Expanding my site into reloading (need help)

[squeky]

Hi guys, I've gotten some requests on my site to do reloading components like I've done with ammunition (see LINK for what I mean). Anyway, I've made a community site for compiling and submitting deals, but so far have just focused on ammunition and firearms. Here's where I need help.

I'm not a reloader. I know very little about it (mostly from what I've read trying to come up with this post and what I know already about general things). I'm looking for categories to put deals into. Brass, powders, primers, etc? Can anyone help me along in what I'm missing? Here's an example of what I hope to accomplish--probably more complicated with more categories, but the idea is there: LINK. Thanks for any help, hopefully it will really help out the community like the ammo finder has.

 

[squeky]

*sigh* Anyone? Since it's community-based, no responses means no feature.

 

[Grumulkin]

I hate to rain on your parade but what does your site offer that's not already out there???

 

[squeky]

Ammo finder with UPS quotes - click on a caliber, enter your zip. See what comes up. It's unique because it's not some list that is compiled daily. It's database driven with the ability for the community to interact. Also, RSS feeds for each caliber, which I certainly haven't run across on any weapon/ammo site or post.

Does there already exist a site that consolidates reloading components from all over the web/in stores? If so, I don't want to copy an idea, I'm trying to innovate to create something new.

And you're not raining on anything, if the site needs to be more unique, I'll make it more unique with suggestions. Thanks.

 

[strat81]

Squeky, love the site, especially for .223 and 7.62x39 ammo! Thanks!

As for reloading stuff, start simple. No presses, tools, scales, etc. I'd start with basic reloading components and steal some ideas from Midway's site. I'd break it out like this:

Powder
-Rifle
-Pistol & Shotgun

Primers
-Rifle
-Pistol
-Shotgun

Brass & Hulls
-Rifle
-Pistol
-Shotgun

Bullets
- Rifle
-- .17 to .240 caliber -- .241 - .270 caliber
-- (And so on)
- Pistol
-- (same as rifle)
- Shotgun
-- (same as rifle, but with shot sizes)

For bullets, I'd start with common sizes like .224, .308-.312, .270, .338, 9mm, .38/.357, .44, .45, .40/10mm.

Good luck!

 

[kellyj00]

squeky: plain and simple, if you build a site for reloading components it will be only a few places that will show up.

www.powdervalleyinc.com has everything the cheapest, from slugs to brass(common calibers, 45, 9mm, 40sw and 38). The don't sell much for shotgunners though.
www.brassmanbrass.com has shotgun hulls the cheapest (at a penny apiece) and your less common calibers. They were also running a deal on 9mm lead RN 125 gr for $34/1000 delivered cost.

The "shipping" cost calculator, though neat, is kind of unnecessary. I don't know how you're figuring shipping costs, if somehow you're communicating with all these ammo dealers or what exactly.

Keep up the good work. I'm glad someone is finally building a "deal" site for firearm stuff. If I had more time, I'd build an ebay-equivalent for firearms....but for now I enjoy just sipping coffee and reading on THR.

 

[armoredman]

Ya know, next time I should look first. Interesting site, good luck. Please list raw ingot lead deals, too, for casters, if you can.

 

[squeky]

Thanks for the responses and feedback guys. Exactly what I was looking for. I'll start figuring out a way to design it.

The "shipping" cost calculator, though neat, is kind of unnecessary. I don't know how you're figuring shipping costs, if somehow you're communicating with all these ammo dealers or what exactly.

Keep up the good work. I'm glad someone is finally building a "deal" site for firearm stuff. If I had more time, I'd build an ebay-equivalent for firearms using php...but as of right now I'm really too lazy.

Before I had the shipping quotes, I got complaints about shipping varying so much because each vendor is located all over the country. It takes the cartridge weight*number of rounds, shipping zip, destination zip--and throws it out to UPS. The response is formatted and put into the table. It's not perfect, but it's close enough. I don't communicate with anyone.

Isn't an ebay equivalent gunbroker? There are open source scripts out there for all kinds of e-commerce solutions, for free. Hard part is getting users to use them, that's a very hard thing to do....

 

[harbinger_j]

Cool Site!

It will be good to have components on it!

+1 to what strat 81 said.