To Reload Or Not Reload. Help!!

I am also retired. I spend cold winter days reloading, then have the ammo, and the time during good weather to shoot to my hearts content. I am al blessed to have my own range.

djohns6 said:

I don't have a dedicated place to set up and work . I gave it serious consideration but decided not to for that reason . I'm retired so it would be ideal for me though . Oh well ..

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I bought a portable reloading table, about18-20 " square. Put a single stage lee on it with a powder dispenser on the opposite side.
I use the he'll out of it! More than my two Dillon progressive combined.

I have not read everyone's input. If you have to go out and buy the equipment an dcomponents from scratch, it will be a couple of years before you see any savings. If you factor in the cost of your labor then probably never will see a real savings. I am lucky and got into reloading years ago when components were cheap. Have bought from estates, both equipment and components at very reduced prices. I look at it as a hobby and as a way to relax. I can tailor ammo to specific guns at my discretion. All this said ammo for common calibers is way down in price from the last couple of years of craziness. Components are down some, but still high to me. Will I continue to reload? Yes. If I did not have all this stuff, would I spend the money to get it all? I doubt it..........

The calibers you listed, reloading will definitely save you money plus it is relaxing.
Get you one of these from Home Depot

I started reloading in 1967 , because I wanted to shoot 38 / 357 cast bullet SWC loads and the local gun shop didn't sell them ... I was told "If you want cast lead SWC ammo you will have to load your own ! " So I bought a reloading setup (Lee Classic Loader) and Lee bullet mould ( 1-cavity) and was off .
I enjoy casting bullets and I enjoy reloading ... I find it relaxing and rewarding ... and I bet you would also .
Saving money ... haven't saved a dime ... I shoot more and buy new reloading "stuff" . Casting , Reloading and Shooting are my hobbies , I do them because I enjoy them and the money spent is for my enjoyment .

I also get a lot of personal satisfaction from crafting safe accurate ammo that can exceed the accuracy of "store bought" .
Also I have never known an ammo shortage ... I have always kept a good stock of powder and primers on hand . I have bullet moulds for every firearm I own (and some I don't own ...yet ) .
After 50+ years I still like doing reloading and can't tell you how much it costs me to reload a single round ... because it doesn't matter ... If I save any money ... I just shoot it up !
Don't let savings be your guide ...get a little Lee Hand Press Kit (better than a Classic Loader) , not expensive and get your reloading feet wet ... you just might enjoy the hobby !
Even though I have 5 bench mounted reloading presses , I reload all my handgun and 30-30 rifle on a Lee Hand Press sitting inside the air-conditioned / heated house at desk or table .
One of Lee's handiest inventions ...the Hand Press will take care of your needs ... the 41 Magnum begs for cast lead handloads !
You can always upgrade to a bench mounted press ...even if you do , the Hand Press will still get used ... I bought a second for brass prep ! They just so Handy !
Gary

djohns6 said:

I don't have a dedicated place to set up and work . I gave it serious consideration but decided not to for that reason . I'm retired so it would be ideal for me though . Oh well ..

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You don't need that at all. When I started reloading i lived in an apartment and had no room. I mounted my reloading press to a wood block and clamped it to the kitchen table when reloading. Any other time all the reloading stuff was in the closet on a shelf.

djohns6 said:

I don't have a dedicated place to set up and work . I gave it serious consideration but decided not to for that reason . I'm retired so it would be ideal for me though . Oh well ..

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I have a travel kit with a Lee hand press, a set of dies, various accessories, plus a pound of powder and 1,000 primers and it all fits in a large plastic ammo can. I keep the bullets elsewhere.

It's not the most comfortable way to reload but perfectly doable. I can do 100 rounds in an hour taking my time.

Old&Retired said:

Save you some time! Simple spreadsheet to figure cost per round/box and amortize all costs related as well as print box labels.

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LOL, I don't need to know all that. I'm doing it regardless. Like I stated above I've been shooting the same .38 load for 40 years. I'm not changing now.

I spend enough time reloading without adding accounting to it. Besides actually accounting for all the variation in prices of components over time and tracking what you used in each box gets pretty complicated if you really want to know your exact cost for each box. It's a rabbit hole, and I got over it. Back of the envelope is close enough for me.

You'll save money, since you are getting the equipment for free. As long as you are the kind of person who is patient, careful and has attention to detail, you'll do fine. Having been retired for a long time, I find that I don't have the free time that I thought I would as my housekeeping and lawn/ landscaping duties have increased dramatically. I make time to shoot once a week and reload instead of wasting time, like now, on the internet or watching tv.

glenwolde said:

OK I went and priced out my .41 load. I use lead bullets for my target load. Figuring $110/m for bullets, $40 # for powder, $80 for 1,000 primers I get $11.36 for 50. I can actually beat those prices a bit

Go shopping, and google "reloading calculator".

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.41 is one of my favorite rounds. The above calculation is probably pretty close. At an average store bought cost of ~$50.00, that ain't too shabby.

I have been reloading for 52 years. As such, I have watched the current events and "know" when a catastrophe is coming (i.e. covid, sandy hook, etc.) With that knowledge (and having enough spare cash) you just know when to stock up on components and stock 'em deep.

I have another advantage, though, and that is that I cast my own boolits. When lead wheel weights could be had for a couple bucks a pail, I packed in half a ton.

Currently, with pre-covid "sale" pricing for all my components, I am loading .41 Magnum for about $2.50 a box. If I had to buy current primers, it would rise to about 6 bucks.

Also being retired, I DO have many hobbies. I usually have my days planned. But, when it snows it rains, sometimes I wonder "What am I going to do today?" Never a problem. I can go to my workshop, turn on some music, and start pumping out fourty-ones!

I've been reloading for over 50 years. I could buy new equipment every year and still be far ahead. Today it't not about savings, it's about tailoring loads to Your guns. I shoot 38 wadcutter, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, and 475 Linebaugh. I use 210, 215, and 220 Gr LSWC in the 41, 240, and 255 Gr LSWC in the 44, and 385, and 430 cast LBT in the 475. I also have some 250 and 265 Gr LBT for the 41. Different loads, different bullets, and different guns. If You have time on Your hands and want to spend some, reloading is a pleasant way to spend some. The frustration doesn't start until You get to the range and find out some loads just plain don't work. It's what is called load development. Whatever You decide, there are many smart people here that can answer questions.

If you cast your own bullets, your reloads can be less expensive than 22LR rimfire ammo.
But, cost savings is only a part of reloading.

I don't understand the idea that reloading is "not worth it" because of the time or effort.
That's like saying it's not worth knowing how to cook because you can just go to McDonald's and buy a Quarter Pounder Value Meal.
Or better yet, like saying, it's not worth the effort to learn how to read because you can just watch TV or stream videos.

Reloading has both economic and recreational benefits. Loads can be tailored for various purposes, including precision shooting. However, it is not advisable to load for maximum velocity. Leave that to the professionals (e.g., Buffalo Bore). Safety first! Give it your full attention.

For me, the key benefit is time. I use a progressive press, which can load up to 400 rounds/hour (200 typical). That's enough for an hour on the pistol range.

AJ said:

If you factor in the cost of your labor then probably never will see a real savings.

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But hey... he's retired. Social Security and/or his pensions are paying for his labor costs.

And if considered as a hobby, then labor costs are not applicable.

I say go for it. The 41 magnum and 45 Colt loads alone will justify the venture.They are usually pretty hard to find on the shelf and pricey at that.

John

I see the savings mainly in larger cartridges and harder to find ammo. Something like 9mm or even .223 range fodders doesn't save you much. You have to factor in you time to prep and load. When you get into the 45 colts, 45-70, or 38-55, that is where you really save the money. If you cast your own boolits then you see some real savings in things like the 45-70.

Seems like I have seen the 38-55 like $75 for a box of 20. I can load them with my own cast boolits for like $6 at current primer and powder prices using converted 30-30 brass.

When it comes to hunting or target type loads in a high power rifle, you can save a bunch there also and can tune it for your gun.

Also, when there is an ammo drought, if you have a good supply of components, it has little bearing on you. You just make more.

With primers and powder still being hard to come by, I save my components for those things that are hard to come by. I won't use primers in 9mm right now because they are available at reasonable prices. However, 38 special is ridiculous right now, so I use the primers in it or the like.

Rosewood

As others have noted, the case is 50-60% of the cost of a factory loaded round. When you recycle those, you save money. How much money kinda depends upon various factors, some powders are much more expensive than others, mild loads extend case life and so forth.

I recently bought 100 specialty rifle match brass for target loads. Paid $106 for the box. The factory loaded ammo runs $120-plus shipping-per 50. I should get at least 5-6 loads out of each case.

The return on investment isn't as great with handgun ammo, but it's still there. And, if you stock up on components, generally, the prices only go up.

djohns6 said:

I don't have a dedicated place to set up and work . I gave it serious consideration but decided not to for that reason . I'm retired so it would be ideal for me though . Oh well ..

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Nor do I, so I set up a rig that can be stowed when I’m not using it.

I don’t reload to save money, I do it because I like all things gun, and that includes the satisfaction of making my own ammo.

Here is my rig (sideways ) set up for .45 Colt; aren’t those big thunkers beautiful?

RMFnLA said:

Nor do I, so I set up a rig that can be stowed when I’m not using it.

I don’t reload to save money, I do it because I like all things gun, and that includes the satisfaction of making my own ammo.

Here is my rig (sideways ) set up for .45 Colt; aren’t those big thunkers beautiful?

Click to expand...

I have my presses mounted on a microwave cart with a butcher block top. Been doing it this way for about 18 years. I reckon I could make a permanent table and mount it, but I can move this to another room if need be. Although, it hasn't moved out of that room since I moved here in 2009.

I store some powder and primers as well as bullets, tools and other press parts in the drawer and cabinet part of the cart.

I also installed the spike nuts on the underside and made some plates that allow me to swap presses on the same spot with 4 allen head screws in about 5 minutes.

Rosewood

My play area,

GypsmJim said:

.41 is one of my favorite rounds. The above calculation is probably pretty close. At an average store bought cost of ~$50.00, that ain't too shabby.

I have been reloading for 52 years. As such, I have watched the current events and "know" when a catastrophe is coming (i.e. covid, sandy hook, etc.) With that knowledge (and having enough spare cash) you just know when to stock up on components and stock 'em deep.

I have another advantage, though, and that is that I cast my own boolits. When lead wheel weights could be had for a couple bucks a pail, I packed in half a ton.

Currently, with pre-covid "sale" pricing for all my components, I am loading .41 Magnum for about $2.50 a box. If I had to buy current primers, it would rise to about 6 bucks.

Also being retired, I DO have many hobbies. I usually have my days planned. But, when it snows it rains, sometimes I wonder "What am I going to do today?" Never a problem. I can go to my workshop, turn on some music, and start pumping out fourty-ones!

Click to expand...

I used current prices because they are all that's relevant to the OP.

With my hoarded components I'm actually at about $7.00 a box with current purchased bullets. I gave up casting, too time consuming for me and not worth the effort. It's not something I enjoy doing. Not to mention the toxicity.

I do however have all my equipment and some metal stashed, but not a lot. I concentrate on stocking primers and powder, and making the level of one match the other. I can always get lead somewhere. If you have extra SP primers you can trade for anything you want in a shortage.