Reloading doesn't save money... Doing the phrikin' math, A'ight!

[the86d]

My press has already paid for itself, and since I have more time than brains (don't do much side-tech.-work anymore, as I do well enough not to) time is not calculated:

I am REALLY only going to be shooting "WAY MOAR" when it cools down...

[Aeneas]

The real cost savings, which aren't tremendous, come in reusing brass.

[the86d]

The real cost savings, which aren't tremendous, come in reusing brass.

In my experience, generally, the GEN.-POP. doesn't want 9mm brass, so it is free for the taking at my range... and I ALWAYS come back with more than I brought.
+50-100 cases MINIMUM added per trip, and if I see a Beemer (BMW) or newer SUV generally they don't want any of their brass... no matter the caliber (.25 ACP, 9mm, .223, 30-30 to .308).

AND I have only horked about 20 9mm, and 4-6 .357 mag/.38 SPL cases so far...

50% saving in .357 Mag, and up to 66% for 9mm (if using plated, or frangible [assuming on sale] which shoots better than I do...).

CPR can REALLY ADD UP... if you shoot a few thousand minimum per year.

[Paseclipse]

I am REALLY only going to be shooting "WAY MOAR" when it cools down...

You'll cool down a little bit but still shoot more than you used to. Right now your stoked that your loading your own and that you can crank out ammo anytime you want it. You'll get to the point where you have your goto loads that you'll load up and shoot for years.

9mm and 223 you'll save a little bit of $ but not enough to make it worthwhile for some people right now (until the next ammo crunch).

Other calibers like 38 spl/357 mag, 45 ACP, 308, 30-06 is where you really save $. Usually about half the cost of what you can buy on store shelves.

Wait until you get to the point where a new firearm purchase includes factoring in the cost of developing a round for it. Once you get to that point, you're hooked forever and there's no going back.

[NeilMo]

Just wait until you start casting your own boolits, reloading will pay you.

[Wrangler John]

With me it never was about saving money, it was always about producing the most accurate ammunition, even to the point of manufacturing my own jacketed bullets for competition. Many of the cartridges I use are wildcat or low production proprietary cartridges that require handloading, some to reform from commonly available parent cartridges. Now that lead-free bullets are required for hunting, it is necessary for me to produce quantities of highly accurate lead-free varmint ammunition. This goes beyond the ammunition itself, requiring custom fast twist barrels, often with polygonal rifling, for best results. Handloading/reloading become a separate hobby, and given the pleasure of experimenting to arrive at the goal, well worth the expense.

[JackEllis]

If you look strictly at the cost of components for reloads, it's generally cheaper to reload than it is to buy factory ammunition.

What that math doesn't capture is the cost of all the required equipment like a press, dies, powder measure, scale and case prep tools. Depending on how much you shoot and how fancy your equipment is, you may be no better off dollar-wise.

I reload centerfire rounds because the nearest ammunition store located in California is a three hour round-trip drive whereas there's an ammo factory of sorts maybe 20 yards from where I'm sitting at the moment that can turn out whatever I need on demand. I'm not saving any money but it's much more convenient.

[MrElectric03]

Like many I started reloading during the ammo crisis where I couldn't walk into a store and buy ammo. At the time I owned an XD40, Winchester .30-30, and a 12ga and wanted to go shooting with my brother in law. After finding out that WalMart and every other store was out of .40 ammo I bought some from a member on here, sold my dirt bike and bought my first Dillon. Other than getting down to my last box of .22lr with the kids learning I have not been low on ammo since. That's why I reload, although we go through times that powder and primers are tough to get we will be able to load ammo and have it when most won't. I save minor amounts on 9mm and .223 but everything else I save quite a bit, I have a lot invested into my setup but I plan on using it until I can't, I will wear out before my equipment does.

[mikeyr]

If you look strictly at the cost of components for reloads, it's generally cheaper to reload than it is to buy factory ammunition.

What that math doesn't capture is the cost of all the required equipment like a press, dies, powder measure, scale and case prep tools. Depending on how much you shoot and how fancy your equipment is, you may be no better off dollar-wise.

You really don't buy equipment, you rent equipment. Reloading stuff is so easy to sell very quickly and for near the new price that in reality you rented it. I don't consider the cost of my presses and other equipment as cost to get into reloading, when I am tired of reloading, i will sell them very quickly for nearly new price. If I keep my press 10 years and sell it, I will lose $150 ? so $15 per year is what the press cost me and i have one Dillon 650 that is 20 years old now, that makes it $7.50 per year rental cost. Yeah, you do have to put the money up front.

[mike.h]

There is no real savings, because you will shoot more...

[BigBronco]

Reloading really saves $$$ when you start shooting noncommon calibers. Just price some 41 magnum or 45 colt next time you are in a gun shop. Last I looked it was $50.00 a box. no more expensive to load than 44 mag. Oh that's $35.00 a box I can load it for less than $10.00 a box.

['ol shooter]

I reload for pleasure, money is no object.

[bohoki]

i feel like i am saving money but the math only works out if you value your time at $0 and load some less common and more expensive rounds

i load for some cheapo and available ammo 9mm,45acp,223,308,30 carbine

its nice to know how to make ammo

[wpage]

Its therapy baby!

[vino68]

Where are the TCO and ROI numbers? How much was your CapEx?
Then there are realized and unrealized costs. I do not reload as I have no room for the equipment and the time. The less expensive kits would take forever to manufacture ammo for me to use. The more expensive kits would be a large investment and I would need to calculate my ROI and TCO. Even if I had the room. And I do not shoot uncommon rounds.