redkneck Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Ok, i know some of you guys are reloading. for the average idiot like me, what's the ballpark cost for getting started reloading something like a 300 wby? how much can you save over factory loads? last box i priced were $65 for core-locks! I'm not looking for too much detail, just cost in general terms. i know i'd have a lot to read to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 The cheapest reloading kits are by LEE appx $100 The better kits such as RCBS, Hornady, Redding,Lyman etc are appx $300 Dies $30 1lb of powder $20 100ct bullets $20 100ct Primers $4 100ct Brass $70 These kits will include the basic things to get you started ie, press,scale,powder measure,loading block, lube etc. I can assure you there are many gizwidgits that make the job faster and easier to be had in the future. As far as the savings on handloading it can vary a great deal depending on what components are used. In your case, the 300 WBY, you should be able to save 2/3rds of the cost over factory shells. This is assuming you save the brass and reuse it. In the end, the hobby of handloading is very rewarding and will allow you to be able to taylor your own loads and be able to shoot over twice as much with the same money spent. I started out 35 years ago with a RCBS Rock Chucker loading the 30-06, at last count I have 5 presses and 42 die sets. Since then I have accquired alot of different equipment to help me handloading. I am a fairly large volume shooter and there would be no way I could afford or find factory fodder to feed my appetite for burning powder. It's not rocket science but can be hazardous as you know so I would reccomend getting a few of different manuals to read. One of the best ways to get started is to get some "hands on" with a person/mentor that has handloading experience. There might be a family member or friend you could ask or visit the local sporting goods store ans ask. Good luck............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailmanmark Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 doubleA pretty much hit it right on the head. Personally, you couldn't give me anything from Lee. Good luck......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Thanks, guys. I know that the real reward would be the satisfaction of making my own loads. But i was curious as to the cost savings, i'm not a high volume shooter, but that's primarily due to the cost of ammo. I almost fainted when i saw the jump in the WBY ammo (most of the time i got my bow anyway) but i have saved most of my brass on the 300 thinking one day i would do something with it. I'll take a look at the kit you were talking about. I bet there's plenty of that stuff on ebay, or do you have a recommended source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 I've got this kit http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1232069202.2326=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html#breech and it works great. Other things you need are. Dies of course. I've got lee and RCBS. Of the two I would recomend RCBS Bullet puller Case trmmer- I use lee and they work great and are easy to use, fast and really cheap Tumbler and media (Franford Ars. $36) I started loading last spring and have loaded about 1K rounds. You will want but don't absolutely need dial caliper digital scale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Thanks, guys for all that info. I'm an engineer, and i got access to all the measuring stuff and precision gram scales, so i'm sure that will help. last question, do dies interchange? if i picked up a rcbs, and found a lee die on ebay, i dont suppose they interchange? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 I think all dies fit in all presses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Yes, standard dies of today are a common size, they all share 7/8"x14 tpi and will interchange. The 50 BMG due to it's enormous size takes a bigger diameter die which is 1 1/4"x 12tpi I hope this helps .......... 7/8x14 die on left 1 1/4x12 die on right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVdeerhunter Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Yes handloads are cheaper i load my 300 WBY just 4 hunting and dont load over a box a year and it is a lot cheaper but on the other hand im 37 and have never shot anything that wasnt a reload so yes i havent shot a rifle shell from a store and dont ever plan 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted January 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Thanks a million guys. Hopefully by next year, i'll never buy another WBY in the store either. When i get my stuff together, i'll have to ask you what bullet and charge you found the best luck with on that 300. Thanks again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks a million guys. Hopefully by next year, i'll never buy another WBY in the store either. When i get my stuff together, i'll have to ask you what bullet and charge you found the best luck with on that 300. Thanks again!! I'm afraid no one can answer that question. Not because we don't want to, but because it's impossible. You will have to work up a load for your gun. I went to 2 different bullets and 4 powders before I got a load for my 243 and 25-06. Luckily they both performed the best with the same powder IMR 7828sc. With my 223 I got lucky and it shot the best with the very first load I tried in it. I shot just over 1/2" at 50 yards which is what I want it for and haven't tried anything since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Metal Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 This is great stuff! I've considered this many times but especially after the last gun show I went to Indy. Seeing all the presses and brass....got the 'ol juices flowin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Any of your buddy's reload? Mine do---so I just bought a set of dies. Used his scale, press, etc. Plus you also have a mentor----helps you learn the ropes. As far as dies & equipment. I would stick with RCBS-----good stuff at a fair price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 First of all, I have several sets of RCBS, Hornady and Lee dies. All work fine. I really like the factory crimp dies in the Lee sets. The nice thing about reloading is after the initial cost of equipment to get started the only thing you must add is dies for different calibers. These are reasonable in cost. The gun you plan to reload for today is surely not the only gun you will ever own. Of course you can go nuts like some of us and add tumblers, case trimmers,digital powder scales, digital calipers, bullet removers, case prep centers,priming tools and who knows what else. But you don't have to. But you will want to. It is a great satisfying hobby. I've really enjoyed working up loads to get a certain gun to shoot really well. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnor Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Has anyone here reloaded using the Nosler E-Tip bullets? I'm curious as to personal experience with them versus Barnes TSX, both the reloading and cost side of things and also shooting accuracy and terminal performance. Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVdeerhunter Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Has anyone here reloaded using the Nosler E-Tip bullets? I'm curious as to personal experience with them versus Barnes TSX, both the reloading and cost side of things and also shooting accuracy and terminal performance. Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Ive shot both and the Nosler is better 2 me but thats me;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Metal Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Talked to a buddy of mine that lives down the road from me yesterday. We talked very seriously about going in together on a reloading system! I can't wait! Together we can get something nicer than if we each chinced out and bought our own! LOL:D He'd be doing mainly handgun rounds and rounds for his MAC90(not sure what size they are..7.62ish?). I'd be doing .300 savage and probably 44 rem mag or whatever my new hunting rifle winds ups being. But I think we could both pitch in around $100-$150. So what would be good for somewhere around $250ish? Obviously then we invest in dies. FYI, we're complete rookies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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