scaredyet wrote:I didn't think this was such an expensive hobby, maybe I'll just stick my 22
juststarting wrote:scaredyet wrote:I didn't think this was such an expensive hobby, maybe I'll just stick my 22
It depends how much you shoot... But yes, it will always be cheaper to reload than to buy factory. Especially if you're dealing with target rounds that require consistency and quality. So yeas, it will be cheaper.
sungazer wrote:While that may sound like a smart arse reply it could be right. It all depends on how much you shoot to where the crossover point will be to pay for the initial setup costs. Then also it depends on if you put any value to your time because if you do your going to be behind the breakeven line always.
probably the best you could do in just value of components would be $1.50
bentaz wrote:scaredyet wrote:f*** me
Buy everything in bulk too if you want to save a buck. Reloading can save you heaps, I reload 38's for about 12 cents a shot for plinking, I'd think you could bring the cost of your 6.5 down a fair bit but you need to beware, reloading is addictive.
I've spent far more on reloading gear than I'm ever likely to save plinking with the 38 lever gun.
I've got 4 different presses
Casting gear
Priming tools
Mini metal lathe
Work benches
Case trimmer
Case prep gear
Drill press
All in an airconditioned fridge truck.
I used to have 1 press, 2 sets of dies and that's all, I used to save money then I reckon, lol!
juststarting wrote:LOL, PM me when you're ready.
Zarrs wrote:juststarting wrote:LOL, PM me when you're ready.
I may take you up on this offer closer to Christmas if its still there! I just got my Lee Kit today I just need a couple of more things and I'll be good to go!
Oldbloke wrote:Zarrs wrote:juststarting wrote:LOL, PM me when you're ready.
I may take you up on this offer closer to Christmas if its still there! I just got my Lee Kit today I just need a couple of more things and I'll be good to go!
Great, got the die yet?
Zarrs wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lee-Deluxe-Quick-Trim-Case-Trimmer-90437-Quick-Trim-Die-308-Win-90231-Bundle/162737964143?hash=item25e3f0446f:g:A5sAAOSwvD5Z~pwX
I really like this idea for trimming brass thoughts? or waste of money
juststarting wrote:...and so it begins.
I kind of disagree. I started with Lee Quick Trim and generally it's alright. Cheap, works, no issues - if you are going to stay on common calibers, it should do fine.
You do have to do it by feel and sound. You mess up a handful of cases, but you'll develop 'a feel for it'. It says you can adjust it, but I never had any luck with that. You may get some inconsistencies, depends how @#$% retentive you are, you may be happy (or not) with error margin.
If you are planning to get more guns in different calibers and more obscure calibers and wildcat calibers, than at some stage you won't be able to find a specific die for said obscure case. So you will need to get something like this:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lyman-Universal-Case-Trimmer-7862000/332361405687?epid=1511021301&hash=item4d624894f7:g:ki0AAOSw3ONZpT9n
With this type of trimmer, you just make a master case once, and work from that. Lee Quick Trim is never quite the same.
If you do go with this type, pay attention to what pilots you get (should get entire set, it covers all calibers) and type of case clamp (left side, where case is fixed to the device). Lyman has the best one in my opinion. I have RCBS, plus Lee Quick Trim and Lyman (link above, picked it up second hand from reloading FB group) - my favourite. I also tweaked it with DIY adapter to use electric screwdriver, rather than a manual hand crank (N.B. you can buy separate power adapter for Lee Quick Trim, but it jams up the blade with shavings too much). Cranking this stuff for 100 cases gets old fast. And when you get tired or cramping hands, you will lose consistency in cutting/length.
Set you linked is $70. And say $20 per die. That means you will need to get 5 more calibers, until Lyman start making sense. It's not too hard to get to that number... And then there is die availability, this is why I got the lathe style cutter, because Lee doesn't make a trim die for one of my calibers.
If you get Quick Trim, it will do 95% of what you need at fraction of the (starting) cost.
If you get lathe type trimmer, it will do 100% of whatever you throw at it, but at almost triple the cost.
In hindsight, I should have started with Lyman, not Lee.
juststarting wrote:All in all, you said pretty much what I said though, no? You have both, you use both, you use rotary because Lee doesn't make a die for your 'just because' caliber