Minimizing Reloading Cost

[GlockOp]

HI All: Just getting into reloading and am trying to find some sources for Primers, Powder, Once fired brass and bullets for 9mm. I will be shooting IDPA Events using an STI Trojan from Dawson Precision. Will get the loader from Brian Enos, but I want to keep the reloading cost as low as I can without sacrificing quality. Would appreciate knowing those you have dealt with that are reputable. Also interested in your IDPA load using a 124g bullet. Looking for that 130 pf.

Only previous experience is loading Shotgun Shells for Skeet back in the 80's. So I am definitely in the learning phase.

Thanks

Mike

[jid2]

From my limited experience reloading over the past few months you need to buy the components quantities around 4000 to get the good price breaks. Kinda like this:

- Case of bullets from Montana Gold qty 3750 ($300)

- Brick of Primers, qty 5000 ($130)

- 4-8lb can of powder ($65-$120)

- Brass from gunbroker.com, or someone local - qty 4-5K ($100)

If you can buy the powder and primers locally it is usually the same cost as ordering when you factor in hazmat fees. YOu need to buy primers and powder in serious bulk, usually in local group buys to get the real savings.

[yoshidaex]

Start picking up those 9mm brass cases at every opportunity you get.

Using moly or lead will bring down costs even more. Cast your own and it gets really cheap.

[mlmiller1]

For powder & primers, I prefer to use www.powdervalleyinc.com . They will ship powder & primers together under one hazmat charge up to @45lbs? I think, maybe only 40. Anyway, if you buy as much as you can afford to maximize your purchase & the hazmat fee. Montana gold bullet is a good place to buy very high quality fmj or JHP bullets as well as www.precisionbullets.com for moly coated ones.

Brass? Try at your local range or gunbroker or brassmansales.com .

I don't shoot much idpa so no real powder puff load data here from me, sorry.

[bayoupirate]

+1 on Previous ideas:

Look around in your club/shooting friends for a Group Buy opportunity.

You can ship a lot of power and primers on one Hazardous Fee.

Buy at at least in Case sizes.

Shooting cast lead is cheaper than jacketed bullets.

The trade off is smoke. You'll have to see if that's an issue for you.

Welcome to the world of "Rolling your own". You'll love it.

[CocoBolo]

Buy powder in 8#' jugs. Bullets in quantity as well as primers.

Places that I buy:

Bullets

Shooters Connection

Montana Gold

Precision Delta

Precision Bullets

Powder & Primers

Local - when I can find it.

http://www.grafs.com (right now buy 16#'s of powder and no Haz Mat charge)

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com

Natchez shooting supplies

MidWayUsa

Mid South Shooting Supplies

Brass

Top Brass

Local salvage yard has 9 mm brass for $2.00 per pound.

130pf load for 9 mm (fits most guns) 4.2gr of TiteGroup w/124gr MTG or Zero RN set at 1.145 with SPP (small pistol primer). Since you are shooting a Trojan you can strech it out to 1.160+.

Always check 9 mm brass with a magnet some of it is steel and not brass.

[jmorris]

Just getting into reloading and am trying to find some sources for Primers, Powder, Once fired brass and bullets for 9mm

You get your brass at the range after the match for free. For bullets, casting them can be really cheap I have spent less than $20/1000 for 230 grain 45 acp. It costs more today but you are still only buying powder, primers and lube if you cast.