RELOADING COSTS - WITH NEWLY PURCHASED COMPONENTS

[GypsmJim]

This is my dilemma. The component shortage has made me so sick I haven't reloaded a round in over a year. 9MM is my most loaded round. I have about 1000 cases already primed and maybe 3500 small pistol primers left. I'm almost at the point I never thought I would be: to actually buy ammo and keep my components for the day that they are finally outlawed

Oh please don't even think that. If components and ammo are outlawed, then shooting the old stuff won't be legal either.

 

[GypsmJim]

Well I have recently seen American Eagle 9mm on sale at Target Sports for $11.89 / box of 50 rounds 124 grain 9mm when bought in 1,000 round cases. Shipping is free! IMHO if you don't have old components in stock, it really doesn't pay to reload for this caliber.

I enjoy an afternoon casting boolits just as much as I enjoy reloading. The only store-bought bullets are for hunting, and I haven't bought any in years. With all my boolits being free, factory rounds will never be even close to my homemade ones.

 

[IAM Rand]

Shooting a bullet you have made, PRICELESS

 

[rockquarry]

I enjoy an afternoon casting boolits just as much as I enjoy reloading. The only store-bought bullets are for hunting, and I haven't bought any in years. With all my boolits being free, factory rounds will never be even close to my homemade ones.

Regarding handgun cartridges, I think there are many who don't realize that there are no advantages whatsoever in using a jacketed, plated, painted or coated bullet over a well fit cast bullet of the proper alloy for the load. Granted, it takes some doing (experimentation and shooting groups) to get there, but there's a sense of accomplishment as well as enjoyment in the process.

 

[zeke]

Am still reloading 9mm trget/practice rounds, and have been during all times factory loads were cheaper. Do it because one specific bullet provides vg accuracy in all 9mm tried in, ime. Winchester's 115 hbfmj has a hollow base that imo, expands to fit varying 9mm bores when charged at higher pressures with quicker powders. Same bullet used in Win Q4172 factory white box (at least last time i checked), which are not the same bullet used in all white box loads. It also has a longer bearing surface than other 115 fmj, allowing it to be seated out further while maintaining adequate interference fit. While there may be cast bullets that provide the same benefit, am not at a stage where am anxious to use my limited time to experiment with them.

Good topic as i just sized/sorted a 5 gal bucket of 9mm, which is always a useful learning experience. The only components i may eventually run out of are powder/primers, am retired and we have very long winters up here.

 

[chief38]

I gave up casting about 25 years ago - just did not enjoy it, plus the health risk did not make me happy.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I reload for A Lot of different cartridges both handgun and rifle.

I do save a lot of money loading for the 45-70, the 45 Colt, 38 S&W and the 303 British. When there was no ammo I was still able to shoot the 223, 30-30, 30-06 and a few others. Also for handguns I could still shoot the 38/357, 32 ACP and 45 Auto. I'm very happy I started reloading all those years ago.

 

[chief38]

When I was working (and super busy) and competing in S.A.S.S. matches I would often run downstairs and crank out a few hundred rounds of 45 Colt for the Cowboy match the very next morning. Nice to have that ability!!

 

[mtgianni]

Current cost of 9mm powder coated cast. Lead at $1 a lb. 125 gr bullet x 100 = 12500 divided by 7000 gr is $1.79 per hundred. Powder coating is minimal but I will bump it up $0.02. AA2 powder purchased @ $40 a lb, used 4 gr at a time costs $2.28. 1000 primers @ $90 gives a cost of $9.00.
Bullets 1.81
powder 2.28
Primer 9.00
Total per 100 is $13.09. No hazmat, no shipping costs or handling just stuff bought on a trip to town. I have never seen the advantage of buying 9mm other than time. I cannot find 50 rounds for $6.55, your mileage may vary. Spot price of lead the day this was written was $ 0.938, I rounded up to $1.

Shooting this in a CZ 75 and a Ruger PC9 for long enough to know that 2 passes gets me a clean barrel.

 

[upcountry]

The major benefit to reloading for me is I get what I want, not what they're selling.
Bullet weight, bullet type, powder flexibility and I can get the velocity I want from plinking to hot, and anything in between.
And range brass is my friend--tumble and inspect.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The major benefit to reloading for me is I get what I want, not what they're selling.
Bullet weight, bullet type, powder flexibility and I can get the velocity I want from plinking to hot, and anything in between.
And range brass is my friend--tumble and inspect.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

That right there is well said and oh so true.
When others can't buy ammo we can still shoot!!!

 

[BE Mike]

Regarding handgun cartridges, I think there are many who don't realize that there are no advantages whatsoever in using a jacketed, plated, painted or coated bullet over a well fit cast bullet of the proper alloy for the load. Granted, it takes some doing (experimentation and shooting groups) to get there, but there's a sense of accomplishment as well as enjoyment in the process.

That probably is true for most shooters who shoot outdoors, but I switched to coated bullets from lead a while back as most of my shooting is indoors. The lessened smoke from coated bullets is significantly less than naked lead bullets with lube. Of course, there is also the issue of lead in the air to consider.

 

[cmj8591]

I don't want to derail this thread, but I thought it important to comment about reloading for the M1A. If this is new for you cmj8591, then please be aware loading for an M1A isn't like loading for a typical .308 rifle. There's plenty to read on the 'net so we don't need to discuss it here. Apologies if you already know this.

So far, so good. The biggest issue is to keep the primers seated under flush so you don't end up with a slam fire. I have found a good load with BL-C(2) so I can use the same powder with 308 and 223. It's a great rifle and it rings steel out as far as I can see.

 

[rockquarry]

That probably is true for most shooters who shoot outdoors, but I switched to coated bullets from lead a while back as most of my shooting is indoors. The lessened smoke from coated bullets is significantly less than naked lead bullets with lube. Of course, there is also the issue of lead in the air to consider.

Good point and one I didn't consider. I only shoot outdoors so don't give much thought to indoor lead hazards and smoke.

 

[venomballistics]

Regarding handgun cartridges, I think there are many who don't realize that there are no advantages whatsoever in using a jacketed, plated, painted or coated bullet over a well fit cast bullet of the proper alloy for the load. Granted, it takes some doing (experimentation and shooting groups) to get there, but there's a sense of accomplishment as well as enjoyment in the process.

there are plenty of advantages to be had.
A jacket reduces fragmentation ... that is, when it matters.
Coating offers an opportunity to color code your loads.
Either help control airborne lead exposure.
And quite frankly, not everyone can satisfy the "size and lube properly" commandment of the cast bullet religion, while even some guns cannot be satisfied without being sent to a gunsmith.
I've gone all in on powder coating and I've never looked back.