Cost for reloading 9mm vs. buying new ammo

[toad67]

Since I don't own a 9mm, I don't reload for it, but do for many other chamberings.
I have got my neighbor into shooting and he has a 9 that he is shooting fairly often and is coming down to the end of his ammo stash.
If he was to buy some used equipment and start reloading for his 9, would he be saving enough to make it worthwhile, or should he just continue to buy factory ammo?

 

[mikld]

Forgive me for going a bit off topic. I began reloading in about '79 out of curiosity. (as I emptied the cylinder of my 38 Special I thought "I wonder if I could reuse these?"). Did a bunch of research at the library and began reloading. Got deeper into reloading about 7 years later (better job, more time). I discovered I like reloading and I never compared $$$. Today I reload about 15 calibers and have no idea what it costs. I enjoy the whole process from researching load data all they way through to recording results of range trips. I often think I shoot so I can reload as I have much more enjoyment of bench time versus range time. I like reloading!

 

[Grayfox]

Now is not a good time to get into reloading. Powder and primers are scarce and expensive. Not much savings on common calibers.
I suggest that he buy his ammo on sale and in bulk. That's what I'm doing with 9mm. Therefore saving what components I have to reload the less common and more expensive calibers I shoot.

 

[Autonomous]

It's been a while but when I looked at getting into hand loading, I was surprised how quickly it paid for a single stage press.
When I ran the math .45 ACP commercial ball ammo was 35¢ apiece, coated 200gr lead was 13¢ each. This did not factor buying brass.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

If 9mm was all I shot, I would not reload.

 

[Frailer]

If you place any value on time reloading 9mm only makes sense during periods when prices are high.

But during those same periods components are either high or impossible to find.

So I just “buy it cheap and stack it deep.”

 

[Krogen]

For me, there's no cost benefit in reloading 9mm. I'm only shooting 9mm in plate matches, so ultimate accuracy isn't a concern. If it was, there might be a good case for reloading it.

I already have the equipment I need for 9mm, so it's down to bullets, powder and primers. Maybe cases if I don't recover enough after a match or scrounge some other pickups. I might save a penny or two over LAX remanufactured or cheap factory fodder, but it's not worth it to me.

The enjoyment of reloading is worth pondering. Mostly it's gratifying and challenging to make high-precision ammo. For example, I'm just getting into a new tight-neck 6mm BRA rifle. It requires neck turning and a number of other fiddly details. By comparison, sitting myself in front of a Dillon to crank out 100's of 9mm cartridges isn't the same thrill. In fact, it's drudgery!

I suggest looking at the big picture, not just cost. The value of learning a new skill and putting it to good use is hard to associate with dollars.

 

[BrBa]

If I could still buy good quality 9mm range fodder for less than my cost to produce it (@ $10 a box, not including my time), then I would buy it by the case. I got into hand loading for precision rifle.

I draw the line at $12 to $14 a box for stuff like Magtech, PRVI etc, and won't buy steel case Russian at any price.

 

[cracker57]

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

 

[GypsmJim]

For me brass is free. Few at my range reload so they all go into the brass trash can. I have more than a lifetime supply, plus a once-fired case can be reloaded many times.

When lead wheel weights were plentiful I got hundreds of pounds for cheap and now I'm casting 9mm boolets for next to nothing.

Yes, primers and powder are expensive, but right at the present time they are plentiful. A single stage press and dies will pay for themselves after a few boxes of ammo.

With those criteria I COULD load 9mm Luger for about 6 bucks a box of 50. That's IF I had top buy current components. With what I stocked up in March of 2020 my current box costs me $2.50.

If just starting out, figure 8 cents for primers, 4 for powder and 8 for bullets. So, 20 cents / round or 10 bucks a box. I see bulk ammo prices at about 38 cents a round.

It's a no-brainer as far as I can see. Butttttt, you have to LIKE doing it and have the time. The people I talk to that don't want to reload simply don't want to be bothered by it.

 

[stansdds]

If 9x19mm is the only round being considered, it's not worth the cost of a press and all the components. I got into reloading in the 1980's because my first handgun was a Dan Wesson 15-2. Commercially reloaded 38 Special ammo was available back then and it was fairly cheap, but there was no such thing as cheap 357 Magnum ammo. Reloading was a good option for 357 Magnum and a little later I added 45 ACP.

 

[LVSteve]

If just starting out, figure 8 cents for primers, 4 for powder and 8 for bullets. So, 20 cents / round or 10 bucks a box. I see bulk ammo prices at about 38 cents a round.

It's a no-brainer as far as I can see. Butttttt, you have to LIKE doing it and have the time. The people I talk to that don't want to reload simply don't want to be bothered by it.

Is that 38 cents/rd for FMJ or JHP? 1000 rounds of 124gr FMJ from S&B last year cost me 26 cents/rd, and I see it advertised for less now.

Having the time to reload and the space to set up a suitable environment keep most of us away. I would like to reload for my milsurps, but I have too much else to do and too much junk to clear.

 

[ppeeks]

I reload six pistol and rifle calibers including 9mm Luger, and 12 gauge shotshells, on progressive and single stage presses. I truly enjoy my bench time. Like others said, I buy components for less when opportunities come up. Importantly, other than the 9mm, everything else is ammo that is commercially unavailable or, if it is, it is prohibitively expensive. I would reload even if it was a break-even proposition, and even if it cost me more than just buying ammo that is "sort of" like what I make. Which it doesn't, by a wide margin.

 

[Model19man]

I don't have any 9mm guns any more but I reloaded for them when I did. Ammo cost was less than what you could buy 22 LR for which was pretty cheap. I don't know the math but when everyone else is crying about high prices and unavailability you won't.

 

[reddog81]

You can buy 9mm for under $.25 a round. Reloading will be at least $.15 a round. So you save some but a cheap single stage press will knock out 100 rounds an hour if you go at full speed. So you’ll spend an hour or more to save less than $10. How much does he shoot and how free time does he have?

 

[GypsmJim]

Is that 38 cents/rd for FMJ or JHP? 1000 rounds of 124gr FMJ from S&B last year cost me 26 cents/rd, and I see it advertised for less now.

Having the time to reload and the space to set up a suitable environment keep most of us away. I would like to reload for my milsurps, but I have too much else to do and too much junk to clear.

I don'y buy factory...EVER, so in order to reply to this thread I did a google and that's what came up first. Now that you replied, I did a second google and yes I see FMJ for 26 cents.

Regardless, that's still a premium over my 20 cents.

So, some say if 9 is the only one, it doesn't pay. Maybe. It depends on how much you shoot in a year.

 

[SS336]

If you’re trying to save money, starting to reload from scratch, would probably not be worth it.

But reloading, like fly tying, isn’t really about saving money.
It is about being more self sufficient and gaining knowledge in your hobby. It’s nice to know that you can craft great ammunition if the need arises. If you shoot some of the more esoteric cartridges it might be the only way to continue to shoot as ammunition is hard to find at times.
Being self sufficient in todays world is not a bad thing

 

[lrrifleman]

Reloading can be a viable option; however, ...
From my perspective, with the amount of ammo that I can consume each month, I would NOT consider a single stage press. Prior to a month ago, all of my handgun ammo was produced on a Dillon 550B, and my rifle ammo on an older RCBS JR. Over time, they have paid for themselves. My first progressive press was a Dillon Square Deal B, purchased new for $198. I'm now doing a shift because I don't have the patience to do a primer assembly swap on the 550B.

I've recently purchased a new Dillon SDB in 45 ACP (LPP) and one in 9mm (SPP). Either machine can pump out about 300 rounds an hour, which means less time spent standing on my damaged legs. The problem was, neither machine sells for the original $198. The used 9mm SDB sold for about $450, and the new 45 SDB sold for a bit more than $700. Never factor in the price of your press, because if you take care of it, you'll get your money back if you sell it!

Even though I am working with components that were acquired a few years ago, I'd look at current component costs. Looking at 9mm exclusively:
Primers: $0.06-0.08 each
Powder: $0.04-0.06 per cartridge (depending on the load)
Cases: free, just save your brass!
Bullets (each): homemade cast: $0.05, purchased: $0.08-$0.10, plated: $0.08-0.10, FMJ: $0.10, JHP: $0.12+
Therefore, you could load a 50 round box for $7.50-13.00, depending on what you want. Only you can be the judge on whether you've saved money!

The $10,000 question is, will you save money? Possibly! However, what you can safely say is, as long as you have components, you WILL have ammo when supplies either dry up or becomes exorbitantly priced!

 

[max503]

I have always reloaded 9mm, no matter what the cost situation, and I have never regretted it.

I don't see how you can shoot guns and not reload.

 

[Alk8944]

It all depends on what you want the ammunition for or to do! If you are just looking at informal target shooting (plinking) then just buy whatever cheap bulk ammunition. If you want something that isn't available in factory loadings, or better than what factory ammunition is available, then load for it. Generally you will not save anything loading for 9mm if all you want/need is plinking ammunition! This is one of the exceptions to being usually less expensive to reload for a cartridge!

I say these things based on the fact that you already reload. If you were needing to buy the equipment then buying factory would be far less expensive than reloading. Since you already reload you know the fun factor in reloading.