There’s a sweet spot for retired folks who put no value on their time, enjoy casting and loading as much or more than they do shooting, and don’t shoot quiet enough to take up excessive time casting and loading.
Those that say you will have lots of time once you are retired aren't retired.
I've never been busier and I do not know when I found time work.
When I started reloading, I did a fair amount of casting. I eventually stopped as I was not shooting as much and I really needed to make a major capital investment to make casting more efficient. I recently started up again casting bullets not readily available on the commercial market. Material cost is not as important as in my younger years, performance is more important.
If I was competing, shooting a couple thousand rounds a month, I'd probably buy bullets but I would still reload.
It has been decades since I calculated the cost of my reloaded ammunition. I really do not care at this point in time. When I did calculate the cost, it was always less than factory ammunition.
If I was not reloading, I'd be building something in my fab shop, working on the race car or playing with the horses. So, my time is free, it would be spent on some non-money making activity regardless. The kids are gone and the wife does needle work all the time. My time is my own.
My ammunition is better than any cheap or surplus stuff so I get better ammunition for the same or less cost.
Besides, I enjoy reloading and I can load more ammunition than I can shoot.
Reloading and casting is not for everyone. It is grand we have choices.