Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Allright guys, I have been doing some research, and although these are sort of basic and time consuming, I want to get the Lee Pro 1000. At some point in the future, I can upgrade.

Anybody got a source for cheapest supplies at this point? All I am reloading is 9mm, (maybe a little 7.62) but I am unsure of which powder and all this crap. I am not trying to start some huge debate about accuracy and got knows what else - I want to make a crapload of 9mm to plink around with my friends, I dont care about accuracy - price is my major concern. I want to shoot about 2-500 rounds every weekend this summer, so the cheapest everything i can get is great for me.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

First, read the reloading manuals. Check out the reloading section at AR15.com.
At this point in the game, it's not a question of price but rather WHO actually has primers, powder, etc. Do your research and then buy. and buy a lot because it's getting really hard to get.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Not sure what you mean by "maybe a little 7.62." If you mean 7.62x39, the Pro 1000 should be able to handle it (along with .223). If you mean 7.62x51 (~.308), I don't think the press will handle that taller round. It's been years since I passed on my Pro 1000 and went to a Dillon, and that's just from my memory.

Here are my favorite sources of reloading "stuff":

http://www.grafs.com/index.php

http://www.goldenwestbrass.com/default.asp

http://www.scharch.com/index.php

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

http://www.wideners.com/

http://midwayusa.com/

Of those suppliers, I've ordered from all of them except Golden West Brass. They're included since they seem to offer good prices on bullets & such (some of which, such as the 9mm 115gr FMJ) are even in stock (surprise, surprise, surprise).

If you're new to reloading, start with a good reloading manual. I like the Lyman 48th edition (or newer) Reloading Handbook. It tells you all the neat stuff about reloading so you hopefully won't shoot your eye out.

If you have any friends who reload, it might also be a good idea to have one of them come over and give you a hand for your first reloading session.

Some basics about "cheaper" shooting....usually, lighter weight bullets are cheaper (i.e. 115gr instead of 124 or 147gr). Wolf primers are probably the cheapest on the market nowadays (~$21/1000, vs $22.50 - $26 for other makers).

Unique powder is a decent powder, but as others have said, it burns pretty dirty. In a 9mm I like Bullseye powder, which will run you about $14/lb or $96/8 lb (prices from Powder Valley). I also like Winchester 231, but that's more expensive. Buy powder in 4# or 8# jugs if possible, to save on price per lb.

If cheap cheap is your goal, you might also consider the Rex line of powders, made in Europe & sold by Powder Valley & Grafs. I've bought some, but haven't tried it yet. Load info I've seen online suggests 4 - 4.2 grains of Rex #2 is a decent load for a 115gr FMJ bullet in 9mm. The Rex #2 powder costs about $11.30/lb (sold in 2.2lb containers).

If you can get them cheap, also consider copper plated lead bullets, rather than full metal jacket (FMJ).

When buying your powder & primers online, remember that there's a $20-$25 HazMat charge on top of the merchandise cost. You will want to buy both powder & primers at the same time, if you can do that. They can ship together in the same box from your supplier, as long as the total weight doesn't exceed ~45-50# or so.

Consider buying used (once fired) brass, rather than new stuff. If you can find it, that is.

Enjoy!

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

New Winchester 9mm brass

Alliant Blue Dot powder

Hornady 115 XTP bullets or
Hornady 124 XTP bullets

Federal small pistol primers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Speer reloading manual #13.

Load 8.5 grains Blue Dot, 115 XTP (1250 fps) or
Load 7.9 grains Blue Dot, 124 XTP (1200 fps)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My notes:

I have used these loads for years, in several different model Glocks, and they are accurate, feed and function just fine. Perhaps a little flashier at night, but not distracting.

These are listed as maximum loads, but Blue Dot has a slower pressure curve so it is fairly forgiving. Still, pay attention.

Only use commercial brass of known quality. Do not mix brands of brass. Inspect any USED brass for uniformity and measure for length.

Do not use Magnum primers, use Standard Small Pistol primers only.

Seat to proper Overall Length ~1.125 "

You can also substitute 115/124 grain Speer Gold Dot JHP or 115/124 FMJ bullets for above loads.

EDIT TO ADD: If you have a 9mm Carbine with 16 inch barrel, this load will generate some healthy velocity increases.:wink:

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Speer reloading manuals are awesome, and until you learn the tricks of the trade,follow them to the letter. the ammo you produce will still be better than storefront stuff.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

when I used to load, I used the Speer manual too.....I loaded 9mm....loading allowed me to shoot beaucuop for cheap!!!! typically it'd cost me less than half price of retail, but that was back in the day,...but I'd still imagine with the price of ammo now, you could probably reload for somewhere around half price, although I've heard some types of primers are getting scarce

Whoa, I just did a quick search at Midway, man, I've been out of the business too long, ...components have gone through the roof!!!! Doing some quick math for loading a 1k rds, the 9mm blazer I bought the other day is practically the same cost as reloading 1k rds of 9mm 115 fmj !!!!!

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Yes, "some" = ALL types of primers are scarce. Along with many bullets & powders. Welcome to the new reality.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Yep, like I said, I've been out of the reloading "game" for some time, I used to buy all my stuff from Midway, I just checked, ALL their primers are "Out of Stock" NO Back Order!!! Damn!!! Seems though I had heard something about a year ago, that was one way the gubermant was going to cut our nuts, by restricting or playing around with the "Supply" ie......primers,powder,bullets....Hey, wait a minute, that's what they're doing to PM's right now, isn't it?

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

I load 9mm with a Lee Classic Cast single-stage press and Lee dies. Here is my advice:

1. Get your brass off Craigslist, or buy a bucket of mixed range brass from your local salvage yard and sort it out (sell what you don't need).

2. Buy your equipment used off www.thehighroad.org.

3. Cast your own bullets from lead wheel weights (also at salvage yard) -- research bullet casting at castboolits.gunloads.com (also read ABCs of Reloading).

4. Stock up on primers and powder (good luck finding).

5. Own a reloading manual like the big Lee book or Lyman's manual.

6. Use the Hornady "lock and load" die holders -- really speeds up die changes.

7. Lee makes a good 6-cavity bullet mold for 9mm (.356-.357 diameter), but you have to buy the handles seperately.

Hope this helps. The relaoding forum at www.thehighroad.org is fantastic.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

thats some awesome site there <SLV>.

from there I found this guys web site: http://goatlipstips.cas-town.com/smelting.html

great guide for smelting and casting.

and this thread on peoples gear for smelting: http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/...read.php?t=707

I also did not know that Lee Precision did melters and such. Excellent resource. Thanks.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

I use the Lee Pro Pot 20#. Works like a champ. I like a bottom pouring pot because it makes sure I'm getting the clean lead. Be sure to read up on fluxing back in the tin and antimony from the wheel weights. Also, drop your bullets straight from the mold into a 5-gallon bucket of water in order to temper them and achieve a greater hardness.

I like the Lee bullet molds because the alluminum molds heat and cool more quickly permitting a faster production rate. Hold a burning match up to the casting surfaces before using them in order to blacken them so they will drop the bullets well. I usually have to tap them with a hammer handle to get them to drop.

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

Get a Manual and read about the load you want. I look for the powder that has the most entries fo a caliber.

Then remember you pay for weight and scarcity. Lighter bullets cost less.

Montana Gold is a manufacturer of cheap Bullets.

Buy in units of 1000 ----primers are cheaper, 8lb powder is cheaper than 1lb. 1000 bullets cheaper than 100.

Bulk save money.

E-A

Re: Never reloaded, but need 9mm ammo
 

I just bought a Lee Classic turret press at Cabela's for $189. The new classic series is much better than thier older presses...much beefier anyway.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...questid=154172

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2...urretpress.pdf

I am surprised at the pricing on the new Lees and the reviews they are recieving. I was told when you buy a new RCBS rockcrusher it will have been made in China....the LEE is cast and machined and assembled in Hartford ,Wisconsin!

A gentleman at the gun show who reloaded for me in the past let me have about 8,000 asst. new primers. Large and small rifle and pistol. Sold them to me for $25 a thou. Without them there would have been no reason to buy a press! Has anybody cast thier own bullets? Does it load up the barrel with lead very badly?

I have no connection to LEE and this is my first try at reloading!