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by Jeremae
Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:16 pm
Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
Topic: looking for cheap ammo
Replies: 59
Views: 6845

My comment about trimming brass came from a cursory read of the mak page (I think you gave the link). Based upon those prices, yup about $21 per hundred the first time through the brass. You will need to be particularly certain of picking up your brass. After that it will be about $10 a hundred (which is still a couple dollars cheaper per hundred than my cost to load 45 acp although I could probably get down to that level).

If you spend some time searching online forums dedicated to maks or reloading and calling component manufacturers you may find bulk deals to bring your cost down. Good luck and if you do find less expensive suppliers please post here so any other mak shooters who are thinking about reloading will have the info available to them.
by Jeremae
Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:36 pm
Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
Topic: looking for cheap ammo
Replies: 59
Views: 6845

Brass: Well I guess you could trim 9mm luger brass down but best bet would be to buy enough new cases beyond what you have now to make a reasonable cache (say 1000) and pick it up as you shoot it. 9mm is a little more high pressure than 45 but you should be able to reload them at least 10 times or more.

Bullets: Never looked for 9mm mak bullets, try contacting people like Montana Gold, Ranier etc and see if they make them but don't list on their web page. You could try hard cast lead bullets but as has been said, they may require more effort to clean due to fouling of the barrel.

I'm sure there are forums dedicated to the mak where you could get some help.

You might look up the phone number for Coal Creek Armory in Tennesse, one of their employees blogs and she has maks. Maybe she could point you toward bulk suppliers.
by Jeremae
Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:56 pm
Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
Topic: looking for cheap ammo
Replies: 59
Views: 6845

As I bill at over $100 an hour as a Software Architect and can load about 100 rounds an hour, my handloaded ammo is much more expensive than ANY factory pistol loads :lol:

My time is spent for the enjoyment (and I ENJOY pulling the handle on my press a LOT more than the handle on a slot machine) as I achieve a meditative state that is very refreshing as I must place my mind in a zen like Here and Now state to insure proper attention to the details but it doesn't not require much brain effort. I get a similar mental boost riding sport bikes at speed but it is a little more mentally taxing due to more decisions being required. You MUST empty your mind of all other cares, worries, thoughts etc.

I started out with the Lee Turret Press (but recommend the Classic Turret) and had everything I needed to load 45acp for less than $150 (but added a $50 case tumbler for brass cleaning)

As for loading the 9x18, Hornady XTPs are only 12.37 a hundred from Natchezss and brass can be reused until it cracks or more likely gets lost (although I mostly see 9mm luger brass which can be trimed down to 9 markarov). This gives you an approx cost of $15 a hundred. You could get a lot lower casting your own lead bullets.

Lee sells dies for the 7.62x54r and the Classic turret press has clearance to load 50bmg rounds.
by Jeremae
Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:32 pm
Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
Topic: looking for cheap ammo
Replies: 59
Views: 6845

Cost is main reason I went to reloading....

Using Montana Gold bullets, CCI primers, Win 231 (4 lb cans) and range pickup brass.

my cost is about $13 per hundred for 45acp and $7 per hundred 9mm.

I probably could shave a buck or 2 off each if I could coordinate better on the group buys around here.

I paid for my press/dies/tumbler etc with savings from first 1000 rounds of 45acp I loaded and will save enough for a dillon 650 from loading about 2000 rounds each of 45 and 9.

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