Is reloading still a good option?

[jwc]

My brother in law used to reload 45 ACP about 15 years ago and was able to realize significant savings over buying factory ammo. Is that still the case?

I understand there are fewer local sources now that carry supplies. Is buying gunpowder, primer and bullets mail order a viable option after 911, or have new regulations made this cost prohibitive?

Is reloading is still a good way to save money?

[CSACANNONEER]

I've never saved a penny. I do shoot much more and better ammo than I could buy for the same amount as I spend on reloading. So, no savings, just more shooting.

[ocabj]

The better way to say it is:

Reloading saves you money if your goal is to shoot X number of rounds a year.

Reloading will not save you money if your goal is to only spend X number of dollars a year on shooting.

[Darklyte27]

Here is my cost, 1k #41 cci primers $29 1 LB of H335 Powder $18 1k of Winchester 55 Gr .224 bullets $89

2.9 cents per primer
6.5 cents per 25 grains for 1 load of .223
Bullets 8.9 cents each
Total is 18.3 cents each not including the cost of my press, tumbler and misc tools.

I bought 1k of PPU M193 55 gr ammo at 350$

thats 35 cents each round.

assuming that Im reusing my brass. Also my Press kit is a Lee single stage that cost about 85$. Add .223 Dies 30$ and few other misc tools about 50$ Tumbler kit to clean the brass 55$

Thats besides the main stuff you need to always get.

[Darklyte27]

My press is a single stage so its nothing fancy. Mine will take a bit more work because I need to change out each die. 1 to resize and deprime the spent brass. 1 to seat the bullet and another to crimp if needed.

I think my cheaper press is good because I can be more precise while loading.
I think my cheaper press is bad because I cant crank out 100 rds per 20 mins. I think it would take me 1-2 hours because im still new at reloading.

The more expensive presses are nice though if you know what you are doing, have everything almost done for you as long as you can pull the handle.

[badreligion]

I look at reloading from the long term saving point.

I only buy in bulk. Enough bulk at one time to reload 5000 rounds. You save more money buying in bulk than if you tried to buy just enough.

Using 5000 rounds as my starting point if I had to buy 5000 rounds of cheap plinking ammo in .45 acp it would cost me around $1500. Probably more in this economy. Reloading that same 5000 rounds even if I needed to buy used once fired brass would cost me around $1100. If I already had good used brass it is around $800.

So....
Yes reloading will save you money per round.
Yes reloading will allow you to shoot more for the same ammount of money.

[CSACANNONEER]

It costs me somewhere between $2 and $2.50 to load a box of 45acp. But, I cast my own bullets. So, if bullets are $50/500, you'ld end up spending about $12.50/box.

[tunder]

jwc-

Here you go.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[All Nav]

If you're looking only to save $$, you'll probably find out that as component costs rise, any real savings are erased. That said, I find reloading an excellent way to relax, have some solo time, and make ammo that, when I shoot well, gives me a real sense of satisfaction. Be careful, though; you'll turn into a brass rat at the range.

[Darklyte27]

All Nav, if im not mistaken, it would cost me about 18 cents a round vs buying 35-45 cents a round.

Thats just for the powder, primer and bullets. Reusing my brass.

Not including costs of the press, dies etc.

[All Nav]

Sounds about right, but you need to take into account the initial, one-time investment of equipment. I defrayed this somewhat by going with the Lee Anniversary kit, now made better with their breech lock design. But yeah, once you have the gear and components, the cost is less. Right now primers are becoming the pricey item, IF you can find them (small rifle, that is). But as I say, the cost is secondary for me; it costs what it costs. I brew up a strong pot of coffee, put on some mellow tunes, and hours go by without my knowing it.

[Darklyte27]

All Nav, I did the same thing. I went with the LEE challenger kit, 85$ kit, Dies, misc parts, tumbler kit was about another 200$ or so.
I can do maybe 1-200 rds a month, I dont think Ill need to do 1-2k a month.

[264charlie]

Do not forget to account for the coast of your time.

Assuming you make X dollars and hr and can produce 500 rounds an HR.

$10 = .02 per round
$20 = .04 per round
$50 = .10 per round
$100=.20 per round

[sorensen440]

I shoot more often with higher quality rounds due to reloading

[ivanimal]

I got into reloading to get better ammo cost savings was a benefit. I look like a genius now with all of the reloading stuff I have.