Reloading is NOT cheaper!

[MaHoTex]

HF has tumblers too.

Yeah, I was looking but could not find one cheaper than Midway.

[five.five-six]

Yeah, I was looking but could not find one cheaper than Midway.

Even with shipping? Cheep is not always the best value.

[MaHoTex]

I don't know since I did not go that far with it. Quick look at the list price. Since I have a HF close to me it would probably be a wash. Of course, then I have a HF tumbler... hahaha

[five.five-six]

I don't know since I did not go that far with it. Quick look at the list price. Since I have a HF close to me it would probably be a wash. Of course, then I have a HF tumbler... hahaha

We have one about 3 miles away, my wife and I love that place. We tell the kids: "Harbor freight is like Chuck E Cheese for grownups"

It's basically true, the place smells, you go in and play for a little while and at the end you turn in worthless slips of paper for a bunch of useless crap.

[MaHoTex]

We got a brand new Harbor Freight here. I went the day after it opened and it is really nice. I like the Chuck E Cheese way to relate it to the kids. That is funny and so true. When my dad came in from Pahrump we went over to the store to look at all the junk. Still... good times.

I bet the tumbler there is fine though. I mean, really, how can China mess up a tumbler for crying out loud.

[Fishslayer]

Saying that "reloading is NOT cheaper" will get you in a lot of hot water with the reloaders who claim to be above the ammo shortage fray, shoot all they want, have thousands of rounds just sitting around, and chuckle at all you peasants who actually buy loaded ammo.

I don't chuckle at people who buy loaded ammo.

[Falstaff]

HF has tumblers too.

The harbour freight tumblers are GTG. Wait till theyre on sale and get a 20% off coupon. I think i got their big one (18lb) for about 50 bucks. I bought the smaller 5 lb version for 44 minus the 20% coupon. You can get the 20% off coupon in just about any male hobby magazine (sports afield, motor trend etc)
They even have super cheap walnut media.

[kkp]

KPP, in addition to that kit and the vibratory cleaner, you will need some calipers too.

These at HF will be fine. Calipers
Here is a link to the vibration cleaner at Midway.

That adds about $50 to the $150 total bringing it to about $200. Still, that cost is recovered very quickly.

Looking at my last tally, I am at an average of $.17/round of 223 and $.10/round of 9mm.
Since my time is free that is $3.49/20 round box of 223 and $5/ 50 round box of 9mm.
I am saving all sorts of money, though, it does not feel that way since I have a LOT of money tied up in stockpiled components and ammo that I have already loaded.

I do not have a tally sheet for my 357s or 38s.

And yes, for me is seems that 50 rounds of 223 in under 30 mins is typical assuming it is not the 5.56 crimped brass. THAT is a whole other can of worms. I HATE HATE HATE that stuff. Unfortunately I bought a couple thousand federal xm193s that are the 5.56.

How does the HF tumbler compare to the Midway vibe cleaner? The Midway one seems like it might have more purpose-specific add-ons. Shipping isn't an issue since I would buying it at the same time as the main kit anyway. Shipping isn't an issue at HF, either, because there is one nearby my office.

[glock7]

startup costs are a PITA, but pay for brass?

at my range most everyone reloads, so brass is hard to get. there's one guy who gets his hot gf to go around in her low cut shirt to ask everyone if they are keeping their brass.....fortunately my will is strong.

[glock7]

cheaper and better than factory. i run a lee turret press, i get to oversee every aspect and i reload what i need to shoot since i stashed a bunch for the future.

[glock7]

The time I spend reloading is quality time that pays ME. A few hours spent making ammo feels like a vacation.

exactly, that's how i pay myself back after working out, working in the yard, doing chores, i reload what i need for the range and that's the ultimate reward for me.

[Clever]

No one with an IQ of two digits or more ever said that reloading was "cheaper". Just wait until you grow up and start reloading normal sized rounds like 50BMG. I know people who pay $3.50 or more per piece of brass, +$3 per bullet, 50 cents and up per primer and about a buck per round for premium VV 20N29 powder. Then, there are the guys who make their own or pay to have someone else make custom bullets to their specifications at whatever it costs.

That said, my match 50BMG rounds run me about $3 each total! I cast and load my own pistol rounds so, .25acp to .44mag costs me about $3 per box of 50!!!!!!!! Just wait until you invest in casting equipment.

LETS DO SOME MATH, SHALL WE?
SMK 500 count 338 LM is $273 = .546c per bullet
Brass Nosler 50 count at $60 = $1.2 a case
1 pound of H1000 at $15 and a 90g charge. 1 pound = 7000g, 77.7charges in one pound = .193c a charge
Federal 215 match $35 per 1000 = .035c per primer

So my cost for one round of 338 LM ammo is $1.974x20= and $39.40 a box. Find a factory round in the store for that!

We can go with different Lapua data buy upping the charge weight to 92.2g. 1 pound = 7000g, 75.9 charges in a pound = .197c per charge.

Up the brass cost to $259.99 per 100 = $2.5999
So we get $3.3779x20 per round and $67.55 a box.

A difference of $1.404 per round and $28.15 a box.

Now a quick search for loaded 338 Lapua ammo yields.
Hornady match loads with their 250g BTHP $89.99 for a box of 20
Black hills is $119.00 for 20 with either the 250g or 300g SMK.
Lapua Secnar ammo is 69.99 for 10 rounds or 139.98 a box.
Prvi Partizan is 52.99 with a FMJ bullet per 20 (Piece of ****!)
Cor-bon at 124.99 with a 300g HPBT.
Remington at $119 for 20 with SMK
mind you I'm not counting shipping
Now from my experience with this ROUND, and the volume I shoot. I would say that your judgment and choice of words are very POOR. As for me growing up and loading 50BMG? I guess you have no idea how I can put that caliber to shame.. Don't let the size of the 50 full you, you are no match. Even beyond 1 Mile..

[Chief-7700]

LETS DO SOME MATH, SHALL WE?
SMK 500 count 338 LM is $273 = .546c per bullet
Brass Nosler 50 count at $60 = $1.2 a case
1 pound of H1000 at $15 and a 90g charge. 1 pound = 7000g, 77.7charges in one pound = .193c a charge
Federal 215 match $35 per 1000 = .035c per primer

So my cost for one round of 338 LM ammo is $1.974x20= and $39.40 a box. Find a factory round in the store for that!

We can go with different Lapua data buy upping the charge weight to 92.2g. 1 pound = 7000g, 75.9 charges in a pound = .197c per charge.

Up the brass cost to $259.99 per 100 = $2.5999
So we get $3.3779x20 per round and $67.55 a box.

A difference of $1.404 per round and $28.15 a box.

Now a quick search for loaded 338 Lapua ammo yields.
Hornady match loads with their 250g BTHP $89.99 for a box of 20
Black hills is $119.00 for 20 with either the 250g or 300g SMK.
Lapua Secnar ammo is 69.99 for 10 rounds or 139.98 a box.
Prvi Partizan is 52.99 with a FMJ bullet per 20 (Piece of ****!)
Cor-bon at 124.99 with a 300g HPBT.
Remington at $119 for 20 with SMK
mind you I'm not counting shipping
Now from my experience with this ROUND, and the volume I shoot. I would say that your judgment and choice of words are very POOR. As for me growing up and loading 50BMG? I guess you have no idea how I can put that caliber to shame.. Don't let the size of the 50 full you, you are no match. Even beyond 1 Mile..

Add your equipment costs.

[shinzen]

Only downside to loading 223 in general is case prep. Yes, you can do your trimming by putting the trimmer into a power drill, but it's still kind of a pain in the ***. Just ordered the "Worlds Finest Trimmer" because I'm too cheap to invest in a Giraud, should speed up the process a lot. I've just gotten done doing 200 223 cases (for an upper that's not even here yet) with the lee setup, and I was dreading doing any more. Rest of the process I enjoy, a lot, but not that part!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/997722/little-crow-gunworks-worlds-finest-trimmer-223-remington

[Clever]

CHIEF
In my earlier posts, that is a given. The question at at hand was cost of Factory VS hand loads..