Has anyone run the numbers?

[P345Dude]

Good evening folks,

I am a lurker now wanting to ask a question. I looked thru close to 100 pages in this forum topic and did a search. I didn't find my answer.

Here is the question: What is the break even point of reloading?

It appears to me that the number 500+ seems to be in most data read, all of you state 500 rounds a month. Can one take that figure across the board and say 500 rounds of any and all make it worth the cost? ie, shotgun, rifle, pistol, plinkers..

As a youngster my cousins and I loaded all of our shotgun shells on my Uncle dime. My kids and I have been thinking about going back to the "old school way" as I tell them.

Just thought I would ask.

Thanks for letting me chime in.

[Timberwolf]

There is no real number per se. You can reload for on the average 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of factory ammo. That said it depends on what your ability to afford the facotry stuff is. I've reloaded for many years and actually own weapons that have never had factory ammo run through them. If I didn't reload I could not afford to shoot what I do.

[Hans Gruber]

Depends on what you're reloading.

I save about $1 per round on my precision .308 loads. This weekend I loaded 100 rounds.

If I save $.10 per round on 9mm then yeah, it'll take more/longer if all I reload is 9mm.

[Elucidus]

I've got about $40 into my reloading equipment (don't ask)

I save about $1 a round.

40 rounds.

Once I step it up and start using a press though, I'll have a slightly larger investment to recoup. Even then, it won't take long.

The common theme amongst reloaders though, is once you start, you end up spending MORE, because shooting is cheaper and you have a new part of the hobby to play with as well.

[joelogic]

Price of factory ammo - price to reload said round = $X
Price of reloading Gear / $X = Break Even.

Example: .45 230gr FMJ $0.45 - $0.20 = $0.25
Loaded Dillon XL650 $1200 / $0.25 = 4800 Rounds

Ex: .223 55gr FMJ $0.42 - $0.17 = $0.25
$1200 / $0.25 = 4800 Rounds

Sounds like a lot of rounds to pay off a Dillon but I can shoot that in a year. Plus when you need some more ammo you just roll it yourself.

[ar15barrels]

What is the break even point of reloading?

If you are trying to quantify it for financial reason's, don't bother getting into reloading.
You won't save ANY money getting into reloading.
You will shoot a lot more though which ends up costing you just as much or more than you are currently spending.

[joelogic]

You are still saving money even though you are spending more.

[ar15barrels]

You are still saving money even though you are spending more.

Only women can make that sound like a good idea...

[Sideline Shooter]

Try this....

http://www.10xshooters.com/calculators/Rifle_Reloading_Cost_Calculator.htm

Sideline Shooter

[Bug Splat]

Only women can make that sound like a good idea...

Amen!

Most people don't reload to save money on plunking. They do it to save on high quality match ammo. 20 rounds for one rifle would cost me $60+ and even then its not tuned to my rifle. Or I could reload and for the same $60 I could make 60 rounds that is higher quality than anything I could buy.

I can fully back up that you will spend the same amount of money yet shoot more. Before reloading a case of 5.56 ammo would last me a year. After reloading I spent the same amount on supplies but would make 2-3 cases worth and yes, in a year I will shoot 2-3 cases worth. My spending never changed but I did get more range time

[joelogic]

I started reloading so I could shoot twice as much for the same price. I later dailed in a load for my guns and now I load to custom tailor for my weapons.

[bruceflinch]

10 yrs ago it was about 10,000 pistol rounds loaded to break even for me. Loaded 13,000 rounds that year. I load about 6000 rounds a year now, with 3 presses.

[robert101]

Cost is a huge factor as many have stated here. Forget the break point. That is not the issue. I personally reload or handload to customize my cartidge for something the factory doesn't make. Load high or low it is up to you - customization and cost. Nice to spend time alone in the garage with the radio too.

[NaughtyMonkey]

I'm going to start reloading, so I can make ammo thats more towards Military loads from the WWII era. For Example a lot of commercial .30-06 is different then how it was back in WWII. So I want to make it correct for my M1 Garands. 7.62x54R guns, etc.

[P345Dude]

Thank you

Price of factory ammo - price to reload said round = $X
Price of reloading Gear / $X = Break Even.

Example: .45 230gr FMJ $0.45 - $0.20 = $0.25
Loaded Dillon XL650 $1200 / $0.25 = 4800 Rounds

Ex: .223 55gr FMJ $0.42 - $0.17 = $0.25
$1200 / $0.25 = 4800 Rounds

Sounds like a lot of rounds to pay off a Dillon but I can shoot that in a year. Plus when you need some more ammo you just roll it yourself.

Thank you.

These are the figures I was looking for.