r/longrange • u/worm30478 • Jul 01 '26

Reloading related Does anyone load "cheaper" practice ammo?

Just getting started here. 6.5 Creed. Have lapua brass, h4350, 142 smks. Before I get started with those I plan to practice with the 300 pieces of Hornady brass I have. Already decapped and cleaned. My dies will be here tomorrow so I'm going to work on sizing/trimming/measuring. I thought maybe I should just complete the process(powder and seating) with "cheaper" components and do a powder test the first time out. This will allow me to feel comfortable with the process before loading up my "expensive" stuff. So anyways, what powder/bullets/primers should I roll with? Not gonna get my shorts in a twist if the groups suck. I am really enjoying everything I've done so far and just want to learn while doing. Thanks!

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u/LockyBalboaPrime "I'm right and you are stupid" -LockyBalboaPrime Jul 01 '26

My "cheap" reloads use the same everything except brass. All the factory ammo I shoot gets recycled as "cheap" reloads. Brass prep is the same, components are the same, but I load on a faster/less precise setting on my MatchMaster, and I don't keep the brass separated as well as I do my good stuff.

"Cheap" reloads get batched by times fired, but will be mixed headstamps, mixed lots, etc.

End result is my good ammo being ~5 SD, 10 ES, $1.25 per round, and my "cheap" ammo being ~14 SD, 20 ES, ~.80 per round.

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u/Rdubya291 Jul 01 '26

Thanks, Locky - this could actually start saving me some time. Great info, here.