Reloading Question.

[Zardoz]

Strange question for you reloaders? I don't have the equipment or the desire to learn about reloading rifle cartridges. But what I do have is about 120 rounds of shot brass. My Ruger 30-06 is finnicky about bullet weight, only seems to like 165 grains. Would it make make more sense to have someone reload my brass at 165-ish grains or just but new ammo? I want to get my hunting rig ready for a future hunt, but, dang, 165 grain ammo is expensive. I have a new scope that I need to sight in, but..Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks   

[Stein]

Buy new ammo.  I wouldn't shoot someone else's reloads.

It's not hard to do or really all that expensive to get a basic setup to reload rifle.  If you aren't interested in it, I would just buy quality factory ammo for hunting and then buy the cheaper stuff for target practice.  In my rifle, the $25 a box Wally stuff hits almost identical to my hunting handloads.

[NRA4LIFE]

At today's prices, just the price of powder, primers and bullets would be around a $1 a round to reload.  If you can find them.  Buy factory for now.  I have a .270 that would not ever accept any reloads, only factory RP 150's.  (Thanks H20hunter for the resupply).

[jrebel]

Do you have a friend or family member that reloads??  If so, have them show you the ropes with this rifle.   Help them and learn at the same time.   You never know…..you just might like it.   

I have a couple friends that started their reloading careee on my bench and presses.   One now has his own set up and the other is in the process of buying stuff.  It can be very addicting.

If the desire and time is still not there after that….well suck it up and pay the high prices. 

[C-Money]

Just keep buying new ammo, seems to be hitting shelves better now. Like already said, If you have a friend or family member to get you going, Reloading is pretty enjoyable. As long as you are focused on the task, it is not super hard. The 30-06 is a pretty friendly cartridge to load for, lots of components. It is quite a good feeling filling the freezer with ammo YOU loaded.

[OltHunter]

The reloading process is not about putting a certain amount of powder in and bullet and you're good to go.

You'll have to work up loads over quite a few range sessions too. Close to 100 rounds when it's said and done. If your not looking for extreme accuracy, you might be able to do it with much less.

There is something about harmonics that the factory 165 works for your rifle compared to heavier grains and the bullet composition and distance from the lands and how fast its coming out.

You most likely could get any sort of grain bullet to shoot the same out of your rifle reloading.

Buy the ammo, if you can find it.

[buckfvr]

All reloaders weren't created equal.  Buy new QUALITY ammo, until/unless you decide to tool up yourself.

[elkrack]

All reloaders weren't created equal.  Buy new QUALITY ammo, until/unless you decide to tool up yourself.

 

[jrebel]

All reloaders weren't created equal.  Buy new QUALITY ammo, until/unless you decide to tool up yourself.

 

This is true...but everyone learned from someone.  In my many years of reloading, I have seen two primary types of reloaders.  1...the average joe looking to hunt with his reloads and is plenty happy with accuracy enough to kill out to a couple hundred yards.  2....precision reloading, sub MOA or better reloading and won't rest till they get there.  Most people usually start as the first and progress to the second.  Reloading is not a rocket science....just saying!!  The people that mess it up, usually do so because they don't have attention to detail. 

[Platensek-po]

All reloaders weren't created equal.  Buy new QUALITY ammo, until/unless you decide to tool up yourself.

 

This is true...but everyone learned from someone.  In my many years of reloading, I have seen two primary types of reloaders.  1...the average joe looking to hunt with his reloads and is plenty happy with accuracy enough to kill out to a couple hundred yards.  2....precision reloading, sub MOA or better reloading and won't rest till they get there.  Most people usually start as the first and progress to the second.  Reloading is not a rocket science....just saying!!  The people that mess it up, usually do so because they don't have attention to detail.

This literally described me. I started to telos my own hunting ammo for various calibers and its now turned into a very fun hobby if getting the best accuracy I can. I spend more on components then I ever would on ammo but I lie to myself saying its cheaper. What I really mean is I get to shoot a lot more.

[dyhardhuntr]

Reloading is great fun! It kills time in the off season and can teach you a lot about your gun. That said being fairly close to season I would buy good factory ammo. Then if you decide to try reloading you have some good brass to start with. I will warn you it is incredibly addicting! There are a lot of self proclaimed experts in this field. If you have someone you really trust that can help lead you in the right direction that would be preferred. When I first got into it I struggled with all of the info. I was fortunate though to have a coworker that has been doing it for 40 years and holds several world records in competition shooting to answer my questions. One thing he told me was to reload for accuracy and speed if you desire it will follow. Every gun is different though.

[hunter399]

Unless you know someone who reloads that you can trust to keep your best interest and life to .
Your a lot safer to buy off the self.
Now days factory ammo is pretty dang good.
Then you always need this person to reload for your rifle.
Since is sighted in to these reloads.

I did reload for a few friends.
Untill they decided to wait until two days before season to sight in there rifle,and needed more rounds made.
I made them more,but also said never again,never reloaded for anybody ever again.

[NRA4LIFE]

I too just started reloading for 2 rifle calibers and it quickly spiraled out of control.  I think it's because I bought so many guns.  More guns=more dies=more powders=more bullets=more primers.

[Magnum_Willys]

I too just started reloading for 2 rifle calibers and it quickly spiraled out of control.  I think it's because I bought so many guns.  More guns=more dies=more powders=more bullets=more primers.

Oh yea, better powder scale, press, annealer, trimmer, then load developement to test better bag, bench, radar, bipods it just keeps going in quest of the perfect load!

[buckfvr]

 
[/quote]  jrebel

This is true...but everyone learned from someone.  In my many years of reloading, I have seen two primary types of reloaders.  1...the average joe looking to hunt with his reloads and is plenty happy with accuracy enough to kill out to a couple hundred yards.  2....precision reloading, sub MOA or better reloading and won't rest till they get there.  Most people usually start as the first and progress to the second.  Reloading is not a rocket science....just saying!!  The people that mess it up, usually do so because they don't have attention to detail.
[/quote]



Number 1, I classify as those merely seeking to duplicate factory ammo.  That being said, I agree with it not being rocket science, but will mention how simple it appears for us once its in the rear view mirror.  However, not knowing and just learning can be a serious task for many and then theres the pain and expense of deciding you dont like the powder, primers, bullets youve already spent a bunch of money on.  I know I have tons of stuff in cabinets and drawers that I moved on from at one point or another.  Now throw in the bad/wrong info you took to heart from a friend or on the internet.  Theres enough garbage info out there to plug every toilet in the county.