Is it worth getting into reloading still?

[rj ︈]

Hey everyone,

I recently picked up a 300 Weatherby Mag here in a trade and plan to use it for hunting over the next many years. It came with one box of Weatherby Select Plus ammo. I knew the ammo was pricey before picking up the rifle, but man, I didn't expect $100 a box.

While I am happy to pay $100 once or twice, I would like to be able to reload the same brass after that as I don't expect to shoot more than 20 rounds a year on this rifle once I have it dialed in.

Would it be more cost effective to buy the equipment needed to reload 300 Wby Mag right now? Also very interested in loading for 7mm Rem Mag and 243. What would it take to get started?

I figure that the stuff I shoot a lot of, 9mm, 223, and 308 all are readily available and relatively cheap so I am fine with buying boxes of that pre-loaded.

 

[Farmer925]

Your largest cost will be the press, scale, case trimmer, dies, ect. depending on what you want to do. Space is your next concern for all the equipment and components. Bottom line, getting into reloading is not cheap. My thoughts are if you don't plan on shooting a lot or have an expensive hard to get/find rifle caliber than purchase your ammo in at least 100 round lots and be frugal.

 

[Perplexed]

Have you ever reloaded before? If not, I’d suggest trying it out on a friend’s setup first to see if it’s to your liking. Some folks here swear it‘s therapeutic for them, but I find it a tedious and slightly stressful chore, so I haven’t reloaded in quite some time.

 

[rj ︈]

Have you ever reloaded before? If not, I’d suggest trying it out on a friend’s setup first to see if it’s to your liking. Some folks here swear it‘s therapeutic for them, but I find it a tedious and slightly stressful chore, so I haven’t reloaded in quite some time.

I haven't – I do have access to a press so could probably spend a few days on it a couple times a year before I felt like I was overstepping.

 

[RobertinElkCity]

I haven't – I do have access to a press so could probably spend a few days on it a couple times a year before I felt like I was overstepping.

That sounds like your best route for now. As you well know, ammunition and reloading components are priced very high right now.

If you zero with your factory ammo and want to create duplicates of your factory ammo you'd be spending time and money figuring out the factory load for your rifles.

 

[rickm]

Now is not really the time to get into it but if you can keep your eye out and pick up some used equipment cheap its not bad but right now powder and primers are hard to come by and primers are way over priced if you find them. You just have to be a frugal shopper and dont get in a hurry when buy equipment shop around some and do your research.

 

[adamsredlines]

If that's all you wanna do, I'd probably look for a buddy who has a press and will let you come over and use it for a few hours once a year.

 

[Cat City Slim]

In my opinion, the answer to your question is yes, particularly when shooting uncommon ammo. Reloading not only allows you to shoot those rounds without needing to take out a second mortgage, it allows you to customize your ammo to get the best possible performance. I also highly recommend that if you have access to a mentor you take advantage of that resource before buying equipment. If you are in the Tulsa area, feel free to reach out to me, I'd be happy to give you an opportunity to load some rounds on my gear.

 

[HiredHand]

Nope not worth it. We don’t need anyone else buying up the reloading supplies.

 

[DRC458]

Yeah, if you've got access to a buddy with the equipment who wouldn't mind taking you under his wing, so to speak, go for it. Get some exposure to it and find out if you really want to take it on before buying a bunch of equipment. You may need to buy (at least) your own dies and shell holder, but you won't have a major investment if you decide it's not for you. Let us know. Good luck!