OP, for me the cost savings are pretty good when comparing my loads to comparable factory ammo.
In 9MM I load 147 gr plated @ 4.70 per 50. Compare to $10 for factory. I did load some using some 147 gr that I bought at the height of the panic that ended up costing me a bit more per bullet. Those boxes of 50 came to $7.10 - 7.98, depending on which primer I used. I normally load 9MM for less than $5.
I mention this, as many times folks mention 9MM isn't worth loading.
Here's my prices per 50 on pistol rounds. Compare to what factory would cost.
38 Spcl $5-6
32 ACP $7-8
380 ACP $4-5
45 ACP $4.70-6.50
357 Mag $6-7
38 Super $5-6
45 GAP $5-7
40 S&W $4.50-6.50
45 Colt $6-7 (this is probably the greatest margin as a factory box usually runs $30-40.
On Rifle I can save a lot if the brass is once fired, or free range pickup. What I usually figure if I bought brass, I count it as part of the initial cost and then it's free on any future loading. Some will amortize by figuring - get 10 loads from brass so the price is divided by 10. Either way would be fine.
Greater savings may be found in the rifle rounds and the rare rounds really shine with reloading - 6.5 and 7.7 Jap for example. These are just not commonly found and are expensive when you do find them.
For rifle I compare costs at 20 round boxes. Here are the calibers I load and what a box runs me.
223 Rem <$4
300 Blackout $5.50 - 7.50
30-30 Win $6
308 Win $6-7
30-06 $6-7
303 Brit $4.5-6
6.5 Swede $5-6 (first loading 14-15)
6.5 Jap - should be around the Swede/Carcano costs.
6.5 Carcano $6 (first load $17)
7.7 Jap $6 (first load $17)
30-40 Krag $6 (first load $18)
30 Carbine $7 - 12 (pricy FMJs)
7.62x39 $5-6 (My AR doesn't like steel case stuff)
I have components to load but haven't yet the following: 8MM Mauser, 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x54R, 5.7x28 and 7.62x25.
As far as equipment costs. If you load at any decent volume you'll quickly reach the payoff on the equipment costs. There's a calculator around somewhere that you can use. But, figure this -- how much do you load/shoot in one month for your common calibers? Say 200 rounds of 9MM, 200 rounds of 45 ACP, 200 rounds of 223. For me that would be:
Factory costs -- my loads = savings
$40 - 20 = $20
$68 - 24 = $44
$80 - 20 = $60 (brass case not steel)
That would be $124 savings in one month.
How much did you spend on the equipment? Let's say $500. The payoff would be in 4 months.
In my case, even though I bought my equipment over several years, I ran it through the calculator using the usual amounts I shoot monthly. I spent around $2K on my RC, 2 LNL APs, books, tools, and dies, etc... It was paid off in around 10 months.
I'll mention, as many here have, to really maximize the savings you have to buy in bulk. Goes for primers, bullets, and powder.