My experience & opinion as to costs of reloading now days.

[sigp220.45]

I reloaded off and on for 50 years. A couple of years ago I realized I never liked it.

I have all my gear in the basement. Its too heavy to bother with selling and shipping. My kids are shooters, but not interested in reloading. I'm pretty sure it is a dying hobby. I don't know any younger folks who reload.

I shoot every week. Hell, I shot today. I just buy ammo.

 

[GypsmJim]

I reloaded off and on for 50 years. A couple of years ago I realized I never liked it.

I have all my gear in the basement. Its too heavy to bother with selling and shipping. My kids are shooters, but not interested in reloading. I'm pretty sure it is a dying hobby. I don't know any younger folks who reload.

I shoot every week. Hell, I shot today. I just buy ammo.

You might be right. As we Boomers die out there will probably not be much need for the equipment, and of course revolvers will be door stops.

But all I know is that now when a LGS or Cabellas gets in a stock of primers they sell out in 2 days, and there is zero inventory of the powders that we like the most.

When I retired I started shooting more than ever, and thus reloading became necessary.

 

[Dave Workman]

I have been reloading for about 50 years, for three basic reasons. It saves money (usually), in varying amounts depending on market forces. I can get exactly what I want rather than what is available. Also, I find it to be therapeutic.

I've been at it at least 40 years, and there is one other B-I-G reason I've continued: I have NEVER worried about having ammunition during an ammunition shortage. I got so fed up with hoarders who would descend on gun shops and gun shows to buy up all the ammunition they could only to store it in their basements waiting for the world to collapse. They were self-fulfilling boobs who worried about the ammunition shortage when they, themselves, were a big part of the problem.
Yet there I sat at the reloading bench or in the front yard, smiling ear to ear that I could grab a box of cartridges, head for the range, make some noise, come back home, throw the empties in a tumbler and do it all over again. In the long run, I've saved some money, and I've had a heck of a good time. Good on ya, Robert.

 

[freight_train]

You might be right. As we Boomers die out there will probably not be much need for the equipment, and of course revolvers will be door stops.

But all I know is that now when a LGS or Cabellas gets in a stock of primers they sell out in 2 days, and there is zero inventory of the powders that we like the most.

When I retired I started shooting more than ever, and thus reloading became necessary.

Gen X here. I love my revolvers and reloading for them! With crazy price swings and the threat of future laws, I feel a lot of pressure to lay in my components now for the rest of my shooting life. I feel like it's "enjoy it while it lasts."

 

[Wyo]

I reloaded off and on for 50 years. A couple of years ago I realized I never liked it.

I have all my gear in the basement. Its too heavy to bother with selling and shipping. My kids are shooters, but not interested in reloading. I'm pretty sure it is a dying hobby. I don't know any younger folks who reload.

I shoot every week. Hell, I shot today. I just buy ammo.

I started reloading in about 1971 and stayed with it, in varying degrees, through today. Putting pencil to paper, though, I find that I can buy 9mm and 5.56 for less than it costs to reload them especially if I count my time for anything. So I don't load a lot of the high volume stuff any more. However, I also like to shoot some of the really old cartridges and you really don't have any choice but to reload for some of them. For example, I load for the 40/70 Sharps Necked and the 50/90 Sharps, sometimes with holy black and sometimes with smokeless. I guess you can buy those through places like Buffalo Arms but at well over $100/20 I think I"ll just stick with the reloading. I load the 33 Winchester for an old 1886. Again, not an easy one to come by. Even the 257 Ackley Improved in my old Model 70 would be pretty much out of business if I didn't load for it. So for me the reloading has become less and less about saving money and more about keeping some of the old guns going. I reckon that's a good enough reason.

 

[sunpadre]

I started reloading 20 years ago with a single stage press a friend gave me. I learned on that for a bit, then purchased a Dillon 550. I don't shoot a lot compared to others, but the equipment still paid for itself pretty quick reloading for 10mm, 300rum, .45acp, and occasionally .38sp. I reload a years supply during the winter and enjoy doing it. It's comforting to know I can just produce my own ammo as needed.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I've been at it at least 40 years, and there is one other B-I-G reason I've continued: I have NEVER worried about having ammunition during an ammunition shortage. I got so fed up with hoarders who would descend on gun shops and gun shows to buy up all the ammunition they could only to store it in their basements waiting for the world to collapse. They were self-fulfilling boobs who worried about the ammunition shortage when they, themselves, were a big part of the problem.
Yet there I sat at the reloading bench or in the front yard, smiling ear to ear that I could grab a box of cartridges, head for the range, make some noise, come back home, throw the empties in a tumbler and do it all over again. In the long run, I've saved some money, and I've had a heck of a good time. Good on ya, Robert.

X10!!!!!!!!!!!...................

 

[Petrov]

I don't mean to sound arrogant but at my height of shooting ability in my 30's I was a pretty darn good shot so I made my own ammo because I COULD shoot better than the factory ammo. My coated bullets didnt lead up my revolver and didnt foul it up and overheat it like factory ammo.
I let my shooting skill fall apart and working it back up. I have my wadcutter load for my PPC/N frame target gun. I have my 38 short colt loads for my fun plate rack 686 speed shooting gun.
Nothing feels better than getting exactly the thing that you want.

 

[H Richard]

I've been reloading for well over 40 years. I played most of the games, High Power, Bullseye, USPSA, I enjoyed Prairie Dog hunting, etc. I always loaded for Accuracy, and ignored the cost. As I aged I shoot a lot less, I haven't loaded a pistol round for over a year. A rifle round for over three years. I still do load my 12 Ga for trap/skeet, but the cost of shot, powder and primers has reached the point where it almost costs more to load than buy by the case on sale. I know within the next couple yars I will have three loaders for sale.

I always liked the time to developing loads, especially for the 22-250 and .223 for "dog" shooting. My rule was 1/2" at 100 yds, as you may need to make that 500+ yd shot. I've sold off my Remington 700"s with custom barrels, and only have 1 rifle caliber (other than 22RF) and have enough ammo loaded for it to do a 5 day hunt. But, doubt if I ever make that last hunt.

 

[rwsmith]

Another reason to handload is to have ammo with the ballistics of days gone by. Skeeter's 38spl, Linebaugh's 45Colt, Elmer's 44spl and, Speer #8 38spl loads. I know many today that Pooh-pooh those types of loads, but, I only shoot them in modern, good condition, heavy for caliber revolvers.

I LIKE old reloading data and have no problem with it as long as it wasn't known to cause problems. I'm really glad to have the 1970 Sierra manual (HOT hunting loads). I don't often indulge in really hot loads but I've experimented with some loads and found them VERY satisfying. I remember the old days when a +P was noticeably more powerful than standard loads. I was at the outdoor range shooting .38 standard loads and switched to +P. Two guys were leaving and I heard one of them say, "He's shooting +Ps now!" Like I said, NOTICEABLE difference.

 

[Always Faithful Holsters]

I LIKE old reloading data and have no problem with it as long as it wasn't known to cause problems. I'm really glad to have the 1970 Sierra manual (HOT hunting loads). I don't often indulge in really hot loads but I've experimented with some loads and found them VERY satisfying. I remember the old days when a +P was noticeably more powerful than standard loads. I was at the outdoor range shooting .38 standard loads and switched to +P. Two guys were leaving and I heard one of them say, "He's shooting +Ps now!" Like I said, NOTICEABLE difference.

Old reloading data: Think Speer #8 38Spl loads….

 

[rwsmith]

Old reloading data: Think Speer #8 38Spl loads….

Yeah, I wasn't going to name names.

 

[duke2002]

I agree with all. The days of cheap primers and powder are gone. My buddy and i lay in a stockpile when times are good. We like to go shoot until we decide its a day. Not the "i shot my 50" then go home. Same with .22's my girls will shoot a brick in an afternoon. When things are not stupid i stock up.

 

[Rudi2]

My kids are shooters, but not interested in reloading. I'm pretty sure it is a dying hobby. I don't know any younger folks who reload.

I have to laugh when people say reloading is a dying hobby, or younger folks don't reload anymore. Stores that sell reloading supplies are pretty much sold out shortly after getting a shipment in. Even vendors at gun shows are sold out within a short time, if the prices are decent. Somebody is buying this stuff, and it's not just us old guys "stocking up". The only time I see stock sitting on the shelf is when it is grossly overpriced - well everything is overpriced today - but you know what I mean. Not everyone can afford to stockpile ammo when then prices are down, I think there wills always be reloaders, and it just plain feels good to be able to "roll your own".

 

[HARLEY0]

The reason I posted this thread is because it often comes up as a question from Newbies. I guess some new to our hobby think they can save lots and lots of money by rolling their own. Maybe this will help a few who read this.

First off let me state that I am a reloader and have been for about 40 years. My original press was a Dillon Square Deal B, then an RCBS Rock Chucker for the calibers the SD-B wouldn't do and then I saw the light, sold the SD-B and bought a Dillon 650. I currently have the 650 and the RCBS. I also realized what was going to happen to reloading components back a while ago and bought enough for the long haul at normal prices back in the day. When I reload I can save money on ammo as the components were purchased quite reasonably. That is simply not the case any longer! Reloading components are very costly these days and if you are shooting a popular caliber such as 9mm, 223/556, 45c acp etc. and have to buy components at current prices, pay shipping and hazmat I highly doubt there would be any cost savings. Couple that to the cost of the machinery and equipment to reload and really should other reasons you want to get into the hobby other than just cost.

Reloading has some real advantages as well - regardless of money. Some find it very relaxing and a satisfying hobby to make their own ammo. Many make custom loads for target shooting for better accuracy in certain guns, some (such as myself) can make loads in large heavy calibers more shootable by downloading them a bit. You are also able to make ammo for obsolete calibers as I do as well. You are in control of your ammo supple and specific loads - assuming you already have the components in stock of course.

I got into reloading 40 years ago and went through many rounds a week. I competed in Bullseye shooting, PPC and Cowboy SASS matches plus practice sessions - that's quite a bit of ammo! I was also shooting expensive calibers in SASS matches. 45 Colt, 38-55 and 45-70 has always been expensive. Reloading back in the day I saved lots of money. I would shoot thousands of .38 Specials a year and my cost per 50 rounds was well under $5 plus I got to make the loads my guns liked best.

Just a few days ago I saw 9mm ammunition being sold for $10.79 a box of 50 - free shipping when a case was purchased. That's about .22 cents each - delivered to your door. That is probably less than it would cost to load your own at current prices. Don't forget the price of the equipment which will be amortized over the years you reload, shipping and hazmat costs too. If you shoot mostly 9mm, 38 special, .556/223 and are only concerned about the cost - just use your money to buy ammo and stock up when there are sales on it and you will come out ahead.

If you are shooting exotic or expensive calibers and want to be in control of your loads, then by all means get into the reloading hobby. On the less popular and readily available calibers & loadings you can definitely save a few bucks but just remember that when you see an opportunity to but components reasonably - jump! If it is simply something you enjoy doing - it's hard to put a cost on that - most hobbies never pay for themselves - lol.

Let me also add this.......... When purchasing equipment It's not just the press you need to buy. It's the dies, the conversion kits, the primer tubes, the scale, the bullet boxes, a bullet puller, blah, blah, blah! Buying equipment on the cheap is usually the most expensive way in the long run because it's usually the hardest to use and least efficient. Most who buy on the cheap wind up buying better and upgraded equipment such as I did - no real cost savings and working harder and slower for each round. All in all to replace the equipment and tools I currently have I'd be looking at $3,500-$4,000 today - easy! Components...... that's another whole story! So.... I am not trying to discourage anyone from getting into the reloading hobby. I just want those who do enter coming in with their eyes opened.

Another bit of info for Newbies..... Powder and Primers need to be safely stored in a controlled environment so that is something you should be aware of as well. While you don't need to be able to rebuild a cars transmission in your garage (lol), there are some basic mechanical and measuring skills involved. Common sense is an absolute must as is the time, patience and quiet place to do so in. Don't do this if you work 60+ hours a week, have a wife and kids - you will always be rushed and reloading is something you do not want to be rushed at! I hope this has helped at least a few on the fence considering getting into the hobby.

Keep reloading - I love my Dillon 550 we have 3 of them!

 

[Law-dog]

I started in 1972 with 357 and 45 and expanded to well over a dozen. I reload very few 9mm or 223 but do most other calibers. I save a ton of money on things like the 257 and 300 Weatherby, and 45 Colt and 45-70 and 44 mag and 44 special.

Even 30 special are 60 cents each, which if you cast you can load them for 20 cents or so. I shoot 357 in the lever guns and those are about 80 cents over the counter.

I also shoot the 454, which you cannot find anywhere for under $2 per round. I can cast a bullet, powder coat it and load it hot for under 25 cents, sometimes as little at 20 cents.

I also load shotgun slugs and buckshot which I cast at a fraction of new cost. It depends on what caliber you shoot and how much you shoot. If you are a precision shooter, then you have no choice normally, you must tailor your loads to each gun.

Not for everyone, it requires a clear head and deeper set of thinking skills to be safe. That said, the total shooting or hunting experience is not complete for people who do not roll their own or at least know how.

And as you age and have more time, it becomes more therapeudic.

My 2 cents.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I got in to it at first shooting wood chucks. I only had factory 150 and 180 grain .308 ammo. My friend reloaded his on .243 wood chuck ammo on a RCBS Junior or Pardner press. I helped him a time or two make ammo and then bought a RCBS Reloader Special 3 kit. Rudimentary shaking powder from a Tupperware orange juice cup with a teaspoon in to the scale. Then I bought a trickler to speed things up lol. $3k or more later invested in reloading gear!

I loaded up a lot of .308 110 spire points until I bought a .22-250 Remington Varminter.

 

[Sal1950]

I started reloading back in the early 80s. I had made a deal for Ruger SuperBlackhawk 44mag but the ammo was too pricey for me to shoot as much as I liked. I picked up a Dillon RL450b and never looked back. I've been cranking out rounds on it for everything from 9mm to S&W460 for the last 40+ years. Just kept it well lubed and adjusted, it still works like new.
I enjoy reloading and find it relaxing.. Now that I'm getting older I don't get to shoot as much as I used to and actually
miss the time at the press.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

I started reloading back in the early 80s. I had made a deal for Ruger SuperBlackhawk 44mag but the ammo was too pricey for me to shoot as much as I liked. I picked up a Dillon RL450b and never looked back. I've been cranking out rounds on it for everything from 9mm to S&W460 for the last 40+ years. Just kept it well lubed and adjusted, it still works like new.
I enjoy reloading and find it relaxing.. Now that I'm getting older I don't get to shoot as much as I used to and actually miss the time at the press.

Pick up a bunch more brass, primers, powder and bullets. Maybe even start casting your own. That will keep you occupied for a while. You can never have enough ammo.

Rick

 

[Sal1950]

Pick up a bunch more brass, primers, powder and bullets. Maybe even start casting your own. That will keep you occupied for a while. You can never have enough ammo.

Rick

Ha ha, I wont even mention how much I got on the shelf now.
A couple of my close friends know exactly where to come runnin if the crap ever hits the fan.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Ha ha, I wont even mention how much I got on the shelf now.
A couple of my close friends know exactly where to come runnin if the crap ever hits the fan.

Excellent!!! Just what I like to hear!!!

Rick

 

[cowboy94916]

I started reloading in the late 70"s on an rcbs Junior. Had to if I wanted to shoot my 357 and 44 Mag. Well as time progressed and I started shooting bullseye with 45 acp,2 kids and 3rd on the way I was not making points with the home front. Solution, told my wife i would quit baseball league and order a rcbs Green machine, in 45 acp, to open up more famiy time. She later commented it seemed like I was just shooting a bit more. Well then I started shooting service rifle again loading on the JR. So I found a dillion 550. To make this story shorter I now have 3 dillon 550's the green machine, a rcbs junior and a rock chuker.
Also got into shotshell and have 12,20 and 28 gauge progressive presses. Reloading is like gun aquisition, an addiction, it feeds the aquisition of guns in that you have more time to look for them. It feeds the I am saving money but in reality you spend more because you get to shoot more. About the only shell that is questionable on savings is 12 ga. However, when others couldn't buy shells I was still shooting of my inventory of components. All my other shells I have components inventory that will last me till I am buried. I don't think I have bought anything other then powder and shot in 10 or more years and still shoot an adequate amount. to keep me outta trouble with the wife and kids but still satisfy the urges. I highly recommend it.

 

[Dan W. Cady]

I reloaded off and on for 50 years. A couple of years ago I realized I never liked it.

I have all my gear in the basement. Its too heavy to bother with selling and shipping. My kids are shooters, but not interested in reloading. I'm pretty sure it is a dying hobby. I don't know any younger folks who reload.

I shoot every week. Hell, I shot today. I just buy ammo.

I've said it before, Handloading is not a hobby but a Terminal Illness!

 

[Marcruger]

I will weigh in here for what it is worth. Keep in mind that there is REloading, and there is HANDloading.

Reloading is cranking out numerous rounds of a certain load. This often seems to concentrate on cost savings.

Handloading on the other hand is tailoring a load to a particular firearm for various reasons, and can save money as well.

I got into handloading as I wanted to shoot a blackpowder cartridge 1874 Sharps. If you want accuracy in BPCR you need to load your own. How about tiny groups from a bolt action rifle? Handloading is also important for, say, a Model 10 or Model 58 S&W. Those need a load that groups tightly and has point-of-aim and point-of-impact the same. Single Action Army Colts too. Off the shelf ammo rarely suits those parameters.

Cost saving these days can come from handloaded, tailored cartridges. Take 45 Colt or 44 Special. The cheapest you can find factory ammo would be Herter's at a $50.00 per box, or a dollar a round. I tried that fare once in 45 Colt, and got an extreme spread of 400 (yes four HUNDRED) feet per second. Terrifying. The next cheapest at Bass Pro Shop/Cabela's is $1.25 per round. And that does not hit to point-of-aim. Handloads for either .44 Special or .45 Colt come up at $0.29 per round once you have your brass. That is a saving of almost a dollar a shot, and the load groups well and hits to point of aim. Easy to justify handloading equipment at that savings. That would hold true for all of the true big bores.

The best I can figure 9mm would save $0.09 per round. At that rate I am not spending my time handloading. .45acp would save $0.12 per round. .38 Special is similar. Again, for that savings I'll not be reloading. Most 45 sights are set up for hardball, which is quite common. So there is a breakpoint somewhere in there. Only you know what your time is worth.

I absolutely do not trust myself or the equipment to use a progressive press. My buddy ran me through it on his Dillon 550....an amazing machine. I just don't trust that I'd get the process smooth and correct. Those Dillons are made to be set up and left on the bench. I do not have that luxury. I also want to see the powder charge in EVERY case, EVERY time. So, I single stage handload/reload.

Don't wait for the mid-term elections or panic buying in 3 years. Stock up your components now. When there is no panic buying fear of losing gun rights, the buying public goes back to apathy. When the prices are lower (now) it is the time to buy. If you think prices are high now, wait a year or three. Let the wailing begin. I can hear people say, "I remember when a box of primers were $80.00. Now look at them!"

 

[GypsmJim]

I will weigh in here for what it is worth. Keep in mind that there is REloading, and there is HANDloading.

Reloading is cranking out numerous rounds of a certain load. This often seems to concentrate on cost savings.

Handloading on the other hand is tailoring a load to a particular firearm for various reasons, and can save money as well.

I got into handloading as I wanted to shoot a blackpowder cartridge 1874 Sharps. If you want accuracy in BPCR you need to load your own. How about tiny groups from a bolt action rifle? Handloading is also important for, say, a Model 10 or Model 58 S&W. Those need a load that groups tightly and has point-of-aim and point-of-impact the same. Single Action Army Colts too. Off the shelf ammo rarely suits those parameters.

Cost saving these days can come from handloaded, tailored cartridges. Take 45 Colt or 44 Special. The cheapest you can find factory ammo would be Herter's at a $50.00 per box, or a dollar a round. I tried that fare once in 45 Colt, and got an extreme spread of 400 (yes four HUNDRED) feet per second. Terrifying. The next cheapest at Bass Pro Shop/Cabela's is $1.25 per round. And that does not hit to point-of-aim. Handloads for either .44 Special or .45 Colt come up at $0.29 per round once you have your brass. That is a saving of almost a dollar a shot, and the load groups well and hits to point of aim. Easy to justify handloading equipment at that savings. That would hold true for all of the true big bores.

The best I can figure 9mm would save $0.09 per round. At that rate I am not spending my time handloading. .45acp would save $0.12 per round. .38 Special is similar. Again, for that savings I'll not be reloading. Most 45 sights are set up for hardball, which is quite common. So there is a breakpoint somewhere in there. Only you know what your time is worth.

I absolutely do not trust myself or the equipment to use a progressive press. My buddy ran me through it on his Dillon 550....an amazing machine. I just don't trust that I'd get the process smooth and correct. Those Dillons are made to be set up and left on the bench. I do not have that luxury. I also want to see the powder charge in EVERY case, EVERY time. So, I single stage handload/reload.

Don't wait for the mid-term elections or panic buying in 3 years. Stock up your components now. When there is no panic buying fear of losing gun rights, the buying public goes back to apathy. When the prices are lower (now) it is the time to buy. If you think prices are high now, wait a year or three. Let the wailing begin. I can hear people say, "I remember when a box of primers were $80.00. Now look at them!"

I could not have said it better. My only disagreement is re. the 9 cent savings for 9 mm. I would STILL reload for those calibers simply because I enjoy the hobby. Now if it cost MORE, then I would have to re-think it.

BTW, I have not purchased factory centerfire ammo in 40 years. I make it for my son and father as well.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

I guess I'm a reloader/handloader. I do all mine on the RCBS Big Max (which they haven't made in years). I do them all in each step, 100 round batches. Sizing, decap/bell, prime with a Hornady hand primer so I can verify that each primer is right side up (I've screwed that up more times than I'll admit to). After priming they all go into the loading block for charging and I check each one with a flashlight for proper powder amount. Then comes seating and crimping. Don't even get me started on bullet casting!! I know nothing of progressive presses and have no interest. I started almost 50 years ago with the Lee Loader for 44 mag/spl and the powder scoops. Then came the Lee Hand Priming tool, RCBS Powder Measure and scale. To top it off was the RCBS JR Press. I only load for those 2 calibers using the same load all these years. It works for me and I save a ton of money.

Rick

 

[rogo123]

There is a bigger issue at play here.
For me, the question of reloading vs shooting factory ammo is a little like cooking.
How many people are willing to say, "I don't need to know how to cook. It's easier just to go through the drive-thru at the local fast food chain."
OK, fine…would you like fries with that?

Well, I like fresh ingredients and eating real food. I like knowing what I'm eating. And, if I can grow something myself, even better! I like making special dishes I can't get at the local "styrofoam plate and paper napkin" eatery.

Same with what I shoot.
I load the cartridges I decided work best for my tastes, to shoot out of the guns I like best, (mostly stuff made during the last century). I like to cast my own bullets to fit my own guns. And, when I need more, I just melt some more lead. And, if primers and powder are an issue, there's always a good muzzleloader.
I don't need to be told "we have all the ammo you want, as long as it's 5.56, 9mm, 40 this, 6.5 that" by some guy at the tactical big box store. In fact, I prefer to not even partonize any so-called gun store that doesn't serve a reloading clientele.

I'd go so far as to say that I am very concerned about the contemporary gun industry. They don't want knowledgeable gun owners. They'd rather have a customer base of gullible, pliant, and dependent consumers whose "information" consists of little more than easily regurgitated advertising talking points.
Here endeth my rant!

 

[Marcruger]

Rick, It sounds like you and I load the same. 100 round batches. I also do the "two loading block" method where a case gets picked up from the left block, a step done, and then the case moves to the right block. One at the time. No mistakes that way. I follow the Lyman manual process. Hey hey hey guys.......let's be safe out there.

 

[Marcruger]

One other tip for you loaders that are getting older like me. Really consider the Forster Co-Ax press. The effort to size cases (or any operation) is 1/3 that of a normal press. Greatly cuts down on wear and tear that causes carpal tunnel or anger arthritis. It is also super easy to use, and there is a very cheap trick to make it much easier to load handgun rounds on. PM me if you need that info.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Rick, It sounds like you and I load the same. 100 round batches. I also do the "two loading block" method where a case gets picked up from the left block, a step done, and then the case moves to the right block. One at the time. No mistakes that way. I follow the Lyman manual process. Hey hey hey guys.......let's be safe out there.

Kind of. I use 2 Tupperware containers for all the case prep stuff. Just like you do with the blocks. I only use two blocks for charging and seating. I used to do the two block method for years until I thought why bother. They don't have to be nice looking. I also check the primer pockets as I pick each one up for priming. Forgot to mention that before.

Rick