Thinking of reloading. How much would I save?
- Thread starter Mark23
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Maximumbob54
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7,202
- Reaction score
- 1,928
Handloading Cost Calculator
That will show you your cost. Equipment can cost as much or as little as you want to spend. Components can be bought in bulk to save. Learning to cast bullets will cut costs further. you can also do group buys with others to cover bulk purchase or hazmat shipping fee's. Buy and read every page of The ABC's of Reloading 8th edition first before you buy anything else.
That will show you your cost. Equipment can cost as much or as little as you want to spend. Components can be bought in bulk to save. Learning to cast bullets will cut costs further. you can also do group buys with others to cover bulk purchase or hazmat shipping fee's. Buy and read every page of The ABC's of Reloading 8th edition first before you buy anything else.
Dave T
Member
I started reloading in 1971 when I came home from 'Nam and returned to civilian life. My own experience and others is that you actually don't save any money reloading. What happens is you get to shoot a lot more for the money you spend on ammunition (components vs factory ammo).
Dave
Dave
moonshine44
Member
using the cost calculator in Maximumbob's post, my cost per 50 rounds of .357 mag using 158 grain Hornady XTP bullets and Unique with CCI small pistol magnum primers works out to $12.54 per box of 50.
My cast bullet loads, using 158 grain Missouri Bullet LSWC, Unique and the same primers comes to $5.39 per box of 50.
I buy powder 4 pounds at a time, primers by the 1000...
I don't know of any place where you can buy loaded rounds that cheap. On the other hand, you will shoot more, so in the long run the cost will end up being the same, you'll just be able to send a lot more lead down range for the same cost...
My cast bullet loads, using 158 grain Missouri Bullet LSWC, Unique and the same primers comes to $5.39 per box of 50.
I buy powder 4 pounds at a time, primers by the 1000...
I don't know of any place where you can buy loaded rounds that cheap. On the other hand, you will shoot more, so in the long run the cost will end up being the same, you'll just be able to send a lot more lead down range for the same cost...
JohnnieB
US Veteran
Using Georgia Arms 158gr LSWC (x1000), Bullseye (bought by the pound locally) and same primer (x1000), and it works out at $5.36/50.
I must be getting a better price on boolits, powder and/or primers.
Seriously, about $0.25/round if you use premium bullets.
Add about $0.10/round or so if you have to buy the brass.
Goes down to less than $0.11/round if you buy cast bullets and even less if you cast your own.
Of course, if you drive them hard, you'll need gas-checks, which will up the $/round a few cents.
There are several current/recent threads discussing what is needed by someone just getting started in reloading,
but I like my Lee Calssic Turret press and Lee Deluxe Pistol Die sets for .38spl/.357mag and .45acp.
I don't know about the rest of the reloaders, but my guns tend to shoot better with the ammo I make.
Last edited:
What Dave T said.
If I reloaded to save money I think I'd go insane. I enjoy reloading and get a whole lot of satisfaction shooting rounds that I made and that are accurate and feed well.
But like Dave said, in my case, i have $xxx per month available for shooting. With that budget I can shoot more if I reload, but I didn't "save" any money doing it.
If I reloaded to save money I think I'd go insane. I enjoy reloading and get a whole lot of satisfaction shooting rounds that I made and that are accurate and feed well.
But like Dave said, in my case, i have $xxx per month available for shooting. With that budget I can shoot more if I reload, but I didn't "save" any money doing it.
m657
Member
ditto on DaveT
'saving money by reloading' is a myth;
'shooting MORE by reloading' for the same amount of money is reality
'saving money by reloading' is a myth;
'shooting MORE by reloading' for the same amount of money is reality
Vulcan Bob
Member
Some good advise already given! The thing I really like about reloading is that you can put together stuff you just cannot buy. For example, try finding commercial ammo for the 45 AR with 255gr LSWC's that are tweaked to your gun. Yes if you want to look at it that way you can save money and pay for your reloading eqipment in short order. As already stated you can shoot a lot more and thats what it's all about! If you go for it your first purchase should be a good reloading manual.
anomad
Member
Reloading really opens a lot of doors for a shooter. You can shoot somewhat unusual calibers for less than another guy is paying for 9mm at Wal-Mart.
You enjoy shooting more with tailor-made ammo for accuracy and performance to suit your individual tastes and firearms.
You enjoy shooting more with tailor-made ammo for accuracy and performance to suit your individual tastes and firearms.
Then there is the economy of scale. I'm setting up to load 380 for the first time. 1K used brass cost me $35. 1K commercial cast bullets cost me $70. 1K primers cost me $19. I will have about $5 in powder, if I added right.
So $129 per K. Around here WWB 380 runs around $360 per K. However the big advantage with reloading is that I can pretty much shoot what I want when I want. Remember the ammo shortage of just a few years ago? Didn't effect we reloaders that much.
So $129 per K. Around here WWB 380 runs around $360 per K. However the big advantage with reloading is that I can pretty much shoot what I want when I want. Remember the ammo shortage of just a few years ago? Didn't effect we reloaders that much.
When I begain reloading, I purchased my equipment and enough components to load an equal dollar amount of factory ammo. In other words, I broke even on the transaction.
I upgraded to a Dillon 550 several years ago and have loaded over 75,000 rounds on it.
Reload and shoot more for the same money.
Was there an ammo shortage that I missed?????
I upgraded to a Dillon 550 several years ago and have loaded over 75,000 rounds on it.
Reload and shoot more for the same money.
Was there an ammo shortage that I missed?????
Absolutly agree with the above posts. You'll spend less per box but you'll shoot more.
You get to develop rounds to suit your needs at the time, whether paper punching, hunting or self-defense.
And you will find that handloads can be made to shoot better than factory. After all, factory is one size fits all, while reloads are tailored to your gun.
Also, you'll be amazed at how good it feels when you bust the cap on the first round you made yourself.
You get to develop rounds to suit your needs at the time, whether paper punching, hunting or self-defense.
And you will find that handloads can be made to shoot better than factory. After all, factory is one size fits all, while reloads are tailored to your gun.
Also, you'll be amazed at how good it feels when you bust the cap on the first round you made yourself.
No savings
For numbers sake: You have a $30 weekly budget for ammo. You spend $30 per week on loaded ammo.
Now you start reloading to save money. You need the equipment to reload brass cases into loaded ammo. cost between $75 (used) and $600 (top end). Now you need components [assume you have fired cases] primers, powder, bullets and gun show admission; minimum is $75 and maximum is no limit depending on the good deals suppose $325 on quantity purchase.
Now you want to save even more money by casting your own bullets. Start at $125 for minimum equipment and go to $600 if you buy big pot, big mold, and new sizer.
You now have spent 14 months of your ammo budget and don't have the first loaded round. I've been reloading for 38 years, haven't saved a dime. I do have evough components to shoot for 7 more years and then I'll have a whale of a sale.
For numbers sake: You have a $30 weekly budget for ammo. You spend $30 per week on loaded ammo.
Now you start reloading to save money. You need the equipment to reload brass cases into loaded ammo. cost between $75 (used) and $600 (top end). Now you need components [assume you have fired cases] primers, powder, bullets and gun show admission; minimum is $75 and maximum is no limit depending on the good deals suppose $325 on quantity purchase.
Now you want to save even more money by casting your own bullets. Start at $125 for minimum equipment and go to $600 if you buy big pot, big mold, and new sizer.
You now have spent 14 months of your ammo budget and don't have the first loaded round. I've been reloading for 38 years, haven't saved a dime. I do have evough components to shoot for 7 more years and then I'll have a whale of a sale.
calmex
Member
I agree with everyone here. You won't SAVE any money, you'll shoot more -- a lot more in the long run, especially if you find that you actually like reloading as many of us do -- for the same actual cost.
However, you'll also find you'll be shooting with a shirt on once you start reloading, because with the cost of buying factory ammo many non-reloaders can actually lose their shirts if they want to shoot any decent amount.
However, you'll also find you'll be shooting with a shirt on once you start reloading, because with the cost of buying factory ammo many non-reloaders can actually lose their shirts if they want to shoot any decent amount.
Steve in Vermont
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2011
- Messages
- 1,969
- Reaction score
- 1,379
There are just to many variables to consider that each person needs to answer this for themselves. Most people approach reloading as a hobby. Some people collect stamps, or coins. Some like woodworking, or auto mechanics. The common thread in all these hobbies is that people find something they enjoy doing, they find comradeship with others who share their passion, and they are constantly learning something new. At the end of every day ask yourself "what did you learn today that I didn't know before". Find your passion(s) and, if you can afford it, enjoy (and by the way, my reloading expenses are coming out of my kids inheritance but they don't need to know that - I wish I could be there to see the look in there faces when they see what they inherited - "he left me what"?).
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Well, you will save money, it will just go to more components/presses/equipment to make it less time reloading and more time shooting which means more time reloading which means more equipment which leads to more components which leads to more time reloading which leads to more money spent on equipment which leads to more time shooting which.......................I think you get the point!
Like any hobby, it doesn't stay at the entry level for long.
Do you fish? Are you still using the Snoopy Zebco rod and reel that your Dad got you when you were 3? Um, no!
Kind of the same thing with reloading.
The BIGGEST difference has already been stated with reloading, availability. I have whatever ammunition I want, when I want it in the exact load I want in the quantity I want.
Watch for sales, buy in bulk, partner with others and buy off of the web to spread out the hazmat costs and for crying out loud, learn how to cast your own bullets at the same time. Then, all you have to worry about during a shortage is primers and powder. If you followed the "buy in bulk" advice, you will have a stock pile to ride out the political effects on the market.
My two cents and I'm sticking to it!
Like any hobby, it doesn't stay at the entry level for long.
Do you fish? Are you still using the Snoopy Zebco rod and reel that your Dad got you when you were 3? Um, no!
Kind of the same thing with reloading.
The BIGGEST difference has already been stated with reloading, availability. I have whatever ammunition I want, when I want it in the exact load I want in the quantity I want.
Watch for sales, buy in bulk, partner with others and buy off of the web to spread out the hazmat costs and for crying out loud, learn how to cast your own bullets at the same time. Then, all you have to worry about during a shortage is primers and powder. If you followed the "buy in bulk" advice, you will have a stock pile to ride out the political effects on the market.
My two cents and I'm sticking to it!
Titegroups
Member
Simple answer of 1/2 or more. Use lead bullets, much cheaper. Here a box of 122g. lead bullets are 500/$28. Powder about $20-25/lb. Depending on how hot you load them you can get 1000rd/lb. Primers are about $32/1000. My .357 reloads cost about .13 each, in other words $13/100. With some self control you really can save money. I don't shoot much anymore, about 100/week. I can turn out a 100 rds. in just over half an hour on my lee turret press. Reloading will open up a whole new aspect to your shooting, you will be surprised.
Last edited:
I agree, you get to shoot a lot more, for the money, but you are really not 'saving' any money. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've spent more, because it kind of takes on a life of it's own, becoming a whole other hobby. Like any hobby, there is always cool equipment and gadgets to buy; and the cooler the stuff, the more expensive the item... I suppose if you really limited yourself in what you spend money on, and stick to the very basics, you could certainly save money, because it is much, much cheaper per bullet to reload. If you kept your shooting to your pre-reloading days, you would also see a lot more savings. Plus, over time, you realize more and more of your up front investment, so it is a constantly increasing value.
Anyway, it's lot's of fun, and I definitely get to send more lead down range, without thinking about the cost per bullet so much...
Last edited:
You'll save money by reloading, how much you save is up to how many bargains you find & how much sweat equality you put into reloading.
Look at reloading equipment as an investment rather than an expense. I started reloading in the mid 80's and slowly collected/expanded my equipment to fit my reloading needs. I've used this equipment for years an can easily sell it for a lot more than I have invested in it. There are not a lot of hobbies out there that you can say you have used an item for 20+ years and can easily triple your money by selling those items now.
If you're going to reload pistol ammo get into casting also. Lead is free so the bullets you'll be shooting are free or next to it. I get all my lead for free & make my own lube & end up with a cost of ½ cent per bullet for the lube/electric/propane that is used to make them.
Powder valley just had a deal on shipping if you bought over 10,000 primers. They'd pay the shipping/ins/hazmat fees & you could also ship up to 40# of other merchandise with the primers. If you just ordered 8# of a middle of the road powder like universal clays for $114 you could load 10,000 medium duty 357's with the primers (Tula @ $200for 10,000) for a total of $314 for 10,000 rounds of ammo.
Add the cost of $50 to cast/lube 10,000 bullets; I'd have $364 in 10,000 357's. The other nice thing besides the price is that the reloads will be tailor made for accuracy/power in my pistol. What you save in reloading ammo will easily pay for the cost of the equipment.
I don't shoot that many 38/357's anymore, here's what I shoot every year anymore. There's 2500 38/38p+ loads on the left with rn & steal challenge bullets. The 1200 357's on the right consist of the same rn & steal challenge bullets. There are 500 empty 357 cases in the coffee can that still need reloaded. That's my 586 that I bought new in 1987 & have beat on the pistol mercilessly shooting well over 100,000 38/357's with it. I sent it back to S&W in 2008 to get rebuilt & I'm back in business.
Look at reloading equipment as an investment rather than an expense. I started reloading in the mid 80's and slowly collected/expanded my equipment to fit my reloading needs. I've used this equipment for years an can easily sell it for a lot more than I have invested in it. There are not a lot of hobbies out there that you can say you have used an item for 20+ years and can easily triple your money by selling those items now.
If you're going to reload pistol ammo get into casting also. Lead is free so the bullets you'll be shooting are free or next to it. I get all my lead for free & make my own lube & end up with a cost of ½ cent per bullet for the lube/electric/propane that is used to make them.
Powder valley just had a deal on shipping if you bought over 10,000 primers. They'd pay the shipping/ins/hazmat fees & you could also ship up to 40# of other merchandise with the primers. If you just ordered 8# of a middle of the road powder like universal clays for $114 you could load 10,000 medium duty 357's with the primers (Tula @ $200for 10,000) for a total of $314 for 10,000 rounds of ammo.
Add the cost of $50 to cast/lube 10,000 bullets; I'd have $364 in 10,000 357's. The other nice thing besides the price is that the reloads will be tailor made for accuracy/power in my pistol. What you save in reloading ammo will easily pay for the cost of the equipment.
I don't shoot that many 38/357's anymore, here's what I shoot every year anymore. There's 2500 38/38p+ loads on the left with rn & steal challenge bullets. The 1200 357's on the right consist of the same rn & steal challenge bullets. There are 500 empty 357 cases in the coffee can that still need reloaded. That's my 586 that I bought new in 1987 & have beat on the pistol mercilessly shooting well over 100,000 38/357's with it. I sent it back to S&W in 2008 to get rebuilt & I'm back in business.
Beans
Member
Not considering the cost of the reloading and casting equipment collected over 40 years, and since I am retired my labor is free, my out of pocket cost for 50 rds of 45 Colt ammo is less then $3.00.
An acquaintance of mine just purchased a .45 Caliber SA revolver and he is paying between $25.00-$35.00 a box (50 rds) for the same type of reloaded ammo, from a man who reloads and sells it at a local swap meet.
It is loaded with 255 gr cast lead bullets. Of course he is getting to keep his brass, where I am using my own brass.
An acquaintance of mine just purchased a .45 Caliber SA revolver and he is paying between $25.00-$35.00 a box (50 rds) for the same type of reloaded ammo, from a man who reloads and sells it at a local swap meet.
It is loaded with 255 gr cast lead bullets. Of course he is getting to keep his brass, where I am using my own brass.
