Should I start reloading?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a temp/humidity question.
The shed I was planning on using as a reloading room is about 15x15, insulated and has finished walls,concrete and tile floor.h
Has an a/c heater like the ones in a hotel.
We have very few humid days in the arizona desert. But the temp will get to 119f outdoors and im sure 160f or more in the shed.
Will it hurt loading components to sit in this heat during summer? Or will I need to run the a/c all summer or year?

@Ike85123
We have similar temps in OZ. My shed is insulated and I store my powder in insulated containers(eskies) and have no issues. Problem is in my part of OZ we c a n get shocking humidity at times so we need to maintain our rifles more. That's where Gilleys gun polish wax comes into its own for protection.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You really want a cool and dry place for powder and primer storage.

I wonder how one of those small hotel type refrigerator would work for that?

You can find them for a good price when hotels change them out. I picked one up a couple of years ago to keep water and fishing worms in

@JimP
I would steer clear of a refrigerator because of the humidity they create to keep food fresh. Yes they keep things a a constant temp but in doing so the create other problems like corrosion. I tried putting a primer in our house fridge for 3 months. After that time you wouldn't want to use it, so what is it doing inside a powder container.
Bob

 

[Ike85123]

@Ike85123
We have similar temps in OZ. My shed is insulated and I store my powder in insulated containers(eskies) and have no issues. Problem is in my part of OZ we c a n get shocking humidity at times so we need to maintain our rifles more. That's where Gilleys gun polish wax comes into its own for protection.
Bob

Gotcha. I was curious. I always keep my ammo in a safe in the house. My friends that reload all use a spare bedroom as their gun/reloading room. So I was curious about the shed and weather. Thanks
I wouldnt use a refrigerator ever in the shed. That shed sees really high temps in the summer. The poor fridge wouldnt last very long. Lol

 

[Opposite Pole]

Reload Swiss recommends powders are ideally stored in 12-15C (53-55F)with 40-50% humidity. Too dry and powders dry out which, according to them can cause pressure spike.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Reload Swiss recommends powders are ideally stored in 12-15C (53-55F)with 40-50% humidity. Too dry and powders dry out which, according to them can cause pressure spike.

@Opposite Pole
That's why I like ADI/Hogdon powders as they are temperature stable.
If Reload Swiss powders recommend those temps how do they go when using cartridges that have been in 35 degrees Celsius plus that if left on the dash of a bakki before use could exceed 60° Celsius.
Bob

 

[Opposite Pole]

That’s long term powder storage in the containers (up to 10 years), loaded cartridge will not dry out. Naturally no hunting cartridge can possibly be kept like this. Obviously we cannot carry “cartridge cellars” with us in the field. One more thing to remember about prolonged exposure of loaded rounds to hot sun is it affects projectiles also. Over time it makes them softer.

Some of RS powders are temp steady but I too like ADI/Hodgdon powders and have a good stock of H4831SC left. But unfortunately they are no longer available in Europe, which sucks.

 

[Foxi]

Standard ammunition is so cheap today and also so precise, you save nothing by reloading.
But big game cartridges are really expensive.
Three shots of a .450 NE cost 50.- €/USD here.
Therefore, in any case load yourself.
In addition, the fun of the thing brings the added value and you learn a lot about ballistics.

 

[Opposite Pole]

For standard cartridges for standard medium game hunting ammo cost is irrelevant, we’re talking perhaps few boxes a year. But for somewhat worn out barrels with eroded throat or large number of practise shots or less common or big game cartridges the differences in cost, accuracy and availability are significant. A single 470NE cartridge is listed on a shop’s website here in Poland at 15.50EUR (it’s listed, but not in stock), I can load it for around 2.10EUR.

 

[Hearties]

Don’t know about first world countries but here in SA it’s very difficult to find factory ammo that is consistently in stock and doesn’t cost an absolute arm and a leg. For me reloading is a no-brainer - and it beats sitting in front of the TV watching crap with my wife...

 

[Woodcarver]

You guys need to go shoot more apparently. If I had to be satisfied with only a few boxes of ammo a year to shoot, I might have to go find another hobby. A few boxes a month feels like I'm on a diet.
Shooting "standard" ammo, I will save over a buck a round easily reloading. With some cartridges, probably north of $2-$3/round saved. One of my favorites is up to $0.12/rd reloaded, but would cost me well over a buck per if I shot factory. Probably shoot over a hundred of these a month. Do the math; it adds up surprisingly quickly.
The added value of being able to shoot more if one has a fixed allowance on ammo cost; the added value of being able to fill a magazine with ammo tailored to that rifle; the added value of hunting with ammo you crafted; versus spending the same amount of cash to shoot less. Doesn't seem to be hard to see the monetary value in reloading, even for just the standard cartridges.

 

[Viral_SIGness]

With the current shortage of components and the stupid ridiculously high prices if you do find them, I’d say hold off if you have to buy them retail.
However, there are a few forums that have people that are willing to help out anyway they can. Just start posting things you are looking for and I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for, just need to be patient and in no hurry. That is how I’ve been finding everything I need for the last year.

Dave is right, things are impossible to get. If not for Dave, I'd still be searching for Reloader 16 & 17. Luckily we were close enough to meet up and trade some powder.

I never look at reloading as "how fast can I make 100 rounds". I enjoy it greatly and I'm meticulous with everything. I hand weigh each powder charge. It is a very rewarding and relaxing hobby!

If you stayed at it steady, and used a powder-thrower, I guess you could do 100 in a couple of hours.

The big payoff is in accuracy. You will rarely ever find a rifle that shoots factory ammo, as well as a tweaked hand load. There are so many pros and hardly any cons.

With that said, should you start reloading? No, because one more man in, is that much less stuff I'm going to be able to find lol j/k

 

[Woodcarver]

Speaking of reloading, the wind has died down. There is a 270WSM waiting for me to get the proper diet figured out so I can save about $1.10-$1.15 for each of the 400 cases waiting to be filled. Believe the 270WSM qualifies as a standard cartridge. A fun way to save a few bucks!

 

[Opposite Pole]

You guys need to go shoot more apparently.

Mate, below is roughly 2000 223 brass I shot last month getting ready to be reloaded. Naturally that is not all I shot last month. I also shoot a number of other rifle cartridges as well as a fair bit of handgun ones. But - I stand by my statement that if you only shoot a few boxes of deer type cartridges a year there’s little to be gained by reloading.

 

[Ike85123]

Mate, below is roughly 2000 223 brass I shot last month getting ready to be reloaded. Naturally that is not all I shot last month. I also shoot a number of other rifle cartridges as well as a fair bit of handgun ones. But - I stand by my statement that if you only shoot a few boxes of deer type cartridges a year there’s little to be gained by reloading.
View attachment 397999

I dont shoot alot. I spend between 250 and 400 a month on ammo. Just depends on other activities.
I still have a ammo can of 223 from 32 yrs ago. Lol
I bought anew ar15 and 1k rounds when I was 18. Being a lefty. I difnt like the brass going doen my shirt or burning my arm. I never shot it much. Infact i haven't shot that rifle in probably 20yrs.
My son loved them though. He has a quite alot. Calls them his lego system. Lol

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Dave is right, things are impossible to get. If not for Dave, I'd still be searching for Reloader 16 & 17. Luckily we were close enough to meet up and trade some powder.

I never look at reloading as "how fast can I make 100 rounds". I enjoy it greatly and I'm meticulous with everything. I hand weigh each powder charge. It is a very rewarding and relaxing hobby!

If you stayed at it steady, and used a powder-thrower, I guess you could do 100 in a couple of hours.

The big payoff is in accuracy. You will rarely ever find a rifle that shoots factory ammo, as well as a tweaked hand load. There are so many pros and hardly any cons.

With that said, should you start reloading? No, because one more man in, is that much less stuff I'm going to be able to find lol j/k

@Viral_SIGness
Come on mate play nicely someone shared their toys with you so welcome a Newby to reloading and pass on your knowledge. You never know he might be able to get stuff you can't and if you play nice he might pass them on to you a a reasonable price.
Bob

 

[Ike85123]

I was going to order some book to read before purchasing any equipment.
If anyone can recommend any, that would be great. I will get acouple reload manuals as discussed before also. Thanks

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I was going to order some book to read before purchasing any equipment.
If anyone can recommend any, that would be great. I will get acouple reload manuals as discussed before also. Thanks

@Ike85123
Hornaday volume 10 is very good. It goes into the whole process and how to set up Fls dies properly as well. The thing I like is it also describes each type ofprojectile they make and the use for each which is very handy for selecting the RIGHT bullet for the game you wish to hunt. After using the SST I have found it to be a versatile bullet.
Bob

 

[Viral_SIGness]

I was going to order some book to read before purchasing any equipment.
If anyone can recommend any, that would be great. I will get acouple reload manuals as discussed before also. Thanks

the Lyman manual is the best for beginners I think. I have the Hornady and Sierra manuals as apps on my phone.

 

[lwaters]

In my ruger 300 rcm I load the 165 gr. Gmx, Interbond and Sst they shoot the same in my rifle and the 180gr. Nosler is close to them also. Don't have to change the scope when I switch bullets.

@Ike85123
Hornaday volume 10 is very good. It goes into the whole process and how to set up Fls dies properly as well. The thing I like is it also describes each type ofprojectile they make and the use for each which is very handy for selecting the RIGHT bullet for the game you wish to hunt. After using the SST I have found it to be a versatile bullet.
Bob

 

[mdwest]

Standard ammunition is so cheap today and also so precise, you save nothing by reloading.
But big game cartridges are really expensive.
Three shots of a .450 NE cost 50.- €/USD here.
Therefore, in any case load yourself.
In addition, the fun of the thing brings the added value and you learn a lot about ballistics.

For basic ammunition from the major manufacturers like Remington, Winchester, and Federal this is reasonably true in the US.. I can buy a box of Remington Core Lokt 308 for about $24.. to load a box of similar ammunition myself using new brass costs about $20.. so, not a lot of savings.. even using once fired brass, its still going to cost me $15.. so.. from a % perspective the savings is considerable, but from an actual $ perspective, its going to take loading quite a bit of ammo to be able to recover the initial investment cost of a decent press, dies, and other equipment..

But for premium ammunition, there is quite a bit of savings available even in smaller, common calibers like .308 Winchester, .30-06, 7x57, etc... you can make up your investment costs pretty quickly..

For example.. before ammunition prices went crazy here in the US a few months ago (and became almost impossible to find) a box of Barnes Vor-tx in 308 was selling for about $55.. I could handload the same box of ammunition using the barnes ttsx bullet to the same velocity as the barnes factory ammunition for about $23 using new brass.. if I am using once fired brass that I already have in my possession I can load that same box of ammunition for about $18..

There is also considerable cost savings if you are loading ammunition that isnt loaded by the large factories such as .458 SOCOM.. the absolute cheapest factory ammunition you can find for 458 SOCOM is about $45 for a box of 20 rounds (its absolutely impossible to find right now though).. I can load a box of 20 458 SOCOM myself though for less than $18 per box if using once fired brass..