You don't need a big set-up

DRFury

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Just wanted to share that you can reload in a small space without a lot of equipment. Here is a picture of everything needed to reload 9mm. I am sure I could get by with even less, in fact I have one of those whack-a-mole reloaders on the way too.

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I knows it's been talked about a million and 4 times but how much does it cost a rd?

Cost is totally dependent on material cost. I can get 1000 projectiles for around $80, 1000 primers for about $40, and a jug of powder for about $20 that will do at least 1000. So about .14 per round for 9mm and about the same for 38 special. I reload some 5.56 and primer and projectile costs are about the same but the powder cost goes up as you use more per load. I would estimate about .20 per round. If you buy in larger quantities you can find much greater savings.
 
Those Lee hand presses are way cool. Great for playing with seating depth at the range in a load work up.

You have it all there for sure. But a word of caution: What you have there is a, "a gateway setup".

No gateway here, nowhere for a larger set up. My reloading has to "go away" when not in use due to available space (or lack of).
 
I hear you, but I seem to recall that you are currently awaiting a "wack-a-mole reloader" also (it has already begun). I am telling you, the camel's head is in the tent. It only goes one way from here. It may take time, it may progress slowly, you may stronger than I was, but eventually...

That said, there is pride in minimalism and it is laudable. My brother in law was such an individual when he started. He is over it now, loads rifle, pistol and shotgun.

The problem is associating with people like me and other "facilitators" on this forum. My grandmother used to say if you let the dogs in the house, you can expect to have fleas.
 
I hear you, but I seem to recall that you are currently awaiting a "wack-a-mole reloader" also (it has already begun). I am telling you, the camel's head is in the tent. It only goes one way from here. It may take time, it may progress slowly, you may stronger than I was, but eventually...

That said, there is pride in minimalism and it is laudable. My brother in law was such an individual when he started. He is over it now, loads rifle, pistol and shotgun.

The problem is associating with people like me and other "facilitators" on this forum. My grandmother used to say if you let the dogs in the house, you can expect to have fleas.

Yep!
 
We're all here to help enable.

I have multiple presses but I also have one of those hand presses and they work fine.
 
I started with a Lyman hand press and loaded 5-10 thousand pistol rounds. I finally broke it, as in the cast iron frame just cracked. I then replaced it with a Rockchucker and started reloading for bolt actions. I just picked up my first progressive but except for high volume pistol rounds, I'll just use it as a single stage.

What kind of scale is that and how accurate is it?
 
I started with a Lyman hand press and loaded 5-10 thousand pistol rounds. I finally broke it, as in the cast iron frame just cracked. I then replaced it with a Rockchucker and started reloading for bolt actions. I just picked up my first progressive but except for high volume pistol rounds, I'll just use it as a single stage.

What kind of scale is that and how accurate is it?
I believe it is a Frankford Arsenal. As far as accuracy, I have an RCBS beam scale and they seem to match. I am not sure what else you are looking for in accuracy.
 
If you reload with the Whack A Mole setup while your wife is home your marriage is going to be shortened. And then there's the neighbors...
No neighbors, and my wife has already banned me from doing dishes because I make too much noise. I have a set for 357 that only comes out when she is out.
 
my wife has already banned me from doing dishes

No doubt I enjoy reloading and have benefited greatly from it, but it has never been this generous to me!!!!!! If I loaded in the kitchen, it would not cost me doing the dishes, it would cost me eating!!!!!
 
I load all my rifle on a single stage, along with accurate 357, 10mm, and 44 mags ammo. But, for 9mm, 38 special, and 40 S&W blaster ammo, I use a 550B. I don't think that I load 9mm on a single stage any more.
 
I use a Lee turret press. It’s good for what I need. I have noticed some flaws in it. But it gets the job done. I like that it can be used as a turret style or single stage. I am looking to replace, err add to it in the near future. It is addictive as has been stated before. The toys will start to multiply.
 
I knows it's been talked about a million and 4 times but how much does it cost a rd?
I've settled on plated bullets for 9mm. I wait until they are on sale, usually from Xtreme when they have one of their free shipping and 15-20% off sales (like black friday). I can load 9mm rounds for about $0.11 each that way. For 223, the least expensive would be plinking rounds using H4198 powder, buying everything in bulk will cost about $0.18 per round. Those are the two calibers that don't make much sense to reload now, given the prices of factory ammo. But the real beauty of loading your own is that you get to tailor your ammo to your own tastes (like reduced recoil) or make more accurate for a given gun. When you get into loading for something like 44mag or 45 colt, that is when you can really start saving money.

And beware of the enablers here. They will be quick to point you to really nifty and shiny reloading gadgets that you never knew you needed. It takes a lot of self control, but you can save money reloading. Most people don't save money, they just shoot more.
 
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DRFury, nice job!

Story time, there I was......

Back in the mid 80s I lived life in the barracks while in language school for Arabic at Bragg. Had a desk, wall locker and bed. Shared that room with 2 others. Would go to the sand pits after class and shoot 100 rds of .41 Mag out of my 6" M57. Head back to the barracks, pull out my Lee Classic Reloader and used the whack a mole technique. Took me two hours to reload those 100 cases (215 gr SWC/2400). Would use the same set up out of a rucksack with pulling guard duty in a haute in the German Alps years later. (Smith 58 .41 mag and Webley MkIV .38 S&W) For a survivalist/minimalist its a very useable piece of kit.

Bonus Question: What is the difference between a fairy tale and a war story?





















Fairy Tales start off with "Once upon a time....." War stories, "There I was.........." :)

CD
 
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I have been reloading a couple of years with this set up. While not fast, it does the job. Aside from tumbling, which I do out on the porch, I can reload about 100 per hour. I did get the whack a moles in and must say that 9mm is pretty easy with it. 38 takes a little more whack to resize. I will have to try some of the case lube I have laying around for the 38.
 
That's all the most my Grandaddy used for reloading his 30-06 rifles. He also reloaded for and 357 and 44 wheel guns. He would scoff at my Uncle who had a single stage because it was "modern" and more than anyone needed. Never bought factory ammo. Hunted with everything he loaded. Never had an empty freezer.

Nice work to the OP for finding pleasure for the simplicity of reloading.
 
I agree your setup will work for low volume reloading. However I'd go nuts trying to keep up with my average of 5-700 rounds a week.
 
I agree your setup will work for low volume reloading. However I'd go nuts trying to keep up with my average of 5-700 rounds a week.
If I were shooting a lot, I agree. I would invest in a Dillon something or other that could crank em out as fast as I could pull a lever.
 
If I were shooting a lot, I agree. I would invest in a Dillon something or other that could crank em out as fast as I could pull a lever.
I applaud your modest setup, a perfect example of "Form fits function".

I am so far down the reloading gadget rabbit hole that there is no hope for me. :oops:
 
I applaud your modest setup, a perfect example of "Form fits function".

Yes, I have already forwarded to two of my friends who so far have resisted my attempts to lead them into reloading. They baulk at not having space or their wife won't give them the space, yada, yada, yada.

"Here, show your wife this is all it takes."

"Really?"

"Yes"

"Wow"

And like I said, the camel's head is in the tent, and the corruption of my friends is complete. Maybe I will put together a set myself to let them borrow and try. You know, the equivalent of drug dealer offering free samples.
 
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