reload vs. surplus ammo
I have recently been thinking about purchasing some reloading equipment. It is mainly as a way to save money. I've heard that reloaded ammo can't be sealed and draws moisture and since I don't have as much time as I'd like to shoot ammo has a tendency to sit around awhile before I get to it. Thus far my way of saving money on my ammo budget has been to purchase surplus ammo from various places on the internet. I've been told I can cut costs by more than half if I reloaded though so that is a definite plus. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Molon Labe
Molon Labe
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Surplus saves money. I began reloading, and when I figured my hourly salary that I lost repairing firearms, it COSTS me money to reload. So if you have something else you could be doing, I reload for accuracy, I buy surplus to save money.
I have never had any reloads to "go bad", under even poor conditions, ie: the ones that stay in the truck tool box for years on end.0 -
High Volume,
Do you plan on reloading for pistol or rifle?
I find that I save a lot of money reloading 45acp and 9mm. It really depends on how much you shoot. During summer, fall, spring when I train the most I go through a ton of 45ACP, 9mm and 5.56.
You only save money reloading calibers like 5.56, 9mm, and 45ACP when you do in big volume. Reloading shouldn't be viewed as a job or chore, it is part of the shooting sport and I enjoy it. Time at the reloading bench will pay off down range when it comes to accuracy.
As of right now I just reload 45ACP, 9mm, and precision 308. 5.56 is just too cheap to buy surplus or commercial reloads from my buddy.0 -
Thanks for the suggestions everyone,
ContacFront: The reloading idea was mainly for my AR-15, but I figured that if I'm going to get all of that equipment I might as well reload all my stuff. .30 carbine and .30-06 is as expensive as hell and I've already had a bad experience shooting surplus ammo out of my garand (didn't realize it was corrosive, enough said). I don't think I have an interest in customizing loads or anything, the loads that uncle sam uses are good enough for me, but if I can save money down the line I'm all for it.
Molon Labe0 -
You can seal your reloads. I use George&Roy's primer sealant from Cabela's. You can use it on your primers and the case rim. 0 -
High Volume,
You can definitely save money by reloading, especially if you already have some once fired reloadable cases around. I would say it also depends on the caliber as some surplus ammo is so cheap it really doesn't pay to reload, unless you are looking for performance.
A good deal of money can be saved by reloading .45ACP and if lead bullets are used a good bit more can be saved. As far as .30-06 there is some good surplus on the market now. There is an influx of PMC .30-06 Korean ammo available, but as you have said you need to determine if it is corrosive or not. I just purchased 400 rounds of this ammo from
www.sportsmansguide.com
for about $89.00. It is non-corrosive, sealed, boxer primed, reloadable and it shoots great out of my Eddystone 1917! If more power or precision is needed then by all means reload.
Some cartridges like the 7.62x39, 7.62x54, 8mm, .303 British, .308 or just about any shotgun shell is not worth the time or effort because it is impossible to reload them any cheaper than what you can buy them for new.
However, if better performance is desired then this would determine the need to reload. Commercial cartridges that are not available as surplus can generally be reloaded for a cost savings.
Regards,
Heavyiron[8D]
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
Whoever told you that reloads draw moisture is (to put it nicely) all wet. The primer is a press fit into the case, as is the bullet. While case sealers (overpriced nail polish BTW) the only time you might need to use them is if your planning to store your ammo under water for several decades.
Cheap surp ammo is hard to beat for price (7.62x39, 9mmPara), common stuff like 45, 223, 308, 30-06 you can usualy make premium loads for half of what factory standard loads cost. Once you get into the exotic cartridges you will find major savings (416Rigby runs $1 a shot for reloads, and $6 a shot for factory). That's not to mention that your making loads that bring out the best from your rifle/pistol.
The reloading topic has been covered often here, and I suggest you search out "Iconoclasts" posts on the topic.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
quote:Originally posted by TrooperAllen469
Surplus saves money. I began reloading, and when I figured my hourly salary that I lost repairing firearms, it COSTS me money to reload. So if you have something else you could be doing, I reload for accuracy, I buy surplus to save money.
I have never had any reloads to "go bad", under even poor conditions, ie: the ones that stay in the truck tool box for years on end.
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Keep the surplus for just blasting ammo.
NRA Life Endowment Member0 -
If keeping the cost low and still having a nice gun with plenty of power, look into getting a military surplus 8 mm Mauser. You can buy brass cased milsurp ammo, FMJ for as low as 6.5 cents per round plus shipping. The rifle itself has plenty of accuracy and the 8 mm round is very close to the 30-06. You get a WHOLE lot of shooting for very little money.
In regards to the reloads collecting moisture, even a press fit in my humble opinion will not block all the moisture or perhaps some gun oil that it may be exposed to. So if you are planning on keeping the reloads for several years if it was me I would use the sealer or maybe just plain clear nail polish. Or do it both ways and then run a test in a few years.
Quote "Somehow government decided that the Constitutional Bill of Rights has become the Bill of "Suggested" Rights and are to be rationed to the citizens as the power elite sees fit"0
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