Newbie question about reloading -- 45ACP & 40S&W

[caliberetta]

Hello Calguns reloaders:

I'm looking to getting into reloading, mostly as a new hobby or skill, maybe actually save money at the same time.

I mostly shoot pistol and shotgun, and I am doing a little research on reloading for .45acp and 40SW.

Would it be reasonable to say that by reloading, I would save about 10c/rd on .45 and .40 versus buying at Walmart or wherever?

And if that is generally true, it would take about 2-3k rds of reloading before I break even with the new equipment?

My goal is to acquire a new skill/hobby and perhaps save on current ammo I use, perhaps have the skills to reload different kinds of ammo in the future too (.308, .357 mag etc).

Any helpful insight is most appreciated.

[TripleThreat]

Forget the break even part. Reloading is fun, and cost effective. You won't save money because you'll shoot more often. You also have control over your bullets (weight, power, speed etc).

I went with Lee Loader products and have never looked back.

Hope this helps,

[ojisan]

Your actual break-even point will depend on the cost of components.
If you are buying new brass versus once-fired; lead bullets versus jacketed; do you cast your own bullets; etc.

What I found was that I spent just as much money as I did when buying factory ammo, but I got to shoot about twice as much.

Reusing the brass saves a ton of money.
I've loaded .45 cases over ten times with no problems.
At this point, the ammo cost is just bullets, primer and powder.

[TexasJackKin]

Rule of thumb, (that I tell my wife) is hand loaded ammo, with scrounged brass, costs about half what factory ammo costs. When people tell you that you won't save any money, you'll just shoot twice as much, they are about right.

You will learn a new skill, that will serve you well, and become a much better marksman.

It's a great hobby, and I've never understood how someone can say they are a "shooter" and not be a reloader....

[tonyjr]

Like any hobby , you just keep buying more stuff . Right now a trip
to range runs about 100 .
A brick of primers or a pound of powder + .
Then when we get home - feeding everyone . I never go by myself .
My nephews and nieces go a couple of times a month [ me , maybe
once a month/ or to gun show ]
You would be better off money wise just buying ammo .
Of course this is assuming there is no earthquake , California does not
do more gun laws .

[SoCal1911]

Here is what I pay for 45ACP, 200gr SWC, 5gr powder, once fired brass(free pick it up at the range) large pistol primers =$0.09 round, 100 rounds $9.00.
Buying components in bulk. My reloads shoot better than factory ammo, can tailor my loads to my guns, and what performance I want, mostly for punching paper. Does not include any of my equipment. For pistol I use a progressive press, for rifle i use a single stage press. If you are just starting reloading, get a single stag press so you can learn what each step does and how it affects you reloads. Going to a progressive press to learn on will give you headaches trying to set it up correctly without knowing what each step does. Once you have reloading down on a single stage press, step up to a progressive press. You will use the single stage press for rifle reloading. Most important is to get a couple of reloading manuals and read them BEFORE attempting to make ammo.DO NOT start at Max loads, need to work up to those watching for signs of high pressure. If you know someone that reloads already, ask them to help show you how to reload, and see what they have and how they reload. Always take published loading data, and look it up in the manuals, do not trust any load unless it is a published data. I enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting. The only ammo I buy is 22LR.
Best of luck !

[Full Clip]

I compare reloading my own ammo to cleaning my own guns.
You'll never be in complete control and in full knowledge of your firearm unless you do both of those things, as well as get training and practice, practice, practice.

[Fishslayer]

Rule of thumb, (that I tell my wife) is hand loaded ammo, with scrounged brass, costs about half what factory ammo costs. When people tell you that you won't save any money, you'll just shoot twice as much, they are about right.

Half price is what I usually come up with. It'll vary depending on the bullet of course.

OP, .45ACP is a great caliber to start on. It's somewhat forgiving of minor errors. .40 S&W & 9mm, not so much.

[kcheung2]

My suggestion is to not load for the ammo you shoot the most, but load the ammo you shoot the least.

Think about it; why do you shoot a certain gun the least? Most likely because the ammo is expensive. But if you reload for that cartridge then suddenly your cost goes down (half is a good general guideline) & it's much more affordable to shoot.

Most people starting out plan to load 9mm or 5.56 because it's what they shoot the most. But because they're such common cartridges the savings aren't as great, maybe just pennies.

When I started reloading in 2014 my first cartridges were 8mm Mauser, 30-06, and 308. Since these are relatively expensive rounds if bought commercially, I was able to save 30-60 cents per round so my breakeven point happened faster.

The single biggest component cost by far is the projectile so if you can save on that then that's where the savings will come from. But there's a balancing act, cheaper bullets generally have lower quality production so they'll be less consistent (aka less accurate). Not a major factor in pistols but it is an issue for rifles.

[tonyjr]

SoCal1911
Me too . 11LR is / are the only factory ammo we don't reload except
when one of us buys a different caliber gun .
Years ago when nephew bought the DE 41 , end up buying 2 boxes
of ammo . could not find cases . Now we have several hundred and
no one even sell the 41 anymore , much less the ammo .

[mikeyr]

I guess I am weird, I never looked at the break even point when I bought my press, I bought the press I wanted and the cost was not a factor if I was going to reload or not. You really can't factor the break even point since when you are done reloading and sell the press, you will get all your money back minus rental costs. That is what buying reloading equipment really is, renting equipment since good quality presses hold their value so well. The more years you keep the press, the lower the rental cost.

As far as savings go, its anywhere from about half to a lot depending on the caliber.

[caliberetta]

Gentlemen -- thank you very much for your replies, it is highly appreciated.

I learned from each of your posts, as they make a lot of sense to me and am suddenly very excited to get started.

I'm looking forward to learning a new skill and experience the satisfaction of assembling my own ammo.

My plan is to start with a Single Stage Press for .45acp (a caliber I like a lot, but shoot the least, mainly due to cost).

I have been saving my brass this year, for the first time in 27 years, I pick them up at the range. I have a few hundred .45 brass already. What I used to ignore and leave on the floor looks tasty now, lol.

On my shopping list:

2 reloading manuals
Single Stage Press
Weighing Scale
Digital Calipers
Case Tumbler & Media Separator
Funnels, Trays, Ammo cases
Bullet Puller
Case Lube

And lastly Bullets, Primer, Powder.

Since I am going to start with .45acp, I am still unsure whether to use the large or small primer. What do you guys suggest here?

Thank you so much again.

[ojisan]

If you haven't already, be sure to give Randall's "pistol ammo is too expensive" thread a look.
Lots of info and good suggestions.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=229221

And congratulations on deciding to get into reloading!
You're gonna like it!
Especially when you get it all set up right so your ammo shoots straight, works every time and costs pennies to shoot.
It's very satisfying.

[tonyjr]

If you like 45's , need get some more magazines .
I have 3 and nephews have 2 more . Each of mine likes a different load ,
so 4 magazines for each one .
Then you get to time at range .
We pay by the hour , so having extra mags loaded helps . 2 people - one
shooting , other is picking up brass and refilling mags . That is if only 2 of
us go - generally there are 4 or 5 of us and really lucky to get 2 lanes .
Most of the time you can save by buying more than one magazine .

[bruce381]

Some reloading companies box up a scale, book trimming tools and a press with dies all in 1 kit.

Highly recommend Brian @ OC reloading by the train transfer station thing in Anahiem?

He has everything you need in 1 place and will help with setup etc very hands on good guy.

I stop in when I'm visiting the kids and drop $100-200 for odds and ends.

Yeah powder bullets and primers too.

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