Am I doing this right?

[Ashcons]

I have a handful of questions that I thought the helpful community here would be happy to answer.

First, I am looking into buying reloading equipment for 9mm (x19) ammo. Local availability of ammunition is either limited to LGS charging $20/50 or perpetually out-of-stock at Wal-Mart. After reading several postings here to help newbies pick out gear, I decided that the Lee Classic Turret Press (4-Hole) looked like my best option for my immediate and probable future needs. I would like someone else to check my equipment list to verify that I won't be leaving out something important in my first order.

Kempf is offering a package deal on the Lee Classic Turret Press 4-Hole including the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure (extra for the Pro version), Safety Primer (small & large; extra cost for both), 9mm 4-die set, and Auto-Disk Riser (to allow both the safety primer and powder measure to fit the turret at once). I plan to order the Lee Safety Powder Scale and Adjustment Charge Bar to complete the package. In addition, I will pick up a shell cleaner, cleaning media, case lube, bullet puller, cartridge gauge, and digital calipers. To be safe, I will be ordering the Lee reloading manual and a couple other highly regarded reloading books (ABC's, Metallic Cartridge) off of Amazon. Since I will not be (initially) reloading rifle ammunition, it appears that I do not need to worry about case trimming; is that a correct assumption? Am I leaving out anything important to my desired setup? Adding all of these costs (including S&H and tax) gives me the equipment cost I use for my ROI calculations.

Secondly, I want to make sure my ROI estimation is as reliable as I can get it. All of my estimated prices for equipment and consumables include shipping, hazmat charges, and tax in the costs. My estimates are based on comparison to WWB 50-round boxes at Wal-Mart, though I have run it using bulk costs, which extend the ROI slightly. Here is what my spreadsheet looks like:

Powder
Primer
Bullet
Brass
Cleaning Media

These are all divided out to a cost per round (using ~7000gr/lb. for my powder and 11,667 rounds for 10lb. of media with 5 reuses - I know my actual will come out much lower since I won't be getting maximum use out of it)

Add the above to give me Total Consumable Cost per Round
Multiply by 50 to give me Equivalent Retail Package (ERP)
Retail cost of WWB less ERP = Savings per 50-rounds
the above / 50 = Savings per round (SPR)

Projected Rounds per month fired * SPR = Savings per month (SPM)
Equipment Cost / SPR = ROI in Rounds
Equipment Cost / SPM = ROI in months

Does my math in the spreadsheet seem pretty reliable? I've double checked myself, but having more experienced eyes look at it could save me from making a costly mistake! Thanks for checking it out

 

[rcmodel]

Many of us reload to get better ammo, for the enjoyment of being able to shoot more, and to have a relaxing hobby that keeps me out of the bars at night.

If Return On Envestment is the primary reason you want to get into reloading, I wish you good luck.

You will need it.

There is real big money to be saved loading Magnum pistol, obscure calibers, and center-fire rifle.
Not so much on 9mm ammo.

rc

 

[lgbloader]

Well put, Mate.

LGB

 

[LiveLife]

I got my 9mm reloading cost down to about $5.50 - $6/50 rounds or about 1/2 the cost of retail cost shooting lead bullets ($6-$8 for plated/jacketed).
Cost savings are greater for 40S&W/45ACP (about 1/3 cost of retail).

I reload in stages (sort, size/deprime, hand prime, reload) when I have "down time" so cost of time is not a factor for me.

What I found to be the biggest benefit of reloading is that my reloads can be "custom tailored" for particular shooting purpose (i.e. light loads for new shooters) and they are generally more accurate than factory loads.

 

[budiceman]

I've never used media for pistol ammo. I usually come with more brass than I started with. I buy in bulk local so dont pay hazmat or shipping fees. Plus it does keep me out of trouble so my saving are greater the your spread sheet. I also save my scrap brass then cash it in also.

 

[jagugator]

Hmmph, never thought of adding media into my total cost, but then again the only consumables I consider are primers, powder and bullets. I figure the rest is just the cost of enjoying my hobby.

I have been using the same batch of walnut for about 2 years, probably 40 batches of brass so far. Corn cob can be recharged and walnut can be washed if you so choose.

 

[bullseye308]

Look at it this way. Once you get setup and have everything on hand, you can load some and shoot whenever you like without having to drive all over looking for ammo in stock. How much will that save you. What if after the next set of elections things don't look promising and there is another 18 month ammo shortage? Will you be shooting or crying that you can't find ammo?

I reload because I enjoy it. Even if I didn't, I would reload so that I had ammo whenever I wanted some and not be at the mercy of the masses that beat me to the store and buy everything in site to resell at the gunshow for 300% markup.

All that and I get the level of recoil I want, the accuracy I need, and I still save money when it is said and done on 9mm. I'm cheap. I get free lead on craigslist and never leave a piece of brass at the range. What I don't load I trade for what I do. There are many ways to save money reloading. If you only want to reload to save money, it can be done, but most of us haven't got the restraint to do it.

 

[bullseye308]

Something else to consider. How many rounds do you anticipate firing per month?
There is always once fired brass for sale on this board, and there are reputable members selling both cast(missouri bullet) & jacketed bullets(RMR) here too for great prices. Buying in bulk will definitely help with your ROI. Finding powder & primers locally will be another big savings on the haz-mat fee.

There, I just saved you maybe 20% right there, for free.

 

[warnerwh]

I'd say you've done an excellent job all the way around. You've been very thorough too. Good choice on equipment. You can get crushed walnut media at Petsmart as lizard bedding for cheap.
It's not just the savings but being able to make any load you want or need is nice. It's also very enjoyable. Right now I need to go shooting so I can build up some brass to load.

 

[gdcpony]

Agreed. I end up spending what I save on more shooting items. The fact that my "bulk" ammo shoots better than most premium ammo is a bonus.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It looks like you listed everything you will need to get started. I'm glad you upgraded to the Pro Auto Disk, it's worth the money. I don't think you will need "case lube" for handgun calibers especially the 9mm since you are using Lee Carbide dies. (or any brand Carbide dies) If you do use a lube for 9mm brass I would recommend "One Shot" spray on lube. When you do move into rifle calibers there's nothing as good as Imperial Sizing Wax.

When loading for the .38 Special I can load 4.5 to 1 over buying. It costs me just over $4/50 rounds whereas factory ammo in .38 Special is still close to $20/50 here. I'm sure you will achieve similar savings when loading for the 9mm. Instead of shooting only 50 rounds on a range trip I can shoot 200 to 250 rounds for the same money as you will. That's a considerable savings any way you look at it...

Good luck and welcome to reloading!

 

[Ashcons]

Thank you all for the advice.

The ROI serves 2 purposes for me. I am an accountant/auditor and have to be able to justify the economics to myself for reloading 9mm (I will undoubtedly add more calibers later) and in the same vein, I get a nifty figure to show my wife in order to get her OK on the purchase since we run spending by each other.

I have no doubt that reloading will be a fun and relaxing activity for me as well! I also realize I won't actually "save money," but will be shooting more often. She doesn't have to know that, though.

Bullseye, I have MBC targeted as my supplier due to their friendly business representation on this site and the recommendations of other THR members. My estimated figure is 250/month, but I would LIKE to shoot more. My wife found out when I dragged her out to shoot with an old high school buddy in Reno that she really enjoys firing handguns. Between her and her firearm friendly brothers, I'm sure we can find a way to expend more rounds every month. I definitely will check out local availability for primers and powder. I have pricing from PV to take with me for haggling if I need to

My estimate falls right around what Bds says his 9mm cost is: $5.57 using the cheapest prices that I could find online for consumables and NOT including brass cost. That is with Alliant Unique (x2 lbs) and CCI SP#500 (x2000) with combined hazmat from Powder Valley & 2000 hc lead 9mm 124gr RN from MBC. I did not add the cost of cleaning media since the vibratory cleaner I have my eyes on (from Cabela's) comes with a couple pounds. The chances of picking up primers and powder on one order/hazmat charge are slim-to-none, though, so that is all a best case scenario. ROI by rounds came out to 2,319 for anyone curious (that was without some of the smaller pieces of equipment included in my equipment cost, so figure about 200 more rounds on top of that to break even).

 

[LiveLife]

And don't forget bag balm for cows as case lube : http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6238921#post6238921

 

[rfwobbly]

You can save a lot on media if you'll simply recycle the used cat box media the wife was going to throw out anyway!


Congratulations and welcome to the hobby! From all reports, the machine you've picked will do a great job and get you started with a bang. (No pun intended.)

You're going to want to start with a general use powder, like Win231/Hodgdon HP-38 or similar, but you'll be wanting branch out in no time. Therefore small quantities are all that make sense. Buying a $24 can of powder and then paying a $25 haz-mat fee doesn't add up. So get the first batch of powder and primers locally. In 6 months when you know what you really like, then do the on-line shipment thing.

 

[Ashcons]

Going to head over to the LGS to see what they've got in the way of reloading supplies based on the suggestions here

Edit: None in stock and $43/1000 CCI sp! Their powder prices seemed good, but they didn't have anything in stock for the loads I'm looking for, as far as I could tell.