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

[BE Mike]

I got into reloading because of shooting matches. Factory match ammo is pricey and always has been. That's one reason to reload. Progressive presses are most valuable for those who shoot a lot of ammo, but a single stage press will do for most folks. For those who go shooting once a year or so and shoot a box of ammo, reloading doesn't make a lot of sense. There are some bargains out there for reloading equipment from people who thought that reloading might be a good idea, but never got motivated to learn how. There are also some bargains by retired reloaders. I actually get tired of hearing how cheap some Brand X, 115 gr. FMJ 9mm ammo is. If that's the only caliber one shoots, then yeah, maybe reloading isn't for you. If you shoot other centerfire handgun or centerfire rifle calibers, then you indeed can save money reloading and end up with a much higher quality product than run-of-the-mill Brand X factory ammo. If someone doesn't want to do something they can come up with a million excuses not to do it. Same goes for reloading.

 

[scattershot]

Good advice.Thanks for posting. I would point out, though, that during the late great unlamented ammo shortage, I was shooting when many were not.

 

[A-300 Dave]

I am now 86 Y.O. and I got into hand loading back in the late 1960's after buying a .300 Wby Mag and not being able to afford factory ammo!! I started with a Pacific Press & dies - Still have the press. Over time I have reloaded a number of rifle/pistol calibers and have upgraded to RCBS Rock Chucker and Redding S type, bushing dies for my rifles - RCBS Carbide dies for my pistols. I have watched the prices go from rock bottom to sky high and I have to agree that those starting out at today's pricing might have a problem with the math, if their sole purpose is to save money.
Back during the days of the Varmint Hunter Magazine ( I still have a large number of those magazines) I got interested in Prairie Dog shooting and this introduced me to the art of long range shooting. I used .223, 22-250 & .243 rifles and soon found out that Commercial ammo was lacking in the consistent long range shots (remember, I'm talking about pre-1990). So, my interest in hand loading expanded to include producing rounds that would consistently produce small groups, thus each caliber received the individual attention required to produce those small groups necessary to hit 2 liter sized varmints beyond 500 yds - This wasn't available with the Commercial ammo, at that time. Now-a-days new calibers (6.5 CM, etc.), new powder & new bullets with high BC's are hard to beat (Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X, Nosler ABLD and others for example).
So, if I had no way of knowing how much I have enjoyed hand-rolling my own ammo in the past I would probably have trouble deciding whether to enter the art of hand loading/reloading at today's pricing. As mentioned several times above, we can't view the future; however, if the future prices increase as much as they have since about 2005 to present, then one would definitely benefit from entering the ring now and stocking up (as I have done). My advice - Put forward your best guess and go with it, and good luck!!

 

[Dave Haynes]

Anyone with any age to them knows how much we have lost in this country. In California they pass 8-900 new laws every year, every one bought and paid for. Their goal is to control every aspect of people's lives and make money doing it. In the name of safety or the climate they keep on mandating anything and everything. BBQ tanks, straws, grocery store bags, anything that makes money for the author of the law. The hysterical way they've destroyed everything gun related is legendary. We are down to one American owned ammo company in the US and no lead mining, only recycled batteries. Do you think that ammunition is going to get any cheaper or plentiful? We are so near the edge of the cliff it stinks. Control ammunition, you control guns. This is not a free, honest country anymore. Handloading gives people the chance to control their own future. Being prudent may take a bit of effort but it is that important.

 

[newfie]

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!"

 

[newfie]

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 couldn't agree more with your assessment. I've reloaded ammo since 1970. There aren't many younger people that seem to be interested in load development or general reloading. Most of the shooters I speak to at the range are using 9mm, .45ACP and .223. All are available at very reasonable prices and the rifle cases are always more work to reload.

That being said I still reload. Like yourself I reloaded black powder cartridges for two original Trapdoor Springfields. This also entailed bullet casting which I continue to do. Casting is a lot of work but makes load development for handguns and antique rifles affordable.

Reloading is really cost effective if you shoot European made firearms. My son recently purchased 7X57 Mauser at Bass Pro, 40 rounds cost over $90. I reload that cartridge as well as 7.5MM Swiss and .455 Webley. Now that surplus 7.62X39 Russian is no longer available I've purchased that die set as well.

 

[biku324]

Many folks save for a rainy day. I've been stocking bargains on the powders, primers, and bullets I often use and won't need to buy anything but a few thousand .310" bullets before my dirt nap. Most powder I bought at $15 to $30 per pound, primers less than $20 per thousand, with a wide array of bullets from 10 to 25 cents each.

By the way, don't forget to pass on bounty to younger folks rather than gouging them for components - I recently sold 'new old stock' 35 Whelen brass and bullets at my cost on this Forum to a much younger man who was very appreciative. Pass it on.

 

[Sal1950]

Anyone with any age to them knows how much we have lost in this country. In California they pass 8-900 new laws every year, every one bought and paid for. Their goal is to control every aspect of people's lives and make money doing it. In the name of safety or the climate they keep on mandating anything and everything. BBQ tanks, straws, grocery store bags, anything that makes money for the author of the law. The hysterical way they've destroyed everything gun related is legendary. We are down to one American owned ammo company in the US and no lead mining, only recycled batteries. Do you think that ammunition is going to get any cheaper or plentiful? We are so near the edge of the cliff it stinks. Control ammunition, you control guns. This is not a free, honest country anymore. Handloading gives people the chance to control their own future. Being prudent may take a bit of effort but it is that important.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I have a theory concerning LC ammo on the open market. Lake City has skilled workers operating the facility, government contracts/orders are sporadic based on demand. To retain workers and run it at an economical rate it must operate continuously. How long do you think the workers would be retained if they were laid off several times a year?

I think that is one reason why all the contracts to operate LC (currently Winchester/Olin I think) all stipulate that they can sell “overruns” on the market. I think Obummer paused that but it didn’t last probably due to contract language where they had to pay Speer/ATK i think penalties for the stoppage.

 

[Lance Boyle]

Many folks save for a rainy day. I've been stocking bargains on the powders, primers, and bullets I often use and won't need to buy anything but a few thousand .310" bullets before my dirt nap. Most powder I bought at $15 to $30 per pound, primers less than $20 per thousand, with a wide array of bullets from 10 to 25 cents each.

By the way, don't forget to pass on bounty to younger folks rather than gouging them for components - I recently sold 'new old stock' 35 Whelen brass and bullets at my cost on this Forum to a much younger man who was very appreciative. Pass it on.

If you can afford to that is great. I did the same with a few FAL mags with a fellow. I traded for an M14 gas system wrench that had the value of one magazine. I sent him all three that I had because I didn’t need them and traded them at the value they were when I acquired them. Sure I could have sold the other two and pocketed $50-60 but just passed along some good vibes and cleared them out of my locker.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I initially got started as it was a little obnoxious to hunt woodchucks with a .308 winchester shooting 180 grain Corelokts. I picked a Reloader Special 3, dies and began making 110 spire point reloads. I eventually picked up a .22-250 but the hook was set. $7 boxes of Sierra match bullets, a $12ish can of BallC2, $9.99 1000 count CCI sleeve of primers and a set of neck sizing die’s and I was in varmint whacking business.

 

[Tabby Lynn]

I got into reloading sort of accidentally. I bought a rifle in an odd caliber for several thousand less than its value. Found that rounds were $8 each, so bought a bunch of reloading stuff to make my own. This then enabled me to buy more rifles in odd calibers, eventually building my own.

I can’t tell you whether I’ve saved money, because what I’m doing can’t be done without hand loading. What I can say is that my ammo and rifles are built with much greater precision than any factory stuff out there. They are also customized to suit a specific objective, and I know exactly what they will do under certain conditions, so I’m a better shooter. The only way I could accomplish that without hand loading is to pay someone to hand load for me.

The only thing that surprised me is the amount of time required to reload, especially if you are not willing to invest in very expensive equipment that automates the process. By the time I clean, anneal, inspect, size, trim, weigh and load I may have 10 minutes invested in each round. That’s after the 1-2 year learning curve required to find your own magic process that results in accurate ammo. It’s vastly different from my buddies who bang out pistol and shotgun ammo with a lot of speed. But they are not saving money or creating anything different that what you can buy off the shelf, so I don’t see the point.

Is making your own ice cream cheaper than buying it? Nope, but if you want Oreo banana pineapple waffle flavor with exactly 3 blue sprinkles in each bite, you gotta make it yourself.

There are only two reasons to reload, price and accuracy. When it becomes cheaper to purchase ammo that does what I want it to, I buy commercial until the price exceeds the cost of reloading. I have found commercial ammo mostly, woefully inaccurate, even the ammo sold as match grade by major manufacturers. When commercial match grade ammo has muzzle velocities varying up to 125 fps it's hard to shoot a sub moa group. Conversely my handload muzzle velocities generally vary between 10 and 40 fps which makes shooting sub moa much easier. As for the time spent reloading, I consider it time well spent when I go to the range and see 5 rounds touching at 100 yards and groups of 1.7 inches at 200 yards. When hunting, if somehow I miss, which I have to admit sometimes happens, I know that it's not the rifle or ammo that caused the miss, it's me and only me. That makes me evaluate what I did wrong, which makes me a much better hunter.

 

[Law-dog]

I am now 86 Y.O. and I got into hand loading back in the late 1960's after buying a .300 Wby Mag and not being able to afford factory ammo!! I started with a Pacific Press & dies - Still have the press. Over time I have reloaded a number of rifle/pistol calibers and have upgraded to RCBS Rock Chucker and Redding S type, bushing dies for my rifles - RCBS Carbide dies for my pistols. I have watched the prices go from rock bottom to sky high and I have to agree that those starting out at today's pricing might have a problem with the math, if their sole purpose is to save money.
Back during the days of the Varmint Hunter Magazine ( I still have a large number of those magazines) I got interested in Prairie Dog shooting and this introduced me to the art of long range shooting. I used .223, 22-250 & .243 rifles and soon found out that Commercial ammo was lacking in the consistent long range shots (remember, I'm talking about pre-1990). So, my interest in hand loading expanded to include producing rounds that would consistently produce small groups, thus each caliber received the individual attention required to produce those small groups necessary to hit 2 liter sized varmints beyond 500 yds - This wasn't available with the Commercial ammo, at that time. Now-a-days new calibers (6.5 CM, etc.), new powder & new bullets with high BC's are hard to beat (Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X, Nosler ABLD and others for example).
So, if I had no way of knowing how much I have enjoyed hand-rolling my own ammo in the past I would probably have trouble deciding whether to enter the art of hand loading/reloading at today's pricing. As mentioned several times above, we can't view the future; however, if the future prices increase as much as they have since about 2005 to present, then one would definitely benefit from entering the ring now and stocking up (as I have done). My advice - Put forward your best guess and go with it, and good luck!!

I reload the 300 and 257 Weatherby Mags as well. Factory ammo is not found anywhere that I can find, not even Bass Pro or Cabellas. So, there is shipping and tax on top of cost. The lowest 257 is about $80 delivered of $4 per round, premium more.

The only thing I do of substance is weigh every charge and I get 1/2 groups with every load, 70, 75, 87, 100, 110 and 117 grain bullets. It is like magic and I fire more than most for a hunting rifle. Maybe 200 rounds per year.

My cost is pretty cheap really, about the same as a 30-06. To equal factory ammo by Norma with the same bullet my cost is primer 8, bullet 35, powder 45 or 88 cents compared to $4 each. That one is a no brainer.

In the 300 they kick too much so I do not shoot as many. But move on to other high cost ammo, such as the 45 Colt and 45-70 with cast bullets and the 454 and the savings goes up fast.

I cast bullets, for the 45-70 a bullet might cost 5 cents from wheel weights, a 8 cent primer and 11 for powder---for a Trapdoor load or under 25 cents. Of course over time you must replace your brass. But at 25 cents per round where the lowest cost factory 45-70 is $45 plus tax plus shipping or about $60 plus or $3, is a no brainer. That is a 12X markup.

And the list goes on. Do I reload 9mm, no, I have dies and components but as long as I can buy it at say $11-$12 box, nope.

 

[H Richard]

I almost duplicate what A-300Dave says. I'm 84, been shooting most of my life. I started reloading in the early 80's when I was competing in Bullseye. Making 45 ACP loads that would be more accurate. Then it was on to IHMSA Handgun Silhouette, you can't buy 7mmTCU or 7X30 Waters ammo. As above mentions Prairie Dog shooting demands more accurate ammo than you can buy. I used a 1940's Texan turret loader, making one round at a time, and producing ammo that would make one shot kills at over 500 yards from my 22-550's .

I always kept plenty of supplies on hand, and never had a time I didn't have sufficient ammo on hand to do whatever I wanted to do. And, I kept on shooting during COVID and the other times of supply disruption. I mostly shoot Trap and Skeet now, and recently have been thinking I would quit reloading, the cost of supplies is nearly as much a ammo when on sale. But I just keep on reloading for now, on these 100PLUS temp days here now I can spend a hour or two in my basement reloading a few boxes of shells,so when it cools off I'll have plenty to shoot.

 

[BE Mike]

For the time it takes to either search the internet for the cheapest Brand X ammo by the case, have it delivered and break down the case or go to wait for a sale at the local big box store, I can load a lot of my preferred 9mm load. That being said, you who buy your ammo, keep doing so. I can always use the brass!

 

[HARLEY0]

My son in law and I reload ammo. We have 3 Dillon 550's and caliber conversions completely set up to go to a different caliber. We load all military calibers and some others. If some friends would want an odd caliber loaded, I would ask them to buy the dies, brass and bullets and I would load it for them.

 

[GUNMAN40]

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.

I'm close at 37 years. Bought my Square Deal B for $162.50 if I remember correctly. I keep saying that I'm not going to reload for some calibers or I'm not going to buy a new caliber and then I bought a 5.7x28mm. And then a 30 Super Carry. And a 45-70.

 

[Dennis 52]

Same here in Western NY the 3 main gun shops I used to go to are long gone as well as are their nice selection of REVOLVERS! I did a little tour recently of the remaining places that actually do sell guns in the area. Small selection and hardly any revolvers. Also nothing used either. I've contacted several within 60 miles or so looking for one in particular and none have any used S&W revolvers. All just new semi autos that I know nothing about and don't care to know anything about. Not my thing. I've even checked with some of the big online sellers and they don't have what I'm looking for either. I guess it's going to be Gunbroker or nothing. That's life.

Rick

Rock Island auction has 10-12 gun auctions a year. You might be able to find what you are looking for.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Rock Island auction has 10-12 gun auctions a year. You might be able to find what you are looking for.

OK! I'll give them a look! How are the prices?

edit. I looked at some of the prices. I'd have to give someone else's first and second born if there was anything that I wanted.

Rick

 

[halfmoonclip]

To retain workers and run it at an economical rate it must operate continuously. How long do you think the workers would be retained if they were laid off several times a year?

Our local steel mill had that problem, back when it was operating at all. Unemployment compensation kept the skilled workers in town through the layoff, then back they went. The government (us) was subsidizing continuous production. It may be the ammo companies work the same way.
Been reloading since the mid '70s, got a Dillon 550 in the mid '80s; greatest thing since sliced bread. Primarily a handgunner, and straightwall cartridges are bunches simpler. I've reloaded 5.56 and .308, but it's tedious by comparison.
A buddy just got a Smith .32H&R mag, likes to shoot it, doesn't like ammo prices. I've been leading him down the beginning process of reloading, as a buddy did for me.
BTW, started out with handcast Lyman 'bean cans', each with a big scoop of Lyman lube from the lubricator sizer. Most of the guys in our .38 league did the same; the smoke level, in our indoor range, was pretty bad during rapid fire.
Not worth loading 9s right now, but about everything else is cheaper with a progressive press.
Moon