should I start reloading?

do your detailed research into the cost of loaded ammo purchased by case lots, vs what the components cost!
in similar CASE LOTS (in BULK)
yes if you have a good deal of decent fired brass , it's very likely that you can save a considerable,
percentage of the cost of new ammo in the handloading (RELOADING) process, but the amount you'll save depends a good deal,
on how much you shoot, what caliber you reload, and how many times you can re-use the brass, in days past , it was very common,
to pay off the cost of the "basic reloading equipment required" in a few months to maybe a years time,
thus over several years you could save a considerable amount in the process, especially with some calibers vs others.
if you cast your own projectiles there's generally a significant savings, in cartridges like the 45/70, 44 mag, 357 mag. etc.
but as you get into the hobby,..there's always better equipment you may desire, or as my older friend says ,
"RELOADING ALLOWS YOU TO SHOOT A WHOLE LOT MORE AMMO FOR THE SIMILAR COST OF FACTORY AMMO"
but it results in a good deal of time and cash spent in reloading equipment and components and time! to do that!

www.mmiammo.com

MKE 5.56X45MM 62GR (SS109) STEEL CORE 1800RDS (450RD BATTLE PACKX4)​

<p>30RDSX60</p>
www.mmiammo.com
www.mmiammo.com
THIS IS A GOOD VALUE (maybe get a buddy to split an order cost)
do your research carefully, there is usually a very big difference,
in ammo cost and shipping cost between vendors
do your research carefully, if your considering reloading, and be aware your time and effort,
and the cost of the reloading tools and components, can frequently make reloading,
if you don't own fired brass prohibitively expensive.
add up the cost of brass, powder,primers and bullets, if your considering reloading
as in some cases it costs you more for the components than the loaded ammo
if your dealing with something like a 450 marlin, 45/70 or a 44 mag or 357 mag, you can generally save
about 40% -60% or more on the cost of reloaded ammo using cast bullets
if your dealing with something like a 223 rem, or 6.8 spc or 308 win, you might find,
that if you don't have lots of brass on hand
loaded ammo is cheaper than the total on components

Starline Brass | Rifle, Handgun, and Pistol Brass​

Starline Brass sells America's finest handgun, rifle and pistol brass cases for reloading ammunition. Factory direct value plus highest quality - shipped to your door.
www.starlinebrass.com

Everglades Ammo​

Everglades Ammo - Your source for reloading components, supplies and products
www.evergladesammo.com
www.evergladesammo.com
 
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currently available new and easily loads both rifle and handgun cartridges
this is a very good value and ID certainly recommend it as a very versatile tool/press, I use mine to reload the 44 mag and 500 S&W revolver cartridges and 450 marlin, 458 lott, rather frequently
Ponsness-Warren-Metallic-II.aspx:like:
is a very good press

Ponsness-Warren-Metallic-M-II.jpg

the RCBS BIG MAX A4 press (below) is only available used, but its an excellent reloading press
ITS the BEST single stage press I ever used

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these presses have good reviews

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probably the most easily available quality press at a decent price

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ask lots of questions and get answers before you purchase a dillion precision press,
you'll want to make the correct choice and the tech guys know exactly what they are dealing with,
these have a life time warrantee



if you want to run off a bunch of cartridges the progressive dillion precision presses are well built and provide a great basic tool, especially if your mostly into handguns and smaller rifle cartridges like 223 rem., 7.62/39, or 308 win


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most cast bullets (especially those designed for revolvers) have a crimp groove in the design) some have two,
, you'll generally find that's what you use. and you select the longest OAL, or rear most crimp groove matching your revolver cylinder, that does not result in loaded cartridges that has bullets loaded too extend so much as the bullet extends out of the revolvers cylinder, the less distance the bullet moves before entering the barrel forcing cone the more consistent the accuracy tends to be!
crimp cast bullets firmly, as recoil may allow a improperly crimped bullet to move forward binding the cylinder.
measure the cylinder bore exit diam, it should ideally be a thousandth or maybe 1.5 thousands larger than the barrel forcing cone and bore of the rifling diam. cylinder bore exit diam. should never be smaller than forcing cone and bore diam or accuracy is going to be abysmal
forcing cone diam, should be about 1-1.5 thousands larger than bore diam.
yes this commonly means you lube size the cast bullets to a marginally larger diam. than the revolvers bore diam, to get best accuracy

450-.454 is the common bore diam. range on the 45 colt, bullets must be sized and lubed larger than forcing cone and rifle bore diam.
cylinder throat diam must be marginally larger than the forcing cone throat of the barrel and forcing cone to get any decent accuracy
cast bullets self center engaging the rifling and swage as they seal to bore

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example most 44 mag revolvers have a .429 -430 bore, most cast 44 mag bullets are sized .430-.432 to get best accuracy

this info should help increase your hand load accuracy a great deal if followed carefully, DO YOU OWN A CALIPER
 
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keep in mind prices on both component you use and factory ammo constantly change, ind its rather common to find used brass very cheaply at some ranges or swap meets

as a general rule you can save more than 50 percent on the cost of ammo with reloads and saving 70 percent or more is very common
especially on larger caliber rifles or when using cast bullets

generally reloading the more common mill surplus cartridges will result in more savings aas components tend to be found in bulk purchased lots much cheaper

get into the big bore hunting rifles and savings can be amazingly good, use cast gas check bullets in a 45/70 or 458 win and 80 percent of more savings are easy

with the more exotic big bore revolvers like the 500 s&w and 445 dwsm, reloading is like owning a printing press for money, you can save 90 percent or more using hard cast Gas check bullets and have better than factory ammo quality
 
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