Is reloading paying you guys off these days? - Page 3

ShootingNut · December 19, 2007, 07:14 AM

From your post, I disagree because obviously if you can shoot more (with the same cash), you have more rounds. More rounds, divided into "the same cash" equates to less cost per round by reloading.
Am I missing something here?

Personally, I wouldn't have 3 thousand rounds always on my shelf, if I had to go out and buy them retail.

jamaica · December 19, 2007, 06:31 PM

Is reloading still paying off? Yes!

I figure I can reload my ammo for about half the cost of decent off the shelf ammo. Either rifle or handgun ammo. Sometimes less, depending on the buy I get on bullets.

Now if you went for the RCBS Rockchuker kit, I think they are about $260. Dies and a shell holder maybe another $35-40. So for around $300 you can set up in good style. With the cost of large caliber hand gun ammo, at close to $20 per 50 these days, it doesn't take long to pay off the setup.

Be warned though, if the reloading bug bites you, you will never save any money. You will shoot more. You will enjoy reloading as much as the shooting. You will always want some new equipment, and most of us reloaders, I am sure, end up with dies for a dozen or more calibers. The need for that comes after buying another new gun.

Is there ever enough guns?

crowbeaner · December 19, 2007, 06:57 PM

I still save money when I reload, but the $50 a bag shot is really making it hard to justify not spending $5 a box for new Federal shotshells at Wally World. That's $0.20 per shot and the cost of shot is cutting that awful close. I loaded 300 rounds of 1 1/8 oz. #6 in a heavy trap load last fall with a bag of shot I bought 5 years ago. The next ones will be double the investment because of the shot. Primers are about 1 1/2 times what I paid for them the last time I bought 1000, and wads have gone up about a penny each. If you buy everything but the shot in quantity you can still shave costs, but you have to compare local prices with shipping and hazmat ripoff. .22 shells are still about 2 or 2 1/2 cents if you get the bulk boxes at WM, but I saw target grade .22s for $10 a brick at the gunshow last fall. They aren't easily reloadable though, so I shoot the elcheapos and save the good stuff for longer ranges and small targets. Mr. .222 is about to eat some cast bullet loads and hopefully I will come up with an accurate load or two to replace the 22 magnum. Buy your bullets now because there is no end in sight, and they are only going to cost more the next time. CB.

williamd · December 19, 2007, 08:37 PM

Not much savings ... especially if you deal with places like Wally-Mexi-World-Mart. But, it is fun and I build the loads my guns digest best!

wiking · December 23, 2007, 07:08 AM

To quote my friendly, local gun dealer when asked if reloading is cost effective.

".45 ACP factory ammo costs about 4 Norwegian Krone per round, reloading it works out to an average of 90 Øre to 1 NOK per round" (1 Norwegian Krone = 100 Øre =18 Cents, give or take a few decimals)

billindenver · December 23, 2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

.45 ACP factory ammo costs about 4 Norwegian Krone per round, reloading it works out to an average of 90 Øre to 1 NOK per round" (1 Norwegian Krone = 100 Øre =18 Cents, give or take a few decimals)

Or in English...yes

kgpcr · December 23, 2007, 11:21 PM

Reloading for my handgun with cast bullets is alot cheaper but with jacketed bullets the price savings narrows. I still enjoy realoading!

December 19, 2007, 07:14 AM	#51
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Sarge From your post, I disagree because obviously if you can shoot more (with the same cash), you have more rounds. More rounds, divided into "the same cash" equates to less cost per round by reloading. Am I missing something here? Personally, I wouldn't have 3 thousand rounds always on my shelf, if I had to go out and buy them retail.

December 19, 2007, 06:57 PM	#53
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I still save money when I reload, but the $50 a bag shot is really making it hard to justify not spending $5 a box for new Federal shotshells at Wally World. That's $0.20 per shot and the cost of shot is cutting that awful close. I loaded 300 rounds of 1 1/8 oz. #6 in a heavy trap load last fall with a bag of shot I bought 5 years ago. The next ones will be double the investment because of the shot. Primers are about 1 1/2 times what I paid for them the last time I bought 1000, and wads have gone up about a penny each. If you buy everything but the shot in quantity you can still shave costs, but you have to compare local prices with shipping and hazmat ripoff. .22 shells are still about 2 or 2 1/2 cents if you get the bulk boxes at WM, but I saw target grade .22s for $10 a brick at the gunshow last fall. They aren't easily reloadable though, so I shoot the elcheapos and save the good stuff for longer ranges and small targets. Mr. .222 is about to eat some cast bullet loads and hopefully I will come up with an accurate load or two to replace the 22 magnum. Buy your bullets now because there is no end in sight, and they are only going to cost more the next time. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

December 19, 2007, 08:37 PM	#54
williamd Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 801	Not much savings ... especially if you deal with places like Wally-Mexi-World-Mart. But, it is fun and I build the loads my guns digest best! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" Unfortunately, we may be moving in that direction. NRA Benefactor, Conservative!, VN '64-'65. Never sell a gun or a car ... and retire rich!

December 23, 2007, 11:21 PM	#57
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	Reloading for my handgun with cast bullets is alot cheaper but with jacketed bullets the price savings narrows. I still enjoy realoading! __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

December 19, 2007, 06:31 PM	#52
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	Is reloading still paying off? Yes! I figure I can reload my ammo for about half the cost of decent off the shelf ammo. Either rifle or handgun ammo. Sometimes less, depending on the buy I get on bullets. Now if you went for the RCBS Rockchuker kit, I think they are about $260. Dies and a shell holder maybe another $35-40. So for around $300 you can set up in good style. With the cost of large caliber hand gun ammo, at close to $20 per 50 these days, it doesn't take long to pay off the setup. Be warned though, if the reloading bug bites you, you will never save any money. You will shoot more. You will enjoy reloading as much as the shooting. You will always want some new equipment, and most of us reloaders, I am sure, end up with dies for a dozen or more calibers. The need for that comes after buying another new gun. Is there ever enough guns?

December 23, 2007, 07:08 AM	#55
wiking Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 29	To quote my friendly, local gun dealer when asked if reloading is cost effective. ".45 ACP factory ammo costs about 4 Norwegian Krone per round, reloading it works out to an average of 90 Øre to 1 NOK per round" (1 Norwegian Krone = 100 Øre =18 Cents, give or take a few decimals)