scooter123
Member
I used to reload, but as I never cast my own bullets, I never really found any substantial savings, but most everyone who reloads claims a huge savings. (Sort of like how seemingly everyone except me seems to make a profit selling their used car.)
Figure the cost of components, and especially with semi-autos with unsupported chambers making reloading sort of like Russian Roulette, requiring more frequent replacement of brass cases, it is especially less likely to be cost effective these days, provided you are paying for everything, including the lead and alloy used for casting. Used wheel weights "ain't what they used to be."
Shawn, you need to take another look at the savings of reloading. Because it is still a lot less costly than purchasing factory ammunition.
For example lets take a look at 45 ACP. The last time I saw it Winchester White Box 45 ACP was 44.50 per 100 pak. That is 44 1/2 cents per round. Recently (last month) I placed an order with Powder Valley for 1500 Berry's Plated 230 grain round nose bullets. Total cost with shipping for that order was 198.57. So, my per bullet cost is 13.24 cents. Currently I am averaging 35 dollars per thousand for Large Pistol primers, so my primer cost is 3.5 cents. Powder used is IMR SR-7625 at a cost of 23.50 per pound and I am using a 5.8 grain charge, which works out to a powder cost of 1.95 cents per round. As for my casing cost, the 45 ACP is a low pressure caliber and I have a LOT of saved up casings. In addition at the indoor ranges I shoot at many of the non-reloaders are perfectly happy to sweep their casings into my booth where I can pick it up. So, consider my casing cost as likely less than 1/2 cent per load. So, lets total up my cost per round, 13.24 + 3.50 + 1.95 + 0.50 = 19.19 cents per round, or about 9.60 for a box of 50. Note, no cast bullets here so no lead fumes inhaled or smoke producing bullet lube for a very "clean" shooting round that indoor ranges just love.
Now, those are real world actual costs for a caliber that some consider a bit expensive. Go to something like the 9mm or 38 spl with a 124/125 grain plated bullet and the cost per bullet is reduced by about 37%. That means the per bullet cost is 8.32 cents for a copper plated TMJ bullet that most consider excellent in term of quality. As for other component costs for the 38 spl. the charge amount will be similar to the 45 ACP and the casings life is also near infinite, so 38 spl would end up costing about 14.27 cents per round and 9mm would be very close to the 38 in cost.
Granted these aren't the 4 or 5 cents per round that some like to quote but anyone who is loading ammo this cheaply is using powder and primers purchased back in the early 90's. Components cost more today and so does powder. However, when you sit down and total things up it's still a real cost savings to reload and you also have the advantage of not driving to Walmart and finding the cases empty.
