Is Reloading Worth The Time and Money? - Season 2: Episode 87
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2023
- Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast! In this episode, I answer listener questions about scopes, cartridges, and whether I think reloading is worth it.
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Website: ronspomeroutdoors.com/
Facebook: / ronspomeroutdoors
Instagram: / ronspomer
Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: Red 11 Media - www.red11media.com/
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
For me ... the process and focus reqired for hand loading is therapeutic.
Thank you Ron for all you do.
You are welcome, old school.
i think on the large calibers reloading is a very big savings. i also enjoy the versatility of loading my own.
You are such a pleasure to watch and listen to! And really show your passion for the sport. Thank you and your co-partner.
LOL 😆 loved this. Man's best friend. It's funny how dogs can really bring out the kid in all of us. Reloading is another part of the process of hunting for me. Taking game on a load that I have developed to suit my rifle give me an extra bit of confidence while hunting.
I was fortunate to get a great deal on a Winchester model 70 chambered in 243wssm. The wssm and wsm cartridges were the latest and greatest innovations at the time and I was convinced. Wasn't too long before I noticed the enthusiasm for them was waning if not altogether dieing. When a big box store decided they were going to stop stocking it altogether they severely marked the ammo down and I purchased every box they had. This provided me with enough brass to last a lifetime with reloading. It's a great hobby and frankly a great cartridge. As for AR platform, they do exist. Search on UA-cam and there are several videos demonstrating them and they are impressive. The videos name the manufacturers so check them out.
you're a lucky man to have such a sweet friend.
Reloading to me gives me a sense of accomplishment just like building my own arrows for my bow or putting together my own rifles for hunting and target shooting. That is what makes it worth it to me personally.
Would you consider shotshells worth reloading if i buy steel balls that are .24 cal
Or even #1-00 steel idk the exact dimensions on the caliber
@@DasGoodSoup The steel is lighter than the lead, but for close range I think steel buck shot reloads would be worth it.
@@DasGoodSoup Steel buck shot basically. Yeah if it fits your needs.
Skipping the mental health part of reloading, with my used brass I'm at about $1 a round for premium 300WM and 7mm rem mag. I'd say it's worth my time.
Great channel Ron
I’m echoing some of the other comments when i say that hand loading is so therapeutic!
Another great video Ron!! The first year (2017 or 18?) Ruger made their M77 Hawkeye FTW Hunter they chambered it in 260 Rem and not 6.5CM. I got a new one later for basically half price because the CM was already more popular. Hard to find ammo but I handload so it doesn't matter. Lots of 260 brass available. I also load 6.5 Grendel and 6.5CM so buy bullets in quantity to save money. And I love handloading, I roll my own in .204 Ruger, .223/5.56, 220 Swift, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5CM, 260 Rem and 9 and 10mm.
Hey Ron!
Another great pod cast. Always enjoy tuning in.kinda like when we were young,listening to our favorite radio show. It was the personality, voice, and enthusiasm that held our intrest.
They make a pump action 35 Whelen but you got to be rich to buy it .
I bought mine when I was 18 for $400. I’m 39 now and glad I didn’t sell it when the thought crossed my mind.
Reloading and fishing are my zen.
Historically bulk purchase of ammo for fun shoots, plinking, training, and practice has always been the way to get more bang for the buck, yet if you want precision specifically tuned for your firearm, or loaded with specific high performance bullets, then reloading is the best bang for the buck.
I haven't bought ammo in two decades because I only shoot for precision, so it's only been reloading for me these last two decades. Where it's cheaper and better to only reload is with specialty cartridges and Magnum cartridges. For example I have a 338 LAPUA since the 90's, I've NEVER bought ammo for it which has typically been $5 a round. To reload a 338 LAPUA is only about a little over a buck a round; big savings.
Somebody loves you, Ron...and she's got that soulful look when she snuggles up to your shoulder... 😀
What a wonderful dog
I love reloading for myself and family. One important reason to reloading is when things go crazy again, components go flying off the shelf, well we are still shooting because we can. Stock up while components are not in good shape available.
Covie is a great co-host
Thanks Ron for the update about primers. I reload and have my stock of primers. To know about what you said helps.
Yes. If for no other reason the purer enjoyment of making your own ammo not to mention the quality and accuracy
The . 500 S&W Magnum has a maximum working pressure of 60,000 psi (4,100 bar). However, most factory ammunition is limited to 50,000 psi (3,400 bar) to help ease extraction of fired cases.
intense satisfaction from creating your own loads is hard to quantify and loading yourself may be essential when ammo cant be found. having skill and experience and components to do so with all tools is so valued
Reloading is a wonderful hobby. You can be a simple type reloader or total geek and measure everything to death. Neither personality type is really wrong. I got into reloading to save money as a kid. What happened was that I shot more; a lot more. It was a good experience that taught me quite a bit. I don't think I really saved that much money though. But it was worth it. Thanks for the great channel Ron. Thanks also for the talking dog act. I think I will watch reruns of Mr. Ed now.
When hunting/shooting with a single shot .410 or 20ga......I used to carry a shell in my hand for faster reloads
I have a few rifles that would be impossible to shoot regularly, if I was stuck buying factory ammo. Also, I hunt with special 7.62x39 loads that you simply can’t buy in the store. Reloading is part of the skill set for any rifle shooter.
Correct me if I’m wrong. Before the adoption of ballistics calculators, shooting long range required flatter trajectories. So, speed was king. Lighter bullets at higher caliber could be driven faster. Such bullets don’t require fast twist.
Just picked up a Howa 1500 in 7.62x39. I'm curious what components you are using for your handloads.
@@richardgarrison3085 Starline Brass. Nosler 123 gr. Ballistic tips. Most important, Hodgdon CFE BLK. That stuff will make your ammo sing. My Ruger American Ranch has a 16-inch barrel and I routinely click in muzzle velocity greater that 2,500 fps. The Starline cases will hold over 30 grains of CFE BLK. You should follow the recipe from Hodgdon and work up from there.
@@kentgoldings CFE BLK. Gotcha. I want to say that's a powder optimized for .300 Blackout so it makes sense that it would work for 7.62x39.
@@richardgarrison3085 if it's one of the Mini actions, you're gonna want to pick up new bottom metal. The factory plastic unit sucks and will crack when you torque to factory specs. There's several ways to go... DIP unit that takes factory mags... Oregunsmithing hinged floor plate, but good luck getting him to answer an email... Lolo tactical has both hinged bottom metal and a unit for the factory mag.. Jefferson Outdoors offers a blind mag floorplate and a unit that uses CZ527 mags. In my opinion, the Jefferson unit with CZ mags is the way to go. I just switched both my .223 and 7.62x39 over to them. My 7.62x39 has the 22" sporter barrel and it will shoot most factory loads into 2" or so, even cheap chinese and russian fmj. It loves Hornady Black 123gr SST, averages just over an inch and has turned in enough groups in 5/8" range to keep things interesting. Shot my buck at 40 yds with it this year, complete pass thru tucked just behind the shoulder blade. Ran 20 yds and face planted.
@@christopherramsey1509It is a mini action with a heavy bull barrel and hogue synthetic stock. It's funny that you mentioned that because I was looking at the Lolo Tactical hinged floorplate because the factory mags are garbage. I'm also thinking about replacing the factory stock with a Boyds laminated Woodstock (Nutmeg or Pepper) but im looking at about another $450 in total lol
Beautiful dog 🐕 ❤️, love the English Setters they are a wonderful thing to have as a friend ❤️
I started reloading for 16 gauge shotgun back in the 1960’s because no one ever put them on sale. I was just a poor high school kid and feeding my Browning Sweet 16 was pricey. It just kinda morphed into my rifles when I started to deer hunt. Now it’s the satisfaction of not relying on anyone else. A big plus is being able to buy some of the older guns in older cartridges that are not on the shelf. What I’ve discovered along the way is rifles that a lot of hand craftsmanship went into are as good or better than the new ones being cranked out for the masses.
Other than different bullets being available for hand loading you can't/couldn't get in factory loads, a lot of friends 50 years ago would handload for accuracy in hunting rifles. The off the shelf accuracy for relatively expensive rifles ($3000. + in today's value) would be considered unacceptable today. The middle of the road guns were lucky to get 2 moa.
I remember gun articles raving about 3rd groups of different factory ammunition out of a rifle having the worst groups at 2 moa and the best at just under.
Ron could probably do a great article on how accurate the machining on both rifles and ammunition are today compared to the 1960's and 70's.
Ron, you talking for cuvee is too funny. We should call it doggie style....🤔🤣😇. Love the videos, I really learn a lot from you. Just got into 17hmr solely because of your high praise. What a neat round. Paul harrell did a great series on buck shot. Happy hunting and safe travels
Your right it seems the world of hunting is a small world. I don’t know about your area , but around my hometown when I was a kid our town was a real busy place at deer season. Restaurants opened earlier and every one was fired up . Now many years later seems like hunting season comes and goes, with not nearly the fan fare . Just not the hunters there use to be.
Interesting observation David, but I'm thinking there are about as many deer hunters as ever. The big difference is it's now an "every man and woman for him and herself." We used to go out as buddies, families, groups, and deer camps to prowl and still hunt and drive big country. Now we sit in our stands and blinds and watch our 10 to 40-acre patch of paradise, each of us slipping out in the dark and creeping back home in the dark without the cafe banter and shared experiences. Not right or wrong, just a different approach, different culture. What do you think about that theory?
I enjoy reloading; it's very relaxing to me
I have heard of a 223wssm AR-15 but have not seen one. My son has a Winchester model 70 243wssm and loves it. Bought all the boxes I could find. He now has enough to last him a lifetime.
Just put a batch of reloaded 308 today and I am very happy with the results. The Ruger American and Hornady SST 150 gr
Loaded to 2760 fps from the 22 in. barrel poked out a 3 shot group that was a one hole upside down cloverleaf that was easily covered by a nickel.
Reloading pays dividends
Hey Ron, last year I bought a Remington 700 Magpul in 260 Remington with a 1:8 twist barrel. It is still relavent! The added benefit is necking down 308 or up 243 which ever happens to be more plentiful at the time.
I love how Mr. Spomer boils down smart man knowledge down to very basic terms. I can sense him walking the line of informed and uninformed shooters.
To me: reloading is truly worth the time and money. It is also a great therapy requiring concentration intense enough that you can temporarily tune out the entire world and FOCUS. This causes one to lose all track of time, and hours pass unnoticed. It is good practice to exercise our focusing ability. The mental health benefits are equal to any meditative technique, and many therapies.
To shut out the world and your internal dialog, even for a short time, is a joyful thing.
Well now I'm convinced, it's worth it and I need to start.
You can tell that dog has an emotional connection to him. It put its paw on you like that. Good Girl!!
I Understand where that last guy is coming from, got a 17wsm a few years back looking at the potential of the cartridge, come to find Winchester was so stingey with the licensing that Savage ended up being the ones building most of them, unfortunately they chose the bmag platform (very cheaply built), and this has all but killed the 17WSM chambering. Been looking around recently for something higher quality, but keep getting pointed to the aftermarket action crowd and not too keen on spending that kind of money. Would love it if CZ or Tikka could make 17WSM but we're getting screwed by some shady licensing practices here.
Thank you both for the video!
Great news on the new Fiocchi primer factory.
Rem used to make the 7600 in 35 Whelen. With today interchangable Chokes, you can get better patterns with Buckshot. The goal is getting several pellets into the boiler room at a reasonable distance. Often 50 yds is about the farthest. Wads and granulated fillers+hard shot can improove patterns. Higher speed loads might open that pattern. Slugs need a rifled barrel or screw on rifled choke/brake/extension. Smothbores very hard/or useless to patern at 100 yds. Fantastic listening to you
For myself and a fair number of people i talk to, there is a certain zen to reloading. For whatever reason I, (and many others), find reloading to be a tranquil and relaxing activity.
I grew up hunting/shooting with a single shot break action .410 and then 20ga........lots of squirrel rabbit goose pigeon dove sparrow and starlings
25wssm is a under rated gem
If you want Grendel ammo, you have to be a reloader, especially if you want lead-free hunting bullets.
You are spot on with rem 30-06 slide guns i shot many rounds though my game master and was fussy ; chambers also diffent then dad's post 74 model 70 mixing reloads leads to butt stomping
You and Covey are a hoot. LOL
I look forward to seeing the shot gun ammo buck shot, and bird shot video. Thanks for your videos. Really enjoy them
From one Ron to another, both being dog lovers, Cubby is beautiful. She's obviously very attached to you & vice versa. Thanks for your gun q&a's!
Reloading is my favorite hobby. It's very rewarding to customize the ammo to get the utmost accuracy in my personal rifles. I have an older 30/06 Remington 700 BDL that would shoot about 1.6 in. 3 shot group with factory ammo. After fire forming the brass, all it needed was to get the c.o.a.l. adjusted to the Sierra 150 gr. Pro Hunters I prefer. That there gun and me have shot more 1 jagged hole groups than all of my other guns put together. Got every single target at home in picture frames. Reloading is the only way to go, money wise and accuracy wise too!
Reloading is a relaxation technique method for me. I turn off all electronics and focus on the task at hand.
Few reasons the old cartridges didn’t come in faster twists, the difficulty of manufacturing the barrel is a primary reason. We didn’t always have cnc machines pounding them out with sub moa accuracy all day every day. Bullet construction is another reason, the older softer bullets had limitations to what they could take. Push a old lead bullet through a fast twist and you won’t achieve better accuracy, you will destroy the little bit of accuracy it had including full bullet failure exploding when it leaves the barrel. Add that together with people wanting lighter bullets going faster for max point blank range prior to the invention of laser range finders and the manufacturers had no reason to twist the barrel faster as it would have just increased manufacturing expenses with no known benefit to the end user.
If I remember correctly I very vaguely remember a friend of mine many years ago had an off the shelf hunting rifle with excellent wood stock in 30-06 and I think it was a semi auto...I've never seen one since...I can't remember the maker but I do remember that it was American made...I remember it being a really great looking rifle...
Remington made pump-action and semi-auto CF rifles starting in 1955. At one time they were the model 740 and 760, then 7400 and 7600 and they've changed the numbers once or twice since. Google them, they were good rifles but not fantastic and not super popular.
Browning BAR Hunting rifle? (Not to be confused with the Browning M1918 BAR: The American WW1 and WW2 machine gun) Browning came out with them in the 60s, you can still get them today.
There is a bunch of brass out there for the 25wssm. Multiple companies make Reloading components.
Found it at sportsman warehouse on line. Winchester, hornady, had seen it from the blue box company and a couple of others
gorgeous dog!
I started reloading light loads for 45 colt......it was hard to come by for a while and I really wanted my wife and I to be able to shoot it
Jard Inc carries both 243 and 25 WSSM AR15 uppers and rifles. I have the 25. Shoots 1 moa. Biggest problem is the brass splits at the shoulder if it isn't annealed. It takes special mags.
The 300WSM works great in an AR platform. I have one from POF called the ROGUE. It can in .308 win and I just changed the barrel out for a 300WSM Barrel and changed the bolt face. However there are a few other manufacturers that make AR rifles in the WSM.
Thanks!
Thank you Dan! Covey will get extra treats!
Yep, it is 60,000 PSI. The .460 S&W Mag has a max pressure of 65,000 PSI.
Great video your co-host is really awesome.
I enjoy the handloading process as long as I can get components. I can play with different bullets, powder, etc. and see what it does but is it cheaper? Probably not unless you shoot a lot like I do. I do buy bulk ammo for 9mm, 45 ACP, 223, 308 that I shoot a lot because it is cheaper but for hunting or target loads I load it myself. Self defense loads I always buy them. I have a long list of calibers I load for including black powder cartridge stuff. It is a stress reliever for me to reload.
For practice I use .22lr or a decent yet bulk .223 rem ammo from a local manufacture.
For hunting I reload for a rifle dependent on what I’m hunting and the reasons for it. Usually feral invasive animals but occasionally food.
I reload for competition this is the main part of reloading and is done not only for accuracy but also accomplishment of a task well done.
I reload since their aren't many good factory hunting loads in 7.62x39 where I live. Also I like to play around with subsonic & supersonic 300blk, of which factory loads are prohibitively expensive & rarely available.
That is the correct maximum pressure for the 500 S&W. If I’m not mistaken, the 460 S&W is 65,000 psi.
Never had a cartridge get stuck in my 06 pump, but taking a cleaning rod and using it to help remove a stuck cartridge doesn't seem like it would be any more difficult than with any other gun that has a broken extractor. 🤔 love my 06 pump for tight brush in bear county or elk in the thick stuff. Makes me feel much better knowing repeatable fallow up shots are as fast as they are out duck hunting with a 12ga and not having to move my trigger hand to run the bolt.
There is an In line repeater called the semprio by Krieghoff a very famous german gun maker and it is available in 7mm RemMag and 300 WinMag. It is quite an interesting gun. Not my style but extremly clever built.
Looks like it's more expensive than my house and harder to clean, but I want one.
Loyalty, thy name is Covey!
Yeah my GSP is pretty much spoiled like Covey . I've been handloading since the early 70's , in the beginning it was for the knowledge and custom loads that are available but in today's market it's economics.
Re: Hunting with a single shot rifle.
I've owned and hunted with single shot rifles manufactured by NEF, T/C and Ruger and never felt handicapped by doing such. However, my hunting conditions are primarily in thick woods which is unlikely to allow for a follow up shot . Re: Your first shot best count because your not going to get a second.
Zeiss is good, but I do find they can be a bit short with little adjustment for eye relief on some rifles with proprietary mounts especially on Sakos .. really have to make sure you have a variety of bases to use.
That is one of the reasons I use Leupold on all my guns! I have 4 Sako’s most from the 70’s and a couple 85’s and they all shoot almost 1/2” inch MOA with factory ammo as good as I am getting with my Fierce rifles. Leupold is the best out their in my 60 years of hunting and reloading
It's fun to reload if you have the time to do it
Gave up waiting forever for 150 gr ABLR .270 bullets, so I stocked up on 145 eldx and right on the box it says 1:10 which is what I got, new browning x- bolt still 1:10 so I can remain a fudd and get modern bullet performance 😮😊🤠
Yes.....ive worked a load up for .308 that I can produce 5 round groups in .288" at 2650 fps. i can shoot 5- 8 times as much for similar expense to factory loads that are nowhere near as accurate. And its a fun hobby to master. Playing with seating depth is the most productive ammo building skill ive learned about, amazing the results you can achieve. If you are somewhat OCD, reloading is the perfect hobby for you ,, lol...
Ron, it is funny that you were talking about the speed you can shoot a single shot vs. bolt action. I had a sweet 16ga single action shotgun when I was a kid that my granddad gave me. That was my only gun at the time, so I got pretty good with it. What I was going to tell you is that at a dove hunt. A Game Warden had heard me shooting while in the peach field checking licenses. He came over to me and saw that I had that single shot. He asked to see my automatic or pump, either was without a plug, and I told him that I had neither, just that single shot. He said that there was no way that I was able to shoot that gun as fast as he heard the shots ringing out of my area since I was the only one there. He said he was going to sit there and watch me for he had all day and he was going to find out. Well, long story short, he was so impressed how fast I was with that single shot that he called the other wardens over on the radio to watch. They all were impressed, and they gave me two boxes of 16ga shells. The way that I learn to be good with that gun was that after grandad and my dad felt comfortable with me hunting by myself they would give me a hand full of shells and tell me only to come back with somethings that was almost as much as the shells. Then, later, they would go down on the number of shells I would get and have to come back with more. Like most kids, I was mainly a small game hunter. So, for example, they would give me 5 shells and tell me to come back with 2 rabbits or squirrels. Then it was 5 shells and 3 animals, and eventually, it was 5 shells and 5 animals. That made me pick my shots . Of course, with that gun on my first couple of deer hunts. I missed the deer I was shooting at because of nerves. I was shaking so bad I missed easy close shots. But on the third one, I was able to get my first deer. Money was tight back then with us, so the reason for the few rounds of ammo
However, it was a treat to go dove hunting and just be able to have several misses without being fussed at about wasting ammo. By the way, Cubby seems to be a great helper, and I enjoy watching your podcasts and videos. Also, hearing your stories and knowledge. Thank you from George here in South Carolina
Great story, George. Thanks for sharing. Covey says hi and thanks for the compliment.
I might think that adding more twist to barrels provides better accuracy for non-lead bullets. If a time comes when that might happen, bullets will have to be longer to maintain bullet weight. However, without a longer magazine, short action cartridges and long cartridges will have less powder capacity.
Remember it costs money to develop new cartridges and that increases cost and increases ammunition cost too. That makes me suspect the increase in cost is paid for by sales of all types of ammunition. That made standard cartridges cost more, that have not changed for years. You can buy imported ammunition for less than American brands perplexes me too.
The cost of reloading simply increased because of the same increases in the current demand of the firearms market. I paid a dollar a hundred for primers now they are $13 dollars for the same ones. I would like to see what happens if Pinocchio answered that question. That is the same as explaining 410 shotshells costs more than 12-gauge shells. 🤔😅🤣🙂
I believe that the question that involved 270 Winchester super mag is actually Winchester short mag.
Is reloading worth the money? Well only if you want accuracy and versatility. My Ruger Super Blackhawk (unmodified) would do 80 to 1250 fpe and group under 6 inches at 100yds (using all chambers). Best factory ammo I tried was innacurate and low powered. My Parker Hale 1100 308 struggled to get below 1.5 inches a 100 yds but shot .25 to .20 inches with reloads. In my humble opinion factory ammo is just a source of brass - it offers nothing else. I won't bore you with other calibers I have used, just reload and reap the benefits.
Ps when you could pick up wheel weights from the tire shops you could cast pistol/revolver bullets basically for free plus your labor.gone the way of the doedoe .no lead no primers
I think your dog might like you !!!❤
I'd like to reload for my 7mm Mauser, just because it's such a hard round to source. But I also don't get to shoot it often, so haven't had the impetus to invest in a reload rig.
vihtavuori N140 works well and N540 even better. If you have an old rifle stay low on the charges. If it is a newer rifle the have fun - this is a fine cartridge!
There was a 30 wssm, i can't remember what they called it. It had a cool name. Think it came out in 07?
It used the 25wssm case necked up. It cycled well. Ha be a friend that had one.
For the guy who's looking to put one of the wssm cartridges in an AR platform I'd recommend going to a 6 Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 308 in the AR10 platform. I think with the wssm type of cartridges you're going to run into some serious feeding issues I mean they kind of died out partially because of feeding issues in bolt guns from my understanding. Either way going with a cartridge that's established and going to be around for a while is always better then going with something that's already dead... unless you're just wanting to tinker with some of these wssm cartridges in a gas gun, then go right ahead. I love tinkering with stuff like that to just know it's probably going to be tough maybe even impossible to get something like that to function the way you're wanting but it'll be a fun project and if it works it'll be a hog killing machine!!
Here’s a surprise for you. Look at the pressure for a .454 Casull, it’s SAAMI maximum is 65k!
I'm thinking about getting into reloading. From what I see it's now about safing money as it is more about more consistent rounds. What's a respectful reloading that's good for multiple rounds like .223 to 7mm rem mag?
Most of the progressives don’t offer that big of range so your probably looking at a limited selection of single stages, probably be happier getting 2 so one can do pistol and the smaller rifles and then a stand alone magnum press.
You mentioned the .225 Winchester.
Near identical to the 22 250 except it is a rimmed cartridge. My grandfather gave me an unfired model 70 in that round. Also got six boxes of ammo with it. It got taken down by the same thought processess that temporarily destroyed the 220 Swift. Sad.
It depends, for me it’s absolutely worth it, between monolithic hunting ammo costing double what a reloaded equivalent does, and shooting lots of M2 ball equivalent loads through my M1 Garand, it’s worth the cpr savings, but for someone who shoots common or inexpensive rounds like 223 or 9mm it doesn’t make sense, I also don’t count my time in the cost of my reloads because I enjoy it, also the flexibility and personalization of loads to your gun is very nice and I really like making my guns as accurate or more accurate than my capabilities
I reload for every gun I own. Except for 22 Rimfire. Speaking of pump action. I have close to 300 rounds loaded up for 35 Whelen. Sold my 35 with hopes of finding one in pump action. No luck as of yet.
Have been reloading for over 25 years... i.load pistol for about 5 a box.. hunting rifle roughly 25 cents a rd and 223 for 10 cents a rd
I just started accumulating my reloading equipment in the last 2 months... Hardest thing by far is primers... Almost have everything I need... Strangely I can only find CCI primers, nothing else. They ignite the powder though so I'm not complaining lol.
Loaded my First .30-06 loads last weekend, shot great :)
Look to the bulk ammunition sites online. Also not giving the site but if you look at the ruger auctions link on their site there are a lot of options there.
You can buy ammunition and components online in most states without an FFL (CT is the only one I know of with restrictions but some others may also).
For reloading for accuracy try to stay with the same lot number in a specific primer. Minor differences can have a larger affect downrange, the same goes for powder lot numbers.
Buying bulk which can be properly stored has benefits beyond cost.
@@duanesamuelson2256
You are finding Primers online...? I can only find them on GunBroker but I'm not spending $500 on a case of primers lol.
I'm slowly starting to pick some up locally, Large Rifle and Large rifle Magnum Primers are the impossible to find ones..... I can get 200 a day from a place about an hour from my home but that's about it. Obviously they have different lot numbers because I can't buy them in bulk unfortunately.
@@Jonnydeerhunter expensive if you're shipping, it's only worth it in bulk. If you have friends to split the order or the supplier is close enough to make a road trip to its more reasonable (never understood by primers and powder are explosive but complete rounds aren't).
I did take a look and from at least some suppliers for in store pick up they are running around $6./100 with in store pick up and not listing a number restriction.
What I personally reload mostly is 5.56 to have hunting bullets for the longer throat chambering and faster twist the military and hybrid chambered rifles have. The extra hundred ft/sec doesn't hurt either.
Other rifles are much the same for me, a specific bullet I want to try/use which isn't available in factory loads. Some of my older rifles are picky about loads for accuracy and those I also hamd load but I tend not to shoot those much anymore, a couple hundred rounds will last for several years for those.
Good luck with your handloading while everyone has their own reasons all are valid for that individual.
@@duanesamuelson2256
I'm loading .30-06 right now to develop the best hunting loads with Barnes TTSX for My guns.
Also going to start 350 legend soon for my Ohio Guns.
Also going to load 9mm, 45acp, 10mm, and .223/5.56 for range ammo.
Dabble with some 44mag and .243 hunting ammo as well.
I'm just extremely excited for the ability to have nearly unlimited flexibility. It's making me want to get a shotshell reloader as well to play around with that. Thoroughly enjoying reloading so far despite the cost of entry. My only regret is not starting 3 or 4 years ago lol.
@@Jonnydeerhunter I'm glad you are enjoying it. Even today you can save money, quite a lot actually. Saw a cost benefit report a couple days ago with current prices and you will have paid back equipment costs in a year or two with moderate shooting volume.
I started hand loading to find the most accurate load decades ago (not as necessary today) and moved into "hot" loads for old cartridges in modern firearms. Some of these are available in hot loads off the shelf these days..not so much 40 years ago.
Ron, there have been many debates on which calibers are most effective on various medium size game to large size game (example; whitetail/mule to elk/moose). So my question is which bullets in each caliber would be effective on medium size to large size game. I know the old trusty Nosler Partition bullet had been used gage other bullet designs.
Ru2yaz, the right bullets depend on the MV at which they're launched and anticipated impact velocity. At some distance every bullet is "too hard" to expand and at "too close" distances most bullets are too soft to withstand the impact velocity. This reality is why so many bullets have been created and so many more will be. They're always looking for the ideal, but they'll never find it because a 300 RUM at 25 yards is a whole 'nother animal than it will be at 500 yards. I find it best to focus on bullet placement tied to construction and impact velocity. If I'm shooting a highly frangible, varmint style bullet, I know I must put it behind the shoulder so it "explodes" in the heart/lungs area. Wonderfully effective there. If I'm shooting a harder, controlled expansion bullet, I know I can punch through shoulders or even take an angled shot from gehind the last rib forward toward the off shoulder, etc.
Bear creek is offering 243 barrels with a 1-8 twist
now its really looking like a 6 creed
Fantastic best friend hope you spoi spoiled your friend
If you compare to bulk 9 and 223 it’s hard to convince someone it’s worth it. But….reload for your hunting/precision rifle ammo, achieve better results than factory and save 1,2 or even 3 dollars per round and it starts to become very desirable! Not to mention when that hard to find lead free ammo for a odd hunting caliber just before hunting season is out of stock, not to worry, just load some.
I agree even though I do load 9 and 223 in bulk my 6 ARC and 7mm-08 I can save around $50 per 100
.223/5.56 you can get better bullets for hunting than bulk.
For plinking and paper not a big deal, for killing critters there are far better bullets than fmj.
The flight control Buckshot rounds are pretty nasty I've seen them group in a 3" circle at 30 yd.
Hey Ron I live in Philip SD
Hand-loading is an art form.
Are longer, heavier bullets requiring faster twists but lower muzzle speeds really flatter shooting at ranges under 400 yd? I think the term "flat shooting " needs to take in range expectations.
The heaviest bullets are never the flattest shooting even out to 1000 yards, but generally carry the most energy. When you need to hear the hit on steel targets the energy is more important than drop. Mid weight bullets are a good compromise for wind drift drop and energy. Only when shooting to outer limits of your cartridge are the heaviest bullets necessary.
@@joegreen4089 I agree with you. I am primarily a deer hunter and I practice on 200 yd ranges to be able to make heart shots at up to that point. For me flat shooting is a 4 inch point blank drop at 200 yd. I tend to use faster and lighter copper bullets that don't require accurate range or wind drift adjustment. I do hunt in heavy woods.
In short yes. Tune your ammo to your rifle. No need to spend $5000 to get match grade accuracy and with hunting bullets. I have a 30-06 that shoots sub half inch with a 150 gr partition. Thanks to handloading. Lee dies too.
And growing up I had a Remington 410 single shot and I could shoot to clay pigeons before they hit the ground just by practicing