Looking for people’s thoughts on whether it’s worth starting to reload. I ask bc I hear of so many issues getting good brass. And at what point do you feel reloading your own is better or more economical that buying custom loads? Thanks
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Novice here...
- Thread starter Rootdoc
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Reloading for precision is really my only purpose. You won't save money reloading, you just end up shooting more.
You make "match" ammo, .223, 6.5C, 308 and some others have "match" ammo commercially available, but
Most others don't.
And if your are shooting the bigger bore rifles ammo is very costly and usually not "match" quality..
BTW---------reloading is ANOTHER hobby in itself.
You make "match" ammo, .223, 6.5C, 308 and some others have "match" ammo commercially available, but
Most others don't.
And if your are shooting the bigger bore rifles ammo is very costly and usually not "match" quality..
BTW---------reloading is ANOTHER hobby in itself.
You need to ask your self a couple of questions,
What is your purpose in shooting? ( Hunting, plinking, PRS, benchrest, etc.)
How many rounds a month are you going to shoot?
And what is your budget.
What is your expectations, accuracy? .1-.3 or is 1 MOA OK?
If your a casual shooter and maybe 50 or so rounds a month, then just buy factory loaded
If you really have to chase that .2 or .1 moa group, then you have to reload.
It is not cheaper. Ask anyone here that reloads, how many thousandsss of dollars
spend on supplies and such to just get started to reloading.
Priceless, worth ever penny to me.
What is your purpose in shooting? ( Hunting, plinking, PRS, benchrest, etc.)
How many rounds a month are you going to shoot?
And what is your budget.
What is your expectations, accuracy? .1-.3 or is 1 MOA OK?
If your a casual shooter and maybe 50 or so rounds a month, then just buy factory loaded
If you really have to chase that .2 or .1 moa group, then you have to reload.
It is not cheaper. Ask anyone here that reloads, how many thousandsss of dollars
spend on supplies and such to just get started to reloading.
Priceless, worth ever penny to me.
I am starting to think its never too soon to start , I have been thinking of doing the same thing myself .
Another point to consider: Reloading can definitely allow one to produce precision ammunition for their rifle(s), but it can also add another interesting aspect to precision shooting. It allows you to experiment with several variables of ammunition which would not be possible if you are shooting factory ammo.
If you buy a basic starter reloader kit and never upgrade. If you buy cheap brass or once fired brass. If you buy factory seconds bullets. If you do not compete on a regular basic. If your time is not worth much. If you make up a few thousand rounds yearly. Then reloading maybe cheaper than buying ammo, Caliber dependent.
Today, reloading is about maximizing your rifles abilities. It's also a handy excuse for a poor outing, not practicing, and justifying your gadget addiction.
Go to any PRS/NRL match and watch the shooters before you take their advise about proper reloading. Few people actually consistency make better or more consistent ammo than what can be bought. You also get to blame every missed shoot not on wind but your ED/SD.
I like gadgets and lying to my self about my perfect load that shoots 1/4" all day and twice on Sunday. I've not been corrupted enough to use the ED/SD excuse yet, but its coming!
Today, reloading is about maximizing your rifles abilities. It's also a handy excuse for a poor outing, not practicing, and justifying your gadget addiction.
Go to any PRS/NRL match and watch the shooters before you take their advise about proper reloading. Few people actually consistency make better or more consistent ammo than what can be bought. You also get to blame every missed shoot not on wind but your ED/SD.
I like gadgets and lying to my self about my perfect load that shoots 1/4" all day and twice on Sunday. I've not been corrupted enough to use the ED/SD excuse yet, but its coming!
I kinda like reloading.
Sometimes it’s a chore but it can be a rewarding hobby.
And a slippery slope!
Sometimes it’s a chore but it can be a rewarding hobby.
And a slippery slope!
There are no issues getting good brass. People telling you this don’t understand what good brass is.
First question to ask is what you intend to do.
Benchrest absolutely requires that you handload otherwise you will never be competitive. That is short range, long range and anything in between. Pretty much the same for F/TR, F Open, Palma and most formal known range competitions.
Tactical rifle competitions are a little different as reliability under field conditions negates use of ultra tight clearances for reliability purposes and the same degree of accuracy is not required (not to say that they are not accurate). Those slightly more generous clearances allow for a few factories to make very good ammo and due to the large quantity sold allows for pretty good pricing.
Then there is the whole 'nother world of IPSC/USPSA including 3-gun. If you plan on reaching the there you're talking not thousands of rounds but tens of thousands. Most competitors reload and on progressive presses. The shear volume means the cost of equipment and components (save the brass, the most expensive component) can actually be amortized compared to the cost of buying factory ammo.
Then there is occasional shooting for fun. If you shoot .223 or .308 or some other common chambering good factory ammo is easily purchased and can be purchased in bulk if desired at a savings.
I started reloading about fifty years ago because A. my old man reloaded B. reloadied ammo was way more accurate than the factory fare at the time and C. allowed use of bullets that were not available in factory loadings. I find reloading as much of a hobby as shooting, research and experimentation and all.
You can start cheap. For instance Lee and RCBS both have starter kits that can get you started for not a lot of money. Is better equipment available? Of course. But you're not out of pocket much if you decide it isn't for you. If you've never reloaded before get a manual and read it first, watch the many videos on the web, find someone who reloads, observe and learn.
Benchrest absolutely requires that you handload otherwise you will never be competitive. That is short range, long range and anything in between. Pretty much the same for F/TR, F Open, Palma and most formal known range competitions.
Tactical rifle competitions are a little different as reliability under field conditions negates use of ultra tight clearances for reliability purposes and the same degree of accuracy is not required (not to say that they are not accurate). Those slightly more generous clearances allow for a few factories to make very good ammo and due to the large quantity sold allows for pretty good pricing.
Then there is the whole 'nother world of IPSC/USPSA including 3-gun. If you plan on reaching the there you're talking not thousands of rounds but tens of thousands. Most competitors reload and on progressive presses. The shear volume means the cost of equipment and components (save the brass, the most expensive component) can actually be amortized compared to the cost of buying factory ammo.
Then there is occasional shooting for fun. If you shoot .223 or .308 or some other common chambering good factory ammo is easily purchased and can be purchased in bulk if desired at a savings.
I started reloading about fifty years ago because A. my old man reloaded B. reloadied ammo was way more accurate than the factory fare at the time and C. allowed use of bullets that were not available in factory loadings. I find reloading as much of a hobby as shooting, research and experimentation and all.
You can start cheap. For instance Lee and RCBS both have starter kits that can get you started for not a lot of money. Is better equipment available? Of course. But you're not out of pocket much if you decide it isn't for you. If you've never reloaded before get a manual and read it first, watch the many videos on the web, find someone who reloads, observe and learn.
I’m new to reloading. Only been at it for about 4 months. I’ve learned so much from the members on here and I feel that much more confident about my rifle and knowing that anyone can reload if you are willing to take the time to learn and there will be a lot of trial and error. I think I’m at about 100 hand loads to date with 6 different sessions from my 1st ladder test to fine tuning my 1st loads for both my 6.5 rifles. I look at reloading as a new hobby... it is probably the best way to describe it.
Here are some items that were a must for me.
- Forster bullet puller. You are going to mess up, and the ‘hammer’ style bullet pullers work, but not well when you have a lot and if you want to save the powder. The Forster puller works great.
- Chronograph. I personally like data and this was a must for me. I couldn’t see myself going to the range and not know if anything I did to this particular load made any difference statistically vs group size. I had a V3, moving to a Labradar for my own reasons. There are cheaper chronos for sure.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Here are some items that were a must for me.
- Forster bullet puller. You are going to mess up, and the ‘hammer’ style bullet pullers work, but not well when you have a lot and if you want to save the powder. The Forster puller works great.
- Chronograph. I personally like data and this was a must for me. I couldn’t see myself going to the range and not know if anything I did to this particular load made any difference statistically vs group size. I had a V3, moving to a Labradar for my own reasons. There are cheaper chronos for sure.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I honestly don’t know with the quality of some of the factory ammo for the average shooter if there is much “benefit” to reloading. Now like someone said above, if you are shooting something like benchrest or even f-class or something similar then you do need the added improvement of the inherent improvement in precision from reloading.
For me reloading is more of hobby. It’s just something that allows me to be even more involved with the precision side of shooting and gives me something to do when I cannot shoot. I like being able to experiment with loads and it has helped me to have a little better understanding of ballistics. My loads are in no way cheaper than factory ammo due to the fact of the cost of the equipment I use. I started off with a RCBS kit and eventually replaced everything besides the rock chucker press. I have sunk a lot of money into my reloading equipment to decrease time and maybe make it a little more precise. Spending a lot of money is not necessary to make great reloads, in my opinion 90% of the high end equipment is for more convenience than anything and does not really add anything to the quality of the reloads.
I’ve never had an issue finding good brass for regular cartridges but if it is something that is not a widely adopted round then yes finding brass may be an issue but not as much as it was in the past since there are so many more brass manufacturers. Honestly, most brass can make fairly high quality reloads for a precision rifle.
For me reloading is more of hobby. It’s just something that allows me to be even more involved with the precision side of shooting and gives me something to do when I cannot shoot. I like being able to experiment with loads and it has helped me to have a little better understanding of ballistics. My loads are in no way cheaper than factory ammo due to the fact of the cost of the equipment I use. I started off with a RCBS kit and eventually replaced everything besides the rock chucker press. I have sunk a lot of money into my reloading equipment to decrease time and maybe make it a little more precise. Spending a lot of money is not necessary to make great reloads, in my opinion 90% of the high end equipment is for more convenience than anything and does not really add anything to the quality of the reloads.
I’ve never had an issue finding good brass for regular cartridges but if it is something that is not a widely adopted round then yes finding brass may be an issue but not as much as it was in the past since there are so many more brass manufacturers. Honestly, most brass can make fairly high quality reloads for a precision rifle.
I have saved bags of brass since I have been shooting. I say I am going to start reloading but it seems intimidating and expensive to get started,
Just do it. I saved brass for fifteen years before I made the plunge. Started reloading .45 ACP with a Lee Anniversary kit. It made decent ammo for cheap. Now I've moved on from that and really don't load common pistol rounds anymore (it seems cheaper to just buy it loaded nowadays). Precision rifle ammo for your gun is priceless though. One thing I will advise you to avoid: don't buy into the "blue stuff" hype you will see on other sites. Unless you are into blasting hundreds of rounds at dirt clods or competing in high-volume matches you can do better with a good single stage.
Edit to add: Reloading good rifle ammo for me is just as fun as shooting it. Do I reload so I can shoot or vice-versa? Sometmes I feel it to be a little of both.
