Ok, need the experts' help

[BTF/PTM]

What the crap, man, ammo is getting freaking expensive!! I spent almost 100 bucks on 200 rounds of Blazer .45 and 200 rounds of WWB 9mm at Wally World. Why are they getting so expensive lately?? I remember when the Blazer was $11 per box and now it's almost $15!!

Anyway, where does everyone get their ammo? Do you guys pick up reloaded stuff? Buy from an internet site? Reload yourself? I can't keep spending these amounts, this is insane. I could spend a whole day at the racetrack with my motorcycle for the cost of ammo

[f4tweet]

Ammo

I would suggest you invest in an NRA reloading course and find a buddy who reloads to help you start. The initial expense for everything is about $600-$700. With the right equipment you can reload a box of .45's for $6 @ box. This is the caliber I started out with, and is very easy to reload. It is a low pressure round with lots of load data around. My $ .02

[BTF/PTM]

I would suggest you invest in an NRA reloading course and find a buddy who reloads to help you start. The initial expense for everything is about $600-$700. With the right equipment you can reload a box of .45's for $6 @ box. This is the caliber I started out with, and is very easy to reload. It is a low pressure round with lots of load data around. My $ .02

Sounds good to me, I'm an NRA member and I know at least three coworkers who reload. Thanks!

[mike100]

If I didn't get into reloading, I'm almost sure I wouldn't be shooting at all at the current price level. The only time I shoot factory ammo is when I want to liberate the brass for reloading.

[BTF/PTM]

here's a question for yall; the range I go to makes us leave our brass there becuz they do their own reloading. The obvious answer to this question might simply be to start going to an outdoor range where I can collect the shells, but are there creative ways to catch one's own brass at an indoor range?

[wellfedirishman]

Cheap reloading

You can get a lee classic turret press with powder dispenser and a set of dies for about $150. It works great, I use one for rifle cartridges.

That is all you need to start reloading. Its simple to learn and use.
See this article (I found it very useful):

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

Good luck, and always load safe.

[madwarrior]

The expense of reloading is not cheap itself these days. I get a break on componets,but I just payed $133.00 on eight pounds of Varget.

[11Z50]

I used to be an avid reloader, but lately I've been buying factory ammo. Several reasons factored in, but here's the scoop:

1) While you can load ammo cheaper than factory ammo, in some cases half price, you must load many thousands to really see any savings. This means you will be spending most of your free (non-income producing) time loading ammo. If you have the spare time, go to #2.

2) Initial investment in gear for a stand-alone system will be between $200 and $500 or more. Components must be bought in bulk to see any cost savings, so add another $300 or so to get your initial batch of stuff. This assumes you already have the brass on hand. This also assumes we are looking at a standard pistol caliber like 9mm. .40SW or 45ACP will be 20-40% higher. If you have the $$$, go to #3

3) Remember there is return of an investment, and return on investment. Return of investment in this case = savings over factory ammo costs that paid for your initial costs, which are pro-rated since you retain the equipment. Return on investment are those long-term savings generated over the production of thousands of rounds, opposed to what one would have spent for factory ammo. As you can see, when a reloader says he can produce 45ACP for $6/50 as opposed to WWB for $15/50 a priori it looks like a %60 savings. Factor in the return on investment, and the reloader has to do 2k rounds or more to pay for the components and expendables as well as proration of equipment. If you figure in your time, in the hour it takes to load 100 rounds of .45 v buying WWB, you saved about $28. (see #1) My time is worth more than $28/hour. If you are still in the mix, go to #4.

4) Reloading is a hobby in itself and as such, you should enjoy doing it. This means your time spent loading is leisure time that your family and work demands must be balanced with. If you have a job that you can work overtime, or extra, and make over $22.5 per hour, you can afford to simply buy WWB rather than spend the time loading. Personally, I still load a few rounds when I need superior performing rifle ammo, such as .308 match, or .223 V-max. This is time spent on a hobby, rather than hours spent mass-producing ammo in order to see a return on investment.

So.........................my advice is to do some research, talk to a few reloaders, and maybe observe production for a few hours. This will allow you to make an informed decision, and spend your money wisely.

[madwarrior]

I fully agree with you. The biggest problem with reloading is all the time you will need to do it. I can spend all day reloading and then shoot it all up in a couple of hours at the range.

[DV8]

Well, I'm way into the 10's of thousands of rounds on my cheapo Lee pro 1000 so the investment I made has been returned a long time ago.

[mike100]

here's a question for yall; the range I go to makes us leave our brass there becuz they do their own reloading. The obvious answer to this question might simply be to start going to an outdoor range where I can collect the shells, but are there creative ways to catch one's own brass at an indoor range?

that's too bad about the range brass policy, but I'm reminded of a post here recently where a guy soldered a fish tank sized fish net to an under barrel rail adapter bracket. The easiest way to capture all of your handgun brass is to shoot revolvers. When you only have six at a time to shoot, you tend to take a little more time to go through 100 rounds..sort of like how shooting a bolt action rifle burns through less money at the range than semi-autos.

[BTF/PTM]

Great feedback, thanks guys! I'll keep checking around. I've been slowing down my firing at the range in general as I try to learn proper technique, so that's one plus. I'm also starting to develop a friendship with the range workers where I shoot, so I might be able to get special deals on their reloaded ammo. As someone already said, time to do a lil research to find my best option.

[ivanimal]

Ask them if it is OK to only pick up your brass. I will not shoot where they dont let me keep my own property.

[fairfaxjim]

If you only shoot handgun calibers in quantity, the Dillon Square Deal B press is a good deal. It comes with one caliber setup on it, and you only need a minimum of additional equipment. You can get started economically and it cranks out enough that you get some efficiency in your reloading time too. I have been very happy with mine. Keep in mind it is a pistol caliber only machine.