What is your favorite re-load?

[snake charmer]

I guess my favorite would be the one I shoot the most.
38 special with 148 HBWC over 2.7 grains of bullseye and a federal #100 primer. I usually order 40 or 50 thousand rounds of lead bullets at a time. When I was shooting PPC I would shoot 1500 rounds a week in practice, The department I was shootin for would pick up half my re-loading bill.

[StrawHat]

148 HBWC over 2.8. I still have one press dedicated to that load!

When I was competing, 1500 per week was about normal. I was also a training officer so I spent a lot of time at the range.

(At that time I lived not too far from National Bullet and could pick up my lead and save shipping.)

My dept wouldn't pay for a thing. But they wanted the medals and trophies for the trophy case.

Another favorite is for the 45 Long Colt, 255 Keith SWC over all the black powder I can stuff into the case. The bullet get kicked out around 950 fps.

Similar recipe for the 44 Colt but a 200 grain bullet and less velocity.

Have not found a favorite load for the 45 AR yet but trying to work one up based on the Lyman 452243 bullet, 235 Keith SWC.

[budroe]

It used to be easy to find .38 special 148 HBWCs at any gunshop. With the shift of so many shooters to autos, its often hard to find target wadcutters anymore. You almost have to roll your own to really do much shooting these days.

[StrawHat]

budroe,

I do have a couple of double cavity wadcutter molds for the 38. I find casting in tandem makes quick work of a pot of lead. I still prefer the swagfed HBWC but as you said, it is getting to be hard to find.

I also have the Saeco 453 double cavity mold that casts a 235 grain full wadcutter bullet for the 45. I have loaded it in the 45 ACP and the 45 Long Colt. Nice, big, clean holes in the target and like the 38 variety, a great small game bullet when cast with a harder alloy.

[snake charmer]

budroe,

I do have a couple of double cavity wadcutter molds for the 38. I find casting in tandem makes quick work of a pot of lead. I still prefer the swagfed HBWC but as you said, it is getting to be hard to find.

I also have the Saeco 453 double cavity mold that casts a 235 grain full wadcutter bullet for the 45. I have loaded it in the 45 ACP and the 45 Long Colt. Nice, big, clean holes in the target and like the 38 variety, a great small game bullet when cast with a harder alloy.

I have all the casting equipment and pleanty of lead, but quit casting bullets years ago, it was just taking too much time.

[StrawHat]

Snake Charmer,

I never cast when I was in competition but since I stopped competing I enjoy it quite a bit.

The volume that a competitor shoots if he wants to be in the top of his level is too high to supply by self casting. That is why National Bullet and the swaged HBWC had my attention!

[Dframe]

All of my loading is for fun shooting at steel plates or just plinking. I have gradually shifted almost exclusively to Trail Boss powder and lead bullets for my loading. 148 grain wadcutters for 38's and 200 grain RNFP's for my 45's (both 45 ACP and 45 Colt)

[buck]

for the 686, a 158grn, Gold Dot, XTP or Remmy JHP over 16.6 grains of Lil' Gun.

for the 629, a 240grn, XTP over 23.5 grains of H110.

for the .460, I like either a 240grn XTP-Mag over 46.5 grains of H110 or the 300grn XTP-Mag over 35 grains of Lil' Gun.

[rjrivero]

I use RED DOT for almost all of my loading anymore. I have an 8 lb can of Winchester 231 I just polished off, and now for my .45 ACP 230 Grain Rainier Round Nose, over 5.3 Grains of Red Dot.

For 9mm I put a Rainier 115 Grain Round nose over 4.1 grains of Red Dot.

[mycar47562]

my favorite is motorcycle, key's, helmet, walmart parking lot, gun counter. it's alot of steps for 100 rounds but alot cheaper

to bad im moving onto month 3 with out any wwb im now paying the same for 50 as i was 100 rounds then

[rjrivero]

my favorite is motorcycle, key's, helmet, walmart parking lot, gun counter. it's alot of steps for 100 rounds but alot cheaper

to bad im moving onto month 3 with out any wwb im now paying the same for 50 as i was 100 rounds then

Reloading is CHEAP compared to buying ammo.

[mycar47562]

reloading is cheap compared to buying ammo.

but start up is killer

[Dframe]

The startup costs can be dramatically reduced by purchasing used equipment. The press is the most expensive part of the process and they can be found used, often for very little money. Scout gun shows and ask your favorite shop if they have one under the counter. Most are still in good working condition. Dies, I would buy NEW. midway grafs and others often have sales and dies can be bought for very reasonable cost.

[rjrivero]

but start up is killer

If you got a Dillon Square Deal B with all the stuff to get started, you would pay it off after loading 1,875 rounds of .45acp. Less than 2 cases of ammunition, and you're already SAVING MONEY!!!

This is the break down with ALL NEW GEAR. If you go used, you'll save even faster. There is no way I would be able to shoot 3 gun if I were not re-loading.

If you were to get the Lee 1000 progressive machine, it would be even cheaper start up costs.

Winchester White Box $25 per 50 = $0.50 per round (From Midway)

Reloading: (Prices from Natchez)

Primers: 1000 for $30
=0.03 per round
Powder: Hodgdon Universal 1 lb for $16
1 lb = 7,000 grain loaded max 5.4 grains per round = 0.012 per round

Brass: Collected at the range: Free
Bullets: Lead: Magnus: $54/500
= $0.10 per round
Rainier: $65/500
= $0.13 per round

.03 per primer
.012 per powder
.10 per round for lead or .13 for copper jacketed.

.142-.172 per round. = $7.10 - $8.60 per 50 rounds.

Savings: $17.90 - $16.40 per 50 rounds
65.6-71%

$16.40


Dillon Square deal B: (Current prices from Dillon)
Pistol calibers only:

$350
Dies: $65
Tumbler : $129.95
Separator: $44
Polishing Media: $13
Case Polish: $9

Total Setup: $610

610/16.40= 37 boxes of ammo and it’s paid off. That’s 1,875 rounds. Less than 2 cases of .45 and it’s paid off.

[mycar47562]

Have you found any primer's yet?

[rjrivero]

Have you found any primer's yet?

Do you ever READ the forum, or do you just have a POST button you keep pushing? :p

Link Here (http://www.revolverforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=767).

[mycar47562]

you had some come in but your still on back order so i consider that still out lol and yes i saw that. lol

[Desertrat]

I guess I will also chime in on the 148gr. WC.....I use a DEWC with 3 gr. of Unique and CCI primers.....sometimes a little smokey....but a good target round in all my .38's.

[LoneStar41]

Some of my favorites are:
4.0grs W231, Lyman 358429, .38 Special cases, S&W 67, 4-inch
14.0grs 2400 Lyman 358156 .357 Mag cases, S&W 686, 4-inch
6.0grs Unique Lyman 452423 .45AR cases, S&W 25.2 4-inch