Getting Started Reloading - Page 6 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Liquid Rhino · 05-16-2008, 02:19 PM

Sweet! Thanks for the info, Eric!

I bought the Speer #14 book last week & already ordered the LNL, shellplates/dies (45 & 223 for now), tumbler, chamfer/debur tool & scale... should be in next Tues-Wed. I did purchase a 3 pack of additional bushings, but the 308-specific stuff will have to wait a bit. As for the trimmer, I ended up getting the 223 trim die, as it seemed less 'guesswork' since already own a low-speed detail dremel. I've read the cutoff wheel won't ruin the hardened top of the die. Also ordered a taper crimp die in 45 as I heard it's almost a necessity for autoloaders. I was gonna skip the crimp die for 223 as i'm only planning to reload FMJ's for the rifle. Would you recommend otherwise?

I'll look into the rest of the items you mentioned possibly for next week, though I may pass on the swage altogether as I rarely shoot 5.56-spec rounds. I've retrieved perhaps 120-160 of my Fed.AE XMTac 5.56 casings at most, not enough to warrant reloading as of yet. I'll keep 'em for later if I change my mind & shoot it more.

Thanks again for the info!

EricCartmann · 05-16-2008, 06:20 PM

As of right now I have found crimping is not needed. But so far I have only loaded 223 69gr SMK's, 223 55gr FMJ's, and 308 147 gr FMJ's. Crimping is not needed at all for 55 gr and 147gr stuff, as they are Military Bullets that are cannelured.

Swaging only needs to be done once, and you will run into military brass eventually so investing in a swager will be a good idea.

ScottyT · 05-19-2008, 02:05 PM

I plan on getting into reloading by the end of the year and I figure it in never too early to start researching and building a shopping list! I plan on reloading only .45 ACP to begin with. My shopping list is as follows (minus brass, bullets, powder, primers):

Hornady Lock-n-Load AP Press -- $400 ($350-$450 online)
Hornady .45 ACP dies -- $55
RCBS Digital Caliper -- $55
Frankford Arsenal Micro Scale -- $20.99 (at Midway)

Stuff I still need:
Book
Brass tumbler/cleaner

I would appreciate any input on my list above, as well as ideas for a manual (Lyman?) and an AFFORDABLE brass tumbler.

What am I missing???

Thanks in advance and another thanks for Eric for the great info he has posted in this thread!

speedracer211 · 05-19-2008, 04:26 PM

My brass tumbler cost $32 from Harbor Freight. I used the 20% off coupon on it. So far it has worked well and I find it to be more robust than the rcbs units.

Liquid Rhino · 06-19-2008, 12:26 PM

What are you guys using as a rust preventative/inhibitor for your press parts & dies? Any readily available options?

Bucc5207 · 07-03-2008, 09:46 AM

I'm considering reloading, so I did some online shopping and number crunching, which I thought I'd share. Mostly I browsed through the Midway website looking at prices of things I expected to need for the calibers my wife and I shoot. I welcome your comments. Some things to note about the attached results:

- If you shop carefully, you can do better on anything here.
- I focused on turret presses for time saving, aiming for midrange equipment. You could spend less or much more.
- I only priced FMJ bullets. You could spend less or much more.
- The price of powder is probably the weakest link, since I don't know much about it except that there is a huge variety available.

Some conclusions:
- If you want to buy brass, buy it with powder, primer and bullets already installed.
- The economics are pretty marginal for 9mm. If that was all we shot, I'm not sure I'd start reloading. Reloading can bring the price of .45ACP into 9mm territory.
- The biggest payoff is on the biggest rounds, so earn your chops on your rifle and .45 ammo.

Reloading.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

iggimo2 · 07-10-2008, 03:08 PM

With all due respect to your math, I have found that my investment was recovered within about one thousand rounds of .45 ACP. Regardless of that, I spend the same on ammo as I always did before reloading. I just shoot more.

**Edubya** · 07-10-2008, 06:51 PM

Bucc, I started not to reply to your post, but Ill suggest that you recalculate with buying 8lbs of powder and 5,000 primers and you can scrounge up 2,500 rounds of brass at just about any range, of 9mm or .45 since they are the two most popular rounds. I use the same powder for .38, .380, 9mm, and .45. I'll load 9,000-10,000 rounds with 8lbs; $118.00 for that and another $100.00 for the 5,000 primers. The bullets, I buy by the case also; i.e. 3,750 9mm 124gr Montana Gold JHP $284.00 delivered. The 9mm cartridge is costing me at least 40% less than WWB, or $0.11 (incl. tax and shipping). That means 40% more shooting and when I'm tired of shooting (if that's possible) I'll sell my reloading equipment to buy my casket!

I figure the press will pay for itself about every 5,000 rounds of 9mm.

Mike33810 · 10-03-2008, 04:56 PM

Need a Reloading Expert Advice for first time user.
Hello,

I would like to get into reloading my own ammunition and I am not sure as to what type of press would be best for my use.

I have a 6.8mm SPC, 7mm Remington Mag, 40 S&W (handgun), and mabe for my 17 caliber rifle.

I fire about 200-350 rounds per month total, not of each weapon. I have purchased a .22 cal handgun just to keep the cost down to fire but it is not like the real thing.

Would you please inform me as to what type of reloading presses and dies are compatible for my use? And, what type of press is best? I hear a lot of people like Dillon but I have no clue in this subject but I like nice and quality items that will last. I have just ordered 3 reloading books for the research but I am sure they will not cover the types of presses best for my needs.

I want to thank you in advanced for taking the time to reply to my question.

Mike, US Army (Ret) Lakeland, FL

EdSky · 10-04-2008, 07:22 PM

Hi,

I am reloading 9mm Luger for pistol and need help setting up my carbide Seating/Taper-Crimping die.

I just got a single stage press, scale, dies, etc. I read all I could prior to getting everything and I got it all set up today. Sizing and expander dies are pretty easy. But the directions from RCBS/Speer are a little confusing for the seating/crimping die.

I got my bullets set to the desired COAL and then tried to adjust the crimp. To me, it was just a matter of guesswork. I tried measuring with calipers, but I wasn't sure where to measure. I tried deeper and deeper crimps and to be honest I really couldn't see a difference. I didn't want to go too deep, so I ended up just going about 3/4 of a turn after contacting the mouth.

Is crimping an art or a science?

Thanks,

edsky

05-16-2008, 02:19 PM	#51
Liquid Rhino XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: three\|zero\|five Posts: 966	Sweet! Thanks for the info, Eric! I bought the Speer #14 book last week & already ordered the LNL, shellplates/dies (45 & 223 for now), tumbler, chamfer/debur tool & scale... should be in next Tues-Wed. I did purchase a 3 pack of additional bushings, but the 308-specific stuff will have to wait a bit. As for the trimmer, I ended up getting the 223 trim die, as it seemed less 'guesswork' since already own a low-speed detail dremel. I've read the cutoff wheel won't ruin the hardened top of the die. Also ordered a taper crimp die in 45 as I heard it's almost a necessity for autoloaders. I was gonna skip the crimp die for 223 as i'm only planning to reload FMJ's for the rifle. Would you recommend otherwise? I'll look into the rest of the items you mentioned possibly for next week, though I may pass on the swage altogether as I rarely shoot 5.56-spec rounds. I've retrieved perhaps 120-160 of my Fed.AE XMTac 5.56 casings at most, not enough to warrant reloading as of yet. I'll keep 'em for later if I change my mind & shoot it more. Thanks again for the info! __________________ WARNING! There ain't no more continues, dog...

05-19-2008, 02:05 PM	#53
ScottyT XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 662	I plan on getting into reloading by the end of the year and I figure it in never too early to start researching and building a shopping list! I plan on reloading only .45 ACP to begin with. My shopping list is as follows (minus brass, bullets, powder, primers): Hornady Lock-n-Load AP Press -- $400 ($350-$450 online) Hornady .45 ACP dies -- $55 RCBS Digital Caliper -- $55 Frankford Arsenal Micro Scale -- $20.99 (at Midway) Stuff I still need: Book Brass tumbler/cleaner I would appreciate any input on my list above, as well as ideas for a manual (Lyman?) and an AFFORDABLE brass tumbler. What am I missing??? Thanks in advance and another thanks for Eric for the great info he has posted in this thread! __________________ ------------------ XD 45 compact Mosin Nagant M91/30 Remington 870 Express Ruger 10/22 ------------------ "I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country." - Moroni

05-19-2008, 04:26 PM	#54
speedracer211 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bradenton Florida Posts: 2,406	My brass tumbler cost $32 from Harbor Freight. I used the 20% off coupon on it. So far it has worked well and I find it to be more robust than the rcbs units. __________________ "You can't fix stupid" Great reloading site and tell them I sent you. www.glockpost.com

06-19-2008, 12:26 PM	#55
Liquid Rhino XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: three\|zero\|five Posts: 966	What are you guys using as a rust preventative/inhibitor for your press parts & dies? Any readily available options? __________________ WARNING! There ain't no more continues, dog...

07-03-2008, 09:46 AM	#56
Bucc5207 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 202	I'm considering reloading, so I did some online shopping and number crunching, which I thought I'd share. Mostly I browsed through the Midway website looking at prices of things I expected to need for the calibers my wife and I shoot. I welcome your comments. Some things to note about the attached results: - If you shop carefully, you can do better on anything here. - I focused on turret presses for time saving, aiming for midrange equipment. You could spend less or much more. - I only priced FMJ bullets. You could spend less or much more. - The price of powder is probably the weakest link, since I don't know much about it except that there is a huge variety available. Some conclusions: - If you want to buy brass, buy it with powder, primer and bullets already installed. - The economics are pretty marginal for 9mm. If that was all we shot, I'm not sure I'd start reloading. Reloading can bring the price of .45ACP into 9mm territory. - The biggest payoff is on the biggest rounds, so earn your chops on your rifle and .45 ammo. Reloading.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting __________________ The polhode rolls without slipping on the herpolhode lying in the invariable plane. -- Herbert Goldstein Last edited by Bucc5207; 07-03-2008 at 09:50 AM. Reason: Didn't get image in

05-16-2008, 06:20 PM	#52
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: My Mom's Basement Posts: 1,398	As of right now I have found crimping is not needed. But so far I have only loaded 223 69gr SMK's, 223 55gr FMJ's, and 308 147 gr FMJ's. Crimping is not needed at all for 55 gr and 147gr stuff, as they are Military Bullets that are cannelured. Swaging only needs to be done once, and you will run into military brass eventually so investing in a swager will be a good idea.

07-10-2008, 03:08 PM	#57
iggimo2 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14	With all due respect to your math, I have found that my investment was recovered within about one thousand rounds of .45 ACP. Regardless of that, I spend the same on ammo as I always did before reloading. I just shoot more.

07-10-2008, 06:51 PM	#58
Edubya XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 514	Bucc, I started not to reply to your post, but Ill suggest that you recalculate with buying 8lbs of powder and 5,000 primers and you can scrounge up 2,500 rounds of brass at just about any range, of 9mm or .45 since they are the two most popular rounds. I use the same powder for .38, .380, 9mm, and .45. I'll load 9,000-10,000 rounds with 8lbs; $118.00 for that and another $100.00 for the 5,000 primers. The bullets, I buy by the case also; i.e. 3,750 9mm 124gr Montana Gold JHP $284.00 delivered. The 9mm cartridge is costing me at least 40% less than WWB, or $0.11 (incl. tax and shipping). That means 40% more shooting and when I'm tired of shooting (if that's possible) I'll sell my reloading equipment to buy my casket! I figure the press will pay for itself about every 5,000 rounds of 9mm. __________________ *I ain't the expert, but I've made a lot of the wrong decisions!* If Homicide Is Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Commit Homicide Last edited by Edubya; 08-04-2008 at 06:44 PM.

10-03-2008, 04:56 PM	#59
Mike33810 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5	Need a Reloading Expert Advice for first time user. Need a Reloading Expert Advice for first time user. Hello, I would like to get into reloading my own ammunition and I am not sure as to what type of press would be best for my use. I have a 6.8mm SPC, 7mm Remington Mag, 40 S&W (handgun), and mabe for my 17 caliber rifle. I fire about 200-350 rounds per month total, not of each weapon. I have purchased a .22 cal handgun just to keep the cost down to fire but it is not like the real thing. Would you please inform me as to what type of reloading presses and dies are compatible for my use? And, what type of press is best? I hear a lot of people like Dillon but I have no clue in this subject but I like nice and quality items that will last. I have just ordered 3 reloading books for the research but I am sure they will not cover the types of presses best for my needs. I want to thank you in advanced for taking the time to reply to my question. Mike, US Army (Ret) Lakeland, FL

10-04-2008, 07:22 PM	#60
EdSky XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 178	Also need help - Taper Crimping Die Setup Hi, I am reloading 9mm Luger for pistol and need help setting up my carbide Seating/Taper-Crimping die. I just got a single stage press, scale, dies, etc. I read all I could prior to getting everything and I got it all set up today. Sizing and expander dies are pretty easy. But the directions from RCBS/Speer are a little confusing for the seating/crimping die. I got my bullets set to the desired COAL and then tried to adjust the crimp. To me, it was just a matter of guesswork. I tried measuring with calipers, but I wasn't sure where to measure. I tried deeper and deeper crimps and to be honest I really couldn't see a difference. I didn't want to go too deep, so I ended up just going about 3/4 of a turn after contacting the mouth. Is crimping an art or a science? Thanks, edsky __________________ No guns, no ammo Try nextdoor.

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