How to reload - Make your own ammunition

[Octane]

I think my point remains valid.

Suggestions made before questions asked, quoting the rest of the post doesn't change that.

Anyhoo, moving along...

[North East]

I just don't shoot enough to justify the cost for setting up reloading. I never go to a range and am not in the SSAA. Occasionally I'll shoot paper, a bit of A4 with a dot in the middle. But do it out in the local State Forest to make sure the scope is zeroed and I'm shooting straight. This only takes 2 or 3 shots.

But each to their own I suppose…I just get bored shooting paper.

[cavok]

Guess I agree with you, that's why IPSC runs rifle and shotgun events, that means no standing, move and shoot, high degree of skills required. Also a rifle and or sometimes a shotgun.

[Lorgar]

I just don't shoot enough to justify the cost for setting up reloading. I never go to a range and am not in the SSAA. Occasionally I'll shoot paper, a bit of A4 with a dot in the middle. But do it out in the local State Forest to make sure the scope is zeroed and I'm shooting straight. This only takes 2 or 3 shots.

But each to their own I suppose…I just get bored shooting paper.

Sounds much the same as me. These days I make a trip to the centrefire 2 or 3 times a year max and it's more often to take friends shooting than go for myself. I head to the local 22 range 5 minutes away still but can't be assed putting a whole day aside for CF.

The kits pay for themselves eventually of course. Took me about 18 months or something I guess to fire the cost worth of the gear, not it's just a little saving on ammo for how much I shoot.

Passes a night with reloading too

[Point223]

Point223,

You definitely don't need a $700 progressive press as a starter (or at all).

A progressive press lets your reload faster, that's it. Not worth it unless you're shooting a lot. As for comments above, I dunno what singles stage presses being "very old fashion" is supposed to mean... They're perfectly fine. Thousands upon thousands of shooters using them every day and they getting the job done no problems at all.

Something like the RCBS Rock Chucker kit is $600 in any shop and comes with everything you need except dies.

rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-kit.jpg

Plus $70 or something for a set of dies.

And there are cheap kits than that too. The Lyman and I think Hornady kits are less. Don't know off the top of my head exactly.

Thanks everyone. Supporter I think your input has been the most constructive.

I will not be shooting a whole lot. Probably once every two months at the local range. I just needs enough to keep me away from giving out my address whenever i'm buying ammo.

I will need to visit a gun shop selling these to learn more about them.

[Westy]

What your not going to get a Dillion 1050 to start out with???? You could make much better rounds with the rockchucker and tune your gun to a load much better with a single stage press than any full auto load of crap 223!! I take it you want it for a "223" and other centre fire rifles Point??? Dillion great for inaccurate hand gun loads but not good for rifle loads in my honest opinion, to much going on to get good loads for good groups. Simple second hand kit will work fine if you can find a good one at a reasonable price!!!!

[cavok]

What your not going to get a Dillion 1050 to start out with???? You could make much better rounds with the rockchucker and tune your gun to a load much better with a single stage press than any full auto load of crap 223!! I take it you want it for a "223" and other centre fire rifles Point??? Dillion great for inaccurate hand gun loads but not good for rifle loads in my honest opinion, to much going on to get good loads for good groups. Simple second hand kit will work fine if you can find a good one at a reasonable price!!!!

Bite, bite, WRONG.

[Warrigul]

No, Westy is 100% correct.

[cavok]

I did highlight this.
He wrote " Dillion great for inaccurate hand gun loads but not good for rifle loads in my honest opinion". He has no opinion, no fish here.
That's the part he and you got wrong.
Keep writing what you will, I will respond to polite posts, politely, as most of what you both write is, dare I say politely, "inaccurate looking to see how stupid the other party is". Don't like being called a liar, or troll, but keep posting.

[Westy]

Words fail me but I will keep posting here if the rest of the crew will have me???? Dare I say it I don't like the inference that I'm am Stupid , please post some groups so we can see how well a dillion press can produce accurate loads. Serious I would love to be shown how wrong I've got it here???? This isn't sarcasm it's pure honesty>>>Looking forward to seeing some Pictures as I've found them to be very inaccurate for target loads???

Cheers Westy

[Timb0]

I'm not trying to get into an argument here, but I have to ask out of my own curiosity. Don't Dillion progressive loaders rely on a powder thrower to meter the powder into the case? If so, I must say I have never had much luck with mechanical throwers consistently metering out the same charge weight. Depending on the powder it can be quiet a difference between each charge.
I weigh each charge even for hunting ammo...... Maybe I'm doing something wrong? but that's my take on it.

[cavok]

Dillon presses do measure exact amounts in any powder fine grain of flake like As30 for shotguns extremely accurately. They in the 650 model or 1050 from memory load around 600 - 800 rounds per hour, each exactly the same. I cannot find a shooter in Australia who load that amount of rounds per week who would not be using a Dillon press, but who knows. I have a Dillon, I have owned two lee presses in the past, lee 1000 also great . Progressive press make loading simple, safe and fast, with the SAME powder charge as exact as you may want. Also I made NO reference to anyone here being stupid, must be some sort of complex. Somewhere a person wrote, I'm unsure who or when. "I am responsible for what I write, I am not responsible for how it is understood". Hence progressive presses, Dillon, Lee take your pick, Lee are a little more my liking, easier, cost less, but I own a Dillon now, 2nd one for me, first one wore out, providing great loads in 4 calibres.

[Westy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This isn't what I asked for I'm wanting pictures of the groups your awesome press is producing that's all!!!! Pictures or it didn't happen as they say!!!! LOL

[Warrigul]

I'm not trying to get into an argument here, but I have to ask out of my own curiosity. Don't Dillion progressive loaders rely on a powder thrower to meter the powder into the case? If so, I must say I have never had much luck with mechanical throwers consistently metering out the same charge weight. Depending on the powder it can be quiet a difference between each charge.
I weigh each charge even for hunting ammo...... Maybe I'm doing something wrong? but that's my take on it.

No you are pretty much on the right track, with rifles I am legendary for my sloppy reloading(it is a chore for me) but even I individually measure each charge when I am serious.

CAVOK is a pistol shooter mainly I would reckon going by his posts, there is a world of difference between a precision rifle round and a pistol round that is thrown in the general direction of an ipsc target.

I shoot metal silhouette and standard centerfire pistol, for these disciplines I individually weigh every charge in my .357 and .32. For me it is worth one or two targets in a round or an extra 20 or so points. I use a progressive for bulk amounts of relatively accurate ammunition through my .38 or .45 but not for the precise stuff.

Having used all types I would say a single stage(in line if you are ultra precise) press is the best option for a rifle shooter who loads less than 5000 rounds a year(the number is variable).

Less than a couple of hundred a year and you may be better off buying factory ammo.

Just my humble opinions.

[Point223]

No two people ever argued and ended up agreeing, ever.

For someone who has never done this before, I'm plenty confused now. LOL!

Would help if you spell out your suggestion/recommendation in a way that lists the manufacturer, name of machine, why is it good for a beginner, etc.

Thanks,

[Supporter]

Thanks everyone. Supporter I think your input has been the most constructive.

Glad to be of help mate.

[agentzero]

Words fail me but I will keep posting here if the rest of the crew will have me?

Votes are pending

[howtow]

No two people ever argued and ended up agreeing, ever.

Welcome to the internet

[Point223]

I found a mate who has a press and powder, casings, primers, bullets, etc... He asked me to get my own set of dies for .308

The next question is are all dies compatible with all presses? like is there a standard they all meet as far as width, length?

[Warrigul]

Most dies and presses are interchangeable. You may also need a shellholder unless he loads for a .243 or some other cartridge with the same size head.

A simple set of LEE dies for under $40 would do.

Occaisonally you will come acrosss an old simplex press in 5/8" but they are uncommon. Would pay to ask him.

[Arth]

The next question is are all dies compatible with all presses? like is there a standard they all meet as far as width, length?

Mostly, yep.

What press does he have and someone can tell you exactly.

[Westy]

Now where back on track can you please post a picture here??? Would like to help