Post by: ffbowhunter on January 30, 2016, 12:53:09 PM
Post by: Bob33 on January 30, 2016, 12:56:58 PM
i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 30, 2016, 01:01:40 PM
For the 7mm-08 and .30-06 (I'll round up so there are no nasty surprises)
$100 press (new) or probably $75 used
Brass for each $100
3-4 lbs of powder $90-130
Primers $20
Bullets $50-100
Die Sets $40ish each
Trimmers, case length measurers, micrometer(s) $75 maybe
Scale (digital or weight balance) $100-400
I'd say $5-600 is sufficient. $1,000 would really set you up with quality equipment.
Post by: Wazukie on January 30, 2016, 01:32:16 PM
i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Ah rimfire, generally speaking, you're right . . . but . . . . :chuckle:
To the question, I got into reloading for less than $200. I bought used equipment. Heck, my 5-0-5 scale only cost me $10. Powder, cases, and bullets are probably most of the cost. This was my experience anyway.
Post by: dontgetcrabs on January 30, 2016, 02:09:22 PM
i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Sure they can.
http://22lrreloader.com/design-details/
Post by: Bob33 on January 30, 2016, 02:19:05 PM
Ok, but why? Can you possibly save enough to justify the trouble?i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Sure they can.
http://22lrreloader.com/design-details/
Post by: dontgetcrabs on January 30, 2016, 02:21:38 PM
Ok, but why? Can you possibly save enough to justify the trouble?i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Sure they can.
http://22lrreloader.com/design-details/
Not at current prices, but if prices keep going up possibly someday?
Post by: Bob33 on January 30, 2016, 02:42:48 PM
Post by: bearpaw on January 30, 2016, 04:03:38 PM
i am interested in starting to load my own rounds. Realistically what would you say it costs to get started. I will be loading .22, 7mm-08, and 30-06. Thanks!.22 as in rimfire? They can't be reloaded.
Sure they can.
http://22lrreloader.com/design-details/
That's pretty interesting, would be handy if you needed 22lr and couldn't find any to buy!
Post by: ffbowhunter on January 30, 2016, 05:21:04 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on January 30, 2016, 05:34:53 PM
Post by: follow maggie on January 31, 2016, 08:54:42 AM
Post by: theleo on February 01, 2016, 09:42:01 AM
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at some kits. Are those worth the money or is it better to piece together your own kit?The simple answer is yes, they're worth the money. You'll get all the essentials, it'll all be new equipment, and you normally get a manual with them to. You can put everything together cheaper if you go the used route but it's normally going to be a lot of going here for the powder measurer, there for the press, there for the trickler... starting out the kits are great. You'll need a case trimmer at some point and you'll need a set of calipers. my prefer way to look at my reloading is that first shot for the given cartridge is really expensive (the cost of the dies) and the rest are just the cost of components.
I'll use you a 7mm-08 round for a break down of price per shot
Powder: .19 ($30/lb using 45 grains)
Bullet : .30 (the cost per midway on my preferred 140gr Interlocks)
Primer : .05 (most primers I'm seeing in the store are a little cheaper but I'm rounding up)
Brass : .10 (Middway is showing brass at about .60 a piece and I'm figuring you'll get 6 loadings but mileage may vary)
Add that all up and you'll be spending $12.80 for a box of custom rifle ammo tailored specifically for your 7mm-08, the 30-06 will be very similar price wise depending on your choice of components.
I see the RCBS Rock Chucker kit on line for $280, add to that a powder trickler ($20), a set of calipers ($30), dies for 06 and 7mm-08 ($40 a piece), primers ($20 should get you about 500), powder ($90 if you get 3 powders that work for both 7mm-08 & the 06), bullets ($60 if you start with trying interlocks for both), and you'd be set to start playing the reloading game. So for around $600 you could start reloading pretty dang quick.
Post by: HighlandLofts on February 03, 2016, 07:32:51 PM
I also look on E-Bay for reloading stuff. I've been buying reloading books on there as well. I just keep looking at what I want until I see it at a decent price.
Lyman 49th is a must have manual, as cheap as some of them are buy a few of them to read & keep.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 03, 2016, 07:50:07 PM
Someone sold a Redding 2400 trimmer here for like $10, IIRC. It didn't last long.
Post by: thinkingman on February 03, 2016, 08:12:30 PM
Dies $40
Powder $25
Cheap bullets to find your footing .20 ea
Primers .05 ea
A GOOD manual PRICELESS
don't let anyone tell you that you can't turn out quality ammo using Lee equipment.
Post by: wadu1 on February 03, 2016, 08:17:07 PM
Lee anniversary kit was $100I agree with thinkingman, start with something simple like this and move up later if you need to. :twocents:
Dies $40
Powder $25
Cheap bullets to find your footing .20 ea
Primers .05 ea
A GOOD manual PRICELESS
don't let anyone tell you that you can't turn out quality ammo using Lee equipment.
Post by: j_h_nimrod on February 03, 2016, 09:43:50 PM
The Lee Classic Cast is one of the most solid and reliable presses out there. You can pay a lot more for a press but there are only minute differences in tolerances that few can take advantage of. You can put together some pretty fine loads with relatively inexpensive equipment.
Post by: jasnt on February 04, 2016, 07:39:26 AM