Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

After reading on this forum and talking to some friends, I really want to start reloading for several reasons. It appears to be a fun hobby to get into, not to mention it is always a good thing to be able to tighten up your groupings. Lastly, the cost savings over time.

Right now I currently just shoot 9mm with a Glock 26. I have several friends that also shoot 9mm and 40 S&W and they have expressed a keen interest in reloading as well. After a bit of research on here and watching CowboyT's series, I think I am pretty sold on the Lee Progressive 1000 setup. I was hoping to list out some initial supplies as well as get people's opinions on them as well as recommendations on what else I might need. I primarily looked at http://www.grafs.com. Here is my initial Shopping list:

-Lee Progressive 1000 Press 9mm - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... uctId/8027
-Frankford Arsenal Tumbler - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ductId/778
-Hornady Electronic Scale - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... uctId/5955
-Grafs Caliper (or similar - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... uctId/5375
-Lyman Reloading Manual - http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ctId/10641

I also was curious about a case trimmer. Is this typically needed in my situation? I have read that this mostly pertains to rifle rounds, but I could be totally off on this and would appreciate being corrected if i am.

My initial set of brass will be from the Federal casings I've been collecting over the last 2 years that I've shot. As far as power/primers/bullets, I am completely open to suggestion, especially if it directly relates to the Glock 26's performance.

I was curious what gun show prices are like for the above items? I am hoping to make it to the one in April and pick up these items there if the prices are good. Then I can avoid Hazmat/shipping fees.

I am open to suggestions on the above list and peoples experiences, etc.

I haven't seen a cost savings for me - I just shoot more.

Haven't used a case trimmer yet, (reloading for .45ACP, not full power,now at 6th and 7th reload of my first casings) all though one came in my Lyman starter kit.

I do us a Frankford arsenal overall case gauge,every round gets dropped in there before it heads to the range. If it goes in the gauge, it'll feed in my XD.

As for a list, don't kid yourself - you can never have enough reloading stuff!

What Glen said. I would also suggest that you put together a list of thing's that you need and send it to Rick here as the forum and owner of a Company that may be able to save you some money on what you need. And I do believe that you will get a 10% discount and maybe even free shipping for being a member of this forum.
Good Luck
Bill

ShadowByte wrote:After reading on this forum and talking to some friends, I really want to start reloading for several reasons. It appears to be a fun hobby to get into, not to mention it is always a good thing to be able to tighten up your groupings. Lastly, the cost savings over time.

I originally got into reloading back in the early 80's due to cost as feeding a 7mmMag, 7mmTCU and 357 got pretty pricey on an E3's salary as well as the need for better/consistant ammo for shooting metallic silhouette.
I got back into reloading 2 decades later not so much for any savings but rather to ensure I have ammo available when I want/need it.

If you haven't reloaded before, find a mentor or at least take the NRA class. You'll save yourself lots of headaches down the road. I have both a RCBS Rockchucker (like my original) and the Hornady LnL progressive. I also reload shotshell so I've a small dedicated area set to reload. Don't know where you are but there seems to be a good number of us around.

Cheers
Chris in Sterling

ShadowByte wrote:After reading on this forum and talking to some friends, I really want to start reloading for several reasons. It appears to be a fun hobby to get into, not to mention it is always a good thing to be able to tighten up your groupings. Lastly, the cost savings over time.

Right now I currently just shoot 9mm with a Glock 26. I have several friends that also shoot 9mm and 40 S&W and they have expressed a keen interest in reloading as well.

Lots of good reasons to get into reloading. You probably won't save much money on things like 9mm if you buy all of the components (keeping things similar). For 9mm, I buy WWB from Walmart and then reload the once fired brass; otherwise I don't save any money on the first loading. You do save a bit on every reload thereafter. Don't forget you shouldn't use non-jacketed bullets with Glocks.

ShadowByte wrote:After a bit of research on here and watching CowboyT's series, I think I am pretty sold on the Lee Progressive 1000 setup. I was hoping to list out some initial supplies as well as get people's opinions on them as well as recommendations on what else I might need. I primarily looked at http://www.grafs.com.

Also checkout Brownells, MidwayUSA, etc. One of the best places to buy bulk powder and bullets is Powder Valley.

ShadowByte wrote:I also was curious about a case trimmer. Is this typically needed in my situation? I have read that this mostly pertains to rifle rounds, but I could be totally off on this and would appreciate being corrected if i am.

Probably not. Pistol brass doesn't really grow, but you should measure it to make sure it is in spec. I doubt you will be trimming much 9mm brass though.

ShadowByte wrote:My initial set of brass will be from the Federal casings I've been collecting over the last 2 years that I've shot. As far as power/primers/bullets, I am completely open to suggestion, especially if it directly relates to the Glock 26's performance.

I don't bother to attempt to reload my Glocks for maximum accuracy. I'm more interested in saving money and having good clean reloads. CCI and Federal are usually what I use, but any will do. I only bother to go all extreme on the reloading for long range rifles. I tend to like Hodgdon and Vihtavuori powders. For bulk shooting I just use the Hodgdon, but VV makes some nice rifle powders.

ShadowByte wrote:I was curious what gun show prices are like for the above items? I am hoping to make it to the one in April and pick up these items there if the prices are good. Then I can avoid Hazmat/shipping fees.

Really depends. I recommend Green Top just north of Richmond to try out a powder. Also, Gander Mount., Bass Pro, and several gun shops carry powders/primers. I usually try out a powder locally and then order bulk online. $25/lbs is average for local powders with some approaching $30. Online those same powders are <$20/lbs so if you order in bulk you can save a lot of money. For a pistol bullets aren't a big deal so buy them in 1k lots. For 9mm, just reuse your brass from once fired commercial.

IMHO one of the best places you can spend money and make your life much easier is the use of carbide dies. They aren't cheap, but for pistol cases you don't need any lube which makes life easy. Also, they last forever so they make a lot of sense for things you shoot often.

gunderwood wrote:IMHO one of the best places you can spend money and make your life much easier is the use of carbide dies. They aren't cheap, but for pistol cases you don't need any lube which makes life easy. Also, they last forever so they make a lot of sense for things you shoot often.

+ one, I have been useing carbide dies to reload with for most of my life .
I think Dillon makes some of the best carbide handgun dies.
Bill

Rick just hooked me up with a tumbler and bullet puller. I've got a few thousand 9mm cases I am going to clean first, and then when the tax refund comes, i'll be picking up a Dillon 550B and carbide dies, and a few thousand rounds worth of components. And my wife thinks I already spend a lot of time in the garage...

Dillon's carbide dies are pricy but well worth the money.
Bill

SgtBill wrote:Dillon's carbide dies are pricy but well worth the money.
Bill

+1

If I have a choice in the matter, that is all I use. I do like the Forester dies if Dillon doesn't make carbides for a particular round. I think the Readings are overpriced.

Palladin wrote:I haven't seen a cost savings for me - I just shoot more.

+1, and I can reload .45 for about $6 a box
1/3 the cost, 3x the shooting

New to the forum, but have browsed and benefited from the discussions in the past. The mention of Powder Valley made me wonder if folks on the forum have ever done group buys on reloading supplies? Powder Valley has a current special on Tula Primers: buy 10K and they waive hazmat and shipping on the entire order (including other items). I don't need 10K primers...but do need 2-3K and maybe some powder too.

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

qotsarock wrote:New to the forum, but have browsed and benefited from the discussions in the past. The mention of Powder Valley made me wonder if folks on the forum have ever done group buys on reloading supplies? Powder Valley has a current special on Tula Primers: buy 10K and they waive hazmat and shipping on the entire order (including other items). I don't need 10K primers...but do need 2-3K and maybe some powder too.

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

Welcome.
Never done it myself but I'd be interested... primers or powder.

gunderwood wrote:IMHO one of the best places you can spend money and make your life much easier is the use of carbide dies. They aren't cheap, but for pistol cases you don't need any lube which makes life easy. Also, they last forever so they make a lot of sense for things you shoot often.

Using anything other than carbide for pistol IMHO is a waste of money and time. Case trimmers come in handy when loading rifle cases especially the necked down calibers.

I wanted to thank everyone for their replies and suggestions, keep them coming

I was curious if the die sets can be used across various presses or are they each unique to their own manufacturer? Can the Dillon carbide dies be used with the Lee Pro?

SgtBill, thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely check with Rick when I am ready to order, I would much rather buy from someone on the forums if I can.

@meak99, that is pretty much my plan right now. I am going to get the tumbler and maybe some other smaller tools first and get the brass prepped and ready to go. Then once I get the $ for the press/supplies, I can start the real fun.

Unfortunately as far as consumable supplies, my choices are limited to Gander Mountain around here, and even that is over an hour drive. I still need to check with one local gun shop who is very good on gun prices (actually beat out the best internet deal I found which floored me), though I don't recall seeing any reloading supplies the last time I was there.

I was hoping to make it to Hampton for the April gun show (I think its April) and stock up on powder/primer/lead. I am assuming they sell reloading supplies at the shows? Are the prices there pretty comparable to internet sites? This will at least help me avoid some shipping/hazmat fees.

As far as saving money over all, I am not deluding myself. I know it will become an equalizer, but I will at least get to shoot more for the same cost, and hopefully enjoy the process in making the rounds.

Wow, I really should learn to use Google before posting So it does look like the majority of dies are interchangeable (depending on 3 or 4 set versions), except the one Dillon die that uses different threading. Depending on how things go initially, this will probably be the first future investment after the initial setup.

Also, it looks like there is a VB show coming up in a few weeks and the Hampton show is in March.

If others are interested, perhaps we can put something together. What is everyone's experiences with buying at local gun shows...that seems to be the other alternative in terms of finding good deals locally?

I went to Bass Pro two weeks ago and it was $40 for 1K of large pistol primers and $20 for some Clays. That seems high to me.

[/quote]

Welcome.
Never done it myself but I'd be interested... primers or powder.[/quote]

Part of my reloading room with the Dillon 550B Etc.
Google is our friend.
LOL
Bill

meak99 wrote:Rick just hooked me up with a tumbler and bullet puller. I've got a few thousand 9mm cases I am going to clean first, and then when the tax refund comes, i'll be picking up a Dillon 550B and carbide dies, and a few thousand rounds worth of components. And my wife thinks I already spend a lot of time in the garage...

The bullet puller is really crucial. I had to pull bullets from my first 10 loaded rounds..a stray case had made it onto the bench and I loaded my second round ever with no powder. Thankfully I was counting the number of rounds.

qotsarock wrote:

meak99 wrote:Rick just hooked me up with a tumbler and bullet puller. I've got a few thousand 9mm cases I am going to clean first, and then when the tax refund comes, i'll be picking up a Dillon 550B and carbide dies, and a few thousand rounds worth of components. And my wife thinks I already spend a lot of time in the garage...

The bullet puller is really crucial. I had to pull bullets from my first 10 loaded rounds..a stray case had made it onto the bench and I loaded my second round ever with no powder. Thankfully I was counting the number of rounds.

I have yet to reach the point where the cost of a bullet puller will be offset by reclaiming the value of the components of the screwed up cartridges.

As far as primers, I usually get mine from Bob's for about $31/1000. I know better deals can be had. The powder I use is about $20/14oz - same story.