Can you save money reloading??

[rwsmith]

I've had shooting and photography as hobbies...

One big problem (for me) being a reloader. I have no problem buying a gun in a caliber I don't already load for.

So I buy a gun..$$

I buy dies..$$

I buy bullets..$$

Depending on caliber I buy brass...$$

the latest craving has been 10mm...

At least back in the old days photography was WAY more expensive than shooting. With digital everything and printers it may not be that way, but accessories and attachments were murder. And you can't work it into your plans. If you need something for a photo shoot, you gotta have it NOW.

 

[Bkreutz]

I handload because I have to. I shoot 9 Major in competition and there is no factory load for that. My load is tailored to my particular combination of gun parts (barrel, compensator, springs). I don't know if I save money because it's not available commercially. I know I can load 9 Minor (for my wife to shoot) for about 10 - 12 cents per round and can't buy it anywhere near that cheap so I make a few thousand of those every once in a while.

 

[X Ring]

I

I shoot 9 Major in competition and there is no factory load for that. My load is tailored to my particular combination of gun parts (barrel, compensator, springs). I don't know if I save money because it's not available commercially. I know I can load 9 Minor (for my wife to shoot) for about 10 - 12 cents per round and can't buy it anywhere near that cheap so I make a few thousand of those every once in a while.

This is the most missed point concerning reloading cost. You can't compare the cost of factory fodder to tailor loaded ammunition. I buy tailor made sports jackets, not because they cost less, but because they fit better. I also grow vegetables in my garden, not because they cost less, but because they taste better.

 

[44Steve]

Hi,Steve here. The short answer. NO. Has any one considered starting a reloaders anonymous.

 

[NJM15]

What about the more common rounds? For instance, what does a box of 50 9mm rds cost to load? I've always been interested in reloading, but haven't made the time to start. I have brass out the wazoo, but I can buy practice ammo for $10/box.

The price of 9mm ammo is pretty low now about 11.00 per 50
I still save on reloading not counting the initial investment, press, tumbler, dies, etc. I started reloading because of the higher cost of 45 long ammo, about 43.00 per 50 , now I also do 40's .357 mag 38 spc, Sig .357 , .223 I actually do it because I enjoy it and I can custom make my own ammo

 

[Doc Hollywood]

I reload .357 magnum 158grain cast HP's going 1370 fps for 12 cents a round.
300 H&H 200 grain nosler accubond going 2950 fps for a dollar a round
.458 lott with a 500 grain cast bullet going 2050fps for 50 cents a round
.38 special+p 158 grain swaged HP's going 945 fps for 10 cents a round.
these are just a few examples of rounds that i reload that have a minimum double equity as soon as they come off my press.

 

[damienph]

Handloading could save me money except that I tend to accumulate reloading gear. I currently have five presses; one Lyman T-Mag turret, three RCBS (Rockchucker, Reloader Special, Partner-just for depriming brass) and my original Texan C-press. I had another RC but I gave it to my son to get him started, along with 505 and Uniflow.

I find handloading to be a fun part of my shooting hobby and currently load for 29 cartridges plus have dies and probably brass for several more.

handloading lets me try stuff like this for my .30 Herrett

I also have these, so far only in .38special.

 

[fredj338]

If you shoot a caliber that cost 35, 40, 50 dollars for a 20 round box and that's if you can find it (my most costly factory ammo need is 30-40 krag), then reloading is the way to go. I also have a Webly .455 that has a shaved cylinder and custom load 45 auto rim loads for it. In that case reloading is the only way to go.

I use a single stage press so my start up cost were minimal and I have fought the urge to upgrade to a progressive.

If you shoot even a modest amount of handgun ammo, a progressive will save you a ton of work. With 3 steps in producing a pistol rd, that is 3000 pulls for 1000rds. On any progressive, that is just 1003 pulls, a lot less work. If I shot only 100rds a week, I would still load on a progressive.
Yes you save $$, the line that "you don't save $$ just shoot more", is sooooo tiring. You do save on every single round you make vs buying factory, regardless of how much you shoot.
My 404 Jeffery ammo is about $100/20! Before a trip across the pond to hunt, I fired about 300rds in setting the rifle up & practice. I reloaded them for right at $1/rd with premium hunting bullets. So let's see, $300 in ammo vs $1500. Nope I didn't save a dime, I saved $1200!! For plinking with that rifle I can size down 300gr 44mag bullets & shoot that rig for 50c a shot now. Yeah reloading never saved me any $$$, please.

 

[gunfighter48]

I reloaded for about 12 years with a Lee Turret press and the most inexpensive equipment that would do the job. I'm just coming back to reloading after a 15 year break.

This time I had the disposable income to buy what I really wanted. So I went with a Hornady Ammo Plant and a lot of accessories and goodies I couldn't afford the last time. Right now I'm somewhere in the neighborhood of about $3,500.00 and have enough equipment to load 45ACP, 45 Colt, 308, and 223. Plus I found some of my old reloading gear that I packed away over 15 years ago. Overkill, yea big time!!!!! But I wanted to get everything now while I have the money.

For me reloading is as much a hobby and not so much about saving money. But when I have to live on my Social Security, saving money will be a BIG priority!! I just have fun working up loads that are accurate in my guns.

 

[fredj338]

I computed the cost or factory ammo vs. handloaded ammo, and came to the conclusion/opinion that I would save about $8 per hour of my time expended.

I value my time higher than $8/hour. The market values my time MUCH higher than $8/hour.

My answer: you can save money by reloading, only if you place no value on your time.

I do not reload.

Not even sure how to and answer this one. Trying to figure time value when you do not understand the equip or process is uniformed at best. The only way your time value could be $8/hr savings is loading 9mm on a ss press. I say this all the time; if your time is valuable, buy better gear.
Going at a very pedestrian pace, I can load 600rds on my 650, from start to finish, including loading the primer tubes, all I under 1hr. Using the 9mm as an example, cost per 100 is $10/100, right at 50% of cheap factory. So $60/hr net savings. You would need to make $90/hr + gross to buy the equiv amount of ammo. Loading larger calibers increases savings per rd. loading exotics, your savings can be as much as 75%! Most of us do not make & $90-$100 /hr to buy practice ammo. If I did gross $200k a year, I would still reload, I would just have even nicer gear, like two 1050 setup for large & small primers. Now I am loafing along at 800-900rds/hr. But seriously dude, $8/hr????

 

[fredj338]

Gf48 brought up a great point. Over the years I have known folks to stop shooting because of job down sizing or retirement, as the cost of factory ammo rises. Buy your gear now, it won't be cheaper. Over say 10-15 yrs, even the most expensive setup is cheap compared to the future cost of ammo. A 650 with everything for one caliber is less than $1200. Over 10rs, $10/month. Where are you going to buy ammo in 10yrs for $10/m?

 

[Art Doc]

I haven't read every post so did someone mention the value of your time? If you spend two hours saving $15 is it worth it?

I think component prices have risen faster in recent years than have prices on ammo. I feel like I am not saving as much money loading my own as I once did.

But I still do it. I like to tailor my loads and I have several guns (a couple obsolete calibers and one wildcat) that requiring reloading if I want to shoot them as factory ammo is unavailable.

 

[damienph]

I haven't read every post so did someone mention the value of your time? If you spend two hours saving $15 is it worth it?

I think component prices have risen faster in recent years than have prices on ammo. I feel like I am not saving as much money loading my own as I once did.

But I still do it. I like to tailor my loads and I have several guns (a couple obsolete calibers and one wildcat) that requiring reloading if I want to shoot them as factory ammo is unavailable.

Hand loading is a hobby for me, I enjoy doing it. I don't put a price on my time for that. Maybe if I thought of it as a chore, I might feel differently.

As you said, handloading is the most economical way to shoot guns chambered for obsolete or wildcat ammunition.

 

[fredj338]

I haven't read every post so did someone mention the value of your time? If you spend two hours saving $15 is it worth it?

I think component prices have risen faster in recent years than have prices on ammo. I feel like I am not saving as much money loading my own as I once did.

But I still do it. I like to tailor my loads and I have several guns (a couple obsolete calibers and one wildcat) that requiring reloading if I want to shoot them as factory ammo is unavailable.

I still can't figure out how you guys can only manage $7-$8/hr savings. The cheapest thing I reload is 9mm. With plated bullets, I am right around $100/1000, about 50% of the cheapest 9mm factory I can find. I already did the math, but again, just buy better gear if your time is that valuable. It is a hobby, but few hobbies actually save you some $$ pursuing another hobby. Not unlike tying flys for fly fishing.
I'm shooting every weekend anyway. Reloading just lets me do cheaper.

 

[RobertJ.]

Why I reload:

In no particular order...

1. I get to shoot a lot more for the same amount of money that I'd spend on factory ammo. What's factory .44 magnum ammo going for these days? I haven't checked for a while, but I'm sure it's not cheap.

2. It gives me a vast array of ammo to choose from, some not available at any store. Try finding 130 gr. HP ammo for a .30-30 T/C Contender!

3. I enjoy it. Both the technical and experimental aspects of it. The whole time/money thing is a moot point for me. I don't make any money watching a movie, and I don't gripe about that!

I know that there are non-reloaders reading threads like this, and I hope they're able to decide if they want to jump in.

I just can't figure out why anti-reloaders post on threads like this!

 

[BE Mike]

I guess I don't get the, "I'm worth so much money per hour that I can't waste time reloading, argument." I know physicians who make a lot of money and reload. Some of them are surgeons, so they make quite a lot when "on the job". For aspiring competitive shooters, it is nearly a necessity to reload to get a high volume of quality ammo at a reasonable cost. Of course, if someone wants to pay top dollar for match ammo because their time is so valuable, then great; that's why the manufacturers produce it. Most of us working stiffs can find time to reload, volunteer time and money for chosen causes and do chores around the house, while providing for the family. For me, if I had never started reloading, I'd never have reached some of my competitive shooting goals, because I wouldn't have been able to afford to buy a sufficient quantity of factory ammo to train and shoot matches over the years.

 

[novalty]

If I didn't reload, I wouldn't be able to afford ammo to constantly remind me how bad a shooter I am.

Reloading and casting aren't entirely about the money savings. It is an extension of the shooting hobby in the winter months, when I can't get out to the range. Although an indoor range is opening up very soon about 45 minutes from where I live. So hopefully I will be able to get in some range time in the winter months.

 

[WVSig]

I computed the cost or factory ammo vs. handloaded ammo, and came to the conclusion/opinion that I would save about $8 per hour of my time expended.

I value my time higher than $8/hour. The market values my time MUCH higher than $8/hour.

My answer: you can save money by reloading, only if you place no value on your time.

I do not reload.

This!!!! You only "save money" if you do not account for or assign any $$ value to your time. It is not just the time you spend reloading the ammo but the time you spend learning to reload properly. The time spent searching for powder. Don't forget the room you allocate for reloading.

There are tons of hidden variable costs which go into calculating the "savings" from reloading.

All that said I started last year and enjoy it. It is a seperate hobby for me now. It is enjoyable to develop loads try different bullet types, weights etc...

It would not be worth it if I considered it work.

 

[RobertJ.]

It would not be worth it if I considered it work.

I probably wouldn't, either. I'd have the set-up, I'd just be a lot more reluctant to use it.

I can compare it to fishing, clamming, and crabbing. I fish for entertainment, and catching is great, but not everything. Clamming and crabbing are nothing more than food harvesting, and I'd just as soon go to the store to get either one!

 

[rwsmith]

I could increase production....

I could increase production and lower the unit cost by saving labor cost, but that doesn't occur to me at all. I make ammo fast enough to keep me satisfied regardless of the time involved. If it gets to be work, I'll find another hobby.