Is reloading really worth it?

[Dooder]

[digby]

In the last 9 years, I have shot almost 235,000 rounds. I shoot mainly 9mm and .40 but theres some .45 and .223 in there as well.

At some point I started loading and I started on a dillon 1050. When I originally did the math, I think I had priced it out such that at my then consumption of ammunition, the Dillon would pay for itself within 9 months or so.

A few years later, I bought a mark7 autodrive for the dillon to turn it fully automated. All I really have to do now to load ammo is keep the thing fed with primers, bullets, brass and powder. It loads at an effective rate of 2,000 rounds per hour while I do other things in the garage.

I track everything in excel so i just did the math for my rough reloading costs versus buying factory. Its not a 100% accurate since I only have reloading costs for 9/40 but its close enough for comparison.

The difference is almost a $30,000 savings with reloading. $5k-6k of that covers the reloading press and auto drive.

So, very much worth it for me. I havent factored in the cost of time which is substantial, but starting out with a 1050 and then automating it later on has at least minimized the time investment as much as I can.

[bruce381]

yeah I go with 5 boxes every weekend to the range at a cost to me of about $20 (not counting my time qnd I cast them also) so over a year thats a saving compared to store bought at 25? saving 80 per week x 52 = $4160 so paid off my dillion long a go.

[Cowboy T]

Depends on what your criteria for "worth it" means. I got started during the Great Ammo Shortage of 2009, and it was to ensure that I would actually *have* ammo with which to practice, at all. The fact that I was also saving money was just a nice side-benefit. I will always have ammo because I can reload. This proved prophetic after the horrible incident at Sandy Hook in late 2012. You couldn't find .22LR ammo, or .223/5.56, to save your life. Didn't hurt my range frequency one bit. Why? My .22LR range substitute was a light .38 Spl load out of the .38/357 levergun; I call it the "reloadable .22".

But what about right now, when there is no ammo shortage? The question then becomes much closer to purely financial, especially for rounds like 9mm and .223/5.56. The answer to that depends a lot on the ammo that you're shooting and how much you're shooting it. For 9mm, you've got to do it in bulk to see the savings; @digby's point is well made, given how much he shoots.

For me, I happen to shoot mostly, though not exclusively, revolver cartridges, specifically .38/357, .44 Spl/Mag, and .45 Colt. All of my presses paid for themselves within no more than six months of purchase. In the case of the .45 Colt, it was rather dramatic, specifically with what I call my ".45 Colt Magnum" loading. This is essentially a Buffalo Bore-type loading intended only for Rugers and T/C's and is about the same power as a full-house .44 Magnum loading. Given that a box of 50 would cost over $80 last I checked Buffalo Bore's Web site, and given that I can make that same "Magnum-style" loading for a tenth of that price, my .45 Colt setup paid for itself after two and a half boxes of ammo. Yep, you read that right--about 2.5 boxes.

So, the answer, as with many things, is: "it depends". For me, it's definitely worth it.

[mshill]

For me it is therapeutic and at the same time I can save a little money and or make better loads. I load 9mm, .223, .380, and 300blk. While i dont save a lot on 9mm and .223 all my loads shoot better than factory and a little cheaper.

[17+1]

For me it is therapeutic and at the same time I can save a little money and or make better loads. I load 9mm, .223, .380, and 300blk. While i dont save a lot on 9mm and .223 all my loads shoot better than factory and a little cheaper.

[kcstott]

I feel like a lesser man when I buy a box of ammo now.

I try and make it a point to say I reload for all my firearms except my 9mm’s.

Between my CNC mini mill conversion, 3D printer, and reloading bench, my garage is starting to fill up quite nicely.

I buy 22lr
Everything else I reload for. Everything. from 22 hornet to 458 Lott I currently load for 24 different calibers.

I'm going to wait for the state to tell me "We see you own guns but you have yet to buy ammo under the new system so we assume you don't need your guns anymore"

[JagerDog]

I enjoy reloading about as much as shooting. To others it's a chore.

[Distinct_Editz]

I reload for all my guns except the SKS, and the ammo I make is all very accurate, and cheaper than WOLF. Not to mention saving sometimes more than $1.00/rd for .50 BMG.

You gotta enjoy it for the savings to be worth it though.

[HUTCH 7.62]

That’s like asking if women are really worth it.

[17+1]

I buy 22lr
Everything else I reload for. Everything. from 22 hornet to 458 Lott I currently load for 24 different calibers.

I'm going to wait for the state to tell me "We see you own guns but you have yet to buy ammo under the new system so we assume you don't need your guns anymore"

Yeah, I was thinking more of walking into a gun store and buying a couple boxes of 9mm...I buy 22LR by the case.

[Divernhunter]

If you have to ask then No. That is the short and to the point answer.

[ngnrnlo]

Some reload to save money. Some reload for better quality control. I view reloading as its own hobby, and I enjoy it for its own sake. There is something zen-like relaxing about going through the same repetitive movements over and over.

[ronrichards64]

When you need 350 Remington mag and it is mail order only and 80$ for 20 you make your own . 44 and 45 LC are more affordable .

[wild_weasel]

As I explained to my wife, the more reloading equipment and components I buy... I'm practically shooting for free.

Cheers,
W-W