[strat8]

All,

I've been trying to figure out a way to reload for my 9mm handguns and do it cost effectively. I'm all set up with equipment and have reloaded for years but I can buy a 100 rd box of Winchester 9mm at Wally World for $20. I can't hardly even buy a 100 jacketed bullets for that price around here and then you have to add the other component prices in. I usually load cast bullets for my other handguns but am leary about doing that for the 9mm as I've had barrel leading problems with the higher velocity of the 9 vs cowboy action velocities and 45acp velocities.

Any suggestions? I love to reload but am not going to lose money doing so.

Thanks.....strat8

[Remo-99]

If you can get the winchester ammo for 20 bucks a hundred, buy it, and save the cases, who knows how long it can be got for at that price.

As for 9mm's leading, it can depend on several reasons, glock or polly rifling, incorrect bullet alloy or sizing/lubing etc.

Many, many folks use lead in 9mm's without leading issues.

[Walkalong]

Lose money loading 9MM? Can it be done? I guess so, but if you are scrounging free range brass, and only buying primers, powder, and bulk bullets, I don't see how.

[NuJudge]

Your Leading problem may well be because groove diameter is larger than standard. A good many 9mm pistols have this problem. A lot are .357 or .358 groove diameter. Slug your barrel, especially at the rear end, and measure groove diameter.

CDD

[jcwit]

I reload for 38 spec., 45 ACP, 357 mag., 380 ACP, 32 ACP, and 9MM.
All with cast bullets and the same lube, I also load on the light side because of arthritisw. Out of all of the above 9MM gives me leading.
This is in 8 different pistols. Friend of mine claims it is the pressure the 9MM has. Me, I have no idea, you would think 1 or 2 pistols would work tho.

[wankerjake]

Yeah, you have to buy all the components in bulk to beat that price. I shoot lead in my 9mm's and haven't had a problem with leading. The lube on the bullets makes the barrel dirty sometimes but is not leading (I was fooled at first) but it comes right out generally. I tend to not go more than 500 rounds before cleaning my pistols, which also helps. last I checked www.montanagoldbullet.com had the best prices on jacketed but it is sold per~4000.

[dispatch55126]

If leading is an issue, use a tornado brush and mineral oil. That takes the lead right out. Keep the crown of the barrel in the mineral oil about an inch deep and run the tornado brush though several times. The mineral oil washes the lead out of the brush and lubes the brush as well.

[jcwit]

No problem cleaning out the lead. I use some copper Chore Boy wrapped around an old nylon bore brush, works great.

Problem is the leading and only on this one caliber. And yes it is leading, comes out in long strings from the rifling.

[Grassman]

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[45shooter]

I load 147gr cast bullets with enough Win231 to get 830 fps.
This is costing me about $3.40 per box of 50.

[rfwobbly]

If plain lead bullets continue to foul the barrel you may wish to change over to moly-coated lead bullets from...

http://www.precisionbullets.com/

or

https://blackbulletsinternational.com/

[RustyFN]

I can load 9mm for $8 per 100 buy buying in bulk. Powder and primers at http://www.grafs.com/ and http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/ and bullets where ever I find a deal. I have been shooting a lot of Zero FMJ.
Rusty

[amlevin]

Even at $20 per hundred at Wally World you are paying twice what it costs me to load for my 9mm. A case of Montana Gold 124gr JHP's costs me $283, delivered to my door. Has 3750 bullets in it. That makes each bullet $0.075 each. Primers cost me $0.018 each. Add $0.013 worth of powder. Total cost for my 9mm round is $0106 each or $10.60 per box of 100. I get all the once fired "range brass" I need for free. I pick up at least 1,000 rounds per month and just toss anything that has been fired in a Glock or shows signs of having been reloaded. Most of what I get even looks clean inside the case and is from the new ammo sold at the range to drop-in shooters.

Why buy when I can load for half price. I shoot 800+ rounds per month and I figure I have paid for my XL-650 over the last year in just savings on 9mm alone. Everyone here turns up their nose at all the 9mm brass left behind so I will most likely have a lifetime supply.

[armoredman]

I load cast lead I cast myself, and one person's calculator put it at $64 per 1000, or so, for 9mm. I do it for four reasons.
1) I can tailor loads to a gun, and not stay in the factory ammo straightjacket.
2) I can save a lot of money, especially when casting my own bullets.
3) I can have ammo, even when the stores are sold out of everything.
4) Dang it, it's FUN! I love loading, fun, productive, relaxing hobby, that let's me enjoy my other hobby even cheaper.

[Galil5.56]

With my old stash of $14/1000 primers, last of my free wheel weight bullets, $12 a pound powder, and free brass; I'm less than $1.50/box of 50. Buy in bulk and cast your own is the only way to fly if you want the least drain on your wallet.

[RustyFN]

armoredman:
I load cast lead I cast myself, and one person's calculator put it at $64 per 1000, or so, for 9mm. I do it for four reasons.
1) I can tailor loads to a gun, and not stay in the factory ammo straightjacket.
2) I can save a lot of money, especially when casting my own bullets.
3) I can have ammo, even when the stores are sold out of everything.
4) Dang it, it's FUN! I love loading, fun, productive, relaxing hobby, that let's me enjoy my other hobby even cheaper.
I'm with armoredman. I cast for my 45 auto and am getting ready to cast for 9mm and 38 spcl. I can load 45 auto with my cast bullets for around $27 per 1,000 rounds. I will be able to load 9mm for the same price.
Rusty

[Grassman]

My 9mm target loads are costing me about $7 per 50. Still a lot cheaper than I can buy em, and better.

[dispatch55126]

I did the math for each round:

Cast bullets - $0.04
Brass - $0.03
Powder - $0.01
Primer - $0.03

That makes the rounds $0.11 each vs. $0.20 for WW value packs. In other words, I need to reload 333 bullets to break even for the purchase of the dies. After that, I'm saving $0.09/round.

[45ACPUSER]

Guys.....
I never factor brass costs into reloading...it is cheap or free for most part.
Get primers in 5 Lots, and powder in 8# jugs.
I have really liked the Black Bullets Int. bullets of late, min smoke with Universal Clays. My 9mm is running 86.00 per K.

[rangerphil]

I use Precision Delta 115 gr FMJ bullets and can reload for about 11 cents per round not counting brass.