To load or not too load!?

[Grousekeeper84 2]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

[steveff1353 7]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

 

Hi mate. I'm really new to reloading (.243) there are inherent pitfalls with reloading. And as i've discovered it soon becomes a hobby of it's own! The benefits as I see it as I see it are, improvement in accuracy, it is cheaper (you do shoot more thou)

make use of the Wealth of knowledge on this forum, I have and it really helps.

 

Good luck with it mate.

 

Atb

[Mr_Logic 5]

Definitely reload.

 

Despite my loathing for brass prep, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Reloading means you can tailor a rifle and ammo to a particular job. You can save a lot of money, once you have found a load that works (until then it's outrageously expensive because you buy a full tub of powder, full packet of bullet heads, just to make 10 rounds).

 

it's also very satisfying when the rifle prints a little bughole at 100 yards, and you know you have discovered something!

[varminter 10]

Definitely reload.

 

Despite my loathing for brass prep, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Reloading means you can tailor a rifle and ammo to a particular job. You can save a lot of money, once you have found a load that works (until then it's outrageously expensive because you buy a full tub of powder, full packet of bullet heads, just to make 10 rounds).

 

it's also very satisfying when the rifle prints a little bughole at 100 yards, and you know you have discovered something!

 

Quite agree with Mr_Logic here!!!

I have been reloading for quite a while now and all that i have hunted with my centrefire rifles , has been taken with my reloads!!!

When you find a load that works well you can rely on that load to perform , the expense of buying a box of different makes of around £25 plus a box , gets very expensive ( and plus you reuse the brass ) ...

Then if you find something that works , they have a different batch at a later date ( of the same make / load ammo ) and you will probably find it shoots different!!!!

My advise is , if you are starting off reloading , find someone who can teach you it so you can get a feel and a better understanding of what to do!!!

If you have a local gunclub , its a idea to go there and speak to like minded folk about reloading , you will probably find that they be more than happy to share their knowledge!!! ( just like they do on this forum )..

All the best...............

RAY................................................

[HUnter_zero 58]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

 

As with life, there is good and bad with reloading. I have never purchased a factory round since owning centerfire rifles, although I have been given factory fodder.

Obviously you have the set up costs, £200 will buy you a whole lot of factory fodder. How many rounds do you shoot and how long will you stick with the .243"

 

Lets look at the costs. Powder £35 ( 140 rounds @ 50 grains) / £28 for 100 bullet tips / £5 primers / new brass £20.

 

So that's (per round), 25p + 28p + 5p + 20p (new brass) = 78p per round or £15.60p for 20. If your reusing the brass obviously that's £11.60p per 20. You also have to remember that these costings are for ammunition that is far more accurate than any factory fodder you can buy. However, if your not looking for 1/2" groups then you can buy 100 grain PPU ammo for £49 per 100 or £9. for 20 or 49p per round. What I'm trying to do is show that it's not always cheaper to reload. Add to this this cost of your set up (you will need more kit as well!) add 20p to the cost of each round (for the first 1000 rounds) so in reality your reloads will cost between 78p and 98p for the first 1000 rounds.

 

Performance wise, well what are you getting now? You might not get smaller groups but you will get more consistent groups because you will have more consistent ammunition. Do you have the time to reload? Reloading is a hobby on it's own and when you start you will commit a lot of time, money and effort. After a while this subsides some what, now reloading is like nipping to the shop to buy a batch of ammo.

 

I am in no way trying to put you off, as I say I have always reloaded and the factory fodder has always produced poor groups compared to my reloads.

 

One thing I would say, don't listen to anyone who tries to baffle you with science, reloading is NOT brain surgery. In fact it is simple and right from the word go, you can and will make more accurate ammunition than the factory.

 

John

Edited October 3, 2009 by HUnter_zero

[Deker 3,478]

I don't reload.. at the moment I have no desire or inclination ...OR TIME!!!

 

However, I know one or two that do, and I cannot deny how impressed I am by the ammo made by virtual novices,

I could not believe the improvement in accuracy. One inch groups turn into one hole groups!

 

So, plus points, if you use a bit of ammo you will soon recoup your costs, continue to save money and get better ammo.

 

Minus..it does take time, you need to take care and be accurate and consistent and safe, don't get carried away, find a load and stick with it, also storage and working space have to be found!

 

If I was inclined I certainly would, guess I'm just too busy (lazy)!!

[jamie g 17]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

 

depends what you want from the rifle and how much you use it to justify reloading. havent you got any mates you could go see. so they could show you the ropes. or better still sort out a round for your rifle.

[harrygrey382 1]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

 

As with life, there is good and bad with reloading. I have never purchased a factory round since owning centerfire rifles, although I have been given factory fodder.

Obviously you have the set up costs, £200 will buy you a whole lot of factory fodder. How many rounds do you shoot and how long will you stick with the .243"

 

Lets look at the costs. Powder £35 ( 140 rounds @ 50 grains) / £28 for 100 bullet tips / £5 primers / new brass £20.

 

So that's (per round), 25p + 28p + 5p + 20p (new brass) = 78p per round or £15.60p for 20. If your reusing the brass obviously that's £11.60p per 20. You also have to remember that these costings are for ammunition that is far more accurate than any factory fodder you can buy. However, if your not looking for 1/2" groups then you can buy 100 grain PPU ammo for £49 per 100 or £9. for 20 or 49p per round. What I'm trying to do is show that it's not always cheaper to reload. Add to this this cost of your set up (you will need more kit as well!) add 20p to the cost of each round (for the first 1000 rounds) so in reality your reloads will cost between 78p and 98p for the first 1000 rounds.

 

There's one more step to cheapness... Make your own bullets - you can cast the bullets, then use spent 22wmr cases to make a jacket using the Corbin jacket making tool. Yes more expense but one more step to self sufficiency and cost cutting. You can use scrap lead and wheel weights for the bullets. And better start shooting WMR if you don't!

Edited October 5, 2009 by harrygrey382

[harrygrey382 1]

oh yeah and 22lr will make 224 bullet jackets

[sharp shot tim 0]

Hi fowks i just wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I currently use federal ballistic tip factory ammunition for the .243 and i have the chance of a full reloading set up for a couple of hundred quid. Will i really notice enough of a performance improvement to make it worth while?

 

The answer to you question is quite simple.

If you are the type of person who occasionally goes down to the range for a shot or goes on the odd hunt say less than 200 rounds per year then, don't bother.

If you are an avid trophy hunter/ target shooter who goes out often and demands the best from all his firearms(has multiple cals.), takes pride in achieving perfection. Then you have no choice sir, YOU MUST RELOAD!!!