Is reloading really worth it?

[kteas1]

Reloading 9mm doesn't save me much, but at times do it anyway. You can find it on sale in large quantities near the same cost, but sometimes it's sold out. I can sit down pounds out one or two thousand rounds and head out. I also pound out defense round, JHP for much less. Also I shoot a lot of times with new shooters. Nice to start them on low powered loads. Being able to Taylor loads means a lot to me.

That's 9mm. But also load 357, 44 mag, 45acp, 556, 308. I use the Rock Chucker, Dillon 650 and Dillion super 1050. I like the freedom to buy bulk components online. I still buy factory and do the BG check, have no problem with it, but sometimes I wonder if California looks at 1,000 round purchases with panic. I shoot a lot, but wonder if they think I'm a problem. Too me, it's a right to self defense, and I wouldn't shoot anyone unless my life or a family members depends on it. For theft, I have home owners insurance, I don't mind using home owners or auto insurance, but I refuse to use the medical insurance.

I think California is doing a great job lately. I think it's common sense to release a lot of prisoners, take away guns from good people, restrict our police and make it harder to get ammo. Great wisdom there. Comrade Newsome has our best interest in mind. It's nice to know if I get shot, the perp is going to serve a good 6 months.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Divernhunter]

If you have to ask the question then NO it is not for you. Bottom line is at the end of each year you will have spent as much money as if you just bought the ammo. However you will have shot much more. Also it is a hobby in itself. If you count your time it also does not pay. As far as shooting hard to find cartridges you would not usually buy them if you do not reload and if you did you would just shoot them very little IF money is a factor.

Remember it is also a hobby that many enjoy. To each their own.

[FLIGHT762]

^^^^^^^^^^Beat me to it^^^^^^^^^^^^^. If you have to ask, find another hobby.

I figured this out on my own way before social media around 1969.

If it's for you, it will call to you. You will seek it on your own.

[kcstott]

^^^^^^^^^^Beat me to it^^^^^^^^^^^^^. If you have to ask, find another hobby.

I figured this out on my own way before social media around 1969.

If it's for you, it will call to you. You will seek it on your own.

yeah but kids these days want fast cheep and easy. but it don't work that way.

and if you never took your toys apart as a kid it might not be for you as you need to pay attention and have respect for what you are working with

[beerman]

I started 20= years ago mainly because I fell into a bunch of components for next to nothing. That said, what I like about it is the freedom of not fretting about where to find ammo for the weird calibers (10mm,41 mag etc.). It also gives you freedom when shopping for guns for the same reason. Like wow look at that colt..oh its a 45 long colt..no sweat I'll check E-bay for a die set and shell holders. There was NEVER an ammo shortage for many of us here.

[ar15barrels]

There was NEVER an ammo shortage for many of us here.

This.

[thesmoggod]

I started shooting matches at the local range 4 years ago , started reloading 6 months after that , I currently only reload 9mm , initially i was saving about 20 to 30 dollars per 1000 rounds but the price of ammo seems to have gone up so savings has gone up as well. Its costing me .10 cents a round and me and my wife are shooting almost every weekend at matches. So there is a good amount of money saved

When the Mrs started shooting she was complaining her wrists and hands would hurt after a match so I loaded soft shooting rounds so she wouldn't lose interest. I've slowly increased the load from the low end to a medium as she has gotten better and now she handles factory loads with no problem.So customizing is also a benefit.

I haven't bought ammo in years now and given the current ammo laws I am happy to keep the state in the dark as to how much ammo I have.

[koehn,jim]

I don't save money by reloading, but I get to shoot a lot more for the same money. I also cast my own bullets and have some rifles that have never shot better. Reloading allows you to tailor the ammo to the weapon. It is not, however cheap and can become addicting.

[Jwalt]

For a lot of people, they find they just shoot more for the same total expenditure.


I have very limited time to shoot with two small kids + work. Reloading winds up saving me a few bucks. 'Worth it'? I don't know. I spend an hour listening to a podcast and save 10 to 40 bucks in that hour depending on what I'm reloading. It's peace and quiet, but I'd probably be just as happy working on a flintlock kit or something similar.

[downdiver2]

I like to think of reloading like work traffic.

Quality of life and time spent.

I don't want to sit in 2.5 hours of traffic each way to work, what kind of quality of life is that? I would rather pay a toll and breeze home in 35min. Same with reloading - I 'aint got time for dat".

To each their own. To you guys/gals who reload, good on you!

[ysr_racer]

I reload 9mm for 9 cents per round. 135gr bullet tailored to my pistol and my shooting preference. Of course, that's not counting my time but I can crank out 600 rounds in an hour if needed. You can do your own math to figure out if it's worth it.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Is that with cast lead bullets, or plated bullets?

[hambam105]

Winner Winner Chicken Dinnner

....If you have to ask the question then NO it is not for you....
.

Yep.

[Randy A]

Yes it is worth it in many ways. First off, I see a lot of people paying too much for most of their components. I've never paid more than $29.00 for a gross of primers, CCI or Federal. Bullets and powders can be found at reasonable prices and if you need to, put together a bulk order with some of your shooting friends. Powders Inc or Powder Valley always have good prices and when there are 4,5 or 6 people combining orders the savings are better.
Right now 9mm can be found at really good prices ($7.97/box WalMart *case price on Remington 115gr ball). At that price you can save just a little, more so if you go to plated bullets (and yes they work fine in Glock) but probably not worth it if you need to buy equipment. As far as .223/5.56 same there too but the added advantage there is your own quality control and you end up with a superior product doing it yourself. Mass production cannot match hand loading in accuracy, even the companies that have "Match Ammo".

[JagerDog]

Being able to adjust your bullet tensions is worth it alone.

[hambam105]

Has long as we are talking about money...

Gunshows have been an excellent place finding reloading components of all kinds
inexpensively. Mostly brass and cast bullets.

If you can force yourself to shoot a cast bullet that weighs 5 or 10 grains lighter or heavier
than your favorite load, cost per reloaded cartridge can be cut half.