Is it actually worth it??

[25 Sharps]

Exactly, I stopped reloading last year. Reloading is OK for people doing high volume of shooting, have all the time and money in the world (don't hurry to react, this is from my point of view and experience) . Years ago my howa 22-250 shoot consistently 1 hole groups with federal premium 55gr ballistic tip,it took me half year and lot of time and money to duplicate this load for only about 70fps more velocity. Then I spend over 2 grands on reloading gear alone plus getting expensive rifles and optics and never get again that results. Now important part I live in Northern Ireland and components here is a pain- get 1000 primers to experiment, then tub or two powder for same reason( bullets are not that critical as you already know what you want to use) different story again if rifle doesn't like them. Till now I don't want to buy in bulk as it's only load developing. Next stage is already found a load that I am happy with and driving 40 miles to gun shop for stocking up components but sadly that powder or primers(less problematic as I already have nearly 1000 from first box) is not available. So start all over again. Next my load testing range is 80 miles one way trip. At the end I've understood that had more time spent on load testing than shooting live query (not that bad as it improves my shooting skills and gives me confidence) but same is achieved shooting 1 box of factory ammo at the range. Finally the funny part ,last year I changed my rifles because off calibres change for better ammo availability
Bergara-b14-ridge 270win- shoot less than .5" with all factory ammunition tested except federal (booth premium and blue box) Remington core lokt and hornady custom make one raged holes,hornady superformans 140sst slightly better

Howa 223rem not much testing but sako 50gr and frontier (£8 per box of 20) .4"
What not to be happy with?

Yeah, for you loading sounds a right pain, I also don’t know why you’d buy more than 100 primers to experiment with.

As for me, rfd is 2 minutes away, if they haven’t got it then 2 others are within 1/2 hour. Load testing is done on of my permissions, either 5 minutes or 10 minutes away depending on wind and where the cattle are.

When club shoots are up and running I will do 150-200 rounds per month or 2-3x that if we’re doing gallery.

Makes sense to load in my situation, for someone shooting 20 rounds a month or less as practice and on deer, it makes no sense at all unless you shoot an obscure calibre.

 

[25 Sharps]

Why reload? Have been thinking about this and really there is no real answer. Its same question as why do some of us on here like spending a lot of time making a rifle stock, when for a bit of money you can buy one. Or why run an old Landrover, when a new pickup is more comfortable, reliable etc. Or fish with a handbuilt split cane rod, when £70 carbon will cast further. Or much prefer to sail, row or paddle a boat made of wood, rather than plastic. Or for that matter why get up at some ungodly hour and go out and come home unsuccessful when Sainsbury’s can deliver to your front door, or Just Eat, Diliveroo can all do warm tasty food ready to eat?

I haven’t a clue, but I do know that £40 spent on delivered curry - well I can do a much better one for the family for much much less money.

You need to find a better curry house

 

[Hunter 6.5]

Yeah, for you loading sounds a right pain, I also don’t know why you’d buy more than 100 primers to experiment with.

As for me, rfd is 2 minutes away, if they haven’t got it then 2 others are within 1/2 hour. Load testing is done on of my permissions, either 5 minutes or 10 minutes away depending on wind and where the cattle are.

When club shoots are up and running I will do 150-200 rounds per month or 2-3x that if we’re doing gallery.

Makes sense to load in my situation, for someone shooting 20 rounds a month or less as practice and on deer, it makes no sense at all unless you shoot an obscure calibre.

Hi,the problem here is that we need to apply with PSNI for powder and primers prior any purchase. And rfd's sale primers in box of 1000

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi,the problem here is that we need to apply with PSNI for powder and primers prior any purchase. And rfd's sale primers in box of 1000

As I say, sounds like far too much of a PIA, luckily over here no such issues, for now at least.

 

[Ade8mm]

Hi,the problem here is that we need to apply with PSNI for powder and primers prior any purchase. And rfd's sale primers in box of 1000

And that probably is a perfect example of how governments introduce "emergency" legislation and never let go. Ringing any bells ?(covid)

(Sorry to go a little off topic)

 

[Foxyboy43]

And that probably is a perfect example of how governments introduce "emergency" legislation and never let go. Ringing any bells ?(covid)

(Sorry to go a little off topic)

An interesting segue. I am not sure whether it was indeed done under the Emergency Powers Act, I suspect it predates it. Remember that it wouldn’t have been an issue until fairly recently (-20 yrs) because you simply could not have a c/f rifle for fox control (very occasional hornet) so there was little demand for powder and primers. Eventually after some rumours from europe about poor dispatch for foxes the RUC, now PSNI granted permission for 22 magnums and we thought them the best thing ever after the humble 22lr. Then, even more recently, say 10ish years, .222 and .223 were granted which further changed with the introduction of the banded system which limits fox rifles to 22-250. I have reloaded for .222 since the get go and bearing in mind the amout of rounds I have put through the ol girl I must have spent saved a fortune and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the black art. Then there are the heavier rifles and other “shorter” thingies which we still have (the last bastion of UK civilisation) all done with a single stage Lee and more recently a progressive press. IMHO not reloading is missing a great opportunity to better understand your guns, improve accuracy and great fun to boot. If you are shooting a fair amount there is defo a significant saving, from memory my .222 Vmax rounds came in at about £47 a hundred excl. much reloaded brass. Heavier stuff offers the same savings - around 60% of factory and all that lost opportunity.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I have a 6mmPPC. In my life I have only found one box of factory ammunition for it. For some of us it’s not a hobby but a necessity

I was given a 6mm PPC by peter Hammerich from Munich in 1982 when I started up my interest in benchrest then in 1984 I went to a big comp in Ohio near where I was working and they were all so secretive and stuck up that it killed the hobby for me. But the reloading bug will not go away.

 

[Norfolk Horn]

I really like reloading as I give my brother the empty cases and he gives me back full ones that are very good, so what is not to like about it

 

[Klenchblaize]

I have a 6mmPPC. In my life I have only found one box of factory ammunition for it. For some of us it’s not a hobby but a necessity

+1

K

 

[Muir]

I was given a 6mm PPC by peter Hammerich from Munich in 1982 when I started up my interest in benchrest then in 1984 I went to a big comp in Ohio near where I was working and they were all so secretive and stuck up that it killed the hobby for me. But the reloading bug will not go away.

I'll bet they were. It is a highly competitive and secretive sport. You may have been lucky -they just as easily told you a lie than the truth. Telling you nothing might have been choosing a higher path.~Muir

 

[alberta boy]

I was given a 6mm PPC by peter Hammerich from Munich in 1982 when I started up my interest in benchrest then in 1984 I went to a big comp in Ohio near where I was working and they were all so secretive and stuck up that it killed the hobby for me. But the reloading bug will not go away.

They are a funny bunch .

AB

 

[alberta boy]

I actually enjoy reloading my own ammo . I also shoot a fair amount of rifles in obscure chamberings , there is no factory ammo for 38-72 Winchester lol . I consider it part and parcel of shooting .

AB

 

[A Guy Out West]

I actually enjoy reloading my own ammo . I also shoot a fair amount of rifles in obscure chamberings , there is no factory ammo for 38-72 Winchester lol . I consider it part and parcel of shooting .

AB

38/72????? Never heard of such a thing. Between you and Muir, is there a gun you guys don’t have? I just had to google it, looks like it would be fun to play around with. I also stumbled on A .40-60, that looks like a great deer round too.

 

[alberta boy]

38/72????? Never heard of such a thing. Between you and Muir, is there a gun you guys don’t have? I just had to google it, looks like it would be fun to play around with. I also stumbled on A .40-60, that looks like a great deer round too.

I have a fair amount of firearms ............ Muir has a lot more lol . He also hangs onto rifles , I trade constantly so I can try out as many rifles as I can . In other words , you can't own all of them at once , but you can own all of them at least once .............. or as my friends say , I'm a gun slut .

AB

 

[Klenchblaize]

I’ve concluded the pain-free approach to reloading is a relaxed one that sees me dip into throughput the month in question:

Day One
De-prime
Re-size body
Re-size neck

Day Two
Inside & outside neck chamfering

Day Three
Ultrasonic clean

Day Four
Case rinsing and drying

Day Five
Case polishing

Day Six
Removal of cases from vibratory unit and check all cases to ensure there is no media remaining

Day Seven
Wire brush primer pockets.

Day Eight
Install primers

Day Nine
Add powder and heads

K
Ps: We currently have good drying weather!

 

[25 Sharps]

I’ve concluded the pain-free approach to reloading is a relaxed one that sees me dip into throughput the month in question:

Day One
De-prime
Re-size body
Re-size neck

Day Two
Inside & outside neck chamfering

Day Three
Ultrasonic clean

Day Four
Case rinsing and drying

Day Five
Case polishing

Day Six
Removal of cases from vibratory unit and check all cases to ensure there is no media remaining

Day Seven
Wire brush primer pockets.

Day Eight
Install primers

Day Nine
Add powder and heads

K
Ps: We currently have good drying weather!
View attachment 209533

You could remove 2 stages by switching to wet tumbling, this will polish and clean the primer pockets as well as clean the inside of the cases like new

 

[safer]

Going back to the original question of "is it worth it?" This is a calculation for 308 using Lapua brass and SMK bullets. This is assuming you only use brass once and it is still half the price of what similar quality ammo would cost to buy. The only factory ammo you would be able to by for £64.50 per 50 would be S&B training round. If you then take into calculation that you should get 10 loads out of your good brass ( and Norma is one of those) then to cost goes down to £0.73 per round for match quality ammo and you can't buy any factory ammo for that money. Yes it does take time to do these things but I find reloading therapeutic. Note: ignore the dollar sign, it's American app.

 

[calgeo]

I reload for .223 and I’m pretty sure if I worked out my costs it wouldn’t be worth it. The reason I reload is the only factory load I liked for accuracy and meat damage was Sako gameheads and it was a 4hr round trip to the nearest dealer that stocked them. Started reloading Sierra gamekings and I know I’ll always have a stock of them through the post. Think it adds a little bit extra to stalking when shooting deer with a bullet I reloaded.

 

[NullMac]

Doubtful.

I worked out today that I can reload a 270 110g TTSX round for £1.53 and buy loaded at £2.20 each.

For a non crappy Lee only basic reloading system I would need to reload ~750 rounds to break even. So if you are on the range a lot then it a yes, if you are purely a recreational stalker then it is a no.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I'll bet they were. It is a highly competitive and secretive sport. You may have been lucky -they just as easily told you a lie than the truth. Telling you nothing might have been choosing a higher path.~Muir

I liked the idea of the anality of accurate reloading if that is a correct term, I sort of thought after being at the Nationals in Camp Perry in 1984 where most were a great bunch that it would have been a similar kind of atmosphere but sadly I was well disappointed.