Cost for reloading 9mm vs. buying new ammo

[mtgianni]

I reload 9mm and present it cost me 5 cents for primers, 10 cents for JHP, 4 cents for powder. Brass I pick up at the range so no cost there. $19/100.
I don't count my time as I like reloading and I am shooting accurate JHP ammo.
It matters how much he shoots, how busy he is doing other things.
One thing people do not figure is buying components can be like buying ammo on layaway. I buy primers when I find them cheap, then when I see powder cheap I buy that, then when the funds are back up I buy bullets.
I load in batches of 1000, so that's $190/1000. I believe its worth pulling the handle!
ymmv



YMMV

I cast my own bullets and have several 9 mm's. My bullet cost without the cost of casting equipment is about $30 per thousand, so $0.03 cents each.
At a powder cost of $0.04 and primers # $0.06 that is $0.13 per round or $13 a hundred. At todays prices, if I had to pay for my equipment at age 70 I would never break even. If I was 35 I would pursue it.

 

[venomballistics]

It's still beneficial.
If you're loading some flavor of 115 grain fmj target ammo, it might be more trouble than it's worth.
Coated cast ... The savings builds justification.
High performance hollow point "business cards"
Definitely.
9mm carbine..... Set up a progressive

 

[cololab]

Most everyone I know who has the requisite equipment to reload aren't currently reloading 9mm range/target rounds due to the low cost of factory or remanufacfured ammunition. Some do load higher performance 9mm rounds however. Like most things, what works for them may not be right for you.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

We should not overlook the advantages of being independent of the supply chain and possible regulations that might come along.

Here in Colorado the voters have just passed a tax on firearms and ammunition (6.5% on everything), so the camel's nose has entered that tent now. Who knows what the future might bring?

I've been reloading for 52 years now and casting bullets for 51 years. Hard to remember the last time I purchased any factory ammo. If I own a firearm I have the necessary means to produce my own ammo. Powder and primers are stockpiled when available at prices I can afford.

Over the years I have come to enjoy reloading just as much as shooting. Not being at the mercy of supply and demand, or taxation and regulation, is another benefit.

 

[Jebus35745]

My powder is from years ago, same with my bullets. Hate to say this but a lot of primers, powder and bullets are coming out from club members that have passed away or getting too old to shoot. I belong to 2 gun clubs and know people that are shooters not belonging to any clubs. Just sold 10,000 primers for a friend and they went fast at 30.00 per thousand, no guarantees. There is more coming soon from Steve’s estate. There is a couple reloading sets that would be for sale now reasonable. Every 3 months the one club has a mini swap meet at the monthly meetings and someone is helping a widow get rid of supplies or equipment. I load mild loads for 32 long, 32/20, 38 special and 45 acp all using WW231.

Gonna set up the 550 for 9mm soon, my bullets were bought just before the Virus hit so they are somewhat cheaper than buying now.

If I had to start right now loading 9mm from scratch, it would be tough but could probably beat the factory price on new ammo. My 9mm loads are just powerful enough to cycle the slide on 4 guns. Luckily they all shoot accurately enough for plinking at 50’ indoors and don’t hurt when the trigger is pulled. Reloading is a chore at times, rather be on the iPad. Larry

 

[Skeet 028]

Not being a high volume 9mm shooterI do not reload the 9mm at present. I bought numerous 500 round batches of 9mm prior to shortages of the last 4 years.but I can load 9mm and have the supplies to do so. I will wait till I get low on factory stuff before I use my reasonably priced components for 9 mm. 32s and 38s use SPPs so I will use the supplies I have to load those first. At present I can load 9mm for under 8.50 a box with components purchased in recent times. Powders are ones I purchased mostly from estates bullets also. .buy SP primers are right at 5 cents.. bullets at 7 cents and cases are free. as I said powders I had but add about 3 cents for figuring

 

[STCM(SW)]

If I didn't reload for my 38 super, forget it.
Same with 32 S&W long.

 

[Mike0251]

Wife and I shoot PCC competitively and that's 300 rounds a match monthly. Brass is free. .08 fmj, .04 powder, .05 primer. $8.50 per 50 rounds. And takes no time at all to load em up. Only factory ammo I purchase is .22. And I love to reload!

 

[kbm6893]

I got into reloading in 2013. I haven’t reloaded much over the last year since components have gotten more expensive so I’m kind of holding onto what components I have, which is decent. I buy a case of 9MM once a year just to have on hand. I shoot mostly .22 ammo lately.

The good thing is that if another Covid type situation happens and there is no ammo to be found, I’ve got my own little factory in my basement.

But once you buy the press and basic equipment, it is still cheaper to reload your own, even 9MM.

 

[8shot]

I started shooting competition again after 29 layoff and have been experimenting with 9mm revolvers. My primary goal is accuracy so cost is a close second. With power factors to consider my loads are tuned for my needs.

Competing in 22 rimfire side events I was shocked at the cost of 22 competition grade ammo.....50 rds of 9mm ammo is less expensive than 50 rds of quality 22 target ammo.

 

[TheTinMan]

Handloading 9mm Luger on a single stage press is a waste of time. However, I firmly believe that a single stage press (or a turret press used that way) is the safest introduction to reloading.

A progressive press is a big investment. Learning how to use one safely and effectively to produce consistent ammo is not a trivial endeavor. Plus a production run of less than at least 300 - more likely 500 - isn’t very efficient because of setup and debugging time. Many high volume reloaders seem to have a press set up and dedicated to one specific cartridge. If you’re active in shooting competitions, that makes sense but only because of the production volume and efficiency.

All that said, there have been times in the recent past when you could not find ammunition for sale. Having the components and equipment to make your own at those times is kind of priceless IMHO.

 

[taz666]

I reload 9mm for a pistol that has a .357" barrel. Coated lead and all the fixens' for $9 box (50).

 

[BB4XL]

Right now SG Ammo has Magtech 115gr steel case 9mm for 205.00 a 1000 with free shipping. It shoots good. You really cannot load for much cheaper.

 

[GypsmJim]

I cast my own bullets and have several 9 mm's. My bullet cost without the cost of casting equipment is about $30 per thousand, so $0.03 cents each.
At a powder cost of $0.04 and primers # $0.06 that is $0.13 per round or $13 a hundred. At todays prices, if I had to pay for my equipment at age 70 I would never break even. If I was 35 I would pursue it.

It all depends on how much you shoot. I shoot about 3000 rounds a year. At a $0.13/round savings that would amount to a yearly savings of $390.00. A Lee Anniversary kit with a set of dies is less than $200.00.

I'm 75 and I would go for it now if I didn't already do it.

 

[CH4]

I have components for all 20+ cartridges I load for; however, I will only load 9mm if cheap 9mm dries up.

 

[shil]

Factory 9mm range ammo is, at least for me, cheap enough that I don't reload 9mm. I just don't shoot it often enough to make it that cost-effective to reload it.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Reloading lets one shoot "Different types" of bullets , other than just the factory ammo
and at slower or faster fps, if needed.

With a .357 Magnun in the stall, I'm very glad that I roll my own ammo,
as well as my rifle and shotgun ammo !!

Just 9mm? Maybe not.

 

[GypsmJim]

Here's another fly in the ointment....

In NY now we have to go thru a NICS check to buy ammo. No NICS for components. I don't like having my ammo purchases tracked.

If I didn't load 9mm before, I would do it now, regardless whether it was saving money or not.

Besides, what is an old codger to do on a rainy afternoon?

 

[rwsmith]

Things can go crazy at any time.........

Tomorrow the price might skyrocket or ammo might become unobtainable. So if you like shooting, be ready.

At THIS point in time 9mm ammo is fairly cheap. I'm saving my primers for ammo like .38, .357 etc.

 

[mikld]

"Buying in bulk" also applies to reloading. Buying component that are on sale or available cheap in bulk. I have had a "preparedness" thinking for many years, even before I started reloading as I lived in earthquake country. I always bought a little extra each trip to the LGS...