How much do you save?

[chrisf]

Hey guys, I've been looking into getting in reloading, Im still reading and doing my research. Im planning on researching until I feel comfortable (which is a lot) My question is how much do you really save 5.56 ammo? Also what would be a cheap starting kit so I can see if this is something I really will get into or if its just another one of those "things" you drop after a couple of weeks. Thanks in advance for all your guys help and time.

[freonr22]

how about the ability to make what you want when you want without asking permission (maybe in the future) or tuned to your arms? = priceless.

[damndave]

My Match 223 is around $0.25-$0.30 per round if you have your own brass. Depends on which bullets you use. Buying Match 223 is roughly $1 per round, so in the 70% savings range.

[XDRoX]

I only plink with 223/556. I don't own any bench rifles in the caliber. So for me, it's not worth it to reload. I was reloading it for around 20 cents a round and you can buy it for not much more. And reloading rifle is very time consuming. I'll probably keep my reloading equipment and a pile of brass around just in case, but for now I'm buying it.

[chrisf]

Yea XD, Thats how I was thinking BUT it was more of just something to do and have a new hobby saving a little wouldn't hurt either.

[chim-chim7]

You save about 50% money wise, you shoot twice as much= no savings.

[bruceflinch]

You save about 50% money wise, you shoot twice as much= no savings.

Sounds like a plus to me!

I've been at it 13 years. Just added two more rifle calibers to my repertoir.
9mm
.38 sp
.357
.40
.45
&
.223
.308
.30-06-new
.303 British-new

[XDRoX]

Yea XD, Thats how I was thinking BUT it was more of just something to do and have a new hobby saving a little wouldn't hurt either.

It's a super rewarding hobby. For that aspect alone, I'd get into it. But you may want to start with pistol, it's way more fun.

[popeye4]

Handloading saves you money if you are loading something exotic. You might be able to make ammo for somewhat less per round, but you'll shoot more, so total out of pocket cost might actually go up. But you'll make better ammo and get into a really rewarding hobby in itself (especially during the rainy season). It will significantly expand your knowledge of shooting as you'll explore the ammo/gun relationship in much greater detail.

And handloading equipment is a lot like guns; there is always another tool or device that you'll be lusting after.....

[grant22]

A few suggestions:

-If you decide to make the leap, consider going straight for whatever press is right for your needs. Buying a starter then going for the gusto is obviously gonna cost more in the long run. If you buy a Dillon and get out of the hobby, at least you'll get 90% of your money back, so it's not that risky.

-Yes, start off with pistol and learn the basics. Rifle rounds have more steps and are way more time consuming. Consider buying 1 press that can do pistol and rifle rounds (Dillon 550b comes to mind).

-The money savings IS there. Just don't factor in your time spent reloading/prepping cuz that's where it ends up being a wash. Some examples of my savings is: $ .21/$ .15 for .223/5.56 (the initial reload factors in the cost of the brass, the next reloads on that same brass are a lot less obviously. .38 special is costing me $ .15/$ .11 and 380 acp is costing me $.15/$.10 per round. I'm saving tons there.

-Some more reasons to reload would include your better ability to now start stocking up on ammo (since all it takes is one law to make ammo hard to get, expensive, or unavailable). Also, the accuracy will increase, and you can fine tune the ammo to your weapon systems.

-I'm not military or L.E. so theses weapons are a hobby, investment, and if needed, home defense. Reloading will help me make sure I always have something to load into them that goes boom.

-99% of the information I got before I started reloading (and still get) is from this forum, so do searches and ask away.........all the question and answers are here somewhere.

Good luck!

[JamesY]

If you're thinking of starting off by reloading rifle rounds, you might not like it so much. Like others suggested, start off loading pistol rounds. Once you get the hang of the process and realize the benefits (if you get to that point), then you might not mind the extra steps it takes for rifle rounds.

[grant22]

If you're thinking of starting off by reloading rifle rounds, you might not like it so much. Like others suggested, start off loading pistol rounds. Once you get the hang of the process and realize the benefits (if you get to that point), then you might not mind the extra steps it takes for rifle rounds.

^This x 2. And let me reiterate, if you don't have a lot of spare time, rifle rounds can be a lot to handle. I could see how some guys working m-f and have rug rats might make this difficult and therefore not as 'worth it.' But if you have a good amount of extra time and you are somewhat mechanical, I can't see you NOT enjoying the hobby. I've been doing it for less than 2 months and am hooked for sure.

[Briancnelson]

I save nothing, but I get to shoot 2-3x as much as before. Also, I enjoy the reloading for what it is. Fiddling with mechanical stuff is fun for me, and I can do some steps like sorting brass on the couch while my daughter watches Thomas the Train, so my head doesn't explode ~.

[joelogic]

If you buy your components at a local retail store you won't save any money.

People say it's a hobby but I find it boring. If I had the money I would shoot factory. Developing a load is tedious.

[grant22]

I wouldn't call reloading exciting, but when your exciting activities start to whip your back like a red headed step child, the reloading is a nice relaxing (on the back) hobby to take a break.