I am considering reloading

[1919A4]

Hi guys,
Question for you reloaders. I am looking to reload 40cal,223 and 308. I want to be able to reload quantities for plinking at the range.
I recently purchased a case of 223. it was like 350. Will I save money by reloading a 1K compared to buying with component prices now days.
I know theres a ****load of variables, but just a generic answer would be cool.

[muntz]

It really depends on the initial investment in equipment. You could buy Lee products and get starter equipment for about $100 (not counting dies, powder, primers, etc.) But then again you can start shopping Dillon and spend $2k by the time you're actually producing ammo.

But as far as components go, you can produce good plinking ammo for cheeper than you can buy it. For example one of my plinking load costs per round (just estimating):

Powder $.094
Primer $.04
Bullet $.095
Reused brass depreciation: $.041

So if I buy my brass and get 6 reloads per case it costs me $.27 per round. With free brass it's only $.229 per round.

Wolf from Cheeperthandirt is $.2985 per round not counting shipping...and you can't reuse the case.

[Gunsrruss]

Trimmer option

1919, I have a RCBS electric trimmer with 3-way cutters for 30cal and .223 for $200.00 if you want it. I just got a Giraud and don't need this RCBS any more. Pm me for info,
Russ

[Ugly Dwarf]

Read through the "Can't Find The Savings..." thread that's actively going below this one in the Ammo and Reloading section.

Though a lot of people weigh in, you'll find there is a good write up that will help you decide if it's for you the first response.

For most, the decision comes down to how much do you shoot, what calibers do you shoot and how much do you value your time?

For someone who only shot 500 rounds of 9mm each year, I'd guess it would be hard to justify. With the rising cost of .223 and .308 (inexpensive .40 S&W reloads can still be found at Miwall and the like), you may find it makes sense for you even if 'plinking' quality ammo is sufficient. If you want to shoot 'match grade' ammo and shoot much at all, you'll find reloading will save you money.

If you ever decide to move into a more expensive caliber (for me, 100-200 rounds a year of .300 Weatherby makes the cost up in a hurry). Factory ammo is $40-$70 for 20. Reloads cost $10-$15 per 20. If I didn't reload, I wouldn't shoot this gun very often. Everything else I shoot is cheaper to reload than buy new, but nothing is as obvious as this.

Regarding your time... only you can say what that is worth. I enjoy time at the bench. It's a zen thing. If you don't enjoy it, you'll need to determine what your time should cost, and then look to see if it still makes sense to 'pay yourself' for that work.

Costs for consumables (bullet, primer, powder, brass) are approximated well in the post by Muntz. A Dillon Press (550B) will put you back $400 with one caliber. Figure another $70-$100 for each caliber quick change you need to purchase.

The start up costs are tough, but they make up for themselves if you're in it for a while.

[packnrat]

for the most part one can save money reloading.

but then again you can spend twice the price doing "custom" reloads, but then you get to chose what bullet and powder you use.

chose wise and you can reload lots for a lower price...but then how much free time do you have?

get the lee starter set, a couple books listing loads, and the dies needed,
then with the use items bullets, powder and primers and then have fun from there.
just go slow at first, double and triple check all setting and loadings.

shop the flea markets and gun shows for hardware.

brass hounds rule


.

[ar15barrels]

Will I save money by reloading a 1K compared to buying with component prices now days.

You will save money "per round", but you will shoot a LOT more rounds and spend the same money in the end.
If you want to shoot a LOT more and can absorb the initial investment of all the equipment, reloading is for you.
If you can't get past the initial investment, you should just stick to factory ammo and don't shoot as much.

[Timberwolf]

If you get good equipement and buy your components in bulk you will save money over time . . . if you just get a lb of powder here and there and a couple of hundred bullets at a time you'll lose money.

Personally I shoot precision rifle and shoot 300 - 400 rds per month of target ammo. At 30.00 - 35.00 per box of 20 for commercial target ammo I couldn't afford the sport if I didn't reload.

[Fjold]

If you get good equipement and buy your components in bulk you will save money over time . . . if you just get a lb of powder here and there and a couple of hundred bullets at a time you'll lose money.

Personally I shoot precision rifle and shoot 300 - 400 rds per month of target ammo. At 30.00 - 35.00 per box of 20 for commercial target ammo I couldn't afford the sport if I didn't reload.

+1,000, If you are shooting 100 rounds of MilSpec 308 or 223 a month and only buy a Lb of powder locally and a box of fmj bullets, don't waste your time and energy reloading.

If you want to shoot 1/2MOA at 600-1000 yards and shoot enough to worry about brass life every year or you shoot something exotic then you need to reload. You need to order in bulk to get the cost benefits.

The Barnes TSX loads for my 375 H&H would cost about $74/Box if I buy the loaded ammunition but I reload them for about $24/box.

The solid load that I shoot would cost me $5.40 every time I pulled the trigger if I bought factory ammunition instead of the $2.12 per round that it does now.

[mike100]

Initial investment aside, I just enjoy doing it. If you buy good, desirable reloading gear, you won't be loosing a ton of money because people will buy it up quickly if you give up reloading and cash out.

I've tied up cash in things that depreciated a lot more than guns and reloading equipment.

[blackberg]

I am going to start saving my brass to reload when I have enough...

setting supplies/consumables aside,
what is the initial start up costs?
the dilion 650 is $550 here

http://eguns.com/sPearCat/1-4.woa/1/wa/ItemPage?i=DLXL650STDRIF&l=en-ZZ&wosid=SEzdOLwdz2QStbgpbDUcTg&g=XL650

Ive seen tumblers for $40 ish
what else is needed to get started?

[ar15barrels]

I am going to start saving my brass to reload when I have enough...

setting supplies/consumables aside,
what is the initial start up costs?
the dilion 650 is $550 here

http://eguns.com/sPearCat/1-4.woa/1/wa/ItemPage?i=DLXL650STDRIF&l=en-ZZ&wosid=SEzdOLwdz2QStbgpbDUcTg&g=XL650

Ive seen tumblers for $40 ish
what else is needed to get started?

Casefeeder.
Powder scale
Dies and conversion kits for each cartridge you reload.
Case trimming and prep equipment for rifle cartridges.

So many little gadgets you won't ever imagine you needed until you start actually loading...

Plan on $1200 to get a 650 all setup for your first cartidge.
Add $100 to $125 per each additional cartridge depending on what you can re-use from other conversions.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

So many little gadgets you won't ever imagine you needed until you start actually loading...

So true! So true!

[Paratus et Vigilans]

Also, get thee over to your local Wally World and buy lots of little see-through plastic tubs, and a label printer. You'll be glad you did! Ever since I started reloading, I've become the Tub King!!! Pick the kind that you can easily stack three or four high. I use 'em for everything. Bullets. Brass. Primers. Toolheads for my XL650. Doohickeys of every kind. When you get a little farther down the road and more into it, you're going to start caring about how many times you've reloaded your rifle brass (pistol, who cares, until it starts to look tired) by the number of times it's been through the process, so you're going to want separate tubs for each caliber to be able to sort out once fired, twice fired, etc.

If you're going to be a reloader, it REALLY helps to be anal retentive. Plus, you'll get a little "anal retentive positive feedback" buzz just from getting your stuff all organized!

[ar15barrels]

If you're going to be a reloader, it REALLY helps to be anal retentive.
Plus, you'll get a little "anal retentive positive feedback" buzz just from getting your stuff all organized!

I can't stand it when I can only find 49 out of 50 pieces of brass during a trip to the range.
The box has to be perfectly full.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

I can't stand it when I can only find 49 out of 50 pieces of brass during a trip to the range.
The box has to be perfectly full.

Oh yeah, you're one too!

The other thing about reloading is that you turn into a serious scrounge! When I notice the guy next to me at the range is not interested in his brass, I casually ask if he wants it, and does he mind if I take it when he's done - - they never do - - and there I am down on my hands and knees with a Ziploc baggie! It's like finding a $20 out in the parking lot! I come home from the range, all gleeful and smiling, saying, "Yeah, it was great today, really got in some good work, AND THE GUY NEXT TO ME LEFT ALL HIS BRASS!!!!"

It's a sickness, it really is.