Reloading... Worth it?

[christmasstorm]

Hey guys, new to the forum...New to the collection world. Started with my SA 1911 loaded, thought that would be it. Shotgun and 308 later with no signs of slowing I am wondering about the cost effectiveness of reloading. I am not much of a tinker-er so after reading some of the posts about costs of the machines (dillon that I read) it seems like they are a good deal of money and components seem to not be cheap either. However, I don't see a single person bashing them. So, are they really cost effective if you shoot an average amount?

[glassparman]

IHMO, the current prices make reloading as expensive now as buying live ammo was 6 months ago.

The only reason I would get into reloading now is if you have time on your hands and want a rewarding hobby . . . you WILL get addicted if you reload for accuracy and test all your loads for tight shot groups and using a Chrony.

Otherwise, it's expensive to get started and components are very pricey during these crazy times.

Just my two cents.

[thomashoward]

Hey guys, new to the forum...New to the collection world. Started with my SA 1911 loaded, thought that would be it. Shotgun and 308 later with no signs of slowing I am wondering about the cost effectiveness of reloading. I am not much of a tinker-er so after reading some of the posts about costs of the machines (dillon that I read) it seems like they are a good deal of money and components seem to not be cheap either. However, I don't see a single person bashing them. So, are they really cost effective if you shoot an average amount?

Availability is the problem. Starting at this late stage,you may want to hold off and see if things will get better. A lot of us have been doing this for years.Once you get caught short, it will never happen again.Some call us hoarders , but we are more farsighted and saw the handwriting on the wall.
Good luck, it's a full time job crawling websites.Email sales will probably take a big hit,so when you find something go big or Fahgettaboudit

[christmasstorm]

Yeah thats what I figured... Well, off to go look for ammo here on calguns

[Gutz]

yes

[klewan]

Yeah thats what I figured... Well, off to go look for ammo here on calguns

You picked the wrong week to start sniffing glue If you didn't already have all the booty....too late.

[Hopalong]

Regardless of the monetary costs or savings

I think the bottom line is

Is this something you want to do with your spare time?

[stitchnicklas]

i just bought a hornady ap press for 489 at a local shop,30% down and the rest over 90 days. gives me time to get more components and such.
been looking for the ap for a while.usually goes for about 400 plus a heavy ship fee so 489 was good.

[Malthusian]

I used to buy components at the gun shows. Now I order direct.
To offset hazmat and shipping I am buying in bulk

I am paying less then before the panic

I just have to look harder

[Kali-Jax]

Long run yes.

[russ69]

I have ammo to shoot in any caliber that I own. I planned ahead.

[stormvet]

Right now is not the best time to start reloading, but if you shoot a lot it will pay off big time. I have been reloading for 20 years and it has saved me a ton of money. I like to say "reloading doesn't save you any money, but it allows you to shoot a whole bunch more".
Since I have been at it so long and have access to lots of brass from my employment, I have tons of .45, .40, 9mm, and 5.56 brass. So the only cost I have are primers, powder and bullets. In normal times, it would cost me right around $165 for 1000 .45, $160 for .40, $140 for 9mm and about $190 for 5.56.
And I always have a good supply of ammo on hand. But the initial investment is costly, but really for $300 you can get a nice single stage starter kit and all you will need are your dies and a caliper gauge.
If you plan on shooting a lot go for it, so far in 2013 I have shot 3,200 rounds and that's with taking about one month off do to an injury. Without reloading I couldn't afford to shoot half that.

[rdubya]

If you reload you will end up shooting more, why?
when you have to buy your ammo you are at the mercy of where and how much the ammo is, you always save a box to take home for later. When you reload you shoot all you take cause you know you can make more when you get home.
When you shoot factory it's a crap shoot on quality and velocity, some shoot heavy recoil some not so, some accurate others not so. When you reload all rounds are the same (after you get a favorite load) and they tend to be a pleasure to shoot because full loads just aren't fun anymore.
Have you ever not gone out to shoot because... don't have/can't find ammo?
Because I buy in bulk I have enough stuff to load all my different ammo for at least the next 8-10 months and I shoot at least 4 times a month, rifle, pistol and shotgun.
Even though you are starting out at the worst time hopefully 6mos or a year from now you will be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. Just pick things up as they come available. Start with what you shoot the most first then work on down to everything as time, money and parts become available.

[JoefromPA]

I started reloading right before **** went crazy. Although components are much more difficult to find they don't seem to be getting marked up as much. I can still reload .223 for about 30 cents a round. It just takes forever to find stuff to do it.

[John Browning]

No. Now stay away from my primers.