Want to start reloading but have no idea where to start. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

sonyman74 · 08-22-2007, 04:46 AM

Well, I started to save my brass from my 45ACP and I know that prices are starting to go up again in Sep. so I thought I would start to reload the 45's and maybe do the 9mm later. I have no idea what the tools are called and what is a good brand to start with. Is there a site or a book I can get some knowledge from. Any help would be appreciated.

MrBug · 08-22-2007, 05:13 AM

What kind of budget do you have for your reloading setup purchase? On the inexpensive (but has done a fine job for me) side you have Lee. On the other end of the scale you have Dillon. There's plenty of stuff in between.

leeprecision.com

Riflemanz · 08-22-2007, 05:27 AM

Right in the middle is RCBS.

Roy Weber · 08-22-2007, 06:08 AM

I have found that Lee does a good job!

propellerhead · 08-22-2007, 07:54 AM

This has peaked my interest too. I keep hearing "reloading" over and over again in all the Cost Of Ammo threads.

Basic Info On Reloading: http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...ngstarted.html

It says all you need is the Lee Anniversary Kit ($120) and a Lee Die Set ($50) for the caliber you want to reload.

Ok, I browsed www.midwayusa.com for brass, bullets, powder and primers. I figured I'd price new stuff to make the comparison more equal to buying new factory ammo. Naturally, if you reuse brass the cost will go down.

1000 Magtech Brass ($150)
1000 Rainer 230 gr Bullets ($75)
1000 Primers ($20)
1 lb Powder ($15)

So, everything I listed here so far will cost $430. That's enough to make 1000 rounds of .45ACP 230 grain. At my WalMart, CCI Blazer Brass .45ACP 230 gr goes for $9.47 per box of 50 or $190.

Wow! Not what I expected.

Let's take out the cost of the Lee Anniversary Kit and the Die Set. Let's pretend we have that already and we just need the materials to reload 1000 rounds. That will cost us $260 for 1000. Still more than factory ammo.

What am I missing?

Hooz · 08-22-2007, 08:22 AM

8 pounds of powder will do many thousands of rounds. You need to break it down to the cost per grain if you really want to figure it out.

7,000 grains per pound, times 8 pounds = 56,000 grains of powder

Depending on the load, you'll use 4-8 grains of powder on average, per shell (.45ACP). That figures out to be 7,000 - 14,000 loaded rounds per 8 pounds of powder, depending on your load. So 1 pound of powder would probably be way more than enough to reload your 1000 rounds, or about $12.50 worth.

And range pick-up brass is free, too.

propellerhead · 08-22-2007, 08:24 AM

Would 1 lb of powder work for 1000 rounds of .45ACP?

Hooz · 08-22-2007, 08:32 AM

I edited my post while you were replying. Yes. 1 pound would be more than enough.

ichy_trigger · 08-22-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Would 1 lb of powder work for 1000 rounds of .45ACP?

Clays is a great powder for .45 and you can get 720-750 fps out of 4 grains and a 230 grain bullet. Thats 1750 reloads from 1 lb. of powder

propellerhead · 08-22-2007, 08:40 AM

Thanks. I'll update my earlier post to reflect just 1 lb of powder.

It still costs more to reload. Hmmmm.....

08-22-2007, 04:46 AM	#1
sonyman74 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 412	Want to start reloading but have no idea where to start. Well, I started to save my brass from my 45ACP and I know that prices are starting to go up again in Sep. so I thought I would start to reload the 45's and maybe do the 9mm later. I have no idea what the tools are called and what is a good brand to start with. Is there a site or a book I can get some knowledge from. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ Springfield Armory XD-9 Service & Sub-Compact Springfield Armory XD-45ACP Tactical X2 Benelli Super Nova Tactical Benelli Super Nova Benelli Super Nova Slug Gun Benelli M4 Super 90 Benelli R1 270WSM Bushmaster AR-15

08-22-2007, 05:13 AM	#2
MrBug XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 211	What kind of budget do you have for your reloading setup purchase? On the inexpensive (but has done a fine job for me) side you have Lee. On the other end of the scale you have Dillon. There's plenty of stuff in between. leeprecision.com __________________ How we conduct ourselves defines us. At the end of the day we answer to ourselves. At the end of our days we answer to God.

08-22-2007, 05:27 AM	#3
Riflemanz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 249	Right in the middle is RCBS. __________________ NRA Member Menomonee Falls rod&gun club member I Reload .338wm,45-70,.308,.270,.223,45acp,44mag, fisherman, bowhunter,deerhunter XD45 acp

08-22-2007, 06:08 AM	#4
Roy Weber XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SW MISSOURI Posts: 5	Works for me I have found that Lee does a good job! __________________ We support Right to Carry http://www.missouriccw.com http://www.rockingwholsters.com

08-22-2007, 07:54 AM	#5
propellerhead XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Foat Wurth, TX Posts: 3,653	This has peaked my interest too. I keep hearing "reloading" over and over again in all the Cost Of Ammo threads. Basic Info On Reloading: http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...ngstarted.html It says all you need is the Lee Anniversary Kit ($120) and a Lee Die Set ($50) for the caliber you want to reload. Ok, I browsed www.midwayusa.com for brass, bullets, powder and primers. I figured I'd price new stuff to make the comparison more equal to buying new factory ammo. Naturally, if you reuse brass the cost will go down. 1000 Magtech Brass ($150) 1000 Rainer 230 gr Bullets ($75) 1000 Primers ($20) 1 lb Powder ($15) So, everything I listed here so far will cost $430. That's enough to make 1000 rounds of .45ACP 230 grain. At my WalMart, CCI Blazer Brass .45ACP 230 gr goes for $9.47 per box of 50 or $190. Wow! Not what I expected. Let's take out the cost of the Lee Anniversary Kit and the Die Set. Let's pretend we have that already and we just need the materials to reload 1000 rounds. That will cost us $260 for 1000. Still more than factory ammo. What am I missing? __________________ XD-9 Tactical for IDPA, XD-40 Subcompact for concealed carry, XD-45 Service for home defense. Three models, three purposes, no compromises. Last edited by propellerhead; 08-22-2007 at 08:41 AM.

08-22-2007, 08:22 AM	#6
Hooz XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 2,140	8 pounds of powder will do many thousands of rounds. You need to break it down to the cost per grain if you really want to figure it out. 7,000 grains per pound, times 8 pounds = 56,000 grains of powder Depending on the load, you'll use 4-8 grains of powder on average, per shell (.45ACP). That figures out to be 7,000 - 14,000 loaded rounds per 8 pounds of powder, depending on your load. So 1 pound of powder would probably be way more than enough to reload your 1000 rounds, or about $12.50 worth. And range pick-up brass is free, too. __________________ XD-9 Tactical Member: IDPA, USPSA, ASSA, NRA, GOA Last edited by Hooz; 08-22-2007 at 08:32 AM.

08-22-2007, 08:24 AM	#7
propellerhead XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Foat Wurth, TX Posts: 3,653	Would 1 lb of powder work for 1000 rounds of .45ACP? __________________ XD-9 Tactical for IDPA, XD-40 Subcompact for concealed carry, XD-45 Service for home defense. Three models, three purposes, no compromises.

08-22-2007, 08:32 AM	#8
Hooz XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 2,140	I edited my post while you were replying. Yes. 1 pound would be more than enough. __________________ XD-9 Tactical Member: IDPA, USPSA, ASSA, NRA, GOA

08-22-2007, 08:40 AM	#10
propellerhead XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Foat Wurth, TX Posts: 3,653	Thanks. I'll update my earlier post to reflect just 1 lb of powder. It still costs more to reload. Hmmmm..... __________________ XD-9 Tactical for IDPA, XD-40 Subcompact for concealed carry, XD-45 Service for home defense. Three models, three purposes, no compromises.

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