Reloading - Less Expensive

deolexrex · March 16, 2006, 12:14 PM

I shoot alot of 45acp, 308nato and 12 & 20 gauge shotguns. I am considering buying reloading equipment will I be able to save money reloading for...

plinking ammo? (clay pigeons, paper and other targets)
hunting ammo? (308)
self defense ammo? (45)

charlie in md · March 16, 2006, 12:34 PM

I reload for everything, and the majority now is for shotgun (12). Figure you can get a new MEC600 JR for about $120 shipped from Cabelas, and you could save at least $1.20 per box of shells over what you would pay at Walmart, if you can get components reasonably cheap. So, you are at break even after 100 boxes of shells. This is also if you don't count your time at the reloader (figure 4 boxes per hour with a 600JR.)

I shoot on average 4 boxes a weekend, so break even is after about 6 months of shooting, and I've been "making" money ever since

.

Edward429451 · March 16, 2006, 12:41 PM

You can save loads of money on hunting ammo. You wind up having as much in to it as the cheap factory ammo costs but the ammo has premium bullets and is on a par with the factory premium ammo. (If you assemble it right.) Not hard to do and well worth it.

rnovi · March 16, 2006, 12:43 PM

I reload for .45 acp, .38 spec, .357 mag, 9mm, and .350 rem mag.

Cost per box, reloaded with purchased hardcast bullets:

.45 acp: $4.00-$4.50 per box/50
Compare to factory ammo at $10.00 + per box

.38 spec: $3.00 per box/50
Compare to factory at $8.00 + per box

.357 mag: premium hardcast load: $5.00 per box/50, $9.00 per box with jacketed hollowpoints.
compare to factory at $12-$18/box

9mm: $3.00 per box/50
compare to factory at $7 per box.

.350 rem mag: $7.00 box/20 with Hornady interlock 200gr bullets.
Compare to factory at $34 (!) a box/20

So, yes. You WILL save money on a box per box comparison.

You won't actually SAVE any money because you WILL shoot a whole lot more!

As to 12guage, I checked to see about cost savings and didn't really find anything that showed I actually saved money. I did find that I could load premium shells cheaper than factory, but at $3.99 per box I just couldn't beat the price for cheapo ammo.

deolexrex · March 16, 2006, 12:51 PM

"You won't actually SAVE any money because you WILL shoot a whole lot more!"

I have five sons...so it may actually save me some money. (and we shoot a lot already)

auto45 · March 16, 2006, 01:05 PM

You save lot's of money on 45 reloading.

I would research the 12 gauge prices, both new and reloading costs, first before you start reloading, depending on what and how much you shoot. Reloading "stuff", lead in particular, have gone up substantially. As of yet, I haven't seen new shell prices reflect much of an increase yet...depending on what you buy.

speedy8084 · March 16, 2006, 10:02 PM

Not only do they save money, but they can also help manage recoil...I shoot a Stoger O/U 12gauge...At 7.5 lbs it's too light...I shoot a 7/8 light load with 15.5 grains of clays in a MEC grabber...The recoil dropped from a whopping 23.5 ftlbs to a more gentile 13.5 ftlbs... I use a RCBS single rockchucker for my 243 and 44 mag...

Art Eatman · March 16, 2006, 11:11 PM

Where you save money is by staying out of beer joints at night.

, Art

JJB2 · March 17, 2006, 09:43 PM

reloading is a fun hobby for me ... i really enjoy building good ammo... if you are just starting out i'd suggest you go to some gun shows and look for a good, second hand, single stage press and goodies you want to go with it....with a little you can find good ones.. i have two on my bench an they are both pre owned... they work just as good as new.. maybe better than some of the new ones..... just my .22 cents..........

propmahn · March 17, 2006, 11:13 PM

Well if you have 5 sons its time to put them to work. casting bullets that is. get a melting pot a cheap lee bulletmold and have them cast bullets. cheap lead is the key here. if you can find a cheap source of lead you can save $65 per thousand rounds of 45acp. so if you really do shoot a lot then that can be some cash.

March 16, 2006, 12:14 PM	#1
deolexrex Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Posts: 40	Reloading - Less Expensive I shoot alot of 45acp, 308nato and 12 & 20 gauge shotguns. I am considering buying reloading equipment will I be able to save money reloading for... plinking ammo? (clay pigeons, paper and other targets) hunting ammo? (308) self defense ammo? (45) __________________ DeoLexRex Iron at 500 - AQT Targets

March 16, 2006, 12:34 PM	#2
charlie in md Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2005 Posts: 185	it depends I reload for everything, and the majority now is for shotgun (12). Figure you can get a new MEC600 JR for about $120 shipped from Cabelas, and you could save at least $1.20 per box of shells over what you would pay at Walmart, if you can get components reasonably cheap. So, you are at break even after 100 boxes of shells. This is also if you don't count your time at the reloader (figure 4 boxes per hour with a 600JR.) I shoot on average 4 boxes a weekend, so break even is after about 6 months of shooting, and I've been "making" money ever since .

March 16, 2006, 12:43 PM	#4
rnovi Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 401	I reload for .45 acp, .38 spec, .357 mag, 9mm, and .350 rem mag. Cost per box, reloaded with purchased hardcast bullets: .45 acp: $4.00-$4.50 per box/50 Compare to factory ammo at $10.00 + per box .38 spec: $3.00 per box/50 Compare to factory at $8.00 + per box .357 mag: premium hardcast load: $5.00 per box/50, $9.00 per box with jacketed hollowpoints. compare to factory at $12-$18/box 9mm: $3.00 per box/50 compare to factory at $7 per box. .350 rem mag: $7.00 box/20 with Hornady interlock 200gr bullets. Compare to factory at $34 (!) a box/20 So, yes. You WILL save money on a box per box comparison. You won't actually SAVE any money because you WILL shoot a whole lot more! As to 12guage, I checked to see about cost savings and didn't really find anything that showed I actually saved money. I did find that I could load premium shells cheaper than factory, but at $3.99 per box I just couldn't beat the price for cheapo ammo. __________________ Robert N. "Remember, Eagles may soar but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"

March 16, 2006, 12:51 PM	#5
deolexrex Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Posts: 40	"You won't actually SAVE any money because you WILL shoot a whole lot more!" I have five sons...so it may actually save me some money. (and we shoot a lot already) __________________ DeoLexRex Iron at 500 - AQT Targets

March 16, 2006, 10:02 PM	#7
speedy8084 Junior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 12	Reloads Not only do they save money, but they can also help manage recoil...I shoot a Stoger O/U 12gauge...At 7.5 lbs it's too light...I shoot a 7/8 light load with 15.5 grains of clays in a MEC grabber...The recoil dropped from a whopping 23.5 ftlbs to a more gentile 13.5 ftlbs... I use a RCBS single rockchucker for my 243 and 44 mag...

March 16, 2006, 12:41 PM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	You can save loads of money on hunting ammo. You wind up having as much in to it as the cheap factory ammo costs but the ammo has premium bullets and is on a par with the factory premium ammo. (If you assemble it right.) Not hard to do and well worth it.

March 16, 2006, 01:05 PM	#6
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	You save lot's of money on 45 reloading. I would research the 12 gauge prices, both new and reloading costs, first before you start reloading, depending on what and how much you shoot. Reloading "stuff", lead in particular, have gone up substantially. As of yet, I haven't seen new shell prices reflect much of an increase yet...depending on what you buy.

March 16, 2006, 11:11 PM	#8
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Where you save money is by staying out of beer joints at night. , Art

March 17, 2006, 09:43 PM	#9
JJB2 Junior member Join Date: December 14, 2005 Posts: 558	reloading is a fun hobby for me ... i really enjoy building good ammo... if you are just starting out i'd suggest you go to some gun shows and look for a good, second hand, single stage press and goodies you want to go with it....with a little you can find good ones.. i have two on my bench an they are both pre owned... they work just as good as new.. maybe better than some of the new ones..... just my .22 cents..........

March 17, 2006, 11:13 PM	#10
propmahn Junior Member Join Date: March 25, 2002 Posts: 10	Well if you have 5 sons its time to put them to work. casting bullets that is. get a melting pot a cheap lee bulletmold and have them cast bullets. cheap lead is the key here. if you can find a cheap source of lead you can save $65 per thousand rounds of 45acp. so if you really do shoot a lot then that can be some cash.