shooting Brothers", so he knows he's giving me a great deal. and he also knows he can come over and use it whenever he wants if he needs to. Good guy. He's a Navy veteran, but I don't hold that against him...LOL

If I could trouble y'all and ask a few more quick questions...and I know I need to do more research, but just looking for some basic current info, as I’m gonna put my upcoming ammo but into powder and primers...

Please understand 99% of all my shooting it .22 LR, semiautomatic pistols (mainly Glocks), and AR’s. My reloading experience is based on ammo for bolt and lever rifles and large bore revolvers.

1. My friends who used to reload 9 and .45 back in the day almost always used Winchester 231. I see they still make it. Is it still a good choice for the 9/.40/.45 range ammo? Is there something significantly better these days? Im looking to buy 4-8 lbs.

2. With striker fire pistols, do I need softer primers? I used to always use CCI’s, but should I buy Win or Feds?

3. For AR’s and loading bulk FMJ .223, what is a good (clean and generally accurate) powder for FMJ's? I'll be mainly shooting 62-64 grain FMJ from 16" 1-7 twist barrels. Just looking for something that is consistent and decent for shooting drills that would match some basic .223/5.56 FMJ American Eagle FMJ type rounds.

Thanks again...Y'all have been great!

 

[Bat Rastard]

I loaded 231 for years. I recently switched to BE-86. I like it much better,
Our Glocks are not picky about primers.

 

[glc24]

As Bat posted, Glocks aren't picky. I've yet to try any BE-86, as I have a boatload of Win231/HP38. As for primers, I just use CCI 500 SPP and Winchester SPP!

 

[DWrso]

Great deal. If you change your mind just pm me and I will take over the burden. I use CFE pistol for 9mm and have 231 waiting to be opened. I like CFE but have heard nothing but good about 231. Enjoy!!

 

[Old Stumpy]

My first choice for .45 ACP and .45 Colt is Hodgdon Universal. Before that, Unique and Red Dot. But, I have a lot of HS-6 and Herco that I bought when Alliant powders were scarce here. I will be using those for a while.

This data comes from my 48th Edition Lyman Reloading Manual:

For 9mm Parabellum, with 115 grain JHP:
Unique, Bullseye, Universal, HS-6, Blue Dot, Titegroup, Power Pistol, and 231 all work great, and all produce similar chamber pressures and velocities between 1120 and 1250 FPS from a 4" barrel. (Between 30400 CUP and 32100 CUP depending on the powder used) Listed as maximum, so you could reduce these by 10%

For .45 ACP, with 225 grain JHP:
Unique, Bullseye, HS-7, all work great, and produce similar chamber pressures and velocities between 830 and 880 FPS from a 5" barrel.
(231 is included for all loads of 200 grain bullets and less, but not for heavier bullets)
(Between 17100 CUP and 17600 CUP depending on powder used) Listed as maximum, so you could reduce these by 10%.

For .40 Caliber S&W with 180 grain JHP:
Unique, Universal, Bullseye, Power Pistol, HS-6, 231, and Blue Dot all produce similar chamber pressures and velocities between 880 and 990 FPS from a 4" barrel.
(Between 22900 CUP and 23500 CUP depending on powder used) Listed as maximum, so you could reduce these by 10%.

Hodgdon on-line reloading data lists loads with Universal and HS-6:

- .45 ACP loads for bullet weights between 180 grains and 230 grains.
- 9mm loads loads for bullet weights from 60 to 125 grains.
- .40 S&W loads for bullet weights from 135 to 200 grains.
All have normal velocities and pressures.

You could use Unique, Universal, or HS-6 for all of these cartridges, with Universal being my favorite.

 

[kmw1954]

Buzznrose, Congrats on your acquisition, as all the others have already stated it's an investment that will not go wrong and will not depreciate. It's a fine tool.

W231/HP-38 is still good stuff and I use a lot of it in 9mm but gave up with it in 45acp because I experience a lot of muzzle flash with it. Most of our shooting is done indoors and I think the range lighting exposes it. Besides the HP-38 I have been using a lot of AA#2, AA#5 and Ramshot Silhouette. When I get low on powder or get a chance to get to the shop for supplies I have been considering a pound of Ramshot Competition for a fast burning powder. There are many powders out there in the market place that fill many niches and they do it very nicely. I have moved to the Western Powder brands as I like the published data they have provided for plated bullets and most of them are fairly easily found locally. Which I have found the same for primers. Whatever is available at the best price.

Only problem I have with primers is that one pistol I have does not like CCI primers because the cups are hard and I get a lot of failure to fire because of light primer strikes of the gun. 5 other pistols and they all fire fine with CCI. So for 9mm loads I will not use CCI because of that one gun.

 

[Toprudder]

If you want one powder that works well for 9, 40, and 45, W231 is a good one. I would say BE86 and AA#2 and #5 are all good as well. My current favorite for 45 is Clays, which I use for reduced recoil loads.

Unless you have replaced the springs in your Glock to reduce the trigger pull, any primer should work.

For general use in 223, H335 is a good all around powder that meters well.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I used to reload ammo on a Rockchucker press back in the 80’s and 90’s, so it’s been a minute. I’ve been stacking factory ammunition pretty deep over the past few years, and planned to keep building up my stash. I toyed with the idea of getting back into reloading down the road but hadn’t really priced anything out seriously...but I figured it was better at this point to just add to the cases of factory ammo.

But a sporting clay shooting buddy at the American Legion comes up to me yesterday and asks me if I’m interested in buying his reloading gear. I had no idea he even reloaded centerfire pistol ammo...we only shoot shotguns together.

Anyway, he has a Dillon 650 setup. He’s gonna throw in everything he has, including his sets of dies (9, 10, .45, .38, 30-30, 270, ‘06), scales, tumbler, bunch of brass, assorted bullets, primers, powder...not sure what else he has...everything but his loaded ammo. All for $500.

Right off the bat, it covers the pistol rounds i shoot. I’ll need to add a few rifle calibers, but that shouldn’t be an issue.

Just looking for a logic check here, since this seems like a very good deal...and I rarely fall across really great deals. Thoughts? Thanks...I’m weak in my reloading wisdom these days...

Better than therapy mate...

Thewelshm

 

[jeeptim]

Buy It!! NOW!

 

[bbqreloader]

CFE-P for the 40 and it work well in 9 ( I use HS6 though-personal preference) BE-86 in 45. I'm down to using CCI only now for my primers with no issues on my striker fired pistols. Happy reloading!

 

[Buzznrose]

UPDATE: I figured after all the great advice and help this forum gave me, I should bring it to a conclusion on what happened....may not be how it would have played out for other folks....

Long story short, I walked away from the deal for a couple reasons, but two primary factors were wife was absolutely NOT onboard with reloading, and the deal wasn't quite as good as I thought it would be.

First, my wife of 28 years, who used to shoot with me a lot and wants to get back into it, was totally against reloading. We had this discussion many years ago before she got into shooting, but I thought her evolution as a shooter had changed her mind. Nope...wrong AGAIN! One very long, drawn out conversation later, I told her I would still go to the guys house and look at the deal, and if it was a good as he said, I'd buy it from him with the intention of reselling it. If I'd have made any profit on it, I'd have split it with him, because he's a friend and a vet and it's just right.

So I went to his house on the Saturday as planned. He had everything tore down and on a table. To summarize...everything looked like it had been stored in a drafty shed for a few years. There was some surface rust, lots of grit and grime, and dust. Ziplock bags full of bullets, shells, and misc. stuff. He only had one set of Dillon dies, .45. The rest were RCBS, mostly carbide but a few were not. All were in their cases. The 650 was in pieces, and the base model with no extras. No shell feeder, etc. He had a several hundred rounds of miscellaneous bullets and primers. Several open cans of various powders pretty much completed the deal.

All in all, there was a lot of work, and I really didn't want to take it all on for him. He is on the back side of a tough divorce, and while the money never hurts, he's not in a position of needing this sale to make a car payment of eat, so I explained my predicament with my spouse, apologized for backing out of the deal, and offered to help him clean everything up, take pictures, and post everything on Texasguntrader.com (a very good site for buying and selling guns and related stuff here in the Lone Star Republic).

He declined my help at the time, and I told him my offer to help stood...just let me know when. We hit our local American Legion for the monthly breakfast feed and I bought his meal and we sat and discussed his plans moving forward. He's a good guy, and we shoot clays together.

So, it is what it is. My reloading days are pretty much over...but my bride is still good with shooting, encouraged me to keep stacking the cases of rounds so cheaply available (just added another 3K 9MM from www.sgammo.com), and is even talking about another "Gunsite Honeymoon"! All in all, my shooting life could be far worse.

Take care, and thanks again for all your help...I did enjoy reading up on the latest thoughts on reloading...

 

[Jim Watson]

Too, bad, it was still a considerable savings on the equipment, even as seen.

But do you know your wife's basis for objecting to reloading?
Does she think it is dangerous or the ammo of low quality?
Or does she think it is a time waster?

 

[LiveLife]

1. My friends who used to reload 9 and .45 back in the day almost always used Winchester 231. I see they still make it. Is it still a good choice for the 9/.40/.45 range ammo? Is there something significantly better these days?

Yes. And HP-38 is same exact powder in a different container.

I replaced W231/HP-38 with Sport Pistol as it meters better, burns cleaner and less temperature sensitive.

2. With striker fire pistols, do I need softer primers? I used to always use CCI’s, but should I buy Win or Feds?

No, you don't need softer primers for striker fired pistols. My Glocks and M&Ps have worked well with softer PMC primers and harder CCI primers and primers in-between like Fiocchi/Magtech/S&B/Winchester/Wolf.

3. For AR’s and loading bulk FMJ .223, what is a good (clean and generally accurate) powder for FMJ's? I'll be mainly shooting 62-64 grain FMJ from 16" 1-7 twist barrels. Just looking for something that is consistent and decent for shooting drills that would match some basic .223/5.56 FMJ American Eagle FMJ type rounds.

My general purpose powder for .223 FMJ is H335.

I’m about 6-8 years from full retirement from the 40 hour/week gig ... I walked away from the deal ... wife (of 28 years), who used to shoot with me a lot and wants to get back into it, was totally against reloading ... was absolutely NOT onboard with reloading

But do you know your wife's basis for objecting to reloading?

Or does she think it is a time waster?

Don't take your wife of 28 years position the wrong way.

I am looking to retire this year or next year and my wife of 24 years absolutely decided against me thinking about getting back into woodworking (My grandparents owned a cabinet shop and my family built custom homes for generations) and classic car restoration/custom car fabrication (One of my bucket list item is doing a 60s International Scout 80/800 with late model V6 or Cummins 4BT engine swap).

I asked my wife why she would not want me to pursue something I would enjoy and she told me that I have "worked" hard enough during my working years and she did not want me to do more "work". Instead, she rather me and her pursue hobbies that were easier and more enjoyable like shooting/reloading, cooking/BBQ, travel/camping. She said me doing woodworking/car work would take me away from her as she did not enjoy them but since she enjoyed shooting/reloading (I reload indoors on portable castered benches), eating and traveling, me not pursuing woodworking/car work meant I would spend more time with her.

Perhaps your wife's reasoning could be similar. Maybe she saw you wanting to reload as you spending more TIME AWAY FROM HER since you are still working 40 hours a week. Shooting is different because she gets to spend time WITH YOU.

And I would not worry about your friend who is going through a divorce. I am sure there is someone who would absolutely enjoy and appreciate your friend's reloading equipment.

And BTW, thanks for your service ... from an Army medic.

Now go enjoy shooting with your wife of 28 years.

 

[Buzznrose]

Too, bad, it was still a considerable savings on the equipment, even as seen.

But do you know your wife's basis for objecting to reloading?
Does she think it is dangerous or the ammo of low quality?
Or does she think it is a time waster?

Primarily, her issue is with the quality/safety of the ammo. She once worked with a guy who was also a shooter and one day he came into work with his hand in bandages and when she asked what happened, he told her some reloaded ammo he bought at a gun show (yeah, I know...) caused his gun to blow up in his hand. From her recounting his story, I think he was shooting doom rapid fire and shot a squib load that got stuck in the barrel and his next rapid fire shot caused the barrel to split and parts to go everywhere (her telling his story).

Also, there was a time I had bought some reman ammo from BVAC and I had a .40 cal go "Kaboom" in my Glock 23. Gave me some minor burns, but she was there and saw it, and it left an impression. She made me promise to stop buying reman ammo, which I pretty much have. These were not 'reloads", they were commercial remanufactured ammunition loaded on commercial equipment.

While we were "discussing", she turned to the computer and Googled something like "reloaded ammunition danger" and got this:

https://blog.1800gunsandammo.com/five-reasons-you-shouldnt-reload-your-own-ammunition/

Finally, and this is something I cannot deny...she's seen me do a few stupid things in our 28 year marriage, and she knows that I have a habit of pushing myself a bit too far. She specifically mentioned something like "...you'll be tired and not know when to quit, and you might double charge a case or something...".

In the long run, it was something I was interested in, but not worth the fight. I know who I'm married to, and when I can sway her and when I would just be wasting my breath. These days, we've got some disposable income as my youngest just graduated with her BS in Nursing, so she's committed to letting me double down on building an ammo cache that will last through my years...so I'm refocusing my sights and resources towards that direction.

In the end, my primary concern, outlasting any ammo shortages and being able to shoot into my golden years with out spending a lot of money on a fixed income, is being addressed. My goal is to put away double the amount I think I'm gonna need for the next 20 years...I'm pretty much there with some calibers, and in the process of building out the more common rounds I use.

 

[LiveLife]

this is something I cannot deny...she's seen me do a few stupid things in our 28 year marriage, and she knows that I have a habit of pushing myself a bit too far. She specifically mentioned something like "...you'll be tired and not know when to quit, and you might double charge a case or something..."

She should know, she's been with you 28 years ... Sounds like your wife has your best interest at heart.

You are lucky to have a wife like her.

my primary concern, outlasting any ammo shortages and being able to shoot into my golden years with out spending a lot of money on a fixed income, is being addressed. My goal is to put away double the amount I think I'm gonna need for the next 20 years

You are fortunate that current ammo price is like lowest they have been in years.

 

[Buzznrose]

She should know, she's been with you 28 years ... Sounds like your wife has your best interest at heart.

You are lucky to have a wife like her.

Yes, I am...thanks for noticing. Clearly don't deserve her, but she figured that out a long time ago...

and FWIW, I was mistaken...we've been married 29 years as of February. Hoping we've got another 29 in us...

 

[Jim Watson]

I understand. My parents feared my interest in reloading. A cop, loading ammo for the PD, apparently poked at a primer feed jam with the steel follower rod, set off the stack and blew the rod right through his head, fatally. No doubt assigned the job on a well worn department owned Star or Phelps machine, he was not in it for the fun and got hasty with it. I did no reloading until out of college, gainfully employed, and living alone.

 

[thomas15]

Handloading ammo is not for everyone.

A guy I work with had forbade his spouse from continued participation in her hobby, crochet. A few months ago she gave herself a nasty scratch on the forearm when the hook got jammed into the work and suddenly broke free.