WHY Reload?!?!?

[rm1911]

WHY Reload?!?!?

This question again. Guess it's already been two weeks.

Those of us who have been reloading for over 25 years remember when powder was cheap and plentiful. And yes, reloading was extremely cheaper than factory fodder. And yes, the whole fine tuning accuracy thing too.

Yes, there is way more reman'd and reloaded and surplus stuff, bulk ammo now in common calibers, etc, and no, we can't say we shoot a lot cheaper. I still think it's cheaper but not like it used to be.

Don't reload to save money. Don't even bother. Not enough savings to matter. Buy bulk stuff, load up, early and often, and don't look back.

Just got two words for you. President Hillary.

[xMAC1x]

Prices are very good on manufactured ammo today. When you reload shortages don't matter too much. And good deals on components are available right now.

If you can you have to buy in bulk to save. You get 8 lbs of powder that's a lot of pistol loads.

You learn a lot, you're more involved in the process.

[Sir Toast]

If I was only reloading .223 and 9mm, I wouldn't reload because it is mass produced in bulk and cheap as can be as far as ammo goes. Try reloading 44 Mag, 300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Mag. You'll see savings on the first bullet.

You'll never see the savings anyway. You'll just shoot more.

[Red9]

I just started back reloading. For now its just .40 cal. Rounds run about .33-.40 cents a round. I bought some Bear creek 180 gr, for about .10 each. So yes i am reloading for less than 1/3 the cost of .40.
I can shoot more, and i can have light loads for my wife and daughter, or go full out at 4.7 grains of titegroup.
I actually enjoy the zen of reloading. I take my time, and it have to say it is nice when you shoot that first round that you reloaded.
Next in line is 9mm. Cost is about .10 a round more or less so its still half the cost of buying 9mm. Shop around on projectiles. I run moly as its the cheapest i can find, shoots well and the only thing is cleaning the lead out of the barrels. A little chore boy copper mesh and im all good to go.
As for 556, i just save the brass for now. When the time comes when the cost of ammo skyrockets again, i will invest in a trimmer and start the 556 process.
Btw i use a dillon 550. Its fine for now does the job.
Ymmv.

[BigBronco]

At $50.00 per box for .42 magnum or 45 long colt. Lots of savings to be had. I load them less than $6.00 a box of 50.

[glockman19]

The real reason I reload, (I have dies for ALL calibers I shoot), is for when ammo is not available. I'll continue to stock up on Factory ammo and keep the brass. I'll keep plenty of primers and powder...For the day it is no longer available. Lead is Plentiful. and I have molds for all calibers I shoot too.
I also have Lee Hand Load kits for all calibers I shoot. All you need is a rubber mallet.

[wpod]

I don't reload for the potential savings.
I reload because it's part of shooting.
To be able to have ammo during shortages.

I like firearms for the mechanical aspects. The mechanics of the ammo is part of it.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[czshooter]

I concur with Glockman19. Ammo is plentiful now but at some point it might not be check Mr. Newsom's recent comments about getting your ammo with conditions.

[orangeusa]

At $50.00 per box for .42 magnum or 45 long colt. Lots of savings to be had. I load them less than $6.00 a box of 50.

I know you have the tools to pour your own bullets. How much more would purchasing bullets add? Considering primers and powder are minor costs, would it roughly double? Or is that with purchased bullets?

.

[drkphibr]

OP, you are comparing your price to reload with current .223 pricing. Nothing wrong with that per se, but you're trying to justify your cost in a market where current supply and availability have driven pricing down.

Look at the price ($.75/round or higher) and availability (scarce to non-existent) of .223 after Sandy Hook and for a LONG time afterwards and then ask yourself how cost effective your rounds are.

Also, as others have stated, you seem to be shopping less wisely than you could as you should be paying closer to $.15-$.20 per reload if you sharpen your shopping/purchasing skills.

[uhlan1]

Why reload? One word: Gavin.

You'll see.

This time next year these threads will be full of squealing about the price of 9mm. People never learn.

[BigBronco]

Mr. Newsom's proposal will most definitely drive up the price of ammo in CA if it should become law. The cost of the added hoops will be passed along. There will be a surge in reloading.

[wxl]

I started reloading to save money, but realized I shot a lot more when the ammo was cheaper so I really don't save any money just got to shoot more. However, the bigger benefit is consistency and accuracy. After I started reloading and sighted all my guns in for my reloads I went shooting with a friend who brought two different brands of quality factory ammo. I couldn't hit anything with either. After I switched to my reloads I couldn't miss. This made me realize how much accuracy was dependent on ammo consistency. Different manufacturers, different bullets, different bullet weights, and powder loads have more effect on accuracy than anything else. The third reason for reloading became clear after Sandy Hook and you couldn't find ammo anywhere. Even though reloading supplies became scarce I had enough or could get enough to get me through 2 years of ammo shortages. Now I try to keep two years supply of components at all times and I can pick and choose when I buy the components in bulk and on sale. I try to buy all my powder and primers only once a year to save on the hazmat and freight costs. You can also go in with other reloaders to buy in bulk.

[trackcage]

You picked the two least cost-effective rounds to reload for. I wouldn't bother reloading if I only shot 9 and 223. I got into reloading for the higher-margin calibers, and since I already had equipment, reloaded for the other calibers as well.

Don't compare your quality reloads with bargain basement cheapo ammo

[LynnJr]

Don't forget to add $2000 for a Dillon Progressive with bullet feeder fully stuffed. Just the press will set you back 10,000 rounds of ammo.