Calibers that are easier or harder to handload?

[Dov]

Talking about basic practice ammo, not benchrest precison or anything.

I have handloaded but not much, and its been many years for multiple reasons but looking at getting serious just to extent of couple hundred rounds of practice ammo a year each for 38 & 44 special, and maybe 30-30 and one other rifle caliber. What other rifle caliber would be not sure, probably 243 Win or 6.5CM or possibly 30-06 (I've wanted a Garand for a long time).

Not planning to cast bullets myself, and would be fine with jacketed bullets as long as it's still cheaper than buying factory practice ammo.

[revchuck38]

Straight-walled pistol cartridges (including .38 and .44 Special) are the easiest to reload IMO, especially using carbide dies. If you have multiple rifles in the same caliber, you'll probably have to full-length size the brass; if only one per caliber, IME partial-sizing (where you size the brass so the action just barely closes, then a smidge more) helps with both accuracy and case life. Partial sizing is particularly important with rimmed cases, with .303 British being an extreme example due to its, ah, excessive chamber length which sometimes causes case separation right above the case web due to stretching. .30-30 is pretty forgiving in this regard, though, at least mine is.

[okie john]

The cost of components kinda wrecks the economics of it at the moment, at least in the quantities you mention.

It’s likely cheaper to buy 6.5 Creed than to load it.

Large rifle primers are still really scarce, so I’d look for a small-capacity case that uses small rifle primers.


Okie John

[KevH]

I've always found 38 Special and 45 ACP to be really easy to load for. I actually prefer moly or powdercoated LSWC in both calibers. 30-30 is relatively easy and a good one as well. I've come to love Lee die sets.

One of the variables that make something "easy" or "hard" to load is the powder. I'm a big fan of the faster burning powders with Win 231/ Hodgdon HP-38 (same powder essentially) being my favorite with Alliant Red Dot being my close runner up. Win231/HP-38 meters super well and both powders are pretty forgiving. Red Dot you can use for just about everything.

[Duelist]

.38 and .44 Special are really easy to load for. 9x19 is a little bit trickier - they have to actually feed in your gun.

.243 and .270 Winchester seem to be easy to find loads that are accurate and effective, but the best time to start collecting supplies for rifle reloading was prior to December 2019. The next best time is probably tomorrow - the election is coming.

Neck sizing extends bottleneck case life, but at the rate you’re talking about shooting them, it won’t matter too much.

[mmc45414]

Straight-walled pistol cartridges (including .38 and .44 Special) are the easiest to reload IMO, especially using carbide dies.

And those two would be worth the effort, financially. We probably all started out reloading for a cost savings, that we probably all negated by shooting more, and then (at least in my case...) spent a lot on equipment because I think the tools are cool and enjoy doing it, in a brain dead kinda way. But at current prices, depending on what you spend on primers, there should still be significant savings doing those two.

[Duelist]

And those two would be worth the effort, financially. We probably all started out reloading for a cost savings, that we probably all negated by shooting more, and then (at least in my case...) spent a lot on equipment because I think the tools are cool and enjoy doing it, in a brain dead kinda way. But at current prices, depending on what you spend on primers, there should still be significant savings doing those two.

I don’t load those to save money - I do it so I can afford to shoot, or afford to shoot *more*. I haven’t spent that much on equipment - I had a Lee Loader for .38 Special first, and then a cheap Lee single stage press that I destroyed trying to size a 7.5x55 Swiss case without enough lube. I got a Redding T7 at an estate sale for like $50, and haven’t had another press expense. Dies cost what they cost, but I got my .44 Magnum/Special RCBS dies used. Someone gave me a powder measure when they upgraded.

[Dov]

Thanks

Most of what I loaded in past was just basic practice special loads in 38 and 44 for J & N frames.

Did handful of 6.55x55 Swede rounds, but haven't had a rifle in that caliber for long time now.

Are there any real differences between any of the common rifle calibers for handloading? Just bullet availability for given caliber?

[Borderland]

Most revolver cartridges are simple to load. 9x19 and 45 acp somewhat harder but not difficult. Case lube may be required to resize. One that I wouldn't recommend to a new reloader is 30 carbine. Case length has to be checked every time. Out of battery detonation is possible if you don't. Bottleneck rifle is more work to resize and case length is important. Pressures are much higher for rifle cartridges. Take care.

[mmc45414]

I don’t load those to save money - I do it so I can afford to shoot, or afford to shoot *more*.

To put a fine point on it, I said cost saving, not money saving...