It's getting harder for me to justify reloading for handguns I don't cast bullets for

[fredj338]

Half the fun of reloading/casting is scrounging lead. Heck. I've stepped out in traffic in St. Louis in order to scrape a big truck wheel weight off the pavement with a screw driver.

Berm mining is like treasure hunting. Nothing like finding a big ole 12ga slug in the berm.

 

[scotthickoryky]

i buy my 9mm and 45s for 26-29 per 500 + 15 shipping for up to 4000 bullets,,,, for me its not even close to be worth casting at that price,,, i have shot over 10000 of these bullets in less then a year,,, this guy is my go to guy for my cast bullets,,, they are top notch bullets that i have found,,,, i have smoked the 9mm in my carbine over 1600 fps with 0 leading,,,, i shot 200 45s today,, i really like them

 

[308 Scout]

But for some, time is money. My son is that way, often complaining he doesn't have time for whatever. I tell him his day has 24 hours just like everyone else. Manage it better.

I've heard the "time is money" argument over and over where reloading is concerned. But the same folks think nothing of sitting in a recliner staring at a television for hours on end.

 

[fredj338]

And I get that. I got into reloading because I was a poor airman who couldn't afford to shoot otherwise. I found it to be as much of a hobby as the shooting.

But for some, time is money. My son is that way, often complaining he doesn't have time for whatever. I tell him his day has 24 hours just like everyone else. Manage it better.

Alas, staring into his iPhone searching for ammo deals is better than sitting at the bench making it, at least to him. But he'll ask me to reload rounds for him sometimes. Kids...

For most that say their time is more valuable are just looking at the wrong equip. If your time is valuable, buy better gear. A 650 with case feeder will get you an honest 700rds per hour. Add a bullet feeder & you are close to 900/hr. So if you only save $60/1000 on 9mm, that is $42/hr net for your hour. That means you have to gross about $70/hr to buy the ammo. Most of us don't make $70/hr. Plus as much as I do not like reloading, I like it better than my job.

 

[alwslate]

The best cast bullets are the ones that you find in a box sitting on your
front porch

 

[Moe Mentum]

Well reloading may not be cost effective now, but..... you never know what will happen in 2020...reloads may be the only thing you will be able to shoot.... just saying...

 

[fredj338]

Well reloading may not be cost effective now, but..... you never know what will happen in 2020...reloads may be the only thing you will be able to shoot.... just saying...

In kommifornia we are already facing this. The new ammo law prohibits cheap internet purchase as well as across the state line purchase. They are now tracking what you buy & you have to have doj appoval to buy in a store, even Walmart. A tax will be coming soon & then they will slap limits on how much. So reloading for many of is has already become a necessity.

 

[white cloud]

I am not trying to cry wolf. IIRC, there was a movement in the U.S. Congress back in the 70s or early 80s to put some really heavy regulations on canister powder. Some of you with sharper minds correct me here if necessary. It might be a good idea to start stocking up now. There is no telling what the political landscape will look like after 2020.

 

[dogdoc]

I've heard the "time is money" argument over and over where reloading is concerned. But the same folks think nothing of sitting in a recliner staring at a television for hours on end.

The time is money thing is usually bs because the times you can reload are usually not times you have the opportunity to make money. In the evening after work, I do not have the option of making money for the most part. Even 9mm usually cost 9 or 10 dollars a box after tax where as I can load it for 5.50 to 6.00 a box buying bulk components. That’s about a 1/3 saving for very little time on my Dillon 650. Other calibers often save 2/3 or more(41 magnum for example with cast bullets)

Dogdoc

 

[dogdoc]

I've heard the "time is money" argument over and over where reloading is concerned. But the same folks think nothing of sitting in a recliner staring at a television for hours on end.

The time is money thing is usually bs because the times you can reload are usually not times you have the opportunity to make money. In the evening after work, I do not have the option of making money for the most part. Even 9mm usually cost 9 or 10 dollars a box after tax where as I can load it for 5.50 to 6.00 a box buying bulk components. That’s about a 1/3 saving for very little time on my Dillon 650. Other calibers often save 2/3 or more(41 magnum for example with cast bullets)

Dogdoc

 

[trapper9260]

If someone think time is money for reloading do not do it and when things get bad like they did before on how high and hard to ammo do not complain about it. I reload and cast for all center fire I load wheel gun and semi auto and rifle and also shotgun. I also do muzzle loader with side hammers. I find more fun in load development then just plain shooting.Unless it is for hunting. Yes cost is one reason ,after once you have all that is needed you can use lot of the same things in other rounds. Some say 9mm luger is not worth it .for me it is for what I shoot in my 38/357 I can size down to use in some of my 9mm.Some 32cal I reload I can use the same boolits in 30 cal light loads. To each there own for why they reload and do not want to reload.

 

[reloader7.62]

I justify casting and reloading by calling it my hobby... I enjoy doing it.
You can't justify golf , tennis , bowling or any other "hobby" any other way .
I have "bullet casting dies (?) " , bullet moulds and reloading dies for every centerfire firearm I own , for the days when the dealer's shelves are bare and amuunition can no longer be ordered over the internet.
An election is coming...Be Prepared ! They aren't going to loose this one .
Gary

Casting, reloading and shooting are my hobbies, it's what I enjoy doing in my leisure time when I'm not working for the man or taking care of things around the house. When it comes to my rifle and handgun ammunition I want to be as self-sufficient as possible and not have to depend on what available on the shelves or what market forces or which way the political winds are blowing. I learned a long time ago to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to my bullet casting and reloading component resources. Never once had any shortage have any effect what I shoot or how much I shoot.

 

[mtnwinds]

Mainly thinking of 9x19 and 40 S&W. On a Black Friday sale I found Federal 9x19 for 13.50 per 100. 40 S&W I can find for around $20 per hundred. Most plated projectiles run about half that per 1000. Now I've been around long enough to know that things I want are not always available and not always inexpensive. I suspect the days of buying 7.62x54 in the same price as 22 LR are gone and never coming back. But I still have a few unopened cases. I also suspect these days of cheap and available, so I'll keep saving my brass and keep my bullet casting dies handy and save my lead stash for when I need it..

My spreadsheet says it costs me .22₵ a round for my 44 Mag. using Missouri Bullets 240gr coated KT. That's starting with 500 new StarLine brass and expecting 10 reloads per case.

Also says it costs me .13₵ to reload 9mm. I'd definitely buy cheap factory instead unless I needed a special load.

 

[Alk8944]

Mainly thinking of 9x19 and 40 S&W. On a Black Friday sale I found Federal 9x19 for 13.50 per 100. 40 S&W I can find for around $20 per hundred. Most plated projectiles run about half that per 1000. Now I've been around long enough to know that things I want are not always available and not always inexpensive. I suspect the days of buying 7.62x54 in the same price as 22 LR are gone and never coming back. But I still have a few unopened cases. I also suspect these days of cheap and available, so I'll keep saving my brass and keep my bullet casting dies handy and save my lead stash for when I need it..

If that's the hold-up sounds like it is time to buy bullet moulds for the calibers you don't have moulds for yet!!!

 

[scotthickoryky]

i reload too so i can save money and shoot more,,, i get 125 gr 9mm cast for 28 pr 500,,,,,, i load a box for 4.50 a box,,,, my supplier is a great guy to buy from,, for me its cheaper and just plain easier to buy from him then start casting my own,,,,, i get 200 gr 45acp for 35 per 500,,, is shipping is 15 flat rate for up to 4000 bullets in a flat rate box,,,,,the cast hardness is 18

 

[max503]

The best cast bullets are the ones that you find in a box sitting on your
front porch

You got to enjoy a challenge. Casting is kind of like choosing to walk somewhere instead of driving. Does that make sense?

 

[alwslate]

You got to enjoy a challenge. Casting is kind of like choosing to walk somewhere instead of driving. Does that make sense?

Sure...sometimes. Just depends on the level of challenge. I might
choose to walk down my long driveway to the mailbox on a nice
day. But I'm driving to my favorite grocery store ten miles
away every single time Seriously at my age the hassle of
casting just isn't worth it. I'll let my fingers do the walking on
the keyboard of my computer

 

[LostintheOzone]

Casting is just taking reloading one step farther.

I buy all my components reading to reload. Of course there's the case prep if you use once fired brass but I can't see throwing it away if all it takes is a few seconds to prep each case and brass isn't toxic as far as I know.

Coated, plated or FMJ is a lot cleaner to handle. If you get your blood tested and the results show high levels of lead you will start looking at lead as a toxic material that you want to eliminate your exposure to. That happened to me. I'm not going to tell my doctor he's wrong and go against his advice. That's one reason I stopped reloading shot. I just sold both of my MEC presses and gave away all of my shot. I also gave away all of my uncoated bullets. I'm out of that business.

I strongly suggest if you're still loading lead that you get your blood tested. You might be surprised at the results.

 

[fredj338]

I am not trying to cry wolf. IIRC, there was a movement in the U.S. Congress back in the 70s or early 80s to put some really heavy regulations on canister powder. Some of you with sharper minds correct me here if necessary. It might be a good idea to start stocking up now. There is no telling what the political landscape will look like after 2020.

It was actually under Clinton, early 90s. They were also talking changing priming compounds.
I tell all my reloading friends to stock up. Laws can change over nights& new regs & taxes could name shooting too expensive for most.

 

[fredj338]

You got to enjoy a challenge. Casting is kind of like choosing to walk somewhere instead of driving. Does that make sense?

I look at it as taking the scenically route instead of the freeway.