Suggestion on good ammo reloaders needed

A

AID_Admin

New member
I recently acquired my first 357 and quickly learned that ammo is pricey to say the least... Ok, I knew it before I bought the gun, but I did not realize how hooked I am going to get on all this target shooting thing. Going on the range weekly shooting 100-200 rounds at $20 per 50 becomes cost prohibitive. And that's not even Magnum loads, I am shooting very plain 38 Special.

I know that I should get into reloading to resolve this issue, the problem is that I can not do it right now. My housing/ living situation will not permit me to get into the basics of reloading for at least a year. Mean while I checked out the Internet and learned that some shops reload and sell reloaded cartridges. The prices seem to be in the neighborhood of $150 for 1000 of plain 38 Special and about double that price for the same quantity of 357. I can live with these prices, but there are two concerns:

1. A few places that I found have 3 to 6 months waiting period. I understand they are busy, and willing to wait even a few months, but up to six months is a bit too much.

2. Since this is not really a "manufacturers" I am not sure how reliable they are as far as quality. After all this is something that can explode in your hands...

So, can someone recommend here or by PM a reliable reloaded with acceptable prices and less than tree months waiting period. Or am I being naive? :rolleyes:
 
Start reloading, buddy! I'll get you started:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/650614/lee-breech-lock-hand-press-kit

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/309802/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-38-special-357-magnum

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/962031/lee-auto-prime-ergo-prime-hand-priming-tool

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/21...dbook-49th-edition-reloading-manual-softcover

This will get you started. Most of this stuff is backordered at Midway, but search the 'net. You'll find it.

Don't order online. Call them, or Brownells. They'll guide you towards a few other things that can make reloading easier.

Add a can of powder, primers, and some bullets, and you're set. You can keep nearly all of this stuff in a couple of shoe boxes under your bed.

Good luck, check back here often, and have fun!
 
I know that I should get into reloading to resolve this issue, the problem is that I can not do it right now. My housing/ living situation will not permit me to get into the basics of reloading for at least a year.

The OP stated the above and reloading is not an option at the moment.
I would find a local shop, ask what (whose) components they are using . You know primers, powder, casings ...

If it is a Local shop try a 100 rounds and see how well the work.
 
Yes, thanks for the links, I am saving them for the future, but as I said: my living situation does not permit me to do reloading myself for a little while...
 
Yikes.......sorry!

I assumed that you were referring to the living/housing thing as an issue of not having the space to store and use equipment.
 
Factory Remanufactured?

There are a few around that reload for commercial sales. If they are more economical remains to be seen. 38SPL, 357MAG are the calibers I started reloading and have not bought any from the retailers.
If one was to do an internet search for remanufactured ammunition I'm certain you can find a few in your area. There are a couple in the South East with good reputations.
 
There are a few around that reload for commercial sales.
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That's exactly what I was asking... I don't think location within the US really matters much, as they can ship. I found a few online, but they all backup for over three months. And when I have to pay $30+tax on my local range for a box of basic target .357 Magnums I cry :-)))

So, if anyone knows of a commercial reloader with a decent reputation which has a shorter waiting period, please share.
 
Perfect! I will be placing an order with Georgia Arms! Shipping cost adds a little, but even at $149 with shipping for 500 rounds it beats any prices I saw online for 38 Special! Thanks.

UPDATE: Georgia Arms site says 3 to 6 months waiting period. I will call them tomorrow to clarify, but looks like same story as with other sites I found...
 
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Well, I hear you... perhaps the price is not that bad, but for me it's too much. Lately I am on the range weekly and fire a few hundred rounds. I just can not afford these prices. I have .22RL revolver en route to resolve this issue, but still...
 
I would seriously take issue with the idea that you just can't handload on your own now, at least until I've heard specifics more detailed than what you've offered. I say this not at all to be adversarial, I'm simply using my own experience to counter the idea.

I taught myself to handload with a Speer book and the absolute shoe string budget of a 17-year old without the help of anyone and definitely without much assistance from the guys at the gun shop who didn't take a "kid" seriously when he bought components from them. And less than 2 years after I started all on my own, I moved my extremely small collection of necessary tools to my one single bedroom in me & six buddies' rented college party house where we played more cards and drank more beer, threw more parties and blasted more music then, well, ANYTHING else. That was more than 20 years ago.

Bottom line was that I reloaded .38, .45 and 10mm Auto on a plank of wood on the corner of my hand-cobbled waterbed frame before I -EVER- moved my handloading bench out of state where I went to school. Though I had a lot less experience under my belt and no internet to pick brains and seek help, I made ammo back then to similar standards that I make it today... which is to say, terrific. :)

Unless there is some condition or scenario that I'm missing or is completely random and uncommon, it would be a bit difficult for you to successfully convince me that you couldn't give it a go yourself.

One of my local buddies moved half a country away to take on a new job and he lived in a motel for the first few months before getting a place and moving his family and life there also. This guy is in his 50's and he was loading .38s and .45s on the dresser in his motel. :D I knew exactly how that felt. He simply picked some of the simplest of his needed tools and he made ammo in his motel room, because like me...that's what he enjoys doing.

Handloaders just -LOVE- to try and drop jaws of those who buy factory ammo by dropping nearly unbelievably low dollar-number on what THEIR box of ammo cost them to produce, and I don't feel the need to do that. Fact is, those guys and their low numbers aren't telling you about how much they have invested in their equipment and the fact that getting THAT number so low only comes when you are willing to buy bullets many thousands at a time, and primers the same way. We spend a -LOT- of money to get that "per box" number so low... but my point here is simply to say that .38 Special and .357 Magnum are a couple of places where you can really, REALLY make an obscene victory over the price of factory ammo. 9mm, .40 S&W, not nearly as much. .38 & .357 ammo is really expensive, so it's one heckuva great place to start if you have the desire to make your own.

Really -- we can help.
 
I would seriously take issue with the idea that you just can't handload on your own now, at least until I've heard specifics more detailed than what you've offered. I say this not at all to be adversarial, I'm simply using my own experience to counter the idea.
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I feel a little awkward to be put in the position to answer this question, but if this is such an important matter, here...!

I am going through some marriage related issues because of which I have chosen to leave my home (along with most savings) and move in with relatives as a temporary measure. I am planing to buy a house within a year. Mean while I live with two women who are scared of guns and I could hardly talked them into allowing my keep my revolver in the house. The deal was that I will not keep any ammo in the house and this way they feel "safe" (no comments please). Any ammo I buy stays at my friend's house for now and we go to the range together. If I go by myself I simply buy ammo right at the counter on the range.

Now envision one of these women walk on me while I am putting bullets into cartridges... yeh, that would be something!
 
;), in the future, simply use the PM function to send a private note for anything you don't feel needs to be broadcasted.

I feel your pain. I'm a slight bit ahead of a similar schedule that you are on, if that helps any. (likely, it doesn't!)

When you find yourself in a slightly more tolerable position, please look us up in the Handloading area of this site and we'll band together to bury you under mountains of quality assistance.

In my opinion, no real revolver enthusiast should be stuck in life shooting factory ammo. :eek: Yuck, I can hardly even type that out! ;)
 
But because I'm a wise-guy who either really wants to help (or maybe just be "right"), I think that you and your buddy that safeguards your ammo are FINE candidates to be NEW handloaders in whatever part of your buddies abode that houses all this ammunition.

You'd learn together, on your tools, set up at his place. He will cry like a little girl when you get your own place and move your most excellent tools out of his joint, and you go forth and prosper with the ultimate in handgun ammunition: your own hand-rolled fodder! :D
 
, in the future, simply use the PM function to send a private note for anything you don't feel needs to be broadcasted.
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It's ok, I did it on purpose. Firstly I need to learn to declare these things, as I am still shy about saying it out loud, even though I know it's life and nothing our of ordinary. And secondly, I have a feeling I would hear from twenty more reloading enthusiasts about it, if I don't clarify why exactly I can't do it right now. Without such clarification it does sound like I am just hesitant to do it. I am not, just have to wait a little longer before I can start. I will certainly take you up on the offer and will see you Handloading area of the forum the minute I move. ;)

P.S. I suspect my buddy can't wait for me to get a house and start handloading, as he would make me do it for him and his girlish 9mm as well :D
 
At 200 rounds a week, consider a progressive press. A Dillon RL550, RCBS dies, and caliber kit for .357/.38 will set you back a little over $500. The other gear, a scale, calipers, trays, etc., about $200 more.

Save all your brass.
 
One other thing you might want to do is to find someone locally who "really knows his stuff" Pardon me if I left out some of the ladies :eek: I found one a few years back and, to this day, am shocked at his knowledge. It's like having a living encyclopedia who's your friend. We share a lot of other things in common and our wives like each other which is a bonus. Guys like him are rare!

Good luck with your endeavor
 
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