I recently got back into shooting after a really long time off. I immediately started reloading again to keep costs down and be able to shoot as often as I wanted. I've seen posts on this forum talking about "cheap" ammo (American Eagle etc). Since I got back into the sport I also see more and more shooters blasting away at silhouette targets and, quite often, see as many as 200 shots within an hours time with all the brass left on the floor. I couldn't shoot long even if I used the so-called "cheap" ammo. I'm also more or less forced to reload for my .38 auto since no ammunition is available for purchase to use in this particular gun. I don't consider any of the ammo in today's market to be cheap enough for me to be able to shoot very often. I also enjoy reloading especially since I'm retired and I have all the time in the world to do it. I know some people could care less about the cost but I like to shoot and I like to shoot often. Any comments?
Cost of Factory vs Reloaded Ammo
- Thread starter Krell1
- Start date
I just got into reloading. I really enjoy it as a hobby so far. I did it so I could get into IDPA shooting and practice weekly. My ammo budget went up in the process, but I'm shooting 4x the volume for only roughly 2x the cost.
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Ben_hutcherson
Member
"Cheap" 38 special is $20-25 per 50 around here when it's available.
Using(bought) cast bullets, I can reload 38 special for around $6 for 50. Even if I wanted to step it up and use XTPs or other premium bullets(which I wouldn't do for blasting paper at the range) I can keep the cost to around $12 for 50.
All I can figure is that folks who burn up hundreds of rounds of factory ammo have a lot of money to burn.
Of course, as others said, I enjoy it also. The scientist in my enjoys the chance to get a more intimate knowledge of what's going on in there, as well as try different powders and other factors to see how they influence the outcome. It's also fun to be able to assemble loads that are difficult to find(like full wadcutters for 38 special), not be scared off by calibers for which commercial ammo is uncommon and/or expensive(like 32-20) and being able to put together my own true full-power magnum loads in 357 and 44 magnum. Reduced loads in these cartridges are fun, too.
Using(bought) cast bullets, I can reload 38 special for around $6 for 50. Even if I wanted to step it up and use XTPs or other premium bullets(which I wouldn't do for blasting paper at the range) I can keep the cost to around $12 for 50.
All I can figure is that folks who burn up hundreds of rounds of factory ammo have a lot of money to burn.
Of course, as others said, I enjoy it also. The scientist in my enjoys the chance to get a more intimate knowledge of what's going on in there, as well as try different powders and other factors to see how they influence the outcome. It's also fun to be able to assemble loads that are difficult to find(like full wadcutters for 38 special), not be scared off by calibers for which commercial ammo is uncommon and/or expensive(like 32-20) and being able to put together my own true full-power magnum loads in 357 and 44 magnum. Reduced loads in these cartridges are fun, too.
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ChuckS1
US Veteran
I can reload .45 ACP, using range brass, my own home-cast H&G 68 bullets, and Bullseye for about a nickel a round.
See, now that's the kind of cost I'm talking about. Reloading, at least in my mind, is fun to do and results in a lot of low cost fun shooting. I bought the cheapest press I could find (lee), bulk once fired brass in a quantity that'll last a long time, cheapest powder for the purpose intended, bullets at a fair price and a large quantity of primers to offset the hazmat fee and shipping. Sure as hell beats the cheapest ammo out there and I get the load I want to shoot.
Mac1184
Member
Reloading allows you to produce much cheaper ammo that is often more accurate and you can produce loads the factories often don't like lead bullet loads for target practice. It is also an enjoyable hobby (except for manually trimming rifle cases).
Bell2
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What is the cost to get into reloading if you are starting from scratch? I guess I am looking for any recomendations of the type of equipment you would need. I would probably start with .38 special and would like to be able to do .357 loads as well. I do not necessarily want the cheapest stuff but what is considered good quality but at a moderate price. I would not be doing massive reloading. Any suggestions?
Another factor to consider is the attrition of your brass. When I shoot a semi-automatic pistol or rifle, I lose at least 30% of the empties - either lost in the grass or gravel or bouncing past the shooting line or into another lane. If it weren't for that, .45 ACP brass would last practically forever. I seem to do pretty well for 5.56x45 and 7.62x51. Both are popular calibers, and I probably find two or three empties for each one I shoot. It helps to have a swaging tool to open up the crimped military pockets.
By and large, I'm using revolvers and manual rifles more often than not, and recover 99% of my brass. Plus I shoot slower and (hopefully) more carefully. At the same time, I have found that hard cast bullets work well (even in pistols) at about 1/3rd the cost of jacketed bullets, and leading is not an issue under 1800 fps or so. I buy them rather than worry about metallurgy (and I'm a chemist), burns and lead fumes.
Often neglected is the cost of one's time (e.g., $50/hr with imaginary benefits). Even if you use free time, there's not enough of that to go around. I don't shoot competitively, but it still makes sense to spend as little time as possible pulling the handle. I have a Dillon 550B, and usually load about 500 rounds before changing calibers. That's about 1-1/2 hours, including cleanup.
By and large, I'm using revolvers and manual rifles more often than not, and recover 99% of my brass. Plus I shoot slower and (hopefully) more carefully. At the same time, I have found that hard cast bullets work well (even in pistols) at about 1/3rd the cost of jacketed bullets, and leading is not an issue under 1800 fps or so. I buy them rather than worry about metallurgy (and I'm a chemist), burns and lead fumes.
Often neglected is the cost of one's time (e.g., $50/hr with imaginary benefits). Even if you use free time, there's not enough of that to go around. I don't shoot competitively, but it still makes sense to spend as little time as possible pulling the handle. I have a Dillon 550B, and usually load about 500 rounds before changing calibers. That's about 1-1/2 hours, including cleanup.
CommonCents
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i have found reloaders on armslist locally that sell pretty cheap and they still make a few bucks to fund their habit 
But I'd also be interested in start up costs and equipment recommendations for a newbie too as others have asked.
also, I'd think if you inquire at the range, they let you take the same amount of brass with you as you brought even if some of yours is out of reach.
But I'd also be interested in start up costs and equipment recommendations for a newbie too as others have asked. also, I'd think if you inquire at the range, they let you take the same amount of brass with you as you brought even if some of yours is out of reach.
Just some reasons to reload....
I make ammo whenever I want to shoot. If I want to shoot more I make more.
I can load from mild to big boom in all of the calibers that I shoot, especially .38/.357 and 30-06. Loading 30-06 saves a LOT of money.
I can use many types of bullets.
It's fun to shoot what you make yourself.
I just like reloading. I call it 'male knitting' though I find it far more interesting than knitting. I tried needlepoint, and it was for the birds.
I make ammo whenever I want to shoot. If I want to shoot more I make more.
I can load from mild to big boom in all of the calibers that I shoot, especially .38/.357 and 30-06. Loading 30-06 saves a LOT of money.
I can use many types of bullets.
It's fun to shoot what you make yourself.
I just like reloading. I call it 'male knitting' though I find it far more interesting than knitting. I tried needlepoint, and it was for the birds.
You can get started with a good quality single stage set up for about $250-300.If you're shooting 300-400 rounds a month,it works fine.I tend to load an hour here and there over the winter when I'm bored and build up a nice stockpile for those times when I shoot a lot.
ChuckS1
US Veteran
All you need at the start is a single stage press, a loading tray, the dies, a scale, maybe a funnel, and a good reloading manual. Add a dial caliper (or digital) and maybe a kinetic bullet puller, too. Anything beyond those basics are icing on the cake.
Here's a nice one, though if you're loading straight wall pistol brass, the lube pad isn't necessary.
RCBS Partner Single Stage Press Kit
I did this analysis for another forum. It is for .30-30, but you'll get the general idea of overall cost and savings:
Here's a quick cost analysis of reloading v. buying ammo. These are published retail prices, not including sales tax or shipping, which may go up or down. You could probably find better deals, better products, but these are based on what I have bought or would buy:
RCBS Partner kit - $193.33
RCBS dies - $49.99
Shell holder - $7.99
Winchester .30-30 brass 100 count - $33.98
Oregon Trail Laser Cast 170gr RNFP 500 count - $66.50
CCI large rifle primers 1000 count - $29.99
Unique 1lb - $17.99
Total initial outlay - $400.43
Now lets look at cost per round
Let's say you get 5 reloads out of the brass which is conservative, you may get far more - $.06796
Primer - $.02999
Powder for a 6gr charge - $.01542
Bullet - $.133
Total - $.24637
Factory ammo - $13.99 per 20 = $.6995
After about 550 rounds you will have recouped the cost of the press/dies/shell holder. Then you'll be saving ~$.45 per round (not including the need to buy more brass.
Click on the link below. In the right menu is a heading titled "Calculators" and the "Handloading Cost Calculator".
Fill in the variables and it will give you an exact cost per round. And since I pick up range brass by the hundred, I especially like the part where I place a "Zero" in the cost for cases.
http://www.handloads.com/
Fill in the variables and it will give you an exact cost per round. And since I pick up range brass by the hundred, I especially like the part where I place a "Zero" in the cost for cases.
http://www.handloads.com/
oberon
Member
Cheap ammo went the way of the DoDo a few years ago.
I learned that handloaded ammo was the best way to shoot more for less $$.
In fact, the guns & ammo run way better with loads worked up for specific guns.
I still buy boolitts, but there may come a day when I make those at home, too.
I am over 40 yrs. into it now, and I ain't quittin' anythime soon.
I learned that handloaded ammo was the best way to shoot more for less $$.
In fact, the guns & ammo run way better with loads worked up for specific guns.
I still buy boolitts, but there may come a day when I make those at home, too.
I am over 40 yrs. into it now, and I ain't quittin' anythime soon.
Harley Fan
Member
I'm a beginner re-loader, 1,300 rounds into it (easy to figure... that's how many primers I've used) and I use a RCBS Partner single stage press. I load .38 Sp and .357 Mag.
Using my brass, my costs project out to 15-1/2 cents/round using a plated 125 gr. bullet, and closer to 12 cents/round using a lead 158 gr. SWC.
I work slowly and carefully, and feel I'm not ready for automation yet (or ever) and I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoy it.
Using my brass, my costs project out to 15-1/2 cents/round using a plated 125 gr. bullet, and closer to 12 cents/round using a lead 158 gr. SWC.
I work slowly and carefully, and feel I'm not ready for automation yet (or ever) and I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoy it.
BillBingham2
Member
I'm in the process of selling off my last 22lr pistol as is see availability going back to reasonable for five years. I'm cutting back to 9mm and 7.62x54R. I've amassed about 3k 9mm rounds in brass that I can reload so my brass cost should be zero for several years. 7.62 x54R brass accumulation is a work in progress but spam cans reasonably available I'm not worried.
I started reloading before I was married because I enjoyed crafting more accurate ammunition, 20 years later being a poor working class slob with a family and a mortgage if I did not reload my shooting would slow down to a trickle. I cast my own bullets from wheel weights, and use bullseye so I can get more rounds per pound. My cost on 38 special is right at 6 cents per round, with primers being the biggest expense at roughly $35 per thousand.
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Moonman
Member
I reload as a relaxing hobby, purchasing all the components, then as
an added hobby I started to CAST my own bullets, then as another
added hobby I've started to Polymer coat my projectiles.
Hobbies are great but mine are taking over life, all is well though,
It's whatever trips your trigger.
I am retired though, and I Stainless Steel Media Wet Tumble also.
P.S.
As Smith357 says, i too shoot a bunch of 38 Special Wadcutters with Bullseye Powder,
Really cheap shootin' for sure.
an added hobby I started to CAST my own bullets, then as another
added hobby I've started to Polymer coat my projectiles.
Hobbies are great but mine are taking over life, all is well though,
It's whatever trips your trigger.
I am retired though, and I Stainless Steel Media Wet Tumble also.
P.S.
As Smith357 says, i too shoot a bunch of 38 Special Wadcutters with Bullseye Powder,
Really cheap shootin' for sure.
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