Reloading costs

[dcxplant]

So, last year I started reloading .40 to save money, which I have. I have access to unlimited amounts of .40 brass so that really helps.

Well, I got dies for .45 auto so I can up the volume on my 1911 and stay in my monthly budget. At least, that was the plan.

So, online I go to Bushnell's and using the least expensive components I could find, and the least fluffiest powder (to extent the round count per pound) I came up with a calculated cost of $40.50 per 100. This is using 230 FMJ.

Jeez, white box 230gr FMJ is $40 bucks!!!

The price of brass is what sunk my reloading costs.

I'm not competing, just having fun, so now I'm sorry I bought the dies....

Anyone else keeping track of reloading costs for .45 auto, and if so, are you really saving money?

 

[OKFC05]

You only use new brass once?
Amortize brass costs over life of brass, say 10 loadings.
Also helps if you get used brass: $99 per thousand at brassman. Ten cents per case divided by 10 loadings is 1 cent brass cost per loading.

 

[longranger]

I get the Blazer 230gr.FMJ brass .45 Auto for $20.00,shoots good,7 [email protected] reload it with 5.3 gr.Bullseye and and cheap FMJ bullets,it shoots as good.This is my first 1911 .45 Auto,have shot lots of revolvers. All 32 different cartridges I load for cost less than I can buy loaded ammo for,many of my guns loaded ammo is non existent.

 

[JBnTx]

I've never really considered from a money saving point of view.
I like to reload almost as much as I like to shoot.

It's like a separate hobby and I'm going to do it,
no matter what it costs.

 

[dcxplant]

You only use new brass once?
Amortize brass costs over life of brass, say 10 loadings.
Also helps if you get used brass: $99 per thousand at brassman. Ten cents per case divided by 10 loadings is 1 cent brass cost per loading.

Argh! I did not factor that in. Thanks!

I plan on loading 230gr FJM with 5.0grs of Red Dot at 910FPS/16,200CUP.

This is a Lee Reloading Manual recipe; I like that 5.0grs of Red Dot fills the case more than half way.

 

[arjay]

I've never bought brass for my 45s.When I didn't have time to reload,I'd buy wwb 100 packs at walmart.The last time I bought some it was $27.Some of that brass dates back to the 80s.I don't think it wears out ,it just gets lost in the weeds.Another way to save is using lead rather than jacketed bullets.Bullseye+ primer+ free brass+ lead bullet = less than .10/round.

 

[Dale53]

I just figured out my cost at current prices for .45 ACP. I cast my own bullets and most of my lead was/is free. However, I figured a generous $1.00 per lb for scrap lead and my cost is $3.30 per box of fifty. I get at least 20 reloadings from my cases. When I shot a 1911, I lost some but now that most of my .45 shooting is with my 625's, I lose NO brass.

I buy in quantity and find the best price on components (powder and primers). Often, I have bought once fired brass (commercial shooting ranges often have brass at a good price - look at the web - google is your friend).

My ammo will shoot with the best commercial ammo out there. I have taken a half dozen head of deer with my handguns and cast lead bullets. They are suitable for any reasonable use.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Titegroups]

Look around for cheaper bullets or go to lead or plated bullets if your range requires them like berry's bullets. For FMJ at reasonable prices check out precision delta or zero bullets. Find a powder you like and buy in bulk. Try Wolf primers.

 

[KLYDE]

You can substatially reduce your reloading cost by using cast bullets. While not as cheap as casting your own, store bought cast bullets are a fraction of the price of jacketed. I shoot the H&G 68 200 Gr SWCBB from Magnus in my 1911. When loaded to 1.250 OAL it is dependable as ball ammo.

Also while at the range I'm always on the lookout for the shooters tossing their brass. Every piece of brass is like money in the bank. Mike

 

[Bobmar]

Nobody saves money reloading because you shoot a lot more. Try Penn bullets, great product, good price, and Bob is a great guy. Bob

 

[Hammerless-12]

Well I always start with new quality brass. Then you really need to look into 230 grain lead bullets. Im even getting more into casting my own bullets. Why on gods earth would you use Red Dot? I guess maybe some folks dont know of anything better. After you have the cases, and the 45ACP will last a long time, the major cost is in the bullets. The other thing is you can "taylor" the loads for your gun. I can and do get better accuracy from my reloaded ammo than any "match" store brought ammo. Good luck and lots of fun.

 

[blujax01]

Here. Let someone else do the math. Halfway down the right column is a Handloading Cost Calculator:
http://www.handloads.com/

For instance, I bought -
1) 230 gr. RN plated from Berry's @$141.76 per 1000 (free shipping).
2) 4 pounds of Titegroup locally @ $64.99
3) 1000 CCI primers on sale locally @ 28.99
4) Free brass used over and over and over.

With a charge of 4.6 grains the cost works out to be $0.18 per round or $9.07 per 50.

And that ain't too shabby!

 

[dcxplant]

Wow folks, very good responses all, thank you!

 

[snowman]

Nobody saves money reloading because you shoot a lot more. Try Penn bullets, great product, good price, and Bob is a great guy. Bob

Sir,

I have saved loads of money reloading, and I'm confident that many others have also. Some of us only have so much time to shoot, and we shoot that amount of time in order to get sufficient practice. Reloading doesn't affect these factors; it just vastly reduces the expense.

Regards,
Andy

 

[358156hp]

Well I always start with new quality brass. Then you really need to look into 230 grain lead bullets. Im even getting more into casting my own bullets. Why on gods earth would you use Red Dot? I guess maybe some folks dont know of anything better. After you have the cases, and the 45ACP will last a long time, the major cost is in the bullets. The other thing is you can "taylor" the loads for your gun. I can and do get better accuracy from my reloaded ammo than any "match" store brought ammo. Good luck and lots of fun.

Red Dot is just slightly slower in burning rate than Bullseye, and is more versatile in my opinion. Alliant "Promo" is also essentially the same, but at a better price. You'll get a little higher velocity with RD at comfortable pressures over Powders in the "Bullseye" class.. I know of several guys using mostly Red Dot with excellent results, in calibers up to 45 Colt & larger. I'm one of them, so I think I may possibly know a little something, even if it's not "better" than whatever you use.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

You should be able to find once fired, mixed headstamp .45 ACP brass for about $40/1000. I just bought some once fired .40 brass, all the same headstamp, for $35/1000 on Gunbroker.

I prefer not to shoot lead bullets in my revolvers, mostly because I hate scrubbing 6 or 8 chambers plus the barrel, however I have no problem using lead bullets in my semi autos. They are cheaper than jacketed or plated.

 

[358156hp]

Properly sized & lubed cast bullets won't lead your barrel. unfortunately, many cast bullet makers cast their bullets way too hard for the caliber, and usually of a bevel based bullet design. Some guys get away with it, many don't.

 

[Spartikus]

So, last year I started reloading .40 to save money, which I have. I have access to unlimited amounts of .40 brass so that really helps.

Well, I got dies for .45 auto so I can up the volume on my 1911 and stay in my monthly budget. At least, that was the plan.

So, online I go to Bushnell's and using the least expensive components I could find, and the least fluffiest powder (to extent the round count per pound) I came up with a calculated cost of $40.50 per 100. This is using 230 FMJ.

Jeez, white box 230gr FMJ is $40 bucks!!!

The price of brass is what sunk my reloading costs.

I'm not competing, just having fun, so now I'm sorry I bought the dies....

Anyone else keeping track of reloading costs for .45 auto, and if so, are you really saving money?

Saving money per round is exactly what got me started reloading 45 ACP! Now, truth be told, I shoot a lot more because it's affordable so I may not save a ton but I shoot three times as much as I use to for the same price. I would check out Xtreme bullets. Their plated bullets are a great price and the prices you see are what you pay. No extra shipping or tax on top of the price!

X-Treme Bullets - (800) 482-2103

If you order 500 230g RN it's $58 which puts you at $0.116 a bullet. Even if you don't buy primers in bulk it's $4 for 100 so once you reuse your brass you are looking at approx. $16 for 100 rounds which is way cheaper than Walmart ammo. Granted I didn't calculate powder but it doesn't add much.

 

[Frank46]

Saving money while reloading??. Well if you were buying factory ammo and saving your casesthats a form of saving. I've been reloading since I was 21 or so. I'm 66 now. You do the math, me I'm having fun. And yes I'm a scrounger for brass, 357, 38sp, 45acp, 308, 30-06 whatever. I have 40mm cans full of 38 and 40 and 45acp cases. Every one picked my my own grubby hands. $$ special I just started loading for and the pickings for that cartridge have been mighty slip. If you equate reloading with saving money ok by me. Over the years I have amassed a lot of tools, dies, trimmers, presses, scales etc. I really don't think about what they have cost over the years. Sort of like a work in progress continually evolving. I cast bullets too. Some pistol but mostly rifle. And I get better results that using some old mil surp ammo. My barrels will probably last longer than me. Frank

 

[blujax01]

...Granted I didn't calculate powder but it doesn't add much.

7000 grains in a pound. If you pay $20 for a pound of powder and load 5 grains that's $0.015 per round
or $0.75 per box of 50.
It all adds up.