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reloading press for ammo

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Gun guru

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A friend of mine has mentioned to me that he would like to get into reloading his own ammo with me going in on it. Guys on here have also mentioned this to me, to save money and make better ammo then what the factory ammo is out of the box.

How many of you guys do this? I know that a basic press is about $600 + dies, powder, etc. But If I am going to buy $1000 in hardware I would want to sell some of the ammo I make and recoup the costs. If you reload your own ammo then do you sell it? What are the liabilities of selling it?
 
Selling it would make you a manufacturer of ammunition in the eyes of the ATF, NOT A GOOD THING.

You can get into reloading for much less than a grand if you look around. Old codgers selling off their life"s collection of reloading equipment will get you everything cheap. Used presses show up at gun shows and don"t seem to bring much money.

It all depends on how much you intend on reloading and how much you are shooting. Gunpowder is real high right now, so is brass, primers are just about unobtainable.

Charles
 
I reload for my own personal use ONLY. I would never sell any to make money. I would be hesitant to even give some to a friend to use.

Reloading ammo for yourself is one thing, but reloading for commercial resale is totally different. The potential liabilities are tremendous. It only takes one overloaded cartridge to blow up a gun and seriously injure or kill someone. DO NOT RELOAD FOR COMMERCIAL RESALE, unless you are willing to spend many thousands more and go through all the red tape to become a licensed commercial reloader.
 
You cannot sell it unles you have a manufacturers license as was already stated.
$600 means you are buying a pretty high dollar press. Unless you shoot a lot, it will take a while to break even.
I don't think I have $1000 in all my reloading stuff, and I have 4 shotgun presses and 2 metallic presses and a lot of dies.
 
I"ve been reloading for 49 years and reload for 14 different calibers. I do it because I enjoy it and can indeed make more accurate loads than commercially manufactured ammo.

I never reload for anyone else (except for immediate family) nor do I sell ammo that I loaded. As far as selling goes, I"d be more concerned about the liability issues than I would be about being considered a "manufaturer."

Really not sure where you came up with your starting cost$$$ figure for getting into reloading. Maybe if one gets into the elaborate progressive presses they would cost that much. I think you could get into it today a lot cheaper than that. I have all single stage presses--a Lyman, an RCBS and a LEE. Honestly, I use the LEE more than the others.

Don"t know what else to say--just my $.02.
 
Holy Cow... $600 for a press??? I just bought an RCBS "Big Boss" press for $129. This press is a one-at-a-time model, but it'll git 'r done. Locally, dies are running about $25 for steel... $40 for carbide. Are you looking at "progressive" presses (such as Dillon)? If so, guess the price tag is about right. What I've found recently is that the price of components has gone through the roof and they are extremely hard to find. If you have to buy brass, primers, powder and bullets, many times factory ammo will be cheaper. The only way you'll save is if you already have the brass. My experience is that it is pretty difficult to sell reloaded ammo (would YOU buy ammo that you weren't sure of?) Due to prices of components, the chances of making any money would be slim and none. My comments are based on prices and availability in my locale... yours may differ. Bottom line is... get a good reloading book first and do some homework. If it looks as if you could come out ahead, go for it! ps... might check into liability insurance too! ...d
 
wyod-

Even if you have to buy components at today's prices, reloading is still cheaper than buying commercial ammo. The only way to justify commercial ammo is if a person is just an occasional shooter (like just during a specific hunting season) or if one can get some sort of a deal on commercial ammo and keep the brass for reloading.

I'm skeptical of gun guru;s cost figures. I think I saw a nice Hornady reloading kit for under $200.00.
 
I just bought some ammo this past week-end... 250 rounds 45 ACP @ $99... works out to about .39 1/2 cents ea. Also just bought some .45 cal bullets @ $23/100 rds or .23 cents ea. Primers @ $35.00/1000 or 3 1/2 cents ea. Add about .06 to .08 cents for powder and the cost per round is about .32 1/2 cents to about 34 1/2 cents per round IF you already have the brass... if not, add another .25 cents (OR MORE depending on caliber) Guess it depends on how much spare time you have whether it is economical to re-load. As others have mentioned... I don't reload because its so much cheaper... I reload because its much better! ...d
 
I have 2 Lee single stag presses and have less then $100 in both of them. Got one at an auction for a high price of $7 yep $7 and use it off an on a lot. Yes a Dillion press can be $600 plus but once you get past a point on it one strok and you have a loaded shell
 
I handload for quality as well as cost. Handloaded ammo will outperform the factory stuff by a huge margin. Handloading also gives you versatility you can't get from factory ammo. For example, factory .30-'06 ammo is generally available in only 150 and 180 grain bullets, but handloaders can use bullets as light as 110 grains all the way up to 220 grain.

I prefer the term "handloading" to "reloading", since I haven't purchased a round of factory ammo in over 20 years. I purchase new, unprimed brass for my loads.

I currently load .22-250, .243, .30-06, .38 Special, 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum and .45 Colt.

As everyone else said, it's ridiculous to buy a 600 dollar progressive press to start out. Get a good single-stage press like the RCBS Rockchucker. Used Rockchuckers are available on eBay for less than 100 bucks. Get the dies you need, a good scale, powder measure and case trimmer. The Wilson case trimmer is the best, by the way, and inexpensive.

I assume you're going to be loading for your AR. Gas guns have some peculiarities that you need to be aware of. First, they are rough on brass and cases must be inspected each loading for incipient case head separation. You can get much better case life and reduce the need for trimming by using the RCBS "X-Die" resizing die. Also, you need to be careful and use only load data for the AR, as bolt gun loads may use powders inappropriate (too slow) for the AR.

Your first step is to get a good loading manual and read it so you understand the process and the equipment. Then you can decide whether to proceed with your investment. Lyman's is very good, particularly if you want to get into cast bullets. Speer and Hornady also have good manuals.

One last bit of advice: Don't load for anyone else, and don't shoot anyone else's loads in your gun.
 
I haven't reloaded anything since 1980, mainly due to time restrictions. I am still using my reloads to hunt with. you need to have at least two reloading manuals to go by and always use the smallest when loading at maximum, I was following one manual loading for a 357 and it was such a hot load I bought a different manual, listed a max load just .1 grain above what I had loaded, even thought the first manual stated I was at a safe load. also you should never load over maximum load listed. I would love to get back into reloading if I had the time. You can save enough to pay for the equipment if you reload enough.


frank
 
I bought a reloading press at a garage sale for $35, including a bunch of dies. I traded it off for something else. I occasionally see reloading stuff at yard sales or garage sales. I don't think I'd go into the biz of selling ammo.
 
Reloading as a business requires a manufacturing licence from our friends at ATF and if you are seriously worried about liabilities then stay out of it. Ask your insurance guy about insurance for your proposed reloading operation and watch him go balistic. Commercial reloading is a business that requires huge quantities due to low margins and it isnt done on hand crank reloaders. Forget your equipment costs and even your tumbler, trimmer, lights and grease for the press pivots. Just price bullets in 100C boxes and powder in 1 lb cans and primers then see what commercial reloads sell for and be ready for a reality check. Lots have had the idea to pay for thier loaders by selling reloads and very, very few have ever done any more than spend more money.
 
Thanks for info Mark.

This friend of mine mentioned the reloading due to the cost of the ammo, especially if you want to stock up on hundreds of rounds, and if you have a firearm that you may not be able to get ammo for anymore.

I have 100 rounds of .30-06 for a bolt action rifle that I have never fired, I bought it 10 years ago. I paid $10 for a box of 20 now that price has doubled to $20 for a box of 20.

I hear you guys on selling the ammo, the liability would be tremendous, not to mention the FBI, ATF. (I wouldnt want to deal with that)

Another friend of mine is having trouble finding 9mm ammo for his Glock.
 
If you dont mind me asking....What is the cost savings (in a percentage term) for the .30-06 round? verse buying factory ammo. As well as the .357 .45 too.
 
Been reloading for years. Some hunting, varmint control and bench shooting. I reload for better performance from my guns. Under no circumstances would I allow anyone to shoot my reloads in their guns. I remember an incident once. There was an area where anyone who wanted to could go and practice, even the police used it. When I got there a fellow was the only other one there. He had some old ammo for his 30-06 he just wanted to shoot up. And he was drinking a beer and enjoying himself. We talked for a minute and I went and set up, hung my target and ran a few groups. All at once I hear a louder than usual boom. He"s there rubbing his shoulder and his gun is on the ground. I ask if he"s ok. He opens the bolt of his gun and a funny looking case falls out. On the back is stamped 8mm. How in the world that .323 slug went down that .308 bore I"ll never know. Guess he was super lucky the barrell was hot. My point? Had someone else reloaded those 30-06 shells for him and the gun had blown up, Guess who the lawsuit would be after. I"m sure that 8mm case would vanish.
 
Reloading saves some, not a lot.

Problem right now is finding components. Primers are darned scarce, as are certain types of powder. I haven't been able to find small rifle primers at any price for several months now. I've heard the shortage is easing, but haven't checked.

Bullets are a little easier to find, but popular weights for 9mm and 45 might be a little scarce as well.

Fortunately, for once in my life, I saw this coming and was prepared before the fecal matter impacted the air circulation enhancer...
 
Been reloading for at least 40 years so have picked up a few things. Starting out with a progressive press is like learning to drive with a corvette.
Start out like a first grader with something like a Lee,and then as you find out if reloading is for you , you might progress to something better as you gain experience. My two cents.
Joe
 
A Daisy BB gun is all the weapon you need. Be careful and don't put your eye out with it. On second thought perhaps you should start out with a water pistol which you could reload at a faucet.
 
A Daisy BB gun is all the weapon you need. Be careful and don't put your eye out with it. On second thought perhaps you should start out with a water pistol which you could reload at a faucet.
 
Drinking a beer and enjoying himself?

What became of the old adage that alcohol and gunpowder don't mix?
 
Winchester stopped making a lever action rifle in 30 06 after a fool fired an 8 MM Mauser cartridge in it.8MM is a 32 caliber 30 06 is a 30 caliber.
 
Well, that's sort of an open-ended question, because the price of the components, particularly the bullets, can vary so much. Also, autoloaders go through a lot more brass, so you have to figure that in as well. (Automatic rifles go through brass because of stretching, while auto pistol fling it where you can't find it.)

Another thing is that right now, components are hard to come by. Powder Valley, where I usually buy my primers, is backordered by 50 MILLION primers. So for prices right now you have speculate as to what you are likely to pay, rather than what the scalpers are currently getting.

So, in the case of the .30-06, let's assume your primers will cost 3 cents apiece, premium bullets (Sierra or Nosler) at 30 cents each, and powder at 20 bucks a pound. A pound of powder is 7000 grains, or about 140 loads, which works out to 14 cents a round. So primer, bullet and powder will cost you 49 cents a round. You won't get rich loading rifle ammo. .223, on the other hand, is much cheaper to load because the bullets are cheaper and the cartridge uses so much less powder.

The economics of pistol ammo are better, mainly because you don't use so much powder. If you stick to lead bullets, it's even cheaper yet. .45 ACP uses just a smidgen of Bullseye, so the powder is basically free. It's been awhile since I've bought lead bullets, but if you can get them for, say seven cents apiece your 45 ACP or Long Colt will run you about ten cents a round. 38 Special with cast bullets will be cheaper due to the lighter bullets.

My advice is for you to check out the prices of components at some of the suppliers and do the math for yourself.

When I was about fifteen years old, a veteran reloader told me to never try to pay for my reloading gear by loading for others, because it would suck the fun right out of it. I've followed his advice. I load for fun and have enjoyed every minute of it.
 
"One last bit of advice: Don't load for anyone else, and don't shoot anyone else's loads in your gun."

THAT IS SOME OF THE BEST ADVISE. The first time someones gun blows up with your ammo look for a visit from their lawer.
 
Lee has an "anniversary kit." About everything you need except dies to get started. I still have mine, and although I use other items I have added over the years, I still use most of the kit today. Cost far less than what you are looking at.
Untitled URL Link
 
Look at the prices of "specialty" ammo, like Weatherby! Or some of the less common calibers. EXPENSIVE! I couldn't afford to shoot if I had to have factory ammo! -
 
Years ago, my Dad and I went to a public range. A car full of drunks showed up, one had a rifle held together with duct tape. We left, along with the other shooters that were already there. Alcohol and guns do not mix..
 
"I know a basic press is $600+.....". I don't know hwere you saw a basic press for $600 but you need to doa google search for reloading equipment. For less than $600 you can buy the whole shebang.
 
Actually, product liability isn't my concern. I've never sold a round of ammo and never will, and I doubt many ambulance chasers are going to waste their time on a case where no money changed hands and the injured party knew full well a cartridge was a reload.

My advice is based on personal experience, two incidents in particular. Thirty years ago my dad had just bought his .22-250 Model 70 Winchester (which I now own). We loaded up some rounds and were sighting it in when one of his buddies showed up. We ran out of ammo, so the friend offerred one of his rounds. After shooting it, we had to hammer the bolt open with a rubber mallet to get the case out! I later figured out that he was using reformed .30-06 military brass and apparently didn't ream the case necks. The overly thick brass would work in his Ruger 77, but was unsafe in the tighter chamber of the Winchester.

The second incident involved one of my loads. I was using a load recommended in a major shooting magazine, which worked fine in my Colt Python. I let a friend shoot a couple of rounds in his Taurus. The cases split and were very difficult to extract. I later figured out that the load was too hot even for my Colt, let alone a weaker revolver.

After these two incidents, I treat reloads with the same caution one should use with body fluids: don't share yours with others, and by all means don't touch someone else's!
 
I purchased a used Dillion 550 back many years ago. The Dillion presses are garanteed for life. I broke a decapping pin and it screwed up the sizing die. Called them and I had a new updated die in the mail in a couple of days. No charge!!You can reload around 300 rounds (.45 cal.) per hour. My personal choice of reloading equipment.
 
RayP has it right. Lee Precision will sell you everything , a press and everything else you need for one caliber for about $134.00. A Lee Loader is about $35.00, and save for the powder measure they are great. I have a bench full of tools but still use the Lee Loader for the 45-70.
 
My wife bought a Lee Challanger press kit for 40 bucks when they first came out.I had handloaded 12 ga shot shells with a Pioneer hand loading tool that cost 4.50 postpaid.No need for a big progressive press.I load many calibers now,all with Lee equipment.Lee brought the cost of reloading tools way down.
 
I"d just like to clear a couple things up-

#1- Winchester did not "stop making a lever action 30-06 after someone shot an 8mm out of it". That"s just a dumb statement. Winchester stopped making the Model 95 around WW2 or a little before due to poor sales. Saying they stopped making it because someone fired and 8mm in a 30-06 chamber makes zero sense. Why do they continue to make bolt, semi auto and pump "06"s? And for that matter the Model 95 was reintroduced several years ago in 30-06, 30-40 Krag and 405 Winchester at least. Folks need to check these myths out.

#2- I"ve said this before- I would expect a guy whose handle is "Gun Guru" to be a lot more knowledgeable about things than to post that getting into reloading cost"s over $600.00. Either do some research or change your handle to "Knows nothing about guns".
 
Hey buddy.

Do you know everything.....I doubt it.

I have many friends that own guns, shoot guns, buy ammo. (like me)

But I dont know of anyone that reloads, (no one)

That is why I came on here to ask.

I went on a Dillon website and they showed a basic price list for various stuff, the reloader, dies, and stuff.

I saw a price of $600 (roughly, I dont remember the exact price) for a reloading press.

I will likely go in on this with a buddy of mine (if he wants to) due to the high cost of ammo, not to mention that in the future you may not be able to get some calibers.

And for the record a friend of mine called me "gun guru" once because I was able to name off several rifles in a picture that he saw and I got all of them correct, IE: Ruger Mini-14, Colt AR, Armalite Ar, Panther Ar, Barrett, Ruger Deerfield, Winchester 12g, and few others. It was a few years ago so I dont remember all the brands that were in the picture.
I am as dumb as a rock when it comes to handguns, I dont own any, I also dont want to have to get a permission slip to buy one.
 
I bought a lot of supplies about 5 years ago.Panic buying is always expensive.I just bought supplies for each caliber I load for over a long period of time.Prices were a lot lower.
 

Well I guess you should have used that thing called GOOGLE or gone to a reloading website maybe. That'd be pretty tough though, huh? All that reading.....
 
I highly value the input on this site.

I have been coming on here since 2002.

I thought I would ask all the guys on YTmag first before I just surfed the web to "learn" about reloading. Besides, The American Rifleman magazine doesnt give step by step instructions on reloading ammo. The main knowledge that I need to know is the cost of reloading (per cartridge) to see if it is cost effective. (and Mark B from Michigan has said that it will be)
 
Actually the Rifleman has published numerous articles on handloading and the steps involved as well as books and DVD's too IIRC. Of course my collection of Riflemen only goes back to the 1930's and I missed a few before becoming a Life member in 1972 or 3. Checking with the reloading manufacturers sites or the NSSF site, to say nothing of various reloading specific websites like www.gunlaods.com or www.castboolits.gunloads.com would have made it even easier. For that matter You Tube has lots of clips on reloading.

I've been coming here under one name or another since we got our first computer in '97. Great place, but still not the best for information like you want.
 
I know and I saw this comming. My problem is that my hobby, shooting a Bushmaster AR 15 clone in High Power Service Rifle competation burns up between 3000 and 5000 5.56 rounds a year in meets and practice. I have plenty of bullets, powder and brass but I don't think there is a match grade small rifle primer for sale in the country. Perhaps someone wants to trade components ?
 
Go to www hornady com and order their 85 page 2009 catalog. You will get it in about 3 or 4 days absoutley free. They have all kinds of relaading equipment, books, scales, kits, dies, etc etc. Make some of the best bullets around. Tom
 
Just looked at the dimensions of the 30 06 and the 8 mm cartridge.The 8 mm case is a bit shorter but the 198 grain long bullet would touch the rifling of a 30 06 barrel and hold the case back where the firing pin could strike the primer.The 8mm will chamber in a 30 06.
 
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