30 Luger Reloading Costs

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

I think better in "per round" costs, the first load costs $0.69 if I added corrrectly.

I got bogged down trying to convert grains to grams/pounds, and quickly lost interest in per-round pricing...

Then add in the "amortization" of the components, at $250 for a "set" without a scale

The RCBS Master Kit includes a scale, whether used [complete] or new. Not sure why you mentioned that?

For most folks time is money; but maybe reloading is fun for some(not for me).

For some cartridges, especially wildcats, reloading is the only way to go. You could wait months for Mr Nambu to load up a batch of 8mm rounds or do your own. I usually reload in front of my TV while watching some rerun of my favorite shows - the new scripted reality shows have no interest for me.

One (or two) important accessories for reloading is a sturdy desk and a chair/stool to go with it. I like the steel office desks that are available everywhere used, and usually cheap. A roll-around office chair is handy for scooting back & forth from scale to press. I weigh every 10th load to make sure my powder measure is holding true. I pour 10 measures into 10 cases in my case block and visually inspect the cases to make sure all cases have the same level of powder in them before I seat the bullets.

I do 'batch' reloading. I typically size 50 rds, then de-prime those 50, then prime the 50, then charge the 50, then seat bullets in the 50. It doesn't take long to do each operation for 50 cases, and I can break off and do something else and leave the 50 for further work at any time. I tried progressive reloading, and was annoyed at the amount of time required to set up components and break them down again after 50 rds. Powder & primers must be stored, not left out. Batch cases can be put in a Tupperware [or similar] storage container to preserve primers from humidity. With a progressive press, you're committed to doing the entire run of cases.

I also have many accessories to make things easier; a kinetic bullet puller to reclaim powder/bullets/primers from ruined cases; a micrometer powder measure for my powder dispenser; a case trimmer [two actually]; a primer pocket reamer; de-burring tools, etc.

/rant