Reload cost - relief

RugerSAfan · December 17, 2001, 05:50 PM

Was at the local sporting goods store to price non-equipment components, to help justify purchase of press.

Pulled out the Winchester Components catalog to determine amount of 231 for each .45 colt load.

1 lb 231 = 16.99

100 primers cci = 1.69

500 200 gr swc
Meister bullets = 25.99

Talked to the old boy behind the counter; asked him how
many grains per pound; he looked at the bottle and said
454. Youzers! I priced out the of powder per cartridge, and
it was 21 cents each!

Well, did a search on this board, and found out there are 7,000 grains per lb. Big difference! Big relief!

Keith J · December 17, 2001, 06:09 PM

Again, someone selling the stuff who know less that required to sell it. I guess 99% of my reloading questions were answered by my father before the age of 12. I knew it was 437.5 grains per ounce or 7000 per pound.

I also knew it was about 454 grams per pound but since no manual ever listed weights in grams, it was useless knowledge.

dick w. holliday · December 17, 2001, 06:49 PM

one of my favorite numbers is 56,000----------the number of grains in an 8 pound can------if your loading 5 grains or so of 231 in a shell like 38 or 44 or 45 your getting 12,000 + loads per can.....after i threw out all those empty 231 cans--i wondered where all that powder went...hope it don't f#ck up the ozone layer................Dick

LilJoe · December 17, 2001, 07:05 PM

RugerSAFan, what part of the world are you in? Powder and primer prices seem ok but the lead seems a little on the high side. If memory severs right I think you aren't far from a bullet manu. But then again they say the memory is the first thing to go..

RugerSAfan · December 17, 2001, 08:00 PM

Is there a bullet manuf. in West Michigan

Redneck2 · December 17, 2001, 08:52 PM

He had ounces instead of pounds...437 per ounce....7000 per pound.

I'd shop a little harder for bullets. I can get Shooters Choice (they don't lead) for $20.50 in Merrillville, IN. Very clean to shoot. If you get to this area I'd check it out. If you need directions e-mail.

If you want to get by cheaper, try around 10 grains of Unique under a 250 grain (for RUGERS). IIRC gives maybe 1,100 fps. Mild load.

For a really in-depth disussion, check realguns.com...he has an extensive cost break-down of different powders and velocities.

Using 10 grains of a fast powder gave close to as good of performance as 24 grains of W296 and was considerably cheaper. IIRC his "top pick" was X-700. Obviously you can get 2 1/2 times as many loads with 10 grains as 25 grains. This will change the powder cost per round from maybe 2.5 cents to 6.8 cents.

December 17, 2001, 05:50 PM	#1
RugerSAfan Member Join Date: April 21, 2001 Location: Barry County, Michigan Posts: 39	Reload cost - relief Was at the local sporting goods store to price non-equipment components, to help justify purchase of press. Pulled out the Winchester Components catalog to determine amount of 231 for each .45 colt load. 1 lb 231 = 16.99 100 primers cci = 1.69 500 200 gr swc Meister bullets = 25.99 Talked to the old boy behind the counter; asked him how many grains per pound; he looked at the bottle and said 454. Youzers! I priced out the of powder per cartridge, and it was 21 cents each! Well, did a search on this board, and found out there are 7,000 grains per lb. Big difference! Big relief!

December 17, 2001, 08:52 PM	#6
Redneck2 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2000 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 519	I think if you do the math... He had ounces instead of pounds...437 per ounce....7000 per pound. I'd shop a little harder for bullets. I can get Shooters Choice (they don't lead) for $20.50 in Merrillville, IN. Very clean to shoot. If you get to this area I'd check it out. If you need directions e-mail. If you want to get by cheaper, try around 10 grains of Unique under a 250 grain (for RUGERS). IIRC gives maybe 1,100 fps. Mild load. For a really in-depth disussion, check realguns.com...he has an extensive cost break-down of different powders and velocities. Using 10 grains of a fast powder gave close to as good of performance as 24 grains of W296 and was considerably cheaper. IIRC his "top pick" was X-700. Obviously you can get 2 1/2 times as many loads with 10 grains as 25 grains. This will change the powder cost per round from maybe 2.5 cents to 6.8 cents. Last edited by Redneck2; December 18, 2001 at 06:28 AM.

December 17, 2001, 06:09 PM	#2
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	Again, someone selling the stuff who know less that required to sell it. I guess 99% of my reloading questions were answered by my father before the age of 12. I knew it was 437.5 grains per ounce or 7000 per pound. I also knew it was about 454 grams per pound but since no manual ever listed weights in grams, it was useless knowledge.

December 17, 2001, 06:49 PM	#3
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	one of my favorite numbers is 56,000----------the number of grains in an 8 pound can------if your loading 5 grains or so of 231 in a shell like 38 or 44 or 45 your getting 12,000 + loads per can.....after i threw out all those empty 231 cans--i wondered where all that powder went...hope it don't f#ck up the ozone layer................Dick

December 17, 2001, 07:05 PM	#4
LilJoe Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Location: North Eastern Ohio Posts: 185	RugerSAFan, what part of the world are you in? Powder and primer prices seem ok but the lead seems a little on the high side. If memory severs right I think you aren't far from a bullet manu. But then again they say the memory is the first thing to go..

December 17, 2001, 08:00 PM	#5
RugerSAfan Member Join Date: April 21, 2001 Location: Barry County, Michigan Posts: 39	Is there a bullet manuf. in West Michigan