ArmedOkie
Member
thinking of picking up a lee pro 1000 to start loading 357 magnum. Just curious what you guys end up paying per round to reload 357 these days. I can buy as low as .30 cents per round. Hoping i can reload closer to 20 per round.
357 cost per round
- Thread starter ArmedOkie
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gamestalker
member
It's running me about .20 per round to load full tilt jacketed using 296.
GS
GS
Salmoneye
Member
3.5¢ per primer (WSP)
7.6¢ per boolit (158gr Penn TC)
.016¢ per powder charge (5gr Red Dot)
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11.116¢ per round
7.6¢ per boolit (158gr Penn TC)
.016¢ per powder charge (5gr Red Dot)
------------------------
11.116¢ per round
stubbicatt
Member
In terms of expendables, assuming the cases are infinitely reusable (which they aren't, but I have no reliable way of amortizing them), and not factor my time (which I don't because I enjoy reloading), I spend about 8 cents a round, casting my own bullets, and using 13.5 grains of 2400. So, $8 per hundred.
au_prospector
Member
Let me be the first to say two things....
1) 0.30 cents per round is bargain for commercial .357 ammo. $15 per box of 50 of .357 magnum? Well okay let us use MEHaveys numbers and your $15 per box. That would require you to load 21 boxes or 1050 rounds to break even.
2) Hopefully you have other calibers to load as well. This will help you justify any start up costs for equipment.
Then there is the number one rule of loading your own. You will want to shoot a lot more! You know, to test your ammo, find accuracy, free up extra brass, use up powder you dont care for, try new bullet combinations, the list goes on and on....
1) 0.30 cents per round is bargain for commercial .357 ammo. $15 per box of 50 of .357 magnum? Well okay let us use MEHaveys numbers and your $15 per box. That would require you to load 21 boxes or 1050 rounds to break even.
2) Hopefully you have other calibers to load as well. This will help you justify any start up costs for equipment.
Then there is the number one rule of loading your own. You will want to shoot a lot more! You know, to test your ammo, find accuracy, free up extra brass, use up powder you dont care for, try new bullet combinations, the list goes on and on....
TimSr
Member
I figure about $8.00 a box for me, and then I compare my ammo quality to what you get in factory ammo for $15 a box and the decision becomes much easier.
ljnowell
Member
Depends on what you load. In 38 special it cost me about 5.50 or so to load HBWC.
To load 158 grain LSWC with 2400 it cost me close to or at 7.00 per box.
Good choice on the pro1000. I load very high volume 38 special on one. I have a few threads here on it if you search.
If you ever have any questions please get ahold of me, I would be glad to help you.
To load 158 grain LSWC with 2400 it cost me close to or at 7.00 per box.
Good choice on the pro1000. I load very high volume 38 special on one. I have a few threads here on it if you search.
If you ever have any questions please get ahold of me, I would be glad to help you.
anothernewb
Member
my last batch of full power magnums and jacketed bullets ran right at .20 each
lead swc plinkers are about .13
lead swc plinkers are about .13
PJSprog
Member
I haven't loaded any .357 in quite awhile. But, as I recall, it was somewhere around 15 or 16¢/round with HP-38 under 125gr JHPs.
SlayerOfBunnies
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2014
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I think I'm right at $0.12 per round for plated that leave my .357 carbine at just under 1200fps. Great practice rounds, IMO. My hunting stuff, on the other hand will be closer to $0.54 each.
ljnowell
Member
Reloadron
Contributing Member
The only way you can get even close to a comparison is to define what you can buy for thirty cents a round? To be more specific what bullet? When you buy it obviously comes brass included, you will need brass for your first round you hand load. Most people do not include the brass cost since "I already have it".
Anyway, unless the bullet, for starters is defined, you can't begin to calculate a comparison cost. That assuming you already have press, dies, and all associated hand loading gear. If you don't have anything to start with the very first 357 cartridge will be a very expensive cartridge.
But look on the bright side, the more you lods, the more the cost comes down.Ron
Jesse Heywood
Member
You will not save any money by reloading. However, you will get to shoot more!
OP
OP
ArmedOkie
Member
Gah... I don't know what to do! I have a 357 20" lever and a 5.5" 1873 revolver. I only plink and shoot targets informally. Other guns are all 9mm (which I don't want to reload/pick up my brass) or blackpowder, so no immediate plans to reload anything but 357/38. Should I just buy cheap ammo, or should I get a press and get to work?
ljnowell
Member
That answer is easy. Reload.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
The question is not how many 357 guns you have, the question is how many 38 Special or 357 Magnum rounds you fire in a given time period? Do you shoot 200 rounds a month? Maybe 500 a month? Some guys may shoot a thousand a month. Doesn't take much to figure out who would benefit from hand loading and recoup their investment quicker.
Ron
SlayerOfBunnies
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2014
- Messages
- 204
Berrys bullets, cci 500 small pistol primers and a minimal charge of Titegroup.
Lee S. Forsberg
Member
What's your time worth?
shootniron
Member
I cast my bullets and my loads cost me less than .10 per round. I seldom shoot jacketed as I have no real use for them...cast will do anything that I want to do.
Reefinmike
Member
Casting my own, 4 cents a round for 38spl, 8 cents for full bore win296 loads.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
go here, can even tell you when you get your money back for the equipment and you can figure in the times you can reload brass.: http://www.realguns.com/calculators/handloadingcostsavings.html
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