Bad time to get into reloading?

Paradigm .45

Paradigm .45

More like Paradigm 9mm now
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Hey guys! So I was seriously considering dipping my toes into reloading this winter and asking for a press for Christmas to just have some fun and play around with. However I'm starting to worry that components are going to become even harder to find now w everything going on and don't want to waste a bunch of money on a set up I won't be able to use. Was going to start w loading 300BO if it matters. What you guys think?
 
Get yourself a copy of the ABCs of Reloading.
Buy a Rockchucker press.
Buy a beam scale.
Buy .308 projectiles.
Buy appropriate powder for your load
Buy primers

Let your family and friends gift you the other stuff you need. You'll be set up with the basics and the accessories don't disappear off shelves like the other stuff does.
 
Timfoilhat said:
Get yourself a copy of the ABCs of Reloading.
Buy a Rockchucker press.
Buy a beam scale.
Buy .308 projectiles.
Buy appropriate powder for your load
Buy primers

Let your family and friends gift you the other stuff you need. You'll be set up with the basics and the accessories don't disappear off shelves like the other stuff does.
Click to expand...
Pretty much my plan, was going to go w a rock chucker or possibly a forester coax
 
If you are going to load only for rifle, and especially for precision, then the Forster Coax is a good way to go. If you plan to load in the future for pistol calibers, and precision rifle is not in your plans, then I would recommend the Lee Classic Turret press to get started.

For common calibers like 9mm, I don't think I would recommend anyone to start loading now. For less common calibers, though, it might be the only way you can get ammo to shoot and will stand the best chance of saving money.

I'm not sure if components are going to drop in price more than they have, at least not anytime soon. The availability has been poor for some items as well, but not as bad as it was a couple of years ago. Primers and powders have been the worst, but generally the projectiles and brass have not been too hard to come by. You might see about getting the primers and powder first, before you commit to buying a press and other equipment.

I see you are not too far from Vass. Ed's Gun Shop in Vass has some reloading items in stock, it might be worth a trip or a phone call to see what is in stock. 300 BLK uses small rifle primers, my first choice would be CCI 41, but CCI 450 will work also. Regular small rifle primers might be too soft to use in AR platforms (floating firing pin).

Good luck.
 
You're in Charlotte.
Your best option is to watch the BST for what you need and get lucky.
If you are short on time your next best option is Carolina Sporting Arms on S. Blvd or Hyatts on Wilkinson, but expect to pay top retail.
If you have time to make the trip check out Blue Collar Reloading:

www.google.com

Blue Collar Reloading, Inc. · 3018 S Main St, Salisbury, NC 28147

★★★★★ · Sporting goods store
www.google.com www.google.com
 
Paradigm .45 said:
Was going to start w loading 300BO if it matters. What you guys think?
Click to expand...

Well, you can’t have any pudding unless you first eat your meat, but there’s nothing saying you can’t have your components first, before you have your press/equipment.

I’d go ahead and get your primers, powder, brass and bullets (in that order), then, work on the equipment. Worst comes to worse, you’ll have components and if you know of someone nearby that has everything else, they may let you use it👍
 
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I am local to you and set up for it now. I might be able to donate a small quantity of brass and projectiles for 300 BLK, but I'll need you to sign a contract prohibiting you from ever calling it 300BO again.
 
Paradigm .45 said:
Hey guys! So I was seriously considering dipping my toes into reloading this winter and asking for a press for Christmas to just have some fun and play around with. However I'm starting to worry that components are going to become even harder to find now w everything going on and don't want to waste a bunch of money on a set up I won't be able to use. Was going to start w loading 300BO if it matters. What you guys think?
Click to expand...
It's never a bad time to get into reloading. Components are relatively easy to find right now. I would hurry if I were you. I expect availability to take a hit soon. Primers are still expensive compared to 3 years ago, but still not a show stopper.
 
Yesterday I was in Academy in Matthews and they had a single pound jar of H110 in the case. I've never loaded 300 BLK, but I think that's the powder many use.
 
No, don’t get into reloading, all we need is someone else buying everything up. Never mind you said 300 blackout, you are golden.

All joking aside, hand loading is always worth it. Though I would not get a balance beam, I’d get a nicer digital balance. Unless you get a top tier beam used for labs, your accuracy will suffer, especially if you are loading for precision rifles. Even if your loaded rounds come out the same same or a little more than box ammo, it’s customized to shoot specifically for your gun, which is well worth the cost of admission all day.
 
Catfish said:
I am local to you and set up for it now. I might be able to donate a small quantity of brass and projectiles for 300 BLK, but I'll need you to sign a contract prohibiting you from ever calling it 300BO again.
Click to expand...
That's awesome man, I'll sign the waver lol
 
Jimbob78 said:
No, don’t get into reloading, all we need is someone else buying everything up. Never mind you said 300 blackout, you are golden.

All joking aside, hand loading is always worth it. Though I would not get a balance beam, I’d get a nicer digital balance. Unless you get a top tier beam used for labs, your accuracy will suffer, especially if you are loading for precision rifles. Even if your loaded rounds come out the same same or a little more than box ammo, it’s customized to shoot specifically for your gun, which is well worth the cost of admission all day.
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The balance scale doesn't take batteries. As a guy who plans for the worst, the low tech scale is a must have. When he puts his friends to work buying stuff as gifts he can get a fancy RCBS dispenser with an electronic scale.
 
Jimbob78 said:
Unless you get a top tier beam used for labs, your accuracy will suffer, especially if you are loading for precision rifles
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Interesting comment. IDK how accuracy would suffer as you are looking for repeatability when loading for accuracy. As long as you use the same beam scale your measurements should be repeatable.
Digital vs beam scale is an interesting topic which I think deserves a thread of its own.
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
Interesting comment. IDK how accuracy would suffer as you are looking for repeatability when loading for accuracy. As long as you use the same beam scale your measurements should be repeatable.
Digital vs beam scale is an interesting topic which I think deserves a thread of its own.
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I prefer my repeatability as precise as possible more so than most reloading beams will give. Yes you may think you are weighing out 35.2gn, for example, but test 5 charges on a laboratory balance and see how much variance is there.
 
Get a balance beam and a set of check weights. If nothing else, you can use it to check on an electronic scale. Gravity always works. Electronics do not. Been there. Done that. Always check your settings against a reliable and repeatable standard.

It is not a bad time to get into it since components seem to be more available than they were a while ago.
 
What are the recommended beams to buy? I want to find one as accurate in case the power goes out.
 
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Jimbob78 said:
What are the recommended beams to buy? I want to find one as accurate in case the power goes out.
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I've read that the newer ones aren't as good as the older ones. I found mine on ebay, some older fella loved it for like 40 years before I bought it. I think you're looking for the ones made by ohaus but possibly branded RCBS or other loading company. I'll get more detail later.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I've read that the newer ones aren't as good as the older ones. I found mine on ebay, some older fella loved it for like 40 years before I bought it. I think you're looking for the ones made by ohaus but possibly branded RCBS or other loading company. I'll get more detail later.
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Rcbs is +/- 0.1gn, I want something better than that.
 
I lived through the earlier shortage of primers back 2010 or so I think. Any how. Have specific goals to start out with. Are you wanting volume or just to be able to make ammo. My self, I have 2 single stage presses. Takes a little longer to pump out volume but those presses absolutely do whatni need done. I started out loading for pistols only. Fast forward 20 years and I'm loading for rifles now and I can make some very accurate ammo.

The one lie you'll tell you is that you'll save money. Wrong, what savings you have will be burnt up in shooting more or buying more relading gear. Example. I own one powder measure with small and large cylinders for it. I was causing Ebay and wound up bying a second powder measure.

Shooting is an addiction. So is hookers and blow. All are expensive but damn what a joy it is to poke small groups of holes in paper way out there away from the bench.
 
Jimbob78 said:
Rcbs is +/- 0.1gn, I want something better than that.
Click to expand...
Why?
Loads are determined to the .1gn level on all regular reloading scales.
It's your scale, so even if it's calibration is off by .2gn it will be consistently off by that amount. Since you work up your loads using your scale the load will be correct for your gun.
 
Timfoilhat said:
Why?
Loads are determined to the .1gn level on all regular reloading scales.
It's your scale, so even if it's calibration is off by .2gn it will be consistently off by that amount. Since you work up your loads using your scale the load will be correct for your gun.
Click to expand...
because if weigh 40.0gn it could be 39.9 or 40.1 and read 40.0
 
Jimbob78 said:
because if weigh 40.0gn it could be 39.9 or 40.1 and read 40.0
Click to expand...
I think this difference may be on the newer scales. The older scales were reportedly better and actually made by Ohaus, then re-branded RCBS.
 
This sort of ridiculousness is not pertinent to a guy buying his starting kit. 1/2 a granule of Varget don't mean squat to 99% of reloaders.

@Paradigm .45 you'll get acceptable results with a Lee beam ( if you hold your mouth right), better with an RCBS 505, better yet with a vintage Ohaus 10-10. But a cheap digital Frankford Arsenal is all you need on day 1.

Forget this lab precision stuff unless you are running a lab.
 
It is never a bad time to get into reloading, if you plan to shoot. You might have to dig a bit but components are around. It will almost always be cheaper than factory, except POSSIBLY for the most common of rounds.
 
Timfoilhat said:
Get yourself a copy of the ABCs of Reloading.
Buy a Rockchucker press.
Buy a beam scale.
Buy .308 projectiles.
Buy appropriate powder for your load
Buy primers

Let your family and friends gift you the other stuff you need. You'll be set up with the basics and the accessories don't disappear off shelves like the other stuff does.
Click to expand...


You forgot "bullet puller".

Yes, you'll need one. :)
 
Timfoilhat said:
Get yourself a copy of the ABCs of Reloading.
Buy a Rockchucker press.
Buy a beam scale.
Buy .308 projectiles.
Buy appropriate powder for your load
Buy primers

Let your family and friends gift you the other stuff you need. You'll be set up with the basics and the accessories don't disappear off shelves like the other stuff does.
Click to expand...
Basically this^^^.

The Lyman manual will be helpful also

To add:
case trimmer
maybe a crimp removal tool for the primer pockets.
case length gauge or set of calipers

Powder wise many use H110. CCI_41 or 450's
Now I've never had any problems with the 400's in all the semi's

Now if down the road the Rock Chucker, scale will suit you well for loading other cartridges
Then you may want to get a progressive press

The Forester Co-Ax is a great press...

I've got people asking me about reloading, I always help them, but ask this question, what it the reason you want to reload, the current administration, current events, shortages. ?

Before the "events" things were available and a kit cheaper...


-Snoopz
 
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Jimbob78 said:
What are the recommended beams to buy? I want to find one as accurate in case the power goes out.
Click to expand...
Beam scales.
Older... RCBS 10-10, Ohaus 10-10, Lyman M5
Made in "USA" basically the same scale
They show up at auctions, Garage sales (yes)
Fleabay aka Ebay.
Had several of each, some of the M5's and one Ohaus have been "tuned" by Scott Parker, repeatable and accurate

-Snoopz
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
Components are available and prices have dropped over the past 3 months. Certainly more than pre Covid but I think they have bottomed out so I think now is a good time to get into reloading.
Considering the price of factory 300BO the economics are very much in your favor.
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On 300 BO I was gonna say the exact same thing!
 
If the OP is in or near Charlotte, then Blue Collar Reloading is the end of the line. Period! First, get 500 dollars. Then, go buy all the components while they're "cheap". The next shortage is quickly approaching. FIRST is primers. SECOND, is powder. After that is a few hundred of each bullet you want to work with. After that, pick and choose. Everyone here can help. But, those components are critical. This is the "bottom" right now. I'd take that 500 and also buy two bricks of small pistol primers. If you don't use them (you will), you'll be able to trade for others since SPP are the first to become rare when shortages hit.

Just the advice of someone that's "been there and done that".
 
clay_fv said:
If the OP is in or near Charlotte, then Blue Collar Reloading is the end of the line. Period! First, get 500 dollars. Then, go buy all the components while they're "cheap". The next shortage is quickly approaching. FIRST is primers. SECOND, is powder. After that is a few hundred of each bullet you want to work with. After that, pick and choose. Everyone here can help. But, those components are critical. This is the "bottom" right now. I'd take that 500 and also buy two bricks of small pistol primers. If you don't use them (you will), you'll be able to trade for others since SPP are the first to become rare when shortages hit.

Just the advice of someone that's "been there and done that".
Click to expand...
Going to head there this weekend, thanks!
 
Snoopz said:
Basically this^^^.

The Lyman manual will be helpful also

To add:
case trimmer
maybe a crimp removal tool for the primer pockets.
case length gauge or set of calipers

Powder wise many use H110. CCI_41 or 450's
Now I've never had any problems with the 400's in all the semi's

Now if down the road the Rock Chucker, scale will suit you well for loading other cartridges
Then you may want to get a progressive press

The Forester Co-Ax is a great press...

I've got people asking me about reloading, I always help them, but ask this question, what it the reason you want to reload, the current administration, current events, shortages. ?

Before the "events" things were available and a kit cheaper...


-Snoopz
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm 90% set on the coax. Not going for volume or to save money per se. I like to tinker and just got one of those Ruger American 300s so looking to load some subsonic and some hunting loads. Down the road I'd like to dabble with some other center fire calibers ect,
 
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