Any Loading Obi Wan Kenobi's?

[drkphibr]

Reloading can be a combination of pleasure, relaxation and at times, frustration. So cost isn't necessarily the only factor. Time and gas to drive to a Walmart (for me it's 45 min ea way of highway driving for an ammo carrying Walmart) so when you add the value of time/gas to the cost of the bulk ammo, that value changes.

For the reloading example that listed the following:
1lb of powder = $20
1k of primers = $20
1k of bullets = $76

the only place I've seen $20 powder is at a gun show (driving time, distance, parking and admission fees) and $20 isn't the true cost. If you bought it online, you'd have shipping and handling charges to factor in.

As for primers, I haven't seen $20/1k in a couple of years. The shop I was in today had Winchester for $34.95 and CCI for almost $40. Online is averaging $29-$35 (again, hazmat and shipping adds to that).

1k of bullets for $76 is probably without tax, or shipping. So I'm guessing that price could be a bit low.

What about the cost of brass?

All said, I'd love to find those prices for components :-) Again, everything is subjective to how you shop and what you stock up on. Bulk/batch an order and S/H become a non-issue.

So realoading isn't necessarily only about saving money. Many other factors that make it worthwhile to different folks.

[Dark Mod]

On a single stage considering time it's hard to justify any reloading. Kind of like the guys that say they don't reload because if they figure the value of their time reloading doesn't make sense. Hard to argue with that. I make over $70 an hour at my job (I teach HS math) so if I figured my time was worth that reloading would never make sense monitarily.

Its all about bang for your buck, when i was using a single stage, saving $30 per 1000 rounds of 9mm didnt make sense. Saving $300 on 1000 .30-30 makes much better sense.

I dont have all the time in the world, ill put in probably a total of 3 or 4 hours of loading a week. Spending that time on 9mm really bugs when i realize im not saving much. Notice the key word is Much.

You can load whatever you want, im not gonna tell you not to reload 9mm. I will share my experience with you though

The OP is looking to get into reloading, i was in his shoes not too long ago. No one really broke it down for me so i had to crunch the numbers myself, this is the answer i came to when i was in a very similar situation to the OP.

Of course this is all assuming that hes not jumping directly into a progressive press, and planning on churning massive amounts of ammo out and spending hundreds of dollars for components in bulk

[mnguyen84]

field time sport and guns hosts a free monthly reloading clinic. if there's one in your area, then check it out.

[theduece]

I load 9mm for just over $5 per 50 rounds. Jacketed. I can load 500 rounds in the time it would take me to drive to Walmart, deal with idiots, and drive home.

I never understood the argument that 9mm is not worth while to reload

Agreed. IF you are factoring in your time reloading probably is not for you. Most people I've met make more at thier day jobs then they save in reloading. however if you don't like wallyworld or dont want to drive there to buy your ammo and have an interest in the hobby then.....

Reloading can be a combination of pleasure, relaxation and at times, frustration. So cost isn't necessarily the only factor. Time and gas to drive to a Walmart (for me it's 45 min ea way of highway driving for an ammo carrying Walmart) so when you add the value of time/gas to the cost of the bulk ammo, that value changes.

For the reloading example that listed the following:
1lb of powder = $20
1k of primers = $20
1k of bullets = $76

the only place I've seen $20 powder is at a gun show (driving time, distance, parking and admission fees) and $20 isn't the true cost. If you bought it online, you'd have shipping and handling charges to factor in.

As for primers, I haven't seen $20/1k in a couple of years. The shop I was in today had Winchester for $34.95 and CCI for almost $40. Online is averaging $29-$35 (again, hazmat and shipping adds to that).

1k of bullets for $76 is probably without tax, or shipping. So I'm guessing that price could be a bit low.

What about the cost of brass?

All said, I'd love to find those prices for components :-) Again, everything is subjective to how you shop and what you stock up on. Bulk/batch an order and S/H become a non-issue.

So realoading isn't necessarily only about saving money. Many other factors that make it worthwhile to different folks.

Online shopping you could lower your powder to 15/lb primers @18/1000 varies greatly with brand. You will have a $45 hazmat charge + shipping. So either buy it in bulk or split an order with some like minded folks. Brass for 9mm is what .02 a round?

field time sport and guns hosts a free monthly reloading clinic. if there's one in your area, then check it out.

Most stores do this also, check with them.

Also if you aren't reloading in bulk you arent going to save alot of cash. You will be able to shoot more, It is satisfying to me to shoot my ammo. If you are on a single stage it will be slow going.

P.S. I will be in San Jose over the holidays pm me Would be glad to stop by.

[bumpo628]

I think it's important to be self-sufficient for any caliber you shoot. What happens when they pass another ammo law?
If you can save any money and make better ammo then that is just icing on the cake.
Whether you buy factory or surplus ammo now, you should at least have the tooling to make your own if the need arises.

[ivanimal]

I think it's important to be self-sufficient for any caliber you shoot. What happens when they pass another ammo law?
If you can save any money and make better ammo then that is just icing on the cake.
Whether you buy factory or surplus ammo now, you should at least have the tooling to make your own if the need arises.

The other day my son asked if we could go shooting in the morning. I knew we had only a few hundred rounds of 9mm. I said sure and headed for the garage, 2 hours later we had 600 rounds of 9MM and we were good to go. I had Frampton comes alive in the 8 track and peace on earth. Like I said it makes perfect sense.......

[Cheap Shot]

I already have the brass. Powder was $17/lb and primers were $32/1000. I have been paying over $.09 per bullet. I enjoy reloading 9mm on my single stage press. I load in lots of 100 rounds. I'm not saving very much money, but my ammo shoots cleaner then the cheap stuff from Walmart. The components store in less space then the ready to use stuff, and again I enjoy reloading. If I factored in my time I couldn't afford the time off to shoot ($100/hr). YMMV

[ns3v3n]

Hey OP, before you do anything or go learn any techniques from other reloaders, go buy a reloading manual and read the intro section. That should give you a semi solid idea on what steps are needed to reload. Then you can go see it first hand from another calgunner. Plus you'll need a manual for data reference, so it's a good buy. Reloading pistol rounds is pretty easy, once you get into rifle rounds, it gets more difficult. I'm currently reading up on rifle reloading hehe.

[CSACANNONEER]

$10 per 100 rounds? I would love to find out where you get your components from.


I don't think I have seen jacket bullets for less than $10 per 100 in at least 5 years, throw in powder and primers and you are back to square one, its cheaper at Walmart or Miwall

Why not just load lead? I cast my own and load for the price of powder, primer and lube only. It comes to less than 5 cents a round. That's less than $5/100. My .25acp, .380, .38/.357, .45acp, .45LC, and .44mag reloads all cost about the same. If I wanted or felt the need for jacketed bullets, I would take up swaging.

Hey OP, before you do anything or go learn any techniques from other reloaders, go buy a reloading manual and read the intro section. That should give you a semi solid idea on what steps are needed to reload. Then you can go see it first hand from another calgunner. Plus you'll need a manual for data reference, so it's a good buy. Reloading pistol rounds is pretty easy, once you get into rifle rounds, it gets more difficult. I'm currently reading up on rifle reloading hehe.

+1 on the reloading manualS. I say that you need a minimum of TWO to start with.

[NoCash4theRange]

I am near Concord if you want to come by I will give you a lesson. I have 2 550's and a 650 to learn on.

Oh, I reload 9mm it makes perfect sense.

Thank you Sir! I might take you up on that offer. I'll start by purchasing that reloading manual first as well as watching a few videos, if after that you're available that would be great.

Thanks,

Mike

[Chris M]

I'm in Milpitas, and may be able to spare some time. Shoot me a PM. I don't have anything fancy - just the basics. I use a single-stage press, and it's more than adequate for me. I only load 30-06 & 44mag/spl.

[Full Clip]

It's funny you mention 223. I guess we are just different. 223 is the only round I refuse to load. Too much time involved in rifle loading when you can get 223 dirt cheap. I was loading it for 22cents a round and can buy it for 25cents a round. Loading 223 got old real quick.

I agree, if you're just making .223 plinking rounds. Start using better bullets (Noslers, VMAX, or Barnes, or Ballistic Tips) and the savings adds up pretty damn fast. That said, reloading is a hobby. I have fun doing it. Saving money is just a bonus.

[ivanimal]

Thank you Sir! I might take you up on that offer. I'll start by purchasing that reloading manual first as well as watching a few videos, if after that you're available that would be great.

Thanks,

Mike

I will PM you my phone number so you can call with any questions. My offer stands to anyone interested in reloading.