[hartzpad]

I can buy 115 gr. 9mm reloads (plated FMJ's) for $160/1000 in an ammo can locally (plus tax). They work great. I think that reloading would be fun but I'm not sure that it is worth the time for the cost savings. Looking in local stores, I can buy 125 gr. RN cast 9mm for $44/1000 (4.5 cents a round). Cases are free, primers are around 2.5 cents locally. With powder, I figure I'm looking at around $90/1000 not including the cost of press, scale, bullet puller, tumbler, etc. $90/1000 seems well worth it but am I missing something? What I'm really looking forward to with reloading is working up some really soft shooting 125 gr. or 147 gr. loads for local competitions.

I could find 2 hours each week to reload, but I'm not sure I'm motivated to do it and pick up brass for a small savings, it is nice to shoot it and forget it with 9mm. Do you reload 9mm and why?

Also, do any of you reload and sell to friends for a small profit to make it worth your time? That way you can all shoot more. I wouldn't trust a friend that is just starting to reload (like me).

[ustate]

I can buy 115 gr. 9mm reloads (plated FMJ's) for $160/1000 in an ammo can locally (plus tax).

Where are you finding those prices?

When reloading 9mm I'm not really saving as much as I do when doing other calibers. For me though I enjoy reloading no matter what caliber it is, its relaxing to me and that is enough to keep me doing it.

[hartzpad]

Local reloading company sells 1000 9mm in ammo can for $160, they don't have a website.

[jr_roosa]

I just started reloading, and I think that unless you shoot more than weekly, you're going to be hard-pressed to make a financial argument for reloading.

I just sat down with Excel and figured out that my break-even point compared to Winchester White Box ($41 at walmart after tax per 100rnds of .45) is going to be around 1200 rounds of .45. I break even sooner if I reload more rifle (bigger difference between reloads and commercial rounds) or .38 (I have bullets that I was given for free). Break-even comes later every time I buy a new reloading toy.

I got a lot of my gear for free (thanks, Dad), so if I were starting from scratch it would take even longer to make up the difference.

The other problems are:

-I now shoot WAY more than I did before I reloaded, which uses more gas and more range fees, not to mention the ammo I wouldn't have bought.

-Reloading begets more reloading...I'm buying stuff I don't really need just so I can reload more (a .357 in my case).

Unless you are a very disciplined spender and/or you shoot a lot, then I think that the economic argument is just something you can use to justify the new hobby to your wife.

It's gotta be fun for you, because if you're not having fun it's not worth the money and you're likely to make mistakes that will cost you much more than the money you save on ammo.

Fortunately it is fun. Maybe too fun.

-J.

[jr_roosa]

Oh, and as for selling your ammo....

I don't even like other people shooting my reloads in my gun. I'd never let them shoot them in their guns. It's just way too much of a risk. I don't want to buy them a new gun, and I definitely don't want to be responsible for them being blind, fingerless, disfigured, or all 3.

Selling your own ammo is illegal and a great way to get sued and lose everything you own. Even if you have a good personal liability insurance policy like the one that comes with your homeowner's policy, it probably won't apply if you were engaged in commercial activity, and it probably won't apply if you were commiting a crime.

People do it, but there are much lower risk ways to make a few bucks.

-J.

[RustyFN]

I would reload even if I didn't save any money. For me it's very relaxing and my reloaded ammo is better than factory. As it turns out I do save a little, I am loading 9mm for $80 per 1,000 and as soon as I buy my mold I will be reloading 9mm for $30 per 1,000.
Rusty

[Gunner4h1r3]

Hey you may wanna stock up for when the commies come back:banghead:

Think of it as yo are also saving gas. Instead of driving to the store to buy ammo and then go to the range, you can go from your home to the range.

And some stores may be out of a particular caliber, so you are always in stock if you reload (until you run out of components that is)

just my two bits.

[jr_roosa]

I ran my numbers wrong above. My break-even point is more like 600 rounds of .45.

After that I'm running at $140/1000, and that's pretty much all bullet cost.

Still, I'd say that if you're just in it to save money, you're probably going to be dissatisfied.

As for 2 hours per week, once you get your favorite load figured out, you can probably do about 200 rounds on a single-stage press, including set-up and clean-up if you're really efficient.

I missed your goal of finding a nice softball load...that's my favorite part of reloading. I get to shoot a load that is just right for punching holes in paper for cheaper than anything I could buy at the store.

-J.

[res1b3uq]

There is no way I would try to reload while sitting on a fence.

[45ACPUSER]

You could be loading 9mm with 125gr LRN for about 75 bucks per K.....
Use Mag Tech or Wolf SP primers bought in 5K sleeves
Use TG or other low charge wt powder bought in 8# jugs
Get hard cast bullets delivered for less then 50 per k...
Real world numbers....

I suppose one could see savings...but in reality reloading is for those with the time and inclination to do it. I view it as an expansion of the shooting sports! It is a hobby, and hobbies cost money! Get over it! Just like fishing, water skiing, jet ski use, or any other hobby! There is no pay back other then then that poop eating grin on your face....when the first rounds do not blow up in your hand!......that is just the start! I reload cause it is fun!

[wankerjake]

first of all, if you think it will be fun to reload, then you will probably enjoy it (it is awesome). it is pretty easy for one, and also it is relaxing. i never feel like it is a chore to reload 200 rounds, quite the opposite in fact. also the product is great. i'm shooting very light target loads out of my 9mm which have very little recoil, are accurate, and are cheap; just under $80/1000. it is quite satisfying to find the perfect round for your gun and knowing you made it yourself. I absolutely love it.

As far as savings goes, it is a bit trickier. It is time consuming for sure, but like everyone else has said it is fun. picking up brass is not so tedious when you know that you get to go home and reload it. as someone mentioned earlier, you do save money on your reloads but you WILL shoot more. also the equipment is a chunk of change and you have to buy all the components in bulk to get the savings you want...i have spent way more money on shooting since i started reloading, but i get to shoot a lot more as well. As far as a break even point, i wouldn't even figure it in the number of rounds, especially for 9mm. hobbies cost money, there's no getting around that, but if you reload you get way more out of your hobby for the same price. over the years the press will pay for itself many times over.

As far as selling to friends goes, you have to be really careful, but also it isn't worth your time for 9mm, because it is a lot of extra work for you and not much of a savings for them... but that is something you can re-evaluate after you've reloaded for awhile.

[Tom488]

As far as selling to friends goes, you have to be really careful,
Not to mention you'd need an 06 FFL to do it legally... manufacturing ammunition and selling it for a profit constitutes a business in the eyes of the ATF.

[jmar254]

My 1k is at $116.95 for now, only because I bought my first bullets, primers and powder from Bass Pro Shops, kind of $$$$ at Bass, as I enter more data into the Excel spreadsheet I made up that price will drop. So far I've loaded 2300 rounds this is how mine break down.

Dads is a local place that sells reloads.

Mine Dads Bass Pro D.Saves Bass Saves
Cost / round $0.12 $0.17 $0.21 $0.05 $0.10
Cost / 50 $5.83 $8.25 $10.60 $2.42 $4.77
Cost / 1000 116.59 $165.00 $211.96 $48.41 $95.37
Rounds Produced 2300 $268.16 $379.50 $487.51 $111.34 $219.35

[Eb1]

My Springfield XD9 shot good with all ammo. I could shoot pretty good groups, but it shot a little left. I worked and worked with trigger control, etc, etc, but could not get that 2 inches left fixed.

Then I reloaded for it with 5.0 grains of Unique. Figured out the best bullet OAL for the gun, and now there is no shooting left. It actually shoots lead bullets the best. I am talking 25 yard groups of 2 to 3 inches with 30 plus rounds.

I love my 9mm a lot better now.

[evan price]

I load 9mm Luger range ammo for $66/thousand.

Wal*Mart 9mm WWB is about $180/thousand by comparison. Plus sales tax. So I am about 1/3 the price of cheap Win White Box.

I use a lead 125-RN bullet, 4.0 grains of Titegroup, a Wolf SP primer, and free range brass.

If 9mm was in the $100-$120 per thousand range I would rethink loading 9mm but for now, it's a no-brainer for me. I didn't start loading 9mm until last year when prices went up to $7-$8 per box.

[J Star]

I was thinking about loading my own 9mm as well. I did my own calculations, and the first 1000 rounds more than pays for the Lee Pro 1000 + accessories I am thinking about getting.

BTW, I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but here the CCI and Winchester primer reccomended by Lee are $7 for 1000 at Gander. On Midway they were $20, plus $20 for HAZMAT shipping, plus $9.99 shipping. Unfortunately, Gander in JC NY can't sell powder, so I'm going to have to take the HAZMAT hit for that.

On the other side, brass and bullets are WAY cheaper at Midway than at Gander.


EDIT: It may be $7 for 500, I forget. Gonna check that when I get home.

[duncan]

I reload because it expands my understanding of shooting.

I reload Montana Gold 115 FMJ with TiteGroup and Federal primers by the case (4K) at a cost of $100/1,000 rounds.

My loads are more accurate than they generic factory crap and my cases come out quite clean.

Why not reload?

[trickyasafox]

J star- if primers are only 15 or so dollars per 1000 that is considered very good pricing in todays market. I would get some if I were you.

[Hook686]

I reload 9mm because I want 'soft shooting' 147 grain Plated Flat Nose, or Plated Hollow Point (Rainier) for practice and club matches.

I do not let anyone else shoot my reloads, nor do I shoot anyone else's reloads.

[J Star]

Yup, just checked what I wrote down at the store:

500 CCI SP Primers = $3.49

[armoredman]

I love reloading. I also cast my own 9mm bullets, so I am REAL cheap. If I didn't reload, I could not afford to go shooting as often, now all I worry about is the $4.09 a gallon to get to the range. It costs 1.3 gallons down and back.

[elkhuntingfool]

I shoot a 45acp and the last time I checked factory ammo it was $20/box. Yikes. I'm guessing I'm around $7/box of 50. I scrounge brass whenever I can - of course I pick up my own. I'm always looking for deals on powder, bullets and primers. There are a lot of people getting out of reloading - take advantage of that.

[nambu1]

I have been reloading for 30+ years. My father-in-law got me started with the old Lee beat & bang sets and I later bought a press. The start up is were the cost is, buying the componets, press and dies. You can always find new or used dies at a gun show. I also find it very relaxing.

[trickyasafox]

J star- 500 cci primers- the 500 denotes size. it means small pistol I'd bet those are prices per 100 primers. however if they are mis marked, watch out cause I may stamped you getting to your store :)

some of those big distributors like cabelas and bass pro are tough to find good deals- their prices, in my experience, are usually a bit higher than 'reasonable'

[J Star]

That is quite possible, I'll have to double check next time I am there. I know very little about loading, so I'm picking it up as I go. I plan to read a book before I go spend money on anything else. :)

[RustyFN]

J Star:
Yup, just checked what I wrote down at the store:

500 CCI SP Primers = $3.49

I would buy all that they have at that price.
Rusty

[okienate]

Unless you have serious ADD issues, reload. Financially it won't make you rich, but you will save money on a cost per round basis (unless you are really lazy about how you buy components....)

NOTE: due to the "explosive nature" of powder and primers, many web/mail order places stick you with a HAZMAT surcharge, hey they have to pay it so you get it passed on to you). I suggest you keep this in mind when you're looking to buy them. I suggest you find a decent place nearby, if you can, and even if the listed price is a couple of bucks more per pound it will work out cheaper than mail order.

I've had better luck finding deals on bullets on the web though. Many places will periodically run "free shipping" for bulk purchases. I am not picky about my range/practice ammo, so I'll just keep an eye open for the deals and work up loads for "deals" that I haven't yet shot. MidwayUSA has hooked me up with free shipping on Winchester FMJ and generic "copper plated" bullets. All of them have done well for me.

I bought my .45ACP and 9 mm para dies over Christmas and have more than paid for all of my basic reloading equipment (Hey, I bought the Lee stuff, so there wasn't THAT much to pay back, plus the rapid increase in retail ammo prices turned a 1 year payback into a 6 month payback!):eek:

Now that I am reloading .223/5.56, I look to save even more over the mil-surp and WWB stuff I've been shooting.:D

[ds/ks]

I never really looked at reloading as a way to save money. I started with 12 ga. in grade school, got a Lee Load All for Christmas one year. This little hobby has fasinated me ever since. I load .223, 7.62X39, 38/357, 44mag, and 45 ACP. I cast my handgun bullets from wheel weights and alot of my brass is scrounged. I get almost the same amount of enjoyment from pulling the press lever as I do the trigger.

[evan price]

J-star, that "500 CCI Primers" is not a quantity.

That's CCI Size #500 primers. They come in a little tray about 3" square and 3/8" thick, right? That's a tray of 100 primers. $3.49 is about average nowadays for a single tray.

Don't feel bad- when I first started reloading I didn't buy CCI primers for that same reason- But the BOX says "350 Primers", and everybody else's boxes have 1000 in them for that price... as Homer Simpson says, "D'Oh"

Live & learn.

[RustyFN]

evan price:
J-star, that "500 CCI Primers" is not a quantity.

That's CCI Size #500 primers. They come in a little tray about 3" square and 3/8" thick, right? That's a tray of 100 primers. $3.49 is about average nowadays for a single tray.

At that price don't buy any.:D I was wondering about that because I have never seen anything at a good price at Gander. Good catch Evan.
Rusty

[tiger rag]

Reloading for me is less about cost savings and more about personal satisfaction and enjoyment of shooting sport's. But if you shoot alot and that is the only way to become proficent .It is the only way to fly! It also allows you to Make loads suited to your application.

[The_Antibubba]

The price of ammo is only going to go up. The highest prices are for specialty ammo, like defensive or hunting ammo. Cheap Blazer FMJ might still be a good value, but if I'm going to bet by life on it, I want to be able to put a lot of it through my gun, and the only way to afford that is to make it myself.

I've got 9mm dies on the way, but I shoot a few calibers that offer limited choices, like 9mm Mak and 6.5 Swede. If I want to be able to shoot them often, I'd better make it myself.

And finally, if the politicians ever get "ammo registration" on the books...