I've used the search and done the research, and these are the questions that I still have (after an entire weekend of research)
1) 7.62x39 ammo seems very expensive to reload. Loads and casings appear to be running at 2008 prices for surplus rounds. That's EACH COMPONENT, minus gunpowder and primers - essentially each component costs as much as a surplus military round!!
I only target shoot this round and am not against getting into casting lead bullets. Is this round worth getting into for reloading? Accuracy is not taken into account. It'd be a nice side effect, but its a "fun round" at the range, not competition grade. I value accuracy but my love for the sks does not blind me to the fact that it is not a tackdriver at 200 yards.
2) If the answer to number 1 is basically no, then my decision moves from single stage to turret or progressive. My other major caliber is 9mm luger. I just read a thread here about a Glock blowing up with a reload, and while I realize that reloads should be watched, I'm curious if you can unload reloads with the same off-handness that you can with factory bulk ammo. I'm worried that I'd have to inspect each casing to check for pressure problems etc with reloads, when my overall idea is to increase my shooting output. I am not a "mall ninja", and don't side-hand empty a clip to be cool, but I would like to feel comfortable double and triple tapping a target for accuracy and training purposes.
Can you reload and shoot fast? Even doubletaps seem dangerous, to a degree, with reloads.
3) What are the dangers during the reload process. Don't get me wrong, I am doing a lot of research before I ever reload. These forums, I've purchased the Lymans 49th edition and am reading it; but I have yet to see the dangers of reloading in, say, an apartment building. I've seen a video of someone using primers as an explosive slingshot load and I was pretty surprised at how explosive they are. I've only reloaded shotgun shells before, and the press obviously have a hole where live primers sit. I never realized how powerful they were though, until seeing that video.
My main worry is the legality of an unavoidable problem. I'm not talking fire, I mean what is the chance of a primer going off and getting charged with a crime similar to discharging a firearm in an illegal area.
4) It's a shame that you can't sell rounds to your friends because it seems like a great way to both help out your friends with some affordable rounds while making some extra cash, but what are the legalities regarding your reloads; can you even let someone shoot them once youre comfortable with a load? Or do most of you pretty much keep it personal. If I reload, and say that's the only set of rounds I have with me, is it best to say "I'm sorry, these are reloads and while I have no problem in theory with you firing them, the liability is too high and I have to say no"?
I really want to get into reloading, even if only for 9mm. I wish that I could help my friends out but I don't see that as an option. With my sks, I was looking at a single step press, but considering the high component costs of the rounds, I am not sure it's worth it. I may go with the Lee turret price if rifle rounds are out of the question for me, and that's the only rifle round I have right now besides .22, and single stage's are pretty cheap so I know I can buy one down the road if I get another centerfire rifle.
Thank you for all responses, and if I missed an answer that could have been obtained through search, trust me that I tried.
1) 7.62x39 ammo seems very expensive to reload. Loads and casings appear to be running at 2008 prices for surplus rounds. That's EACH COMPONENT, minus gunpowder and primers - essentially each component costs as much as a surplus military round!!
I only target shoot this round and am not against getting into casting lead bullets. Is this round worth getting into for reloading? Accuracy is not taken into account. It'd be a nice side effect, but its a "fun round" at the range, not competition grade. I value accuracy but my love for the sks does not blind me to the fact that it is not a tackdriver at 200 yards.
2) If the answer to number 1 is basically no, then my decision moves from single stage to turret or progressive. My other major caliber is 9mm luger. I just read a thread here about a Glock blowing up with a reload, and while I realize that reloads should be watched, I'm curious if you can unload reloads with the same off-handness that you can with factory bulk ammo. I'm worried that I'd have to inspect each casing to check for pressure problems etc with reloads, when my overall idea is to increase my shooting output. I am not a "mall ninja", and don't side-hand empty a clip to be cool, but I would like to feel comfortable double and triple tapping a target for accuracy and training purposes.
Can you reload and shoot fast? Even doubletaps seem dangerous, to a degree, with reloads.
3) What are the dangers during the reload process. Don't get me wrong, I am doing a lot of research before I ever reload. These forums, I've purchased the Lymans 49th edition and am reading it; but I have yet to see the dangers of reloading in, say, an apartment building. I've seen a video of someone using primers as an explosive slingshot load and I was pretty surprised at how explosive they are. I've only reloaded shotgun shells before, and the press obviously have a hole where live primers sit. I never realized how powerful they were though, until seeing that video.
My main worry is the legality of an unavoidable problem. I'm not talking fire, I mean what is the chance of a primer going off and getting charged with a crime similar to discharging a firearm in an illegal area.
4) It's a shame that you can't sell rounds to your friends because it seems like a great way to both help out your friends with some affordable rounds while making some extra cash, but what are the legalities regarding your reloads; can you even let someone shoot them once youre comfortable with a load? Or do most of you pretty much keep it personal. If I reload, and say that's the only set of rounds I have with me, is it best to say "I'm sorry, these are reloads and while I have no problem in theory with you firing them, the liability is too high and I have to say no"?
I really want to get into reloading, even if only for 9mm. I wish that I could help my friends out but I don't see that as an option. With my sks, I was looking at a single step press, but considering the high component costs of the rounds, I am not sure it's worth it. I may go with the Lee turret price if rifle rounds are out of the question for me, and that's the only rifle round I have right now besides .22, and single stage's are pretty cheap so I know I can buy one down the road if I get another centerfire rifle.
Thank you for all responses, and if I missed an answer that could have been obtained through search, trust me that I tried.