THE $$ AND CENTS OF RELOADING AS I SEE IT

[kraynky]

What a hot topic this became, with good reason. Those of us that reload for the love of it want others to understand how wonderful we think it is. I sometimes find myself just looking through my stockpile to see what I am lowest on and will tinker with the caliber change over (Dillon 550B) and set up just to set down and load ammo. It's so rewarding to open the ammo cabinet before heading out to the range and see all of the choices I have available to shoot. I have HBWC for my .38's, or +p JSP. Or I can grab a box of LRN .45 acp or maybe a box of JHP that day. Same with every other caliber I shoot. Honestly I have more bullets, primers and powder than I will probably ever use, as my shooting has slowed down as arthritis has entered the picture. But since I also love lever guns I often just grab a box or two to feed a couple of them and go plinking. I think the only caliber I really don't enjoy reloading much is .380, because I'm so fumble fingered and the components are tiny. All in all I just love everything about reloading, even using the single stage press from time to time.

I think I need to buy some more primers before next month though. (not a political statement, more of a financial statement)

 

[fredj338]

It only gets heated when someones argument fails & they start throaing anything out to try to save face. One can honestly argue the time issue if they make upwards of $100/hr. Below that, good progressive equip, your time value is higher reloading.
Anyone with 6th grade math skills can figure cost per round & how many months it would take to pay off your gear. Why i chuckle at people trying to teload on the cheap, time is important, even if you are retired. Buy better gear, simple. A Dillon 650 with all the goodies is $1200. Over 10yrs, $10/m. Even if you only saved $200/yr on ammo, the press is paid for in 6yrs AND, you could sell it for what you paid. So did your gear really cost you anything????

 

[Krell1]

Just reading the title of this thread made me assume it would end up to be pages long.

It all boils down to the fact that a hobby is just that, a hobby. You get into it because you like it. I actually know a couple of people who like to mow their lawns. Me, I like to watch people do that.

As far as reloading goes, I did it because I liked to shoot. I liked to shoot a lot. Buying the ammo I needed would have been impossible because of the cost. As a current example, a box of mid-range .38 target wadcutters now costs in the neighborhood of $27 a box of 50. I can load that same ammo, to my specs, for $6 a box. To me, even if I hated reloading I'd do it to save that kind of money. Granted, some calibers wouldn't be the same but savings are savings.

Now that I'm retired, I can reload whenever I want to. It's a hobby to me and, while quite a task, it's an agreeable one that I like to do.

 

[BC38]

It only gets heated when someones argument fails & they start throaing anything out to try to save face. One can honestly argue the time issue if they make upwards of $100/hr. Below that, good progressive equip, your time value is higher reloading.

Very well said - how many of us make more than $100 an hour?

Even if you only saved $200/yr on ammo, the press is paid for in 6yrs AND, you could sell it for what you paid. So did your gear really cost you anything????

Another very good point. It isn't like the equipment looses all its value. You might not be able to get quite what you paid for it, but you can sure recoup a large part of it unless you're in a fire sale situation and have to dump it in a hurry for whatever you can get.

 

[BE Mike]

I started reloading when I got my first revolver, a S&W M&P in .38 SPL. I used a Lee Loader. It was very satisfying to shoot good ammo, that I assembled myself. When I got interested in competitive shooting, reloading for it was a no brainer and I needed a bench mounted press, because I couldn't afford match .45 ACP ammo (still can't). I later moved up to Dillon 450/ 550 and 650. I now load for .38/ .357, .44 Mag., 9mm, .45 ACP, .223, and .30-06. Just yesterday I loaded up some .30-06 for my M-1 Garand, because it needs a lower velocity cartridge than my bolt-action rifle. I don't think I find reloading relaxing. I would say that I find it very satisfying. It also has saved me a ton of money over the many decades I've been a reloader. It isn't for everyone, because one has to be patient, focused and careful, as well as, having attention to detail. One also has to have the time to devote to it. Shooting and reloading became my main hobbies. I never really cared about going to bars.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

My partner and I have 1 Dillon 450 that I use and 4 Dillon 550s that we both use. Last year we burned through 8,000+ magnum rifle primers in load development. I am sure we used multiple that many pistol primers. While a lot is done for personal ammo we stockpile factory ammo for handgun calibers too. It is an absolute necessity for us and MAN do we have some serious BS sessions.

 

[fredj338]

Very well said - how many of us make more than $100 an hour?



Another very good point. It isn't like the equipment looses all its value. You might not be able to get quite what you paid for it, but you can sure recoup a large part of it unless you're in a fire sale situation and have to dump it in a hurry for whatever you can get.

My first 550 cost me $249. I sold it to a buddy 20yrs later for $250 but threw in some extra stuff. Quality always worth the price when reselling. Shoot factory ammo over the same 10yr span, you just have less $$ in your wallet. I can sell all my reloading gear for more than I paid for it. My kids will do fine when I am off this planet.