30 Luger Reloading Costs

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by mrerick

But sheepherder IS Rich!!!!!

How very true.


Hmm, sorry, couldn't help it.

[rhuff]

I enjoy going to the range 1-2/week, so I go through a fair amount of ammo over a years time. I shoot .22cal through 45LC, and pretty much everything in between. If I did not handload, my shooting would definitely be curtailed due to the price of the ammo. I started handloading back in the "dark ages" and have paid for my reloading equipment many times over when comparing the cost of my handloads to new ammo. I am retired now, and have more time, but I enjoy handloading. I like the thought of taking rejected brass(by many shooters), and handloading it to better ammo than it was originally, for about 1/2 the cost, or less. It is a sense of accomplishment for me.

Handloading is not for everyone. If you are not a bit OCD, then perhaps you should stay away. You are handling explosive(primers) and flammable(powder) components, and if put together incorrectly, will lead to a kaboom that can/will damage gun and possibly shooter. One has to keep their head in the game and focus on the job.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rhuff

You are handling explosive(primers) and flammable(powder) components, and if put together incorrectly, will lead to a kaboom that can/will damage gun and possibly shooter....

I would add that the above goes for the actual reloading as well. In another thread I mentioned primers backing out due to tight bullets and air pressure forcing the primer out while seating the bullet. I have had it happen that after I had primed, charged with powder, and seated the bullet, the completed cartridge would not slide out of the shell holder. The partially backed-out primer was holding it in.

I thought about it for a while, then decided that the shell holder + cartridge would fit in my kinetic bullet puller. It successfully extracted the bullet & powder, and I could then put the case + holder back in the press and push the primer back up. I threw that case away, but from then on, whenever adding powder to a primed case, I wear safety glasses.

Just in case...