At my local gun shops all they have is american eagle for $35 to $38 a box so my usual source is underwood then as it is hot and cheap but they are commonly out of stock. I have never reloaded but I have considered it but I have no experience and I don't know anyone who does.
The most affordable is certainly, as you allude, that which you make yourself. With jacketed bullets you are around $10 per box of 50 (assuming you are using your own fired brass). If you cast bullets you can generally half that again. If you need to buy brass it will add about $8 per box.
Back before I reloaded I shot a good bit of Georgia Arms Canned Heat. It is currently unavailable however. This sets the benchmark of about $20-$25 per box of 50 for practice ammo. The biggest draw for me to Georgia Arms canned heat 10mm is it comes loaded in new Starline brass. This allowed be to build a stock of brass for when I began reloading.
I would suggest you buy the ABC's of Reloading (http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398174192&sr=1-2&keywords=reloading) and/or Lee Modern Reloading (http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAU/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398174192&sr=1-3&keywords=reloading). Both are great books to learn all you need to know to safely start reloading.
You can pick up a complete Lee kit with dies for 10mm for about $140 shipped. Given the prices of American Eagle, even buying your first 500 brass from starline, you would break even on the ammo. From that point on, you will save considerably.
As far as reloading goes I keep looking but I have no idea what I need or don't need.
As far as buying, Underwood Ammo is the best bang for your buck. Literally...
Quote from: 10mmfan on April 22 2014 10:36:34 AM MDT
As far as reloading goes I keep looking but I have no idea what I need or don't need.
You don't need as much as you think...If you are going to do rifle and pistol I would highly recommend the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit and die sets. If you learn to work with a single stage press you can make quality ammo at reasonable cost and at a pace that insures safety and quality control. Yes the progressive press can make more ammo at a quicker pace but there are many steps that occur at the same time and you can lose some of the control of some steps. Heck the progressive presses have their place but they are not a necessity.
The reason I refer people toward the RCBS Rock Chucker is quality cast iron rigid press that will last you a lifetime and is guaranteed. The leverage of the press is strong enough for rifle rounds yet sensitive enough to feel what is taking place.
I like the RCBS dies and their lock rings make for repeatable settings with each use without lost of the settings. The term KISS principle comes to mind here. Once you have the tools to work with the knowledge will come together.
The steps are straightforward to perform and you will find a rhythm to suit your style. I started with a RCBS jr. single stage on a 24" x 30"x 3/4" plywood table with a set of folding table legs salvaged and repurposed. Today I am on a 24" x 48"x 1 1/2" thick table top with a formica laminate using folding table legs, and have several presses mounted with the scale and powder drop in the middle.
I have seen people mount their press on a piece of pipe welded to an old wheel rim with a piece of plate to bold the press on.
Don't be afraid to get started, its not rocket science until the fuel and payload is added! :D
Georgia Arms for me - price and the brass and the ammo functions perfectly in both of my Glocks with the LW barrels- only problem now is the fact that 10mm shooters have found out about GA ammo and now its realy hard to find it. I live about 40 miles from GA and see them at the Georgia gun shows and lately I've gotten the same reply from them each time - as fast as they make it its gone. The 10mm 180gr HP +P is perfect in my G29sf ---Hey Shadow, have you done a pull down of that round??
Doug
Sorry Shadow - I didn't dig deep enough to find your pull down on the GA ammo - I have it now though - thank you.
Doug
Silly question! The ones I reload! ;)
Prvi partisan can be had for around 20 a box. These were loaded like weak 40s for awhile but the info I've read on this site has said they've improved to 1100ish fps. This is certainly no underwood but it would make some decent plinking ammo.
I just happen to shoot some of the PPU 10mm I had bought a while back today. That stuff is for sure rabbit fart ammo. Was not impressed at all. Was concerned bullets were even getting out the end of the barrel:) Might be ok for just doing a little target practice but not anywhere close to full power 10mm loads. I had some of my 10mm loads that were loaded with Accurate #9 with me as well and they stand up and get your attention. Won't be buying the PPU 10mm stuff again. ;D
Quote from: Midwest Shooter on May 01 2014 07:45:16 PM MDT
I just happen to shoot some of the PPU 10mm I had bought a while back today. That stuff is for sure rabbit fart ammo. Was not impressed at all. Was concerned bullets were even getting out the end of the barrel:) Might be ok for just doing a little target practice but not anywhere close to full power 10mm loads. I had some of my 10mm loads that were loaded with Accurate #9 with me as well and they stand up and get your attention. Won't be buying the PPU 10mm stuff again. ;D
Dude, that's hilarious! I haven't tried either of their loadings yet. I've just seen it around. Old one was reported as 800 FPS-utter crap. Intercooler reported that later they loaded their ammo to 1100-1150.
Armscor 10mm for plinking. www.gunbot.net
Just did all the calculations. It costs me $9.20 to reload a box of 50 10mm using my favorite recipe. And apparently my gun likes them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Gandog56/dwgroup.jpg)