Does loading .38 spl make sense for me?

[Babysitr]

I'm somewhat new to revolver shooting and love it. Have several .357/.38. and considering starting to reload. beside having fun at it, how much cheaper would reloaded wad cutters really be? I keep Unique for shotgun loads,maybe could find a .38 load using that. RCBS kit available at $300, maybe LEE ? .38's can be found at about $16 a box. Probablly shoot 300+ per year, and that keeps goin' up..Thanks for opinions

 

[Regaj]

Okay, bend in close and I'll whisper the dirty little secret that handloaders are reluctant to share... you ain't going to save _any_ money. None. Zero.

Almost all of us start out reloading with that as the rationale. And, for sure, it's a great thing to tell the wife.

Three hundred bucks? Heck, you can go buy yourself a Lee Loader Kit for twenty-some dollars and be in business. It's slow, but you can make yourself some excellent ammo that way.

That said, the $300 that you have in mind is the way to go. A good press will last you a lifetime. So will most the other things you'll need, like a good powder scale. Those things will be your springboard to things you cannot even imagine today.

Since you're looking at a straight wall revolver cartridge, pay the premium for carbide dies. You can thank me later.

Here's the other half of the secret... you'll shoot more. A LOT more. And you'll come to understand things about your guns and the ammunition they digest that can't be gotten any other way.

 

[andy52]

although I may not agree entirely with the above post much of it is true. If you start reloading you will shoot more and the savings really aren't huge. If you really only intend 300 rds it would be a wastes of time and money. I started loading 40+ years ago so I could get better accuracy out of my rifles, than started loading for handguns, than started casting my own bullets once you get started it's hard to stop. The last thing I did is a blessing and a curse......I built my own shooting range it's great to have a place to shoot anytime I wish but it costs me a lot more because I shoot more.

 

[Sebring Pop]

Reloading is everything said above plus it's something to do instead of watching the TV all the time. It gives you
a reason to pick up that empty brass at the range and do something with it besides collect them. It gives you a
reason to get involved is some of those conversions you just stand there and nod your head at. And it will also
give you a way to shoot Bulleye 45 at 25 and 50 yards without changing your sights just adjusting how you reload
your ammo.
And the list goes on and on.

 

[CapnB]

I reload exclusively .38 Special. Started back when it was fairly expensive. I shoot some 9mm, but at less than 20 cents a round, the time and effort doesn't make sense to me. Plus, I don't like bothering with policing up the brass (most of which falls in front of the firing line anyway). Once you pay back your initial investment, the savings is obviously in re-using the brass. And yes, you might save a few cents, if you watch the sales for components. At the indoor range distances that I shoot, it's not so much about accuracy. I mostly do it because it's an enjoyable, relaxing pastime. If I can save a little money, that's just a bonus. Best of luck in your endeavors.
Doug

 

[mike from st pete]

With the nonsense going on today in DC and other places having the ability to load your own ammunition would seem to be a hedge against not finding ammunition.

 

[Andy Lowry]

I haven't bought .38 in a long time. It's a great reloading round, and Unique will work just fine. Costs about 6$ a box, using coated 158 grain SWC.

 

[Peak53]

I kinda hate to get into this cost analysis thing, because it depends on which equipment you buy and so on. I don't even consider the value of time, 'cause I have plenty. I do consider the advantage of loading your own stuff how you want it, plus the enjoyment of the reloading process, but do not place an economic value on those subjective parts. Anybody can argue with the price of the basic equipment, but it ranges from A to Z. You will definitely enjoy your shooting more (and more) - priceless.

A quick look shows that you might break even at about 2000 rounds, then your cost goes down to about 6 cents each after equipment is amortized.
Press/dies/scale - $300 (YMMV depending on single stage, turret, etc)
2 lbs. powder - $60 (you already have Unique, a great powder for .38, but it will need to be replaced)
2000 158 g. HiTec coated bullets - $172 (Missouri Bullet Co)
2000 primers - $60
tumbler/media - $50
200 brass - $10 (assume 5 cents apiece once fired or range pick up = free)
Total $652

Factory ammo at your price of $16/50 = $640

 

[brjr51]

As an older newby reloader, I went into it with the intent to further my interaction with the shooting hobby. I love to tinker and this gives me something to feel an accomplishment. I have a pretty good stash of ammo but I like the I did it myself feeling. Will I save money? Probably not but I enjoy it. Plus I load .32 S&W long which is kind of an obscure load nowadays.
On another note for those contemplating it, RCBS has an awesome rebate going on now, spend $500 and get $175 rebate, so you could get a Rockchucker starter set( which is what I went with), with a couple of sets of dies and a few odds and ends for a great price.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

It's a fun hobby. You still spend what you can. You just get to shoot more.

 

[dr. mordo]

I'm not sure if you posted a somewhat similar thread over on defensivecarry.com, but, if not, here's the reply I just posted there:

I actually put together a spread sheet analyzing the cost vs savings before I bought mine, and as I recall I calculated that I'd save ~$75 per range session (shooting about 400 rounds of .38 SPL per session, which is a bit higher than my average, but not far). It's true that it can eat up a ton of time, which I don't have. Between the savings and the time, I opted for a Hornady Lock and Load progressive press. I believe my initial outlay with press kit, dies, shell plate, powder, primers, and bullets was ~$700. (I saved shells for while before hand). I had an ultrasound cleaner before I started reloading (which is an expensive piece of gear), but frankly I hate using it to clean brass and got a cheap vibratory cleaner that works brilliantly but adds about another maybe $75 including media. So, assuming one range trip per month, which is sadly about right for me, the initial outlay was paid off within the first year.

I can load an average about 200 rounds per hour. It can be more, but stopping to reload primers and monkey around slows me down to 200ish rounds. So in two hours or less I can be ready for a range session the next day.

Now that I'm mostly shooting 327/357/44 Magnum, the savings are even greater.

If I were to do it again, I'd look really hard at the Lee progressive presses before I bought. I've ended up buying stuff by Hornady, Lee, and RCBS, and the Lee stuff has been cheaper but works just as well or even better in some cases. My Hornady powder drop has become completely obsolete since I got the much cheaper Lee Auto Drum that outperforms the Hornady in every way at a fraction of the price. The Auto Drum also requires Lee dies, so I'll be replacing some RCBS dies as well, which is fine with me because my Lee dies have been flawless.

The other side of reloading is it gives you an enormous ability to shoot what you want. For example, I load tons of light 44 magnum loads for practice, then also load a good number of midlevel 44s to keep things interesting. So far I haven't loaded any full strength magnums, because I have a couple of boxes I bought from Walmart that I've been shooting through at a very slow pace. Reloading impacts the way you shoot so much it becomes a hobby in itself.

I'll add that .38 SPL tends to cost over $0.30 per round, and you can reload for half of that if not less. 50% savings is no joke, and using a progressive press means you won't eat up tons of time doing it.

 

[STCM(SW)]

For handgun rounds, it's to make what you want such at target loads.
Mostly 38's & 44 Spl for me.
Now, if your into rifles, that where you can save a lot of money reloading.
300 WBY magnums cost $70-80 for 20!
I can load them for my hunting buddy for around $1-$2 per round depending on what bullet he wants.

 

[Eddietruett]

Does it save me money? Probably not. As stated above because the cost per round is so much cheaper I shoot a whole lot more but I get the extra time shooting so money wise it's a trade off but what I really enjoy is tayloring loads for each of my guns. I've been loading off and on for over 30 Years and it still amazes me the difference a certain load can make even at 15-25 yards! The downside to my constant testing is you wind up with a lot of different powder and different types of bullets so you spend more money on components than actually needed. A lot of guys would be happy to find one load that works ok with all their guns and cost wise that's the smart way. Every time I get a new to me gun I can't stand it, I have to find what works best.

 

[1-1917]

I think you can save money IF you don't go crazy. I's fun to go to the range and shoot 300 rounds in an afternoon though. IF you shoot a LOT more and get a reasonable priced setup for a cartridge or two, you might come out ahead financially. I'd guess I'm WAY in the hole personally. I started with a cheap press and 38/357 LEE dies. Well, I now have 25lbs of powder, thousands of primers, couple hundred pounds of brass in about 25 calibers, 25 sets of dies, 4 presses, case trimmers, length gauges, measuring equipment, several powder scales, dedicated reloading room and bench. Then I bought a bullet mold which has now morphed into 50 or so of them and all the associated bullet casting gear. Now throw in the time spent at the bench isolated from family (I lock the outside door when I open a can of powder, absolutely no distractions). It would have been WAY simpler and cheaper to have had a nice .38 and buy a half dozen boxes of wadcutters every year.. WAY cheaper!

 

[Homie]

In your stated situation I suggest buying the next year's ammo factory loaded (under $12/box) and look around for the year on what you'll need to reload. Gives you some time to analyze things better.

You might also look around your locality for a custom loader as another alternative.

 

[johngalt]

For me, it isn't about saving money (I don't think I do) but it gives me the capability to load ammo the way I want it. 99% of my shooting is bullseye, I like light wadcutter loads which are hard find.

It also helps insulate me from the panics. I was shooting all I wanted in 2008-2012 when there was no ammo.

 

[gwpercle]

The reason I reload and cast bullets for 38 special , and every other gun I own, is because after an election, when a certain party wins, all the ammo disappears off dealers shelves . With the simple stroke of a pen you can loose the right to buy ammo over the internet .
I have been through this....more than once.
I reload and cast bullets so that I'm not at the mercy of what is left on a dealers shelf. I can make all the ammo I need, the panics that have happened will happen again...you might want to " Be Prepared" for the next one.
Being the master of your own ammo supply feels good !
Gary

 

[stansdds]

I have reloaded for three decades now. I can honestly say that I did not save one penny by reloading. I did get to shoot 20% to 50% more ammo, depending upon caliber and what sort of deals I could get on components.

And yes, a good press, dies, powder measure, and scales can last a lifetime.

My advice: If you are going to shoot a couple hundred rounds per year, just buy ammo, in bulk if possible. If you are going to shoot a couple hundred rounds per month, reloading starts to make sense. If you are going to shoot a couple hundred rounds per week, you are one lucky dog and you either have deep pockets or you reload your ammo.

 

[BE Mike]

I've been reloading for many decades. Reloading gives me peace of mind, knowing that I'm not burning up a twenty dollar bill or a twenty plus for every box. I also get some satisfaction in shooting something I made. I like being able to make ammo not readily available. I shot competition for many years and would never been able to afford the sport without reloading. Quality factory match ammo costs would have prevented it. I've been doing it long enough where, once in a while, someone will give me free bullets or brass because they or someone they know has given up the hobby. Today I loaded up 200 rounds of 9mm with FMJ bullets given to me. They cost me about $1.35 per box of 50!

 

[cowboy4evr]

Years ago I bought a Lee Anniversary Kit . It has worked fine for me through thousands and thousands of rounds reloaded and I saved a lot of $ vs buying the blue , orange , green reloader kits . I also use Lee dies exclusively and coundn't be happier . The one recommendation I would recommend , if you buy the LEE set is to upgrade your powder scale to the RCBS . The Lee works , but it has some oddities that require really understanding how to use it properly .
I started out using the Lee Reloader kit for 38spl , as many many current reloaders did . I reloaded over 1500 rounds with that little kit that cost me about $30 at the time . For someone wanting to reload less than 1000 rounds a yr , I highly recommend that little LEE kit . Reloading just isn't for everyone and I hate to see someone spend hundreds of dollars starting out only to discover they just don't care for it . Regards , Paul