If you shoot a lot it's a must. Factory reloads at my range are up to $14.00 a box of 50. I can turn them out for less than $5.00 a box. That's .45ACP's. Buy good stuff and it will last a life time. The only concerns are go slow and pay attention to what you are doing. What I like is I can tune my loads for my guns. The big booming rounds don't always get the job done as you'll fine out. Go for it you'll enjoy it. I do.

$5 for acp thats sounds really tempting to me too. I have been pricing bullits, powder, primers and stuff. The bullits seem to be fairly expensive do you buy bulk? I think I have sean mostly FMJ though.

Bulk is always better. ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. To the beginner, buy small amounts to find a load that works in your gun.

It'd be the pits if you bought 2,000 rounds only to find they keyhole every 3rd shot in your particular gun.

Also, for pistol get a progressive reloader. I use a dillon 550, and it suits me very well. And, its phenomonally faster than my old single stage I used to use.

It's a great hobby.

It does sound like a lot of fun. I'm all for saving $ as well. What brand of reloader and supplies do suggest. Should I go on line, big box retailer or local gun club?

Nathan

There are other brands, but this is a good place to start reading:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

As far as worth it? Yeah, handloading makes for a really good hobby. The fun factor alone makes it worth it!

WM

I've never done it for my .32 but I have thought about it. It would surely save money if you shoot a lot

Originally Posted by Dr.K

Bulk is always better. ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. To the beginner, buy small amounts to find a load that works in your gun.

It'd be the pits if you bought 2,000 rounds only to find they keyhole every 3rd shot in your particular gun.

Also, for pistol get a progressive reloader. I use a dillon 550, and it suits me very well. And, its phenomonally faster than my old single stage I used to use.

It's a great hobby.

I don't know why you say bulk is always better, might be the Dillion you have. I started out years ago with a single then started a few years ago with a Turret press which I guess is in the middle. I also do a lot of rifle loads.
I have a system with my hand loads. I prep the brass by cleaning, then resizing. I then put them through my trim mate that cleans the primer pocket and sizes it. I do around 1000 within an hour. Then when I'm watching tv with the wife, I use a hand primer to prime them. Then they are set aside. Right now I have 10000 9mm and 45acp brass ready to load. S&W 40 I have around 2000 ready. When I plan on taking a certain pistol to shoot I will look up the load I like for it and to make 250 round at this point only takes me a 1/2 hour.
I like doing it this way because I get to check out the brass a few times before loading and I enjoy the time I spend on reloading because it's very relaxing for me.
I'm thinking about getting a Dillion progressive to make a bunch but what's been stopping me is not taking the time to insure that every I do is checked. I reuse my brass until it's bad and I pick up other brass at my range. I would love a Dillion if I was using new brass all the time.

Some of you bulk guys think I'm crazy. The rifle loads I do are put through at least 10 stages before they are finished.

I'm thinking about getting my son a Dillion for Xmas, maybe he will help me change my old ways.

If reloading cost the same as store brought, I would reload.

You can definitely save money by reloading, or at least you can shoot more for the same amount of money. That must be balanced against other things you could be doing with your time - what's your time worth? I used a Dillon progressive press to make many, many .45ACP rounds during the years I shot in practical pistol competition.

Now I'm at a different stage in life, don't shoot the mass quantities I did when I competed, and earn a better living. I'd rather spend my spare time doing things other than reloading. Generic and surplus ammo is still inexpensive enough for me to pay someone else to do my loading for me. I sold my Dillon press two or three years ago.

Reloading is perfectly safe so long as you follow the established safety rules and practices.

re-load young man. can't quite remember when I started reloading, but i do remember my name. As stated, lot of fun and save boodles of money. Just don't SMOKE......knocks hell out you of if the ash goes astray. And, NO talking while re-loading. You will be surprized to find how many rounds do NOT go bang, because while bullshitting you forgot to check on powder level and you are trying to shoot an unloaded shell. A plastic face mask good idea until you break in. Just is case you make a LITTLE mistake, you have protection. You can expect many, many good points, but plain common sense will take you far. Save your money until you can get a Dillon (550) reloader. You will never regret it. When couple parts on mine broke I merely called Dillon. In a couple of days had my part, NO CHARGE....can you beat that.... If you think I know it all, forget it. I'm still learning and open to suggestions.........hope this helps a little.