Reloading small cartridges, is it worth it?

[stranded1980]

For me, it takes about 10-15 minutes to load 100 rounds at a leisurely pace. I tend to go out to the garage and load only 100 rounds at a time several times a week simply as a break from the other routines around the house. The ammo stash builds up quickly. When I start to see one caliber running low, I switch the dies and in 5 minutes am set up for that cartridge. I can't imagine sitting for hours in front of my press cranking out all my ammo in one session.

Same goes for casting. I typically cast for 1-2 hours about once a month. That gets me several months worth of bullets for that caliber and it typically takes less than half the morning or a quick session after dinner in the evening.

I'm the opposite. The one word that describes my reloading habits: BINGE. The longer I stay in the reloading game, the more components, and in particular, brass I accumulate. And as a result, when I make time after work, I usually go hog wild and reload several thousand bullets in a week. After that, I won't touch my reloading equipment for the next couple of months; I either won't be in the mood or won't make the time, whether I have an ample supply of bullets or not.

As a result, I would refer to myself as a "binge reloader". I don't reload all the time, but when I do, I'm going for big volume, and I'm so focused that I'm blowing off my other responsibilities to do it. And after I've got my fix of reloading, I ignore it till I get the desire again.

While I completely agree with the idea you espouse here of using filler time of 15 minutes, I just can't jump into the mood like that; I need to pencil in a minimum of one hour on my schedule. Maybe it's just the way my mind works, but my brain needs to get into the "zone" and stay there. Kudos to anyone that can jump in and out of different areas of focus; I wish I could do the same.

[f4tweet]

Maybe it's just the way my mind works, but my brain needs to get into the "zone" and stay there. Kudos to anyone that can jump in and out of different areas of focus; I wish I could do the same.

+1

[Lead Waster]

I gave up on cost savings. My ROI went out the door when I bought a second and third press for convenience...

[rm1911]

Reloading requires a decent initial outlay of funds. So that makes the whole "price per round" thing kinda moot, until round 10,000 or thereabouts. But if you, or anyone for that matter, is looking to start reloading "to save money" then don't. You mentioned adding in time. Well, if you count time into it, don't reload.


Ok, you're a lawyer who bills $300/hr so add that in right? Well, I reload at night, etc. and to relax. It's fun. So if you see it as work or a chore, don't reload.

Reloading is about much more than just saving money. And by the way, yes, it is cheaper. Over time. I've had my Dillon square deal B for almost 25 years. It cranks out ammo like its new. And it cranks out a couple hundred an hour, could be more if I rushed but I like to go slower, just the rhythm of the whole thing. And it prevents any potential errors.

Besides, right now as most of us know, components have been a lot more expensive than in years past. So that skews the price. And, oddly enough, as more peeps have gotten into shooting and all that, there's a whole lot more bulk ammo and reman'd ammo out there. When I got into reloading 25+ years ago, the volume didn't exist. So back then there was a huuuuuuge monetary advantage. Maybe now not so much. But again, reloading ain't all about the duckets.

I initially started reloading for the garand which was kinda necessary way back when. Eventually moved to handgun as well and then the prog Dillon as I started shooting more because it was way cheaper. Back then.

But again, reloading isn't all about the duckets. See, I never worry about ammo shortages or scares or whatever the hell else. I just keep a healthy stock of components and know that I'm good. I burn a few k rounds and restock, not from empty but back to my appropriate depth level. I never get low, if ya feel what I'm sayin'

And ya gots ta know that the fascists running this state are gonna tax the crap out of ammo soon, put limits and what have you on things. Like ID for purchases, etc. Or maybe who knows what else. But I'm not gonna let the currently not that expensive ammo be my guide.

Reloading is for piece of mind. And it's a fun hobby in and of itself. There's lots of reasons to reload, and money is but a smaller one.

And yes, you can craft some very nice ammo, far better than what you can buy.

[MarkG35]

Reloading requires a decent initial outlay of funds. So that makes the whole "price per round" thing kinda moot, until round 10,000 or thereabouts. But if you, or anyone for that matter, is looking to start reloading "to save money" then don't. You mentioned adding in time. Well, if you count time into it, don't reload.


Ok, you're a lawyer who bills $300/hr so add that in right? Well, I reload at night, etc. and to relax. It's fun. So if you see it as work or a chore, don't reload.

Reloading is about much more than just saving money. And by the way, yes, it is cheaper. Over time. I've had my Dillon square deal B for almost 25 years. It cranks out ammo like its new. And it cranks out a couple hundred an hour, could be more if I rushed but I like to go slower, just the rhythm of the whole thing. And it prevents any potential errors.

Besides, right now as most of us know, components have been a lot more expensive than in years past. So that skews the price. And, oddly enough, as more peeps have gotten into shooting and all that, there's a whole lot more bulk ammo and reman'd ammo out there. When I got into reloading 25+ years ago, the volume didn't exist. So back then there was a huuuuuuge monetary advantage. Maybe now not so much. But again, reloading ain't all about the duckets.

I initially started reloading for the garand which was kinda necessary way back when. Eventually moved to handgun as well and then the prog Dillon as I started shooting more because it was way cheaper. Back then.

But again, reloading isn't all about the duckets. See, I never worry about ammo shortages or scares or whatever the hell else. I just keep a healthy stock of components and know that I'm good. I burn a few k rounds and restock, not from empty but back to my appropriate depth level. I never get low, if ya feel what I'm sayin'

And ya gots ta know that the fascists running this state are gonna tax the crap out of ammo soon, put limits and what have you on things. Like ID for purchases, etc. Or maybe who knows what else. But I'm not gonna let the currently not that expensive ammo be my guide.

Reloading is for piece of mind. And it's a fun hobby in and of itself. There's lots of reasons to reload, and money is but a smaller one.

And yes, you can craft some very nice ammo, far better than what you can buy.

My sentiments exactly!
It is probably a good time to buy factory ammo if you feel the need.

It's also a great time to buy components as well.
I believe the levels are as high currently as they have been in the last two years.Powder is still tough to find at local shops,but can be found online pretty frequently.
If your thinking of getting into reloding,now is as good time as any to start.

[SinisterBud]

I load 9mm plated for 5$ for 50. I also load 45acp plated for 7.50$ for 50. .223 I load fmj for 8$ for 25.

[MA5177]

I just recently got back into reloading for a few reasons, 1 I find it fun and enjoyable. 2 I dont need to go out and look at walmart etc for ammo all of the time 3 Home made ammo is WAY better than most factory ammo and you can load it to your and you guns liking. 4 I was given a bunch of componants, like 15k of bullets 10k primers and 20lbs of powder.

Right now I am basically reloading for free, yes I just dumped a bunch on a dillon 550 with all the goodies to load 9,40,45, 38 and .223 , digital scales, calipers, tumbler, case guages etc etc but it can all be sold at a minimal loss if I decide to.

[Malthusian]

The total prices are if you already have the brass correct? How many times on average can you shoot one case?

9mm can be up as high as 40 times
.45 as much as 50

I doubt anyone every actually finds and reloads the same piece of brass more then a half dozen times

[bruce381]

also relaoding is like this.

Wife upstairs you in garage reloading enjoying the quiet (priceless)

[5.56]

also relaoding is like this.

Wife upstairs you in garage reloading enjoying the quiet (priceless)

Another reason why I've been thinking about getting into reloading is that I work nights and don't adjust my hours on my days off. So when I get bored, like I am right now, I could reload instead of staring at the wall.

[stilly]

WTF is factory ammo?

The only factory ammo I have is from my garage factory.

OP: It is totally worth it but if you factor in your TIME then who knows what your time is worth but you? That is why it is considered a HOBBY for most folks.

I reload .44 mag for 9.70 per 50 rounds. In the stores 50 rounds is nearly $45.

BTW, I was NOT impressed when my sister bought her AMerican Eagle 240gr .44 mag shells from ammo bros and I just whipped out my 19gr Enforcer loads and THOSE even beat the American Eagle...

9mm can save money too, if you cast or buy in bulk, you can get your reloads down to around $6 or less per 50 rounds.

But eh, do what you will.

[JMP]

The total prices are if you already have the brass correct? How many times on average can you shoot one case?

Yes, these guys are not factoring in the cost of the case, which is the most expensive part. Because pistol brass like 9/40/45 are so abundant, it's easy to pick up, and for autoloading pistol ammo, you don't really gain much by sorting headstamp and tracking the times you fire it. Pistol brass lasts a very long time. You will generally lose it before it is destroyed. This is because pistol loads are very low pressure. With rifle brass, in bolt action rifles when you strive for accuracy, you will purchase your brass and track it. Generally, about 10x is okay life for rifle. Some cases like small primer Lapua can go 50x if you don't load it too hard. With good precision ammo, it is done because you can produce a much better result that is tuned to your gun. Reloading in the aspect to maximize performance isn't that cheap, but it usually amounts to a gigantic cost savings over factory given that factory rifle ammo isn't worth beans.

WTF is factory ammo?

The only factory ammo I have is from my garage factory.

OP: It is totally worth it but if you factor in your TIME then who knows what your time is worth but you? That is why it is considered a HOBBY for most folks.

I reload .44 mag for 9.70 per 50 rounds. In the stores 50 rounds is nearly $45.

BTW, I was NOT impressed when my sister bought her AMerican Eagle 240gr .44 mag shells from ammo bros and I just whipped out my 19gr Enforcer loads and THOSE even beat the American Eagle...

9mm can save money too, if you cast or buy in bulk, you can get your reloads down to around $6 or less per 50 rounds.

But eh, do what you will.

Still, with all your exuberance, and having a fun hobby, I really think you need to add a proper bolt action rifle into your quiver. You'll find that much more involved. You are already a fan of single staging, and accurate rifle shootings use only a single stage.

[Batman]

Part of the fun of reloading is that if you keep stock on the components, you NEVER worry again about events like Sandy Hook and the like compromising your ability to have ammunition.

[JagerDog]

I reload enough different calibers I can usually get into a new one (against my will) rather cheaply vs. buying a stockpile of factory ammo. Primers? got 'em. powder? Probably something that will work...and maybe work very well. Add bullets (typical) and brass and dies.

[23 Blast]

This.

I'll admit that my initial impetus for getting into reloading was to try to save money, but I've found that it's a very enjoyable hobby in and of itself. I honestly probably don't shoot nearly enough to really see any significant savings, but I've convinced myself that over time I'll eventually break even.