01-15-2025, 02:32 PM
Part of the problem with the ELD-VT is that it is a new style of bullet, light for length, and I'm not sure a lot of people are ready to jump onto that bandwagon yet. Personally, I love the concept, have another 5 boxes on the bench. It shoots good groups for me, not as good as the A-Tips, but good enough to take out prairie dogs.
With respect to the original post about reloading, and to add to what has already been said.
2 other things I tell people,
First, stock up on patience, nothing happens fast, there will be a lot of frustration as you wait for components, equipment, and develop loads
Second, cost, a lot of people believe it will be cheaper in the long run, price per shot will be reduced, but when trying to find your best combination, you end up trying so many variations on a theme, and I end up with a lot of extra consumables. Advantage is that as you progress to other calibers, initial cost is gone, just have to get the new consumables and associated dies.
An example of both of these for what we've done in the ARC, "I want to use a bullet in the 105-110 range", a quick filter on Midway shows Berger Jacketed HP/Elite Hunter/VLD Hunting/VLD Target/ Target Jacketed HP/Long Range Hybrid, Nosler RDF/Custom Competition, Lapua Scenar, Barnes Match Burner, and Hornady A-Tip/Match HPBT/ELD-M/Aeromatch. That is just the bullet, then you run into powder choices and primers. Working your way through this requires a LOT of patience and building your own stockroom.
Over the years, I don't want to think about all the money I've invested in my reloading gear, the nice thing is that I still have it all, that I still use most of it (upgrades here and there), not sure how much a price difference I would have from factory ammo, but I'm sure I wouldn't be shooting everything I have if I relied on factory ammo (50 BMG and 17 Remington good examples).
Reloading is a great hobby, keep asking questions, never assume you know it all, and be safe doing it, so you can keep having fun.
With respect to the original post about reloading, and to add to what has already been said.
2 other things I tell people,
First, stock up on patience, nothing happens fast, there will be a lot of frustration as you wait for components, equipment, and develop loads
Second, cost, a lot of people believe it will be cheaper in the long run, price per shot will be reduced, but when trying to find your best combination, you end up trying so many variations on a theme, and I end up with a lot of extra consumables. Advantage is that as you progress to other calibers, initial cost is gone, just have to get the new consumables and associated dies.
An example of both of these for what we've done in the ARC, "I want to use a bullet in the 105-110 range", a quick filter on Midway shows Berger Jacketed HP/Elite Hunter/VLD Hunting/VLD Target/ Target Jacketed HP/Long Range Hybrid, Nosler RDF/Custom Competition, Lapua Scenar, Barnes Match Burner, and Hornady A-Tip/Match HPBT/ELD-M/Aeromatch. That is just the bullet, then you run into powder choices and primers. Working your way through this requires a LOT of patience and building your own stockroom.
Over the years, I don't want to think about all the money I've invested in my reloading gear, the nice thing is that I still have it all, that I still use most of it (upgrades here and there), not sure how much a price difference I would have from factory ammo, but I'm sure I wouldn't be shooting everything I have if I relied on factory ammo (50 BMG and 17 Remington good examples).
Reloading is a great hobby, keep asking questions, never assume you know it all, and be safe doing it, so you can keep having fun.
from a fortune cookie, "The raindrop does not blame itself for the flood"
from a coworker, "You are testing the limits of my medication"
from a coworker, "You are testing the limits of my medication"