Does this seem accurate?

[Lonestargrizzly]

So I tried to figure out how much it would cost to reload 7,000 rounds of 40 S&W versus purchasing 7,000 rounds.
If I can attach my spreadsheet, I want to see if I am anywhere close to being accurate.
Links are embedded in the spreadsheet.
I couldn't attach the file as an excel document, I had to save it as a word 1997-2003 file to attach. So if you want to follow the links, you have to control+click on the links.
Thanks!

[kcheung2]

I don't think the cost of the press should be included because the way you're accounting for it, it seems like this will be the only caliber you load, the press was specifically bought for this, and will be discarded after 7000 rounds. When in reality it's a fixed cost. I do think the cost of dies should be included because that's a true incremental cost.

[hambam105]

If you are trying to run a reloading press in one hand and a computer in the other, then buy pre-assemble 40s.

[Lonestargrizzly]

The only reason why i did 7,000 rounds is because if I was using the powder it would make 129 bullets per pound and the last round of 1,000 would only use the remainder of the powder from the 6 previous loads.
And I assumed that I would have a 100% brass recovery rate, which I know is virtually impossible.
And I didn't factor in shipping costs.
Or brass that I might pick up along the way.
And I assumed that I would spill no powder of course.

[Lonestargrizzly]

I am so new into even thinking about this that I dont know what dies are. But I believe that the press I linked to included everything necessary to begin to press?

[Jmoreno88]

i didnt see the link for the press but presses don't include dies. As stated I wouldn't include price of equipment but that's up to you. Amount saved will be subjective to cost of components. The price of your components seem a bit high and I would check into buying bulk. I can reload 45acp for about half of your cost for 40. Consider buying once fired brass and buying primers and powder in bulk. powder can be had for 17 to 18 a lb and primers can be 25 to 30 a brick.

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[Killer Bee]

[Revoman]

^^^

So you 'charge yourself' time when you are sleeping, watching TV, or shooting for that matter???

Not getting the "factor in your time" thing at all. You don't pay yourself do you?

Consider it a part of the hobby.

[bigbossman]

^^^

So you 'charge yourself' time when you are sleeping, watching TV, or shooting for that matter???

Not getting the "factor in your time" thing at all. You don't pay yourself do you?

Consider it a part of the hobby.

I'm a reloader, but I get what he's saying. If you have a busy life with work/family then "free" time is a precious commodity and you have to prioritize how to spend it.

Now - that American Eagle at 26 cents a round is about $13/box for .45acp? Are those reloads or new factory rounds? Just curious.

In any case, I do reload, in quantity, and have for many years. Why? Well, I do save money - especially with rounds like 30-06 and .308. Also, I desire something more than "plinker" ammo. For example, any idea how much a box of 20 Federal Match .308 ammo costs? I can match or beat that quality for a fraction of the retail cost.

[Jjwisled]

I just started reloading last year and I have yet to save any money but I have shot a lot more than I would have and I enjoy shooting a whole lot more now. I think the savings part of reloading is over the long haul. Im not cranking out 1000s of rounds at a shot and I'm still acquiring equipment so it will take awhile to realize any savings. Like I said it has added a whole new level of enjoyment for me and that I did not expect. I now enjoy they sport at home as well as at the range. Come to think of it I have some lonely 45 colt cases that need attention .

[mikeyr]

we all look at this differently.

For the ones that say time is not free, yes it is...I enjoy my time reloading and I look forward to it, so its free time. For some people reloading is a chore and they need to get paid to do chores. Me, I only shoot because I enjoy reloading so much, so its free time.

The Press price is really not relevant to me, once I am done with the press I will sell it for 80-90% of what I paid for it or more likely my daughter will after I am dead, so you can't really factor the full price of the press into the math.

I tell all my friends, you don't reload to save money, you reload to shoot better or more often.

If I counted all the presses I have bought (only 4) and other reloading items, my rounds probably cost $1 each and that is for the cheap 9mm, I would not want to calculate the .308 costs But I ALWAYS have ammo when I want to go shooting, I never have to worry about if the store has ammo or not on a Saturday morning when I want to go. I also and this is maybe for ME ONLY, find it easier to spend a few hundred dollars stocking up on components a few times a year then to find $50 for a day of shooting, I never seem to have enough money to buy a box of ammo when I want to go so I got into reloading and budget for twice a year component purchases, that works better for me but i fully agree that might just be me only.

Reloading is always cheaper then buying but only if you own the presses and other hardware already however remember if you buy good quality equipment when you sell it you will recoup most of your money, they don't lose much of their value. I probably could sell my Rockchucker for more than I paid for it back in the 1970s. and my 2 Dillon's for 80 to 90% of what I paid for them, my Hornady I don't know what they go for used but I will guess most of what I paid for it.

If reloading will be a chore to you, its expensive to reload, if reloading is part of your hobby and a pleasure to spend time out in the garage away from everything, then its cheap therapy.

[bigbossman]

........... I ALWAYS have ammo when I want to go shooting, I never have to worry about if the store has ammo or not on a Saturday morning when I want to go.

And to expand that point a little bit - the way the political winds are blowing here in CA, Gavin Newsom will be the next governor. You don't need to guess what he has planned for you and your ammo purchases, he means to shut it down.

IMO, CA folks would be wise to think about buying a cheap used single stage, just to have. Within the next couple of years, it might mean the difference between shooting, or not.

[stilly]

WELL, since you put it THAT way, okay, I am taking it THAT way then...

Your bullets are ugly and you dress them funny!

Mine are colorful like Easter Eggs and when they hit they splatter rainbows of color like unicorn farts. Yes, when ATF shows up to confiscate all of my ammo they will have a hard time deciphering the real rounds from the fantasy rounds I have made. They will miss the camo-PC rounds, they will mistake my .45 as china or porcelain insulators, and they will only walk away with a box or two of boring factory ammo- but that is okay because i don't care about those two boxes anyways. Matter of fact, I will go label them "Stolen from Killer Bee" and put them in the front so my stuff does not get rummaged through.

I can not draw (pictures) very well, but I have a large collection of Stick Figures fighting it out (black v brown) that looks like any given scene from "Troma's War" and making my own ammo allows me to be creative and make cool and interesting ammo that costs well, ****, a LOT less than factory rounds. My .45 costs about .07-.09 each.

free brass
Primers = 1.6 cents
Lead = 3 cents
powder = 2 cents

AND that includes the new and cheaper .357 mag that I shoot out of my .45- which is a .45 160gr pill travelling at around 1200+ FPS. No recoil, and I can hit a Hawk in the eye about 1000 yards out.

You clearly have money to squander on factory ammo and that is fine since it removes a competitor for me and keeps brass flying for you. I give you a thumbs up sir. And unlike other reloaders, I have discovered a way to save money while reloading. It is simply to reload and NOT shoot any of it! Yes, I go into my super secret reloading hatch and after a few minutes bullets just start dropping out and piling up and then I unleash my golems to pick it all up and container it for that one day a year that I DO get out to go play with the other kids in the neighborhood...

Just sayin...

OP- if you have not started reloading yet, get a book first and see what you will need or PM a regular here that is willing to give you some 1 on 1 advice.



OMG!

I bet nobody has ever thought of a Belt Fed 1911! Oh I so want now...

That is what Bruce Willis should use in his sequel to Last Man Standing.

[Paseclipse]

ipowder can be had for 17 to 18 a lb and primers can be 25 to 30 a brick.

Where in the world are you getting powder or $17-$18 a pound these days?

So I tried to figure out how much it would cost to reload 7,000 rounds of 40 S&W versus purchasing 7,000 rounds.
If I can attach my spreadsheet, I want to see if I am anywhere close to being accurate.
Links are embedded in the spreadsheet.
I couldn't attach the file as an excel document, I had to save it as a word 1997-2003 file to attach. So if you want to follow the links, you have to control+click on the links.
Thanks!
[ATTACH]512227[/ATTACH]

I think your estimates per round are a little high. I don't load .40 but I know I can load .45 ACP for cheaper than your estimate.

I read a two part article recently that did a cost/benefit analysis for reloading that's a good read-

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/jim-barrett/reloading-a-costbenefit-analysis-part-one/

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/jim-barrett/reloading-a-costbenefit-analysis-part-two-2/

The articles are a little dated (2012) and his estimates are a little high but he still addresses the key points when considering the cost of reloading.

[Jmoreno88]

Where in the world are you getting powder or $17-$18 a pound these days?



I think your estimates per round are a little high. I don't load .40 but I know I can load .45 ACP for cheaper than your estimate.

I read a two part article recently that did a cost/benefit analysis for reloading that's a good read-

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/jim-barrett/reloading-a-costbenefit-analysis-part-one/

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/jim-barrett/reloading-a-costbenefit-analysis-part-two-2/

The articles are a little dated (2012) and his estimates are a little high but he still addresses the key points when considering the cost of reloading.

just ordered 16lbs a few days ago from midsouth. Me and 1 other guy split the shipping and haz. Each 8lb jug was 123. 00 plus $13 to cover shipping and hazmat. so $136 per 8lb jug delivered. Comes out to right about $17 a lb. Now granted I did split shipping/haz but if I did not it wouldve been $149 per 8lb shipped which comes out to $18.62 a lb shipped. Deals are still to be had out there just have to look and like i said buy in bulk

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