Is it worth reloading?

[shawn mccarver]

I was looking into getting a press, but after looking at the brass cost on brownells (9mm), bullets, primers, it seems that there is no savings? 1000 cases were $160, bullets were about $130, primers $36. Now including powder or your time we are $326. I just saw 1000 rounds of 9mm brass case, FMJ, for $305 shipped.

I suppose the brass cost is reduces once you reuse your brass for the next 1000 rounds. So, maybe that is where the savings are?

How many rounds does one need to break eve after the cost of a single stage press?

Thanks

I never found it cost effective, but then again, I never did cast my own bullets. Thus, I sold my Dillon 15 or more years ago.

That said, it is a fun hobby. There is a certain pride in loading your own and it beats the [four hundred] "fifty-seven channels and nothing on" if you will pardon the Bruce Springsteen reference which I have thoughtfully brought up-to-date by adding four hundred channels to the original fifty-seven.

Perhaps I am just an old fuddy-duddy, but I would rather read a book these days. Current read, courtesy of friend Tim Mullin, who reads more than I do: "American Agent" by Melvin Purvis. Yes, that Melvin Purvis. It is a really good book by a well educated man who certainly knows how to write. And, unlike many "journalists" today, who interview and then twist to suit for sales or commercial reasons so that the "factual account" becomes barely recognizable as such, Purvis was actually there on that dark and really cold night at Little Bohemia or that really hot, muggy night at the Biograph. Check it out. Beats reloading or TV.

 

[TexasRider]

9mm is probably the toughest versus a normal price compairison to justify to yourself getting in to reloading. At this time who knows what normal will become though. While I dont reload 9mm either, I could easily add it.

Where you see big cost savings is in handgun rounds like the 44 Mag, or in 45 ACP, or even in 38 and in 38 wadcutters. They are up to about $40 for a box of 38 wadcutters that you can make for $6 to $8. The factory wadcutters are hard to find regularly too.

When the cost of 500 Winchester 223 was $80 I did not load. Bit now the cost is approaching $500 for 1000. So there are savings there. For normal high quality hunting rounds the cost is approaching $40 for a 20 round box. And can be much more.
You can load a lot of those for $10 a box. And when you get in rifles like a 416 then you are talking about $7 or $8 a shot. If I use premium bullets I can do it for $1.

But a big part of loading is that you can load what your guns shoot well. And you can adjust loads. You can make 44 rounds that small women can easily fire if you want to.

Also as has been pointed out, you dont have to rely solely on ammo that might or might not be on the shelves. Today, and going forward, that might be a good thing.

 

[BobC357]

I went back to reloading my .357 mags because they are unobtainable now. IF you can find them' they will cost nearly $1/round!! I like the SJHP in 158gr.

I use a powder that fills the case without being too hot. It is just a theory that if powder lays differently in the case that it will burn differently and thus groupings will bigger.

I don't use magnum brass more than 3 times as I've experienced some cracked cases after that. No problems with .38 spcl.

 

[Jamie]

When I first started thinking about getting into reloading, I started saving my brass. By the time I got my equipment, (Lee 4 hole turret), I had a bunch of 9mm and 38 special. After figuring in the cost of everything, bullets, powder, primers, 2 sets of dies, after my first reloads, 500 each of 9mm and 38 special, compared to Wal Mart prices, (and this was nearly two years ago), I had saved enough to almost pay for the equipment. My neighbor just bought an AR, went shooting with him a week ago, I have 300 empty 5.56 cases, time to buy some more dies. Of course now I need a tumbler and case trimmer, does the fun EVER end?

 

[Skip Sackett]

The price of having ammo when I want it, in the configuration I want, in the amount I want, that my firearms are all tuned for and sighted in with.......
PRICELESS!

 

[ChuckS1]

I can remember not too awful long ago when the last panic hit, ammo was pretty scarce, as were primers. There weren't a lot of people shooting at my local range as the result. Those of us who were shooting we all shooting our own reloads.

As far as primer prices, the lesson to be learned is buy in bulk when you can and if possible get a group buy with other shooters to split the HAZMAT and shipping charges. If you do that, you can easily get primer prices down to less than $25/thousand, depending on the brand. Same goes for powder, too.

I think coming changes are going to make 9mm and 5.56mm reloading very attractive for those of you who shoot those calibers.

 

[VaRecon]

I am not a reloader but as was explained to me like any initial investment it takes start up money.
After buying your press, dies, powder, primer, bullets and casings you have spent cash but if you use this stuff and buy responsibly (As in bulk and availability deals like described in previous posts) you will make your money's worth and then some.
Then again I am as green as an AUG in this scenario, just my two cents.

 

[Rudi Z]

It is worth it

First let me ask, "What is the price of your labor?"

You will save lots of cash on big bore pistol calibers and any rifle caliber. Here is a quick cost analysis on .44 magnum;

Reloads

Brass= FREE (reclaimed brass was paid for once)
Primers: Box of 1000 Large psitol primers @ 26.99= 2.7 cents per round.
Bullets: Box of 500 Lead Semi Wadcutters @ 62.99= 12.5 cents
Powder: 1lb of Alliant 2400 20.99 that loads around 386 bullets with 19 grains of powder per round (7000 grains/368)=5.7 cents

Total cost per round= 20.9 cents per round
Cost per box= $10.45

Factory Ammo Current MidwayUSA prices

Winchester 240 grn Soft Points @ $44.99 per box of 50
Sellier & Bellot Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 240 Grain Soft Point Box of 50 @ $32.99
Remington UMC Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 180 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Box of 50 @ $37.99
Federal American Eagle Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 240 Grain Soft Point Box of 50 @ $45.99


That is average cost per box of $40.49 or 81 cents per round!!!
I then see a cost savings of $40.49 - $10.45= $30.04 PER BOX! That is a 74% savings.


Here are some other benefits to Reloading

1) You make what you want
2) You make rounds tailored to you
3) AS long as you have components you have ammo
4) Saves gas and shipping/Hazmat fees

5) and most importantly its fun!

The value of my labor is calculated at free. I enjoy reloading so I charge no cost at it. I have a hobby for life and there is no dollar amount to put on that!