Getting into reloading

[T-800]

I was think about trying my hand at reloading considering the price of ammo. Couple questions i had:

What would be the approximate price per round made of 5.56?
What is the best low priced automated as possible machine?
Is there restrictions on ordering powder?

Thanks for your help.

[Colt562]

Whats your location? The local reloading clubs might be a good choice.

[shooting4life]

Wait 6-8 months before getting into reloading. It is very hard to find components at a decent price.

[XDRoX]

I was think about trying my hand at reloading considering the price of ammo. Couple questions i had:

What would be the approximate price per round made of 5.56?
What is the best low priced automated as possible machine?
Is there restrictions on ordering powder?

Thanks for your help.

Depends on how much you have to pay for components. With the components I have in my garage that I bought a couple years ago I reload 556 for around 23cents per round. I suspect from all the posts around here components are harder to find today than a couple years ago and probably a bit more expensive. The rule of thumb use to be that you can reload for about half the price of Walmart ammo.

A $100 single stage press will produce 50 rounds an hour.
A $150 turret will produce 150 rounds an hour.
A $500-$600 Dillon will produce 400-600 rounds an hour.

The Lee Classic Turret is the best bang for the buck press. Especially for 223/556.

There are no restrictions on ordering powder but if you live in an apartment or any ther type of attached home there are limits on how much powder you can store. But it's like 20 pounds, which would load approximately 6k rounds of 556.

For a complete Lee Classic Turret set up for 556 with everything you'll need you're looking at around $200-$250 for the equipment.

Hope that helps.
Any other questions just ask.

[CAL.BAR]

Don't count on saving money by reloading. The cost of set up (especially for .223) will necessitate 10-15K rounds before you even break even.

[Divernhunter]

When you ask those questions it shows that you are not right for reloading. Better to wait and just buy ammo when the price comes down.

[shooting4life]

Reloading doesn't save you money, it just allows you to shoot more. Also it opens up many other guns that you couldn't afford to shoot otherwise.

Someone who doesn't reload will sell their 44mag revolver after 5 years and 250 rounds because a box of 50 is $40. I'll shoot my 44mag revolver ever other range trip because a box of 50 cost me $8.
Same with my m1a, a box of 20 is $25 for match quality ammo, I reload that for $9.

But I have easily over 1k in my lnl ap press/dies/misc reloading equipment. But that cost is spread it over the life of the press. I am 28 and will be reloading for over 30 more years.

[T-800]

When you ask those questions it shows that you are not right for reloading. Better to wait and just buy ammo when the price comes down.

You didn't ask the same questions before you started reloading?

[T-800]

I can shoot a lot and spend a lot believe me. Are most people finding it takes 10k to 15k before they break even?

[Hallx7]

When you ask those questions it shows that you are not right for reloading. Better to wait and just buy ammo when the price comes down.

^this makes no sense. OP is asking valid questions for someone who is taking a first look at reloading. If he decides to proceed then he will end up with more in depth questions.
I asked the exact same questions before I started. I knew nothing about reloading and needed basic information to decide if it was a venture worth pursuing.

To OP... Price per round is very dependent on what you can find components for. (Good prices are still out there)
As previously stated a Lee Classic Turret setup will run you about $250 or so and is a great way to start.
Powder can be shipped but you will be paying Hazmat fee.

[Bumslie]

When I get home I'll send you an excel spread sheet. It will calculate all your componet costs, take in consideration how much you shoot without reloading, the rate at which you can reload, and your hourly rate to tell you when exactly you will break even.

[Raralith]

Just made my first batch of 223 last night, and here are the component costs:
- Bullet: $0.11 ($110 per 1,000)
- Powder: $0.10 ($30/lb @ 24 grains)
- Brass: $0.08 ($80 per 1,000)
- Primer: $0.05 ($50 per 1,000)
$0.34/round since I had to buy the brass, $0.26 now that I can reuse them. Hope this helps.

[msand951]

Heres what i use for cheap plinking but good results .
bullets from here when in stock http://www.goldenwestbrass.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=11
WC844 powder I still have 16lbs of it .
hopefully you have brass if not look up Eatdirt a member in calguns sells clean brass at a decent price.
Primers and powder Order it in bulk when you shop online cause of the hazardous fee. or get in on a group buy.
But check Powdervalley.com

I also would recommend the turret press to start with. I have a progressive but still use the single press for lg. rifle loads and casting sizing.

[Bumslie]

Okay with adding minimal componets at todays relative prices and basic numbers, this might help you. This will all vary depending on if you buy in bulk to save on shipping and hazmat as well. I also assumed you have saved brass, so I didn't insert a price there but as you see it starts to add up quick when you're starting from absolute scratch. Adding a work bench, ammo cans, it all adds up quick. I don't know how much you make an hour so I threw a random number in there. The more you make, the longer it takes to break even (how much you're worth an hour, but since its a hobby most don't consider that) it would be 10 months. I also just guessed on how much you shoot a month on average if 223. This is also figuring in the price for what I paid for a hornady LnL, so the press price will vary.

case trimmer is a WFT for anyone thats wondering
price of the scale and powder measurer are for 5-0-5 scale and uniflow off the top of my head.

[Full Clip]

Don't count on saving money by reloading. The cost of set up (especially for .223) will necessitate 10-15K rounds before you even break even.

At today's ammo prices? I don't think so, especially if you're making high-quality ammo that's on par with more expensive HP BT target rounds, rather than plinker FMJ stuff where you're comparing against the price of bottom-dollar ammo.
It takes the same amount of time to reload using cheap Armscor bullets than it does to use high-end Nosler or similar.