Reloading info needed

[jkcerda]

ok, just curios if its worth the investment.
I rarely shoot, say 300 RDS per yearmight be as high as 500 total.

if I was to reload .308, how much would I expect to pay for all the supplies?3
trying to get something like a per round figure
500 rounds, with decent components.
not sure if reloading hand gun ammo would be worth it as well.

thanks for the help guys

[CSACANNONEER]

You probably won't save enough to justify the expense if all you want to do is make blaster ammo. BUT, if you want to load odd stuff like frag rounds (the bullets are real cheap) or precission rounds, it is the only way to go!

[gunboat]

Actually reloading is a fun thing on its own -- Can be done inexpensively, people get carried away on the tools required for a couple thousand rounds per year --- Gives you the chance to experiment with different bullets and different powder charges -- from squirrel to elephant --

[Darklyte27]

i spent about 500-600$ total for my stuff. Lee challenger kit press, 223 308 dies, powder, primers, bullets, books, tumbler, media.

Besides saving money, you also can reload your own match ammo or better loads vs ammo you buy at the store.

[jkcerda]

kind of mulling te idea of getting into it, at this point, its kind of a "do I have time" issue to get started & of course getting the know how.

[Darklyte27]

more importantly, do you have the money?

Like someone else said in another thread, we have more time than money so if you can spend even 5 mins just to size some brass or something to help along the loading helps.
You dont have to spend hours or days, just do whatever you can or want.
One day I just sized a handful of brass. another day I loaded a few rds.

[thebloodsonthewall]

It takes some time getting everything set-up and to figure out how it all works. Once that's done, you can spend as much or as little time reloading as you want. I am working on reloading .308 right now. Most nights after work I spend about 30 minutes on it.

I spent probably $800 on my set-up. I have a Dillon 550b and all the junk needed to reload rifle and pistol rounds.

If you can find a good source for lead cast bullets for pistol rounds it is real cheap to reload them. I found a good deal on bullets for 308 so I am making some cheap practice ammo.

[Jicko]

You think think...

500 match grade rounds = ~$500 = ~$1 a round

Same match grade reload (175SMK + primers + powder) = $.28 + $.04 + $.1 = $.42 / round

You are saving $.58 / round -> 500 rounds = $290 savings

[smokingloon]

Reloading tools will last a lifetime and then some. The Rock chucker I have has been through 3 different people before I received it. Still works like a charm.

[10fcp]

There is a reloading cost calculator that you put the price of the components and your equipment and it tells you how much per round, box and how many shots at this price to pay for your equipment. I forget the place but I just did a search for handloading cost calculator. I know that when I put in my info I was loadin 308 for way under half the price of Fed Match ammo. It does require some time and especially your undevided attention. It's a hobby of mine so I enjoy every minute of it. I wish I could do it all day but unfortunately I have to work most the day. As far as being worth it at 500 rounds a year you could just buy ammo as it would take forever to pay for the equip to load that little amount.