New to 9mm - worth reloading?

[Deacon KC]

I have the toolhead set up and ready to use on my 550, but I don't with 9mm today [or.223] because of the cost of good quality target/practice stuff that is cheap. I stock up on those when they go on sale. I do save money on my revolver rounds [believe me .38-40 HURTS to buy it off the shelf!] and oddball milsurp stuff. I have tons of brass and components if needed, so if/when another ammo drought hits, I have it available.

 

[Gamecock]

Had you said "it's not worth it", it would have been a value judgement I wouldn't dispute.

Using Precision Delta Jacketed 115gr ($166/2000= $0.083ea) and remaining supplies from Powder Valley today including shipping and Hazmat, the cost is $6.00 per box of 50.

Reloading may still be a "bad idea' lol, but the cheapest I've seen factory for is ~$8.00 per box. And if you need to get a box at the range, it's more like $13.50/box lol.

I suppose you could use Precision Delta. I use Hornady, Sierra, and Speer. They cost more.

 

[Watchdog]

Loading your own 9mm ammo is a great idea if you shoot a lot of it.

If you don't shoot a lot of it, you'd be just as well off stocking up on cheap range ammo and saving yourself the time and effort.

I used to load my own .45acp, but eventually just got tired of fooling with it.

 

[S&W forever]

I never go cheap when it comes to reload. One mistake I can get hurt or lose a rare toy. I also never use reload on any SMG. If you would spend the money on high-end progressive loader like Dillon and the scales and tools needed. The average person will take a long time to break even. Post you work station to see what you are working with.

 

[Wise_A]

I used to really pinch the pennies when reloading, and still do to an extent with some cartridges, but have since learned to let go and just enjoy myself. So I shoot some Zero JHPs in my .357, grabbed a box of Hornady V-Max for my .223, and now a couple hundred 140-grain VLD match for my new 6.5.

I do try and cheap the 9mm, but not too bad--Power Pistol, 140-grain coated RNFPs from Missouri.

 

[iouri]

It's worth it to me. I usually buy heavy bullets (145gr +) in bulk (2k+) so they cost me about $0.08 plus primer $0.03 plus powder about $0.03-0.05 makes it about $140-160 per 1000. Show me where you can buy 147gr for under $200 per 1k. Yes the savings are not as sound as 460/500 mag but I've bought my 650 conversion kit during "great ammo drought" and I don't count my time towards ammo cost

 

[Twoboxer]

I suppose you could use Precision Delta. I use Hornady, Sierra, and Speer. They cost more.

Personally, where the bullet actually will make a difference I prefer Berger lol. But everyone is different.

Let's recall the point you made in the context of 9mm:

"For jacketed bullets, it is cheaper to buy factory ammo than to reload."

That's simply not correct.

Even substituting Hornady jacketed bullets for the PD FMJs, the $6/box reload cost only goes to $7/box . . . which is still cheaper than factory Blazer Brass which can be had in quantity for $8/box.

And 9mm factory ammo with Hornady, Speer, or Sierra jacketed bullets for will cost significantly more than $8/box.

May not be worthwhile, but reloading comparable 9mm ammo is still cheaper than buying factory.

 

[BE Mike]

If you really want to save by reloading, scrounge lead and cast your own bullets. I do have to agree that it is not worthwhile for casual shooters to reload, due to the cost of the equipment. That said, most of the equipment does retain a significant value, even used.

 

[Gamecock]

M'kay, Twoboxer, your comments have merit.

I checked some bullet prices. Lo and behold, they are a lot cheaper now than when I did my analysis 3 years ago. My bullets were 20 cents each, but are now 11 cents each.

That changes my loaded cost from 25.8 cents each to 16.8 cents each, Ceteris paribus.

I can't buy ammo for that.

 

[gen3guy]

During the last run on ammo supplies, the resulting shortage extended in to reloading supplies also. If this is your fear, I suggest stocking up on primers, powder, and bullets. There were price gougers out there getting $50/lb. for powder and $60/1000 for pistol primers.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Been reloading the 9 since 1972. With my cast bullets comes out to less than $3/box.

 

[gunny100]

9mm ammo check out ------------www.centerfiresystems.com

Hello fellow reloaders. I am wondering if I would be wasting my time reloading for the 9mm Luger, considering the following:
I use a Dillon 550B, and typically reload for .45ACP and .44 Magnum, with 5.56Nato on occasion. The pistol calibers are either lead bullets bought in bulk from Oregon Trail, or FMJ Hardball bought in bulk for the .45ACP.
Since I finally decided to pick a few 2nd gen 9mm's, I bought a few thousand 124gr & 147gr loaded brass case rounds by the case. Compared to the 44 and 45 calibers, the loaded ammo is relatively cheap. I will be using the 9mm as a CCW round in a S&W 3913, so I won't be shooting thousands of rounds per month like I do with the .45 or the .44, which I use for target and metallic silhouette. What is your reloaded 9mm costing you per round to Produce, using either a 124gr fmj, or a 147gr fmj at NATO power levels? I get loaded WW 9mm NATO on sale for about $0.17 per round. I would like to know what you folks spend to reload similar ammo, add in the time it will take me to to clean, sort and reload the brass after I spend an hour or more picking 250 empties out of the rocks, and buy new dies and shell
plate. Not to mention the pain in my back from bending over repeatedly picking up brass out of the rocks:
You can probably tell that I am leaning towards just buying factory ammo in bulk. Maybe you can convince me otherwise
The reason I ask about the 147gr load, is because I carry 147gr +P GDHP's. The 124gr fmj hits close enough to the poi of the 147gr factory load that I don't have to adjust my fixed sight pistols for practice.
Thanks!
Arman

Centerfire Systems - Homepage

 

[BE Mike]

I have to admit that although when I first started reloading it was because I was into bullseye (precision) pistol shooting and very few people could afford factory match ammo, but now, although I still save money reloading, I take some pride in reloading. A lot of people, when they find out that I reload, look upon me as some sort of a wizard!

 

[mtgianni]

Where do you get CCI primers for that price?

4 or 5 years ago Graff was selling an off brand of primers 10,000 for $199. I am not the OP but I am still running on those primers and shipping was less than $30 with Hazmat.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

At current component prices I can load 100 124gr JHP rounds for $14. I can load 100 124gr Coated Cast Bullet rounds for $11.00.

I don't know anywhere you can but a box of JHP rounds for only $7.

 

[scotthickoryky]

box of factory 10-12 box of 50,,,,,, reload box of 50 $4.50,, yes its hardcast 125 gr rn but its still great target / practice rds,,, you can load jacketed rds for about $8 a box of 50,,,, if you shoot a lot of cast mainly then YES its worth reloading 9mm,,,,you can figure $6 a box savings for each box UNLESS you want jacketed bullet