The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Expensive reloading

FrankenMauser · August 25, 2012, 02:48 AM

If you use the calculator at the link jepp2 provided (http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp), you can amortize the cost of the brass across the number or reloads by adjusting the "Number" field.

For example:
If you're shooting a bolt-action or pump action rifle, you should get at least 5 reloads out of .308 Win cases. If you buy 100 cases and use them 5 times, each, that's like buying 500 cases.
So, in the "Number" field for cases, enter 500 (not 100); and the calculator will spread the cost of the brass across the total number of reloads, not just the first load.

Here are two examples of my personal reloads, compared to equivalent factory ammo (using Midway prices for brass and bullets, and local prices for powder and primers).
One is a premium load. One is a "cheap" load:

My current favorite premium .270 Winchester load:
R-P brass $47.99/100 (I get about 6 reloads, minimum)
Nosler 140 gr Partition $31.99/50
55 grains RL-19 $23.99/lb
WLR primers $32.99/1000
That comes out to $0.94 a round or $18.80 per box of 20. Since I only buy when components are on sale, and I try to buy in bulk... my cost is actually less than that.
But... Federal's factory-loaded 150 gr Partition (in brass that's toast with the first firing) runs $39/box through Midway (plus shipping) or about $44/box locally. I'm saving more than $25/box by loading it myself.

One of my cheap .30-06 loads:
LC 67 brass (free! But we'll run the numbers as if I paid $47.99/100 for R-P brass, too)
Remington 165 gr Core-Lokt bought in bulk for $99/500
48 grains AA4350 $23.99/lb
WLR primers $32.99/1000
That comes out to $0.475 per round or $9.50 per box of 20, if I paid for the brass and got 6 reloads. But... with free brass, it works out to $0.277 per round or $5.54 per box of 20.
Remington's identical factory 165 gr Core-Lokt load runs $20/box through Midway (plus shipping) or about $23/box locally.
I'm saving $14-18/box by loading it myself.

I even have one "ultra-premium" .30-06 load with Swift Scirocco IIs in Lapua brass. Last time I ran the numbers, I found that I save more than $52/box by handloading it.

The numbers aren't quite as impressive when you look at handgun ammo, but it's usually well worth the effort.

One word of advice:
Don't buy Federal ammo or brass if you intend to reload it. Quite often, the primer pockets get stretched on the first firing, rendering the cases worthless and unsafe.

August 25, 2012, 02:48 AM	#14
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If you use the calculator at the link jepp2 provided (http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp), you can amortize the cost of the brass across the number or reloads by adjusting the "Number" field. For example: If you're shooting a bolt-action or pump action rifle, you should get at least 5 reloads out of .308 Win cases. If you buy 100 cases and use them 5 times, each, that's like buying 500 cases. So, in the "Number" field for cases, enter 500 (not 100); and the calculator will spread the cost of the brass across the total number of reloads, not just the first load. Here are two examples of my personal reloads, compared to equivalent factory ammo (using Midway prices for brass and bullets, and local prices for powder and primers). One is a premium load. One is a "cheap" load: My current favorite premium .270 Winchester load: R-P brass $47.99/100 (I get about 6 reloads, minimum) Nosler 140 gr Partition $31.99/50 55 grains RL-19 $23.99/lb WLR primers $32.99/1000 That comes out to $0.94 a round or $18.80 per box of 20. Since I only buy when components are on sale, and I try to buy in bulk... my cost is actually less than that. But... Federal's factory-loaded 150 gr Partition (in brass that's toast with the first firing) runs $39/box through Midway (plus shipping) or about $44/box locally. I'm saving more than $25/box by loading it myself. One of my cheap .30-06 loads: LC 67 brass (free! But we'll run the numbers as if I paid $47.99/100 for R-P brass, too) Remington 165 gr Core-Lokt bought in bulk for $99/500 48 grains AA4350 $23.99/lb WLR primers $32.99/1000 That comes out to $0.475 per round or $9.50 per box of 20, if I paid for the brass and got 6 reloads. But... with free brass, it works out to $0.277 per round or $5.54 per box of 20. Remington's identical factory 165 gr Core-Lokt load runs $20/box through Midway (plus shipping) or about $23/box locally. I'm saving $14-18/box by loading it myself. I even have one "ultra-premium" .30-06 load with Swift Scirocco IIs in Lapua brass. Last time I ran the numbers, I found that I save more than $52/box by handloading it. The numbers aren't quite as impressive when you look at handgun ammo, but it's usually well worth the effort. One word of advice: Don't buy Federal ammo or brass if you intend to reload it. Quite often, the primer pockets get stretched on the first firing, rendering the cases worthless and unsafe. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.