Reloading Pistol Ammo .45 & .357

[FFEMT128]

As someone who never reloaded any pistol ammo, what all is involved? Bot my son and I have .45's and .357's. Target shooting with the .45 is a tad expensive. What all is required and what are appoximate costs of supplies if we decided to start saving our brass and reloading our own for target purposes.

Thanks.

[roland]

Man, that's alot of question for so few words. I like the RCBS pro 2000, it cost a couple hundred bucks. But most pistol shooters like the Dillon presses. Theres a little math involved in the rest. Or you can accept my statement that reloading is cheaper than buying mfg ammo anyday! First, powder: They seem to vary from 14$ a pound(about 2yrs ago) to $19 pound, last year got some powder for $110 for 8lbs. Primer cost vary's from $85/1K to $125/1k depending on the time of the year. Heads vary according to comodity costs and will depend on just lead, or plated lead or full metal jacketed lead. I'd say look them up nowadays, like on Midway.com. The initial monetary outlay seems to appear expensive, but if you plan on shooting a couple thousand rounds a year, you'll definitatly see a savings in the first year or two.

edit: powder: I use about 5 to 6 grains of pwdr per load (45 and 357), there is 7000 grains per pound. Yeah, more math.

[medicjz]

Overall, I've seen a slight savings, but the most important part is the money I would have spent on factory ammo provides more shooting time when I reload. You didn't mention if you already reload for rifle, but if you haven't reloaded at all, get yourself a good manual or 5 and read up on everything. I would recommend starting out like I did with a single stage press (i.e. a cheap Lee Set) and get to know the whole process slowly at first. Then you can just upgrade as needed. I still use my single stage press for everything, it helps me make sure I don't miss anything in any step of the process. This is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

On a side note, I also only use 5-6 grains of powder per charge for .45, haven't started for the GF's .357 yet, but that is coming shortly.

[buster]

This Loading Cost Calculator should help you in the future should you decide to reload. I think it has been posted somewhere before.

I don't know where roland has been buying his primers, but they should run less than 30 bucks a thousand. I'm sure those numbers are wrong.

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

[FFEMT128]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have never reloaded pistol or rifle ammo, only shotgun. I'll have to look into this some more. Basically it looks like the cost per box if I had my own casings would be approx $10-$12 per 50. That's fairly reasonable in my opinion. I would definately start with an inexpensive start up set. Looks like a Lee kit can be had for ~$80.00 plus the cost of the dies etc. Initially I wouldn't see a savings due to start up costs but in the long run it could save some change.

Are tumblers required. I need to do some research I quess. Sounds like the way to go.

My son and I have been going shooting everyother Saturday for the past 6 weeks and we have been shooting ~250 .45 rounds plus ~ 100 .357 rounds each time. Both of us are still trying to get use to the .45's

[acebarracuda]

Hey guys,

I'll put my 2 cents worth in here as well.

I started reloading with a Dillon RL550. I know that the initial startup costs might seem prohibitive but they will pay for themselves soon enough.

Starting out on a progressive can be safe and productive. Watch all of the cycles, go slow and easy and pay attention.

I am not sure how long it will take to reload 500 - 700 rounds on a Lee, but it will take (once you are a little more experienced) just over 1 1/2 hours on a Dillon. I have loaded 1000 rounds of 45 ACP in just under 3 hours. I would rather be shooting than reloading. I have NEVER had a malfunction such as a squib during my time reloading.

The advantage of the Dillon is also that you can reload rifle if you choose as well and still keep the volume of reloading as well. My mini-14 eats tons of ammo.

The Dillon site (dillonprecisionproducts.com) has a section called "Why should I reload?" This section will outline the savings of reloading and using a Dillon press. The info is a little biased but will give you some good information.

If you reload for shotgun with a progressive press, the pistol reloading on a Dillon will be a peice of cake for you.

Ace

[shooter357]

Try this
http://http://www.pafoa.org/forum/am...-patience.html

[QuakertownRich]

I've got a Lee Classic turret press. It's been very good to me, and I don't need to load 1,000 rounds in under 2hrs, who does? Do you really shoot that much ammo monthly? Or, is your time so precious, those two or three hours you save a month means that much to you? Ridiculous.
Reloading is a hobby, like shooting. I take my time, inspect all cases closely, and have top-notch quality ammo.
My cost for reloading 357mag is about 11 cents a round/ $5.50 a box shooting lead, and 15 cents a piece/ $7.50 a box for jacketed hollow points. For 45acp, it is about 13 cents a round/ $6.50 a box for shooting lead.
If you want any detailed info on how/what I did to start reloading, I'd be happy to give it to you. I've only been reloading for 6 mos and it has more then paid for itself already. Shoot me a PM if you want.

[lethal93ta]

I started with a hornady LNL press, when I started to look into reloading it just seamed like a well built press and Ive been happy with it so far, Ive loded 1000s of rounds so far its paid itself off and Ive been making a couple bucks off of it to by loading some stuff for friends/family members, so far Im loading 9mm, 45 auto, 223 rem, .225 winchester, 30-06, the .225 and 30-06 was for family and they paid for my plates for the press dies and shell holder to do them so I got free stuff with the deal, if I dont have the dies to do it I make them buy them and ill load it for the cost of material's, if I have the dies I just add a couple of bucks for my time. the .225 winchester I charge farly well for since I hand weigh every one of those since the 4064 powder I use in those dont meter well in the press.

[FFEMT128]

Thanks for the info so far and keep the advise / suggestions coming. I'm looking at the lee aniverary kit for now to start with. I likely won't be purchasing anything for at least 2-3 weeks as I'm leaving for vacation the end of this week. (SC for a week to see my youngest son who is stationed at MCAS Beaufort). Then after returning I'll probably start buying presses and dies etc. I'll need to collect some brass before I purchase any powder, bullets, primers etc.