Is reloading 9mm even worth it?

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 01:58 PM

I'm planning on reloading .45 ACP and 9mm. I've gotten to thinking, is reloading 9mm really worth it or should I use the money I would spend on 9mm dies and components to just get even more .45 ACP components? What are your thoughts? A point to consider is that I plan on using lead bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. in my .45 but I would have to use more expensive plated bullets in my Glocks.

rwilson452 · February 19, 2008, 02:03 PM

depends on what you intend to shoot in your 9mm that is store bought. you can save on 9mm as far as the price per round. but it's not much. If your already going to load 45 then the price for 9mm stuff as an add on means you don't have as much investment to amortize. If your going to be reloading anyway I would say go for it. you can make better stuff for less.

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 02:07 PM

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if my initial investment would be better spent on more .45 ACP components, since I just bought a new 1911 and I'm going to want to shoot the hell out of it! haha

I currently shoot WWB from walmart in my Glocks.

TexasSeaRay · February 19, 2008, 02:08 PM

I'm still mystified about the whole "lead and Glocks" myth. I've got thousands of lead reloads through my 17 with zero problems. I give it a good cleaning after each shooting and go on about my ways.

I'll have to dig up some old invoices, but last time I bought 9mm plated bullets in bulk, I think I paid something around seven cents per bullet.

I already have brass, primers and powder are just part of the reloading equation and come out to around two and a half cents. I'm loading up boxes of 50 plated 9mm rounds for around $4.50 - $5.00 each. That's a healthy savings over the twelve to sixteen bucks a box prices I see around here.

If you use lead, you'll cut that price almost in half.

Jeff

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 02:13 PM

There are so many conflicting reports on the leads in Glock thing that it's crazy. I'm kind of scared to "guinea pig" my guns though.

caz223 · February 19, 2008, 02:14 PM

In order to divine youe situation better, I need to know a few things.
What is the current price of 9mm ammo in your area? The stuff you shoot now. What's the current price of the bullets you intend to use for reloading?
Do you load single stage or progressive?
I see you have a .40, are you going to load for it eventually? (Primers.)
If not, why not?
What powder are you using for 45? (Are you going to use the same powder for 9mm?)
What distance do you shoot 9mm at?
What are your needs as far as accuracy is concerned?

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 02:23 PM

What is the current price of 9mm ammo in your area? The stuff you shoot now. - $18.72/100 rounds

What's the current price of the bullets you intend to use for reloading? - Winchester Bulk 115gr FMJ Bullets @ Cabela's - $42.99/500

Do you load single stage or progressive? - Single Stage

I see you have a .40, are you going to load for it eventually? (Primers.)
If not, why not? - No. I hardly ever shoot it.

What powder are you using for 45? (Are you going to use the same powder for 9mm?) - I don't know yet. Have to do some more research.

What distance do you shoot 9mm at? - 5, 10, 15, and 20 yards. They are self-defense weapons. I bought a 1911 for more accuracy intensive target shooting.
What are your needs as far as accuracy is concerned? - See above.

The Tourist · February 19, 2008, 02:24 PM

To be honest, I've never found that magic niche' where the investment was worth the trouble. Not without trying.

In 1979, I went through my 9mmx19 phase. I owned a bunch of them. In fact, I had a blue SW 39 that was one of the most accurate guns I have ever owned.

I used a 115 grain semi-wadcutter that was designed for a .38 SPL. It was a tiny little pill with a very large front driving brand. I could just about cast all morning and never empty out a pot of linotype.

But with that one down load--and I mean down--I once fired 14 bulleye shots in a row.

Coupled to that, I had one of the only SW 59's of that era that actually worked.

However, other than paper-punching, they didn't seem to do anything.

Granted, there are many 9mmx19 that are now as small as many .380 ACP's and at some affordable prices. But my heart likes my Colts and my CZs for defense, and Gold Dots make them lethal at close quarters.

It's not the issue of the 9mmx19 in iteself. It's just that it has no real place in my personal experience.

rwilson452 · February 19, 2008, 02:27 PM

you can go to a plated bullet for 9mm such as Berry's, Ranier and save a bunch

I suspect some of those moly painted bullet would work as well.

caz223 · February 19, 2008, 02:27 PM

Wow, that was fast.
In your case it doesn't look like it's worth it, unless you want to upgrade to progressive.
You'd be saving a buck or 2 a hundred, but if you only can do 200 rounds an hour you'd be working for $4 an hour.
Not worth it in my opinion. Save your brass in case your needs change.
In stark contrast, if I load .41 mag, and save $10 a box, and load 8 boxes an hour (Dillon 550.), then I'm working for $80 an hour. That's worth it.

bugaiho · February 19, 2008, 03:02 PM

Buying in bulk helps greatly! If you dont want the extra components just lying around,,,split orders up with a friend who lives nearby. Especially when powder and primers incur an added surcharge for hazardous materials...(same cost whether you order 1000 primers or 10,000..

storage of components in a suitable dry cool area is key as well.

I have not bought components in a long time. But it is worth it if you shoot a lot. "A lot" to me means more than 50 rnds/wk...

Plus, it is relaxing,,,and there is something to say about the ammo you make,,,proudly say "I made this"

Jim Watson · February 19, 2008, 03:24 PM

I haven't run through the economics lately, but the last time I did, I was only saving a little versus the usual cheapmart 9mm econo-ball out there. Thing is, I am loading BETTER ammo. I can produce defense practice fast JHPs or mild IDPA ESP match ammo for a bit less than plain vanilla hardball. Reason enough.

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 03:25 PM

I think that since I'm a beginning reloader I'll start with just the .45 ACP. After I get the hang of that, I'll go pick up 9mm components and dies. I just bought my first 1911, so my 9mm guns won't be seeing much range time anyway

wncchester · February 19, 2008, 03:57 PM

Dave - "... I'll start with just the .45 ACP. "

Good choice. I don't think much of the 9mm anyway but the .45 is a real tool and learning to shoot yours well will be time and money well spent.

The "problem" with Glocks and lead slugs is due to the rifling. It has sort of rounded lands that don't want to grip the lead very well but I'm sure that could be controlled and largely overcome. I think. Anyway, it's not unsafe.

45Marlin carbine · February 19, 2008, 08:46 PM

save your brass anyway. if you don't load it someone else will. if it's good brass it can be loaded with premium slugs which cost $$ when in loaded ammo. that's what I do. and some I load with cheaper FMJ 'blasting' slugs.

DaveInPA · February 19, 2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

save your brass anyway. if you don't load it someone else will. if it's good brass it can be loaded with premium slugs which cost $$ when in loaded ammo. that's what I do. and some I load with cheaper FMJ 'blasting' slugs.

Yes I am definitely planning on keeping my 9mm brass. My fiance is just getting into shooting and she drools when she looks at my 1911, but she doesn't like the recoil of the .45. I will probably be getting her a 9mm 1911 later this year, and I'll reload for that since she'll be shooting a lot.

ForneyRider · February 19, 2008, 10:55 PM

My coworker reloads 9mm with his own handmade lead bullets.
All it costs him is primer and powder.
He shoots into a birm(sp?) and digs the lead back out, melts em down, and starts over.
If he could make his own gunpowder, I am sure he would.

MakarovFan · February 19, 2008, 11:33 PM

There is a web site out there that allows you to put in your cost of primers, powder etc... and gives you cost per 100 to load.

I load my 9mm with mag tech 115 grfmj for around $5.50 a box of 50, = 11.00 / 100 (WWB here at the local walmart goes for $15.95/100) This saves me 5.00 a box of hundred with mostly range pickups on the brass. I use a single stage press and time to me is not a major factor. Some of the gun shows I go to you can get some deals on lead and some plated bullets just depends your likes and the guns you going to use. I try and load both.

As the money and good deals on other dies that the calipers I shoot were found I bought so now I load 5 diiferent ones.

I would buy the dies and look at the long run and not for the short haul. My buddy and I share the cost of some of the bullets and kill a couple of hours and split the ammo we do in the time period.

Crosshair · February 20, 2008, 02:54 AM

For me it is very worth it. I get cases for free from the local range. I have about 1,200 9mm cases. Bullets, I bought 3,000 115 grain FMJ awhile ago for $120. I will start casting 9mm slugs very soon to further decrease the costs. Lead WW for me is about $.40 per pound.

So the answer is, it depends. If you can get the cases for free, and shop for surplus components it pays off very well. Depending on your volume it may or may not pay off for you to do so.

Jmac2387 · February 20, 2008, 07:42 AM

I have at least one pistol that needs a stout load to make it cycle properly. Factory loads don't always make it run. that was a good reason for me to look at reloading 9mm.

Before I got into reloading, my buddys would say, hey you can make ammo that you can't buy or when you find it it will be high priced. I would say "no way" But try walking into the almost any store and trying to pick up say a box of 9mm, 147 grn jacketed hollow point in +p. Not always available. At least in my neck of the woods.

When I need bulk ammo I use a progressive dillion. But when I want precision and quality, I turn to a single stage. Most factory ammo has a STD in the 30's, where I shoot if the guys can't get than down into the single digits, they are in a tizzy. Call it range ammo and crap, then use it to plink and practice

Just as recent as this weekend I turned out handgun ammo on a single stage press with a std of <5. 4.88 to be exact. so is it worth reloading 9mm? How good do you want it to be? What are you going to use it for?

For my daughter, if she can find 9mm at less than $10,00 per box on the shelf I tell her to go for it. If she has the time, we can turn out good stuff cheaper but not faster. My 2 cents. LM

armoredman · February 20, 2008, 07:42 AM

I don't really cost out for reloading, but I do load 9mm. I enjoy it as a productive and relaxing hobby. I also cast my own bullets, a 124gr meant for 38 spl that works beautifully sized at .356 for 9mm. I don't get to shoot as much as I'd like, so I won't run through the components I have for some time, which means I spend zero right now for ammo. The money I spent on components is less than I'd have spent on pizza and beer back in my wilder days of young stupidity, and gives me much more, pardion the expression, "bang for the buck".

bugaiho · February 20, 2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

I think that since I'm a beginning reloader I'll start with just the .45 ACP. After I get the hang of that, I'll go pick up 9mm components and dies.

Excellent! That is exactly what I did,,,first 45 acp...then 38/357 30.06 380 auto, etc,,,etc..

45 is very forgiving...

I would like to know how much savings (and how much time is spent) casting own bullets...some guys even make their own lead shot. any thoughts??

Crimp · February 20, 2008, 03:07 PM

About 9mm, as much as anything, I think it depends on how much time you want to spend reloading.

Handloading is one of my major hobbies. Call me nuts, but I enjoy it and would probably continue even if the costs were equal with commercial ammo. I have good, accurate loads that I'm familiar and comfortable with, and I'm retired and have plenty of time for the hobby.

I even saved some good money yesterday with a bullet order to Montana Gold that will probably keep me shooting the rest of the year. Today, I noticed their prices went up!

CrustyFN · February 20, 2008, 03:14 PM

I can load FMJ's in 9mm for around $87 per thousand. I shoot a lot of 9mm so it is worth it to me.
Rusty

The Lovemaster · February 20, 2008, 03:24 PM

Here's that handy dandy calculator:

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

I can reload 9mm for $7.60/100 rounds using moly lead bullets. Yes, it's worth it, and no, I don't count my time - it's a fun hobby that I enjoy.

February 19, 2008, 01:58 PM	#1
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	Is reloading 9mm even worth it? I'm planning on reloading .45 ACP and 9mm. I've gotten to thinking, is reloading 9mm really worth it or should I use the money I would spend on 9mm dies and components to just get even more .45 ACP components? What are your thoughts? A point to consider is that I plan on using lead bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. in my .45 but I would have to use more expensive plated bullets in my Glocks.

February 19, 2008, 02:14 PM	#6
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	In order to divine youe situation better, I need to know a few things. What is the current price of 9mm ammo in your area? The stuff you shoot now. What's the current price of the bullets you intend to use for reloading? Do you load single stage or progressive? I see you have a .40, are you going to load for it eventually? (Primers.) If not, why not? What powder are you using for 45? (Are you going to use the same powder for 9mm?) What distance do you shoot 9mm at? What are your needs as far as accuracy is concerned? __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

February 19, 2008, 02:27 PM	#10
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Wow, that was fast. In your case it doesn't look like it's worth it, unless you want to upgrade to progressive. You'd be saving a buck or 2 a hundred, but if you only can do 200 rounds an hour you'd be working for $4 an hour. Not worth it in my opinion. Save your brass in case your needs change. In stark contrast, if I load .41 mag, and save $10 a box, and load 8 boxes an hour (Dillon 550.), then I'm working for $80 an hour. That's worth it. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

February 20, 2008, 02:54 AM	#19
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	For me it is very worth it. I get cases for free from the local range. I have about 1,200 9mm cases. Bullets, I bought 3,000 115 grain FMJ awhile ago for $120. I will start casting 9mm slugs very soon to further decrease the costs. Lead WW for me is about $.40 per pound. So the answer is, it depends. If you can get the cases for free, and shop for surplus components it pays off very well. Depending on your volume it may or may not pay off for you to do so. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

February 20, 2008, 07:42 AM	#20
Jmac2387 Member Join Date: September 11, 2004 Location: Lone Star State/ Hawaii/ Alaska/ Oklahoma Posts: 21	Like most things in life if depends I have at least one pistol that needs a stout load to make it cycle properly. Factory loads don't always make it run. that was a good reason for me to look at reloading 9mm. Before I got into reloading, my buddys would say, hey you can make ammo that you can't buy or when you find it it will be high priced. I would say "no way" But try walking into the almost any store and trying to pick up say a box of 9mm, 147 grn jacketed hollow point in +p. Not always available. At least in my neck of the woods. When I need bulk ammo I use a progressive dillion. But when I want precision and quality, I turn to a single stage. Most factory ammo has a STD in the 30's, where I shoot if the guys can't get than down into the single digits, they are in a tizzy. Call it range ammo and crap, then use it to plink and practice Just as recent as this weekend I turned out handgun ammo on a single stage press with a std of <5. 4.88 to be exact. so is it worth reloading 9mm? How good do you want it to be? What are you going to use it for? For my daughter, if she can find 9mm at less than $10,00 per box on the shelf I tell her to go for it. If she has the time, we can turn out good stuff cheaper but not faster. My 2 cents. LM

February 19, 2008, 02:03 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	depends on what you intend to shoot in your 9mm that is store bought. you can save on 9mm as far as the price per round. but it's not much. If your already going to load 45 then the price for 9mm stuff as an add on means you don't have as much investment to amortize. If your going to be reloading anyway I would say go for it. you can make better stuff for less.

February 19, 2008, 02:07 PM	#3
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	I guess I'm just trying to figure out if my initial investment would be better spent on more .45 ACP components, since I just bought a new 1911 and I'm going to want to shoot the hell out of it! haha I currently shoot WWB from walmart in my Glocks.

February 19, 2008, 02:08 PM	#4
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	I'm still mystified about the whole "lead and Glocks" myth. I've got thousands of lead reloads through my 17 with zero problems. I give it a good cleaning after each shooting and go on about my ways. I'll have to dig up some old invoices, but last time I bought 9mm plated bullets in bulk, I think I paid something around seven cents per bullet. I already have brass, primers and powder are just part of the reloading equation and come out to around two and a half cents. I'm loading up boxes of 50 plated 9mm rounds for around $4.50 - $5.00 each. That's a healthy savings over the twelve to sixteen bucks a box prices I see around here. If you use lead, you'll cut that price almost in half. Jeff

February 19, 2008, 02:13 PM	#5
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	There are so many conflicting reports on the leads in Glock thing that it's crazy. I'm kind of scared to "guinea pig" my guns though.

February 19, 2008, 02:23 PM	#7
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	What is the current price of 9mm ammo in your area? The stuff you shoot now. - $18.72/100 rounds What's the current price of the bullets you intend to use for reloading? - Winchester Bulk 115gr FMJ Bullets @ Cabela's - $42.99/500 Do you load single stage or progressive? - Single Stage I see you have a .40, are you going to load for it eventually? (Primers.) If not, why not? - No. I hardly ever shoot it. What powder are you using for 45? (Are you going to use the same powder for 9mm?) - I don't know yet. Have to do some more research. What distance do you shoot 9mm at? - 5, 10, 15, and 20 yards. They are self-defense weapons. I bought a 1911 for more accuracy intensive target shooting. What are your needs as far as accuracy is concerned? - See above.

February 19, 2008, 02:24 PM	#8
The Tourist Junior member Join Date: June 20, 2005 Posts: 2,348	To be honest, I've never found that magic niche' where the investment was worth the trouble. Not without trying. In 1979, I went through my 9mmx19 phase. I owned a bunch of them. In fact, I had a blue SW 39 that was one of the most accurate guns I have ever owned. I used a 115 grain semi-wadcutter that was designed for a .38 SPL. It was a tiny little pill with a very large front driving brand. I could just about cast all morning and never empty out a pot of linotype. But with that one down load--and I mean down--I once fired 14 bulleye shots in a row. Coupled to that, I had one of the only SW 59's of that era that actually worked. However, other than paper-punching, they didn't seem to do anything. Granted, there are many 9mmx19 that are now as small as many .380 ACP's and at some affordable prices. But my heart likes my Colts and my CZs for defense, and Gold Dots make them lethal at close quarters. It's not the issue of the 9mmx19 in iteself. It's just that it has no real place in my personal experience.

February 19, 2008, 03:02 PM	#11
bugaiho Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: connecticut Posts: 41	Buying in bulk helps greatly! If you dont want the extra components just lying around,,,split orders up with a friend who lives nearby. Especially when powder and primers incur an added surcharge for hazardous materials...(same cost whether you order 1000 primers or 10,000.. storage of components in a suitable dry cool area is key as well. I have not bought components in a long time. But it is worth it if you shoot a lot. "A lot" to me means more than 50 rnds/wk... Plus, it is relaxing,,,and there is something to say about the ammo you make,,,proudly say "I made this"

February 19, 2008, 03:24 PM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,168	I haven't run through the economics lately, but the last time I did, I was only saving a little versus the usual cheapmart 9mm econo-ball out there. Thing is, I am loading BETTER ammo. I can produce defense practice fast JHPs or mild IDPA ESP match ammo for a bit less than plain vanilla hardball. Reason enough.

February 19, 2008, 03:25 PM	#13
DaveInPA Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Berks County, PA Posts: 1,106	I think that since I'm a beginning reloader I'll start with just the .45 ACP. After I get the hang of that, I'll go pick up 9mm components and dies. I just bought my first 1911, so my 9mm guns won't be seeing much range time anyway

February 19, 2008, 03:57 PM	#14
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Dave - "... I'll start with just the .45 ACP. " Good choice. I don't think much of the 9mm anyway but the .45 is a real tool and learning to shoot yours well will be time and money well spent. The "problem" with Glocks and lead slugs is due to the rifling. It has sort of rounded lands that don't want to grip the lead very well but I'm sure that could be controlled and largely overcome. I think. Anyway, it's not unsafe.

February 19, 2008, 08:46 PM	#15
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	save your brass anyway. if you don't load it someone else will. if it's good brass it can be loaded with premium slugs which cost $$ when in loaded ammo. that's what I do. and some I load with cheaper FMJ 'blasting' slugs.

February 19, 2008, 10:55 PM	#17
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	My coworker reloads 9mm with his own handmade lead bullets. All it costs him is primer and powder. He shoots into a birm(sp?) and digs the lead back out, melts em down, and starts over. If he could make his own gunpowder, I am sure he would.

February 19, 2008, 11:33 PM	#18
MakarovFan Member Join Date: June 21, 2006 Location: Eastern Ohio Posts: 94	There is a web site out there that allows you to put in your cost of primers, powder etc... and gives you cost per 100 to load. I load my 9mm with mag tech 115 grfmj for around $5.50 a box of 50, = 11.00 / 100 (WWB here at the local walmart goes for $15.95/100) This saves me 5.00 a box of hundred with mostly range pickups on the brass. I use a single stage press and time to me is not a major factor. Some of the gun shows I go to you can get some deals on lead and some plated bullets just depends your likes and the guns you going to use. I try and load both. As the money and good deals on other dies that the calipers I shoot were found I bought so now I load 5 diiferent ones. I would buy the dies and look at the long run and not for the short haul. My buddy and I share the cost of some of the bullets and kill a couple of hours and split the ammo we do in the time period.

February 20, 2008, 07:42 AM	#21
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,480	I don't really cost out for reloading, but I do load 9mm. I enjoy it as a productive and relaxing hobby. I also cast my own bullets, a 124gr meant for 38 spl that works beautifully sized at .356 for 9mm. I don't get to shoot as much as I'd like, so I won't run through the components I have for some time, which means I spend zero right now for ammo. The money I spent on components is less than I'd have spent on pizza and beer back in my wilder days of young stupidity, and gives me much more, pardion the expression, "bang for the buck".

February 20, 2008, 03:07 PM	#23
Crimp Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 276	About 9mm, as much as anything, I think it depends on how much time you want to spend reloading. Handloading is one of my major hobbies. Call me nuts, but I enjoy it and would probably continue even if the costs were equal with commercial ammo. I have good, accurate loads that I'm familiar and comfortable with, and I'm retired and have plenty of time for the hobby. I even saved some good money yesterday with a bullet order to Montana Gold that will probably keep me shooting the rest of the year. Today, I noticed their prices went up!

February 20, 2008, 03:14 PM	#24
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I can load FMJ's in 9mm for around $87 per thousand. I shoot a lot of 9mm so it is worth it to me. Rusty

February 20, 2008, 03:24 PM	#25
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	Here's that handy dandy calculator: http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp I can reload 9mm for $7.60/100 rounds using moly lead bullets. Yes, it's worth it, and no, I don't count my time - it's a fun hobby that I enjoy.