Reload cost

[CSACANNONEER]

Speaking of powder, how much is needed to reload 1000 rds of .223

Depends on the load. Just to make it easy and over hopefully estimate, I used the same numbers as rsrocket1. 25 grains per round. 7000 grains per pound.

[nine eos]

13.2 cents for 45acp 200gn LSWC

[stand125]

12.3 cents for 230 grain lead round nose 45acp. My reload setup was only $55.00.

[scarville]

I do not reload 9mm or .223 (not yet ) but I can estimate costs for 357 magnum.

bullets ~= $110/1000 (Berry's plated)
powder ~= $20/1000
primers ~= $30/1000

I don't keep careful record on cases but I estimate at least seven reloads per cases so:

cases ~= 32/1000 (for cases I buy new. Salvaging once fired case at the range reduces this number)

total ~= $192/1000

Over half the cost of my reloads is in the bullets so a deer harvester or zombie thumper will cost more.

[bumpo628]

For the 9mm:

Bullets
$0.074/ea (115 grn FMJ @ 2000 pcs for $148)

http://www.precisiondelta.com/detail.php?sku=B-9-115-FMJ

Powder
$0.014/ea (4.5 grn of W231/HP38 @ $127/8 lbs splitting hazmat & shipping w/primers)

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=1537&dir=278|283|311

Primers
$0.019/ea (Wolf SP $19/1000 @ 5 packs - splitting hazmat & shipping w/powder)

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=7273&dir=278|284|737

Totals (FMJ):
$0.107 per round
$5.35 per 50 pack

You could save a little money by using cast lead bullets:
$0.061/ea (115 grn cast lead @ 2000 pcs for $121)

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=117&category=5&secondary=8&keywords=

Totals (Lead):
$0.094 per round
$4.68 per 50 pack

I would count brass as tooling since it has a long life; not really a consumable.
$0.0247/ea (2500 pcs for $61.75)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=100100

The quantities are not optimized for building the same number of rounds, I just picked numbers where the price breaks were the best.

[rsrocket1]

Luckily I have a great little gun shop within walking distance of my place. I just don't like to bug the owner with a lot of questions like I do with you guys.

Quite honestly, if you have a little gun shop near your house AND they are friendly, buy from them as much as possible. You may have to spend $10 more for 8 pounds of powder or a thousand primers, but if you are a regular customer and if they know how to treat regular customers, a local shop is worth its weight in gold.

There's nothing better than to go pick up 100 new bullets or a 1 pound can of powder "just to try something new out" or to instantly pick up that $10 reloading tool and not have to pay another $10 in shipping fees.

[coyotebait]

I've never figured for my smaller stuff, but I also reload for my 300 win mag, this round is why I started reloading. A box of 20 can run from $20 to $40 and more. That's minimum $1.00 per round for target ammo. Decent hunting rounds are at least $2.00 per shot.

I buy a pound of Re22 for about $30 bucks. (would be cheaper in bulk) and a box of 100 bullets for around $20. I think primers come out to about $0.03 each.
I estimate my cost being about $0.53 per round at MUCH higher quality than basic target ammo.
Keep in mind, I'm not loading these specifically for CHEAP, I am going for quality also. I could go cheaper if needed.

[mif_slim]

Lol, I still need 2 more people to buy 8lbs surplus powder to waive fee. Anyone want in? Sac area.

[AAShooter]

Most people I know save no money reloading . . . they just shoot more. So . . . you might want to set expectations accordingly.

[scarville]

Quite honestly, if you have a little gun shop near your house AND they are friendly, buy from them as much as possible. You may have to spend $10 more for 8 pounds of powder or a thousand primers, but if you are a regular customer and if they know how to treat regular customers, a local shop is worth its weight in gold.

What he said. I buy all my powder and primers from the same local gun store I buy most of my guns from. It may cost me an extra dollar or two per thousand rounds but the good will is worth it. A couple of times he has called me to tell me a particular gun I was looking for was in on consignment. When I was ready to buy a progressive press I found out he was a Dillon reseller and I got my whole 550B setup at his cost.

[CSACANNONEER]

Quite honestly, if you have a little gun shop near your house AND they are friendly, buy from them as much as possible. You may have to spend $10 more for 8 pounds of powder or a thousand primers, but if you are a regular customer and if they know how to treat regular customers, a local shop is worth its weight in gold.

There's nothing better than to go pick up 100 new bullets or a 1 pound can of powder "just to try something new out" or to instantly pick up that $10 reloading tool and not have to pay another $10 in shipping fees.

This can't be repeated enough! Many/most shops do not carry reloading supplies. So, if your local shop does, you need to support them and encourage them to keep their inventory up.

Most people I know save no money reloading . . . they just shoot more. So . . . you might want to set expectations accordingly.

Why do you insist on spreading such truths about reloading?

[mif_slim]

I try to buy from local. So far, 100% of my primer purchase have been local. Powders how-ever.....Locally sold AA#5 for 25.99 when I can get it in another city for 15.99? Too much. Then RL-15 going for 36.99 per pound? ouch.

Other then that, I try helping local before I go internet.

[Gregchico]

My best example is for my S&W 500, it is $2.50 per round in the stores, when you can find it.

Rainier 335grHP: $.16 (bulk and on sale)
Lg Rifle Primer" $.02
16.1gr Titegroup: $.07
Total: $.25 each

Granted I did buy some Starline brass when I started, but now it is on its 2-3 loading so I did not include it.

Edit:
I would agree that reloading does not save any money, it only allows you to shoot more, sometimes way more. My wife and I have shot 100 rounds of my S&W 500 loads during one range session and loved every minute of it.

[bearing01]

It's going to cost you to get the tools/equipment to start reloading. Maybe around $250 for a simple Lee turret press and higher. It's easy to spend $500 on a progressive setup. If you like reloading then, after you have the press, that's when the money spending starts. You will hoard bullets & powder & primers - as if you can't get enough of it. You will have supplies for many thousands of rounds and all your friends will think you're a nut. Welcome to the club.

[Which Way Out]

It's going to cost you to get the tools/equipment to start reloading. Maybe around $250 for a simple Lee turret press and higher. It's easy to spend $500 on a progressive setup. If you like reloading then, after you have the press, that's when the money spending starts. You will hoard bullets & powder & primers - as if you can't get enough of it. You will have supplies for many thousands of rounds and all your friends will think you're a nut. Welcome to the club.

I can see it now.
Thanks