Yesterday at the range a guy who is new to shooting asked me about reloading, and also about the cost of getting started.
That made me really think about the quality and useful life of some of my equipment.
In 1972 I bought an RCBS Jr. press, and an Ohaus 10-10 scale, a Forster Case Trimmer, and a used Lyman 55 measure that was made around 1935 according to the friend who sold it to me.
I ordered the first replacement cutter for the Forster today, after trimming several thousand cases over the years. I still use the Jr. press weekly, as it's my only press at the moment. The original Lyman 55 measure is semi-retired, as I bought another 55 about ten years ago. I now also use a Lyman electronic measure/scale for my rifle loads. The Ohaus still works fine, and is the only scale I use for handgun loads.
I think I'm getting my money's worth. As I recall, the trimmer was around $20, the press with a set of dies was $25, the scale was also around $25, and I paid $7.50 for the Lyman 55 still in it's original box.
Posts: 39 | Location: Saint Louis | Registered: 03 January 2003
Unless you buy Lee reloading equipment you can count on your reloading equipment getting passed down to your children. I have worn out a few Lee items they aren't made as well. My 32 year old RCBS stuff is still working just fine. I think that I figured my original RCBS set of reloading equipment would pay for itself after 650 or so rounds, it's paid for itself dozens of times over......................DJ
....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
Posts: 3976 | Location: Oklahoma,USA | Registered: 27 February 2004
Originally posted by djpaintles: My 32 year old RCBS stuff is still working just fine. I think that I figured my original RCBS set of reloading equipment would pay for itself after 650 or so rounds, it's paid for itself dozens of times over......................DJ
I bought most of my reloading equipment 30 years ago,the RCBS rockchucker is still like new after over at least 10-15 thousand rounds,and will outlast me and a couple other owners.I really have to chuckle when I look at prices on the good equipment today as conpaired to what I paid for it.Sure glad I'm not just starting out now.
I think that I figured my original RCBS set of reloading equipment would pay for itself after 650 or so rounds, it's paid for itself dozens of times over......................DJ
I don't think reloading equipment ever pays for itself...but it does allow me to shoot about 5 times more and has funded a few more rifle projects...what more can you ask for in a hobby?
If your equipment is well taken care of it should give a lifetime of use. I've had a Rockchucker for 13 years and a Redding Ultramag for six years now as well as a Redding model 2 scale my dad bought about 25 years ago. I'm 31 now and expect to use these for the rest of my life.
Posts: 1244 | Location: Golden, CO | Registered: 05 April 2001
When I was 16 I bought a CH press and Ohaus scale, I added powder measure etc. shortly afterwords, Im now over 60 and still load everthing using this setup. now I only shoot 5 to 7 thousand rounds a year, but I'll end up passing the setup down to one of my boys. I load everything from 22H to 454C and I'll never wear it out. Mike
"An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man is a slave", Ceasar
I read where someone broke an RCBS Rockchucker the other day. Can't figure out how? I too started with an RCBS Jr and would still have it had an ex-wife not sold it. I also have some very old Herter dies that I still use. I'm not so sure this stuff wears out, I think it gets abused.
I broke a rock chucker once. I accidently dropped it off a second story balcony onto concrete and broke the frame. I called RCBS and told them what happened and asked if I could buy just a new frame as all of the other parts were fine. They asked that I send it back and within a week I received a brand new press. The replacement is going strong 15 years later.
I don't think reloading equipment ever pays for itself
If you are only going to shoot a box of shells a year you are probably correct. I always viewed it allowed me to shoot 4-5 times as much for the same money. Never saved a dime just have more fun for the same $$$.
As usual just my $.02 Paul K
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001
I got a Rockchucker Kit for Christmas in 1973 over the years I've added a few more RCBS pieces of equipment. It is still all working great. I've probably loaded over 20,000 rounds in different calibers with it. Today it still puts out quality Ammo. Yep it takes a licking and keeps on ticking! RCBS customer support is a good as it gets.
I got started reloading about 8 years ago by buying out a retiring reloader. Most of that equipment was rode hard but cared for, and it still serves me well. I have no idea of the vintage but when I tried to get parts for the Redding powder measure even the guys at Redding had a hard time identifying it because it was so old.
It all still loads good ammo, though I keep adding to the collection.
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
Posts: 1780 | Location: South Texas, U. S. A. | Registered: 22 January 2004
While there probably isn't much resale value in used equip., good equip does last almost indefinetly. BTW, anyone who says they don't save money reloading isn't shooting aenough.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
Bought my old Herter's Super Model 3 press, Hollywood powder measure, Redding scales and both Herters and RCBS dies in 1956. Other than repacing the primer arm spring and adding an adjustable stop to limit travel of priming arm have not had any maintenance.
Shot HP competition and the single stage press served me well, if a bit slow, until I bought a Dillon 450 sometime around 1986. The 450 allowed more practice time, but the Herter's still loads everything other than .223, 30-06 and .45ACP. Recently had an adapter machined to fit a 470 NE shellholder to the old Herters.
Well made loading equipment will last a lifetime if not abused.
Regards, hm
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Reloading equipment seems to depreciate pretty fast, if e-bay prices are any indication.
But as for longevity, good equiupment will outlast the original purchaser and his grandchildren, unless abused. I am still using some Lyman 310 tools I bought 53 years ago, as well as a couple of Lyman-Ohaus scales from 1966. These are still accurate to 0.1 grain, just like they were in 1966.
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
Posts: 4386 | Location: New Woodstock, Madison County, Central NY | Registered: 04 January 2005
Originally posted by hm1996: Bought my old Herter's Super Model 3 press, Hollywood powder measure, Redding scales and both Herters and RCBS dies in 1956.
hm beat me by 1 year but my Hollywood sr. press, 2 redding beam scales and a redding powder dispenser have been in use since 1957. The porifory of the drum on the powder dispenser is starting to show some ware.Some times using fine ball powder binds her up.
The only parts that had to be replaced were the cutter on the Forster trimmer,an inertia bullet puller or two and some primer knock out pins. Can't think of anything else that has gone south. roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
Originally posted by bartsche: hm beat me by 1 year but my Hollywood sr. press, 2 redding beam scales and a redding powder dispenser have been in use since 1957.
Reason I recall exact year is that I purchased my basic reloading setup just prior to getting married. Made a good choice on both the reloading gear and the wife! Will be 50 years in November.
I usually decap by hand with a punch I made by inserting a piece of piano wire in a 1/4" rod as I generally clean the primer pockets before re-priming. Have never broken a pin on these punches and have the original one I made in 1956. Often wonder if piano wire would work better in the dies than the pins provided by die mfgr.
Regards, hm
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
roger
