[SniperStraz]

Hey guys. I'm trying to get into reloading here. According to my calculations its not going to save me much money.
All reloading equipmen aside:
Lets say I'm reloading for 9mm
500 Brass Cases-$80
500 Bullets- $50
500 Primers -$15
I dont know how much powder I'd need but lets say 1lb. $30
We're looking at .35 cents per bullet.
What am I missing? I want to get into reloading to save money and shoot more.
Help me out guys.

[robriboflavin]

Re-use of the cases is the biggest factor, and I would expect to get at least a thousand rounds of 9mm from any reasonable powder.

Of course this doesn't consider the reloading equipment. I just figure that I get to shoot more for the same amount of money, rather than expect any $$$ savings.

[ljnowell]

Lets start at the top, your brass. You can buy 1000 once fired brass for somewhere around 50 bucks. Brass really shouldnt be factored into the per round cost, as it can be reloaded many, many times. you can get 1000 lead bullets for a 9mm for less than 50 bucks at several places. Look up two alpha bullets, for example. What kind of powder are you using? You should be able to get powder for target loads for less than 20 dollars a pound. A pound will usually make 1000 rounds or more. Primers should never cost more than 30/1000.

[420Stainless]

You get to re-use the brass several times, so that cost can be spread out over several lots.

Also depends on what you're shooting. Many rifle calibers are running a dollar a round or more, so you can save half the price by reloading even using new brass.

[CSA 357]

But look at all the fun your having! Yes it does run into money, but it is cheaper, i have been reloading for a pretty good while. I just started casting my own bullets, and i enjoy it, all of it is getting higher, but so is factory ammo, if you can find it! Csa

[jfh]

Figuring case amortization over nominally 5-10 rounds, even if I buy new brass, my costs for reloading don't run over 13 cents a round, or $6.50 a box of fifty.

That's for 38 Special or 357, and it should be about the same or less for 9mm.

Do some actual research for your costs, not ball parking--that should help with your calculating.

Jim H.

[PotatoJudge]

The money is saved working up top end loads in handguns and target/hunting loads in rifle. 9mm has never offered much in savings, and until recently very few people loaded for it.

Your bullet, primer, and powder prices are spot on from what I've seen locally. It's tough times to start reloading, but who can afford not to? Buying in bulk will bring costs down especially powder, primers, and cast lead bullets.

I'm just glad I stocked up when I did, though it's not a huge supply by any means.

[jcwit]

Powder $30 divided by 7000=.004 X 3.5grains=------.014 cents

Primer-----.03 cents

Bullet------.10 cents

Total-----.144 per round
comes to $7.20 per 50 rd. box

brass doesn't count as you use it over and over

[Claude Clay]

brass at $50/1000 used 10 times is 1/2 cent
lead bullets delivered $70/1000 is 7 cents
primers at 30/1000 is 3 cents
powder 20/pound ;2k/pound is 1 cent


amortize the cost of your equipment at a penny a round is 12.5 per 100 shop around and even white box per 100 will be more than double.
your equipment can pay for itself in as little as 2000 rounds [lee] or 4000 for dillon.

cost per bullet is the same for 32 acp 380 38 357 357 sig 40 sw 45 acp etc.

[MBDoc Holiday]

You wont save alot on 9mm but you will if reloading rifle or big bore pistol. Just think of reloading 9mm as a "starter drug".:D

[RustyFN]

What am I missing?
Buying in bulk online. you can buy some brands of primers for $90 to $95 per 5,000, that's around $18 per 1K. You can also buy most powders 8 pounds for under $100, that's close to $12 per pound. I pick up brass at the range and save my own and have never bought brass. I don't know what calibers you are loading but you should be able to load for half of factory. Check out places like http://www.grafs.com/, http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/ and Wideners. As far as bullets I buy them where ever I can find a good deal. I cast for my 45 auto and am getting ready to cast for all of my pistols. Casting will save you a ton of money if you don't mind putting in a little time.
Rusty

[jcwit]

I also do my own casting using range lead and wheel weights.

Cost of bullets minuscule.

[SniperStraz]

Ok, thanks guys, I just got a little shock when I added it all up and needed a little push from my good friends here at THR. I suppose I will reuse the brass a lot (If I can find it all at the range) and rifle rounds will deffinately be worth it.
So far I've heard:
-Buy in bulk
-Use lead bullets
What other tips can you all give me
Thanks

[RustyFN]

Also you should be able to buy once fired brass in 9mm for around $30 to $40 per 1,000.
Rusty

[33rowdy]

Other than reduce, reuse, and recycle....Thats about it!

[ArchAngelCD]

All reloading equipment aside:
Lets say I'm reloading for 9mm
500 Brass Cases-$80
500 Bullets- $50
500 Primers -$15
I don't know how much powder I'd need but lets say 1lb. $30
We're looking at .35 cents per bullet.
One thing I see, powder is ~$20 a lb, not $30 almost anywhere.

Haven't you saved any of your brass from factory ammo? I'm guessing at $80/500 that's new brass, buy used... The brass, like said above, will be used again. Even using your numbers the second time around reusing the brass your rounds will go from .35 a round to less than .15 a round and if you but powder at the right price each round will cost you only .14 even. (using your numbers)

I know it seems you aren't saving much but remember 9mm is a common and inexpensive round. When you get into the more expensive ammo your savings will be considerable. (like building .357 Magnum rounds for the same exact price as .38 Special ammo)

I make a box of .38 Special for well under $5.00 a box... Remington UMC ammo is $17.99 in the store.

[earlthegoat2]

the more BULK you go the more you will save. just about everything has to be purchased by the thousand to make it worthwhile. Powder may have to be purchased by the 4lb or more.

[rfwobbly]

No one sells the 9mm ammo I reload at any price. Therefore I save money, time, and untold aggravation.

[RandyP]

Next time you are at the range, don't be shy about asking fellow shooters if they reload or want to save THEIR brass. You may be surprised at how many not only don't reload but also are more than happy for you to take their now once-fired factory brass to use. Take all you can gather, regardless of caliber. You never know what you might want down the road.

I used to freely offer to others before I just now started reloading. Now, heck I'll even scrounge the cardboard boxes and plastic holders out of the trash. I just wish I had saved the brass from all the factory ammo I've shot.

My indoor range does not permit lead bullet reloads, but plated bullets cost less than FMJs and the cost per round still works out to 1/2 that of factory ammo.

[KentuckyPoorboy]

I just purchased 2000 rounds all Win headstamp once fired off this site for $55 shipped to our door. I split that in half with a buddy and your looking even better on your brass. Powder too should be bought for far less than $30/pound. I am just getting in myself but I am a cheapskate so I am always looking hard to save money but am also excited about being able to make loads that are superior to what I can buy commercially.

Best of luck to ya.

[Landric]

I just bought 1000 once fired .38 Special cases for $35 shipped. I already have primers and powder, but if you figure I paid $25 for 1000 primers (which is about right IIRC), and about $15 for the powder that goes into 1000 rounds of .38 Special +P (I load the higher end of .38 Special for use in IDPA from a L-frame S&W). I buy lead 158 grain bullets for about $60 shipped per 1000. All told, that is $135 (including the brass) for 1000 rounds of .38 Special +P. I can't buy 500 rounds of factory ammo for that.

Since I can reuse the brass over and over again, my next 1000 round batch will cost me $100. If I buy in bulk, I can get under $100 quite easily. Actually, I don't buy powder. I have a friend that bought a huge amount of HS-6 (somewhere around 100 pounds) at an excellent price, and he just gives me a couple of pounds when I need it. That train will dry up eventually, but when it does, I'll be back to $100, or slightly less for 1000 rounds of +P .38 Special.

9x19 costs about the same, still cheaper than it can be bought as factory. .45ACP and .44 Special cost more, but are still a significant savings over factory. .44 Special is the biggest in terms of factory vs. reloaded cost.

Quite frankly, while one can save money reloading 9x19 it is probably the least amount of savings of any handgun chambering. Back when Wally World sold 100 round WWB for ~$10 I didn't bother reloading it often. These days I handload all my 9x19 also.

[Javelin]

A bullet press is nothing more than a machine that converts time into ammunition. You will "save" money only if you are planning to shoot more.

:)

[Bear2000]

I reload 9mm for about .12/round. Takes about 2000 rounds to break even with dies and equipment (but your press can be used for other calibers). Show me where I can buy decent 9mm for less than $20/100 today. AND I get a high quality cartridge tailor made for my guns and purposes.

[Thingster]

As has been said, 9mm is so cheap to begin with that your return time really gets stretched out.

Get into more expensive rounds and it REALLY helps out. For example, I bought an RCBS starter kit.

If all I loaded was .45 ACP FMJ, my setup will be payed for in roughly 1800rounds.

Full load .357 brings return time down to about 800 rounds

If all I loaded was .243, the return time drops to about 850 rounds.

Loading basic 45-70 drops the payback time to about 350 rounds.

Loading hot 45-70 drops payback time to under 175 rounds (it saves $3.45 per round versus commercial loads).

At $40-$80+ a box for 45-70, I can't afford to shoot it. But when reloading it's the cheapest rifle round to load for- 27 cents each, and that's a full power load. Light loads I can get down to 18 cents, each. For comparison it costs me 26 cents each to load .45 FMJ and 12 cents to load .38 special/light .357.

[zxcvbob]

I'm using bullets that I bought a couple of years ago for about 3¢ each (when those run out, my cost actually goes *down* because I start casting my own bullets.) Primers are about 2¢ each, and powder is about 0.6¢ per round. Brass is free because I pick it up at the range and reuse it over and over.

Total cost: less than 6¢ per cartridge, and it's good ammo.

[Riss]

Shop here for brass, $80 for a couple thousand once fired. Get good lead. Rogers better bullets is $72 for a thousand of lead delivered. 9mm is cheaper. Power is more like $15 per pound, unless its new, or Vihtvouri. AND is cheaper in 4 lb or 8lb cans. In the end reloading does not save you any money. It does however let you shoot more for the same money.

[robriboflavin]

One other thing, it's not always about saving money. Back when I was shooting IPSC, the only way to make major in a 38 super was to load my own ammo - no factory rounds were fast enough.

[Redneck with a 40]

Actually it is cheap.:)

My 40 S&W breakdown

Powder = 8 lbs Unique, $100. 1000 rounds/pound at 7 grain charge = 1 cent/round.

Primers = 10,000 wolf = 210 delivered, 2.1 cents/round.

Bullets = 1000 Berry's 165 gr, $106, so 10.6 cents/round.

So the grand total is 13.7 cents/round, round up to 14. Cheapest factory fodder is 30 cents/round. If you use lead bullets, they run about $75/1000, so then the cost will drop to under 11 cents/round.

[wankerjake]

Yeah, 9mm brass is like $30 per thousand (once fired)
Bullets $80.35 shipped** for 2000 from stonewall (lead cast)http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,23847.0.html
Primers $30 per 1000
Powder $18 per pound

I pick up range brass for free and reload 9mm for about $4/box after tax. I spend more money on shooting than I did and shoot WAAAAAY more.

**looks like he is out of 125gr so $84.35 shipped for 147gr. I'm sure he will make more 125's.

[Grassman]

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

I really like this site for getting down what you spent.

[ljnowell]

A bullet press is nothing more than a machine that converts time into ammunition.
I find reloading entertaining and relaxing. To me its almost as much fun as shooting, so the time doesnt matter.

[evan price]

9mm Lugeroal 1.115" crimp 0.378"
125-gr LRN, 4.0gr Titegroup powder 1750/lb Wolf SP
Projo: 4.0¢ Primer: 1.85¢ Powder: 0.75¢
Total Cost per round: 6.6¢
Total Cost per box/50: $3.30

9mm is really only cost effective if it is $10a box. However .45 .38 .357, those are money makers. Plus rifle. If you only load 9mm, you are at the minimum savings- and heck, I am saving 67% or thereabouts. BUY IN BULK. I buy my 9mm bullets by the flat-rate box full, powder by the 8 keg and primers by the 5000 sleeve.

[Speedo66]

Try an esoteric round like .38 WCF (.38-40). Once almost dead, but now popular with Cowboy Shooting.

The least price for an off brand is $35 a box of 50, Winchester brand up to $70!

Sportsman Guide lists a box of Winchesters, 20 rounds to the box, for $59.

Doesn't make sense NOT to load for that caliber.

I just ordered a set of dies to be able to afford to shoot mine.

[Mainsail]

500 Brass Cases-$80
500 Bullets- $50
500 Primers -$15
I dont know how much powder I'd need but lets say 1lb. $30
Having the ability to load your own if/when ammunition is prohibitively taxed or unavailable: Priceless

[qajaq59]

SniperStraz, try the math again on a 338 Ultra and see where you come out?

[Evenflo76]

Another way to save if it has not been mentioned, is to purchase powder and primers locally to avoid HAZMAT shipping costs.

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

Reloading will save you money, comparing reloads vs. factory loads, on a per shot basis. This is why hundreds of thousands, if not millions of shooters, engage in rolling their own.

It is entirely up to the individual to decide on what to do with the savings.
Many of us just re-invest the savings into more powder, primers, bullets and reloading equipment, often spending more than we ever did (on ammo) before we started reloading:D Nonetheless, savings is still savings, no matter how one looks at it.

More savings can be realized if you cast your own bullets.

Whether you get better accuracy will depend on whether you take the time nd expense to learn how to load for accuracy, but that is not the issue in this thread.

[dwave]

.357 mags are $27/50 around here (.54 per round). My reloads cost about .19 per round (works out to $9.87/50) including the brass (calculated @ 10 uses).

[Hardatwork]

This is a guy that has cheap brass for sale shipping included. check him out.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=44125

[procomps]

I don't know where I found this, but this site should help: "Handgun Cartridge Reloading Cost Calculator.mht"

I use once-fired brass or good range brass, and with plated bullets, I save a BUNCH of money!

[procomps]

This is the site I use: http://10xshooters.com/calculators/index.htm

Note that this site has different calculators for pistol, rifle, and shotgun.

[moooose102]

yes, on your initial set up, it appears that way. like the other guys have said, a big part of the savings comes when you save and reuse your cases. another place you can save money is by casting your own bullets. especially if you can retrieve your old ones. then you can just melt them down and reuse them for the cost of the electricity and a few cents worth of chemicals.

[jcwit]

I'm not sure about saving money by buying locally to save the hazmat fee, I suppose it depends on how much you shoot and reload.

In my case I purchase powder in 8 lb. jugs and usually buy primers in quanities of at least 10,000 at a time. Have never seen a local shop able or willing to match the prices I pay, even when I add in the hazmet fee.

[atblis]

Here's my prices
Jacketed 9mm $68 per 1k shipped
Primers are $20 1k Wolf Small Pistol
Powder is $105 for 8lbs Unique 5.8 gr per load
Cases are $20 for 1k once fired

Throw that in a cost calculator.
I get $5.94 per box.
If you reuse the brass 5 times it becomes
$5.14
better than $9 at Walmart

For 38 special it gets better. Brass can be reused many many times and won't get lost
I get $5.14 per box. Consider that 38 ammo is what? $15 per box.

10mm also stacks up well.
I get $8.14 per box. Consider that 10mm is ~$20-$30 per box.

[mokin]

There is a lot of good advice in this thread. Experiment with what seems the most logical for you. I found that for 9mm plinker ammo the price to reload is about the same as buying it at the store. I buy that for the cases.

If you want to shoot "higher end" ammo though, you can generally load/reload you own for less than you can buy it. If you are loading for and shooting more "exotic/collectable" calibers, espically rifles (WWI and WWII), your press and other equipment will quickly pay for itself. I got into reloading so I could shoot my rifles few companies load ammo for and when I find it it usually goes for between $1 or 2 a round.

I found that any saving I may have gained in reloading was offset by the amount of shooting I now do. Be safe and have fun!

[RustyFN]

Another way to save if it has not been mentioned, is to purchase powder and primers locally to avoid HAZMAT shipping costs.
I wish I had some places close to me like you do. I buy on-line and even with hazmat and shipping included I am buying for close to half of what I can buy for local.
Rusty

[JoeShmoe]

Part of the fun of reloading, is finding deals on components, and stocking up.

[RustyFN]

and stocking up.
Music to my ears.:D
Rusty

[Ky Larry]

I don't save any money by reloading. Whatever money I might save I just reinvest in components. I reload so I can shoot more. The cost is the same.

[jcwit]

Well that there is a problem!!!!!!!!

[elkhuntingfool]

So far I've heard:
-Buy in bulk
-Use lead bullets
What other tips can you all give me

Look for deals on powder and primers. I pay about half of what powder costs in the stores. Look for guys getting out of reloading to pay the bills. I've picked up powder in bulk this way. I now have 20lbs of pistol powder that cost around $100. Not bad. This drops your costs. Look around for deals on primers - same guy - bought his small rifle primers - 4000 for $32. A brick of 1000 is about $32 (incl. tax). You'll see your costs going down. Scrounge the indoor ranges for brass. The outdoor range here - you won't find brass on the ground - unless it's crappy and you wouldn't want it. Indoor range - I can fill a duffle bag each time I go. They probably don't like it - but I don't care - there isn't a sign telling me I can't do it :neener:

[rockhound758]

Great comments above, especially on reloading for bigger calibers. I reload for .357, .45 and .44 mag, and the savings are significant. But like a few others noted, there are other reasons I find compelling.

1) It's fun to look for deals on components

2) I really like the thought of being able to make my own ammo even if things get tight...hopefully won't happen and call it a survivalist mindset if you will (I'm not one by the way) but I like being self-sufficient (at least to a point)

3) It's fun and relaxing and rewarding to me, pure and simple. These three make the cost thing a no brainer... :)

[earlthegoat2]

I kind of subcribe to this guys philosphy.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

And I take my reloading seriously enough and make it simple enough on myself that I can even reload a bunch of 38s with a setup like this.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/earlthegoat2/SDC11212.jpg

[THe Dove]

"Hey guys. I'm trying to get into reloading here. According to my calculations its not going to save me much money."

Then don't...... However, re-consider after reading all the comments after your initial post.

The Dove

[jcwit]

Say earlthegoat2, what kind of press is that in the picture.

[FM12]

Go to gun shows and scrounge for things sold by individuals, such as brass, partial boxes of bullets, etc. I once bought a 4# jug of data 2200 rifle powder for $20.00. You'll find guys selling dies they no longer need, and maybe a shotshell reloader, etc. Become a brass scrounger at the range. Pick up calbiers you dont shoot and trade them to guys that need them.

[TexasRedneck]

An' at the range, lay out a large tarp to catch your brass. I recover a good 80-90% of it that way, saves a TON of time and bending over!

[MCgunner]

Casting bullets from range scrap saves me tons. I also scrounge brass at the range. I have to buy revolver brass occasionally, but .45ACP, 9x19, and .40 are abundant and I even find .380 ACP laying around. I reload all that except .40 and I give that to my son-in-law for his XD.

All I pay for is powder and primer for handguns. I pay for jacketed bullets and in some cases premium hunting bullets for my rifles, but I put far more handgun ammo downrange than rifle. I shoot a lot of milsurp in 7.62x39 and I have a .357 lever carbine that loves my cast SWCs. And, then there's my Hawken and my cap and ball revolvers. I even have a tool to make my own percussion caps. :D

[Hikingman]

Brass (loaded 4-6 times per caliber, sometimes more), Bullets, and powder cost significantly lower than the prices you mentioned (for this guy). :D

Visit this helpful link: http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Hikingman
(pronounced 'scrounger')

[Clarence]

I can load 45 ACP for around $6.25 / 50 rounds.

The cheapest place I know of factory ammo is Natchez and Blazer will cost you $15.49 / 50 rounds + shipping.

Do the math.

[FM-793]

Actually, I do save money loading 9mm. The only $10 a box ammo I know of is 115 gr range ammo. I believe in "practicing like you play", so I generally shoot heavier loads. Try pricing a box of 9mm 147gr XTPs, if you haven't done so in a while, and if you can find them. I'd back the truck up if I could find them anywhere near $10.

[GW Staar]

1: Buy all the Walmart 9mm Federal, Remington, Winchester ammo you can find. (or where ever you can find good brass ammo, mail order, internet, etc.)
2: Then have fun shooting it at the range while you are collecting your new reloading equipment.
3: Pick up your spent brass. which is now free! (and any other good brass you can find)
4: Make friends at the range and order powder bullets and primers in bulk with your new found friends (sharing the hazmat fee)
5: Finally you get to reload CHEAPER and better ammo than the original Walmart factory offerings. (even 9mm):cool:

P.S. Conceal Carry instructors quite often have all kinds of once shot 9mm brass after every class. (many students don't know or care about reloading, and most of those same students choose 9mm as their qualifying firearm. My instructor (got my C.C. a year ago) still brings me a sack of 38spl, and 40sw every month and my friend who shoots 9mm gets two sacks. (He sometimes keeps the 45's) In other words, make friends with a C.C. instructor and offer to pickup for him after his class!;)

[TurboFC3S]

Seems like the bases are covered here ... I'm always scrounging for deals, hitting the gun shows and asking around at stores. Every now and then you'll score a deal that will carry you for awhile. Bullets are most of the cost, and buying in bulk is the way to go there. Again if you ask around you'll probably easily find a friend or two willing to split a large order with you.

[Hiaboo]

Pick up brass on the range - Free.
Hard Cast bullets - 1k for about $60
Powder - 18$
Primers - 1k for $23

That adds up to about 100$, probably get 1,000 out of the whole thing. So that's 10 cents a round.

[mija]

Once fired brass 9mm 68$/2000
http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=42&pg=2

115 gr LRN hard cast 110$/2000 Missouri bullet co. 99% of the time you are plinking, lead hard cast works fine at a good price.

wolf Brand primers $40/2000 pick primers and powder up locally, save haz mat shipping.
http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=42&pg=2

Alliant Green Dot 19$/ lb. Bass Pro

Thats about 11.5 cent a round
If you need a jacketed or plated bullet. Ranier has the best price I have found. 8-11 cent ea. It's a good product. If you have to mail order powder and primers get 4-8, or 12 lb at a time, get primers a full 5000 case at a time. You will save $ on haz mat shipping.

I saw an ad a member had in this forum in the reloading section with good prices on bullets.

Look aroung on the internet, you will find good prices.

Mija