Return on investment

[Deleted member 10043]

I'm old. I get single digit SD using regular die sets, Hornady, Lee, Redding, with bullets from SPBT Spitzer, SMK, Berger VLD, old Lee single stage press. 300 H&H, .257, .260, 308. Brass prep is all done on cheap Lee tools that don't break down. Run out is not a problem with results. Seeing too many people making this more complicated than it seems. Even annealing may be over complicating it or creating a problem in itself. Keep it simple is my advice. This is not a pissing. Just curious what is up with other people.

 

[spife7980]

I agree to a certain extent. At least I used to practically and economically. But having gone from manual lee trimmers and all that I really like the fancier tools such as a giraud. Getting 50 pieces sized in the time it used to take me to fully prep 3 pieces with lee hand tools is great. And really I like to reload because it provides me a hobby and offers the unlimited opportunity to chase perfection. And having just bought an annealer thats just the next step in that pursuit. Honestly I doubt it will make my results on paper any better but it allows me to tinker so its what I do. It has taken me 15 years or something to progress to this point from what I was doing as a 12 year old when dad first introduced me to the game with a lee hand loader and 5-5 beam scale. I bet in 50 years I will some how come back around to using the old simple tools. Until then there is always the next better mouse trap.

 

[Ankeny]

I have been reloading for 45+ years. I quit neck sizing, turning, etc. years ago. Now I just fl size with quality dies. I seat with bench rest seater dies. I keep it simple, but I do dress up the primer pockets inside and out on new brass. As for what's up with other people. I suspect they want to produce the best quality ammo possible to tilt the odds in their favor. Nothing wrong with that.

FWIW, I bought a Ken Light annealing machine years ago. I get 25+ loads on my 6mm BR Lapua brass by annealing every 4 loadings. Proper annealing is very worthwhile.

 

[jbcummings]

What distances do you guys normally shoot? Not trying to rain on anyone's statements, just trying to understand if the consistent SDs you're getting are getting you out to 1K+ yards or are we talking about results in the 600-800 yard range. Being a beginner by your standards ( SDs in the 11-13 range), I know shooting at less than 500 yards with a .308 Win is much different than shooting beyond 600 yards. Another 400 yards I'm sure is yet another step altogether.

 

[elfster1234]

one thing is for sure when it comes to reloading.... everyone has an opinion on "how their way is better than everyone else"... its crazy full of opinions and everyone takes a different path to get an end product... anyway, like i've always said... you reload because you enjoy it and you want the most out of your rifle... if you're reloading to save money without really taking in the time to get the end product in account, then reloading will burn you out in 2 seconds flat... my reloading process is just that..... mine.. your reloading process is just that... your reloading process... everyone has their own method to their madness and none of them are really wrong as long as the reloads are safe, consistent, and accurate if you're not progressively making spray and pray ammo

 

[Dirtscience]

I agree with elfster. It was never about saving money for me. It was about making consistent accurate ammo. I like the end results of my reloading efforts and therefore it is worth it to me to spend the time taking many measurements and spending the additional time with brass prep.
If a person does not like tedium I would not suggest reloading to them.

I kinda find it funny that I cant wait to go shooting so I can reload again, lol.

 

[BRU15]

For myself, I didn't get into reloading to save money, I got into reloading to make the very best ammo for my specific rifle(s) and it just so happens that I'm able to do that cheaper than factory match ammo cost.

It may not be necessary to do all the prep that I do however it is peace of mind that when I go and shoot that round I know that I've done my part.

 

[TripleBull]

If a person does not like tedium I would not suggest reloading to them.

You mean "Exacting craftsmanship"!

I kinda find it funny that I cant wait to go shooting so I can reload again, lol.

I could assist in the enablement of your addiction.

 

[PatMiles]

To each their own.
I enjoy reloading, it's kind of like completing the circle for me.
I've reloaded for 25+ years for USPSA (Dillon 650), trap (Dillon SL900) and now for my 6.5 RPR on a Forster Co-ax. I enjoy good equipment and using it. It's my drug of choice!

 

[morganlamprecht]

i agree with culpeper for the most part...i was getting great similar results from a single stage and beam, but its SLOWWW...im tooled up now tho and all of my reloading upgrades are for volume/speed

650xl w/ case feeder, i can load 125 rounds of single digit SD 308 (10 round strings) in 11 minutes from fired brass to ready to shoot, 223 is similar for AR blasting stuff...brass sizing/priming in all other calibers is fast, as well

2 chargemasters for throwing powders that dont throw well with the dillon powder drop, and for load work, because it way faster to type in a number you want that adjusting a drop and checking weight

giraud for trimming

i shoot too often to keep it plain and simple...id have to spend all my spare time reloading

 

[Sheldon N]

+1

The return on investment is time.

Most of my purchases for reloading in the past year have been based on the desire to speed up production. Some tools both speed up production and improve precision.