Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
handloading vs commercial |
Post Reply | Page 123 5> |
Author | ||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: May/24/2019 at 07:10 |
|||
Best read I've had on the subject:
Having recently reentered the hand loading "gang", after years of NOT, I still don't find it overly efficient timewise and the cost differential is almost a negative. Factory ammo has improved tremendously and once one lays out all the cost factors involved for hand loading, it is a big question if it is worth it. I am absolutely certain that I can purchase match grade ammo, for almost any caliber, that performs within 1% to 2% of anything I can load. In a competition, is that ever going to be the deciding factor between "win or lose"?... Certainly if the meme of "difference between mils and MOA is "negligible"" is true, that 1-2% is not going to be much in the equation... there are way too many other factors involved that "contribute" much more. I can purchase Federal Premium Gold Medal Match .338 Lapua Magnum for $4.00/round (sometimes less, sometimes more but it averages out). Given that I already have all the loading equipment (won't average that into the cost), I can load 100 rounds for $4.05/round (not including shipping cost, taxes and my time). AND, there is no guarantee I can achieve the 1-2% gain in accuracy... probably, but not guaranteed. (I DID recently load some Etronx .220 Swift with 55 grain Amax bullets that so far are performing a significant amount better than the factory Etronx ammo. A big plus.) Spending some time doing a thorough search on the internet, purchasing very carefully, I may be able to drop the hand loading cost by a few cents per round... still my time invested. It is true that I have a lot more options open hand loading vs purchasing commercial... I can make adjustments not available commercially. The investment to make those adjustments, however, is not insignificant. I do enjoy the rigor of loading my own ammo (as do a LARGE number of people). Cost effectiveness really doesn't enter in, anymore. I have to caveat this, I suppose. I KNOW I can load for the .338 Lapua Magnum at an approximate half that cost (or just purchase commercial for half that cost)... but I don't use "burner" ammo in my .338. I went through all this trying to justify to myself why I started loading again. What it all boils down to is I just like doing it. Now that I have all the "stuff", I'll continue... and explore ways to improve the processes while reducing cost and time. I'm not unhappy that commercial practices have, overall, improved to the point that hand loading is not absolutely necessary. I am happy that hand loading gives me a whole range of options not easily (or at all) available commercially. Either way, it all comes at a price.
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Its the 2nd and 3rd shot that will save you the money. Each reload will save u a bit more for as long as your brass lasts. Thats one reason i never push limits so i don’t reck my brass.
I have chronoed a lot of federal gold in .308 and most of the times the spreads are in the 30s and 40s. You start shooting 800+ and that makes a pretty big difference. I can get my handloads into low teens and single digits. so i think there are still some good advantages.
|
||||
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
||||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Cost is the least important factor to me when reloading ammo. Quality control and consistency is much better than any factory ammo produced, even the vaunted Hornady Precision 6.5CM ammo of today. I've pulled bullets from that ammo and had charge variations of 1.5grains. That doesn't happen with my reloads. Also, seating depth plays a huge roll in accuracy, and I can control that as well.
|
||||
supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I dare be hornady uses a volume measurement vs an actually weight. When they likely use automated machines there is not really a good way to load to weight. I know with my progressive I can make some dang accurate ammo using volume dumps. Lee loading books make a pretty good arguments for volume vs weight. But that being said, for my precision stuff, I still weight each load with my RCBS chargemaster.
|
||||
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
If one were hand loading and getting variations of 1.5 grains, probably the wrong "hobby". I settle for no more than +/- 0.05 per the scale. For anything I expect best accuracy and precision from, I will always weigh every charge... usually, several times. As time goes on, my perspectives may change... but right now, I'm just not clear on how much difference there really is. "A difference that makes no difference is no difference". If I cannot "adjust" for it... Loading is a dark art... execute all the "perfect science" you can and then the "art" kicks in. It is a great skill to have and develop, requires much more depth of understanding than just going to the store and buying a box of ammo, has almost immediate gratification when done right, but can leave questions if things don't turn out as expected. It is an unforgiving art that relies on exact science. Mistakes can be catastrophic. I guess that's what makes it so much fun.
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Very true on that. We bought my dad a 6mm creedmoore ruger precision and a hornady reloading setup for Christmas. When he shot his first handloads and we were able to get 1/2 groups, he was thrilled to death.
|
||||
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Amazing how just minor (seemingly) "tuning" of a charge, seating of a projectile (have a long story on that) can have such a large effect on the downrange result. Can completely change a perception.
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
For me, handloading isn't so much an issue of cost savings as it is me wanting to use specific bullets that I frequently can't get in factory ammo for a given cartridge. The improvement in precision inherent in me being able to tweak my velocity and COAL to tune for my specific rifle is a bonus.
|
||||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I agree. Cost savings has always been touted as an "incentive" for hand loading... in some cases (get it... some cases) that can be so. I guess pistol ammo can be a lot cheaper... not sure 223/5.56 qualifies anymore, 7.63x39... I just don't have a feel for, but the ability to do things the manufacturers don't find profitable enough makes it worthwhile. Once again, I'm not sure accuracy/precision is a driving factor anymore... but then there is the immediate improvement I saw in the Etronx ammo. So, case by case, I suppose. I just wish I remembered more, didn't have so much catching up to do. Of course, "catching up" just might not be possible. I'm not sure there are that many hours.
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
When I was a kid, the cost savings of reloading was the main driver for my family. My dad owned a service station and tire shop, and he would gather up 5 gal buckets full of old lead tire balance weights and melt them down to make SWC cast pistol bullets for his .357 mag wheel guns. I would sit and help him load for hours on end. It was one of the initial bonding moments I remember between me and my dad. Back then, we really had few choices in factory ammo, and it was never difficult to beat factory ammo precision on the first try with most any handload. Not so today, though I still have little difficulty improving on factory ammo precision...not to the same degree as 2 decades ago, but the improvement is still there. Simply being able to tweak your COAL for the specific chamber alone reaps noticeable precision benefits.
Factory ammo has come a long way though, both in selection and precision.
|
||||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Good story there...
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Volume vs Weight
Powders that do not meter well are near impossible to load by volume consistently. If I could find some means of doing so I would load all my cases by volume. Reason being One of the guys I have "tuned" some competition rifles for loads mostly by volume and generally chooses powders that meter well. I load with pain staking attention to consistent weight. I very seldom get strings of identical velocity. But he with his volume loads consistently gets strings of identical velocities. That has caused me to seriously consider abandoning some of my favorite go to powders. That combined with the fact that it isn't necessary to push these lighter pills to 31/3300fps to be accurate. Much of my research has proven that 2740 to 2770 is a sweet spot for accuracy with most cals. One of the draw backs to his method (so far) is those powders he uses are temp sensitive. So a comp starting in the morning with temps in the mid upper 60's he has his start dope then by afternoon where it may be up to 85/90 he has to adjust his dope. But with the ballistic aps these days that is not always a defeating factor. I have been to Hornady. They do load by volume but they do also monitor weight. Their weight tolerances are not shared so I couldn't find out what kind of swing they allowed. And speaking of Hornady, Their factory match ammo is the only I have seen that produces strings of identical velocities. And much of their match ammo is loaded with blends. More details they don't share. Dan, you speak of catching up. With all that has change the last 5 yrs it is probably good to start fresh. Not so many old grooves to abandon. As for cost to reload. I remember back when I started I could get new 270 brass for 25.00 per 100. And pills were fairly low too. Not today! When I made the mistake of tuning a 300wsm for competition and ran low on brass. It couldn't be found unless you bought factor ammo and shot that to get brass or went online looking for once fired. And that at the time was running 3.00 a piece. Now before I consider any caliber I look at cost and availability of brass first. Edited by Sgt. D - May/24/2019 at 12:30 |
||||
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
|
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I am discovering all those things... thank you for the info. |
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
Longhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/02/2006 Status: Offline Points: 466 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I reload rifle, pistol and shotgun for several reasons.
The most important is that I can always load up exactly what I want or need, given one day's notice.
Local stores almost never have exactly what you want. If you go to the internet, it may be out of stock... or you may have problems with shipping time and costs. Secondly, I can experiment more easily with different loads, bullets and powders. This let me find Trail Boss, which is much safer to load for handguns than Bullseye. Unlike Bullseye, you can't double charge and blow up a gun with Trail Boss. I like this extra margin of safety. I've been able to find out what bullets (and powders) my rifles like best by experimenting. Yes, I got better accuracy as a result. I'm looking forward to trying some of the new powders designed to prevent copper fouling. For shotguns, we've found that soft #6 shot is about perfect for a mixed upland bird hunt. We eat the birds we shoot, and don't like to bite down on hard shot. Unfortunately, factory loads aren't nearly as good as our handloads made with this shot. Finally, I strongly recommend "Handloader" and "Rifle" magazines for anyone who reloads. I subscribe to (or buy) most shooting magazines, and consider these two of the very best on the subject. |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Thank you. Good info and I appreciate your comments and suggestions. I've not started on pistol loads, yet, but do intend to. I know I can make up some savings there.
Yes, being able to experiment is a true advantage… I'm just getting back up to speed. I have 17 calibers that I want to work up "exceptional" loads for… today. I'm a bit behind. Any help is appreciated.
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
You need to re-read what I posted there KB. I said I have pulled bullets from Hornady Precisiion ammo and gotten 1.5g variations in powder charges, not my loads. I. like supertool, weigh every single charge of my reloads via the Chargemaster. Nice try though.
|
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Do you INTENTIONALLY misunderstand or just try to create conflict??? I fully understood that it was not you, was not saying that you were getting that wild a variation in your loads... just saying that if anyone was getting that wide a variation in their hand loads they should probably try something else. I've not pulled apart any commercial loads in a long time. If you are seeing that much variation, you should definitely call them out on it and they should definitely take a close look at their QC. That is a potentially dangerous variation. What "try" do you think you are calling me on? I weigh and re-weigh probably at least 3 times on every charge I load. You are on the wrong page here... your paranoia is showing. |
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Sit down before I hose ya both down................. Loading by volume "can" result in that much swing in weight. Though that is about the limit. I've seen several instances where as much as 3-4 grains difference in weight had little or no effect on velocity. There is a vast chasm of opportunity in understanding loading by volume. Such as, when loading a powder (ie. 4350) that doesn't meter well. Does cutting or crushing pellets in a speed loader effect velocity. The only way I know to find out is to load and see. Burn rate and velocity are the two critical considerations in loading for accuracy.
Salute!
|
||||
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
|
||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
wrong thread, dude...
|
||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||
Post Reply | Page 123 5> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |