Should I start reloading or keep on buying ammo?

[DennisCA]

I should mostly Milsurp rifles and I have a C&R lic plus a COE.

So I was thinkin' that this year would be a good time to get into reloading.

I can still find ammo for most of Milsurp's although the prices seemed to keep going up and up.

I am just not sure it's worth expending a bunch of money into reloading equipment (plus all the stuff you need - powder, primers, ect)

What say you?

[ACfixer]

What do you usually shoot, how, and why? I don't know that you'll ever be able to reload for as cheap as you can buy surplus Soviet Bloc ammo for.

I mean I would never really consider reloading 7.62x39 to shoot through an AK, but that's just me. Too much work for what the weapon is designed to do. I'd feel differently about a K98 sniper rifle though...

[Divernhunter]

Reloading is not for everyone. It takes time and is a separate(but related) hobby in itself.
It also depends on how much you shoot as well as what you shoot. Often mil surplus is cheaper than reloading---especially if you count cost of equipment and your time.
It would also depend on the level of accuracy you want.

[kmas]

Limited Heartbeats

Not worth reloading.

Just shop around - great deals.

Save your remaining heartbeats in this body for a better use of your time.

[beerman]

I've been reloading my own ammo for centurys (so it seems) and I rarely reload milsurp calibers. I stocked up on 30-06 from the CMP for years and stacked 308 deep as well. I do reload 30 carbine though. The reloader really shines for loading handgun ammo. I never think twice about picking up an oddball caliber handgun, as I'm only a set of dies and a shell holder away from
another row of ammo boxes in the safe. Another big plus is you will never have to worry about ammo shortages in the stores again. Go out and buy an RCBS rockcrusher and do it, its fun.

[DVSmith]

First off - hording bacon should be done without us having to tell you to do so, but style points for adding it to the poll!

Second, I am moving to reloading 38, 9 and 45 for range use and buying rifle and sd loads commercially. But that is just me.

[kmas]

First off - hording bacon should be done .

Now I know whom to blame for the bacon shortage at our local Ralphs.

I thought it was just my Jewish colleagues who I've recently turned on to bacon

Happy New Year !

[Sousuke]

I should mostly Milsurp rifles and I have a C&R lic plus a COE.

So I was thinkin' that this year would be a good time to get into reloading.

I can still find ammo for most of Milsurp's although the prices seemed to keep going up and up.

I am just not sure it's worth expending a bunch of money into reloading equipment (plus all the stuff you need - powder, primers, ect)

What say you?

Just start slow. I started about 18 months ago with a single stage press. I started with 45 autorim for a Webley and have recently expanded to 38/200. In 2018 I plan on going to 303 and after I am comfortable with that will move on to 7.5 swiss. I still buy things like 9mm etc.

[DVSmith]

Now I know whom to blame for the bacon shortage at our local Ralphs.

I thought it was just my Jewish colleagues who I've recently turned on to bacon

Happy New Year !

Sorry - but it is a dog eat bacon world out there, every CG'er for themselves, I am afraid!

And an awesome 2018 to you and all of the CG family!

[BigFatGuy]

I've been putting together a reloading setup for the purpose of reloading .44Mag for my D. Eagle.

I've spent something on the order of $700 on equipment (including a single stage reloader) and have yet to generate a single round of ammo.

At the rate I shoot the stuff, I really could have just spent that money on ammo and been set for a long time.

Ask yourself what your time is worth? Can you get more ammo by working a bit of overtime and spending that money on factory stuff?

[Trriemferent]

From now on I'm going to advise people to go the COE/ffl route when it comes to ammo. If everyone switches to reloading, they are gonna ban components. So I'm voting that you forget reloading and buy your ammo.

[JackEllis]

It all depends. If you shoot a lot, maybe. But the initial investment is steep and it does take time. Unless factory (or milsurp) ammo is at least two or three times your cost for cases, primers, powder and bullets, it's probably not worth it.

I'm not sorry I started reloading, but I don't fool myself about the savings either, and I started with a bunch of donated gear.

[Sousuke]

I've been putting together a reloading setup for the purpose of reloading .44Mag for my D. Eagle.

I've spent something on the order of $700 on equipment (including a single stage reloader) and have yet to generate a single round of ammo.

At the rate I shoot the stuff, I really could have just spent that money on ammo and been set for a long time.

Ask yourself what your time is worth? Can you get more ammo by working a bit of overtime and spending that money on factory stuff?

I think thus far I spent about 240 for the setup not including powder, bullets, primers.

For me it was a very easy decision. Do I want to shoot the Webley mark VI or not given lack of ammo availability.

So Dennis, if you are in to milsurps I'm sure you will eventually buy something that has no commercial ammo. When that time comes its a no brainer.

[obpwankel]

Where are we suppose to get surplus 7.62x54r now? I have about 3 spam cans of those and thats it!

[hambam105]

7.62x54R availability, No Problem.

Just run around to a local gun show near you, lay down 2 or 3 dollars per round of W.K.R.A.P. Radio ammo and you are in business.

Does Hobby Reloading take $Capital investment, time, dedication to learning, ability and commitment? When you are a rich guy with money to burn it doesn't.