Dcbonecrusher Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Good day. My wife and I are about to join SASS and start some CAS matches. I'm wondering where I would find best deals on .38 sp loads suitable to CAS. Thank you in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OK Dirty Dan Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 (edited) I suggest you start your search with Bullets by Scarlett. I've never bought her loaded ammunition but she's always been very helpful with my powder purchases. She's also active on the Wire. Edited March 27 by OK Dirty Dan 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 99.9% of us reload. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Additional suppliers: Choice Ammunition Bang and Clang We the People Munitions (on Facebook) Save your brass. You may be asking us about reloading soon. Your wife will appreciate Winchester low noise, low recoil AA shotgun shells if you buy them for her. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 Another trusted vendor is Georgia Arms. They sell cowboy loads and other ammo. I ordered some .38 Special ammo from them to use at a new shooter clinic. I’ve found it to be good quality. Once Scarlett got her Cowboy Cartridges back on the market that is what I have recommended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 Thanks everyone. My dad reloaded, so I've got tons of brass, all the dies, all the bullets and primers. I'll need powder and knowledge at some point. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 2 minutes ago, Dcbonecrusher said: Thanks everyone. My dad reloaded, so I've got tons of brass, all the dies, all the bullets and primers. I'll need powder and knowledge at some point. Buy a copy of Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook and teach yourself. Did your dad leave you any pistol or shotgun powder? If so, you may have what you need. (I trust you know CAS requires all-lead bullets.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 52 minutes ago, Dcbonecrusher said: Thanks everyone. My dad reloaded, so I've got tons of brass, all the dies, all the bullets and primers. I'll need powder and knowledge at some point. Look for Unique or WW231/HP38. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 48 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said: Buy a copy of Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook and teach yourself. Did your dad leave you any pistol or shotgun powder? If so, you may have what you need. (I trust you know CAS requires all-lead bullets.) I may have that book as well as powder. All in totes. Now that I'm getting into it I'll get more into it 1 minute ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Look for Unique or WW231/HP38. Thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 I’m very happy with Clays if you have any of it, right now you can’t find it because production has stopped. Clay Dot also works but for .38 special I have increase my powder charge by .2 There are several other powders that will work fine. Hodgdon’s online reloading data is a good resource and they sell several brands of powder. Randy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 Just now, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: I’m very happy with Clays if you have any of it, right now you can’t find it because production has stopped. Clay Dot also works but for .38 special I have increase my powder charge by .2 There are several other powders that will work fine. Hodgdon’s online reloading data is a good resource and they sell several brands of powder. Randy Awesome Randy, thank you. Think I can take over the grandkid's room for reloading? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Welcome to the sport and the forum. Great bunch here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 2 minutes ago, DeaconKC said: Welcome to the sport and the forum. Great bunch here. Thanks Deacon. Im looking forward to it 8 minutes ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: I’m very happy with Clays if you have any of it, right now you can’t find it because production has stopped. Clay Dot also works but for .38 special I have increase my powder charge by .2 There are several other powders that will work fine. Hodgdon’s online reloading data is a good resource and they sell several brands of powder. Randy Awesome Randy, thank you. Think I can take over the grandkid's room for reloading? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 (edited) 12 hours ago, Dcbonecrusher said: Awesome Randy, thank you. Think I can take over the grandkid's room for reloading? You don’t have to have a lot of room, some have a really clean and organized area, me no so much so. Randy Edited March 28 by Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 2 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 3 minutes ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: You don’t have to have a lot of room, some have a really clean and organized, me no so much so. Randy Genius at work! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 My reloading room looks a lot like Randy St. Eagle's, but I'm hardly ever there, so now I have a small setup in a nearby brother's garage, a Dillon 550 mounted on a B&D Workmate. Minimal footprint. There are a number of powders that are suitable for CAS. Some are very difficult or impossible to find right now, some are easier. Titegroup and HP-238 (same as W-231) and VV N-320 are currently easy to find. Some Shooter's World powders as well, though I'm less familiar with them. Red Dot, American Select, Clays, Clay-Dot, Unique, 700X, Bullseye, WST to name a few are popular if you run across any. And of course, Black Powder and BP substitutes are available if you can handle that much fun. Primers were scarce in the recent past, plenty available now just very pricey. Good luck and wecome aboard! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchy Trigger Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 10 hours ago, Dcbonecrusher said: Think I can take over the grandkid's room for reloading? No need, you just need to convince him to reload for you. If necessary, reward him with a penny a round. He will use his own room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 6 minutes ago, Itchy Trigger said: No need, you just need to convince him to reload for you. If necessary, reward him with a penny a round. He will use his own room. Great idea. At 4 years old, one premium per round will thrill him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Welcome aboard. Reloading is the way to go for this game, but starting out loaded ammo is easier unless one has experience in making their own. When starting out, I have suggested to folks that a single stage press is the best way to go if one does not have any experience in reloading. A single stage press allows you to familiarize yourself with each step of the process. Most folks use a progressive press for volume reloading, especially if one reloads for two, but if you have access to a single stage press, it's best to start there. Also, in addition to reading the manuals, a mentor, if available, is another way to gain knowledge. Good luck , be safe and have fun. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 23 minutes ago, Tex Jones, SASS 2263 said: Welcome aboard. Reloading is the way to go for this game, but starting out loaded ammo is easier unless one has experience in making their own. When starting out, I have suggested to folks that a single stage press is the best way to go if one does not have any experience in reloading. A single stage press allows you to familiarize yourself with each step of the process. Most folks use a progressive press for volume reloading, especially if one reloads for two, but if you have access to a single stage press, it's best to start there. Also, in addition to reading the manuals, a mentor, if available, is another way to gain knowledge. Good luck , be safe and have fun. Thanks Tex, great advice. I have reloaded often in the past with dad, and have both single and multi stage presses. Probably could use a mentor. Will ask around at the local group we plan to join. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 12 hours ago, Dcbonecrusher said: Genius at work! I always heard a clean desk was a sign of a sick mind, I figured it holds true with a work bench also. Randy 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Dan O'Shootem Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 7 minutes ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: I always heard a clean desk was a sign of a sick mind, I figured it holds true with a work bench also. Randy I like the way you think 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 28 Author Share Posted March 28 What's yall's average cost per round reloading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 It's a lot more than it used to be, especially if you're just getting started. Based on current prices for 38 special, using new brass (1st time), Titegroup powder, small pistol primers and 125 gr bullets, the estimated cost is approx. 40 cents a round or $20 per box of 50. That estimate is based on current prices i.e. replacement cost. The average cost per round would drop considerably if one had stockpiled components, which many of the folks here have done over the years. It's all relative as compared to manufactured ammo, it is cheaper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 If I calculated right using brand new Starline brass it would be 36 cents per round. Of course the second time through at least the 10th time and probably more your cost would be 20 cents per round for .38 Special, that's using today's prices. Randy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Traveller Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 That pic of Randy's loading room is giving my ocd a nervous twitch! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 1 hour ago, Palmetto Traveller said: That pic of Randy's loading room is giving my ocd a nervous twitch! Mine as well! Thinking I might need the assistance of Mr. Jamison to calm down! Twice! Regards Gateway Kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Call Saul Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 22 hours ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: You don’t have to have a lot of room, some have a really clean and organized area, me no so much so. Randy How long does it take you to find a primer you dropped? I bet if you clean up, you will find enough primers on the floor for the rest of your life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 38 Special is a good caliber to reload because once-fired brass is readily available online. Current prices are ~10-cents a case. I use once-fired brass for major matches and then reload it for practice and local matches. RSE's estimate of 20-cents is reasonable for smokeless reloads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 59 minutes ago, Last Call Saul said: How long does it take you to find a primer you dropped? I bet if you clean up, you will find enough primers on the floor for the rest of your life. Years ago if you dropped a primer you didn’t care, now I’ve learned to be extremely careful and not drop any.. Randy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Bill Burt Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 On 3/27/2023 at 9:25 PM, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: You don’t have to have a lot of room, some have a really clean and organized area, me no so much so. Randy I think I see Jimmy Hoffa buried in there. 9 hours ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: If I calculated right using brand new Starline brass it would be 36 cents per round. Of course the second time through at least the 10th time and probably more your cost would be 20 cents per round for .38 Special, that's using today's prices. Randy I’m just a working man and can’t afford new brass, particularly Starline. I estimate under $0.1 a piece for used brass and figure I’ll get at least twenty loads out of one before it splits or the range gods claim it. That gets me just under Randy’s .2 per round cost. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Badly Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 On 3/27/2023 at 8:06 PM, Dcbonecrusher said: Thanks everyone. My dad reloaded, so I've got tons of brass, all the dies, all the bullets and primers. I'll need powder and knowledge at some point. hodgdon_2002_blackpowder_reloaders_manual (2).pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcbonecrusher Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 39 minutes ago, Mister Badly said: hodgdon_2002_blackpowder_reloaders_manual (2).pdf 232.51 kB · 1 download Perfect! Thank you so much 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 5 hours ago, Captain Bill Burt said: I think I see Jimmy Hoffa buried in there. I’m just a working man and can’t afford new brass, particularly Starline. I estimate under $0.1 a piece for used brass and figure I’ll get at least twenty loads out of one before it splits or the range gods claim it. That gets me just under Randy’s .2 per round cost. I only use the new and and then again as once fired, in my rifle only, for any match big enough that I have to rent a motel for and the Tennessee State Match. I don't want to travel and shoot for 3 or more days to have it ruined by a split case. Randy 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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