Is Reloading for 9mm worth it?

[marathonrunner]

Guys I know I can save more money reloading and it depends on how much I shoot, but on average I will go to the range 1x a week and do 250 shots. But what I have been doing lately to save, I will only shoot one box of 9mm (50 rounds) and then 150 of .22LR because my MP 22 pistol really emulates a striker fired on the first pull so I am fine with that.

But if I were to shoot 250 rounds of actual 9mm, is it worth reloading 9mm using 115gr or preferrably 147gr fmj? looking at the article below says of 1000 rounds I will save $139 which does not seem to be a lot of savings.

How much can I save by reloading? - MassReloading

 

[AlHunt]

Only if you're casting your own bullets with scrounged/free lead is it worth it and even then only marginally. I get about 1/2 the cost of factory new range ammo into it, not counting the brass.

I do it anyway.

 

[Goldstar225]

For me it's not worthwhile to reload 9mm. My cost are different than shown at that site. They quote $15.00 for 50 9mm, locally it's selling for 8.50 (brass case FMJ) for a 50 round box ($17.00 per 100). Buying 9mm FMJ bullets in 1000 quantities my cost to reload comes to $17.12 per 100 factoring in powder, primer and bullets.

I cast for 38/357, .40, & .45 so I get a huge savings on them but I doubt I'll start casting for 9mm.

 

[CH4]

Not practical for me.

 

[1775usmarine]

When the next panic hits and 9mm goes up you'll be glad you reload. Free or cheap lead is the best.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I load Shotgun and rifle so no big thing to toss in a few revolvers and pistol rounds.

Something to pass the time and keep the ammo price equal or
lower than the stores.......
and shoot "Custom Ammo" in my weapons that factory does not have.

However if you like "Standard Ammo"..................
don't load.

 

[marathonrunner]

When the next panic hits and 9mm goes up you'll be glad you reload. Free or cheap lead is the best.

definitely right about this and if I do reload, I think reloading premium ammo using Hollow points would result in savings vs buying factory ammo like HST 147gr which costs like $550 to buy 1000 of them. SGAMMO sells 1000 rounds of 147gr american eagle which is not bad

 

[Classic29]

If you reload, at the very least slowly stock up on components. Then if it dries up again you'll still be out shooting. OR buy it cheap and stack it deep now. I do both.

 

[4barrel]

I have a 1911 that really likes a 124 gr. jhp. I bought 4000 at 8.2 cents with free shipping. I can load a good accurate bullet for $13 per hundred for target shooting. Other than that I buy it on sale for shooting at cans.

 

[rockquarry]

If your interest in accuracy is secondary, commercial ammo is fine.

 

[Chuck24]

I do it because I enjoy it, saving money, maybe a little.

 

[rwsmith]

Since I'm poor.......

I save a few bucks by reloading 9mm. Coated lead SWC and a medium load of powder makes it pretty cheap.

 

[Al W.]

I'm a target shooter .
I only own 2 9mm firearms.
Neither one is all that accurate.
So I'm not match shooting with either.
Still I've run thousands of rounds through them.
Many different loads , different powders, bullets and cases.
I have learned a whole lot by loading 9mm, its also more accurate than the factory stuff I was buying . Beats the heck out of Tula , that's for sure.
Anyway, though the savings is marginal it still puts me in the drivers seat as far as ammunition is concerned.
As long as I keep components I'll be shooting . If prices fluctuate I'm in control .
So for me its worth doing.

 

[rockquarry]

After loading the 9mm cartridge for thirty or so years, I've found the most accurate bullet for my three pistols has been a 150 gr. round nose cast .38 Special bullet. Many 9mm pistols don't have a good accuracy reputation only because the handloader gave up in trying to find an accurate load.

 

[Engineer1911]

With my 'old' powder and primer inventory, 9 MM cast is $.50 per 50 rounds. I've been casting since 1975 so everything was paid for in the last century. Reclaimed bullets from backstop (melted, fluxed, poured into ingot molds), free range pickup brass keeps cost to minimum.

Depending on powder charge weight, primer cost versus powder cost, is equal.

 

[Valmet]

I reload .38 Spl, .44 Spl and .45ACP, but 9mm is cheap enough in bulk that I don't reload it (for now).

 

[marathonrunner]

I reload .38 Spl, .44 Spl and .45ACP, but 9mm is cheap enough in bulk that I don't reload it (for now).

reloading is also a lot of work and using whatver you find on the floor brass when it comes to crimping can produce inconsistant results. Had some that were crimped too tight and others not crimped enough

 

[1775usmarine]

Ive gotten to the point where I can write off my brass as a cost as im not a high volume shooter. I got friends who give me their brass and pick up whatever I can find.

 

[glenwolde]

After loading the 9mm cartridge for thirty or so years, I've found the most accurate bullet for my three pistols has been a 150 gr. round nose cast .38 Special bullet. Many 9mm pistols don't have a good accuracy reputation only because the handloader gave up in trying to find an accurate load.

That would be me. I've never had a problem finding accurate loads for several handgun calibers. But that 9mm with lead bullets is a tough one. I'm not sure it's worth it.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'm a target shooter .
I only own 2 9mm firearms.
Neither one is all that accurate.
So I'm not match shooting with either.
Still I've run thousands of rounds through them.
Many different loads , different powders, bullets and cases.
I have learned a whole lot by loading 9mm, its also more accurate than the factory stuff I was buying . Beats the heck out of Tula , that's for sure.
Anyway, though the savings is marginal it still puts me in the drivers seat as far as ammunition is concerned.
As long as I keep components I'll be shooting . If prices fluctuate I'm in control .
So for me its worth doing.

Completely agree. I load because I enjoy it and can optimize the load for my pistols. I experiment with different bullets and powders. It's really amazing what a difference changing components can make.

I reload 9mm, 38 special, 38 super, 45 acp and 44 magnum.