Purchase Reloading Equipment or another gun.

Should I Buy the gun, Reloading Equipment? (Must read thread first....)

  • Buy the 1911 and worry about ammo later.

    Votes: 22 16.4%

  • Buy the reloading equipment and be able to shoot what I have.

    Votes: 112 83.6%
  • Total voters
    134
  • Poll closed .
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M

mcdonl

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Ok... I need to get a life. I tossed and turned in bed all weekend long thinking about the "how much ammo do you need thread...."

Let me sum up my involvement in that thread to bring you up to speed....

OP asks question about how much ammo to keep on hand...

Various THR members talk about the millions of rounds they keep on hand, and I whine and cry like a Sally because I cannot afford to buy ammo...

And, thread dies off hapilly....
Click to expand...

Ok... truth of the matter is, I spend about $200 a month on guns. I own several $200-$400 guns, and because of my obsession with buying $200-$400 guns I cannot even afford to shoot them.

Well, my New Years resolution was to not buy $200 guns any more, but to save up and buy a 1911, as I really want one. But, what is that going to do other then add another gun to my collection that I will not be able to afford to shoot?

And, while I am typically opposed to the whole "Hey fellas, which gun should I buy" threads I am going to seek the advice of the wise here on THR.

Since this "ammo" thread, I am beginning to think I should invest in the supplies I need to reload my 9mm's, 38/357 and 7.62x39 guns. I will have about $400 to spend on reloading equipment and supplies.

Thanks folks. And be easy on me :)
 
Unless it's a gun that has lots of problems or is no fun for me to shoot, I just can't sell any firearms. I'm in the same area as you right now; I chose to go with reloading equipment.
 
NMgonzo. I think I have everything that I need "categorically" meaning I have my semi pistol (9mm), revolver (38/357), shotgun, bolt action (MN), hi-cap rifle (Norinco SKS), pistol caliber carbine (995TS) and semi pistol/rifle/revolver .22's....

So, that covers the bases pretty well. I have a couple of a couple of them so I guess unless I start going down the road of specifics... like a 1911... I should focus on ammo... I am just not sure.
 
You need a 3rd choice, "Buy ammo".

Instead of buying more guns, spend that $200 a month on bulk ammo. You'll be surprised at how fast you can stockpile it.

Instead of reloading, if you can, work more overtime and buy factory ammo. Right now, for ME, reloading would be an expensive chore where I would lose, yes lose, money.

It would be like a second job working in a factory. You would have to learn how to do it. You would spend tens of hours researching the best primer, bullet, powder; spend hours ordering it and being there for the shipments; spend hours setting up your bench and equipment; designate a special area in the house where you can safely store the stuff and put your equipment to work. And then spend hours making bullets. And let's not forget the X factor; if you screw up you can either 'under-charge' a bullet causing it to get stuck in your gun or 'over-charge' one and get a kaboom. No thanks. If a factory bullet blows up - lawsuit. If my bullet blows up, then that's a huge setback and no-one to blame but myself. I've shot reloads and had a kaboom. No thanks.

I can't say that I'll never be into that, but right now I have WAY too much on my plate to consider reloading. I would rather work more, get a 2nd job, or get another hobby, or focus on shooting my factory bullets.

If you talk to reloaders and get an honest evaluation, most will say they don't save money. They do say they shoot more, but honestly they are not factoring in their hourly time. They reload because they enjoy it, but if you factor in time like a job, you'll lose money.
 
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leadcounsel... I should have added this choice. I did try and purchase guns that have typically low ammo costs (9mm, 7.63x39).... so I hear what you are saying.

I enjoy reloading my 7.62x54r so I do like the reloading thing, but am I better off not reloading some of the calibers I have?

I "shoot"

.38
.357
9mm
7.62x54r (I reload for that one with a Lee Classic hand loader)
7.62x39

Are some of these calibers not work reloading?
 
I was in this exact condition years ago. Make a pledge or resolution or promise to yourself: "I will feed every gun I own; regularly."

Buy the reloading gear now, set it up and continue doing so until every caliber you currently own is accessible. From that point forward don't consider a new gun, at any price point, unless you also include the cost of acquiring any necessary reloading equipment. It does get easier; I recently acquired a new rifle in 22-250, some commercial ammo (40rounds),some new brass (500 rounds) and the dies to match--everything else I had.

I fired the commercial ammo to get chamber specs for reloading and had test loads for this new rifle on it's second outing. A couple trips later and I was able to fill the 500 new rounds with a new 'pet' load---the whole process was almost painless.

You asked a question about being 'better off not loading some calibers' while I was composing my input. I say you would be better of reloading everything you listed. In some calibers, a LOT better off.
 
Speaking as someone who derives little joy from the process of reloading, there's no way I'd be able to afford to shoot as often as I do if not for the fact that I reload.

The thing is, with a reloading press, you probably won't spend less money on ammunition, but you will get to shoot a lot more.
 
It would be like a second job working in a factory. You would have to learn how to do it. You would spend tens of hours researching the best primer, bullet, powder; spend hours ordering it and being there for the shipments; spend hours setting up your bench and equipment; designate a special area in the house where you can safely store the stuff and put your equipment to work. And then spend hours making bullets. And let's not forget the X factor; if you screw up you can either 'under-charge' a bullet causing it to get stuck in your gun or 'over-charge' one and get a kaboom. No thanks. If a factory bullet blows up - lawsuit. If my bullet blows up, then that's a huge setback and no-one to blame but myself. I've shot reloads and had a kaboom. No thanks.
Click to expand...
I find that by not watching sports and reality shows on TV, I have abundant time for worthwhile activities, including handloading ammunition for every centerfire handgun I own, and all of the rifles I [used to] shoot on a regular basis.

Not only do I get better ammunition, I get ammunition I simply can't get locally AT ALL. I'm unaware of any local shop which sells either 148gr. .38 Special wadcutters, 158gr. .38 Special LSWCs, or 200gr. .45acp LSWCs. If they did, they'd be insanely expensive. To the best of my knowledge, NO company loads my standard .30-06 load of a 200gr. Sierra Matchking over IMR4350.

As far as safety goes, I trickle and weigh EVERY charge for EVERY rifle round I load. Do you think Federal does that?

If all you do is bang away at junk at the dump with an AK every month or two, reloading is probably a waste of time and money. If you're interested in a lot of serious shooting, you'd either better be able to outbid Bill Gates for that new Gulfstream or start handloading.
 
Reload, reload, reload!!!

Check out the "how much are you paying" thread. Myself and at least one other person have already posted our reloading costs. The investment in a reloading press will pay off within a year. Take the money you save reloading and put that aside for your 1911. Then you'll be able to afford to shoot you 1911 when you get it (a gun is only good to you if you can afford to shoot it, right?).
 
Straight-wall cases are a no brainer for reloading. I don't like to trim rifle rounds so I only shoot 45-70 reloaded. Get a Lee progressive press and you'll be up and running quickly.
 
Reloading can be fun and enjoyable. It's a hobby for me. And it has positive gains.

The initial investment for everything you need will be large. It may seem silly. But over time you save, and like others have said you just end up shooting more for the same amount of money, which is ok with me.

I would also argue that you have to look at everything on an ad hoc basis. Somethings are still cheaper to buy factory bulk or military surplus than to reload. But a lot of that will depend on the brand/quality of components you want to shoot. If you shoot lead cast bullets it will cost you pennies per round.

I don't want a lot of guns just to have them. I get what I feel rounds out the "experience".

You could easily save for a 1911, or sell a gun or two to help, and then start reloading.

Or just sell a gun or two and buy ammo. Either way, it will add up quickly.
 
Do like I did and get the equipment. Find a caliber you like, and re-load it. Don't get the dies for every caliber you own if you don't shoot them much. I shoot a lot of 9 and 357, so those are the only dies I have.

Stop buying guns........for yourself. Introduce someone to the sport. You'll find you'll shoot less by having a student because you'll want better accuracy and you'll take the time to explain things to them.
 
In response to leadcounsel, I have calculated the cost of reloading, including factoring in the cost of my time, and I still break even within a year. Don't have time to re-create the calculation here, but it's definitely a money saver for me.

For someone who doesn't shoot a lot, or someone who doesn't have the time, obviously reloading isn't the best choice. But after the initial setup, I spend about 6 hours a month reloading. I save about $400 a month reloading. If you can find a job where I can make $67/hour working 6 hours a month, then I'll walk away from reloading tomorrow. But that's just not practical. It is quite practical to for most people to find 6 hours of time in their schedule every month that could be spent more productively.

leadcounsel is right about one thing - reloading doesn't necessarily "save" money. I spend the same on ammo as I would if I didn't reload - I have X number of dollars in my budget to spend on ammo, and all of it would either go to factory ammo or reloading components. However, I'm able to shoot a lot more, pretty much as much as I want, because I reload, and anything I don't shoot gets stockpiled.
 
I got to say reload as well but with one exception. To get your money out of reloading your going to need more than $400. The problem with reloading and what makes it so hard for some to justify is the initial cost. Yes you can get a nice reloading setup for under $400 bucks. But now its bolted to the table and your ready to roll, but now you need components or materials to make components. To save as much money as possible "bulk" is key. Instead of buying 1K of primers at $33-$50 a pop buy 15K and get the cost and HAZMAT down. I know what your thinking, 15K this guy is crazy, but its amazing how much more you shoot and how quickly they go when you reload. Powder is the same way, once you find a load you love buy in the 8lb range. Bullets bulk again is key, ordering by the thousand and on occasion more will save you some cash. You can cast but then you got to buy tools for it. All that said you can easily be pushing close to $700-$1000 bucks in everything you need.

I cast my own and use all Lee products, the most economical there are and order in bulk. I figure I am reloading a typical pistol cartridge for roughly $4.50 per hundred using free lead. Initial investment being around $1000. Won't take me long to make it worth it, but the start up is the hard part in reloading.

One other plus is it is just plain fun. I started reloading to shoot more, now I find myself shooting to reload more.
 
Pick up a good single stage press (or a Dillon progressive if you can afford it) and start reloading. You won't really save any money but you will have more ammo to shoot.
 
I was thinking of reloading but I will be better off selling all the other stuff that I don't carry and spending my discretionary income with Georgia Arms and be done.
 
Reload. It's important to know inside and out the most important piece of your gun.

Being able to produce your own ammo gives you a level of independence and knowledge that you just can't get buying factory ammunition.

A Lee hand press costs $35. Based on that, I got a whole 9mm reloading setup brand new for $300 including carbide dies, a nice digital scale, powder, primers, and bullets.
 
To save as much money as possible "bulk" is key. Instead of buying 1K of primers at $33-$50 a pop buy 15K and get the cost and HAZMAT down. I know what your thinking, 15K this guy is crazy, but its amazing how much more you shoot and how quickly they go when you reload.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, if you DON'T shoot that much, then you have enough supply on hand to last a long time. Case in point, I bought a case (2 8lb containers) of power to reload .45ACP. That's enough powder for about 20k rounds. I coupled that with 4 cases of primers, and by spending $350 upfront I had enough powder and primer sitting in a tote in my garage to last me 3-5 years of regular shooting. If you don't shoot as much as me, it'll last you even longer!
 
If you want to be a gun owner who occasionally goes plinking, just buy ammo. If you want to actually get out and get some regular shooting, skip the next gun or two and start reloading. I'd much rather be at home reloading my own ammo than get a second job to purchase it. Mark
 
If you want to actually get out and get some regular shooting, skip the next gun or two and start reloading.
Click to expand...

I would actually like to get better at shooting too. And, we do have long winters here in Maine. I think that I am going to take the advice I asked for.
 
I too advise to buy the reloading equipment and start shooting the guns you already have. If you can't afford to shoot the guns you have now, how you ever gonna feed a .45auto?
 
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