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Posted: 5/5/2011 8:18:35 AM EDT
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For me, trading and finding deals on components is a big part of the fun of reloading. Such is the case with my newest caliber, the 30-06. I posted in the M1 and M1A section that I recently got a terrific deal on an M1 Garand. While a blast to shoot, the M1 is significantly more expensive to shoot than my ARs at about 75¢ per round if you buy Greek surplus ammo. Even CMP's Greek stuff is well over 50¢ per round once you add the shipping and account for the spoilage. So, as a reloader, the fun of exploring a new caliber starts. And what better way to start than with a killer deal on components. Always on the lookout for a great deal, in early '09 I traded two sleeves (10K) of Win SR primers for four kegs of IMR 4895 powder to a friend in need of primers for his AR. I didn't have a need for the powder but figured that I could trade it for something else as we have a very active CMP group at our range and 4895 is the quintessential M1 Garand powder. Turns out that a keg of 4895 will yield about 1200 loads for the M1 so I've got enough for 4800 rds. Anyway, the primers were part of the three sleeves (15K) of Win SR primers I traded 6K of .223 FC brass for during the shortages in Sept '08. Back then, .223 brass was going for $70/K and primers were $28/K if you could find either. What's great is that the 6K pieces of F-C brass I used in the trade were what I'd culled from the more than 10K of .223 brass I managed to score for free after a Denver SWAT training session prior to the '08 DNC for YOmama here. The SWAT training head even had them pick it up and dump it in a few boxes it for me! And, the remaining 4K+ was great LC brass that I added to my collection and its currently in my rotation. Also,I've been collecting 06 brass for a few years (never know when you might need it) and have almost 1K of HXP (Greek) brass that's still got the crimp in it so its truly 'once fired'. That means that I've acquired both the powder and brass for my M1 for free. I found 4,000 non-metallic bullets (easier on the barrel) and a sleeve (5K) of CCI LR primers at a decent price. So, I've currently got all the components to reload 4K of FMJ M1 Garand ammo for only 16¢ per round! I've worked up my list of caliber conversion items all ready so it looks like I'll be reloading my 4K of '06 ammo for right at 26¢ per round including amortizing the cost of the reloading press equipment. That's still half the price of even the CMP Greek stuff ammo and after that's gone, I'll still be able to load FMJ 06 for under 40¢ per round. God, I love reloading. |
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For me, trading and finding deals on components is a big part of the fun of reloading. Such is the case with my newest caliber, the 30-06. I posted in the M1 and M1A section that I recently got a terrific deal on an M1 Garand. While a blast to shoot, the M1 is significantly more expensive to shoot than my ARs at about 75¢ per round if you buy Greek surplus ammo. Even CMP's Greek stuff is well over 50¢ per round once you add the shipping and account for the spoilage. So, as a reloader, the fun of exploring a new caliber starts. And what better way to start than with a killer deal on components. Always on the lookout for a great deal, in early '09 I traded two sleeves (10K) of Win SR primers for four kegsof IMR 4895 powder to a friend in need of primers for his AR. I didn't have a need for the powder but figured that I could trade it for something else as we have a very active CMP group at our range and 4895 is the quintessential M1 Garand powder. Turns out that a keg of 4895 will yield about 1200 loads for the M1 so I've got enough for 4800 rds. Anyway, the primers were part of the three sleeves (15K) of Win SRprimers I traded 6K of .223 FC brass for during the shortages in Sept '08. Back then, .223 brass was going for $70/K and primers were $28/K if you could find either. What's great is that the 6K pieces of F-C brass I used in the trade were what I'd culled from the more than 10K of .223 brass I managed toscore for free after a Denver SWAT training session prior to the'08 DNC for YOmama here. The SWATtraining head even had them pick it up and dump it in a few boxes it for me! And, the remaining 4K+ was great LC brass that I added to my collection and itscurrently in my rotation. Also,I've been collecting 06 brass for a few years (never know when you might need it) and have almost 1K of HXP (Greek)brass that's still got the crimp in it so its truly 'once fired'. That means that I've acquired both the powder and brass for my M1 for free. I found 4,000 non-metallic bullets(easier on the barrel) and a sleeve (5K) of CCI LR primers at a decent price. So, I've currently got all the components to reload 4K of FMJ M1 Garand ammo for only 16¢ per round! I've worked up my list of caliber conversion items all ready so it looks like I'll bereloading my 4K of '06 ammo for right at 26¢ per round including amortizing the cost of the reloading press equipment. That's still half the price of even the CMP Greek stuff ammo and after that's gone, I'll still be able to load FMJ 06 for under 40¢ per round. God, I love reloading. Sir, it sounds like you've made done some very astute trading! I've had garand rifles in my collection since my very first from back when CMP was known as DCM, I now have four. I've amassed a bit of USGI M2 and at least two cans of the greek HXP but was never very pleased with the quality of the available surplus ammo in terms of accuracy. CMP issued the Greek HXP in the JC Garand match for a few years until they made the current deal with Hornady, so yes I've used it in competition. FWIW, I agree that IMR 4895 is the best powder for the cartridge, but I figured out some time ago that if you want good accuracy from these rifles you need to use a good bullet. Accordingly, when I want ammo that will shoot the best I use the 168gr SMK with WLR primers and 45gr of 4895 with all the brass prep I normally do for match ammo. In my CMP "Danish" this combo shoots SRC X ring groups at 200yds. HTH, and congratulations on you new acquistions! 7zero1 out. |
I feel the same way, I wish this forum had a reloading trading post instead of just wts ad's. edited.......
This was my haul from today's range time From the COC, Specific to sales, 2.) Companies or individuals interested in selling or trading equipment should resort to the Equipment Exchange. At no time should an item be listed in any discussion forum. Please don't get COSteves thread locked. dryflash3 |
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Great post OP. I agree that the search for affordable components in the most unlikely of places is a good part of the fun of reloading. I love finding a deal on random components, like .257 Roberts brass or bullets.
A trade thread is a good idea. I need about 100 .38 Special cases. Too few to buy, but just right for a trade. 
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Quoted:
Great post OP. I agree that the search for affordable components in the most unlikely of places is a good part of the fun of reloading. I love finding a deal on random components, like .257 Roberts brass or bullets. A trade thread is a good idea. I need about 100 .38 Special cases. Too few to buy, but just right for a trade. I agree |
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Quoted:
Great post OP. I agree that the search for affordable components in the most unlikely of places is a good part of the fun of reloading. I love finding a deal on random components, like .257 Roberts brass or bullets. A trade thread is a good idea. I need about 100 .38 Special cases. Too few to buy, but just right for a trade. State police just used our range a couple weeks ago. They were kind enough to donate a few hundred 38 and 357 brass to my stash. 
I just recently sold off 1650 WWB .45 rounds. Turned that into 4000 once fired brass, 4000 primers and still have $140 left over. I love reloading and casting my own. |
| You Sir are very lucky !!, for me and my new M1 I had no brass so ordered (1) can of Greek to get me started then my plan is to reload until I can secure at least close to 1K 30.06 cases then i still have to get dies, was looking at the hornady new dimension one's but not sure as I really like the quality of Dillon and I have plenty of 168 SMK 2nds I picked up from the Sierra Factory in Sedalia MO and powder and primers are not a issue as I have plenty so anybody wanting to get rid of 30.06 brass shoot me a pm |
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