Reloading for Winchester Rifles in the late 1800's

[joec]

Saw this today and found it really interesting, perhaps you will also. Oh and almost forgot to mention this prices are for 44 wcf. Prices for gun powder (black powder) in those days in a rail head like Dodge City was .44 cents per pound.

[Danang Sailor]

Cartridges for $20 per thousand - that seems pretty low. Let me try to adjust for inflation:

Loaf of bread in 1873* = $0.10
Loaf of bread in 2011* = $3.45
Inflation multiplier thus = 34.5

So that gives us a rough 2011 equivalency price of $690 per thousand for .44wcf (aka 44-40). Today 225 Grain Lead Flat
Nose Cowboy ammo from Winchester goes for $34.83 per 50, so 1000 rounds would be about $696.60.

It looks as if the Good Old Days are still with us, as the price for ammo seems to have held consistent for the last 139
years! Of course, in 1873 the top hand on an average ranch was making between $25-$40 per month, so even then it
wasn't all that cheap compared to income.


*Based on the average national prices for a one-pound loaf at retail.

[joec]

Do the math on rolling your own including the cost of the tool and loading minus the powder was 24.50 for the first batch + Powder. The second batch would be 19.50 + powder. Not sure how far a 1lb of black powder will go with 44 wcf rounds nor any other yet. At any rate I hope I can make my 45 Colt black powder loads somewhere in that range.

[jim slagle]

Joe, have you considered casting your own bullets?

This ad is running locally:

I have the following casting setup for sale:

Two Magma Engineering Mark V/VI Bullet Masters
These commercial grade machines will cast 4000 pieces per hour in just about any caliber/bullet type you want; assuming you have molds for them. Both these machines have been upgraded to the latest pneumatic functions (knockers, pour, etc). You will need 220/230V AC Power and 90 psi of air to make these run.

Magma Master Caster
This is a manual bullet caster that uses the same molds as the bullet master. 110V power and no air needed. This particular machine was converted to automatic by the previous owner, but the automatic functions no longer seem to work. It can probably be made to work with some tinkering, but I haven't had the time.

Magma Lube Master
This automatic machine will lube and size your cast bullets at a rate of 6000 an hour. It includes the M-A auto feeding system, and multiple size dies needed to size whatever bullet you have cast. Also have many lube sticks included. Requires a 120V supply and shop air around 60psi.

Molds:
I have 24 sets of 8 dual cavity molds in all common handgun calibers. I also have 3 individual molds in .45 (for .45-70 style loads) at 350gr, 400gr and 450gr.
I will put up a list of all the individual molds types and weights later this evening, but believe me, it is just about as exhaustive as you would want.

Alloy:
I have 1 ton (2000 pounds) and change of the standard, hard cast bullet allow (aka the 92% lead/6 antimony /2 tin). Right now at rotometals, price per pound is $2.28, if you buy a ton. That makes this $4560.

The machines are in working order; I will show you some basic information to point out some tips, but these machines should really be used by somebody with some mechanical aptitude.
Pictures will be added in the next few days.

Now, if you went out and bought this stuff from Magma, plus the allow, you would spend something just shy of $40,000.

You will get all this and we will deliver it for $25,000. We will also entertain serious offers as well.

[joec]

Joe, have you considered casting your own bullets?

This ad is running locally:

I'm giving it some thought but my problem is a place to do it safely here. The ad is sure on a much bigger scale than I could use. Keep in mind I have the tenants in and out of the place day and night with a very small back yard. I have the hardware to do it just don't have the molds at the moment though those are also pretty cheap.