Is it worth it to start reloading?

[EmmaGoldman]

I think you miss understood, "lay the boots" means to "do it".

I most certainly did. Sorry 'bout that. In my universe, that's knocking boots, but putting the boots to something is to kick.

OTOH, 5 minutes? Really? That's all your ol' lady gets? I retract the apology!

[jonzer77]

I do not understand why people say this, in my case it just is not true. I save 50% or more on ammo by reloading.

I know that I don't really save money, it just allows me to shoot more and that is what it's all about. I used to buy 45acp online for about $100 for a box of 250 and I would stretch it out over 3-4 range sessions. Now that I can reload 1000 for about $130 I will shoot 250 in one range session easy lol. Like everyone else says, you will be amazed at the accuracy of your own reloads. There is also something to be said for knowing that you made them. So are you on midwayusa.com yet?

[WILDMAN442]

I have saved hundreds of dollars over all the thousands of rounds I saved.

its TOTALLY worth it to me.

Do your research man.

Justin

[SKSer]

I most certainly did. Sorry 'bout that. In my universe, that's knocking boots, but putting the boots to something is to kick.

OTOH, 5 minutes? Really? That's all your ol' lady gets? I retract the apology!

I never really thought about it and have been using that saying for a long time, but i guess when you look at it, it does sound like it means kicking someone. I think it was a spin off of knockin the boots, which doesnt make a whole lot of sense either .

I try and stretch it to 6-7 minutes

[Tzvia]

Been reloading since the mid 90s. Got into it because I bought a Colt SAA in 45 Colt and could not afford to shoot it. Then started reloading 45acp, .357 and 9mm. Then discovered that hey, I can reload for my milsurps... you know, the 11mm Mauser, 43 Spanish, 45-70, 6.5 Swede, 7.5 Swiss and others. Chi-Ching, big savings there.

Then started reloading 30-30 and 30-06, and one month ago started reloading 308 match rounds for my new Remington 700p. I bought a Redding precision seating die for 120 bucks, and in one reloading session, saved that much over buying 'match' ammo. That's one free seating die. The hardware pays for itself real quick, and after that it's like printing money.

Yes, some calibers can be had rather cheaply in bulk/surplus, and others are not really expensive (9mm vs 45Colt) but you either get much better quality for a bit less, or much better quality for a lot less. 12 bucks for 20 308 match vs. 35 bucks for store bought.

But reloading is not for everyone, certainly not for the person in a hurry who does not have time to read directions.

I enjoy it almost as much as shooting. There is nothing like that half inch 5 shot group in one ragged hole at 100 yards, or the fun of shooting something well over 100 years old that you just can't buy the ammo for.

[Revoman]

"What's your time worth? People will say you can't figure your time as a cost but you sure can."

So do you 'pay' yourself when you watch TV, have sex, garden or sleep?? I don't get why anyone would even think about 'paying' themselves to do something that is a hobby or something that you enjoy doing.

I have heard many make this statement. If that statement were true we would all be 'paying' ourselves to do the things that we like or dislike, no matter what it is.

Makes no sense....

[rdmmdr]

While watching tv I loaded 100 rounds of 243 at a cost of .35$ per round or thirty five dollars. 243 ammo runs about 27$ per box in my area. so to go out and buy that my ammo would have cost me 135$ so I save 100$ per hundred.

my reloading gear through ebay ran about 250$ with two powder measures uniflow, a trimer, and a single stage press with dies for both my 243 and 357. My tumbler cost 150 with the stainless steel media. So I am cost nuetral at 400 rounds. New you are cost neutral at about 700 rounds. by the way I shoot more and have way more acurate rounds then factory. it also helps that I have a 100 yard range at the house, or hurts if you count the cost.

rick

[Justintoxicated]

I disagree about buying cheap ammo. After watching my friend save a ton of money and out-shoot me at the range at the same time. I'm looking for a reloader as I type this.

I was having trouble calibrating my scope on my AR with PMC, NOT Wolf, but decent PMC Bronze but I was only getting like 4"-5" groups at 100 yards with PMC. I tried a few of his reloads and put 3 bullets through the same hole. And it costs what about 1/2 the cost? Yea you can save money shooting dirty crap ammo, but damn I think I see why people like reloading now, not only do you save money, but you get much more accurate ammo.

[Rover]

I shoot bare lead bullets and get all my brass at the range for free, you absolutely can't beat $90/k for accurate reliable 9mm ammunition. I found a box of WWB 9mm in the closet the other day and shot it head to head with my reloads, and there's no contest, my ammo is better.

Try and pick 1 powder that will work for all your loads, buy an 8lb jug and save even more. Bundle it in 1 order with all the primers and only pay the hazmat once.

The ability to tailor a load is awesome, I have really light 9mm and .45 that will barely move the slide, but it's great for shooting steel up to about 50ft, and I have smoking hot 9mm and .45 that will really reach out and touch stuff, all with the same powder, and all for cheap.

[ubet]

Reloading save you NO money. You just take that money, build more bullets, and lets you shoot more. You can build better ammo than you can buy too.

[bumpo628]

Reloading allows you to save money per round and make better quality ammo, as the others have said.

It also causes you to start some sort of primal hoarding behavior that you may not have done before. First thing I did after dialing in my 45acp load was make 3000 of them. Now you need a safe place to store them. Then you go the the next caliber and so on. Pretty soon you're buying giant lots of once fired brass because it is a good deal and now you need more ammo storage.

Save yourselves while there's still time!

[nrvnqsrxk]

From what I understand of the situation, you'll spend the same amount of money on ammunition. What will change is that the amount of bullets you fire will increase. So basically, +1 to what ubet said.

[LGB Loader]

Shooting is an activity. Fun, but you go, shoot, return, then clean and store the guns...repeat when possible. Reloading turns it into an enjoyable hobby. The tools are cool, the zen time in the garage is priceless, the satisfaction when shooting your own is awesome

I couldn't have said it better myself...

LGB

[Fyathyrio]

You'll know you're hooked on reloading when you go shoot so you can reload more instead of reload to go shoot!

[semperfidelis354]

I enjoy reloading, Im pretty new and really just a recreational reloader until I get more money or stop buying guns.... As a hobby its nice, I did a cost breakdown once and I could see the savings but at the same time your volume of shooting will go through the roof. Up to you but I say do it!