Price .45 acp & 9mm

[.50Caliber]

Hello, first post, I am looking to purchase a progressive reloading press and would love to hear the average cost to reload these calibers, I would be reloading FMJ for range practice and I guess and average powder, thanks

[Lost Sheep]

How much do your components cost? Then do a web search on this phrase

ammunition reloading cost calculator

you will find many web-based calculators.


Now, for a question which will open up a maelstrom of debate. Is this your first press?

And other pertinent questions: How much do you plan to reload? How much in each session? What's your budget?

Help us out, here.

Lost Sheep

[1911rocks]

http://10xshooters.com/calculators/H...Calculator.htm

WOW, huge question. I started out reloading to reduce my shooting cost 35yrs ago. After about 2 years I realized it only had a marginal relationship to cost. Think of it as a co-tangentially related hobby. Like, leather crafting, or engraving. I have done a great deal of reloading, the product of which I never shot ( kids, wife, nephews & nieces ). I find it very relaxing and rewarding. It's reminds me of woodworking.
As to presses, dies, powder, primers, projectiles, etc, I'd say the very first expenditure is good reloading manual or two. I like Sierra (favorite) and Hornady, but there are many others. These manuals are not just loading formulas, they explain Exterior Ballistics, Projectile design and many other facts that are really necessary to keep you safe and happy. OBTW, if you do see a discrepancy between different manuals, remember there are certain implied liabilities in a loading formula, so there's always some variation. The rule of start low and work up is ALWAYS the process. I have a load for 38 Super that is so beyond the manual that most reloaders are shocked, however, I've worked up to this and it shows no signs of over pressure IN MY GUNS, this is the "custom" portion of reloading. IMO don't think cheap about reloading, think another facet of the sport.

[oldandslow]

.50, 12/24/10

I reload about 14,000 rounds a year, split 60% .45 and 40% 9mm. I use a Dillon Square Deal B. My cost per round of .45 is approximately 16 cents per round and 9mm is 13 cents per round. This is with free, once fired brass from the range where I have been known to look through trash cans and other unsavory places in search of good brass. Good luck.

Merry Christmas- oldandslow

[McClintock]

It depends a lot on your component cost, as already stated.

As an example, using Montana Gold 124 gr FMJ ($110 per 1000), my 9mm cost per cartridge is about 16 cents per round. Using cast lead bullets I was able to find locally for $36/1000 I can reload for about 8.5 cents per round. I use range brass that I pick up.

Unfortunately, my lead caster moved away, so I've been looking at casting my own. Once I start casting in the new year, I expect even that cost will drop, hopefully to around 5 cents per round.

Depending on the cost of your powders and primer choices, the costs may vary a little, but with pistol loading, the increased cost per cartridge of using a more expensive powder is minimal. I'm also not including the equipment cost, as that has paid for itself long ago.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
McClintock

[billnourse]

Dillion 550 press $400, RCBS dies $44.00 per set, Bullseye Powder $20.00 for 7,000 grains (average load of 4 grains per round for the calibers you mentioned. Lasercast lead bullets $70.00 per 1,000. Primers 32.00 per 1,000. 250.00 for extras like powder scale, calipers, tumbler, etc. and the price of brass if you can't just scroung it. In my area I usually find 20 or 30 rounds of 45 and 9 mm every time I go to the range. There are a lot of people that just shoot and leave it lay. Over time I have accumulated 1,000's of rounds of .45, 9mm, .40 S&W and .223 brass.

If there is range near you, you might contact them and see what they do with the brass that is left there. At an indoor range that I know of, I can pick up all the brass I want provided I spend the 10.00 per hour fee to shoot at the range.

Bill

[rdmallory]

.45acp easily can be loaded less than purchased. But with primer and bullet prices raising you will not be saving much with the 9mm. It has come down to $8.50 a box so loading plated you might save $2 a box if you have the brass. If you don't have the brass it will cost as much to load as you can buy it for. But I do get better loads from hand loaded.


Doug

[.50Caliber]

thank you for the replies, I didn't realize that the reloadiing calculators existed, I feel I have a good idea on the savings now, happy holidays!

[salvadore]

I cast my own since the price of precast skyrocketed (helps if you have no life) and I'm guessin a nickel or so apiece for .45acp. 3 cents for a primer and 2 cents for 4 grs of bullseye....don't quote me on that load.