Originally Posted by ku4hx
I've been reloading and casting boolits since 1970 and at the time I got the bulk of my gear prices were low, factory fodder was junk and reloading saved a lot of money. Not to mention the advantage of custom made high quality ammo. And for obsolete weaponry it may be your sole source of ammo. Then there's the customization aspect.
I fire between 10,000 - 15,000 rounds per year (average over the years) so I've loaded my share. But hand loading is a hobby and a labor of love. Being a hobby like say, golf, there's no way you can justify costs. It's what you do that gives you pleasure and a sense of accomplishment among other things. It's like the Rolls Royce salesman told the prospective buyer, "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it."
Over the last few years, mostly because of rising ammo costs, several people have approached me about them getting into hand loading. I sit down with them, get an idea of what they want to do and calculate the equipment and material cost to load their first 100 rounds. The last time I did this was with my son-in-law and he was looking at $6.00 per final loaded rifle round. He simply didn't shoot enough to make it anywhere near a reasonable deal. $300 - $400 can buy the occasional deer hunter a good bit of ammo. And it doesn't take you away from your wife and 5yo son either. There is such as thing as "one hobby too many".
But hey, hand loading and casting are wonderful hobbies. And for me it's a craftsmanship adventure too. So if you got the cash, the place to do the deed and time to learn the craft safely then go for it. Just beware, once you fire your first batch of ultra reliable and accurate stuff you're going to be hooked for life. Catalogs will start showing up at your house, you'll start to get backaches from bending and stooping to pick up brass, any brass, and your wallet will be thinner and a good bit lighter. Which I feel is just therapy for that aching back.