CAN you save money by reloading?

[Skip Sackett]

I'm even worse. I am an equipment hound! I have said on more than one occasion, and don't anyone get mad here, that I would never have an RL550.

So, I'm on ebay tonight fooling around and see an RL450 out there. Pretty reasonable and it uses the same shell plates as the RL550, yada, yada, and the next thing I know is it says: "You won!"

Now I am thinking of how in the world I am going to justify that additional cost!

Maybe I will use it to teach reloading at the local gun store!

Now that's a thought!

 

[GLL]

NO !

Every time I see a nice bullet mold, an old Star lube-sizer, an old Hollywood Senior or RCBS A2 Press, or a bucket of wheel weights or linotype it ends up in my truck ! I have thousands of bullets cast and piles of brass. When I die and all of this is sold for a profit then and only them will there be a "savings" ! There are a few thousands of pounds of lead in the shop. It is like gold in the bank !

Jerry

 

[shooter686]

Cast your own?

Newb here and have not read the entire thread.....

But the OP says you can save if you cast your own. I looked into this recently, and if you get free wheel weights (which I doubt many really do these days) this may be true. But I priced buying lead alloy compared to bulk cast lead hand gun bullets (Suters/Oregon) and i could not match the cost per bullet if I just bought the bullets. Plus I'd need the equipment - pot, mold, sizer/luber, etc. Don't get me wrong - I'd invest in the equip, but for the time involved, I'll just buy bullets.

Shooter686

 

[Skip Sackett]

But, if you could get your alloy for free, which I can do for the most part, you can save money by casting, period. I have never bought pure alloy, never. I want to and may in the future but all of my bullets are cast from wheel weights and the costs are as stated.

I don't save money though as I have spent more than needed on equipment and moulds. That is my weakness and not everyone is afflicted with toomanytoolsitis!

Just sayin'!

 

[eclam]

For accuracy and consistency, you have to reload.

So it isn't an issue of economics.

 

[Wes Smith]

I dont think you save any money reloading maybe per round it is less.but as you get in to reloading more and more on components and spending more than you would if you where not reloading.By all means one things for sure youll be shooting more SO BE IT

 

[fredj338]

You can actually spend more reloading because you shoot more so the real statement is that reloading allows you to shoot more for less.

A false statement for sure. You DO SAVE PER ROUND on every round of ammo you make. Whether you choose to shoot mroe or spend the "saving" on something else i son you. I like that flexability; I can shoot more for the same price or shoot the same & save money, my choice. Factory ammo just doesn't give you that. Not to mention the ability to tailor your ammo to your needs. I like shooting my 44mags a lot, but not a lot w/ full house jacketed ammo.

 

[shooter686]

But, if you could get your alloy for free, which I can do for the most part, you can save money by casting, period. I have never bought pure alloy, never. I want to and may in the future but all of my bullets are cast from wheel weights and the costs are as stated.

I don't save money though as I have spent more than needed on equipment and moulds. That is my weakness and not everyone is afflicted with toomanytoolsitis!

Just sayin'!

True - if lead were free it bumps up the savings. I reload and have for so many years that the initial investment in equipment is long gone. I usually just figure the price of the bullets, primers, and powder in the cost of my loads - and it is usually a savings over factory, sometimes considerable such as with .45 Colt. Way back when when I first started loading it was always a savings and a quality handload beat store bought any day. Now not so much depending upon the particular round you want to assemble. 9mm and .223 can be dirt cheap pre-assembled. I continue to reload because its part of the overall experience of the shooting hobby.

Shooter686

 

[blujax01]

The money has become secondary to me. I started out simply reloading to save a buck but find myself trying to find that perfect SD load for the .38 snubby or see how far I can reduce the muzzle flip in a 9C and still make it cycle reliably. These are puzzles of my own creation that could take quite some time to solve. And besides, there are times I just need to get down in the basement, put on a pot of coffee and get a rhythm going.

I've thought about trying something different but I know I'd never figure out how to get the boat out once it was built.

 

[Skip Sackett]

The money has become secondary to me. I started out simply reloading to save a buck but find myself trying to find that perfect SD load for the .38 snubby or see how far I can reduce the muzzle flip in a 9C and still make it cycle reliably. These are puzzles of my own creation that could take quite some time to solve. And besides, there are times I just need to get down in the basement, put on a pot of coffee and get a rhythm going.

I've thought about trying something different but I know I'd never figure out how to get the boat out once it was built.

How does he get them out? haha Good one!

 

[Wes Smith]

What did i do?

 

[Hobie1]

I started reloading 14 years ago to "save money". I haven't really realized any real reductions in cost, but I really enjoy shooting my ammo and have learned a great deal about how things go on with my guns.

I relax when I'm in my den and producing quality rounds. How much is it worth? Priceless. Nirvana, Zen, wife upstairs...

It is what you make it and want it to be.

I'm now going downstairs to trim some new LC 5.56. Ohmmmm.

Hobie

 

[bnewc75]

$$$$

hand loading has saved me many dollars and has become a great hobby. I have made many good friends during the process that has enriched my life........ priceless

 

[geddylee10002000]

NO! Hehe...