This thought has been jangling around in my head for a while.
There are some calibers that I don't reload for because I just don't shoot them that much. For me, a couple of examples are .380 ACP, 7.62x54R, and 9mm Mak. I have guns that shoot these calibers, but I don't shoot them enough to jusitfy the cost of the dies.
I finally did break down and get the 9mm Mak dies. But it got me to wondering - do you think it would work to try and set up some kind of system of loaning out dies amongst a group of reloaders?
At the rate I reload, it takes me at least a month or two to finish the load I'm on - so that is months and months were most of my dies are sitting idle. I would not necessarily mind loaning them out if I was certain I could get them back in decent condition within a reasonable time frame.
At the same time, it might not be worth my time to buy the dies and everything to reload 7.62x54R. But, if I could borrow the dies and load up all the empty brass I had, that would be enough ammo to last me several years at the rate I shoot my Mosin.
I know the crux of the matter is the issue of getting the dies back in decent condition within a reasonable time frame. So, here was my proposal to take the risk out for the "lender:" the person loaning out the dies would put down, as a deposit, the current replacement value in cash of the dies. Just look up on the Dillon or Midway or Graf website what those dies cost plus shipping, and leave that $ with the lender, with an agreement on what the return date will be. If the person loaning out the dies doesn't show up by the due date, or the dies aren't returned in a condition satisfactory to the lender, the lender keeps the money and the person loaning keeps the dies.
It may be that most folks just say, "If you have a gun in that caliber, you should have the dies, too." I can sort of see this point of view, and with a decent set of Lee dies going for $25, it makes some sense. But with my Dillon 550b, I would definitely need another $10 or so for a powder funnel for that caliber. Depending on what caliber it is and what the case head looks like, I will probably need a new shell plate and pins (sometimes you get lucky, and there is a shell plate you already have that will work for the new caliber). At this point, I am probably getting close to $100 to get started in a new caliber. I would have to load and shoot a heck of a lot of 7.62x54R to recoup that initial investment before my reloads are really cost-competitive with what I can get factory ammo for.
Just a thought. I would be interested in hearing if anyone else is in the same boat...
There are some calibers that I don't reload for because I just don't shoot them that much. For me, a couple of examples are .380 ACP, 7.62x54R, and 9mm Mak. I have guns that shoot these calibers, but I don't shoot them enough to jusitfy the cost of the dies.
I finally did break down and get the 9mm Mak dies. But it got me to wondering - do you think it would work to try and set up some kind of system of loaning out dies amongst a group of reloaders?
At the rate I reload, it takes me at least a month or two to finish the load I'm on - so that is months and months were most of my dies are sitting idle. I would not necessarily mind loaning them out if I was certain I could get them back in decent condition within a reasonable time frame.
At the same time, it might not be worth my time to buy the dies and everything to reload 7.62x54R. But, if I could borrow the dies and load up all the empty brass I had, that would be enough ammo to last me several years at the rate I shoot my Mosin.
I know the crux of the matter is the issue of getting the dies back in decent condition within a reasonable time frame. So, here was my proposal to take the risk out for the "lender:" the person loaning out the dies would put down, as a deposit, the current replacement value in cash of the dies. Just look up on the Dillon or Midway or Graf website what those dies cost plus shipping, and leave that $ with the lender, with an agreement on what the return date will be. If the person loaning out the dies doesn't show up by the due date, or the dies aren't returned in a condition satisfactory to the lender, the lender keeps the money and the person loaning keeps the dies.
It may be that most folks just say, "If you have a gun in that caliber, you should have the dies, too." I can sort of see this point of view, and with a decent set of Lee dies going for $25, it makes some sense. But with my Dillon 550b, I would definitely need another $10 or so for a powder funnel for that caliber. Depending on what caliber it is and what the case head looks like, I will probably need a new shell plate and pins (sometimes you get lucky, and there is a shell plate you already have that will work for the new caliber). At this point, I am probably getting close to $100 to get started in a new caliber. I would have to load and shoot a heck of a lot of 7.62x54R to recoup that initial investment before my reloads are really cost-competitive with what I can get factory ammo for.
Just a thought. I would be interested in hearing if anyone else is in the same boat...