Should I bother trying to get into reloading right now?

[Dgd6mm]

On a side note, I do need and will renew my silver membership.

 

[bozo699]

Vic, I may have you cover the shipping or part of it. No cost on the brass.

Wayne, if you don't have a manual I have a Lee reloading manual I can send with the brass. It's a good one to read cover to cover. Just let me know.

Don Dunlap

Don,
That would be great!…. As you know even for us old timers it’s nice to have a manual
Wayne

 

[Rsadams]

Right now it may be a little tough to find stuff and expensive BUT it's around if you look hard.... This seems to happen about every ten years anymore so if you do decide to get into reloading as soon as this BS passes buy plenty of what you need and store it properly.... If done correctly it will last a very long time.... When I first started reloading the world was going through this mess and I just paid a little more and drove a little further to find what I needed....

 

[Dgd6mm]

I will be shipping the brass and manual asap.

Don Dunlap

 

[dgeesaman]

Reloading is an evolution of process and knowledge. No point in waiting. You will need to work a bit to get primers but a brick of 1000 will get you well on your way.

 

[itchyTF]

I started reloading in the 60’s with a “wack it with a hammer” Lee kit. Then went with an RCBS junior, then a Rockchucker (with the aluminum primer catcher). Number of years ago had an opportunity for a big discount on Redding equipment so I picked up a press and some other stuff and gave the RC to my son.
I got some Lee factory crimp dies when they were all the rage and was severely unimpressed. I figured if they can’t make simple cuts like this equal, I won’t be interested in anything else they make. Fortunately I don’t really need anything else but if I do, it won’t be Lee. These are 2 different dies. I think I have a third like this.

 

[Dgd6mm]

On a side note, I do need and will renew my silver membership.

Just took care of it.

 

[divingin]

Along came the shortage and I had to change everything, including using small rifle primers. I then ran into all kinds of issues, and the result of that is I learned a lot.

Being forced into trying different components taught me a lot. So I suggest now is a great time to start reloading.

Problem is that if you're swapping components while just figuring out the reloading process, you will never get to a point where you know what does and doesn't work. You will get a lot of practice though.

 

[ebb]

The first mistake that came out of your mouth(key board) was to think that you would ever be "tooled up". That will never happen.

 

[Hudge76]

I say go for it! I live in Alaska and while there are shipping laws that we have to live with here, components are becoming more available. Just yesterday, Sportsman’s Warehouse had some primers and Vihtavuori powders in stock. The last two weeks, I’ve seen powder in all but two gun stores here (not counting Cabelas/BPS). Bullets are showing up as well, but brass is still an issue for most common calibers for rifles.

 

[BlueWater]

... Now, the sticking point for me is the scarcity of primers/powder right now. Am I better off just continuing to buy FGMM and hold off on reloading for now? Or have people been having some luck finding primers/powder locally? I only just set up alerts on a few sites that may get them in eventually, so I'll keep a close watch on those. Thoughts?

I think it's an okay time to get into reloading, sure. No telling when supplies will be stifled due to spiteful actions by the government, so ... there's no time like the present.

Availability of components is a bit of a problem, sure. In that your average shop isn't going to have much on the shelves for long, and prices tend to be fairly high.

I just got back into reloading earlier this year. Looked for the best deals I could find. Only paid an unconscionable amount once or twice. But, otherwise, obtained a good stock of all components at mostly reasonable and fair prices. Hard to do, but it can be done.

Was able to pick up several thousand rounds' worth of components. Bullets in a couple different weights, a couple of different powders, and primers. Plenty to last me at least a couple of years. Only took me seven months of searching, picking up decently-priced stuff as I came across it. Could have had it all within two weeks, had I not cared a bit about prices. IMO, so can you, depending on your willingness to trade search time for price paid.

In many towns, people are reporting the occasional shop (here and there) that has supplies at "normal" prices, instead of the pumped-up, supply-and-demand driven, even extortionate, pricing many shops do. Lucky you, if you happen to have one or two such gun shops in your area that do reloading components and equipment.

Good luck on acquiring all of your components and gear. It's good to see another person getting into reloading.

 

[divingin]

Their is an old adage about "buy once, cry once" that really rings true. You don't have to step up and buy the ultra expensive stuff - frankly I think much of that stuff is marketed to individuals who always have to have the "best" (i.e., the most expensive). Are they better than the "good-quality" normal stuff, maybe, but can you see on a target, I doubt it.

Save yourself some money over the long-haul and buy better initially.

I don't know. Just about every reloader I know has upgraded at some point(s). Many have complete redundant packages (not necessarily in use) for the calibers they load (press, dies, accessories.)

I'm not saying it's needed, but it seems to be part of the game.

 

[CA_Shooter]

Problem is that if you're swapping components while just figuring out the reloading process, you will never get to a point where you know what does and doesn't work. You will get a lot of practice though.

That's a good point. I started out with some of the best components and could use that as a benchmark.

 

[vicroll91]

A little update here on my search for components -

Took a drive last week to a few local gun shops in my area looking for primers and powder. All sold out, and most said they hadn't had any in stock in 1-2 months. I did find a box of 57 SMKs in 168g for 12 bucks, so I went ahead and picked them up. As I was paying I asked the owner how long it had been since they had primers in stock, to which he replied, "What are you looking for?" I told him I was after larger rifle primers, so he said he'd check if he had anything. Sure enough, guy comes back with three hundred Winchester large rifle primers! Gave them to me for eight bucks a pop, which was miles ahead of the $25+ price tag I've seen on GB.

I have two pounds of powder on the way from Hodgdon, so I'd say things are looking up. More updates to come as the adventures continue...

 

[bozo699]

A little update here on my search for components -

Took a drive last week to a few local gun shops in my area looking for primers and powder. All sold out, and most said they hadn't had any in stock in 1-2 months. I did find a box of 57 SMKs in 168g for 12 bucks, so I went ahead and picked them up. As I was paying I asked the owner how long it had been since they had primers in stock, to which he replied, "What are you looking for?" I told him I was after larger rifle primers, so he said he'd check if he had anything. Sure enough, guy comes back with three hundred Winchester large rifle primers! Gave them to me for eight bucks a pop, which was miles ahead of the $25+ price tag I've seen on GB.

I have two pounds of powder on the way from Hodgdon, so I'd say things are looking up. More updates to come as the adventures continue...

Vic,
I had a upset with my bad hand and haven’t finished up the stuff I rounded up for you. If I can’t get it soon I’ll send it as is but I really wanted it done and ready for you to use sorry for the delay.
Wayne

 

[wbm]

Should I bother trying to get into reloading right now?

Yes.

 

[Bill Norris]

Should I bother trying to get into reloading right now?​

I see no reason to wait. Circumstances will get better sooner or later but I doubt the "old prices" will come back.

 

[vicroll91]

Vic,
I had a upset with my bad hand and haven’t finished up the stuff I rounded up for you. If I can’t get it soon I’ll send it as is but I really wanted it done and ready for you to use sorry for the delay.
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

No worries at all. I'm no stranger to cleaning up old tools so don't worry if they need some tlc.

Hope that hand heals up for you soon!

Austin

 

[Dave M.]

Varget, H4350 both on local shelves.

lol. Maybe where you live, not in Michigan.

 

[dryhumor]

Fedex just delivered 3lbs of 4064 and 2lbs of Big Game. Powder is out and about. CCI SR primers were on the shelf this week. Bullets are hit and miss, but showing up and staying on the shelf for awhile. No better time to start.