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  • Darkpriest667

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    I've been seriously thinking of getting into reloading, HOWEVER, all my firearms (with the exception of 1) are in 9mm, 5.56, and 22LR. I know that there is a lower cost savings on those calibers.. HOWEVER.. I have seriously thought about getting a Dillon XL650 and the dies for 9mm and 5.56.

    I'd also need a tumbler, calipers, and a few other things.. I think total cost to start is looking between 1000 and 1200 dollars.

    That being said. 9mm and 223? Is it really worth it? I'm getting 9mm at about 19 cents a round and 223 right around 30 to 40 cents a round.
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    Rusty Gun

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    Mar 23, 2010
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    You are pretty close to correct on your financial estimates. However if you have some time try to pick up the list of required stuff one at a time and spread the cost out. I waited until I found a Dillion 550 for $350 with a big box of accessories from the son of a man that had passed away.
    My cost on 9mm loading hi-tec coated 115 grain bullets from summers enterprises is around 11-12 cents per round. I do not load many .223 but the comparison is more pronounced in different calibers. Cost for a 45ACP is around half of store bought ammo. As you know, you have to shoot enough to offset the cost of the press. if you are loading mostly 9mm it is going to be slim unless you shoot a thousand rounds a month.

    The big advantage for me is I can tailor loads for special purposes or a specific gun. For example I load special rounds for hog hunting and a way different round for plinking.

    And I never run out of ammo. I can make 300 pistol rounds an hour which is almost as fast as I can shoot them. So if I am going to the range Sunday afternoon, I will sit at the press for an hour before church and crank out some ammo.
     

    Dawico

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    Strictly financially speaking, no, it is not worth getting in to reloading 9mm and 223 in this market. You will never pay off your equipment or time investments.

    That being said, it is a great time to load up on the equipment and componants. Prices are about as low as they are gonna be. Plan for the future, buy in bulk, and search for used equipment and componant deals.

    If you were shooting a 500 Magnum, 338 Lapua, or some other expensive round then it would pay off much quicker and I would say yes.

    But personally I like reloading. It is a great expansion on the shooting hobby and very educational. Making rounds that take my shooting to the next level will always be worth it to me.
     

    Sam7sf

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    It’s not as cost saving as it used to be. Still I want to get back into it. Mostly for my 6.5x55.

    IMO reloading no matter the cost is a fun hobby and a good way to pass the time. Even if cost savings ends up not being what you wanted, finding yourself a accurate load for your application is nice. Say hunting.
     

    Darkpriest667

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    Thanks everyone, I looked into the presses, I chose the Dillon XL650 for a good reason. 1 I am lazy and don't want to manual move the stages and 2 it has a few features that save your butt or at least warn you about making the rounds too hot for your setting. Which I really like. I haven't full committed yet, but I might soon. My thought process is the same I've had with firearms in general. Now is the time to buy, because in 2 years and 3 months we might be in a much different political climate.
     

    TxStetson

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    Thanks everyone, I looked into the presses, I chose the Dillon XL650 for a good reason. 1 I am lazy and don't want to manual move the stages and 2 it has a few features that save your butt or at least warn you about making the rounds too hot for your setting. Which I really like. I haven't full committed yet, but I might soon. My thought process is the same I've had with firearms in general. Now is the time to buy, because in 2 years and 3 months we might be in a much different political climate.
    If you start with a single stage press, you’ll fully understand the metrics of what goes into each round, and the cause and effect of changing little things here and there. Then when you’re comfortable and understand things a little better jump into the 650. You will also appreciate the progressive press much more that way too. And by all means, read the reloading manuals. The Lee reloading manual has lots of great information for the beginning reloader, and explains more than most of the others. But don’t limit yourself to just one reloading manual either. I also have the Lyman 50th, and the Hornady 10th editions. The more you read, the more you understand. Also, the more you do, the more you understand. It’s a wonderful feeling the first time you shoot your reloads.
     

    deemus

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    Strictly financially speaking, no, it is not worth getting in to reloading 9mm and 223 in this market. You will never pay off your equipment or time investments.

    .

    But if you were reloading back when Obummer was in office, and ammo was expensive and scarce, you were a genius.
     

    Charley

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    Aug 7, 2008
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    You're not going to have an inhalation danger. Lead melts at about 621 F, vaporization point is about 3100 F. One CAN start with a progressive press, like the Dillon 650, but the vast majority of beginning reloaders are much better served with a single stage or turret press when learning. I buy and sell quite a bit of used reloading equipment, and have bought several progressives from people who started reloading and gave up. If you re just looking for cheaper ammunition, you are probably better of chasing sales. You don't save money by reloading, but you can shoot more for the same amount of money.
     

    robertc1024

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    Jan 22, 2013
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    I agree on the sentiment that you don't save a lot on 9mm, but .223 is a different thing to me. With pick-up brass, it's easy to load 20 high quality rounds for $4.50 or so. That's easily cheaper than crappy factory ammo cost.
     
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