Is reloading worth it???

[ar15barrels]

here is my breakdown for 223

bullet 55gn fmj at 7.5cents
primer 2.5cents
25 gn win 748 at $20 a pound (because im a sucker and dont buy the 8 pounder)7.2 cents

Your group-buy fu is weak.
That's like high retail pricing.

I found a bunch of Lake City 55gr bullets for $20 per 1000 last year.
I'm using $21/1000 primers from last year when primer prices went crazy.
I scored some H335 at $8 a lb so I'm using that at $32/1000.
I scrounge range brass for free.
Grand total of $73 per 1000 rounds.

I wish I could get those powder and bullet prices everyday.

[Army GI]

so if i had to pay more than 4cents for brass i might as well buy wolf

Are you sure

Don't forget that your brass reloads, while costing the same as wolf, are much more accurate. Remember that steel cases don't obdurate the barrel as well as brass which in turn reduces your consistency vis-a-vis down range accuracy.

Remember, the Germans and the Russians went to steel cases out of necessity. At the end of WWII they were short on materials and they needed something cheap. The American industrial powerhouse stuck with brass cases.

After the war, the US Army conducted tests to consider steel cases for their guns. While they were considered reliable, the reports mention nothing, AFAIK, about accuracy compared to the standard brass.

Lastly, don't forget that you don't see any match shooters using steel cases for their ammo.

[.454]

You will not save money reloading. You will just pump several times more lead downrange for the same money you are spending now buying factory ammo.

For example: before reloading I was shooting 2 boxes (40 rounds) of .454Casull for each trip at the range. After reloading, I shoot a couple of hundred rounds a trip - basically until my shoulder and hand hurt so bad I can't shoot anymore.
Less money? No. More fun? Absolutely.

[Fjold]

I can buy Wolf .223 at the same price and .30-06 from CMP at the same price (is your time worth nothing?) Re: ammo laws, so if they pass laws that ban unserialized ammo you are counting on them "forgetting" about re-loaders

If you skip work to reload then that might apply. But in my case it gives me something to do at home instead of sitting in front of the TV. All my kids are grown so the alternatives are watching the TV or listening to Wifezilla. I'd rather reload.

[bohoki]

Your group-buy fu is weak.
That's like high retail pricing.

I found a bunch of Lake City 55gr bullets for $20 per 1000 last year.
I'm using $21/1000 primers from last year when primer prices went crazy.
I scored some H335 at $8 a lb so I'm using that at $32/1000.
I scrounge range brass for free.
Grand total of $73 per 1000 rounds.

I wish I could get those powder and bullet prices everyday.

yea well i used to buy 223 wolf for $100 a 1000

unless you can provide links with those bullet prices they don't exist

please if someone can beat $75 per thousand let me know
i ordered from here and bought 2k they ship in a $9 flat rate so thats where i get the $75

https://secure.sportsworldtulsa.com/product_info.php?cPath=35_57&products_id=1004&osCsid=7548a5ec97b9a85dee13b86e509f7164

when we are talking to beginners you have to live in the now because thats where they are

[Army GI]

Don't take it so personal.

[kmca]

Try Montana Gold. 6.8 cents each, if you buy 3500.

[jamesob]

hi everyone, just want your opinion... is reloading really worth it... really, how much can you save... how long does it take to recoupe your costs on the equipment??? i'm shooting 32 H&R, 380acp, 45acp, 45lc, 454 cassull, 223, 7mm rem mag, 12g... i want to reload, but just dont know if i have the time or the patience... i plan on shooting 45 acp in my local range matches, and maybe getting into cowboy shooting on the opposite month... maybe too many hobbies... anyways, help... thanks...

i went to sportsmens warehouse the other day and looked at barnes bullets ( non lead ) they were 38.00 for a box of 20 for a 7 mag.. when i saw that i crapped my pants. the lead ban has really put a hurt on reloading for hunting anyways.

[jmzhwells]

i went to sportsmens warehouse the other day and looked at barnes bullets ( non lead ) they were 38.00 for a box of 20 for a 7 mag.. when i saw that i crapped my pants. the lead ban has really put a hurt on reloading for hunting anyways.

They dont have a lot as far as the Barnes goes(all the good stuff goes fast there). But you can cut that cost in half by reloading. I think u can get 100 tsx's for that price. Easley's has better prices on reloading stuff for the most part.

[Sunwolf]

Agree

+1 on Easley`s

[CSACANNONEER]

yea well i used to buy 223 wolf for $100 a 1000

unless you can provide links with those bullet prices they don't exist

please if someone can beat $75 per thousand let me know
i ordered from here and bought 2k they ship in a $9 flat rate so thats where i get the $75

https://secure.sportsworldtulsa.com/product_info.php?cPath=35_57&products_id=1004&osCsid=7548a5ec97b9a85dee13b86e509f7164

when we are talking to beginners you have to live in the now because thats where they are

Everything for sale doesn't have a "link". I've found some pretty good, one time deals, just by word of mouth. Yes, some people are willing to sell things just to get rid of them even if they are taking a loss. I've seen 55 gr .224 bullets on line for less than $75/K within the last week. So, they do exist! I just forget where because, I didn't need any so, it wasn't important to me.

[Beelzy]

Mark my words, there will come a time when only those who know how to handload, will have the power to keep their firearms.

Better start learning now guys.

[thegratenate]

Could somebody explain to me how a small operation loading ammo by hand can produce more accuracy than a large mechanized factory?

I have no doubt that handloading produces greater accuracy, I am just curious as to what contributes to the greater accuracy.

Is it poor components used by the factories, or poor QC?
Or is it the ability to fine tune the amount and type of propellant used to the firearm that is shooting the ammo?

I can grasp that burn rates in proportion to barrel length, and possibly even time locked up in an auto pistol or rifle will affect the stability of the projectile in flight, so is this where the increased accuracy comes from?

Sorry for wandering so much, I just want to understand what is going on.

I'm planning of getting started soon for the money savings, but enjoy accuracy and look forward to getting improved results on the range.

[bohoki]

Could somebody explain to me how a small operation loading ammo by hand can produce more accuracy than a large mechanized factory?

I have no doubt that handloading produces greater accuracy, I am just curious as to what contributes to the greater accuracy.

Is it poor components used by the factories, or poor QC?
Or is it the ability to fine tune the amount and type of propellant used to the firearm that is shooting the ammo?

I can grasp that burn rates in proportion to barrel length, and possibly even time locked up in an auto pistol or rifle will affect the stability of the projectile in flight, so is this where the increased accuracy comes from?

Sorry for wandering so much, I just want to understand what is going on.

I'm planning of getting started soon for the money savings, but enjoy accuracy and look forward to getting improved results on the range.

because the factorys are making ammo to a universal specification when reloading chances are you are loading to your gun and have tested a few different powders and weights and have dialed it in

i am not accurate enough to tell the difference in my stuff and the cheapest win or rem

[ZombieKiller]

I don;t save much from my reloading- but I have created much more accurate loads than the factory puts out.....It's a great feeling knowing that WWB is crap and you can out do a company with accuracy.

Initial costs can be expensive, but well worth it in the end. As other members mentioned- it is a hobby in itself......I even been tempted to load calibers that I do not have weapons for yet....specifically the 5.7.....