THE $$ AND CENTS OF RELOADING AS I SEE IT

[chief38]

Let me prefaces this by saying I DO reload but I DON'T really enjoy it.

Initially I got into reloading 37 years ago because the indoor Range I was shooting at did not allow the use of Jacketed ammo. I had just purchased a Colt 1911 in 45 acp and wanted to shoot it there so that was the primary reason I got into it. Back in the day a box of .45 Hardball was not that expensive but as we know now that has changed a lot.

I have been reading a few posts about "is the cost and hassle of reloading worth it"? Well now I would have to say YES! Follow my example below.

Lets say you are going to purchase a well appointed reloading outfit such as the Dillon 650, a tumbler, a set of dies, a separator, media, and a scale and lets say you spend about $1400.00 (for one caliber to start). Let's also assume for the moment that you can save an average of $15 bucks a box of 50 rounds - not hard to do. That would mean that after reloading 93 boxes of 50 rounds the press and all the equipment will have paid for itself. If you shoot 200 rounds of the reloaded ammo a week you would use it up in 23 weeks. Not a bad deal!

The other major reasons to consider becoming a reloader are:

* having the ability to make rounds up on demand and not have to worry what local stores are stocking

* having the ability to custom make what you want - lighter, heavier bullets, hotter, milder loads, lead, jacketed, what-ever....

* improve accuracy and quality of low priced ammo - much better than most commercially reloaded stuff I've seen

* Many people who reload actually DO enjoy it and find it quite relaxing

* Another part of the hobby to delve into

Since I am not enamored by reloading, I reload once every year or year and a half but load enough to last me that long. I reload.38 Spl. .45 acp and .45 Colt for HG's and .45-70 and .38-55 for rifle. After 4 days or so I am ready to cover the press up for another year or so before I have to do it again. This works well for me but I am in the minority here I would imagine.

So the bottom line is each person who is thinking of taking the plunge must think about how much they shoot, the price of what they shoot, how many calibers they shoot, what they have to do to purchase and buy ammo, and if they have the mechanical ability, time and inclination to do it.

I know at the Ranges I belong to it is quite easy to stock up on once fired Factory Brass that many shooters do not want. So quality Brass is little to no $$ factor - at least where I live.

I hope this helps someone who is on the fence and I hope the example above is meaningful for the calibers and quantities you shoot.

 

[pittpa]

I started in 1991 so I could load 38 wadcutters to my specs for bullseye matches. Now I load 45 acp for matches and have even more need for the option of any powder/brass/primer/bullet configuration. A lead bullet for my indoor matches with my revolver and a jacketed hollowpoint for my outdoor matches. Also load 9mm for practice with my SD guns

I'm not enamored of reloading either, but I like saving money, and I love having a round tailored to my gun. I also hate buying a box of ammo to see how it shoots in my gun. If I miss, I need to know its me and not the ammo.

I'm in it for the long run and don't have any qualms about amortizing the cost of the press or brass. If you buy a press, you'll never have trouble selling it, along with the scale and tumbler, and caliper.

 

[Thomas15]

I think to be realistic about the whole thing most of us that have multiple presses, dedicated benches, foot lockers full of powder, and so forth are basically addicted to either handloading or having plenty of great ammo. So we have all that stuff because it is either our hobby or part of our hobby. We could get by with a lot less overhead and hit the break even point a lot sooner.

 

[susieqz]

i may be forced into reloading because my model 15 demands mid range wad cutters, that run 40 cents each.
but, i worry that i'll never shoot because i can't force myself to reload.
reloading sounds as much fun as scrubbing the floors.

 

[Barr1]

Reloading for me is a relaxing hobby that is quiet time in the barn with a radio. It's nice to enjoy the fall, winter, and spring weather with the door open working with my hands.

 

[SMSgt]

i may be forced into reloading because my model 15 demands mid range wad cutters, that run 40 cents each.
but, i worry that i'll never shoot because i can't force myself to reload.
reloading sounds as much fun as scrubbing the floors.

You're tuned in to the wrong reloaders. I reload because I like to reload. Saving a penny is irrelevant.

 

[chief38]

We all do similar things for different reasons. I love working on and detailing my cars and motorcycle - some hate it. I love puttering and fiddle futzing in my work shop - many people can't stand it.

I started this post for the purpose of trying to answer the question of $$$ (a few posts here lately) that some ask and try to rationalize. Once someone takes the plunge into reloading they will then decide weather or not they are doing it for the relaxation, satisfaction and enjoyment or strictly to save money and/or just have the convenience. I would imagine it's almost impossible to know if one will enjoy it or not until they actually get into it.

 

[Neumann]

I find reloading is theraputic as well as economical. I have a progressive press (Dillon 550B) and reload both rifle and handgun cartridges. Once set up I can load 400 rounds in an hour, which is enough to last several trips to the range. I work mostly at a computer (audio/video production), and sometimes spend 15 minutes reloading just to stretch and change pace.

For the moment, I'm into heavy revolvers, so reloading is a LOT less expensive (and you don't lose your brass in the grass). Revolvers aren't as fussy about loads and bullets, so I can save a lot using cast bullets and still create huge fireballs on the range.

 

[Arik]

I tried. It lasted a few days. I'd rather buy ammo in bulk. Not interested in bullseye or tailoring a load to a certain gun. Just want to shoot

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[fredj338]

I started reloading 40yrs ago so i could afford to shoot my then new M19. As i added calibers like 44mag, cost became an even bigger issue. Then i started CAS, 45colt, that got me into my 1st progressive.
In that time frame i am probably pushing up on 300k rds over now 25 diff calibers. So the actual reloading process has little joy for me, but i do like to tinker & match grade rifle ammo & wildcats let me enjoy my reloading, still on a ss press for much of that. The pistol ammo, about 10k rds a year currently, all gets done on my Dillons, 550 for less often stuff & 650 for my idpa stuff.
My therapy reloading comes from bullet casting. I dont have to pay scrupulous attention & something mad scientist/alchemist about turning scrap into shiny bullets. Everyone has a reason for getting started but most of us pay for the gear in a year or two & good gear lasts longer than we do. So little downside to reloading, even with todays higher start up cost. Imo, most that dont like it have the wrong gear, or lack mechanical aptitude. I wouldnt load 10k rds of 45acp a year on a ss or even turret press.

 

[muddocktor]

I've been reloading since the mid 60's when my Dad taught me how to reload for my 22 Hornet when I was about 8 or so. And I associate reloading to time I spent with my Dad doing this, plus I find it relaxing. And one of the best pluses to reloading is that I can put more rounds downrange for the same amount of money. I shoot a lot of 357 and 44 Mag and I can reload that for roughly half the cost of cheap factory stuff. I also reload for 380 Auto, which also saves quite a bit over factory ammo and 9MM, which is still cheaper than factory stuff by a few cents a round. As for rifle, I load 223, 260 Rem and 264 Win Mag on my single station press. I save a little by reloading the 223 and end up with ammo that is at least as accurate as the store bought stuff. For 260 Rem and 264 Win Mag the cost saving is considerable. I'm not paying $1.50-$3.50 a round to shoot those when I can load it myself for 50 cents a round or less.

I guess it all depends on how you approach reloading. If you think it's a chore, then it will be for you. If you look at it as a challenge to turn out ammo as good or better than factory stuff, then it can be a relaxing and challenging hobby to complement your shooting habit.

 

[Beemer-mark]

I think to be realistic about the whole thing most of us that have multiple presses, dedicated benches, foot lockers full of powder, and so forth are basically addicted to either handloading or having plenty of great ammo. So we have all that stuff because it is either our hobby or part of our hobby. We could get by with a lot less overhead and hit the break even point a lot sooner.

Amen to that. I joke with my fellow shooters that I only shoot to get the empty brass.

You can spend $100 and have all the equipment you'll ever need to reload one caliber. Seems like people have already forgotten 2 or 3 years ago you couldn't buy ammo.

 

[mi2600]

I began reloading in the '70s because I knew some of the calibers (e.g. WCFs) I had at that time would be difficult or impossible to purchase in the future. I started small and gradually filled in the equipment gaps. Since that time, whenever I purchased a new caliber I also bought dies. I now reload over 20 calibers.
If you can, find a dedicated place in the workshop, but leave some space for other projects. That way you can walk away if you tire.
To me, it is enjoyable to create. Sure beats watching the junk on TV.

 

[Skeet 028]

After all these years of reloading I can't say I hate it...but I only reload to be able to afford to shoot the amount I do. When I was really into skeet 50M shells a year was about average. The K-80 I have now is at about 350-400M shells through it. Never shot a 12 ga through that gun either. 12 ga was in several semi autos. all the other gauges too. Handguns?? I use Dillon 1050s and 650s to load most of that ammo. 10 hours on a 1050 is a LOT of ammo. Don't have to keep cranking those loaders after a few hours. So reloading to me is a necessity not an enjoyable hobby. I must say though I get great satisfaction from most of my rifle reloading. Luckily I only shoot a hundred or two hundred rounds a year..except for my varmint calibers. 222 222 mag and 223 are loaded on a 650...yeah...with casefeeder. 22-250 is on a Redding T-7 Reloading is a CHORE...almost like a Honey-Do.

 

[pittpa]

i may be forced into reloading because my model 15 demands mid range wad cutters, that run 40 cents each.
but, i worry that i'll never shoot because i can't force myself to reload.
reloading sounds as much fun as scrubbing the floors.

Way better than scrubbing floors, and more satisfying. Here is a thread started by someone who wanted to start loading 38. Lots of useful info there. http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/481478-wanting-get-into-reloading-38-spl.html#post139162599


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Frank46]

When I first started reloading in the late'60's all the stuff I had could be comfortably stuffed in a 20mm ammo can. Today I have a rood devoted to reloading and a place where I can work on my guns. That didn't come about overnight. My first rifle was a 1891 Argentine mauser and Norma was the only game in town for brass,bullets and loaded ammo. I do not know how many 30-06 cases I chopped and reamed for the 7.65 cartridge. Then came a M1 carbine mil surp ammo was still plentiful so really didn't do much of that. Then came the 1917 enfield in 30-06 that affair lasted right up until now as I have about 6 '06's. Then the 45/70 and mom yelling at me when I had the casting pot fired up in the basement. Now I go through caliber stages. 45 auto been loading it for over 20 years, started casting my own bullets for some of my military rifles. But today we have custom mold makers who will make up a mold for just about anything you can imagine. Loading wadcutters in a K38, Swc's in a model 10 & 15, don't load for 9mm. and getting started loading for a 1928 FN mauser in 9.3x57 this should be fun. Frank

 

[silentflyer]

Blame it on Skeeter! Years ago his writings about handgun hunting and a shortage of suitable ammo. His "pet loads" worked well, and still do. A couple of "orphan" calibers like .22 Hornet with handgun powders, the .41 magnum with limited factory offerings makes it all worth the effort. I load .38/.357/.41and .44 mag, .45LC and the .22 Hornet. I have .44mag and .22 Hornet handguns and rifles. The only thing I don't load are .22 LR of course and 9mm for the one Ruger LCP CC I have for a carry in hot weather and the few .45 ACP rounds I shoot. Still using the old Lyman All American turret press I bought in the early 70's. As mentioned above beats watching most of the drivel on TV.

 

[SMSgt]

Amen to that. I joke with my fellow shooters that I only shoot to get the empty brass.

You can spend $100 and have all the equipment you'll ever need to reload one caliber. Seems like people have already forgotten 2 or 3 years ago you couldn't buy ammo.

Two or three years ago you couldn't buy powder and primers either!

 

[LD-Ordie]

I originally got into reloading to save money, extend my shooting fun, and to acquire unavailable ammo. I also live in a remote area and have limited access to any kind of decent shopping. So I got on Ebay and found a nice used 550B with several dies for half of the going price. I found my reloading to be a very enjoyable hobby, with in time, almost becoming an obsession...... and started acquiring dies and other components to accommodate everything we like to shoot. I remember the times of not being to find my favorite powder, or bullets when they were needed, so I found myself buying large amounts of the components I like, when available and usually while on sale, most of the time sharing shipping cost with friends. This obsession has seriously improved both my wife and myself shooting skills, while having a blast doing so. Maybe part of my problem is, I'm also a tinkerer. I built several hot rod cars and motorcycles doing the majority of the work during the builds, and all of the maintenance This gives me a great deal of satisfaction, like dialing in all my loads with my personal weapons thru my chronograph. Now, have I spent a lot more $$$ than I ever originally intended, probably so, but the overall fun factor for my wife and I has more than made up for it.

 

[lhump1961]

I equate it to cooking. I get much more satisfaction from a meal I prepared myself than a meal I paid twice as much for from someone else when I could have done it better myself!

Plus it is another way for me to spend time around my hobby and enhances the satisfaction of the range visits.