Cost Savings?

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Lovesbeer99

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Understanding that my time is worth something, and that some of us just like to reload as a hobby regardless of savings, I'm looking for a range in numbers. If I buy a starter kit for 300.00 how many boxes would it cost to break even? So I'll be loading for a handgun, 9mm and 38 special most of the time. I'll try rifle rounds some time in the future. I intend to load for practice only and I only need reliable rounds with decent accuracy, nothing fancy.

What is the cost savings for 9mm, or how much to load a box of 50?
What about 38 special?

I currently buy 9mm from walmart for 15.00 box of 100 tax included. For the 38 it costs about 10.00 for a box of 50 tax included.

Thanks in advance

Lovesbeer99 (but shoots safe)
 
this link might help but loading 9mm and 38spl it will take alot longer to make your money back than if you were reloading say 45acp, 357 mag or 44 mag
 
Lovesbeer99...Good accurate practice loads will generally cost you half as much then store bought. As long as you don't count your time. If you like firearms and shooting you will find that reading about reloading and how to accomplish the "task" and actually reloading your own ammunition to be quite therepeutic, both physically and mentally. Not to mention fun.

On my 9mmX19 and my .38 Special (and I load JHP and SJHP) I save 50% on my practice and plinking rounds.
 
I cast my own bullets using wheel weights, load my own cartridges in 9MM and .45ACP. At the current prices, I am spending less than $2.00 a box of 50 to roll my own. They're very accurate cartridges and I outshoot every factory reload I've fired in my pistols with my own cartridges.

Dave
 
9mm is probably a "worst case" scenario, unless you cast your own bullets. Even then, its hard to justify, as you're addding the time it takes to cast bullets. But as you get into "bigger and better" it starts to make a real difference. When you get into rifle rounds the savings can be very significant.
 
There is a sticky thread here on the costs of reloading. Within that storied thread is a nifty little excel spreadsheet which will allow you to run the numbers and figure time to payback after buying equipment, components, etc. It will even allow you to figure in the cost of your time, if you want to.

I've found it a very helpful modeling tool.
 
Buying plated bullets using Titegroup, and cleaning used brass, my cost on 9mm is about $4.50 per 50. But, I'm not actually saving any money... I'm just shooting more often! :D
 
Reload to Save? Nope.

Not likely. I've been reloading a while now, and I seriously doubt I've saved much. It could take years to recoup my outlay. Unlike most of the others, I'm not shooting any more than I was before. I'm very consistent in my shooting practice, and I reload to merely be more a part of the entire experience. What has changed is that I am much more sensitive to bullet weights, powder charges and the feel of the gun from shot to shot. It has enhanced my shooting by making me more aware of every single shot, and I am a much better marksman for it.
 
I reload 500 S&W, I save $35 per 20. I also reload 300 Ultra, and other expensive-to-shoot rounds. I've saved alot of quid, as well as higher quality ammo.
 
The more common and smaller of a round you're shooting will take longer and longer to realize any savings.

But, with the larger/more expensive calibres and magnums, you'll catch up pretty quick.

Plus, you'll be albe to load practice ammo that doesn't rattle your bones, sprain your wrist, and loosen the fillings in your teeth every time you fire one.

.
 
Thanks for all of the reply's. I'll start by getting my hands on a reloading manual, then I'll price out the componants.

Now how do I learn? Is a manual enough, or is there a video, or what?

Thanks, and shoot safe. I do.

Lovesbeer99
 
Reloading probably won't save you any money. It is a whole new addition to the hobby, and while your per shot cost may well go down, you will probably shoot more and have a lot of new reloading toys to buy.
 
The Lyman 47th or 48th edition and lots of questions of my gunsmith. That's how I started...I did learn that one manual is not enough, but it is a start.:)
 
James......:) :) :)

What can I say?
"This will make more sense when ya get older, and Arthritios gets to be a problem".....:) :)
or,
"You don't spend alot on .22 rimfire ammo do ya"?

Really though,
I think back to a 6", S & W 586 I had, that I more or less wore out shooting monster loads at plinking targets. I'd come back from shooting-- and my shoulder, arm, wrist, and elbows hurt for two days.
I ended up with a worn out and gas cut Smith, and the urge to shoot it more.

What I did was down load most of my ammo for the new one I replaced it with.
I'd still hit them paper targets plenty hard enough to punch a hole in them, and had a few high performance rounds for the concrete blocks, old TV, lawn mower engines, etc.

It worked out for me, I saved a few bucks after going to cast bullets, and didn't trash the gun nearly as soon.:D
 
I'm sure I'm not the only one that has noticed the skyrocketing prices for ammo over the past year. Compare Midway's 2006 catalog prices with their online prices and whether you should reload becomes a moot point. Dive in, it's a great way to get through the winter too.
 
Except for rimfires and my .40 S&W, I have not fired a factory load for years.
I just set up to reload for a newly acquired .25-06.
Dies, brass,bullets and two different powders set me back about $200.00
For a casual shooter this is not economical of course.
A rifles potential is realized by reloading and I rarely give economy a thought.
Zeke
 
I load some very fancy .38 spl that would be 'way over $10. They cost just about $5 for 50 to reload.

I was in competition shooting 1000 to 1200 rounds/month when I began reloading so the $900 or so I put out for the full setup plus components was paid off pretty fast.
 
"9mm is probably a "worst case" scenario, unless you cast your own bullets. Even then, its hard to justify, as you're addding the time it takes to cast bullets. But as you get into "bigger and better" it starts to make a real difference. When you get into rifle rounds the savings can be very significant."

You're considering reloading and casting as work when you add your own time into the equation. You're also considering casting as extremely slow.

Reloading and casting, like shooting and preparing to shoot, can be a very fun hobby, one you can do even when the weather is too nasty to shoot. And regardless of caliber, there's just nothing like the feeling of getting a firearm to shoot more accurately than it ever has since you've had it, with bullets you made, from raw material, yourself. When you cast your own, you are making the bullet. There's guys that design their own molds. I can only imagine their satisfaction when they get a good group.

For those that sit behind a computer all day at work, the reloading and casting hobby is a great therapy for a job where one can't see anything actually made. You get to see real results when you're done. You can't put a price on the feeling of satisfaction you get.

Just my .02,

Dave
 
"Understanding that my time is worth something"


To me this is one of the key things you mentioned. Because I feel the exact same way.

So with that said, I would suggest not spending $300 on a starter kit.

I started reloading with about a $350 investment in a Lee Classic Turret press, 38/357 dies, scale, vibrating cleaner and a small set of accessories with the intention of just reloading for cowboy matches. I did this for one cowboy season and found out that it was taking me a little over 2 hours to load 150-175 rounds to get ready for a match, so I had to factor that into my schedule whenever one was coming up.

I recently upgraded to a Hornady LNL and with little to no practice can load 50 rounds in about 10 minutes and getting faster. Today I'm expecting my order to come from midway with all of the supplies to load 45acp.


Many reloaders feel that reloading is a good way to pass the time, many look at it as a way to make special or match grade loads.

If you're looking for a way to save a little money &/or shoot more then I feel the return on a good progressive press can be achieved much faster even though the initial startup is more. Once you crack the break even point it's all gravey from there.
 
Now how do I learn? Is a manual enough, or is there a video, or what?
Click to expand...

First, read the sticky threads in this forum. Lots of good "getting started" advice.

Second, the ABCs of reloading is about as basic and comprehensive as one could ask. Read and re-read.

Third, if at all possible, visit a friend who is willing to show you the process and even give a bit of stick time. A good chance to make book knowledge into real knowledge, and get a feel the hobby. The actual experience will guide your buying criteria and priorities as well.

This has been my experience, YMMV. But I don't think anything can beat some FTF time with someone who's reloaded for a while.
 
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