Does this seem accurate?

[sghart]

Shouldn't you take all of that money that you spent on factory ammo and spend it on your kids?

Same logic.

[TexasJackKin]

This sure turned south.... I made no effort to figure out, where the "break even point" was, but told the wife after 2,000 rounds we were "making money" on the upgrade to a progressive loader (Hornady L&L) She liked that.

Kids can help with reloading, sorting brass, resizing, de-priming, and what not. When the grand kids are coming over, I always make sure I've got reloading stuff for them to do. (nothing with powder or primers) and fully aware of their attention spans, I believe, along with their parents, that it helps develop their craftsmanship, as well as good quality time with grandpa. They love feeding emptys into the press, and seeing the whole process play out. Then, on occasion get to shoot some of the ammo they helped make.

If we're not doing that, they want to be out in the shop building bird houses or something, it's all good!

[JagerDog]

Did you get your answer OP?

It's up to you how many rounds and just how you want to amortize equipment. To me, most are "durable goods". In business you would depreciate them over a period of years. Not a bad practice on the front end to help decide if reloading is for you. In the end the machine is capable of many more thousands of rounds and has some significant resale value as well should you determine you're done.

As I stated above, there's still more savings available than your calcs. Namely powder and brass. That you COULD amortize the base equipment in 7K rounds shows there are real savings to be had. Note that you will have considerably more equipment in the long run though.

Some of us really enjoy reloading, working up loads for a specific purpose, firearm, etc. Some just want to make gobs of ammo whether stockpiling or shooting in volume. The relative self-sufficiency can be rewarding in it's own right. For the most part I can make what I want, when I want and I'm not committed to what particular deal is available when I'm jonesing.

[JagerDog]

This sure turned south.... I made no effort to figure out, where the "break even point" was, but told the wife after 2,000 rounds we were "making money" on the upgrade to a progressive loader (Hornady L&L) She liked that.

Kids can help with reloading, sorting brass, resizing, de-priming, and what not. When the grand kids are coming over, I always make sure I've got reloading stuff for them to do. (nothing with powder or primers) and fully aware of their attention spans, I believe, along with their parents, that it helps develop their craftsmanship, as well as good quality time with grandpa. They love feeding emptys into the press, and seeing the whole process play out. Then, on occasion get to shoot some of the ammo they helped make.

If we're not doing that, they want to be out in the shop building bird houses or something, it's all good!

Ya..I was about 8 when dad started me out helping with shotshells. This was the paper hull days, so there was hull prep and stacking wad components. Not too long after I was making them complete. In my early teens he had be loading pistol on a single stage. He'd review the charged cases in the loading block before I stuffed bullets in them. He'd have me doing most of the routine brass prep on rifle.

[liber]

Shouldn't you take all of that money that you spent on factory ammo and spend it on your kids?

Same logic.

I couldn't agree more.

[bigbossman]

Shouldn't you take all of that money that you spent on factory ammo and spend it on your kids?

Same logic.

Well..... if the kids are helping him blast through that ammo pile, one could argue that he IS spending all that money on his kids.

[davek8s]

Well..... if the kids are helping him blast through that ammo pile, one could argue that he IS spending all that money on his kids.

I'm sure someone that stacks up ammo like that for his hobby spends plenty of money on his kids.

But I wonder how much ammo is for shooting and how much is for hoarding.

[Unretarded]

Observations from me as a new reloader....


You will spend more money, willingly, on reloading components than you will on loaded ammo. You will buy more components to save more money on the components. You will shoot more since you saved money on the ammo and then you will buy better more expensive equipment to save time on reloading the increased amount of ammo shot.

Just some considerations to factor in.

[liber]

I'm sure someone that stacks up ammo like that for his hobby spends plenty of money on his kids.

Maybe, but someone that considers time to be money, might consider the time spent with them to be like giving them money. I'd much rather have my investment in reloading equipment than ammo sitting on the shelf...teach a guy to fish...and all that...

But I wonder how much ammo is for shooting and how much is for hoarding.

Considering he only shoots once a month, that's way more ammo than one needs on hand. Just like the pot calling the kettle black, as he's poking fun of people who reload. Although he admitted to having a Rock Chucker, not wonder he doesn't do bulk reloading...you really need a progressive for that.

What I know is that speaking for myself, there is no one reason why I reload, but I am glad I do. I wouldn't want to be dependent on being able to buy ammo myself.

[stilly]

SHOOSH you three!



At least let me finish eating...

I find it HILARIOUSLY productive and soon I shall see how much piss is on the floor...

[davek8s]

What I know is that speaking for myself, there is no one reason why I reload, but I am glad I do. I wouldn't want to be dependent on being able to buy ammo myself.

I'm with you. After the ammo runs in 2008 and 2012 I'm glad that I can make the ammo I need for my guns.

I think to many people don't know or remember what it was like to not be able to go to stop by Walmart or Big5 on your way to the shooting range to buy a few boxes of ammo.

[sghart]

Why is it that we have the only hobby where guys are constantly navel gazing over cost/benefit analysis?

I have a yuppie brother-in-law that is a golf fanatic. I never hear him wonder if he is getting a return on his new driver.

My younger brother lives to fish. He never does spreadsheets on the contents of his tackle box.

If it helps you can look at our hobby this way.

While my brother in law is spending half a day on the golf course I am spending that same time in my reloading room. The difference of course is that when he is done he has nothing but a scorecard to show for his time.

I have hundreds of rounds of ammo to take to the range.

And my brother in law and my brother both hit me up for ammo occasionally. Funny how that works.

[davek8s]

Does this seem accurate?

And my brother in law and my brother both hit me up for ammo occasionally. Funny how that works.

I have friends that hit me up for my reloads. I offer to sell them some at $1 per round. So far no one has taken me up on the offer.

[sghart]

I have friends that hit me up for my reloads. I offer to sell them some at $1 per round. So far no one has taken me up on the offer.

Ha!!

I'll have to try that! Thanks!

[davek8s]

Ha!!



I'll have to try that! Thanks!

In November the price goes up to 2 fiddy a round