Posted on 02/27/2008 9:16:53 PM PST by taxcontrol
I recently obtained a .357 and a .45 ACP and would like to go to the range and put some practice in. However, I've been away from pistol ammo prices for a while, and after I suffered from sticker shock, I'm now looking for a supplier of "range ammo" in .38 special and .45 ACP.
And no I do not have reloading gear but I'm now seriously considering it.
Wait for your “rebate check” and buy the good stuff.
;-)
If you decide to do your own reloads; I’ve been very happy with my Dillon gear. It’s quite enjoyable for me(kinda medatative once you get your rythm). Since you are talking about straight wall cartridges, you won’t be needing anything too fancy. The Square Deal has been plenty for me and I go through a pretty good amount of ammo in 9mm, .45, .38/.357 and .44(.444 for my Marlin lever action).
You might want to get a copy of Shotgun News. There are dealers in that publication that supply bulk ammo.
Sportsmans Guide is my favorite.
Good setup materials and video, and pretty easy learning curve, if you take your time.
I get my bullets in bulk from a local distributor for Rainier Ballistics. Scrounge brass from the range, as well as what you shoot from the store.
Reloading is the only way I can afford to shoot as much as I do, especially in .45. Reloading is about $7 - $8 for 50 rounds, vs. $15 to $20 from the store; makes for a fast payback, especially at 400 - 500 rounds per hour reloading in the Dillon.
If you're only going to shoot a few hundred rounds a month, you might want to think about Dillon Precision's Square Deal B. If you're going to shoot a lot more than that (as in 750+ rounds a month), check into their RL-550. You won't find a better company than Dillon Precision.
Mark
Reloading will be cheapest, but if you want some nice range ammo, get the Winchester Value Packs from Walmart. Yes, you might be able to beat it if you buy huge quantities online, but for most normal quantities, they’re the cheapest around.
Ditto on the Shotgun News.
Plus it comes 3 times a month and has some interesting articles in the front on weapons.
I generally by my ammo at the gun shows we have here about every three months. Saves a lot on the shipping.
Nice to go down there knowing what the dealers were paying for bulk buys. You can get good deals on large buys on Sunday but by then most popular calibers are sold out.
the square deal b’s are nice, but expensive. eventually i may move up to one of those but for now, i’m using a lee 4 hole turret press. i got the press, and 4 full sets of dies/ toolheads, powder drops, etc for less than the price of a dillon.
of course it loads one at a time and loads half as fast as a dillon, but its alot cheaper.
if there’s a gun show around you, check that out. you can often find lower priced ammo, or people that sell reloaded ammo at a discount there.
I’m wary of buying reloads from private individuals (unless they are well known to me) because you don’t know if they are paying attention at the press or know what they’re doing.
I’ve seen some folks shooting hot handloads that were a bit much...
That said, I am a total ammo whore. If it’s cheap, I’ll buy it even if I don’t have a gun in that chambering. Trade bait.
The only thing I reload is .410 and short 16 ga.
Sit down, and carefully calculate the costs of a reloading set up vs. factory ammo. Figure out how many rounds it will take for it to pay for itself, and I'm guessing you'll be making the investment soon.
The Winchester “white box” value packs from Walmart are generally as cheap or cheaper than anything online, plus you’ll save a considerable amount in shipping (you will easily pay $40 in UPS for 1000 rounds of 357 or 45).
Bump on Dillon. Consider Ranier Ballistics for bullets (or even hard cast lead (esp on the .38 if you’re willing to wear gloves or have already had children). .38 brass lasts forever with target loads and careful inspections. One of the posters at www.glocktalk.com posts an excellent excel spreadsheet that allows you to calculate the price of your reloads and the amount of time it will take you to save back the cost of your reloading equipment: http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78745&highlight=reloading+spreadsheet
Got a second Square Deal from Ebay for about $150 a few months back, with dies set up for 9mm already.
I used to use cheaperthandirt.com or ammoman
i got a special finger for you.. :P
congrats on that. i haven’t seen them go for less than $250 used. if i saw one for $150 i’d prolly jump on it too.
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