Reload 9mm? With what, how, why??

[starship]

Fairly new to handguns after shooting shotguns for years.
Have never done the reloading thing for either. I have not found enough savings on 12ga shotgun shells when you can buy them on sale pretty regular.

BUT, how about 9mm?? I have read some posts that suggest savings could be substantial. I know nothing about it. Some of the posts are rather intimdiating with talk about issues I don't even begin to understand.

Just how hard is it to learn to reload 9mm. Is it cost effective.
Most important ... What the heck do I need to do it??

I don't mean just the componets but the equipment.

One last thought, just how long does it take to reload a box of 50 9mm??
Let's say using a single stage press for starters.

Any and all help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

[BigJimP]

Sure its worth it to reload 9mm .... My current cost to reload a box of 50 ( with 124gr bullets ) is about $ 5 a box ....compared to about $ 12 retail ...and I reload a much better cartridge than any of the cheap ammo out there ( S&B, etc )...

I use a progressive press / Dillon 650 ( they have a good website ) go on there and check out their presses - all of their presses will handle 9mm - with no issues. My 650 press, with a case feeder will easily load 1,000 rds an hour ( so it takes about 3 min to load 50 cartridges ). Its quick...

Even the lower end Dillon SDB press will load about 500 rds an hour / so it will only take 6 min to load 50 rds on that machine.

What do you need - bullets, primers, powder, cases.....

The load I like in 9mm :
124gr CMJ bullet - Montana Gold bullets
CCI small pistol primers
Hodgdon TiteGroup powder

A single stage press / will probably take you about 30 min to load 50 rds...and I gave up loading handgun ammo on a single stage press 40 yrs ago ...

http://www.dillonprecision.com/

RCBS, Hornady, etc all make decent equipment these days ...

There is no difference in the process to load 9mm vs any other handgun caliber .... .45acp, .44 mag, etc ......

Note: you can save at least $ 2.50 a box on 12ga shotshells too by reloading and get a much better shell than the cheap shells ( RIO, Estate, etc ) ....and I reload 12, 20, 28ga and .410 on MEC hydraulic machines ( 9000 HN's ). MEC makes good shotshell loaders in my opinion.

[BigJimP]

Read the equipment basics thread above - in this section of the forum...

There isn't anything unique about reloading a 9mm cartridge ( you need 9mm dies of course ) ... but that link above is a good place for a new reloader to get some basic info.

[engineermike]

Well let see;

.05c powder @ 5g per load
.05c-12c bullets call it .09c
.03c primer per load
???? Brass can purches for around .04c depends on how many times u reload.
So that makes it around .17c or $17.00 per hundred or around $8.50 per 50. Do your own math on what ammo cost in your area.

As for equipment, I don't know lets call it $200.00 to $2000.00. There seems to be large range of prices for the press, dies, primer pocket cleaner, gauges, etc. Then you have to concider the used market and the occasional estate sale or that buddy down the street that just gives stuff away for no reason. I can load around 4 to 5 hundred rounds in an afternoon, but I have my bench in my garage and it is hot and I have to stand, no chair. (My fault)

I reload because I got tired of driving all over town looking for ammo and then when I did find it I could only buy 2 boxes.(Store Restriction) I also got tired of being held up for $20.00 to $28.00 per 50 rounds just because they could charge that price and most shooters would pay the price. The time I spend loading is time I would be watching Oprah anyway or downloading **** off the internet. It also makes me feel like I have accomplished something and I get to try out new ideas that I get off this web site. You just can't put a price on that.

Mike

[oneounceload]

$.05 for powder? What are you buying? Powder runs $100/8# which is 56,000 grains. Keeping the math simple with 5 grains as a load, that is 11,000 loads per jug= less than a penny for powder. Brass is free - save your own, scrounge the rest....I can reload 9mm for half your costs as I bought bullets before the current mania, even so, it isn't anywhere near the wally world prices............

OP, you REALLY need to read all of the reloading stickies at the top of this forum, THR and many others to get the answers...it isn't rocket science, it doesn't take several mortgage payments to get into, and it doesn't require an addition to your house.................

[DiscoRacing]

Powder runs $100/8

I havent found it that cheap for awhile now...
Yes it is worth reloading....and its enjoyable also.

[engineermike]

let me see, 7000g (One pound) divided by 5g = 1400, and if powder cost $22.00 per pound that would be .031 or almost 1/3 of a cent per grain. So that is just under .02c per load at 5g. So someone with a computer check my fuzzy math but I am wrong on the cost per load. But I want to know where you can buy Win. 231 for $100.00 for 8 lbs. (Just joking) I know I could be buying Hodgdon HP-38 cheaper. Geeez, I didn't relaize what a bargin reloading really was.

I may start again;

Mike

[arizona98tj]

Some folks, those that have been reloading for several years (or decades) sometimes forget that folks considering the reloading route aren't sitting on prior purchases of primers, powders, and bullets acquired at now unobtainable prices.

I have primers sitting on the shelf....they were $50 a case.....10# of powder was $100 (tax included).....and once fired brass going back as much as 30+ years ago that I haven't touched. And when someone at work asks about reloading, I don't give them info based on those prices....I calculate what their costs will be at today's prices. And usually, they can't muster a $500 online order to substantially offset the HAZMAT fees. So they pay local component prices at the mom and pop gun store, which usually isn't all that great (at least not around here).

To the OP.....many find reloading an enjoyable part of the sport. I do. Some don't. If you can find someone locally that does, ask them to show you how it is done. It will give you better insight and help you decide on if you want to add reloading to your shooting hobby.

[oneounceload]

Hmmmmm, current price on Titewad, $95/8#.......There are others in similar cost....some just a little over $100, so I used $100/8#

$100/56000 grains = .001785714/grain.....X 5 grains = $.00892857 per load, or just under a penny - round it up if you like.

That is TODAY's pricing.

Primers are running from 2.5 to 3 cents each

Lead bullets run from 5 to 8 cents each

Take .08 + .04 + .01 = .13 on the high side X 50 = 6.50 on the high end - still cheaper than wally world, and you've tailored it to your gun

[engineermike]

Well,
Oneounce is right, after looking at a couple web sites they do have a few powders at close to $100.00 for 8 lbs. That's what I get for just using only 2 kinds powder, and they are at a higher cost. After discounting the $25.00 Haz-Mat fee, I discount account some can go to the retailer and pick up the powder and save shipping and the Haz-Mat fee. Of course I only buy the 1 lbs lots of powder so it cost me twice as much for powder.

At these prices who wouldn't reload.

Mike

[oneounceload]

I save the hazmat fees and shipping by ordering through my local gun club - it is a trap/skeet/5-stand place, but they'll bring in anything the distributor has. The distributor brings their truck down to the club about every 3 weeks with the orders...(and a WHOLE bunch of targets)

[jpdavis423]

Stop guessing, see this site: http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Based on this my cost to reload 9mm (115 gr fmj) is $5.27/50. This is based on components purchased in the last 90 days. My powder cost is based upon 8lb containers and my primer cost is based on buying 5k at a time.

But - I use free brass scrounged from the range. I always come home with more than I shot.

Jeff

[Don P]

Sticky: For the New Reloader: Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST
Johnny Guest

This is a good place to start. This thread is at the top with the other threads that have been stickied.
As far as savings go I am re-loading 9 mm for 10 cents per round. I do not make my own lead bullets, I buy them. Last I checked on factory 9 mm prices they ranged from 20-28 cents per round. Re-loading saves at least 50-60% of factory priced ammo.
Getting started I would recommend Lee Precision re-loading equipment. Lee's products will be the least expensive to get started and I have re-loaded over 20,000 rounds so far and have had no problems with the Lee equipment thus far. My point being there is other equipment out there more expensive ( better quality ) opinions vary and if you find you do NOT like re-loading your investment is minimal as far as recouping monies spent.

[zxcvbob]

What shotgun powders do you have leftover? Red Dot and Green Dot work pretty well in 9mm.

[11B-101ABN]

I think a lot of guys have forgotten what it's like to be a beginner (newbe), most of us have equipment that was paid for decades ago. The costs of bullets, primers, powder, and brass have all at least doubled in the last 5 years, making the payback in savings much longer. I would say that reloading is really just trading time for money saved. If you reload and stay with it, you will probably shoot more thus not saving any money at all. I probably spent the first 10 years of reloading acquiring equipment, shooting, loading, and trying different ideas. The one thing I would stress to a newbe now would to get to know a reloader ot two and learn by watching as well as reading the books. I think Don P. has a very good point also: If you start with Lee equipment and decide this is not what you want, your investment will be minimal. But like any hobby, you're going to meet some great people that are interested in reloading also.

[engineermike]

Right there Starship, what 11-B says, you'll always be buying something and you will meet "A LOT" of nice people. And don't forget about the tumbler, and a shell holder, and did we mention lube, and OH YEA don't forget the loading trays, gotta have loading treys.

Mike

[engineermike]

May be the word is "tray/s" I forget.

[Edward429451]

I can load 50 245 gr Keith swc's in 44 Mag for 5.17 with prevailing prices on powder & primers and me casting and lubing the slugs. 124 gr 9mm's would prolly be ~4.00 per 50 box. Yes it is worth it.

[armoredman]

using the handy dandy calculator program, looks like I can load a box of 50 9mm LRN for $2.18, with my own cast bullets.
I don't really calculate the cots, though. and I certainly don't factor in my time, like some do, as I consider it to be a companion hobby to my shooting hobby. I actually have three hobbies in one, shooting, reloading, and casting. I use a single stage Lee, and can push a box of 50 in about 45 minutes, but I spend time triple checking things, for instance - I keep a flashlight on my bench. When I am done charging the cases with powder, I stand up and use the flashlight to peer into every case to see my level of explosive dirt. I check each case THREE TIMES. Overkill? Squibs suck, so, not in my mind.
Reloading is a fun and productive hobby.

[Jim243]

Starship

The why, is the easyest part of your question to answer. Never having to worry about what's on sale or available. I just go to my ammo cabinet (actually 3 of them) and picking out 2 or 3 boxes of ammo I have sitting there and then I just go to the range. Even during the shortages we had just a little while ago, it never fazed me about being able to shoot due to a lack of ammo.

That is the best feeling there is. (Independance)

The with what and how is harder to answer because of the many choices out there on equipment and components.

Please read the sticky on the face page of this forum to get a better understanding of how.

Jim

[rtpzwms]

Starship if you reload shotgun hulls you can reload pistol. I think pistol cases are easier. I would recommend that you use bullets with a round noise profile. I just don't like semi wad-cutters in 9mm. If you are reloading rifle, pistol is easier but be sure to get carbide dies. OAL in some weapons is critical example my Luger has to be just right or it will jam....

[Xfire68]

I just did the math on my 9 mm loads and it comes to $7.3 a box of 50 but I am loading JHP's. You can't buy JHP's at any store for anywhere near that price!

Most of the powders I use like Power Pistol and Bullseye are currently costing around $13.50 per pound when I buy 4 or more pounds. The place I buy from has a discounted HAZMAT shipping to IL so it's only $12.50 for HAZMAT charges! Primers cost about $28 per thousand and brass is either super cheap or free from friends that don't reload! I have been buying my bullets from Rocky Mountain Reloading and the prices are great for quality jacketed bullets at around $100 per thousand shipped.

[CMichael]

How much is the reloading machine?

What would be the start up cost?

I am now paying $9.47 for 50 rounds federal at walmart.

[CrustyFN]

If you reload and stay with it, you will probably shoot more thus not saving any money at all.

You are saving 50% no matter how you look at it. How fast you want to shoot up the ammo is up to the individual.

How much is the reloading machine?

What would be the start up cost?

I am now paying $9.47 for 50 rounds federal at walmart.

Depends on your needs. A single stage will load around 50 per hour, the Lee classic turret around 200 per hour and a progressive around 400+ per hour. If loading pistol I would recommend at least a turret press. You can get started for $100 up to $2,000 depending what equipment you go with.

[oneounceload]

Check sites like this and Ebay for used equipment at half the cost of new.

I use a single stage RCBS I have had for 30 years. Used to own a Dillon - had too many issues with it to be bothered. I load using the "batch" method - deprime/resize in one step, then reprime and flare in the second step, finally charge/seat/crimp in the third step.

I shoot more shotgun now than pistol, and that's even easier