Reloading projectiles?

JMR13 · February 11, 2019, 12:21 PM

Looking for some feedback on how many rounds do you typically test when doing your own reloading? I'm a starting a local company here in Utah and we are going to offer 5 packs of 5 projectiles of your choice for $30 and wondering if 5 is the right number. It is better to be able to pay $30 and get 5 different choices to try vs. paying up to $300 and not using all the projectiles. And if someone thought 5 wasn't enough they could buy 2 of the same pack. Thoughts?

RC20 · February 11, 2019, 02:31 PM

Generally referred to as Bullets.

Cabella offers those packs, 5 is not enough for me to test, might as well buy a box of 50 or 100.

mikld · February 11, 2019, 03:12 PM

I have seen "sample packs" and all were 10 bullets per pack. Personally, I use more "test rounds" than many reloaders, mostly to eliminate the "me" factor; 2 magazines full for my semi-autos, or 15 rounds for the high cap. magazines. For my Garand ammo I test at least 2 clips full and my bolt gun gets 2 magazines full (8 rounds). Revolvers get a minimum of two cylinders full. If a load looks promising, I'll try more on later occasions.

I like reloading so if it takes me 5 or even 10 tries at evaluating a load, it's just that more reloading fun...

Vulcannut · February 11, 2019, 04:39 PM

All depends on what I am loading for. With Semi Auto I want to run 30-40 rounds to verify function. Also accuracy with the round is also tested. So if feel I am in the ballpark with a load I usually load up 50 and head to the range. If all pans out I'll go home and start cranking them out. If not I'll try again.

With revolver rounds I can generally know if I like the round within 12-18 rounds.

I buy my bullets online and most outfits offer 100 pack samples. I tend to just take the plunge and buy 500 minimum. Even if I can't come up with a round I like completely they still will get shot up.

RC20 · February 11, 2019, 04:51 PM

I have too many guns in 30 caliber, so using up projectiles (grin) is not an issue!

If they don't work well in one gun I try them in another one.

I think the first ZMZ (now AMX) was in 250 box and a decent price at Cabella's (BBP) - bought em and liked em.

Between 06 (far too many) 308 and the 3 x 7.5 Swiss......... 500 is often not enough, last order was 1000 (bless flat rate!)

jetinteriorguy · February 12, 2019, 10:33 AM

When working up loads I generally load up 50 at a time, but since I generally try at least two or more powders for a load workup a box of 100, or more than one box for more powder options works fine for me.

T. O'Heir · February 12, 2019, 02:35 PM

They won't be coming here due to U.S. Federal laws, but what's the shipping cost? Just curious.
In the old days before 9/11(exporting components was legal then), National Bullet(closed around 2008) did cross border sample packs. Not really a cost effective reloading thing, even then, though.
You may want to have a look here too. 12 Barnes bullets runs way less than $30.
https://www.submoashooting.com/bulle...pped-tsx-ttsx/

**44 AMP** · February 13, 2019, 02:16 AM

To be clear, you are going to be repackaging bullets some one else makes, or your own bullets??

If you're repacking someone else's premium bullets in smaller "sample packs", I think you'll run into issues between what you'll need for your profit and people's willingness to pay extra for a bit of convenience.

5 bullets is enough to test one load and see if it works, but not enough to test to see how WELL it works.

I might be out in left field here, I don't use "premium" bullets, (like Barnes) the usual kind always worked well enough for me. But, if I were to spend the money for them, I'd be spending to get enough at one time to create and test loads, and packs of 5 or 10 just doesn't do it.

Good Luck though, I hope you can make a go of it.

griz · February 13, 2019, 07:50 AM

I just bought some sample packs of 25 bullets to try, but they were coated lead bullets and I have never tried coated. Admittedly they were pistol bullets, but for me I would think 10 would be a minimum.

Dufus · February 13, 2019, 11:20 AM

The idea is not new. 25 bullets for $30 seems a little steep to me.

You are selling for $1.20/bullet which is just shy of double the box price.

Nathan · February 13, 2019, 11:38 AM

I need 50 min to even reasonably guess what kind of load I might be able to develop...

tlm225 · February 13, 2019, 11:45 AM

In looking at your attachment with 5 each of 5 different bullets, it would be useless to me. Like Nathan said, I would need at least 50 of one specific bullet to start working up a load.

P-990 · February 13, 2019, 12:56 PM

Add me as another voice in the choir for "5 bullets isn't enough". At a minimum I'll probably use up 30 bullets trying one powder/bullet combination at different powder weights. Decide to try another powder or 3, and it really isn't difficult to "use up" an entire box of 100 bullets.

In fact, I generally prefer to work with bullets that come in 100 packs versus 50 packs. Though I might change my mind if I preferred "super premium" bullets.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

m&p45acp10+1 · February 13, 2019, 01:05 PM

Typical load work up for me is at least 5 rounds per charge weight. Most times I make 6 per charge weight to have the extra one for initial test to make sure it is not over pressure, and to see general point of impact.

Most rifle loads that is a minimum of 25 bullets.

kilotanker22 · February 13, 2019, 01:23 PM

I usually test 15 rounds for each bullet and charge weight. I fire 5 over the Chronograph. 5 for a 100 yard group. And if they did well at 100 yards I will shoot them at 300 yards. So If I find an excellent load the very first time. I need minimum of 15 bullets. But I generally run through the full range of charge weights for the powders I am using.

Overall, I will go through at least 100 bullets, before deciding whether to keep them or not. Each range trip I usually fire 50 rounds from each rifle I take.

Your price seems too steep to me...

You can get sample packs of 20 bullets from Midsouth shooter's supply for $5. Although they are all the same. But do the math. Their way, you could get 6 different 20 count packs from them totalling 120 bullets for the price of your 25.

February 11, 2019, 02:31 PM	#2
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Generally referred to as Bullets. Cabella offers those packs, 5 is not enough for me to test, might as well buy a box of 50 or 100. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not Last edited by RC20; February 11, 2019 at 02:37 PM.

February 11, 2019, 03:12 PM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I have seen "sample packs" and all were 10 bullets per pack. Personally, I use more "test rounds" than many reloaders, mostly to eliminate the "me" factor; 2 magazines full for my semi-autos, or 15 rounds for the high cap. magazines. For my Garand ammo I test at least 2 clips full and my bolt gun gets 2 magazines full (8 rounds). Revolvers get a minimum of two cylinders full. If a load looks promising, I'll try more on later occasions. I like reloading so if it takes me 5 or even 10 tries at evaluating a load, it's just that more reloading fun... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

February 11, 2019, 04:51 PM	#5
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I have too many guns in 30 caliber, so using up projectiles (grin) is not an issue! If they don't work well in one gun I try them in another one. I think the first ZMZ (now AMX) was in 250 box and a decent price at Cabella's (BBP) - bought em and liked em. Between 06 (far too many) 308 and the 3 x 7.5 Swiss......... 500 is often not enough, last order was 1000 (bless flat rate!) __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

February 12, 2019, 02:35 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	They won't be coming here due to U.S. Federal laws, but what's the shipping cost? Just curious. In the old days before 9/11(exporting components was legal then), National Bullet(closed around 2008) did cross border sample packs. Not really a cost effective reloading thing, even then, though. You may want to have a look here too. 12 Barnes bullets runs way less than $30. https://www.submoashooting.com/bulle...pped-tsx-ttsx/ __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 13, 2019, 02:16 AM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	To be clear, you are going to be repackaging bullets some one else makes, or your own bullets?? If you're repacking someone else's premium bullets in smaller "sample packs", I think you'll run into issues between what you'll need for your profit and people's willingness to pay extra for a bit of convenience. 5 bullets is enough to test one load and see if it works, but not enough to test to see how WELL it works. I might be out in left field here, I don't use "premium" bullets, (like Barnes) the usual kind always worked well enough for me. But, if I were to spend the money for them, I'd be spending to get enough at one time to create and test loads, and packs of 5 or 10 just doesn't do it. Good Luck though, I hope you can make a go of it. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 11, 2019, 04:39 PM	#4
Vulcannut Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Location: Some H$ll whole in Connecticut Posts: 58	All depends on what I am loading for. With Semi Auto I want to run 30-40 rounds to verify function. Also accuracy with the round is also tested. So if feel I am in the ballpark with a load I usually load up 50 and head to the range. If all pans out I'll go home and start cranking them out. If not I'll try again. With revolver rounds I can generally know if I like the round within 12-18 rounds. I buy my bullets online and most outfits offer 100 pack samples. I tend to just take the plunge and buy 500 minimum. Even if I can't come up with a round I like completely they still will get shot up.

February 12, 2019, 10:33 AM	#6
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,173	When working up loads I generally load up 50 at a time, but since I generally try at least two or more powders for a load workup a box of 100, or more than one box for more powder options works fine for me.

February 13, 2019, 07:50 AM	#9
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	I just bought some sample packs of 25 bullets to try, but they were coated lead bullets and I have never tried coated. Admittedly they were pistol bullets, but for me I would think 10 would be a minimum.

February 13, 2019, 11:20 AM	#10
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	The idea is not new. 25 bullets for $30 seems a little steep to me. You are selling for $1.20/bullet which is just shy of double the box price.

February 13, 2019, 11:38 AM	#11
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	I need 50 min to even reasonably guess what kind of load I might be able to develop...

February 13, 2019, 11:45 AM	#12
tlm225 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 962	In looking at your attachment with 5 each of 5 different bullets, it would be useless to me. Like Nathan said, I would need at least 50 of one specific bullet to start working up a load. __________________ All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

February 13, 2019, 12:56 PM	#13
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Add me as another voice in the choir for "5 bullets isn't enough". At a minimum I'll probably use up 30 bullets trying one powder/bullet combination at different powder weights. Decide to try another powder or 3, and it really isn't difficult to "use up" an entire box of 100 bullets. In fact, I generally prefer to work with bullets that come in 100 packs versus 50 packs. Though I might change my mind if I preferred "super premium" bullets. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

February 13, 2019, 01:05 PM	#14
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Typical load work up for me is at least 5 rounds per charge weight. Most times I make 6 per charge weight to have the extra one for initial test to make sure it is not over pressure, and to see general point of impact. Most rifle loads that is a minimum of 25 bullets. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 13, 2019, 01:23 PM	#15
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I usually test 15 rounds for each bullet and charge weight. I fire 5 over the Chronograph. 5 for a 100 yard group. And if they did well at 100 yards I will shoot them at 300 yards. So If I find an excellent load the very first time. I need minimum of 15 bullets. But I generally run through the full range of charge weights for the powders I am using. Overall, I will go through at least 100 bullets, before deciding whether to keep them or not. Each range trip I usually fire 50 rounds from each rifle I take. Your price seems too steep to me... You can get sample packs of 20 bullets from Midsouth shooter's supply for $5. Although they are all the same. But do the math. Their way, you could get 6 different 20 count packs from them totalling 120 bullets for the price of your 25.