Looking to get into reloading

[jarrad27]

(my apologies, I originally posted in wrong forum)

I have read multiple posts, mainly on this site in regards to reloading 9mm luger rounds. The math seems to work out that it won't really save me any money...yet. With the way things are going in the world today, and the direction Washington seems to be heading, I'd rather have the ability to stockpile some ammo. With 9mm being in such great demand, isn't it easier to get the components you need to make a 9mm round, as opposed to placing a bulk backorder that won't be in for months?

I have been looking into the materials/equipment I need to do this. I received a very helpful email from Lee Precision, with the dies, and press that I would need. What I'm looking for now, is what and where to get the brass, bullets, powder, and primers. I have a glock 17 if that helps.

Thank you in advance for any advice/comments/suggestions.

[hornady]

Brass and bullets can still be found, In limited quantities. How ever primers are hard to come by .Most places that do have them. Right or wrong are rationing. I order most all my components from Mid-south shooter on line. Their primers are on back order to. But there are still places selling range brass on line. One thing I would recommend. Stay away from cast bullets till you know more about reloading. Berry bullets on line has platted bullets, for about the same price as lead. I know I will catch heat over, the lead statement. But anyone that has loaded lead can tell you. If everything is not right, bullet Dia, Bullet hardness and speed. You are setting yourself up for leading.

[levib]

The thing about 9mm is it is still relatively easy to find for good prices. They have it at Walmart a lot of the times I've checked, and my local store is almost always stocked up--maybe not with the brand I was looking for, but it's there to be had.

Primers and such are still on back orders from most stores, unless you catch one that just got a shipment in and got more than they need to fulfill existing orders. Most places that have things in stock is because their prices are quite high and people reloading are willing to wait a few months for 1000 primers to come in.

Anyhow, 9mm is one of the few rounds I wouldn't reload, but it's still up to you. I just ordered a ton of stuff for reloading, and even though I shoot 9mm a lot, I'll initially be reloading .223 (not saving much, but will be able to do more accurate loads) and .357 magnum (difficult to find and expensive when I do). I may end up reloading 9mm simply because there are places you can buy jacketed hollow point bullets for hardly more than FMJ and shooting hollow points all the time would be good to mirror what I keep in my Glock 17 (my 'home defense' gun).

The brass I am using is my own spent brass from factory ammunition, since most places I've found new or once-fired brass were pretty expensive.

Here are a few sources for bullets I've seen recommended on PAFOA. I only have a couple orders placed, none have come in yet though.
https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montana.../pricelist.tpl
http://www.berrysmfg.com/
http://www.precisiondeltasales.com/
http://www.bulletsdirect.com/as2/Pat...st.asp?start=1

For primers, I'd recommend finding a place that has a good price, place a back order, and just wait for them to come in. It may take a few months, but you'll save a pile of money, and can just place another order when you get halfway or so through your first order.

Good luck with your new venture.

[Poonie]

Visit any rifle range, and you're bound to find thousands of discarded 9mm cases. I doubt you'd catch any flak for helping to keep the range clean......

Honesly, how much shooting or stockpiling are you planning to do? if not much of either, then reloading may not be for you......If you shoot alot, then its worth it for sure.

I don't shoot handguns all that much, although I do own several. I put some ammo away just for this type of dry spell, so I have enough to hold me over, even if I get the urge to piss some away. I'm holding off on any more ammo purchases until the rainy season comes again .......

[FMJ]

(my apologies, I originally posted in wrong forum)

I have read multiple posts, mainly on this site in regards to reloading 9mm luger rounds. The math seems to work out that it won't really save me any money...yet. With the way things are going in the world today, and the direction Washington seems to be heading, I'd rather have the ability to stockpile some ammo. With 9mm being in such great demand, isn't it easier to get the components you need to make a 9mm round, as opposed to placing a bulk backorder that won't be in for months?

I have been looking into the materials/equipment I need to do this. I received a very helpful email from Lee Precision, with the dies, and press that I would need. What I'm looking for now, is what and where to get the brass, bullets, powder, and primers. I have a glock 17 if that helps.

Thank you in advance for any advice/comments/suggestions.

I'm actually going to encourge the reloading. I just started reloading, not 3 weeks ago. Same as you I looked around, did price comparisons, the whole nine yards. In my area, there was NO 9mm to be had. And when it was here, it was $15. for 50 rounds. I shoot a couple times a week and was going through $300-$400 a month on factory ammo.
I paid $360 for the RCBS deluxe kit, I spent $140 for 1k of primers, powder and lead bullets from betterbullets.com. Personally, I wouldn't say reloading 9mm was too difficult. 9mm is difficult to reload for accuracy but for range use, you can reload it no problem. You just have to read a few manuals, ask lots of questions and you'll be on your way. Like I said, 3 weeks ago I started and I've reloaded 500 rounds of 9mm with only a few minor details to work out. Nothing terrible, in fact all of them fired. And no FTF or FTE's.
The lead bullets were no issue for me. The harder part was figuring out how to adjust the dies correctly. So for an initial $500 investment, I've reloaded 500 rounds which would have cost me $150 to buy. The components cost me $70. You have to consider also, 9mm is rather cheap in comparison to .38/.357, 40 or 45 caliper. Not to mention Rifle ammo. You simply get new dies and you can really start racking up the cost savings.

[RobW]

I'm actually going to encourge the reloading.

I'll second this recommendation. Once you are set up to reload, you have much more control over how you spend your shooting dollar. It may take a short time or a long time to recoup the initial invenstment, depending on what you shoot and how often, but you will get the money back eventually.

Over time, you will run across great deals that really take a bite out of your ammo expenses, but only if you reload. For instance, I picked up 10,000 .40 once-fired cases several years ago for $40. I'm still shooting them. Similar (if not quite so outrageously good) deals on bullets and powder come along, and I am set up to take advantage of them. You should be too ;->

--RobW

[MrBlackHawk]

9mm costs me between $4-$5 a box of 50 to handload. thats using brass that I already have. so it is cheaper than buying it. I'm using a plated bullet or lead cast.

[L T C]

Cost is one factor in reloading, but satisfaction has a role in it too. I really enjoy reloading. There is alot of stuff involved in getting it right, but when you get it right and get to the range and everything comes together when you pull the trigger on your handgun or rifle and your hitting the targets with the rounds you put together, at that point the cost of getting there is kind of forgotten, for me anyway, until my wife reminds me of how much it cost to get there... but she's only joking. I think. Plus I like all the technical stuff involved with putting the different calibers together. Even the 9mm. It's fun. It is worth the learning frustration I had/have to get through to get there, especially without any prior experience or knowledge about reloading. That is where the nice people out there who add to this forum come in. I have learned loads of stuff reading this forum. There is plenty of help available. I started with a progressive press. There is alot to pay attention to, but if you take your time I can't see where it'd be a mistake starting out with a progressive set up. I am not knocking anyones choice of equipment stating this, I'm only speaking of how my mind works. When I decided to reload my own ammo, I did not know whether to get a single station set up or a progressive style and what brand to get. I am kind of stubborn(dumb?)when it comes to getting into something new and when there are starter kits, and kits for the more experienced. I always figure why spend the money on the starter kit when... but, I can see with some rifle ammo where a single station press has advantages over the progressive. Good luck on what you decide!

[FMJ]

Also, while it is difficult to find components, mostly primers and bullets, it's not impossible. Places like Midway and Cabela's are always BO's but thats because thats where everyone shops. I've been lucky at finding primers at the local shops. Go to the less popular places and you could find them.
At worst case, order them online and wait a month. You'll be buying factory rounds during that time anyway, whether you reload or not.
At least you can save the brass and you'll know for sure you have once fired. I pick brass up at the range all the time, and even though you can use 9mm brass practically forever, you don't know how many reloads range brass has been through or how hot it's was last loaded. Just a thought.

[hgsw67]

Its a bit of a trip from Philly but Kingcor is giving a reloading class on the 16th of this month in Milford. He is also planning more classes to be announced. Check out this sites Regional/Pike section for the info.
hgsw67