Cost ?

[mdi]

The price of that kit seems OK to me. But I still suggest you get "The ABCs of Reloading" first, then decide what equipment suits yopur needs.

 

[ArtP]

I think the notion of getting 100 firings out of one piece of brass is true for jcwit, but not true for most other people. A more reasonable number might be between 5 and 20 cycles. As he mentioned, it all depends on the quality of the original brass, how hot they've been loaded and how much you work the brass when you re-size it.

Having done a lot of reloading "math", I find building premium hunting ammo to be the most cost effective when trying to beat the factory. If you duplicate surplus ammo, you won't save as much on a percentage basis. You can also save a lot more money reloading exotic calibers vs loading for common military calibers.

 

[sugarmaker]

From my experience, it's more about lifestyle than saving money. You can tailor your ammo for your exact purpose. The lower incremental cost per round will cause more shooting. Component acquisition happens in bulk (pounds of powder, bricks of primers, shrink wrap packs of bullets) and you get to "re-use" the cases, making you feel like you're saving money. when you shoot you're burning off sunk cost, like it's for free. You get to pile up expensive loading equipment, which is sort of like owning more guns - very satisfying. All part of 'MAS" - Male Acquisition Syndrome. Go for it - you'll love it but you won't save a dime.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Just be careful not to become an equipment collector:

Yeah, this hobby can definitely take up some space after awhile.

 

[Hondo 60]

Reloading is a hobby all of it's own.
I spent FAR, FAR, FAR more time & money on reloading than I do shooting.

But I get FAR, FAR, FAR more accurate ammo, because I can tailor it to my gun.

So, do I save money?
Heck NO, but I have a lot of pleasure & satisfaction making & shooting my custom ammo.
And I don't save because I shoot way more than I could afford if I had to buy factory ammo.

Prime example:
My LGS has 45 Colt 250 gr LRNFP for about $40/box of 50.
I can make that same ammo for just under $10.
If you get into casting your own bullets, with free or very cheap lead wheel weights, that price is cut in half.

MachIVshooter_ I've heard that a clean desk is the sign of a messy mind

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah I can only wish for a reloading area that clean. The term cave is more accurate to my bench area. Brass spilling out of buckets, a bit of media/spent primer or two in the corners under the bench and a PILE of stuff to go through yet on the bench. NO I will not be posting a picture. I would take a month of full time work to sort through what I have let alone organize it. It will be a good retirement project, if I bother.

 

[MachIVshooter]

MachIVshooter_ I've heard that a clean desk is the sign of a messy mind

I was messy when I was younger. I was through my career as a mechanic that I realized how much efficiency suffers from disorgnaization. That experience transferred to every other aspect of my life.

Safety is also importatnt; You can't see it in the pictures, but there is a fire extinguisher hanging on the left side of the loading bench. One of several in the house.

WRT handloading, there's just no room for error, IMO. Careful organization really matters when a minor error could cost you life or limb. Not every load for a given cartridge is safe in every gun I own so chambered; Wouldn't be good to stuff a heavy .45 Colt load intended for my SRH into my Uberti.

Every load is carefully logged into a book, all the data recorded:



(This happens to be rimfire data, which is why there is so little written, but it illustrates the layout. Anything I loaded is completely filled out)


Ammo storage is also pretty meticulous:



I used to keep an exact round count, but it got way too tedious.

 

[kingmt]

I save money. Me & my son go through a lot of ammo & we spend time togather loading plus two of my other kids help load also.

I pay ~$0.01-.04 depending on which powder, $0.015 primer, $0.07 bullet = $0.12 per round for 30-06.

 

[fpgt72]

I just started reloading and I must admit I was a little worried going in. I have shot for years and years but never gave it a second thought till I started collecting surplus weapons. Ammo for Japanese, French....is just not on every shelf, and when you find it, it tends to be expensive. 30-40 Krag is what pushed me over the edge...almost $2 a shot.

I must also say I am about the most un-orgnizied guy you will ever meet, but with the reloading I am very strangely anal about everything....I find it quite simple to do....very simple in fact, with the measuring, weighing and all. It is my "me" time when I just sit and listen to music and make ammo....I am not in any race to do it, just take my time and have fun with all the little steps in the process.

I think that the majority of shooters, and by that I mean real shooters, that want to put holes where they want them will enjoy the process....but I will say it is a slippy slope, and you will start with 3006 and then you will find yourself loading for the next thing in your inventory.

Reloading is just fun and it is easy....I think if I for some reason could not shoot anymore I would see if I could find some buddies that I could just reload for....I enjoy it that much.

 

[brow_tines]

I just loaded some 30-06 for deer season. I went to Wal-Mart and they was selling Remington Core Loks for $28 a box. I went home and figured everytihng it cost me, and it costed me $11.20 a box (20).

 

[WayBeau]

I just loaded some 30-06 for deer season. I went to Wal-Mart and they was selling Remington Core Loks for $28 a box. I went home and figured everytihng it cost me, and it costed me $11.20 a box (20).

I really hope you're kidding about what your local Wal-Mart is charging for Core Lokts. I bought a box Friday evening for $19.99. I'd probably all ready be loading my own if Core Lokt was that expensive. I'm sure it's just a matter of time, but good grief!!!

 

[BBDartCA]

Here is my roll up of -06 hand loads versus the cheapest ammo available (surplus Greek ball). Assuming infinite life of the brass, savings per round is 22 cents. However, it cost the same for me to build super premium handloads. Here the cost savings over premium commercial is easily near $2/round.


30-06
Cost, Stock Stock Units $/unit $ per Round
Powder $21.90 7000 $0.00 $0.14
Primers $2.90 100 $0.03 $0.03
Bullets $74.00 500 $0.15 $0.15

Total Cost/round $0.32

CMP Greek Ball

Qty Cost Shipping Total Cost Cost/round
200 98 8.95 106.95 $0.53

Savings/round $0.22

 

[brow_tines]

Quote:
I just loaded some 30-06 for deer season. I went to Wal-Mart and they was selling Remington Core Loks for $28 a box. I went home and figured everytihng it cost me, and it costed me $11.20 a box (20).

I really hope you're kidding about what your local Wal-Mart is charging for Core Lokts. I bought a box Friday evening for $19.99. I'd probably all ready be loading my own if Core Lokt was that expensive. I'm sure it's just a matter of time, but good grief!!!

Nope no joke I just about fell over, then I asked about 40 cal. and the cheapest they had was $20 for a box of 50. So I did some more figuring and I can reload my own for around $6 for 50.

 

[mgmorden]

I was messy when I was younger. I was through my career as a mechanic that I realized how much efficiency suffers from disorgnaization.

Actually there have been studies that show the opposite, at least for many workflows . Apparently with everything laid out neatly you often have to eyeball every item to find it. If things end up more in a "pile", then the most commonly used items tend to congregate to the top of the pile and are easily located, whilst the more rarely used items end up in the bottom of the pile. A lot of computer storage algorithms work similarly - rather that sequentially storing data, they analyze usage patterns and move the frequently used stuff to the faster parts of the system for rapid recovery.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Actually there have been studies that show the opposite, at least for many workflows . Apparently with everything laid out neatly you often have to eyeball every item to find it. If things end up more in a "pile", then the most commonly used items tend to congregate to the top of the pile and are easily located, whilst the more rarely used items end up in the bottom of the pile. A lot of computer storage algorithms work similarly - rather that sequentially storing data, they analyze usage patterns and move the frequently used stuff to the faster parts of the system for rapid recovery.

Prioritizing with frequently used (insert item) being most accessible and having a messy workstation are not the same. The computer algorythms you speak of still have order, and computers are certainly much better at recalling where they stored something than we are.

I would be interested in seeing those studies, but I promise you, no one in my line of work (or any other I can think of) can be nearly as efficient as I am when they have to dig through a pile of tools, old parts and trash on their cart to find the socket they need, whereas I go to my meticulously organized racks and don't even have to look at the number on it to know whether I grabbed a 16mm or 17mm. The tools I use most stay toward the front of the drawers at most convenient heights, the ones rarely used are in top or bottom shelves, and often beneath others. Regardless, I know exactly where they are when I need them.

Those disorganized fellows are also the ones who leave parts off, because they don't see that stray part in the chaos that is their workstation. They may find it later and have an "oh ****" moment, or they may find out about it when the vehicle comes back with a problem. Those guys also tend to lose tools, as they don't realize they left it sitting on a radiator support or somesuch until they need it next. Me? If there's still a nut or bolt on my cart, it needs to go back on the vehicle, and if there's an empty spot in my rack, there's a tool trying to be a stowaway on the vehicle. When my cart is empty of tools and parts and my racks/drawers are properly stocked, the job is complete and the car can leave.

Along the same lines, when I want to load some .45 ACP, I simply pull down the box labeled ".45 ACP", which is internally organized, with clean brass loose inside and resized and/or primed brass in cartridge trays. Sometimes they're even organized by headstamp. How can one figure that having to go through each box (or dig out individual pieces of brass from a mixed bucket) can be nearly as efficient?

I just don't buy that chaotic conditions promote greater efficiency than orderly ones. It defies all logic.

Let's say you were looking for a 15mm Deep socket in 1/2" drive......

There are probably a dozen or so sockets on this cart:


And more than 200 on this one:


On which cart do you think you could find it more quickly?

If you specify a row from bottom and a count from left, I can not only tell you the type, size and depth of the socket, but also what brand it is. Could literally grab the one I want with my eyes closed.

And no, you don't wanna know how many guns I could have bought with the amount of money invested in just those four trays.

 

[Trent]

(Puts tongue back in mouth)

This conversation hits home. I finally got pissed off one-too-many-times and went through my reloading room with a rare fury last night.

I'd bought - and lost - two 8x57 crimp dies. Ordered my 3rd one recently. My dies got organized and labelled.

I'd bought - and lost - my second large rifle uniforming tool. I went through EVERYTHING looking for it. Finally decided I must have left it chucked in the drill, and wherever I used my drill last, I left it laying when I swapped out for whatever bit there was in the drill now.

So I ordered and received my 2nd one this week. When I took the box of goodies down that showed up from Midway, and started putting stuff away, there it was. Sitting RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BENCH IN PLAIN SIGHT. I looked for that damn primer uniforming tool for upwards of 5 hours last weekend.

Last night, when I couldn't find my flash hole deburring tool, I said "enough is enough".

I had my wife pick me up a bunch of plastic drawers at the dollar store, broke out a box of labels, sorted every last damn piece of metal I could find in to those drawers, which are now clearly labelled as to contents.

No more of this "I can't find xyz" ****, ever again.

 

[Trent]

(I found *3* flash hole deburring tools - by the way - two of which were unused and new in box! Now I get to set up one for 308, and one for 223. One I had was set up for 300 Win Mag and it's staying there).

So, anyway.. lost tools, they get costly. Those primer pocket uniformers are $20+ each. Those 8mm crimp dies.. I never did find two of them, although I see the orders where I paid for them on MidwayUSA... that's another $50 down the toilet.

Losing **** is wasteful and costly. Not just money, but time. I'll never get all the hours back I spent looking for something.

 

[dbarnhart]

Some people say that you don't save money by reloading because you shoot more. Others say they do save money.

With my latest bulk buy of milsurp components, 223 reloads are costing me $118 per thousand. A couple of weeks ago my son came home on leave. We spent an afternoon out in the desert at his favorite shooting spot. Between four rifles and two handguns I think we went through about 600 rounds.

There is no finer pleasure in life than spending time alone with your adult son doing something you both enjoy. Thanks to reloading, I spent that afternoon savoring the father-son time instead of thinking about how much it was costing me. And THAT was priceless.

 

[dbarnhart]

>>I was messy when I was younger. I was through my career as a mechanic that I realized how much efficiency suffers from disorgnaization.<<

(chuckle) ONce upon a time, I built an airplane in half of a two-car garage

(http://www.davebarnhart.com/RV6)

Given the lack of space, there was only one way to get things done and not lose my sanity:

1. Get out the tool I needed to do the job.
2. Use it.
3. Put it away where it belonged.

Friends and other builders used to come by to visit and many made the same comment: "You're so organized!". I had to be. It was the only way to keep from losing my mind.

 

[kingmt]

Cost of replacing tools I see but how does the rest of this relate.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Cost of replacing tools I see but how does the rest of this relate.

You don't see how orgnanization and efficiency relates to reloading and assciated costs?

 

[jcwit]

I'm far far from being organized, never have been, but that has no bearing on my reloading nor have I lost any tools to this point but that may be coming because of age.

I worked most of my life as a procurement officer for a wholesale distributing company associated with the RV Industry. My desk was a total crisis but I kept our total out of stock numbers in the low single digits. Which was WAY below average.

Ever see a picture of the real desk that Donald Trump sits at?

 

[cougar1717]

So how much money can I save by loading my own?

None. Absolutely none. Reloading is a hobby. Before I started, I would buy a couple of boxes of cartridges, sight my rifle, just pop off a few every year to make sure it was on and repeat when I ran out of cartridges.

Now, I got loads I've tested, loads I'm working on, and loads I want to try. Reloading opens up a world of possibility - You can try this powder or that bullet or those primers in these cases. Combinations that you cannot get in the store are available to you, but it takes trial and error and there is upfront equipment and component cost. It's not like you can even sell reloads or that you'd even want to give them to someone due to regulation and liability. Then there is the time issue. If you have time to reload, it's great. If you don't have time to do it, you'll be selling everything on craigslist within a few years because it's not a priority and ammo doesn't load itself.

As a hobby, it's worth it. If you're doing it just to save money, the work involved can be menial, boring, time consuming, and dangerous to your health if you don't pay close attention to detail.

 

[Trent]

Reloading comes in to it's own when you're loading for exotic or uncommon calibers. Or really frigging expensive ones. I've never shot a factory round out of my 300 Win Mag, but I see "good" factory ammo going for > $3 a shot now. When I had my FFL I stocked up on reloading components - I mean, REALLY stocked up - and since I was buying at wholesale cost my average cost per shot is pretty low.

I've also lucked in to some deals in the past that were good. I picked up a 5 gal bucket of 9mm brass for $20 once (must have been 30,000 casings in the damn thing). Got 10,000 lead cast 9mm 115 gr bullets from a guy who was quitting the business for $15. So my cost per load on 9mm is basically primer and powder. Powder and primers I bought pre-08 prices, at $16/1000 for primers, and $18/lb for powder. (This is back when 45 ACP wholesale cost was $10.20 a box, FWIW)

Had a guy at the range who sold his 40 S&W just up and *give* me over 10,000 40 S&W cases. Bought 50 lbs of H1000 once for $25.

Got numerous great deals at Knob Creek on Talon pulldowns. Still have 9,000 blue tip 50 BMG projectiles in storage. My retirement plan.

Whenever a friend gets interested in reloading, I'll give them components to get them started. Just gave my buddy 1,000 223 cases and 1,000 45 ACP cases two weeks ago, when he got his first LNL press.

Gun shows and social networking (making friends) are both great when it comes to component sourcing. Always keep an eye out for deals.

 

[cfullgraf]

Some people say that you don't save money by reloading because you shoot more. Others say they do save money.

Everybody saves money when reloading. The cost per equivalent commercial round is always less.

What you choose to do with the savings is up to you.