Reloading start up
 

I have been hunting with a browning Abolt .270 for about 17 years and have only shot factory ammo. In the past, I was not as critical about accuracy because 90% of my shots are less than 150 yards. I do however hunt some fields and plots where long shots could be 300-500 yards. I am not a great shot, but would like to practice enough to get proficient to 400.

Ammo is expensive. How much does it cost to start reloading? Will reloading allow me to shoot more and cheaper?
How much do you think the .277 can be improved performance and accuracy wise to factory ammo.

You can reload 270 rounds for about one half of the cost of factory ammunition. A very good starter kit (RCBS) runs a little over $300. if you save $10 per box of 20 rounds you should break even at around 30 boxes.

On some of the larger rounds you can reload for about one third of factory cost.

For deer size game at your normal ranges you will not see much difference, but for precision shooting reloading is the only way to go.

You can change many of the characteristics of your ammunition by reloading. Reduced recoil loads, accuracy loads, heavy or light bullet loads, or loading premium bullets are just a few of the choices. I enjoy the hobby.

Reloading offers several advantages. The two best for a hunter is (1) is the larger selection of bullet choices in terms of weight and design and (2) the ability to shoot more for your money.

Most talk about getting pinpoint accuracy out of reloading which is good, but few speak of how much more trigger time you can get when you reload ammo. Good shooting form in varied shooting positions will improve groups.

For 400 yard shoots reloading can make a difference. For instance factory Hornady 7mm-08 139 grain Interlock SP ammo will keyhole at 400 yards in my rifle. I can reload the same bullet and keep it from tumbling.

ok, with an accurate rifle 400 is easy
can you shoot more and cheaper, that's a moot point, what your wanting to do is cut costs so you can shoot enough to become proficient, you will not save money unless you figure it per shot, but you will always have ammo and your shooting will improve.
can you improve the performance of a 270? well you can tailor a load to suit your rifle and it will shoot better. I haven't bought a factory centerfire round since 1981 with the exception of 223, that's cause I own 5 of them and won't take time to reload for 2 AR's and a mini-14.
RR

Quoting myself here since I posted this very recently on another thread for how much it'd cost to get started reloading. It doesn't save money unless you're shooting high cost rounds, or high volumes. It DOES give you control over your load.

Thanks for the info. I am very interested but time is also a big constraint as well. I look to reload in the future but may have to be delayed. I wish I would have started when I was single.

I have heard you can shoot accubonds and ballistic tips interchangeably with same weight and bc. This could be beneficial using accubonds where shot distance is closer and ballistic tips where farther shots are more likely. The accubond would be more reliable at high impact velocities like close shots in woods and the ballistic tip may expand better at lower velocities past 300 yards. I guess the same could be done with interbonds and sst. Partitions would be great at most velocities.

Currently using factory hornady interlocks. I have also used core locks, winchester power points, sierra gamekings, and ballistic tips. All work fine I was just looking for the ideal bullet for all situations in one rifle.

Reloading Start Up
 

There are advantages; there are disadvantages.

As Big Uncle points out there are start up costs, before you begin to start saving money. In his example, there is the equipment needed to manufacture or reload the cases. There is the cost of primers, bullets and cases (if you haven't saved the fired cases) ; costs that are needed before you save a dime.

As Big Uncle notes it will take approximately 30 cases of finished ammo, to break even on your initial costs. The question I'd ask is how fast you will use 30 cases at a range over how much time. Good to get an idea before the costs turn into real loaded cartridges.

With reloading you start two hobbies. One is more time at a firing range. The second is the manufacturing hobby of reloading. The latter might not appeal to everyone. And the third thing is time. Time to spend more time at the range and time to do the actual reloading.
Another factor is the availability of primers, bullets and cases. From time to time there has been a shortage of these items. Without primers, the reloading equipment sits unused.

Reloading is a nice hobby for some. It's good for many; good hobby for me over the years.
And every one doesn't need a special room just for reloading. There are portable benches that can be stored in sheds and garages. Equipment can be stored in large "tool boxes" available at a Home Depot or Lowe's. Used many times, a quiet bedroom or living room to set up my reloading equipment for a few hours of reloading.
Good luck to all considering reloading. And you might want to check on the availability of primers, bullets and cases before making a current decision.

I do all My reloading on really cold winter days.
I bought a Lyman challenger press still in the box at a yard sale a couple years ago for 15 dollars. there were a bunch of other reloading stuff out for sale at that yard sale I didn't need or want. I figure if a person would have bought every thing they would only have had about 150.00 max invested in equipment.
I have also been to estate sales and seem reloading equipment sell for really low prices.
Many times if a reloaders dies the family has no idea what all that crap is worth like my family. Lots of time they just want to clean the stuff out so they can sell the house the big money ticket so do not do research on the resale cost of stuff.

Nothing like the felling of harvesting game with rounds you built and tested. Not to mention the satisfaction of knowing the trajectory of a bullet you custom built.

:D Al

Some really good points have been made but one of the most important pieces of equipment has gone without being mentioned: a notebook. And while I am thinking about it a filing system for your targets. When you become a reloader you will be making lots of notes and saving targets for comparison purposes.

Good luck with your decision. If you do take the plunge you may find reloading is rewarding and a lot of fun.

That is part of what the note section in reloading manuals is for and a spread sheet on the computer is nice too.

I like pictures of the targets way easier to store on a flash drive.





:D Al

That is a great idea! Thanks Alleyyooper!

Get yourself a RCBS rockchucker and have at it. Reloading is very relaxing for me, and it does cut the cost considerably. You can tailor the load to your rifles, and have the satisfaction of knowing what you are shooting.

Along the lines of RobertSubnet's suggestion for keeping notes , I don't mix my brass. I group my brass into lots and track each time I've loaded it. My personal goal is to not exceed 5 shots out of a piece of brass. First, because not all pieces of brass are constructed the same internally. Second, I always trim and full length size my initial loading. The next four loadings are neck sized. After five shots of out a single piece of brass, it usually

I would do a single press like RCBS. I have just started this process about 2 years ago. Stay away from from auto powder dispenser from RCBS, it's junk. I use it like a regular digital scale. I load for 3 calibers and the press is great and just right. I enjoy every minute of reloading and along the way you will find out more. I wish I found out about the bullet comparator earlier, that tool is way easier measure seating depth, than tip. But stick to the basics and you'll see the difference.

My reloading time is in the winter. Cold blustery days when you don't want to be out side is the time to set down and run the press, punch out ALL the spent primers put the brass in a wash, rinse and dry hang in the wood burning furnace room to dry. Put the washed dry brass in the tumbler , weigh the powder and press the bullet in place and move on to the next caliber.

I reload for 38 Special 357 Mag, 30-30, 32 Winchester special, 220 swift, 243, 7mm08, 308, 300 Winchester mag, 410, 20ga, and 12 ga.

I find it very enjoyable and relaxing. Noting like harvesting game with a load you made up.

:D Al

I've been reloading since my teens, so something like 35 years. My original motivation was to save money and "build better ammo". I don't know that I shot enough back then to really make my equipment pay for itself, and my novice's understanding didn't produce better ammo then, either. Sure, I was sending better bullets downrange, but to less effect because I really didn't know what I was doing yet. I chrono'ed some of those early loads a couple of years ago and found extreme spreads of over 300 fps. Live and learn.

Having now accumulated a host of tools and knowledge since then, I'm reluctant to say that I reload to "save money". I've learned how to build high performance, accurate ammo tailored to my rifles and my uses, and am somewhat insulated from the craziness that finds its way to the ammo shelf at the retailers. There's some wisdome in the previos description of reloading being a hobby within a hobby.

Years ago, I started shooting a LOT of trap and bought a single stage MEC press on sale for $249. Shotshells are about as simple as you can get. Ultimately, I found that I was saving $0.51 per box of 25. So, it took 489 boxes, or 12,225 rounds, to pay for that press. Not included were the benefits of having something indoors to occupy my time over the winter and not having to worry about the retailers being out of stock.

Saving money? Realistically you probably won't, depending on what and how many cartridges you're reloading. Better ammo? You CAN, with some practice and knowledge. Neither are guaranteed, though. What you may learn along the way about reloading AND your shooting skills is priceless.