How cost effective is reloading? - Page 2

Boomer58cal · February 24, 2013, 11:59 AM

I can load near match grade for the price of the cheap factory stuff and save more by reloading the brass. The real cost is in man hours but for some of us that's half the fun.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 24, 2013, 07:00 PM

I get good cost savings on all but one caliber that I reload for. The one I spend more money is for the 7,62x54R. I can get bulk spam can ammo for less than half the cost that I spend to reload for it. Though I like reloading for those. It is for my wife, and the reduced recoil rounds allow her to shoot all day without the punishing recoil.

Three of the rounds I reload for have not had factory ammo loded for them in years. One of them literaly decades that I know of. (.35 WCF)

The major cost savings for me come from casting lead bullets. There is a huge cost savings when I do that.

TheNatureBoy · February 25, 2013, 05:24 AM

After the initial investment of $300-$500 dollars purchasing a reloading kit, manual, bullets, primers, cases, powder it becomes cost effective.

maillemaker · February 25, 2013, 11:35 AM

>After the initial investment of $300-$500 dollars purchasing a reloading kit, manual, bullets, primers, cases, powder it becomes cost effective.

Using wheel weight cast bullets, and range-scrounged brass, a box of 50 .45 ACP costs me about $4. If you can buy it right now, it's at least $20. I typically shoot 200 rounds of .45 ACP in a trip to the range - 4 boxes. Store-bought, that's $80. Homemade, it's $16. That's a savings of $64.

That means that in 5-8 trips to the range you have paid for your reloading equipment.

To me, it's the difference between shooting and not shooting. I can't justify to my wife that I'm going to go blow $80 today. $16, I can justify that.

Steve

Old 454 · February 25, 2013, 12:55 PM

I noticed Renolds that you factored in the price of your brass with your reloads,(.72 cents) I hope you get more then one loading from your brass.

Shootest · February 25, 2013, 02:05 PM

Recently I loaded a box of 50 premium 125g JHP in 357 mag at a total cost of $7.49. I looked online and found the closest thing I could at 44.99. Of course they were OUT OF STOCK. That is a savings of $37.50/box even if I could buy them. Thus reloading seems cost effective to me.

reynolds357 · February 25, 2013, 02:10 PM

Old 54, the .72 was without brass factored in.
I get anywhere between 4 and 30 loadings from my brass. The b.r. stuff can get up to 30, the screaming velocity stuff gets between 4 and 6.

9miller · February 25, 2013, 02:32 PM

I mainly load 124gr. Hollow points for 9mm and it cost me 12 bucks for 100 rounds. I also load 55gr. Soft points and vmax rounds in .223 and pay a whopping 20 bucks per 100 rounds. And another thing, can you even find these rounds on the shelves right now? Hardly so in myrtle beach, but they sure as hell come off my bench pretty well

Budweiser · February 25, 2013, 03:27 PM

Pennies on the dollar for my .41 Mag! Jaw drops and cough every time I eyeball the retail price.

When was the last time you saw a box of commercial 6MM on the shelf? Yeah I know, I am kind of an oddball too.

I bet I paid for my Dillion RL550 the first year from the savings on 7,000 rounds of 4 different calibers?

And as mentioned previously, the feeling of having thousands loaded, and many thousands in components on hand is priceless when walking by empty shelves at EVERY retail outlet?

CADILLAC HOOSIER · February 25, 2013, 05:29 PM

I shoot about 1200-1500 rounds a month of 38SPL, 357 and 40S&W. There is no way that I could buy off the shelf ammo and afford it. PLUS---RELOADING IS A WHOLE OTHER ADDICTION. I have as much fun messin with reloading as I do shooting. Saving money on two hobbies!!
Load safe, shoot safe, HOOSIER

Lost Sheep · February 25, 2013, 10:25 PM

Take a look in these two threads.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51502

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508887

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=663065

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/1671...-analysis.html

I developed a spreadsheet to evaluate where your breakeven point is. It includes amorizing the, cost of learning to load (classes), cost of initial equipment and, if you wish, the time you spend loading.

Shall we beat this one to death? No, it will neve die.

Lost Sheep

GruntgunDr · February 26, 2013, 08:46 AM

I reload for many reasons. The satisfaction of finding out what I like to shoot I can have ammo I just a short time rather than trying to find some to buy. Also, it's a family tradition, growing up in a gun shop, and having a Dad & Uncle who reloaded. I always wanted to spend time with them and caught the bug. I was sizing cast bullets before I ever went to school. It's what we do!

centurion20000 · February 26, 2013, 04:43 PM

I reload 454 and 45 Colt for about 35 cents tops (good bullets (300/325/360/395gr), prime powders and primers)

45 Colt +P STARTS at $1.10 / round
454 loads 300gr and above START at 1.80/round.

My break even was achieved long ago. And my ammunition is better than what I can buy.

Extreme consistency begets extreme accuracy.

Still working on developing my 18 cent 30-06 load (go price that stuff too)

www.ammoseek.com

Misssissippi Dave · February 26, 2013, 07:15 PM

I enjoy reloading. I like having ammo available when I want to shoot. I also like being able to load to suit my needs or wants. Saving money is just a bonus. I only load handgun ammo now. I still save money over the cost of even the cheapest ammo I have seen on the shelf of any store in the past year when they had ammo. I don't care for the bills I tend to run up buying in bulk at the time of purchase. After everything arrives I tend to forget about the cost. It becomes time for enjoying reloading again. Even at times like these, I like being able to put a half case of ammo in my range bag. It doesn't matter if I shoot it all or not. At least it is available. If I only was buying ammo locally this wouldn't even be an option.

It isn't a matter of cost effectiveness for me.

February 24, 2013, 11:59 AM	#26
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	I can load near match grade for the price of the cheap factory stuff and save more by reloading the brass. The real cost is in man hours but for some of us that's half the fun. Last edited by Boomer58cal; February 24, 2013 at 12:01 PM. Reason: stupid spell check keeps changing my words

February 24, 2013, 07:00 PM	#27
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I get good cost savings on all but one caliber that I reload for. The one I spend more money is for the 7,62x54R. I can get bulk spam can ammo for less than half the cost that I spend to reload for it. Though I like reloading for those. It is for my wife, and the reduced recoil rounds allow her to shoot all day without the punishing recoil. Three of the rounds I reload for have not had factory ammo loded for them in years. One of them literaly decades that I know of. (.35 WCF) The major cost savings for me come from casting lead bullets. There is a huge cost savings when I do that. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 25, 2013, 02:05 PM	#31
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	Recently I loaded a box of 50 premium 125g JHP in 357 mag at a total cost of $7.49. I looked online and found the closest thing I could at 44.99. Of course they were OUT OF STOCK. That is a savings of $37.50/box even if I could buy them. Thus reloading seems cost effective to me. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

February 25, 2013, 10:25 PM	#36
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	For a more exhaustive treatment of the question Take a look in these two threads. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51502 http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508887 http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=663065 http://rugerforum.net/reloading/1671...-analysis.html I developed a spreadsheet to evaluate where your breakeven point is. It includes amorizing the, cost of learning to load (classes), cost of initial equipment and, if you wish, the time you spend loading. Shall we beat this one to death? No, it will neve die. Lost Sheep

February 26, 2013, 08:46 AM	#37
GruntgunDr Junior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: SW AR Posts: 4	I reload for many reasons. The satisfaction of finding out what I like to shoot I can have ammo I just a short time rather than trying to find some to buy. Also, it's a family tradition, growing up in a gun shop, and having a Dad & Uncle who reloaded. I always wanted to spend time with them and caught the bug. I was sizing cast bullets before I ever went to school. It's what we do! __________________ Years of experience has taught me one thing, truth is stranger than fiction!

February 25, 2013, 05:24 AM	#28
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	After the initial investment of $300-$500 dollars purchasing a reloading kit, manual, bullets, primers, cases, powder it becomes cost effective.

February 25, 2013, 11:35 AM	#29
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	>After the initial investment of $300-$500 dollars purchasing a reloading kit, manual, bullets, primers, cases, powder it becomes cost effective. Using wheel weight cast bullets, and range-scrounged brass, a box of 50 .45 ACP costs me about $4. If you can buy it right now, it's at least $20. I typically shoot 200 rounds of .45 ACP in a trip to the range - 4 boxes. Store-bought, that's $80. Homemade, it's $16. That's a savings of $64. That means that in 5-8 trips to the range you have paid for your reloading equipment. To me, it's the difference between shooting and not shooting. I can't justify to my wife that I'm going to go blow $80 today. $16, I can justify that. Steve

February 25, 2013, 12:55 PM	#30
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 822	I noticed Renolds that you factored in the price of your brass with your reloads,(.72 cents) I hope you get more then one loading from your brass.

February 25, 2013, 02:10 PM	#32
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,164	Old 54, the .72 was without brass factored in. I get anywhere between 4 and 30 loadings from my brass. The b.r. stuff can get up to 30, the screaming velocity stuff gets between 4 and 6.

February 25, 2013, 02:32 PM	#33
9miller Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 169	I mainly load 124gr. Hollow points for 9mm and it cost me 12 bucks for 100 rounds. I also load 55gr. Soft points and vmax rounds in .223 and pay a whopping 20 bucks per 100 rounds. And another thing, can you even find these rounds on the shelves right now? Hardly so in myrtle beach, but they sure as hell come off my bench pretty well

February 25, 2013, 03:27 PM	#34
Budweiser Member Join Date: August 1, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 20	Pennies on the dollar for my .41 Mag! Jaw drops and cough every time I eyeball the retail price. When was the last time you saw a box of commercial 6MM on the shelf? Yeah I know, I am kind of an oddball too. I bet I paid for my Dillion RL550 the first year from the savings on 7,000 rounds of 4 different calibers? And as mentioned previously, the feeling of having thousands loaded, and many thousands in components on hand is priceless when walking by empty shelves at EVERY retail outlet?

February 25, 2013, 05:29 PM	#35
CADILLAC HOOSIER Member Join Date: August 28, 2010 Location: INDIANA Posts: 62	I shoot about 1200-1500 rounds a month of 38SPL, 357 and 40S&W. There is no way that I could buy off the shelf ammo and afford it. PLUS---RELOADING IS A WHOLE OTHER ADDICTION. I have as much fun messin with reloading as I do shooting. Saving money on two hobbies!! Load safe, shoot safe, HOOSIER

February 26, 2013, 04:43 PM	#38
centurion20000 Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Location: North Texas Posts: 21	I reload 454 and 45 Colt for about 35 cents tops (good bullets (300/325/360/395gr), prime powders and primers) 45 Colt +P STARTS at $1.10 / round 454 loads 300gr and above START at 1.80/round. My break even was achieved long ago. And my ammunition is better than what I can buy. Extreme consistency begets extreme accuracy. Still working on developing my 18 cent 30-06 load (go price that stuff too) www.ammoseek.com

February 26, 2013, 07:15 PM	#39
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I enjoy reloading. I like having ammo available when I want to shoot. I also like being able to load to suit my needs or wants. Saving money is just a bonus. I only load handgun ammo now. I still save money over the cost of even the cheapest ammo I have seen on the shelf of any store in the past year when they had ammo. I don't care for the bills I tend to run up buying in bulk at the time of purchase. After everything arrives I tend to forget about the cost. It becomes time for enjoying reloading again. Even at times like these, I like being able to put a half case of ammo in my range bag. It doesn't matter if I shoot it all or not. At least it is available. If I only was buying ammo locally this wouldn't even be an option. It isn't a matter of cost effectiveness for me.

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