Reloading worth it?

[the86d]

We have a 9mm pistol, and a complete 5.56 NATO AR 1:8 20" HBAR (and 2 more lowers, maybe 22lr, and 9mm soon).

I am looking at a Dillon XL 650 totaling $1000ish with most desired attachments.

9mm) $20+t/100 rounds @Walmart actual
.223) $39+t/100 rounds @Walmart actual

M855[Lake City]) $149[no tax]/420 rounds @Multiple places on the Internet with free shipping, or $149ish including shipping on others.

Is it that Google is playing stupid, or am I just not looking in the right place (keywords funky) for saving money on reloading 9mm and .223/5.56 bullets?

It just doesn't look like I would be saving money by reloading even if purchased in bulk, let alone factoring in the cost of the setup I would like [above].

It appears the only way to save money is to really use pulled M855 projectiles, which would cause "accuracy issues", and I know I could pay for accuracy, but looking to keep cost down with moderate accuracy (M855 ).

Would I save money reloading in the long run due to the combined-components not really being cheaper than pre-fab rounds, even reusing brass? Correct me if I am wrong (then drop a link to inexpensive projectiles to prove you right . )

Please advise...

[DarkSoul]

It will really boil down to how often you shoot, and how much you shoot when you do. Once you put down the initial flop for the reloading equipment, you can be reloading for about 40-70% less than factory new ammo.

You do need to buy in bulk to really see the cost savings. I usually buy at least 16 pounds of powder at a time along with 5k-10k of primers. Doing the bulk will save you a lot since there is usually a $25 HazMat fee for shipping on these items. Also, bullets you will want to get at least 1k-2k at a time to take advantage of better shipping rates.

Also, brass, you will really benefit from making sure to recycle all your brass. Common straight wall brass is a snap to recondition, and should last you easily 8-10 reloads, necked rifle brass is a little more intensive to recondition well, but again, time is cheap (usually ).

I have been buying my powder and primers from Natchez Gun Supply, they are very quick, and have huge inventory, and I have recently been buying bullets from the Bullet Works.

Personally, I shoot a .45 and .223 (and sometimes a 9mm) and I probably go through 1500-2000 rounds a month, so for me, its more than worth it, and I probably recovered the cost of the equipment within a few months. I did the math, and using pickup brass, .45 is costing me about .17 per round, and .223 at about .21 per round. 9mm I think was about .11 per round, obviously MUCH cheaper than new.

[Retzius]

I haven't saved anything reloading... Prolly spent more.

But... It's the most satisfying aspect of shooting I have gotten into so far

[the86d]

I have no problem spending the same, or more, as long as the returns on "FUN", "ENJOYMENT", along with "QUANTITY & QUALITY" outweigh the cost.

I really only need twice the bang for the buck as a final outcome... to be in heaven.

[pepsi2451]

You can get 1000 Hornady 55 gr fmj bullets for $106 at powder valley. They also have wolf primers for $15.50 per 1000 and h335 powder for $17.90. You could get everything you need to reload 1000 rounds except the brass for $193. You can probably get bullets cheaper somewhere else but I have had good luck with the Hornady bullets.

I haven't tried any pulled bullets but I have heard of people getting good accuracy from them. Midway has pulled m855 bullets for 84.99 per 1000.

I haven't tried them but Precision Delta has fmj 9mm bullets for $76 per 1000.

I usually buy all my powder and primers at powder valley. They have a good selection and good prices.

[AlexKintner]

For 55gr 223 or 9mm I personally wouldn't do it. If you are looking for match grade 223 it is definitely worth it. I'm collecting right now in preparation for my Garand coming soon. For 30/06 it pays off in just a few hundred rounds of commercial.

[Divernhunter]

Enjoy another gun related hobby? Yes. Shoot more? Yes. Save "TOTAL CASH SPENT EACH YEAR"? NO! Especially with 9mm and 223 ammo at the cost of cheaper ammo vrs cost of reloading ammo. Things could change but that is the way it is now. However it is a great hobby. BTW You will spend in excess of $1500 to set up a Dillon in 9mm and 223 or 45ACP as I did.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I think reloading is definitely worth it but then again, I shoot some fairly "oddball" calibers, so it just makes sense...

I like making my own Makarov brass out of 9mm Luger and if I waited for commercial ammo to become available for my Krag, it would just sit in the safe the whole time! I do reload for 5.56mm but really because I want precision for my Varmiter AR, not because I'm trying to save a bunch of money. I don't even bother reloading 9mm because (until I bought my P1 last month) I only owned one 9mm pistol and I would shoot maybe 100rnds a month. I couldn't really justify it because 50rnds of 9mm luger is still only about $10-$15 retail...

For .40S&W and .45 ACP, its a no-brainer (especially for .45 ACP). Ammo for .45, specifically, has gone through the roof lately! I keep every bit of .45 brass that I can get my grubby, little hand on. I even keep the crappy NT cases...

[Low-Pressure]

I reload 9mm, 40s&w, 45acp, 223rem, 7.5x55 and 30-06. Yes it saves you money, if not that it lets you shoot more for less. I only have a single stage press, and I do small batches at a time. It's also a good hobby for me, helps me get away from my daily grind.

[Dark Mod]

with those two calibers you would be hard pressed to see much in the way of savings, you happen to want to reload the 2 cheapest calibers in the universe.

Back in the days when i was using a single stage press, i didnt load them. Now that i have moved up to a progressive it makes more sense.

Precision delta has 1k 9mm jacketed bullets for about $85 or thereabouts, add $40 for primer and powder and thats about $125 per 1k for 9mm vs $165 buying reloads

If i can get in on the Xtreme bullet group buy i can drop that to $54 for the bullets, bringing my total cost to around $95 per 1000

[Hunt]

you should be able to cut the group size in 1/2 by tuning the load to the gun, and in some cases improve velocity as well. You can also create mission specific ammo, for example I reload for mule deer hunting so I want an accurate long range flat shooting bullet. I can get another 100 or so yards shooting flat, (no holdover) with a custom tuned load. Using the right bullet minimizes meat damage as well. If I expect to be canyon blasting I can switch up to a heavier high BC VLD and almost double my effective range with holdover. Tough to achieve this type of customization with factory ammo especially at a fraction of the cost.

[KeithET]

For 223 and 9mm bulk buying will get you some savings on standard rounds. The big savings come when making something not so standard. For precision stuff reloading is the cheapest way to go and can provide some darn fine accuracy.

One thing not mentioned in this thread is availability. Not to long ago you could not buy any 223 or 9mm at a reasonable price anywhere(or other calibers for that mater). As a reloader that had been buying in bulk for many years this was not a problem for me. When I wanted to shoot and needed ammo, I just fired up the reloader and made what ever I wanted using stock on hand purchased before the shortages occurred.

Just another angle on what makes reloading the way to go.

KeithET

[Shoobee]

We have a 9mm pistol, and a complete 5.56 NATO AR 1:8 20" HBAR (and 2 more lowers, maybe 22lr, and 9mm soon).

I am looking at a Dillon XL 650 totaling $1000ish with most desired attachments.

9mm) $20+t/100 rounds @Walmart actual
.223) $49+t/100 rounds @Walmart actual

M855[Lake City]) $149[no tax]/420 rounds @Multiple places on the Internet with free shipping, or $149ish including shipping on others.

Is it that Google is playing stupid, or am I just not looking in the right place (keywords funky) for saving money on reloading 9mm and .223/5.56 bullets?

It just doesn't look like I would be saving money by reloading even if purchased in bulk, let alone factoring in the cost of the setup I would like [above].

It appears the only way to save money is to really use pulled M855 projectiles, which would cause "accuracy issues", and I know I could pay for accuracy, but looking to keep cost down with moderate accuracy (M855 ).

Would I save money reloading in the long run due to the combined-components not really being cheaper than pre-fab rounds, even reusing brass? Correct me if I am wrong (then drop a link to inexpensive projectiles to prove you right . )

Please advise...

Reloading is tedious. That means boring. Back breaking boring.

Unless you are shooting matches or taking half mile shots, you don't need precision ammo. And that's the main advantage of reloading rifle ammo.

Reloading pistol ammo is a complete waste of time, in my opinion.

[Shoobee]

I think reloading is definitely worth it but then again, I shoot some fairly "oddball" calibers, so it just makes sense...

I like making my own Makarov brass out of 9mm Luger and if I waited for commercial ammo to become available for my Krag, it would just sit in the safe the whole time! I do reload for 5.56mm but really because I want precision for my Varmiter AR, not because I'm trying to save a bunch of money. I don't even bother reloading 9mm because (until I bought my P1 last month) I only owned one 9mm pistol and I would shoot maybe 1000rnds a month. I couldn't really justify it because 50rnds of 9mm luger is still only about $10-$15 retail...

For .40S&W and .45 ACP, its a no-brainer (especially for .45 ACP). Ammo for .45, specifically, has gone through the roof lately! I keep every bit of .45 brass that I can get my grubby, little hand on. I even keep the crappy NT cases...

Agreed, that if you shoot really unusual ammo, then reloading may be your only choice.

[Waldog]

Reloading is tedious. That means boring. Back breaking boring.

Unless you are shooting matches or taking half mile shots, you don't need precision ammo. And that's the main advantage of reloading rifle ammo.

Reloading pistol ammo is a complete waste of time, in my opinion.