Is it even worth it?

[Rgarbarino]

Is it even worth it now to reload 9mm?

I can get 1000 rounds for about $200 with a little searching.

Around $80+ for 1000 FMJ bullets
Around $30 for primers
Around $35 for 1lb powder
Already have saved brass

And the time it takes to load 1000 rounds. Not going to save much $$ for the time involved.

Am I wrong?

[Divernhunter]

No not worth it for you.

[Capybara]

You sound as if you don't know how to scrounge very well for a prospective reloader.

1. Shoot cast bullets - about .04-.06 each, free if you cast your own and can scrounge lead. If not, you can buy cast for a little less and even sometimes jacketed brand name for less. I just scored 3k 9x18 Makarov Sierra top of the line RN from Midway for .07 ea.
2. Many of us recently bought S&B primers from Cabelas that were advertised literally for months at $17.00 per 1k, then a little later at $20.00 per 1k. Why would anyone pay .03 for average primers?
3. If you are paying $35.00 per pound for powder, you don't know how to shop. It's easy to buy 4lb and 8lb jugs lately, both on-line and at my LGS for for $85.00 for 4lbs or I've scored as cheap as $125.00 for 8lbs, $15.00 to $21.00 per pound.

The time is irrelevant as far as cost, it is a hobby, art and craft, you don't reload for a living. The time needed may matter to you. If that's the case, don't reload. My 9mm is more reliable, accurate, customized to my needs. Even at the prices I outlined above, the overall savings is not huge but paying .07 to .11 per round is a significant savings over .20 + shipping per round any way you slice it. As to whether or not it is worth it to you, that's your call. Most of us don't reload to save money, most of reload to shoot more and as a hobby in itself.

[JagerDog]

You sound as if you don't know how to scrounge very well for a prospective reloader.

1. Shoot cast bullets - about .04-.06 each, free if you cast your own and can scrounge lead. If not, you can buy cast for a little less and even sometimes jacketed brand name for less. I just scored 3k 9x18 Makarov Sierra top of the line RN from Midway for .07 ea.
2. Many of us recently bought S&B primers from Cabelas that were advertised literally for months at $17.00 per 1k, then a little later at $20.00 per 1k. Why would anyone pay .03 for average primers?
3. If you are paying $35.00 per pound for powder, you don't know how to shop. It's easy to buy 4lb and 8lb jugs lately, both on-line and at my LGS for for $85.00 for 4lbs or I've scored as cheap as $125.00 for 8lbs, $15.00 to $21.00 per pound.

The time is irrelevant as far as cost, it is a hobby, art and craft, you don't reload for a living. The time needed may matter to you. If that's the case, don't reload. My 9mm is more reliable, accurate, customized to my needs. Even at the prices I outlined above, the overall savings is not huge but paying .07 to .11 per round is a significant savings over .20 + shipping per round any way you slice it. As to whether or not it is worth it to you, that's your call. Most of us don't reload to save money, most of reload to shoot more and as a hobby in itself.

^^^^this

[AlienHobo]

I did the math on this before and here is what I came up with (cost per round):

Projectiles: Average .06
Primers: .02
Powder: .01
Brass: Free. I always leave the range with more 9mm brass than I shot.

That comes to 9 cents per round, so less than half the cost.

I also shoot .380 and that comes out to 1/3 the cost.

Like Capybara said, you don't count your time because it's a hobby. If you do count your time in the cost, then reloading is not for you.

[Rgarbarino]

I should have mentioned I'm new to reloading and am still gathering stuff so, yeah, I don't really know where to look just yet for deals. I'm primarily getting into it for .223 and 6.8 but went ahead and bought dies for 9mm and 45 too.

I have not bought any primers or powder or bullets yet for pistols so I'm starting the search now. I don't want to shoot cast bullets even thought they are cheap. Next month I'll be going through Nevada and plan on stopping at Cabelas and picking up some stuff.

[Rgarbarino]

Like Capybara said, you don't count your time because it's a hobby. If you do count your time in the cost, then reloading is not for you.

I'm not looking at my time as money, I'm looking at it as time away from more important things...

[Unretarded]

I like having components on hand to manufacture ammo.....when the store is closed or the frenzy starts again I am not affected.

I can also tailor the ammo for what I want to do with it.....light recoiling target loads or full bore defensive ammo or load for accuracy.

[crs1]

You sound as if you don't know how to scrounge very well for a prospective reloader.

3. If you are paying $35.00 per pound for powder, you don't know how to shop. It's easy to buy 4lb and 8lb jugs lately, both on-line and at my LGS for for $85.00 for 4lbs or I've scored as cheap as $125.00 for 8lbs, $15.00 to $21.00 per pound.

You mind sharing what LGS that is? Not being sarcastic, I'd like to know. I have not found prices around here to be competitive at all (in Ventura County, or nearby).

[CGT80]

I don't want to shoot cast bullets even thought they are cheap.

Why not?

I cast my own and shoot them lubed, and also powder coat some. The commercial bullets I use for 9mm are bear creek moly coated. They don't smoke and are literally slicker than snot. A bullet feeder is much easier than setting them on the cases by hand, but for 45 acp I do it by hand.

The only reason I see to not use lead is if your range has banned it or it causes problems in your guns. I had some 40 hard cast with very hard wax lube that smoked so bad I couldn't see the targets after a while. The problem was the mix of the lube and particular powder I was using, not the lead bullet.

[AlienHobo]

I should have mentioned I'm new to reloading and am still gathering stuff so, yeah, I don't really know where to look just yet for deals. I'm primarily getting into it for .223 and 6.8 but went ahead and bought dies for 9mm and 45 too.

I have not bought any primers or powder or bullets yet for pistols so I'm starting the search now. I don't want to shoot cast bullets even thought they are cheap. Next month I'll be going through Nevada and plan on stopping at Cabelas and picking up some stuff.

Get on the mailing list for this site. Every so often they come out with 50% off deals. I got 1000 115 grain for $44.00. Stock up when you see them.

https://www.americanreloading.com/en/

If you don't mind Epoxy coated bullets (and I don't) you can try these guys:

http://www.bayoubullets.net/categories/hi-tek-supercoat-bullets.html

Cabelas will have sales on their Sellier & Bellot primers for $20/1000 or less. Even when they are not on sale, they are $25.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/reloading/reloading-powders-primers%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/333152280/sellier-amp-bellot-primers-ndash-brick/2002898.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freloading-powders-primers%2F_%2FN-1109591%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_333152280%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253B%252BLNcat104442480

As for Powder, too many variables depending on what you want, but keep an eye out.

['ol shooter]

I reload because I enjoy it, it makes me feel good to recycle usable brass, and with the idiots in Sacto pushing the ammo laws again, I won't have to stand in line like a criminal to beg for the privilege of buying ammunition. I have enough powder, primers, cases and projectiles to load for a few years anyway. If they pass the law, ammo prices and availability is going to go crazy again.

[jimmykan]

I advise people not to get into reloading.

Not because it's not worth it, but because I don't want them buying up all the components, leaving more for me.

[tanks]

Depends on how much you shoot, and what you shoot. I put the comment below in another post.

I shoot 3-4K rounds a month. I save $130 per 1,000 (compared to Blazer .40 S&W). Taking low end of 3K a month, that is $390 a month in savings.

Most importantly I can tailor my rounds for my firearm at the right power factor for practice and competition.

[McGuiver]

Is it even worth it?

With the American Reloading 9mm pull downs at $39.99 per thousand pills, that puts me at $90 per thousand reloaded with my brass. Not bad.

Bullet - 4 cents
Primer - 3 cents
Powder - 1.5 cents

Yes it is worth it to reload. Get a progressive and it will make you reloading worth it. I can load about 100 rounds in 10 minutes with my Dillon 450.



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