Reloading

[Staticsouls]

Worth it or just another hobby? Will this actually save money?

[morrcarr67]

It will cost you money.

You will see how much less ammo is and shoot more.

You may not see a big difference at first do to start up cost but it is cheaper and ads to the sport.

[kylednf]

IT RULES!!!!

[NoNOS67]

Worth it or just another hobby?

Yes and yes. It's a hobby in itself, but a very worthwhile one.

Will this actually save money?

Eventually, yes. It all depends on what you reload, how much you shoot, and what kind of equipment you buy.

Get yourself a quality reloading manual and start reading. You will be much better informed when it is time to buy.

[CK_32]

Another hobby..


Unless your loading high match ammo to replace buying high match ammo after a few years you might save some cash.. If your shooting mid or low end stuff you'll break even or shell out more.


Its another hobby for sure but a good one. I dont regret reloading one bit. I also load for LR loads for my 700 but Im still no where near or plan on breaking even

[jimmythebrain]

There are many issues to consider.

If there are no primers or powders available then you cannot reload. You also have to buy or use lead and pour your own bullets (in a mold).

Then you need equipment...
Bullet puller for when you make mistakes
Press (single stage is very slow for pistol reloading)
Dies
Powder measure
Scale
Calipers
Brass tumbler/cleaner + media
+/- brass/media separator for after tumbling the brass
+/- chronograph.


When you consider cost of the equipment, brass, bullets, primers, powder you get the true price to reload. Then compare this price to what new or factory re-loaded ammo costs. That difference is what your time is worth...
Usually when I get a new caliber pistol I find that it is usually cheaper to get the first 500 rounds new factory ammo, then later use the brass and reload.

Then you have to pick up your brass when you shoot

After you have the press, dies and other equipment cost accounted for then the cost is just bullets, primers, powder and time.

I like reloading so I can get hot or mild loads to my liking for the given task. For long range accuracy shooting a load can be tuned to the rifle.
Also, reloading is relaxing. My set up is in a separate shop so I can get away from the chaos of the house.

[railroader]

I use a Lee classic turret press. It isn't as fast as a progressive but it is way faster than a single stage press. The cost is much less than a dillon too. I reload mainly for handguns. Reloading is cheaper so I get to shoot more. For example I reload 45acp. A 1000 230 grain bullets run about $85. A 1000 primers run about $35 and a pound of bullseye is about $25. I already have brass which you reload over and over with 45acp. So it costs me about $145 for 1000 rounds. If I buy ammo in the store what do I get for the same amount maybe 275 rounds. Reloading is a no brainer.

[jimmythebrain]

Railroader, where are you getting primers for that price now?
I need some small pistol magnum primers.

Thanks- James

[Fishslayer]

Worth it or just another hobby? Will this actually save money?

I bought most of my brass used for dirt cheap when I started out. Over time I have collected enough that I don't worry about it and consider the cost "zero."

I pay full pop retail buying locally in small quantities and save roughly 50% over Walmart prices on 9mm, .45ACP and probably more on Big Dog .357 Magnum loads. And my Big Dogs will shame anything from Walmart.

Buying bulk online or joining a group buy will save you more.
Casting your own boolits will save you tons.

Best part... the post Sandy Hook panic has affected my ammo supply absolutely zero. Of course, I've been panic buying since the illegally installed Kenyan Emperor first took office.

[morrcarr67]

I use a Lee classic turret press. It isn't as fast as a progressive but it is way faster than a single stage press. The cost is much less than a dillon too. I reload mainly for handguns. Reloading is cheaper so I get to shoot more. For example I reload 45acp. A 1000 230 grain bullets run about $85. A 1000 primers run about $35 and a pound of bullseye is about $25. I already have brass which you reload over and over with 45acp. So it costs me about $145 for 1000 rounds. If I buy ammo in the store what do I get for the same amount maybe 275 rounds. Reloading is a no brainer.

I've had my Lee Turret Press for over 20 years. I can pump them out pretty fast when I need to.

They told me it would be a great press to learn on and I never changed.

[Full Clip]

Depends on how much you shoot, what your time is worth and how much you want to invest in gear (more you spend, the more rounds per hour you'll be making).
If you're a $300-per hour lawyer, then it may not be worth your time/effort.
If you only shoot a couple boxes of ammo a month, it may not be worth your time/investment.

[stormvet]

Well it depends are you a shooter 1000+ rounds a month or a plinker, just shoot every once in awhile and when you do it's only a box or two.
If you are a shooter darn right it will save you money, if just a plinker no it won't.
I reload 45 acp for for just under $200 for 1000. How much is new 45 acp for a case? And 9mm under $180. That is for copper plated bullets.
Now your start up cost will be high, but after you own everything and have a good supple of brass, it's awesome. When everyone was complaining they could not find ammo, I was and am shooting 400+ rounds a week. I owe it all to reloading my supple is always high and I don't worry about how much I shoot.

[kcheung2]

I started reloading in May, so I bought all my components at pretty much the peak of prices. I find my average cost per round is typically about half of commercial cost, and that's pretty consistent across all calibers. .308 costs me 50cents, 223 is about 30 cents, etc. People that stocked up on components last year have even lower costs. In that sense, yes, reloading is cheaper.

However, it has a huge upfront cost. Besides the equipment, most components must be bought in bulk. 1000 projectiles, 1000 primers, pounds and pounds of powder, etc. It's possible to buy in smaller quantities, but the packaging & hazmat fees make small purchases counterproductive. So before a single round is produced, it is possible to be in the hole by $hundreds. For the occasional shooter, $100 will pay for a box of ammo + range time+ lunch afterwards. That same amount won't even get you an order of powder. It's like Costco, yes it's cheaper but you gotta buy 20 pounds of peanut butter to do it.

Another factor though is that once a good stockpile is accumulated, I have a steady supply of good quality ammo. I shoot a few C&R rifles, and my handloads are far better than 1950s corrosive milsurp, plus I have a reliable supply. For common rifle & pistol calibers it's not a big deal, but for me to have quality 8mm Mauser & .303British readily available this is the only way.

Another benefit is for those who live in areas that can't accept ammo via mail order, like LA or Sacramento. Ammo components can be delivered in those areas without problems.

[mclakers]

+ fun
+ more shooting
+ cheaper ammo (eventually)
+ custom loads

- - Start up cost
- you will always need something else( trimmer, swager, case gauge)
- time( if you care )

I started this year with a lee classic turret press kit, but I still needed to buy a ton of stuff to get started, primers, bullets, tumbler, trimmer, swager, deburr tool, bullet puller, electric scale, double disk kit, dies, powder.

It's an expensive hobby, but I enjoy reloading. And specially shooting my own made ammo. Even if it takes me a year or more to break even It doesn't matter.

Just be aware, your going to spend a pretty penny.

[Fjold]

If you're reloading for common calibers and plinking loads then it will take a long time to pay off the equipment. But if you are loading exotic cartridges, building premium hunting ammunition or high quality match ammunition, the equipment is all paid for in the first year easily. Plus you get the benefits of using the high quality ammunition.