Author Topic: How much does it cost to get started reloading? (Read 1451 times)

Squirrelsaurus Rex · « **on:** February 15, 2004, 06:06:18 AM »

I'm buying a K31 7.5 Swiss in excellent condition, and I've found some sources of milsurp ammo, but I suspect I'll want to start reloading for it eventually. So I'm wondering about the cash outlay for the necessary equipment. I'm not asking for a list of things I'll need, because I probably won't be able to start until next year after I move (too many bills to deal with until then). I'm just wondering how much I can expect it to cost to get everything I'll need. I've heard there are some less expensive presses that make better use of limited space? That would be a better option for me, as I also won't be reloading huge amounts of ammo, just for the K31 (which I've found can easily be set up with a scope), maybe my 8mm Yugo Mauser if I ever get around to mounting a scope on it (problematic), and any other milsurp rifles I acquire in the future (although I also have a Savage 110FP heavy barrel in .30-06 that might benefit from handloading). So I don't need top of the line equipment for handloading in large quantities. I guess I'm wondering about the cost of getting started with just the simple essentials, not the more fancy equipment.
Also, I've heard people talk about dies, re-sizers, chamfering tools, etc. That stuff is all Greek to me. I'm not familiar with handloading at all, never even read about how to do it. I'd like to do some reading to learn the basics until I'm able to get started. Are there any books you can recommend, just a general introduction to handloading and what's involved, for a beginner?
Thanks.

Will_C · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:10:26 AM »

The very first thing you should do is buy a reloading manual. Personally, I like the Nosler or the Sierra, but any will do to walk you through the process. It would be great if you knew an experienced reloader you could rely on for guidance. That is how I got started.
As far as price, it is hard to say. I am sure that you could start loading for one cartridge for less than $100 initially.
Good Luck,
Will

Squirrelsaurus Rex · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:18:39 AM »

$100? That's a lot less than I was expecting. I don't know anyone that's into reloading. I'll have to rely on reading books and forums like this one. Where can I get these reloading manuals?

ricciardelli · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2004, 09:16:56 AM »

Some people buy a Yugo, others buy a Ferrari. Most people buy something between the two.

You can get started reloading for around $50 (for equipment), but you better be sitting around a campfire in the old west singing cowboy songs, and hoping the Indians don't attack at night!

A good way to get started is with two kits from RCBS. The Rockchucker Supreme Kit and the Accessory Kit. If you shop well, the Rockchucker Supreme can be had for around $245, and the Accessory Kit for around $74. That will give you everything you absolutly "need" to get started in an organized fashion. Then you need a set of dies and a shellholder...RCBS dies for the 7.5 Swiss will run around $39 for the full-length kit and around $34 for the neck-sizer die. The shellholder will be around $5.

So you have spent about $397 so far, now it is time for the "consumables".

Let's say you decide on 165 to 168 grain bullets (around $15/100), Winchester WLR primers ($14/1000), and H-4831 powder ($16/pound).

You are now up to $442.

Now what if you wanted to buy a Yugo?

Lee Loader around $13, or the Lee Hand Press Kit around $39 (unfortunately neither are available in 7.5 Swiss). So you would have to go with the Lee Anniversary Kit at $69. it would cost you around $125 to buy the items included in the accessory kit as individual pieces, and a set of Lee dies would run around $18. Total investment so far? $212.

If you decided on a bullet other than a decent 165-168 grain you could get them as low as $12/100, primers would still be $14/1000 and you could use a powder that only costs $11/pound.

Investment for your "Yugo" reloading equipment...$249.

Now, you say you want a Ferrari? Okay, then the Dillon XL650 .... $387 for the press alone! Naked...

You can buy Hornady factory ammo for your 7.5 for around $15 a box of 20. You could buy almost 30 boxes of factory ammo for the cost of just getting started reloading.

The big question is..."How much do you intend on shooting?"

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2004, 11:29:24 AM »

Squirrelsaurus Rex,

Don't let Steve scare you off just yet! He tends to do that sometimes.
I keep telling beginners that you can find new & used equipment on ebay along with manuals too. The biggest reason for buying an RCBS kit is that you've never done it before, you don't know what you need and since RCBS has this return policy you can't go wrong. If you need a press, beam scale, powder measure, case trimmer, deburring tool, calipers, dies, and the consumables, etc., then why not just save some money and get the package deal/price? Believe me, there are other brands just as good but RCBS does it all in one starter package and you won't have to replace the stuff later on 'cause it's starter junk! People use the Rockcrusher their whole life.

Jim

The Shrink · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2004, 01:52:41 PM »

SquirrelSaures Rex

Jim almost has it right - I never got to the Rockchucker! I've been happily reloading rifle and pistol cartridges and forming from 30-06 to 8mm-06 with the RCBS Jr3 for over 20 years. You don't sound like you are gonna swage bullets or even cast and size them on the press you buy.

After saying that, I'd strongly recommend you buy RCBS or Lyman or another solid, reputable maker. You don't need to fool with something that is made wrong or with poor tolerences, and Lee seems to have too many of those problems to recommend for a novice to start with. Unfortunate, cause their prices can't be beat. Anyway, I'd suggest you spring for a good press, cause what you buy now will probably last you a lifetime, just as my Jr3 is lasting me.

With rear locking bolt actions you will need to pay closer attention to case stretch. You will need to trim frequently, and that's one piece of equipment you might want to bump up to a motorized version. Turning that crank gets tiresome quickly, and you are gonna do it regurlarly with that 7.5 Swiss.

Wayne the Shrink

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:25:49 PM »

Quote from: The Shrink

With rear locking bolt actions you will need to pay closer attention to case stretch. You will need to trim frequently, and that's one piece of equipment you might want to bump up to a motorized version. Turning that crank gets tiresome quickly, and you are gonna do it regurlarly with that 7.5 Swiss.

Wayne the Shrink

The K31 is NOT a rear locking bolt action. Case stretch is no different from any comparable front locking turn bolt.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:31:33 PM »

Squirrelsaurus,

Here's a good article on reloading on the cheap.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reloading/index.asp

If you live in an apartment, you might want to check your local laws including fire regulations. Some do not allow the storage of any amounts of smokeless powder in multi-family dwellings.

Squirrelsaurus Rex · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2004, 11:31:31 PM »

I think the Shrink was thinking of the original Schmidt-Rubin of 1889, I believe it was a rear-locking design, but was later changed and finally evolved into the K31.

Anyway, we're planning to move to Oregon this summer into a house, so I should have some more room. For some reason, I have an interest in oddball stuff more than the more commonly available stuff. I'm fine with factory ammo for modern calibers, but reloading interests me because of the possibilities with obsolete calibers, like the Swiss and the 7.7 Arisaka, and some others. I guess that's why, when some people were telling me I should get an in-line muzzleloader because I already shoot flintlocks, I went the opposite direction and ordered a 48"-barrelled .75 caliber matchlock musket instead! I'm just an oddball sort, I guess.:mrgreen:

Thanks for all the advice. Lots of stuff to think about. I'll start by doing some reading to get a grasp of the basics. Now to explain to the wife that I've found yet another aspect of my 'gun obsession' to delve into...

(I don't suppose you can offer any advice about that, can you...?)

The Shrink · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2004, 01:41:59 AM »

Well, yeah, Rex.

I'm not a Shrink for nothing, after all. Do you have kids? Or plan to? Think about living history, the educational aspects of what you do. Safety training, the effect of enginering on historical development, tie it into something in which they have an interest or may develop one. Think about all that you can teaach that is ancillary, like leatherwork, machining if you get into gunsmithing, or chemistry and physics from reloading.

Are you of the gerontological set? Research proves that those who do not develop new interests and that do not stretch their brains end up dying! No, seriously, staying involved and learning new things improves the brain and increases the development of new neural pathways, which keeps the thinking flexible and increases quality of life.

Finally, whatever happened to "I like it."? I hope your POSSLQ has interests of her own that you support. If not, include her in yours or encourage the development of hers.

Is this enough to get you started?

Wayne the Shrink

Mawgie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2004, 02:19:50 AM »

I recently bought reloading equipment: a Dillon turret press starter kit; a Lyman Reloading Manual; dies for my caliber; brass; primers; bullets and powder. The total cost was around $400. Lee equipment will also get the job done well, and is much less expensive. If you substitute Lee for Dillon, you can knock around $200 off the price. Many think that Lee presses aren't built to the quality of the other three major manufacturers (RCBS, Dillon and Redding). Perhaps not, but they are much, much less expensive, and I'm sure work fine for the most part.

Good luck.

bgjohn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2004, 02:45:46 AM »

First get a reloading manual. Then start buying used stuff a little at a time. Before you know it you'll have most of what you'll need. Things like a Rockchucker are nearly impossible to wear out. You might have to buy new dies for the 7.5 Swiss so buy them last.
JM

bgjohn · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2004, 02:50:22 AM »

Quote from: The Shrink

Well, yeah, Rex.

I'm not a Shrink for nothing, after all. Do you have kids? Or plan to? Think about living history, the educational aspects of what you do. Safety training, the effect of enginering on historical development, tie it into something in which they have an interest or may develop one. Think about all that you can teaach that is ancillary, like leatherwork, machining if you get into gunsmithing, or chemistry and physics from reloading.

Are you of the gerontological set? Research proves that those who do not develop new interests and that do not stretch their brains end up dying! No, seriously, staying involved and learning new things improves the brain and increases the development of new neural pathways, which keeps the thinking flexible and increases quality of life.

Finally, whatever happened to "I like it."? I hope your POSSLQ has interests of her own that you support. If not, include her in yours or encourage the development of hers.

Is this enough to get you started?

Wayne the Shrink

Huh? What's this got to do with getting into reloading? And, what's a POSSLQ?
JM

williamlayton · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:51:46 AM »

Just a thought. I did it and it was fun.
Go back in the bone pile on this forum and read all the post from these boys on all the questions about equipment. It is very enlightining an all your questions have been discussed.
blessings

MnMike · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:56:55 PM »

Start with Lee. The aniversary kit costs about $70. You will need a few other things for about $20. Read the NRA realoading manual. It gives you a pretty good overview. If you like reloading you can start upgrading parts of the Lee kit (if you want - after three years I haven't yet).
Good luck!

Will_C · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2004, 02:14:04 PM »

I agree that my $100 figure represented a low end approach to reloading. I also did not take into account consumables (I figured that would take the place of factory ammo that you are not buying.) I am fortunate that I have been able to acquire some good stuff (RCBS, Redding, etc.), and I do a decent amount of reloading. If I was just starting, I don't think I would spend the amount of money I have invested in equipment. Just my thoughts,
Will

Riflemanz · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2004, 06:57:55 AM »

I bought the rbcs master kit.Its a great set-up to learn.Rcbs has a
1-800 ? line to answer your questions.Their warranty is fantastic.If anything breaks they replace it.If you find that reloading is not for you(Which i doubt)you can sell it on ebay and get your money back!

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:11:12 AM »

I figure it costs about $10,000 to get started in reloading. By the time you factor in all the guns you'll eventually have, and other equipment related to shooting, 10K ought to get you started with the basics.

Of course you can spend more if you want. I know a guy who just spent $225,000 for his latest hunting accessory, a float plane.

My point is that it's a system. You can't really add up the costs of reloading in isolation. Anybody disagree with this?

;)

JBMauser · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:20:29 PM »

Squirrelsaurus Rex, by now you have probably figured out that the cost to start reloading is what ever you can spend! The bare minimum is a box of bullets$20, a one pound can of powder$20 a sleeve of primers$2.5 and a manual Lee loader in the cal. you have$15. ( I don't think that they make it in 7.5) The next step up is a lee Pacesetter die set with a dipper measure $30 and either the lee single stage press $30 or their hand press$30 (then you could load at the range. then you could shoot, handload, reload and shoot again) You could do all this with a lee case trimmer for 7.5 and a neck deburrnig tool for around $100. that is assuming you have kept your boxer primed brass. The advice on getting a manual now and reading up will save you $$ and time when it comes time to buy components as you will have found some recipies to start with. Buy a manual from other than the bullet boys, except for Speer they are lighter on basic knowledge and heavy on marketing thier bullets. Get Lee, Lyman or speer first, you can get the others later. You can get data from the powder boys at no charge to build your database. One last point. components don't go bad. You can start handloading at levels, very basic to start and add equipment as you can invest more time and money. a cheap single stage press bought to start can become your deprimer when you buy your mega press later. Dies you buy now will also fit that mega press. In short, you don't need a lot to get you going and shooting through this season. Next year you can Kick it up a notch and you will be a more knowledgable consumer. Welcome to a great hobby. JB[/code][/i]

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:03:02 PM »

Now this is my perspective. The startup cost of any project, from bullets to bombshelters, as a friend so aptly put it, is not the criteria. The start up cost often are insignificant if you look at the end cost. How am I doing on justification so far.
My latest figures on my startup cost seem to be between 500/700 in American. These numbers will be determined by what equipment I choose, what grade and of course how many calibers are needed.
The long haul cost seem to be better than purchasing factory produced except in the smaller calibers. It seems to me, if I stay with the program, That I can recoup these cost within the year.
Of course I won't cause, like all, I will find something else to spend those savings on.
Blessings

bgjohn · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2004, 02:44:45 AM »

I say again. Buy a how to reloading manual then start accumulating used equipment a little at a time. Pretty soon you have enough to get startted.
JM

jhm · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2004, 04:13:48 AM »

All I am going to say about the cost of reloading is when I die and my wife sells it to someone for what she thinks I have spent someone is going to get a real bargin :-D Then again I have had a lot of grief and satisfaction with the process, shop around at your local gun clubs there are people who have used equipment for sale all the time and with the quality of the equipment today and the warrenty you get you cant wear it out.

JIM

The Shrink · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2004, 01:26:18 AM »

Ah, William, I completely agree. But then you have to include the costs of the shed, the blue air and all the blood loss incurred as well as the financial cost! Been there, done that!

Wayne

williamlayton · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2004, 01:33:45 AM »

Well, bringin up tha shed hurt my feelins. Tha shed was hurt by your comment also. Tha shed said it didn't make itsownself so unsquare. I have repeatidly said I was not responsable. $$$$$ spent was jest soas i'd have sumthin to do.
Drivin me to tha poorhouse fer sure.
But tha shed aint figured in tha expense, It's figured in tha expense of smokin and satisfyin tha hen.
Blessings

The Shrink · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2004, 02:06:36 AM »

Sorry, didn't intend to hurt any tender feelings. Just wanted the small furry dinosaur that thinks he's a King to realize how far this obsession can take us! Fun obsession, too.

Wayne

williamlayton · « **Reply #25 on:** February 26, 2004, 03:40:24 AM »

Tha shed an I accept your heartfelt apologizes, Doan do tha bank account any good thou--OH WELL, it'l will recover.
Blessings