Help finding equipment (New reloader)

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 12:34 AM

I just got hired as a police officer and I am 23 years old. I been shooting a lot and I am wanting to shoot a lot more. I shoot about 1-2000 9mm rounds a month. I am counting rounds with friends and my dad.

I was wondering if anyone is willing to sell their old equipment or show me links to the equipment I will need.

Keeping in mind I only shoot 9mm and 1k-2k rounds a month. I have read the sticky but more help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

dmazur · November 4, 2011, 01:47 AM

Welcome to TFL! (I believe this is one of the best forums for reloading information...I've learned quite a bit here.)

There is no universal answer to the question, "What reloading equipment should I buy?" To make matters worse, it evokes strong feelings similar to Ford vs. Chevy pickups and, before you know it, you are in the middle of a Blue vs. Red color war.

Nevertheless, if you are mechanically inclined and can follow written instructions precisely, you might be OK starting with a progressive press, such as the Dillon 550B -

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/con...atid/1/RL_550B

If you weren't reloading 1-2K rounds/month, I'd follow convention and suggest you start with a single stage press. But, at those volumes, you'll quickly wear yourself out with a single stage. And you aren't talking about reloading rifle cartridges, so the argument that goes, "You'll always find a use for a single stage later" may not apply.

You'll notice Dillon gear isn't exactly inexpensive. Their stuff is built like a tank, holds its value forever, and is supported by a lifetime warranty.

Now it's time for 1) someone from the Red camp to disagree with this, and say that a LNL AP is a better value, safer because it auto-indexes, etc. or 2) someone who believes it is impossible to learn to load on a progressive to tell you that you'll kill yourself...

farmerboy · November 4, 2011, 01:53 AM

Dmazur, did i read correctly? A blue vs red war. Please don't forget the Green!!!

mrawesome22 · November 4, 2011, 02:23 AM

Please do not get an itchy trigger finger.

Remember that 99.9999999% of people you pull over are hard working Americans on your side.

This is not the movies where everyone is out to get you so you kill them all....

farmerboy · November 4, 2011, 02:29 AM

Probably closer to around 80 percent is more like it

Dr. Strangelove · November 4, 2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmazur

If you weren't reloading 1-2K rounds/month, I'd follow convention and suggest you start with a single stage press. But, at those volumes, you'll quickly wear yourself out with a single stage. And you aren't talking about reloading rifle cartridges, so the argument that goes, "You'll always find a use for a single stage later" may not apply.

You'll notice Dillon gear isn't exactly inexpensive. Their stuff is built like a tank, holds its value forever, and is supported by a lifetime warranty.

Now it's time for 1) someone from the Red camp to disagree with this,

Ohhh, I'm a Red camp scoutmaster, to be sure, but if the OP is really going to reload 1000+ rounds a month, I'd say graduate right into the blue boys (Dillon) from the start. Split the cost with friends and dad.

Have fun. Be careful. Ask lots of questions. (Don't load for others, make them do it themselves)

(Maybe spend a month or two on the job and see how much time you actually have to shoot...)

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 03:28 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I am looking to get some books. I might not need that fancy of a press right now because I do have a lot of spare time that I can spend reloading.

Also if you guys have some advice on deals on the other tools needed that would be great. Thanks

farmerboy · November 4, 2011, 03:32 AM

RCBS Rockchucker kit is all you need. A single stage and a great kit

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 03:40 AM

How much money can you look to save if you cast your own bullets

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 05:07 AM

So I am looking at $525 shipped for the RL 500b with the Dillon Carbide Pistol Dies (Three-Die Sets) for $63 and Dillon 1 Large pick up tube for $8.

I will look on ebay for the following items.

calipers
basic handloading 48th edition
scale
tumbler
primer flip tray
powder
primers
bullets (or cast my own?)

Anything else?

Shootest · November 4, 2011, 05:14 AM

You can save a lot of $ casting your own. Reloading and casting are two different animals. I suggest you learn reloading first, then start casting. Do you shoot a Glock? Glock warns against shooting cast bullets in there guns. It cost me less than $0.03/bullet to cast 9mm and .38 calibers.

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 05:26 AM

My personal protection gun is a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 and my duty weapon is a Sig Sauer P250.

You guys are really helpful.

I watched a couple videos on casting and it did not look too hard. Might look into it soon.

Where do you guys buy your primers, powder, and bullets from? I will get casings from the PD range

Dr. Strangelove · November 4, 2011, 05:28 AM

Be sure if you use an issued weapon that they allow hand-loads/cast bullets, you may want to check.

Shootest · November 4, 2011, 05:30 AM

Calipers - Any will work
basic handloading 48th edition - Recommend Lyman 49th Edition
scale - Recommend Dillon’s $55 beam scale
tumbler - Recommend holding off till your casings get real dirty, Don't forget media.
primer flip tray - Any will work
powder - Recommend Bullseye or W 231/HP 38
primers - Recommend any small pistol
bullets (or cast my own?) - Recommend shopping around for low price on plated

Anything else? Not that I can think of.

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 06:00 AM

I am using a calculator to figure out cost per round and its still 20 cents per round or 10 for 50 rounds.

here is the prices I have found.

Powder 8lbs for 135
Primers 5000 for 162
Bullets 1000 for 164

I wont be saving much money at those prices

EDIT: Must have saw the wrong ammo. Are these ok?
http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14..._115gr_RN.aspx

Kevin Rohrer · November 4, 2011, 06:54 AM

Your prices are way high. If you shop around and goto gunshows, you can find prices way better than that.

I know I can load a box of 100 .45ACP for $10.80. You should be able to do better than that.

What I can get components for:
8lbs Unique $101 (includes tax)
5k SP primers $137 (includes tax)
1000 lead 9mm bullets $45 (or less)

Cost for 100-rounds: $8.14

Here is a utility to estimate cost:

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

As far as what equipment to buy, I always advise newbies to start out on a single-stage press or a non-progressive turret for the first year or so, until you definitely know what you are doing.

However, considering how much you shoot (and I hope you have been saving your brass), I'd take a hard look at either the Ponsness-Warren P200 or their Metallic II press. Do a search for them online.

After a couple years of experience, get yourself either a Dillon 550B or Hornady LNL.

Oh, and I've been in your line of work for 38-years. If your department allows it and you can afford it, get yourself a .45ACP auto (in a 1911 or SIG). The 9mm is for women and Europeans. If you want more details on anything above, PM me.

Don P · November 4, 2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

RCBS Rockchucker kit is all you need. A single stage and a great kit

OP stated "shooting 1-2000 rounds per month"
Why would one want to suggest a single stage press for 250-500 rounds per week of reloading having to switch dies out.
IMO a turret or progressive. For the amount of rounds needed to reload Dillon would be my choice.
I use Lee equipment and shooting lead it cost me .10 per round $100 per 1K

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 07:30 AM

Are these any good or are they junk primers?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/510...0-trays-of-100

Don P · November 4, 2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Are these any good or are they junk primers?

I haven't seen any negatives yet. Check these folks out,
www.recobstargetshop.com
www.powdervalleyinc.com

Gaffs just had a deal for 32 lbs. powder and free hazmat and you could include another 16 lbs. in the order

Shootest · November 4, 2011, 08:06 AM

Check these out.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/16563
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5507
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5375
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/3018
S&H is only $4.95 for entire order, plus one haz-mat charge $25.00 covers powder and primers shipped together.

FORGOT to add you can even buy the press and it is on sale.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/3032

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 08:12 AM

Thanks shootest. Looks like some good deals

kmaldona · November 4, 2011, 08:15 AM

These are the cheapest bullets I have found so far.

http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...ry=8&keywords=

dmazur · November 4, 2011, 11:14 AM

Nothing wrong with starting with a single stage press. I think typical production rates are around 50 rds/hr, compared to around 300 rds/hr with a simple progressive.

So, you're going to invest 20-40 hrs/month vs. 4-8 hrs/month, to match your 1-2K consumption rate.

Ah, it must be nice to be young. I don't have 40 hrs/month of free time...

farmerboy · November 4, 2011, 01:21 PM

I see this new hobby as something that may last or he may give up shortly. He can still produce that kind of volume I'n the evenings and who knows he may stop next week. Yea if it was what i was gonna continue I'd go progressive also but just starting out I'd say learn to walk before running. By progressive and if it doesn't work out sell it. I load on a single stage shoot often enough and could start shooting today and end probably by a coupons of weeks. Just be consistent with real training, not just shooting and replenishing also.

kmaldona · November 7, 2011, 04:33 AM

I am going with a 550 because of my consumption and the fact I will be shooting for the rest of my life. I am just now placing my first order of components from Powder Valley.

Its weird they dont show you shipping cost until after you give them cc info.

November 4, 2011, 12:34 AM	#1
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	Help finding equipment (New reloader) I just got hired as a police officer and I am 23 years old. I been shooting a lot and I am wanting to shoot a lot more. I shoot about 1-2000 9mm rounds a month. I am counting rounds with friends and my dad. I was wondering if anyone is willing to sell their old equipment or show me links to the equipment I will need. Keeping in mind I only shoot 9mm and 1k-2k rounds a month. I have read the sticky but more help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

November 4, 2011, 01:47 AM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	Welcome to TFL! (I believe this is one of the best forums for reloading information...I've learned quite a bit here.) There is no universal answer to the question, "What reloading equipment should I buy?" To make matters worse, it evokes strong feelings similar to Ford vs. Chevy pickups and, before you know it, you are in the middle of a Blue vs. Red color war. Nevertheless, if you are mechanically inclined and can follow written instructions precisely, you might be OK starting with a progressive press, such as the Dillon 550B - http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/con...atid/1/RL_550B If you weren't reloading 1-2K rounds/month, I'd follow convention and suggest you start with a single stage press. But, at those volumes, you'll quickly wear yourself out with a single stage. And you aren't talking about reloading rifle cartridges, so the argument that goes, "You'll always find a use for a single stage later" may not apply. You'll notice Dillon gear isn't exactly inexpensive. Their stuff is built like a tank, holds its value forever, and is supported by a lifetime warranty. Now it's time for 1) someone from the Red camp to disagree with this, and say that a LNL AP is a better value, safer because it auto-indexes, etc. or 2) someone who believes it is impossible to learn to load on a progressive to tell you that you'll kill yourself... __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

November 4, 2011, 05:14 AM	#11
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	You can save a lot of $ casting your own. Reloading and casting are two different animals. I suggest you learn reloading first, then start casting. Do you shoot a Glock? Glock warns against shooting cast bullets in there guns. It cost me less than $0.03/bullet to cast 9mm and .38 calibers. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

November 4, 2011, 05:28 AM	#13
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Be sure if you use an issued weapon that they allow hand-loads/cast bullets, you may want to check. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

November 4, 2011, 05:30 AM	#14
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	Calipers - Any will work basic handloading 48th edition - Recommend Lyman 49th Edition scale - Recommend Dillon’s $55 beam scale tumbler - Recommend holding off till your casings get real dirty, Don't forget media. primer flip tray - Any will work powder - Recommend Bullseye or W 231/HP 38 primers - Recommend any small pistol bullets (or cast my own?) - Recommend shopping around for low price on plated Anything else? Not that I can think of. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

November 4, 2011, 01:53 AM	#3
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Dmazur, did i read correctly? A blue vs red war. Please don't forget the Green!!!

November 4, 2011, 02:23 AM	#4
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Please do not get an itchy trigger finger. Remember that 99.9999999% of people you pull over are hard working Americans on your side. This is not the movies where everyone is out to get you so you kill them all....

November 4, 2011, 02:29 AM	#5
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Probably closer to around 80 percent is more like it

November 4, 2011, 03:28 AM	#7
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	Thanks for all the advice. I am looking to get some books. I might not need that fancy of a press right now because I do have a lot of spare time that I can spend reloading. Also if you guys have some advice on deals on the other tools needed that would be great. Thanks

November 4, 2011, 03:32 AM	#8
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	RCBS Rockchucker kit is all you need. A single stage and a great kit

November 4, 2011, 03:40 AM	#9
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	How much money can you look to save if you cast your own bullets

November 4, 2011, 05:07 AM	#10
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	So I am looking at $525 shipped for the RL 500b with the Dillon Carbide Pistol Dies (Three-Die Sets) for $63 and Dillon 1 Large pick up tube for $8. I will look on ebay for the following items. calipers basic handloading 48th edition scale tumbler primer flip tray powder primers bullets (or cast my own?) Anything else?

November 4, 2011, 05:26 AM	#12
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	My personal protection gun is a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 and my duty weapon is a Sig Sauer P250. You guys are really helpful. I watched a couple videos on casting and it did not look too hard. Might look into it soon. Where do you guys buy your primers, powder, and bullets from? I will get casings from the PD range

November 4, 2011, 06:00 AM	#15
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	I am using a calculator to figure out cost per round and its still 20 cents per round or 10 for 50 rounds. here is the prices I have found. Powder 8lbs for 135 Primers 5000 for 162 Bullets 1000 for 164 I wont be saving much money at those prices EDIT: Must have saw the wrong ammo. Are these ok? http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14..._115gr_RN.aspx Last edited by kmaldona; November 4, 2011 at 06:23 AM.

November 4, 2011, 06:54 AM	#16
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Some Eclectic Advice Your prices are way high. If you shop around and goto gunshows, you can find prices way better than that. I know I can load a box of 100 .45ACP for $10.80. You should be able to do better than that. What I can get components for: 8lbs Unique $101 (includes tax) 5k SP primers $137 (includes tax) 1000 lead 9mm bullets $45 (or less) Cost for 100-rounds: $8.14 Here is a utility to estimate cost: http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp As far as what equipment to buy, I always advise newbies to start out on a single-stage press or a non-progressive turret for the first year or so, until you definitely know what you are doing. However, considering how much you shoot (and I hope you have been saving your brass), I'd take a hard look at either the Ponsness-Warren P200 or their Metallic II press. Do a search for them online. After a couple years of experience, get yourself either a Dillon 550B or Hornady LNL. Oh, and I've been in your line of work for 38-years. If your department allows it and you can afford it, get yourself a .45ACP auto (in a 1911 or SIG). The 9mm is for women and Europeans. If you want more details on anything above, PM me. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

November 4, 2011, 07:30 AM	#18
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	Are these any good or are they junk primers? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/510...0-trays-of-100

November 4, 2011, 08:06 AM	#20
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	Check these out. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/16563 http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5507 http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5375 http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/3018 S&H is only $4.95 for entire order, plus one haz-mat charge $25.00 covers powder and primers shipped together. FORGOT to add you can even buy the press and it is on sale. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/3032 __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member Last edited by Shootest; November 4, 2011 at 08:15 AM.

November 4, 2011, 08:12 AM	#21
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	Thanks shootest. Looks like some good deals

November 4, 2011, 08:15 AM	#22
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	These are the cheapest bullets I have found so far. http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...ry=8&keywords=

November 4, 2011, 11:14 AM	#23
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	Nothing wrong with starting with a single stage press. I think typical production rates are around 50 rds/hr, compared to around 300 rds/hr with a simple progressive. So, you're going to invest 20-40 hrs/month vs. 4-8 hrs/month, to match your 1-2K consumption rate. Ah, it must be nice to be young. I don't have 40 hrs/month of free time... __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

November 4, 2011, 01:21 PM	#24
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I see this new hobby as something that may last or he may give up shortly. He can still produce that kind of volume I'n the evenings and who knows he may stop next week. Yea if it was what i was gonna continue I'd go progressive also but just starting out I'd say learn to walk before running. By progressive and if it doesn't work out sell it. I load on a single stage shoot often enough and could start shooting today and end probably by a coupons of weeks. Just be consistent with real training, not just shooting and replenishing also.

November 7, 2011, 04:33 AM	#25
kmaldona Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Posts: 33	I am going with a 550 because of my consumption and the fact I will be shooting for the rest of my life. I am just now placing my first order of components from Powder Valley. Its weird they dont show you shipping cost until after you give them cc info.