New to 9mm - worth reloading?

[max503]

In addition to reloading I cast my own bullets. (Those Lee 6 cavity molds are a godsend.) It doesn't seem that long ago when my friend was telling me don't get a 380. You cannot buy ammo. I though heck, all I need is a couple hundred cases and I'm good to go.

Think I'll go buy me a couple thousand more primers...………….

 

[Hasbeen1945]

First off I'm retired. There are plenty of rainy or hot days to spend reloading. Shooting and reloading is my favorite hobby. I also enjoy spending the time to Taylor an Accurate load for my handguns just like I've done with my rifles.

 

[jag312]

I have a 9mm machinegun. I'm waiting for the paperwork to be approved for a second 9mm machinegun. You can darn well bet I reload.

 

[BE Mike]

As someone who has the equipment and has reloaded for decades, I save around $4.00 per box by reloading. I get my brass for free. The bullet is the most expensive component and I usually buy them in bulk. I shoot a couple of hundred rounds per week. It takes less than an hour to load a couple of hundred rounds. Yes, it is worth my time and effort to reload 9mm.

 

[tjpopkin]

I have found that my handholds are more accurate than any commercial load66TSWs and I save money.....
I buy Montana Gold JHP in BULK and the cost is about 9¢/bullet. I have about 5000 pieces of matched head stamp brass.
Mt.Gold 124gr over 5.0gr. VVN330 and Federal sm.pistol primers...
alternatively, I cast 9mm lead for plinking.
My S&W 952/3566TSW shoot under 2"@50yds.from rest. Most of my IDPA shooter pals have converted to my load....

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

I shoot a Summers 145 coated loaded with BE-86 and I have about $10 per 100.

 

[kbm6893]

I load 100 rounds of 124 grain RN plated for about 13 bucks.

I started reloading after Sandy Hook. If you could even find ammo 9MM WWB was like 16 bucks so $32 for 100. Save your brass for the next panic. You already have the press. A set of dies and some bullets and you're set.

 

[Harrison]

For general plinking and USPSA competition I use factory ammo. I can get a case/1000 from a couple of reputable on line dealers for just a few pennies a round more than what it costs to reload. I am talking about U.S. made or European brass cased ammo (not Russian). I also have a progressive reloader, but it just isn't worth it to get it cranked up for 9mm. Now 45 acp and 38/357 is a different story.

 

[Gamecock]

For jacketed bullets, it is cheaper to buy factory ammo than to reload.

Unless you want a specialty load, or you are going to load lead bullets, it's a bad idea.

 

[mtgianni]

I cast my own.for 4 gr of AA 2 bought at todays price of $99 for 5 lbs my powder cost is $1.15. Primers cost $3.00 and lead to pour 2lbs of 125 gr bullets + 10% @ $1 a lb comes to $2. Without labor and tooling I am paying $5.15 per 100 loaded rounds. I pick up more brass than I loose each range visit.

 

[trapper9260]

I reload not only for 9mm but other handguns and rifle and also shotgun.It is my hobby and I also cast my own boolits I do not buy them and I use very little jacket. Some of the 357/38 boolits I cast I size down to use in the 9mm. Just like the 32 cals I reload for with cast boolit I size down for use in 30 cal. It is worth it for me to reload 9mm . It depends on what works for who is the user.

 

[Twoboxer]

For jacketed bullets, it is cheaper to buy factory ammo than to reload.

Unless you want a specialty load, or you are going to load lead bullets, it's a bad idea.

Had you said "it's not worth it", it would have been a value judgement I wouldn't dispute.

Using Precision Delta Jacketed 115gr ($166/2000= $0.083ea) and remaining supplies from Powder Valley today including shipping and Hazmat, the cost is $6.00 per box of 50.

Reloading may still be a "bad idea' lol, but the cheapest I've seen factory for is ~$8.00 per box. And if you need to get a box at the range, it's more like $13.50/box lol.

 

[Abflyboy]

I don't quite understand. Going to have to think myself through this real quick.

OP has a really nice progressive press, has no issue switching from large to small primer and is very familiar with reloading.

The last time I ran 9mm on a Dillon 550, it was at 400 rounds per hour. I currently load in batches of 1000 on a Dillon 650 at just over an hour and load 5-8,000 rounds per month.

IMO, the biggest advantage is you get to build the exact load you want. I shoot a LOT of 9mm and there isn't anything on any shelf to buy that checks all the boxes for me so I load my own. And it's so very much cheaper than store bought.

The only thing that would make or break the choice is how much is your time worth? If it's worth more than the cost difference and you are happy with store bought, DON'T load your own. If you enjoy loading your own ammo and store bought isn't just right, DO load your own.

Just my $0.02 for your consideration

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Past couple of years the supply of ammunition has been pretty good and prices have been reasonable. It isn't always that way! Many of us remember a couple of times when nothing was available on a regular basis, and anything available was priced way too high.

I've been shooting for nearly 60 years. I've been reloading for 47 years. I've been casting bullets for about 45 years. Anytime I add a firearm in a caliber I have not used in the past I always order a set of reloading dies and a bullet mold.

I like being independent of the usual supply channels. I like shooting my home-made cast bullet loads in most handgun calibers for less than the retail price of .22 rim-fire ammo. Most of all I like being able to shoot anytime I want to, especially while everyone around me whines about not being able to get ammo.

Right now, while supplies are good and prices are stable, I am building my supplies of primers and powder. I expect history to repeat itself.

 

[Moe Mentum]

If you already have the gear, press,dies, scale etc. then it will save a few bucks, but not much..... If you are just starting out, and have no equipment, then it's not really worth it...Buy at Walmart.

 

[gmerkt]

I get CCI SP primers for around 2 cents each ($20/1000).

Where do you get CCI primers for that price?

 

[joeintexas]

If the amount of money you would save is the only reason for reloading 9mm it's probably not a big deal. I reload for a hobby, 45s, 38s, 357 mags save considerably, 9mm not so much but I still reload them. I'm retired and have the time and it beats mowing the lawn, plus both sons and daughters shoot 9mm so it keeps them happy too and doesn't break the bank on my end. I too would like to know where he gets CCI primers for $20/1000, sure not even close to that here.

 

[Fishslayer]

Depends. When the next inevitable ammo drought rolls around and you want to say "What ammo shortage?" then it's not a bad idea.

If you have a couple of tubs of free brass & cast your own bullets you can save some $$$ but generally you're just gonna shoot more.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I loaded tons of ammo for my rifles, shotguns and pistols when I was young.
Today in my senior years with my eyes going bad, even with glasses..................
I am loading less, even though I still enjoy the process.

My age and operations are catching up with me and my hands are not as steady
which means less time enjoyed at the range and outside shooting
this last year.

If you do reload, enjoy it while you can.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Hello fellow reloaders. I am wondering if I would be wasting my time reloading for the 9mm Luger,
Arman

If you consider reloading as work, you probably should just buy your 9mm ammo. I consider my time at the reloading bench, whether using one of my single stage presses or my 550c, as time away from the rest of the world. I also like to know exactly what load I'm shooting in any of my guns. Another thing I like about reloading 9mm is that I can and do load bullet weight that are not available commercially. I load 100 gr bullets for my wife to practice with(less recoil) and I load 130 and 135 gr bullets that are not commercially loaded. As I have stated before, I'm not sure if I shoot more so I can reload more ammo or reload ammo so I can shoot more.