Brass exchange reloads

[no_agenda]

Anyone know of any companies/websites other than mastercaster and ultramax that will reload your brass? I'm looking for 9mm cast lead, which I will be shooting out of a Glock 19 (lone wolf barrel).

[David Wile]

Hey Agenda,

Where do you live? That information would be a key factor in case a willing loader would live near you.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[Lavid2002]

??? Why dont you just do it yourself?

If you want the savings but dont want to reload. Buy ZERO ammo, bring the box's back for 2$ off the next box...

[Veyec]

http://www.reedsammo.com/ReloadedAmmunition.html

[no_agenda]

I live in New Mexico

I don't reload because I simply do not know how, I assume to get a press, dyes(?) And stuff it would run me $300-$400 at least. I would only be reloading 9mm, any suggestions on how to get started (cheaply) would be much appreciated.

[Brian Pfleuger]

You would be hard pressed to save (an appreciable amount of) money reloading nothing but 9mm. You might be best off to purchase your ammo from a company like Georgia Arms that offers a small brass credit for returning the used brass and purchasing more ammo.

[no_agenda]

Well, I shoot around 1200-1500 rounds a month, that's about $300-$350 a month using the cheap factory stuff. If I could reload (using a lead projectile) would I even cut that number in half?

[rjrivero]

Originally Posted by no_agenda

Well, I shoot around 1200-1500 rounds a month, that's about $300-$350 a month using the cheap factory stuff. If I could reload (using a lead projectile) would I even cut that number in half?

Yes. You can. If you shoot that much 9mm, you definitely could save some money loading lead over just about any powder you care to load.

With numbers like that, I would suggest buying a nice progessive. I started on a Dillon 650 and I haven't looked back. I suppose if I were to do it over again, a 550 would be as satisfactory, and cost of switching calibers is a bit less. You would re-coup your money relatively quicly by rolling your own at that kind of pace.

Folks have been happy with their Lee, and Hornady presses as well.

[zxcvbob]

How much are you currently paying per cartridge? You can get lead bullets for about 4¢ each, primers for about 2.5¢ each, and the powder costs less than 1¢ if you use Promo for target ammo or Bullseye for normal-power. About 8¢ total, or $4 per box of 50. (I'm assuming the brass is free.) That's cutting the costs down to the minimum without casting your own bullets.

I doubt that you can save enough loading 9mm to be worthwhile if the cost savings is your only motivation, but you should be able to save *something*. Load just about any other cartridge and the savings add up a lot faster. For example .45 Colt doesn't cost much more than 9mm to load (once you have the brass) but they cost almost $1 per pop to buy, and that's the cheap stuff.

RJR, Loading just one or two pistol calibers at high volume, wouldn't a Dillon SDB make more sense? That's what most of the guys (and gal) in my bullseye league use.

[BigJimP]

You can probably cut your cost in half by reloading - so save at least $ 150 a month / which will pay for your press easily in a year or so.

I second the recommendation for a Dillon 650 .....its not cheap / but sometimes you get what you pay for ... just the press alone is around $ 500 / but it will cost you about $ 1,000 - $1,750 to get a full startup kit, etc ...depending on what you need or want.

But saving $ 150 a month = $1,800 in 12 months alone ....

My cost to relaod 9mm ( 124 gr CMJ bullet ) ...I don't shoot lead bullets - I shoot only jacketed ammo ... is $ 6.25 a box of 50 vs about $ 12 retail ...

[no_agenda]

Is there any way I can get totally set up for around $500?

[zippy13]

no_agenda, if you're looking to save money, it's not in the reloading, it's in the bullets. The cost of powder and primers is a small part of reloading compared to the cost of bullets. Even at today's high prices, it's almost impossible to spend $2/box (50) for powder and primers. Since you're looking for cast 9mm's, it makes you a prime candidate for casting your own bullets. You'll soon be shooing you own 9mm's for less than the cost of quality .22LR's! And, it's quite satisfying to see your own bullets out perform the factory loads.

Like my friend BigJmP, I use a Dillon loader. He uses commercial jacketed bullets (because he shoots at indoor ranges) and I shoot home cast. I can shoot more than twice as many rounds as Jim for the same cost.

Check out one of the more sophisticated on-line reloading cost calculator sites. With your volume you'll be amazed how quickly you'll pay for your equipment. You have been saving your brass, haven't you?

Lower you cost even more by getting a used loader. My Dillon was previously owned by a guy who got out of silhouettes after discovering skeet. I got a great deal: loader, several die sets, brass tumbler, case trimmer and other accessories for a lot less than the cost of a new press.

[zxcvbob]

Is there any way I can get totally set up for around $500?

A Dillon "Square Deal B" will run you about $350 (includes one set of dies and a powder measure), then another $40 or so for a good balance-beam scale, and you're all set, barely. You'll also want a brass tumbler and a bullet puller and a set of dial- or electronic-calipers, and... (probably $100 worth of stuff.) I'm just not sure if the SDB is enough of a press for the volume you're running because I've never used that one.

[m&p45acp10+1]

If you go with a single stage press. You can get started for less than $200 with a Lee Breech lock challeger kit. It is slow as it is single stage, yet it will last you, and your grandkids a life time. I have one that I load 9mm on. I have been loading for about 4 or so months. I can load 500 rounds in under 3 hours. The kit comes with everthing but a manual, and dies. The kit is about $109 last time I was in Cabella's, dies were around $48 for the Lee Deluxe Carbide 4 die set. A Lyman's Pistol and Revolver 3rd editon manual cost around $20 if I rember correctly. The Lyman book also has a section devoted to casting lead. Add powder, primers, and projetiles. You are on your way to reloading. If you later decide you do not like reloading you are not out too awful much. If you want a bit more speed then get the Lee Turret press kit. It cost more, but saves in time, it can be used in single stage till you get the hang of things. Then you can go semi progressive. Later if you want you can upgrade to one of the high end progressives.

[no_agenda]

Well it looks like I'm gonna have to read up and study all this stuff, most of the things you guys are talking about kinda makes sense, I just need to understand why I would need 4 dies (?) And stuff...I have been shooting for 3 years and am only 21

[ZeSpectre]

Buy and read "ABC's of Reloading"
Go and read this thread as well...
For the New Reloader: Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST

Then come back here with your questions and we'll proceed from there.

[Brian Pfleuger]

You wouldn't necessarily need 4 dies for 9mm.

You would need 3 though.

The first die resizes the case and removes the spent primer. The second die slightly flares the cases mouth so that the bullet will start properly and is also where you would (depending on your choices) add the powder. The third die seats the bullet to proper depth, removes the flare created by the second die and can also provide a mild crimp. The fourth die, if you choose to use it, is a "Factory Crimp Die" which allows for a stronger crimp and insures that your final product meets the proper sizing criteria.


Shooting 1500 rounds a month will certainly be in the realm that you can save money even with 9mm. Getting started in reloading is a lot like building a house though..... in that you should figure out how much you're going to spend and then figure on doubling it.

[m&p45acp10+1]

As far as the 4 die set one is the Lee Factory Crimp die. It is worth 5 times its weight in gold. It is a fail safe measure. It will help to ensure each round chambers properly. I use one for my .45 acp, and 9mm Luger. Also soon to have one for 9mm Makarov. I use RCBS carbide dies for my .41 mag due to the fact that they were in a package deal with the gun.
Warning! Handloading can be additive. It has not realy saved me much if any money as far as what I have in my pocket. I just have way more ammo. Honestly it has more than paid for itself with my .41 mag loads. With my cast lead bullets prices run me less than 7 cents for my reloads. Reusing my brass. I had my first case split at the casemouth the other day, after more than 10 reloads. On the plus side you will be able to shoot a whole lot more, and with way more consistant ammo than the standard range fodder most people buy.

[rjrivero]

@ zxcvbob: For one caliber, you may be able to save a few bucks. The thing I don't like about the SDB is that you are stuck with Dillon's Proprietary Dies. Never did like "proprietary" stuff.

[David Wile]

Hey M&p45acp10+1,

If you are going to tell a newcomer to reloading that the Lee Factory Crimp Die is worth 5 times its weight in gold because it is a fail safe measure to insure each round chambers (just because it chambers, that does not mean it chambers properly) in your pistol, you really ought to explain that the way it insures the round chambers is by sizing the case and the bullet inside the case to a size smaller than was intended for the lands of your barrel. That makes as much sense as shooting a 9mm cartridge (.355) in a .357 pistol. Yes, I know Ruger has sold some of their .357 Blackhawks with an extra cylinder made to also shoot 9mm ammo. Sure, the 9mm ammo would shoot in the .357 Blackhawk, but that does not mean it shoots the 9mm ammo well. In fact, I had such a Blackhawk, and shooting 9mm ammo in it was a joke.

Simply put, shooting a bullet that has been sized smaller than the caliber it was originally intended is just plain woodenheaded. Why would you want to be shooting bullets that go down the barrel bouncing from one side to the other? That is what the Lee Factory Crimp Die does when you "size" your finished cartridge in the carbide ring.

I have been making perfect 9mm cartridges for 50 years with a simple RCBS 3-die set. At first it was with a regular steel sizing die, but maybe 35 years ago I spent some more money to buy a new RCBS 3-die set with a carbide sizer. Still have no need for the Lee Factory Crimp die and sizer ring bit.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[zxcvbob]

For one caliber, you may be able to save a few bucks. The thing I don't like about the SDB is that you are stuck with Dillon's Proprietary Dies. Never did like "proprietary" stuff.

I agree completely. But if NO_A has no dies already, and doesn't intend to load any other cartridges anytime soon, it looks like a good fit to me. (when he gets hooked and starts loading 5 different pistol cartridges and 3 rifle cartridges, he can add a 2nd press with standard dies and still have one dedicated for 9mm)

[no_agenda]

What ab out the Lee Progressive Pro 1000?

[rjrivero]

Originally Posted by zxcvbob

I agree completely. But if NO_A has no dies already, and doesn't intend to load any other cartridges anytime soon, it looks like a good fit to me. (when he gets hooked and starts loading 5 different pistol cartridges and 3 rifle cartridges, he can add a 2nd press with standard dies and still have one dedicated for 9mm)

That would be a great way to go if bench space is not a big issue. I barely have enough room for my single press, much less a "dedicated" press for a single caliber.

I like the way you think! I guess I need a bigger house.