Cost effectiveness?
- Thread starter Zack1513
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Depends on what you're loading. 9mm? Not real cost effective. Stuff like .357 Mag or .44 Mag pays for itself in fairly short order if you shoot regularly. For oddballs like my .41 Mags, I can load for a 10th of the cost of factory ammo. Also lets me shoot stuff that is otherwise unobtainium, like .357 Maximum.
Haven't loaded any rifle ammo, though I have components & dies on hand for a few, so I can't really speak to economies of scale in that realm. At the prices I paid in '13 or so, for both ammo & components for 6.8SPC, I can load that for around $0.40/rd vs. the $1.00-$1.20 quality factory ammo cost at the time & factors in reloading the 1x fired brass.
No idea what everything costs these days & not sure I want to know, but I found that I don't really save money by reloading, but I do get to shoot a lot more for every dollar spent. For the same $35 a 20 rd box of commercial .41 Mag cost at the time (when you could even find it), I could thunder 200 rds downrange of the finest .41 Mag ammo I could assemble. Also allows you to experiment to find the right load for your needs.
Haven't loaded any rifle ammo, though I have components & dies on hand for a few, so I can't really speak to economies of scale in that realm. At the prices I paid in '13 or so, for both ammo & components for 6.8SPC, I can load that for around $0.40/rd vs. the $1.00-$1.20 quality factory ammo cost at the time & factors in reloading the 1x fired brass.
No idea what everything costs these days & not sure I want to know, but I found that I don't really save money by reloading, but I do get to shoot a lot more for every dollar spent. For the same $35 a 20 rd box of commercial .41 Mag cost at the time (when you could even find it), I could thunder 200 rds downrange of the finest .41 Mag ammo I could assemble. Also allows you to experiment to find the right load for your needs.
I started reloading right as Covid started. It definitely saved me money reloading even 9mm when everything shot up. You don’t save much on 9 when they are around .40 per but still are saving. .10 for a primer, .10 for bullet and .10 for powder is a good estimate. Brass is free if you go to the gun range and can pick up. If not then add another .10 and there is no savings.
as @Crazy Carl stated you can really save on 38, 357 and oddball stuff. I load 7.7 jap which costs about $2 per round if you can find em. I am loading them for under a $1 right now.
If ammo prices are down I tend to buy 9 but it’s nice to know I can reload and keep shooting even when 9 doubles in price. I’m not paying $600 for a 10000 rounds.
reloading can be fun and satisfying if you have some free time.
as @Crazy Carl stated you can really save on 38, 357 and oddball stuff. I load 7.7 jap which costs about $2 per round if you can find em. I am loading them for under a $1 right now.
If ammo prices are down I tend to buy 9 but it’s nice to know I can reload and keep shooting even when 9 doubles in price. I’m not paying $600 for a 10000 rounds.
reloading can be fun and satisfying if you have some free time.
Not really if you value your time. Unless you shoot some really off the wall stuff. There are some calibers you just can't buy factory ammo for.
Unless you shoot a lot, reloading is not worth the time, effort, or cost. If you shoot less than a case a year of handgun ammo then just shop around and pick up a box or two when the opportunity arises. Same goes with shotgun and low budget rifle calibers if you shoot less than 100 rounds (5 boxes) a year. If you shoot skeet then you may have to reload since those guys go through a lot of shells.
Sadly the rifle ammo I shoot I cannot purchase. Even 6.5 Creed since I haven't found a consistent factory load that will shoot to my standards. (less than 1/2 moa). The only other justification for reloading is if you are into some of the bigger calibers like .338 LM and such. It takes quite a few 5.56 bullets to make one 300 grain .338. So you have to consider the amount of metal (price) in one of those bad boys. Same with the other big bore calibers.
But I enjoy handloading as much as I do shooting. Perhaps even a bit more. I'm constantly trying to improve my loads so I may go to the range and only shoot 5-10 rounds and then spend the rest of the day trying to figure out what I did wrong?
Sadly the rifle ammo I shoot I cannot purchase. Even 6.5 Creed since I haven't found a consistent factory load that will shoot to my standards. (less than 1/2 moa). The only other justification for reloading is if you are into some of the bigger calibers like .338 LM and such. It takes quite a few 5.56 bullets to make one 300 grain .338. So you have to consider the amount of metal (price) in one of those bad boys. Same with the other big bore calibers.
But I enjoy handloading as much as I do shooting. Perhaps even a bit more. I'm constantly trying to improve my loads so I may go to the range and only shoot 5-10 rounds and then spend the rest of the day trying to figure out what I did wrong?
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I have many hobbies and had many hobbies. Each one required me to spend money and time. I like to know how things work and I like to piddle.
Everyone wants to focus on time and money for some reason. This is a good thing to some extent. It is hard to put a price on something you enjoy doing. If it doesn’t make you happy it’s costing more than money. If it does make you happy then it’s money we’ll spent.
Reloading is a great hobby starting out. You go one of two ways.
One way is buying a few things, reading, asking questions, loading a few rounds, and then other things push it to the side. You sell all your reloading stuff and just buy ammo again.
The second way is to do the same as the first way, but it doesn’t get pushed to the side. You start buying more equipment, search forums for deals, buy components, work loads up for optimum accuracy, watch utube videos, start locating tire shops for lead, start casting. The hobby can take on a life of its own.
Then you wake up one day and realize you’re whore. That’s right a whore. You will be at the range watching other people while you shoot. Wondering, hoping they won’t pick up their brass. You will even stoop so low as to rummage through trash/brass cans at the range. You will be the dreaded brass whore! Everyone talks bad about them at the range. Deep down they are brass whores too. They are a bit more discreet with their tactics. They pick up a little more brass than they brought.
Ok you get the picture. I need to drink more coffee.
Everyone wants to focus on time and money for some reason. This is a good thing to some extent. It is hard to put a price on something you enjoy doing. If it doesn’t make you happy it’s costing more than money. If it does make you happy then it’s money we’ll spent.
Reloading is a great hobby starting out. You go one of two ways.
One way is buying a few things, reading, asking questions, loading a few rounds, and then other things push it to the side. You sell all your reloading stuff and just buy ammo again.
The second way is to do the same as the first way, but it doesn’t get pushed to the side. You start buying more equipment, search forums for deals, buy components, work loads up for optimum accuracy, watch utube videos, start locating tire shops for lead, start casting. The hobby can take on a life of its own.
Then you wake up one day and realize you’re whore. That’s right a whore. You will be at the range watching other people while you shoot. Wondering, hoping they won’t pick up their brass. You will even stoop so low as to rummage through trash/brass cans at the range. You will be the dreaded brass whore! Everyone talks bad about them at the range. Deep down they are brass whores too. They are a bit more discreet with their tactics. They pick up a little more brass than they brought.
Ok you get the picture. I need to drink more coffee.
With the way the region seemed to run out of ammo for as long as it did it may be beneficial to consider reloading either way. Thank you for your response, and the insight.
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In my experience, reloading doesn’t necessarily “save money” as in net amount spent. What it does is allow one to shoot more for the same amount of money.
People will say things like “I can reload 9mm for $5 a box as opposed to spending $15”. But more often than not they shoot 150 rounds at the range as opposed to 50. So the sum total is a wash.
I think where most people “save” money is when you get into more boutique rounds that are extremely expensive on the commercial market.
People will say things like “I can reload 9mm for $5 a box as opposed to spending $15”. But more often than not they shoot 150 rounds at the range as opposed to 50. So the sum total is a wash.
I think where most people “save” money is when you get into more boutique rounds that are extremely expensive on the commercial market.
contender
Well-Known Member
Cost effective to reload. I often get asked that question.
I started handloading in the 70's, because I was on a budget & handloading was a way to shoot more often for less money. It didn't take long for my equipment to be "paid" for in the savings of the amount of ammo I'd loaded & shot. If I compare the amount of shooting, to the expense of components,, the gap of money spent soon added up. So, the equipment cost to me were justified.
Now,, having been a handloader for decades,, and having added other equipment,, I'm comfortable set up to load whatever I need.
But something not covered here in the above posts.
Ammo shortages. We've all been seeing it now for a couple of YEARS. but a handloader,, and especially if you are a bullet caster,, you experience a much less expense to shoot. ESPECIALLY if you are the type to keep a good stock of components.
My Dad lived the Great Depression.
He taught me to be prepared for rationing, shortages & in general,, having to do without stuff.
As such,, I always bought much of my components in bulk, (powder & primers,) scrounged a lot of lead,, or purchased bulk bullets I didn't cast for. Brass has always been something I saved or scrounged as much as possible. (Yes,, even to occasionally being a brass whore.)
Throw in the fact I was a Boy Scout for 50 years,, with the life long motto of "Be Prepared" as a guide,, I smile when someone asks; "How are you doing so much shooting now?"
Ammo shortage? Not for me. Cost effective? A gun is a paperweight w/o ammo to feed it. But a loaded gun is VERY effective! To me,, THAT"S cost effective.
I started handloading in the 70's, because I was on a budget & handloading was a way to shoot more often for less money. It didn't take long for my equipment to be "paid" for in the savings of the amount of ammo I'd loaded & shot. If I compare the amount of shooting, to the expense of components,, the gap of money spent soon added up. So, the equipment cost to me were justified.
Now,, having been a handloader for decades,, and having added other equipment,, I'm comfortable set up to load whatever I need.
But something not covered here in the above posts.
Ammo shortages. We've all been seeing it now for a couple of YEARS. but a handloader,, and especially if you are a bullet caster,, you experience a much less expense to shoot. ESPECIALLY if you are the type to keep a good stock of components.
My Dad lived the Great Depression.
He taught me to be prepared for rationing, shortages & in general,, having to do without stuff.
As such,, I always bought much of my components in bulk, (powder & primers,) scrounged a lot of lead,, or purchased bulk bullets I didn't cast for. Brass has always been something I saved or scrounged as much as possible. (Yes,, even to occasionally being a brass whore.)
Throw in the fact I was a Boy Scout for 50 years,, with the life long motto of "Be Prepared" as a guide,, I smile when someone asks; "How are you doing so much shooting now?"
Ammo shortage? Not for me. Cost effective? A gun is a paperweight w/o ammo to feed it. But a loaded gun is VERY effective! To me,, THAT"S cost effective.
Fun topic to discuss. I've gotten one person into reloading (6.5 Creedmoor and 9mm, decided 9mm wasn't worth it), and several that are "ready when the finance allow it".
For me, it started when I first really got started with shooting. I LOVE big bore magnum revolvers and rifles. 10 years ago, I could load 357 magnum for 8 cents per round (stating you had the brass) and 460 S&W for 30. That was when 460 cost about 1.25 and 357 magnum around 40-50 per shot. I don't want to know what it is now. That morphed into pure accuracy. I still have the same single stage Hornady LNL press, and wish so bad I had a progressive.... but I just can't manage the umph to do it. However, the largest reason for me, now, is building HIGHLY accurate rounds, for each of my guns that I intend to use and for each purpose they are used for.
Last week I managed to put 4 bullets through the same hole at 100y with my 223 20" Wylde AR15. There is no loading on the market that will do that. That's building the round to YOUR gun. I now have it "saved in my database". Now, the question is, what kind of investment did it take to do that? Thousands of dollars. I have 6 or 7 different type of bullets for that loading, and probably 5 different powders. Sure, I could load 1000 rounds of "generic" ammo, but I want to load the BEST. I could easily load over 10k rounds of ammo, right now, if I wanted to.
So yes, it's a very big cost savings, OVER TIME, if you shoot the same amount. But I don't shoot the same amount. On average, I shoot about 100 rounds per week, 223 or 308. My wife shoots about 200 9mm. I load them all. I'm specific with what I'm loading, trying to find the most accurate loadings for my rifle (each week I work on a different bullet) and trying to find what works best for my wife with recoil/reliable function/accuracy. It takes a LOT of rounds, but when you start finding the magic recipe, it makes it all worth it. The same goes for my wife, I load what works best for her with her recoil tastes, while still being able hit the her desired groupings. You just can't do that with off the shelf ammo.
And brass whore... LOL YES. I always strive to leave my range with more brass than I came with. I always have what I shot, but how much more can I pick up? I should start selling my 9mm and 223/556 pickups, but I don't want to. That's also why I now load for it, because not only do i have enough brass to load an infinite amount of rounds (hyperbole for you literal folks) but everyone uses these rounds.
For me, it started when I first really got started with shooting. I LOVE big bore magnum revolvers and rifles. 10 years ago, I could load 357 magnum for 8 cents per round (stating you had the brass) and 460 S&W for 30. That was when 460 cost about 1.25 and 357 magnum around 40-50 per shot. I don't want to know what it is now. That morphed into pure accuracy. I still have the same single stage Hornady LNL press, and wish so bad I had a progressive.... but I just can't manage the umph to do it. However, the largest reason for me, now, is building HIGHLY accurate rounds, for each of my guns that I intend to use and for each purpose they are used for.
Last week I managed to put 4 bullets through the same hole at 100y with my 223 20" Wylde AR15. There is no loading on the market that will do that. That's building the round to YOUR gun. I now have it "saved in my database". Now, the question is, what kind of investment did it take to do that? Thousands of dollars. I have 6 or 7 different type of bullets for that loading, and probably 5 different powders. Sure, I could load 1000 rounds of "generic" ammo, but I want to load the BEST. I could easily load over 10k rounds of ammo, right now, if I wanted to.
So yes, it's a very big cost savings, OVER TIME, if you shoot the same amount. But I don't shoot the same amount. On average, I shoot about 100 rounds per week, 223 or 308. My wife shoots about 200 9mm. I load them all. I'm specific with what I'm loading, trying to find the most accurate loadings for my rifle (each week I work on a different bullet) and trying to find what works best for my wife with recoil/reliable function/accuracy. It takes a LOT of rounds, but when you start finding the magic recipe, it makes it all worth it. The same goes for my wife, I load what works best for her with her recoil tastes, while still being able hit the her desired groupings. You just can't do that with off the shelf ammo.
And brass whore... LOL YES. I always strive to leave my range with more brass than I came with. I always have what I shot, but how much more can I pick up? I should start selling my 9mm and 223/556 pickups, but I don't want to. That's also why I now load for it, because not only do i have enough brass to load an infinite amount of rounds (hyperbole for you literal folks) but everyone uses these rounds.
Remind me how many threads here were about how nobody could find primers?
Shortages hit reloaders just like everyone else. It is easier to stockpile primers than loaded ammo, but at the same time you'll feel the same reluctance to shoot them up you would factory ammunition.
Here is my take on reloading. I started one a Lee Turret and still have it for smaller runs of a couple hundred. I have Dillon 750XL with a case feeder setup for 9mm because that is what I shoot more than anything else. The Lee is long paid for and the Dillion is well on its way. The Dillon is much nicer but the Lee has served me well. The good thing about the Lee is if you don't like reloading you can sell it for close to what you have in it. I personally hate reloading. I do not enjoy the tinkering with it. I do not enjoy cracking that handle but I do it anyway. I will echo what @B00ger posted. Reloading does not "save" you money as much as it allows you to shoot more rounds for your $$$. Everyone has a shooting budget. If you can spend $100 a month on ammo these days with factory 9mm you are going to be able to shoot 300 rounds or so. If you are reloading even at todays component prices you are going to be able to shoot closer to 500 rounds. Assuming $.10 primer, $.08 bullets, range brass and $.02 a round for powder. In the end you are shooting more but not saving $$$.
I will use 9mm as an example because it is the smallest cost savings of any caliber. A Lee Press Turret with a set of dies is going to set dies will set you back about $350. Add to that a digital scale, calipers, bullet puller etc.... and you are looking at another $75 so lets call it $425. If you can find primers the press will pay for itself in terms of savings over factory ammo in about 3,000 rounds. That is if you do not include your time in the equation. So it really depends on how much you shoot. If you are shooting less than that a year I would not bother. Ammo is getting cheaper and more available primers and reloading components are not. If you are a higher volume shooter it might make more sense but do consider if you are going to be someone who will like reloading. If you shoot more exotic calibers reloading makes more sense. Even 357 mag, 38 spl and 45 ACP all yield better savings than 9mm.
For me I reload because it gives me flexibility. I learned early to buy primers and powder cheap and stack it deep. I do the same with factory ammo. I have only bought primers once or twice since the run on the bank. It was mainly to put me back to my "par" levels not to really replace what I have shot. When factory ammo was cheap I did not reload. When I could buy a case of 9mm for $165 I did not bother with reloading. My powder and primers all just sat. I still bought primers when they were on sale. Once the cheap ammo was gone I started reloading again. I still have good amount of factory ammo. I keep it on hand because it has value. I can trade it for guns or other stuff. My reloads don't. That is another factor to consider. Reloading components have value. Reloaded ammo has almost none. No one wants to buy you home reloads. So I only load what I need so if I need to sell or trade components I can.
Reloading has allowed me to keep shooting relatively at my normal rate. I will admit I shoot lower round count drills these days vs just standing and blasting away at steel but I am still shooting on a pretty regular basis. To me that is the biggest advantage of reloading. Another consideration is do you have the space in the house to set it up. Long answer but that's my take.
I will use 9mm as an example because it is the smallest cost savings of any caliber. A Lee Press Turret with a set of dies is going to set dies will set you back about $350. Add to that a digital scale, calipers, bullet puller etc.... and you are looking at another $75 so lets call it $425. If you can find primers the press will pay for itself in terms of savings over factory ammo in about 3,000 rounds. That is if you do not include your time in the equation. So it really depends on how much you shoot. If you are shooting less than that a year I would not bother. Ammo is getting cheaper and more available primers and reloading components are not. If you are a higher volume shooter it might make more sense but do consider if you are going to be someone who will like reloading. If you shoot more exotic calibers reloading makes more sense. Even 357 mag, 38 spl and 45 ACP all yield better savings than 9mm.
For me I reload because it gives me flexibility. I learned early to buy primers and powder cheap and stack it deep. I do the same with factory ammo. I have only bought primers once or twice since the run on the bank. It was mainly to put me back to my "par" levels not to really replace what I have shot. When factory ammo was cheap I did not reload. When I could buy a case of 9mm for $165 I did not bother with reloading. My powder and primers all just sat. I still bought primers when they were on sale. Once the cheap ammo was gone I started reloading again. I still have good amount of factory ammo. I keep it on hand because it has value. I can trade it for guns or other stuff. My reloads don't. That is another factor to consider. Reloading components have value. Reloaded ammo has almost none. No one wants to buy you home reloads. So I only load what I need so if I need to sell or trade components I can.
Reloading has allowed me to keep shooting relatively at my normal rate. I will admit I shoot lower round count drills these days vs just standing and blasting away at steel but I am still shooting on a pretty regular basis. To me that is the biggest advantage of reloading. Another consideration is do you have the space in the house to set it up. Long answer but that's my take.
True story.
Shooting was my hobby. Then I started reloading, and THAT became my hobby. I shot just so I could repeat the cycle. Then I started wet tumbling - all of a sudden, making dirty brass shine again became my hobby. Now I reload and shoot just to make the brass dirty. And I climb under benches, look in all the crevices of the shooting bench, and volunteer to sweep up other people’s brass just to get more dirty brass.
Then I bought a chrono. Now, I work up loads just so I can collect data. I’ve tried over 30 different pistol powders in all different calibers.
I started out reloading the common calibers that I shot - 380, 9, 40, and 45. I had avoided uncommon calibers in guns just because ammo was hard to find, or expensive. Once I got into reloading, all of a sudden I wanted odd calibers just because I could load for them. Now, I also like the challenge of bastard calibers (like 7.62 Nagant). I’m up to 20 different calibers now.
“Reloading whore” doesn’t even begin to describe me.
Shooting was my hobby. Then I started reloading, and THAT became my hobby. I shot just so I could repeat the cycle. Then I started wet tumbling - all of a sudden, making dirty brass shine again became my hobby. Now I reload and shoot just to make the brass dirty. And I climb under benches, look in all the crevices of the shooting bench, and volunteer to sweep up other people’s brass just to get more dirty brass.
Then I bought a chrono. Now, I work up loads just so I can collect data. I’ve tried over 30 different pistol powders in all different calibers.
I started out reloading the common calibers that I shot - 380, 9, 40, and 45. I had avoided uncommon calibers in guns just because ammo was hard to find, or expensive. Once I got into reloading, all of a sudden I wanted odd calibers just because I could load for them. Now, I also like the challenge of bastard calibers (like 7.62 Nagant). I’m up to 20 different calibers now.
“Reloading whore” doesn’t even begin to describe me.
I tolerate reloading because it enables me to shoot 44 magnum and 45 colt.
I'll add to what others here are saying in regards to "fun". Certain steps of the process (resizing, trimming, etc) are nothing more than laborious tasks. Working an IT job all day, I find it somewhat of a "love/hate" relationship. It's nice to work with your hands and to eventually piece together something that factory ammo simply can't. I'll spend a few hours every week simply running through one step of the process. I'll spend a whole week getting 500 pieces of 5.56 brass completely ready to load. It's a PITA and it kinda sucks, but after it's done it's just like hitting the gym for a week... you're happy you did it. Then there are times that you just have a big bucket of 9mm brass, you've got a podcast (or show, or movie, or whatever) running, and you just keep pulling that lever until you've resized 1000 pieces of brass. Just one step in the process, but it's one step complete. When you want to load 100 rounds for you/your spouse, you're halfway there. Don't ever try to load 100 rounds from starting process to ending process in one go, you'll quit and walk away.
Do you love record keeping? Do you love statistics? Do you love taking meticulous notes? Then you'll probably love reloading.
Eastern Insurance for one year costs as much as a box or two of primers.
Yup that is who I use. They have the best rates and seem to have the most compressive coverage.
Even if you can't replace them it would be nice to at least be compensated for the loss.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
To answer your question it depends what you are reloading caliber wise.
You will get your Return on Investment quicker with the odd ball calibers
or not to common rounds. The common ones would be 5.56, 9mm, maybe
45ACP, 6.5CM. Where you see the greater payoff is 22 Hornet, 256WM,
38/357, 44Mag, 338LM, 45 Colt, 7.62, 458WM, 460 Weatherby, 375 H&H,
Herrett Rounds, JDJ Rounds and Wildcats, or 50BMG... just some examples.
To start now the cost and availability of components, some consider it not, but
also with the factory loaded ammo being hit or miss, that's why many got into
reloading. The setup cost is where the money comes into play, just to get started
Press, Dies, Scale, Powder measure, trimmer, manuals, misc. odds n ends. Then
you source the components.
Cost: That also depends on what you want: Single Stage press, Progressive, and
who's. Scales: Beam or digital, Powder Measures: Uniflow - Harrells ($$$), Dies:
Lee - Redding, Sinclair, Whidden, Mighty Armory or custom. The variables, are
endless.
Determine your needs, how much do you plan on shooting, what are you shooting?
LR, Precision, 3-Gun, Matches, Comp., calibers your going to reload.
Your gonna get a lot of buy this and buy that, find a mentor, someone who left you
"pull the handle" and try different presses. Some go to Progressive from the get go.
Some use Single Stage for development or just plain use a Single Stage. It may be
all they can afford at the moment. Find what works for you and does what you want
it to. Me personally I'm not "brand loyal" don't care what color it is, Pink, blue, green,
red, black, rust colored, as long as it works for me. Have a gambit of presses, like the
old Vintage stuff, Stars, Hollywoods, etc. Even the ole "nut cracker" works great, Ideal
310 tool.
Progressives ..
They all have Pro's and Con's
They all have their liker's and hater's
They all need to be setup properly
They all need tweaked, here and there
They all produce a finished round, some faster than others.
They all work eventually....
Started on RCBS Rock Chucker in the early 70's, and it grew from there, presses here
and presses there. Under the bench on top of the bench. Powder measures all kinds
Then you will "branch" out, casting your own bullets, Swaging taking copper
jackets, 22LR cases and even pistol cases to make bullet jackets. Swaging is
where the dollars add up quickly.
Sum it up:
Determine your needs. once again. Make a list of what your gonna need and them
go shopping. Remember this: Be safe, stay focused, it ain't a race, in doubt dump it
out, never assume, one powder one the bench at a time and that's the one your currently
using.. you want things to go "bang" not "boom", or you may be missing body parts
or body injury.. Some people are so worried about "MAX" when it comes to powder
charges.... Reloading, casting, swaging is another hobby for me, it's fun, relaxing, the
other half calls me "cellar dweller"(basement here), that will change in SC, No basement.
Advantages:
Tailor the load to the firearm, more consistent, and savings depending on caliber
Here's a Spreadsheet to try out I've used.. it's a direct link as it will ask to download
it, it's safe. Lot's of tabs.
-Snoopz
You will get your Return on Investment quicker with the odd ball calibers
or not to common rounds. The common ones would be 5.56, 9mm, maybe
45ACP, 6.5CM. Where you see the greater payoff is 22 Hornet, 256WM,
38/357, 44Mag, 338LM, 45 Colt, 7.62, 458WM, 460 Weatherby, 375 H&H,
Herrett Rounds, JDJ Rounds and Wildcats, or 50BMG... just some examples.
To start now the cost and availability of components, some consider it not, but
also with the factory loaded ammo being hit or miss, that's why many got into
reloading. The setup cost is where the money comes into play, just to get started
Press, Dies, Scale, Powder measure, trimmer, manuals, misc. odds n ends. Then
you source the components.
Cost: That also depends on what you want: Single Stage press, Progressive, and
who's. Scales: Beam or digital, Powder Measures: Uniflow - Harrells ($$$), Dies:
Lee - Redding, Sinclair, Whidden, Mighty Armory or custom. The variables, are
endless.
Determine your needs, how much do you plan on shooting, what are you shooting?
LR, Precision, 3-Gun, Matches, Comp., calibers your going to reload.
Your gonna get a lot of buy this and buy that, find a mentor, someone who left you
"pull the handle" and try different presses. Some go to Progressive from the get go.
Some use Single Stage for development or just plain use a Single Stage. It may be
all they can afford at the moment. Find what works for you and does what you want
it to. Me personally I'm not "brand loyal" don't care what color it is, Pink, blue, green,
red, black, rust colored, as long as it works for me. Have a gambit of presses, like the
old Vintage stuff, Stars, Hollywoods, etc. Even the ole "nut cracker" works great, Ideal
310 tool.
Progressives ..
They all have Pro's and Con's
They all have their liker's and hater's
They all need to be setup properly
They all need tweaked, here and there
They all produce a finished round, some faster than others.
They all work eventually....
Started on RCBS Rock Chucker in the early 70's, and it grew from there, presses here
and presses there. Under the bench on top of the bench. Powder measures all kinds
Then you will "branch" out, casting your own bullets, Swaging taking copper
jackets, 22LR cases and even pistol cases to make bullet jackets. Swaging is
where the dollars add up quickly.
Sum it up:
Determine your needs. once again. Make a list of what your gonna need and them
go shopping. Remember this: Be safe, stay focused, it ain't a race, in doubt dump it
out, never assume, one powder one the bench at a time and that's the one your currently
using.. you want things to go "bang" not "boom", or you may be missing body parts
or body injury.. Some people are so worried about "MAX" when it comes to powder
charges.... Reloading, casting, swaging is another hobby for me, it's fun, relaxing, the
other half calls me "cellar dweller"(basement here), that will change in SC, No basement.
Advantages:
Tailor the load to the firearm, more consistent, and savings depending on caliber
Here's a Spreadsheet to try out I've used.. it's a direct link as it will ask to download
it, it's safe. Lot's of tabs.
-Snoopz
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Ben W.
Well-Known Member
I started reloading with a Lee Classic kit and a nylon hammer in the 1960's. Now I have more equipment. Like Toprudder and John Freeman said, it's become a hobby in itself. I like tailoring my loads for match shooting like USPSA, or accuracy like shooting off a bench, or cowboy action or hunting or? Some calibers you can LOTS of money reloading, as has been mentioned before. Since the current shortages with dramatically increased prices for primers, and to some extent powder, it's not a cost effective, but still viable IMHO. Bad time to start, but you can. If I were starting today, I'd find an inexpensive used single stage press and get a Lee set of dies, and dip the powder with the enclosed dipper. You can make good accurate and safe ammo that way, and add more equipment later when you feel the need to grow. If you shop wisely you can get what you need, press and dies, for under $100.00, I'm sure.
As far as what type of press, I normally recommend someone start with the Lee Classic Turret press, unless the person is only interested in loading for precision rifle, in which case I would recommend a quality single stage press. Most of the reloaders I know ended up with more than one press. I started with a Dillon 550 progressive, which I use for most of my semi-auto pistol calibers that I shoot in quantity, but I have a LCT on the other end of the bench that I use for all of my revolver calibers, and most of my rifle calibers. As long as you start with a quality press, you will probably not replace it, instead you will augment it with another press.
Like said above, the savings are noticeable in less common cartridges, and they can be very big savings, depending on the cartridge. In common/mass produced cartridges, such as 9mm 115 grain Full metal jacket, or .223 55 grain Full Metal Jacket, there isn't much savings, sometimes none.
For me... the nice thing about reloading is making a cartridge suitable for your application. I enjoy bench rest type shooting...... even though factory ammunition is sometimes very good, it typically can't match the results of your own tried and true load. One example I can remember is 44 magnum.... I had bought some Fiocci which was fairly inexpensive 44 magnum at the time. However....... due to the powder used.... it had the same velocity from a 6 inch barrel and a 18 inch barrel. That's not fun!!! I loaded the cartridges with some H110 and the velocity was 300+ fps faster from the rifle.
There are also a few less common cartridges that you pretty much have to load for.
For me... the nice thing about reloading is making a cartridge suitable for your application. I enjoy bench rest type shooting...... even though factory ammunition is sometimes very good, it typically can't match the results of your own tried and true load. One example I can remember is 44 magnum.... I had bought some Fiocci which was fairly inexpensive 44 magnum at the time. However....... due to the powder used.... it had the same velocity from a 6 inch barrel and a 18 inch barrel. That's not fun!!! I loaded the cartridges with some H110 and the velocity was 300+ fps faster from the rifle.
There are also a few less common cartridges that you pretty much have to load for.
regarding "Is it truly more cost effective..."
in my case, no.
no "wildcats"...just Plain Jane calibers.
my brother-in-law reloads. his equipment, ingredients, time spent, and PLACE (dedicated room) was way beyond what i would ever do.
it is kinda/sorta like growing tomatoes. figuring in ALL the costs (including fractional property taxes paid for the garden plot), my tomatoes would cost ~$2.75 each.
so...my neighbors supply plenty of tomatoes when "they come in" and my gun-range friend reloads what i want on a cost-plus basis. and, it is WORTH every dollar.
one caveat: if either gardening or reloading is classified as a "hobby"....then they would be yours to enjoy regardless of prices paid.
in my case, no.
no "wildcats"...just Plain Jane calibers.
my brother-in-law reloads. his equipment, ingredients, time spent, and PLACE (dedicated room) was way beyond what i would ever do.
it is kinda/sorta like growing tomatoes. figuring in ALL the costs (including fractional property taxes paid for the garden plot), my tomatoes would cost ~$2.75 each.
so...my neighbors supply plenty of tomatoes when "they come in" and my gun-range friend reloads what i want on a cost-plus basis. and, it is WORTH every dollar.
one caveat: if either gardening or reloading is classified as a "hobby"....then they would be yours to enjoy regardless of prices paid.
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I've been reloading a little over 30 years. Don't know if I have saved any money but when i go to the range I usually shoot a lot of bullets. I load for pistol rifle and shotgun. The best part of reloading is that the ammo shortages of the last 10-15 years have not changed my shooting habits. Primers powder and lead all have long shelf life.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
lot of sound advice given. The TC Contender Pistol is what got me to expand my
horizions per say. (calibers) If you have several firearms (rifles) in one caliber, reloading
is the only way to go, not like factory ammo "one size fits all" given example 308, different
platforms, M1A's standard through custom Kreiger Barrels, Hk-91, FN-FAL, Rem 700 action
with Bartlein, Hart barrels, they all like a certain load. Also in 308 you have LR and SR pockets
much like 45ACP. Everybody has their own "load" that works, so get your "pen / pencil" out
and start working up loads. Everyone has their "fav" powder. This day and time it's a good
idea to find more than one powder load work-up.
Like above 44Mag H110, 2400 works for me with Heavy "Keith Style SWC" bullets, H110
meters better though. W630 works great in full house .357 loads. If you reload several calibers
look to see which powder covers the best range of them, sorta stream lines the numbers
of powder on hand. Manuals, as many as you can, yeah there is manufacture load data online
also, manuals are the way, ole manuals also come in handy, you just never know when that new
purchase whether firearm / caliber or powder it may not be listed in the newer manuals. An
old Lyman's come in handy, same with the ole Herters reloading manual.
Suggestion as others have mentioned start with a single stage or even a "turret" press. Lee's
are good, (don't own any)
Swaging once again... when you can take 22LR cases some lead wire or cast lead core, and
form 22 cal bullets for practice / blasting it saves even more money "in the long run" when
you place a "BB" in the tip when you form it does wonders on varmints. The draw backs now
are cost for equipment, and time..
You will find it will grow and grow...started with a 6' bench basically plywood, some 2x4's
3 shelves, thought I was set...sooo wrong. then to 4 different benches on casters, one for
metallic cartridges, one Shotgun (got tired with the shot going everywhere, until the cookie
sheet fix), one cleaning etc., one for building. with the move to SC. I'll have even more room
so "land spreading out far and wide" hopefully will be able to setup all of my presses, well
most all. won't be nothing fancy bench wise, just benches, even maybe have room for the
milling machine I want...
I'll help anybody if they want to learn and at least show an interest, a friend just bought a
375 H&H, gonna show him how to reload for it, work up loads. then let him do the actual
setup for reloading. adjust the dies, the whole process. start to finish. that's how I was taught
except Benchrest shooters / Hi-power Shooter taught me, they were some very anal retentive
men.
A tip.... check estate sales, "Hibid" auctions (nearby you) While I don't like Crapbook
aka..Facebook, there are a bunch for sale groups. Check firearms forums, you'd be
what you find.
-Snoopz
horizions per say. (calibers) If you have several firearms (rifles) in one caliber, reloading
is the only way to go, not like factory ammo "one size fits all" given example 308, different
platforms, M1A's standard through custom Kreiger Barrels, Hk-91, FN-FAL, Rem 700 action
with Bartlein, Hart barrels, they all like a certain load. Also in 308 you have LR and SR pockets
much like 45ACP. Everybody has their own "load" that works, so get your "pen / pencil" out
and start working up loads. Everyone has their "fav" powder. This day and time it's a good
idea to find more than one powder load work-up.
Like above 44Mag H110, 2400 works for me with Heavy "Keith Style SWC" bullets, H110
meters better though. W630 works great in full house .357 loads. If you reload several calibers
look to see which powder covers the best range of them, sorta stream lines the numbers
of powder on hand. Manuals, as many as you can, yeah there is manufacture load data online
also, manuals are the way, ole manuals also come in handy, you just never know when that new
purchase whether firearm / caliber or powder it may not be listed in the newer manuals. An
old Lyman's come in handy, same with the ole Herters reloading manual.
Suggestion as others have mentioned start with a single stage or even a "turret" press. Lee's
are good, (don't own any)
Swaging once again... when you can take 22LR cases some lead wire or cast lead core, and
form 22 cal bullets for practice / blasting it saves even more money "in the long run" when
you place a "BB" in the tip when you form it does wonders on varmints. The draw backs now
are cost for equipment, and time..
You will find it will grow and grow...started with a 6' bench basically plywood, some 2x4's
3 shelves, thought I was set...sooo wrong. then to 4 different benches on casters, one for
metallic cartridges, one Shotgun (got tired with the shot going everywhere, until the cookie
sheet fix), one cleaning etc., one for building. with the move to SC. I'll have even more room
so "land spreading out far and wide" hopefully will be able to setup all of my presses, well
most all. won't be nothing fancy bench wise, just benches, even maybe have room for the
milling machine I want...
I'll help anybody if they want to learn and at least show an interest, a friend just bought a
375 H&H, gonna show him how to reload for it, work up loads. then let him do the actual
setup for reloading. adjust the dies, the whole process. start to finish. that's how I was taught
except Benchrest shooters / Hi-power Shooter taught me, they were some very anal retentive
men.
A tip.... check estate sales, "Hibid" auctions (nearby you) While I don't like Crapbook
aka..Facebook, there are a bunch for sale groups. Check firearms forums, you'd be
what you find.
-Snoopz
Last edited:
contender
Well-Known Member
"I started loading for 6mm Creedmoor.
I‘m about $600 into a setup that will get me 100 rounds (reusing brass from factory ammo).
At this rate, I will need to load about 1,000 rounds before break-even with factory ammo. Factory ammo is spectacularly good, I don’t expect to “beat” factory ammo for consistency and accuracy.
I hope I enjoy the process, because saving money will never be a part of it."
If all you ever load is 100 rounds,,of that brass occasionally, then it will take a lot of time to recoup your investment.
However,, if you start adding dies & such, expending your calibers & loading more,, you will reduce the initial investment quicker.
I've been handloading since the 1970's,, and I've been able to make ammo that was better than factory in all my rifle calibers in every gun, w/o fail. It did take experimenting,, by shooting a lot. And what does shooting a lot give you? Practice AND experience.
People who say things like; "I bought a box of shells last deer season, and I shot a couple the other day & I can hit a pie plate at 100 yds,, I'm good." are NOT shooters.
As a Hunter Ed Instructor, I teach as part of the class,, "Ethics." An ethical hunter is one who will pass a shot he doesn't think he can make, and even moreso,, will PRACTICE shooting so he CAN make many more shots. All good shooters PRACTICE a lot. Good ammo,, handloads can make a huge difference.
I know some people are not "into" shooting as much as other people. Add in the expense of setting up handloading equipment,,, dedicating space for it, and the time or whatever isn't everybody's idea of fun.
But I enjoy shooting.
A lot.
I enjoy trying to be the best shooter I can be. (I'm not.)
I enjoy making my own ammo, knowing I'm not chained to the market, the whims of politicians, or whatever that can restrict my pleasure of a day on a range.
I enjoy it when I fire a group, and see a tiny cluster of holes,, knowing I've worked for that.
I'm not a "spray & pray" shooter.
I'm not a "I can hit a pie plate at 10 yds" handgunner. (Or a pie plate at 100 yds with a rifle. hunter.
Accuracy is the final determining factor of all my skills, as a shooter AND a loader.
I strive to be the best I can be, and once I reach a level,, I expand the level.
Often,, I see the look of disbelief on peoples faces when I say things like;
"I hunt with a handgun."
"I have killed deer over 100 yds away with a handgun."
"I can shoot XYZ groups at 100 yds with my rifle."
"When I deer hunt, I don't take a rifle,, I don't like to cheat."
And,, I'm STILL striving to be the best shooter I can be. Handloading is just one part of my quest to be a good shooter.
I‘m about $600 into a setup that will get me 100 rounds (reusing brass from factory ammo).
At this rate, I will need to load about 1,000 rounds before break-even with factory ammo. Factory ammo is spectacularly good, I don’t expect to “beat” factory ammo for consistency and accuracy.
I hope I enjoy the process, because saving money will never be a part of it."
If all you ever load is 100 rounds,,of that brass occasionally, then it will take a lot of time to recoup your investment.
However,, if you start adding dies & such, expending your calibers & loading more,, you will reduce the initial investment quicker.
I've been handloading since the 1970's,, and I've been able to make ammo that was better than factory in all my rifle calibers in every gun, w/o fail. It did take experimenting,, by shooting a lot. And what does shooting a lot give you? Practice AND experience.
People who say things like; "I bought a box of shells last deer season, and I shot a couple the other day & I can hit a pie plate at 100 yds,, I'm good." are NOT shooters.
As a Hunter Ed Instructor, I teach as part of the class,, "Ethics." An ethical hunter is one who will pass a shot he doesn't think he can make, and even moreso,, will PRACTICE shooting so he CAN make many more shots. All good shooters PRACTICE a lot. Good ammo,, handloads can make a huge difference.
I know some people are not "into" shooting as much as other people. Add in the expense of setting up handloading equipment,,, dedicating space for it, and the time or whatever isn't everybody's idea of fun.
But I enjoy shooting.
A lot.
I enjoy trying to be the best shooter I can be. (I'm not.)
I enjoy making my own ammo, knowing I'm not chained to the market, the whims of politicians, or whatever that can restrict my pleasure of a day on a range.
I enjoy it when I fire a group, and see a tiny cluster of holes,, knowing I've worked for that.
I'm not a "spray & pray" shooter.
I'm not a "I can hit a pie plate at 10 yds" handgunner. (Or a pie plate at 100 yds with a rifle. hunter.
Accuracy is the final determining factor of all my skills, as a shooter AND a loader.
I strive to be the best I can be, and once I reach a level,, I expand the level.
Often,, I see the look of disbelief on peoples faces when I say things like;
"I hunt with a handgun."
"I have killed deer over 100 yds away with a handgun."
"I can shoot XYZ groups at 100 yds with my rifle."
"When I deer hunt, I don't take a rifle,, I don't like to cheat."
And,, I'm STILL striving to be the best shooter I can be. Handloading is just one part of my quest to be a good shooter.
RedneckFur
Smith & Wesson is a religion of peace.
With the cost of reloading components these days, things may be a little different. Thankfully, I haven't had to go searching for primers, powder, or bullets since the crazy started.
That said, my advice is potentially a little out of date, but I found the most cost effective round to load for me was 44 mag. Factory 44 mag typically runs 0.75 to $1.00 per round, and I can reload it for under half that cost. Loading 357 mag also saves a lot of money, but not as much as 44.
I also load 308 and 30-30. The cost savings are lower for these two, and really comes down to what bullet you're using. With premium bullets, you're really focused on accuracy more than savings. Using winchester soft points or similar bullets will net you a small savings.
I never bothered loading 9mm or 223 because the savings are non-existent, and loading is time consuming. Why spend my time loading 9mm, when I could spend that same time loading 357.
I've never dived into the records keeping and statistical side of things either. I try a few different loads until I find something I like, and then I stick with that one. I don't go experimenting after I find the one that works.
That said, my advice is potentially a little out of date, but I found the most cost effective round to load for me was 44 mag. Factory 44 mag typically runs 0.75 to $1.00 per round, and I can reload it for under half that cost. Loading 357 mag also saves a lot of money, but not as much as 44.
I also load 308 and 30-30. The cost savings are lower for these two, and really comes down to what bullet you're using. With premium bullets, you're really focused on accuracy more than savings. Using winchester soft points or similar bullets will net you a small savings.
I never bothered loading 9mm or 223 because the savings are non-existent, and loading is time consuming. Why spend my time loading 9mm, when I could spend that same time loading 357.
I've never dived into the records keeping and statistical side of things either. I try a few different loads until I find something I like, and then I stick with that one. I don't go experimenting after I find the one that works.
Sounds like you and I are more alike than perhaps either of us should be comfortable with.
One caliber I reload is 429 DE. Factory ammo was over $2.00 per round, before the crazy stuff happened. I can reload it for $0.35 per round. But, the fact is, I may never shoot that cartridge enough to realize any savings. HOWEVER, I would not be surprised if that cartridge will no longer be chambered in a gun (only one right now, that I know of) so it may become an orphan that no one makes ammo for anymore. I will be able to continue shooting it until the gun wears out, if I want.
I'm right there with you on a lot of these. Magnum handgun and 308 is what got me into reloading. I can load 460 S&W for 35 a round. That's back when it cost 1.25 a round for factory ammo, I have no idea what it costs now. Probably more than 2 bucks. I believe I had 357 down to 8 a round buying zero bulk bullets and using hp38 powder for "average" loads. Obviously full bore H110 with an XTP bullet cost more. No idea what it'd cost now.
On the rifle loading, I've really taken off on precision loading. The savings are every bit as large when you start talking match ammo or high end hunting rounds. Also, taking a 223 round that was "designed" to shoot 3moa and turning it into a sub moa round is extremely satisifying.
I too never loaded for 9mm or 223/55.6 until the ammo crunch happened. Now 9mm/223/308 take up 95% of my reloading time. Still have just a single stage press. I make it a habit to just always try to be busy. If I'm bored, I find something constructive to do, (Thanks Jordan Peterson). I'll just brass prep in large amounts, one stage at a time. Last night I was just resizing 9mm. Big handfuls at a time while watching some of my shows. I'll then clean the primer pockets and bell the mouths at a later date. Whenever I want to load rounds, the brass is ready. Same for all my 223/5.56 and 308. I have several hundred of each already resized/trimmed/primed, ready for my choice of powder and bullet.
I started reloading so that I could shoot 9mm subs cheaper than $400/k. I load them for about $110/k. Current primer shortage aside, if I include the roughly $1200 in equipment, I need to load 4k just to break even.
However, there’s more value in being able to load what I want, when I want. Plus I now have the ability to load other calibers, which I’ve done, so technically that startup cost should be spread across those other calibers.
I don’t think reloading is a tangible cost saver unless you’re reloading 10k+. But from that point on, you look like a genius.
However, there’s more value in being able to load what I want, when I want. Plus I now have the ability to load other calibers, which I’ve done, so technically that startup cost should be spread across those other calibers.
I don’t think reloading is a tangible cost saver unless you’re reloading 10k+. But from that point on, you look like a genius.
Timfoilhat
Time is my accomplice
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Benefactor
Life Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
I started reloading because my old state introduced legislation that would have made ammunition require background check, limited quantity allowed to buy, and in effect driven up prices significantly.
I also took a carbine class about the same time and got to shoot another student's AR10 for a little while. That experience made me decide that .223 was indeed a "poodle shooter" round and I went whole hog into .308 rifles. I discovered quickly that .308 wasn't as easy to source as .223, nor as cheap. Reloading became a quick solution to that. No regrets there.
Through the scamdemic I was still shooting while many of the people I shot with stopped. My ability to reload 9mm kept me popping steel and paper and since my supplies were bought pre-scamdemic it didn't cost anything more. I've since been replacing supplies at increased cost due to concerns that today's prices are the new "low" prices. I'd find it harder to invest in reloading equipment at today's prices, but as a stability plan for an uncertain future it's probably still a good investment.
I also took a carbine class about the same time and got to shoot another student's AR10 for a little while. That experience made me decide that .223 was indeed a "poodle shooter" round and I went whole hog into .308 rifles. I discovered quickly that .308 wasn't as easy to source as .223, nor as cheap. Reloading became a quick solution to that. No regrets there.
Through the scamdemic I was still shooting while many of the people I shot with stopped. My ability to reload 9mm kept me popping steel and paper and since my supplies were bought pre-scamdemic it didn't cost anything more. I've since been replacing supplies at increased cost due to concerns that today's prices are the new "low" prices. I'd find it harder to invest in reloading equipment at today's prices, but as a stability plan for an uncertain future it's probably still a good investment.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
sounds like the 357/44 B&D, 9mm Win Mag, 45 Win Mag all thanks to the Contender Pistol
-Snoopz