Reloading Supplies

[arlington22201]

I'm about to take the leap and start reloading. I've scoped out a Dillon 650 and all the accessories I need to get started. Am leaning towards buying the core items through Brian Enos and picking up many of the accessories from Amazon/Harbor Freight for some cost savings.

Here is my big question: where do people go for bullets, primer and powder? I've been collecting my brass. I'm in NoVA, by the way. I'm looking at starting off with 9mm to learn on and then adding .223 and .30-06.

Do you buy from local stores? Gun shows? Or online?

Am also looking for some suggestions on good target loads to start with.

I know now is a tough time to pick up supplies. I don't mind waiting. I'm in no rush.

Thanks

[Rualert]

I currently buy cast bullets for pistol loading from Lucky 13 cast bullets, you can Google them. They ship quickly, and the product is very uniform, and so far the ones I have bought from them have shot very good groups from my 1911. They carry a good selection of pistol bullets from 30 up to 45 caliber. As far as powder and primers, I try to get those local to avoid the hazmat fees. For pistol loads, I tend to lean toward Bullseye, or Hogdon HP-38 due to the good results, and low powder usage. Both of those powders only require small amounts of powder 4.5 - 5.5 grains for a 200 gr lead semi wad cutter in 45 acp. You will need to refer to the loading manual for exact powder weights. You will most likely find that your specific gun likes one load, (powder/bullet/primer) combo better than another. This is where a single stage press comes in handy. When you start working up a load, start low, and slowly work up to the higher end. NEVER start at the max, if you have even a slight weight mishap with a max load you could severely injure yourself, others, and / or blow up your gun. Ball type powders seem to measure more precisely for pistol loads, as they generally only require small loads. rifle loads are where things can get quite fun, as you may have a bit more wiggle room, meaning that you may have a wider range of load data to choose from, and the powders vary in types from ball to flake, to cone types. I have loaded rifle cartridges for a Contender pistol and rifles. This is where the range comes in. The shorter barreled Contender may only need a starting load, or a middle of the list load to shoot ragged holes at the range you can competently shoot it, and your rifle may like the same load, or need to be a little hotter, or even lighter, just depends on the gun. A good example I have worked up a 30 30 Winchester load for my Contender that will sling a 125 grain ballistic tipped bullet at roughly 2100 fps, and shoot 1 inch or better at 100 if I do my part. The same load in a lever gun with an 18 inch barrel gains 200-300 fps and still shoots 1 inch and smaller at 100. I bought a Chronograph when I started getting serious, and have found it was a god send when hand loading. Sorry about the long response, but there are hundreds of powders, and countless bullets to choose from, so do your research for the round your shooting, and always check at least two sources for load data before you load the first round. I also tend to check every round, even with the progressive press for the first 50 or so rounds, then spot check every 10 or 20 rounds after to make sure the powder measure has not changed even a tenth of a grain. Good luck, and be safe.

Casey

[steelheart]

Go to amazon.com type in reloading books theres one in there reloading a to z. If your having a bad day dont reload. In a hurry dont reload. Strive to make each reload perfect. Good luck!!

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[arlington22201]

Go to amazon.com type in reloading books theres one in there reloading a to z. If your having a bad day dont reload. In a hurry dont reload. Strive to make each reload perfect. Good luck!!

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Thanks. I'm starting with the Lyman latest edition. It arrives tomorrow. Some reviews have said that Reloading A to Z is now a bit dated and might not be worth it w/ other resources available online... Not having seen it yet, I can't comment, but figured I'd hold off on it for now unless convinced otherwise...

[arlington22201]

... As far as powder and primers, I try to get those local to avoid the hazmat fees. ...

Casey

Thanks, Casey! I appreciate the perspective and I'll check out Lucky 13. For powder and primers here in the north, I've seen it at Guns and Ammo Warehouse in Manassass, but nowhere else. The gunshow comes to town every two months or so, but I am not encouraged by what I saw last time it came around.

[arlington22201]

Do any Walmarts carry powder or bullets? The one I go to here in Fairfax does not have bullets. What about Dicks sporting goods?

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[mroyal98]

I recently broke down my reloading room to reclaim the downstairs bedroom for my daughter. If you are interested, I can let you know what I have. I have sold all of my powder, brass and primers but I have everything else one would need and dies in many calibers (9mm, 45 auto, 270Win, 30-06, 243, 38 special, 30 carbine).
I haven't posted them yet, but I can give you a good deal. Email me at marion.royal@gmail.com if you are interested.

marion

[stephenjakim]

i joined the hobby late. would it be more beneficial for a beginner to guns/shooting to consider reloading, especially in the crisis we have right now or just buy them in boxes?

[mroyal98]

The beginner should buy in boxes.
I reloaded to get the best accuracy out of my loads. It took me several months to get the ideal recipe for my hunting rifle (30-06), but once I found it I could shoot 1/2 inch spreads at 100 yards. I then did that with several more weapons (not 1/2 inch, but good patterns.)
Every gun is different and the mass produced ammo are made to fit the most common usage. There are some savings to be made of reloading in bulk for plinking and I did that too with my 30 carbine, but the true joy of reloading is accuracy (IMHO).
The beginner has much to learn about the different weights and styles of bullets before trying to understand the different powders and intricacies of reloading. However, always save your brass and never, ever leave it in the field.

[M1A4ME]

When you find something for a good price, buy it.

It really isn't necessary to have the same brand of equipment for all the pieces.

I have an RCBS and Lee press. I have Lee, RCBS, Pacific and Huntington dies. I have a Forster case trimmer and also use the Lee case trimmers. I have Lyman and RCBS powder measures (the RCBS is head and shoulders better than the Lyman in my experience). I have Lee and Pacific powder scales.

I've bought equipment at gun shows, off the internet (e-bay), at stores, etc.

The only brass I've thrown away over the years was either steel brass (and I'm reloading some of that now) or damaged brass that couldn't be resized into something else.

Bad .223 brass becomes .300 black out brass.

.243, .358, 7mm-08 and even 6mm all become .308 brass.

.270, 25-06 and 280/7MM express all become 30.06 brass.

Buy it when you don't need it (I just yesterday found 700 Hornady 150 grain FMJBT bullets in a shed. Not sure when I bought them but I have them if I need them) and stack it up somewhere. If its a good price, and you have the money, buy it.

[38superfan]

I buy mostly from online sources like Midway, Graf and Sons, Natchez, etc., and buy locally (it looks like you're in Arlington, VA) at Dawson's in Woodbridge if I need the odd item. I buy in bulk from online stores to get a cheaper price as Dawson's is a bit pricey. The bulk perchases also help offset the $27.50 Haz Mat fee that the shipping companies charge to send you powder and primer.

If you follow the directions in the Lyman's and use their starting loads, you won't go wrong. The best loads will be specific to your guns for the most part so try a variety of bullets and powders before settling on one.

BE careful as it's an addicting hobby.

[arlington22201]

I recently broke down my reloading room to reclaim the downstairs bedroom for my daughter. If you are interested, I can let you know what I have. I have sold all of my powder, brass and primers but I have everything else one would need and dies in many calibers (9mm, 45 auto, 270Win, 30-06, 243, 38 special, 30 carbine).
I haven't posted them yet, but I can give you a good deal. Email me at marion.royal@gmail.com if you are interested.

marion

I sent you a note..

[jdonovan]

Here is my big question: where do people go for bullets, primer and powder?

Online mostly. I can buy in bulk, 1000 projectiles, 8lb powder, and 5000 primers for 30-50% less than local retail.

Do you buy from local stores? Gun shows? Or online?

Due to the variety of supplies, no local store is going to have the bredth, and depth that midway, grafs, mid-south, or natches etc... can offer.

Am also looking for some suggestions on good target loads to start with.

RTFM!!! (Read the fine manual)

Dont use some random data some screen name off the net gives you. It might be safe in his gun, it might not be in yours. There may be other things this person is doing that isn't conveyed in the load data that makes it safe vs unsafe.

I know now is a tough time to pick up supplies. I don't mind waiting. I'm in no rush.

Powder/primer/projectiles goto the ammo makers first, hobbyists second. If you wait for supplies to reapear in retail outlets you may be looking to nov/dec 2013, or early 2014 before you can buy them.