If you don't reload now, you might want to consider it

[Rez Exelon]

A 550 is a 4 station, manual indexed progressive. Progressive meaning that it's doing multiple actions at once. The toolheads have 4 stations on a 550 and so each stroke of the ram can do 4 things to different cartridges.

However, there are times where you may not want to run 4 things at the same time. For those situations there is a guy in Alaska that made a special spindle/toolhead combo that converts it from progressive (4 actions) to a single stage (1 action). Takes about 3 minutes to swap between modes.

For the extra 90ish bucks that the conversion costs you can have all the benefits of single stage for some rounds, as well as the time/bulk capablity of a progressive. Like, I'm not making 9mm in single stage mode, and I'm not making 375H&H in progressive.

A 650 (also a fine machine) is an automatic index progressive meaning it's basically the 550 but it automatically advances the cartridges around the stations for you. This can be a good and bad thing because it speeds things up alot --- until you have any malfunction.

 

[bigfug]

The Czechs (CZ) already own Colt and Dan Wesson. It’s been good for Colt. CZ is also very pro-2A and antiNFA. This could actually be a good thing for ammo production.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Some of those companies on the list make reloading components, too. I'm guessing if getting ammo becomes a problem (which I don't really think it will), getting components will become a problem, too.

I've tried to get into reloading. I just hate it.

 

[ClintC]

I just real got into reloading. I find it great when you get the results you want. It is vary frustrating when you dont get the results you want. Yes get the stuff you want, but get help from someone who knows how to reload. There are a lot of great reloads on this forum.

 

[JoeUSooner]

Got into reloading in 2016 (with a Lee1000 turret press, which has been an excellent experience)... when I started coaching my granddaughters and two of their schoolmates on a young girls' competitive pistol team. We easily went through more than 2,000 rounds of practice ammo per month, so cost (over $5,000 per year) became a serious factor. At that time, commercial FMJ was about $0.22 to $0.24 per round (plus either tax or shipping, depending on source), and I could reload for less than $0.09 per round. Significant savings.

Side benefit, I taught the girls to reload too. They took the personal responsibility (for the quality of their ammo) quite seriously. They learned well, and became adept at reloading - including custom loading personalized competition-ammo!

They're older now (in high school and college) so we don't shoot as much... but I can still go through 400 rounds per month by myself. Reloading is still fun and economical, so I continue.

 

[oksportsman]

I do it for accuracy on my hunting rifles. Need to start for pistols and my other rifles.

 

[Fr Mulcahy]

Got into reloading in 2016 (with a Lee1000 turret press, which has been an excellent experience)... when I started coaching my granddaughters and two of their schoolmates on a young girls' competitive pistol team. We easily went through more than 2,000 rounds of practice ammo per month, so cost (over $5,000 per year) became a serious factor. At that time, commercial FMJ was about $0.22 to $0.24 per round (plus either tax or shipping, depending on source), and I could reload for less than $0.09 per round. Significant savings.

Side benefit, I taught the girls to reload too. They took the personal responsibility (for the quality of their ammo) quite seriously. They learned well, and became adept at reloading - including custom loading personalized competition-ammo!

They're older now (in high school and college) so we don't shoot as much... but I can still go through 400 rounds per month by myself. Reloading is still fun and economical, so I continue.

Times have changed, at least for 9mm.

Primer: 10 cents
Bullet: 10 cents
Powder: 2 cents

Total price per round: 22 cents.

Cost for range-quality 9mm ammo: 22 cents.

Savings: Nada.

Granted, the reloaded ammo will be more accurate, but it's not about saving money anymore.

38 super makes sense to reload since the price per box is about $25.

Some ammo you just can't buy anymore. We are starting to reload 7.63x21 Mannlicher ammo for our 1905 Mannlicher pistol for that reason.

YMMV.

 

[Rez Exelon]

Times have changed, at least for 9mm.

Primer: 10 cents
Bullet: 10 cents
Powder: 2 cents

Total price per round: 22 cents.

Cost for range-quality 9mm ammo: 22 cent

Savings: Nada.

Granted, the reloaded ammo will be more accurate, but it's not about saving money anymore.

38 super makes sense to reload since the price per box is about $25.

Some ammo you just can't buy anymore. We are starting to reload 7.63x21 Mannlicher ammo for our 1905 Mannlicher pistol for that reason.

YMMV.

The return on time is an important calculus too. This is the example I give people.

If I put my 550c in single stage mode and work for about an hour, let's say I conservatively make 50 rounds. If I am making 375 H&H my cost is about $1.25 each versus about $5 at the store. So that means I spend $63 instead of $272 for a savings of $210. That is a pretty darn good hourly rate.

But that same 50 rounds, if made as 9mm, at my cost is only saving me 10 cents each, for a savings of $5. That's less than minimum wage for crying out loud.

Now, if I pop the press into progressive mode and I'm making 250 round of 9mm I'm saving $25/hour which is better. But for the most part I concentrate my loading on stuff that gives a better time value.

 

[XYZ]

Early 70s my neighbor taught me how to do the basics. My first gun was a 7.7 and ammo was pretty pricey for a kid. Jumped in head first with a Lee Whack-a-mole. Still have it out in the reloading shed. Need to go gig it out and pound out a few rounds.

 

[mtnboomr]

The Czechs (CZ) already own Colt and Dan Wesson. It’s been good for Colt. CZ is also very pro-2A and antiNFA. This could actually be a good thing for ammo production.

All well and good until the Progressive Socialists decides to ban importation of any, and all, firearms related products made outside the U.S. borders.

The 2A won't help us then.