Cost ?

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WayBeau

WayBeau

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I'm thinking about starting to load my own rounds and am wondering what the cost benefit is? Starting out, I probably won't be loading anything too crazy, just a basic 30-06 round. Cost of a box of basic Remington or Winchester at the store is just over $20 including tax which puts cost per shot at around $1. So how much money can I save by loading my own? If the savings is marginal, I might just stick to the store bought as time is at a premium these days.

Thanks.
 
If you consider the brass to be reused and free, then it breaks down kinda like this:

Assume $25 per lb of powder, and ~60 grains of powder per round. So thats about $0.23 in powder.

Primers run about $3 per hundred right now, so $0.03 for that.

Bullets - You can get 100 really basic type .30 cal 150gr soft points for around $25. So $0.25 for the bullet.

With that you're looking at $0.51 per loaded round. I was also being a little conservative on the prices too. If you shop around all of it can be found for less.
 
I don't have the exact numbers of cost savings, if any, but the added satisfaction of shooting reloads is well worth any money spent, to me at least. Plus custom ammo for a gun is priceless; I have a rifle that shoots factory ammo (.44 Magnum) into nice 8" to 10" groups at 50 yds, but, because I can load bullets to fit the bore, handloads usually shoot into 2" at that distance. Normally though, rule of thumb is reloads cost a bit less than half factory ammo (components only, not including equipment costs).
 
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The more you shoot, the more you will save. The advantage ends up being that you can shoot a lot more for the same money. However, an even BIGGER ADVANTAGE is that you will have custom ammo that your gun will shoot better than most factory ammo!

I would get quality equipment if you do decide to reload, that way you will never feel like you have to "upgrade."
 
Randy: That kit is actually exactly how I got started, and I'm still using it 7 years later (and its paid itself off multiple times over now).

In addition to the dies, caliper, and components, I'd also say to add in the cost of a tumbler and a bullet puller.
 
The cost of the equipment I view as an investment, so I'm not really factoring that part in. That being said, recommendations on equipment, kits or individual pieces, are certainly welcome as you'll save me the time of posting a second thread.:D

Oh, I have read the sticky about beginning and, if I decided to do it, will buy a good book and read it while I wait for my equipment to arrive.
 
If you watch where you buy you can get powder for a little less than $15.00 a lb, hazmet encl, but shipping is extra. You can get M80 bullets for approx .10 cents each, shipping extra.
 
Gauge to use when trimming your brass + or - $2.50
can of Kiwi Boot mink oil for case lube $4.00
Powder Tickler $16.00
Case holder $6.00 Less if home made loading manual at least The ABC's of reloading $30.00 ***********not a must but very helpful.
 
I don't cost out my reloading. I do it for two reasons - when we had the ammo crunch in '08, I was still shooting on a nearly deserted range, and two, it's a great, fun, relaxing and productive hobby. When I added the hobby of casting my own bullets, it got more interesting. I actually now have three interconnected hobbies, shooting, reloading and casting, time I could have wasted playing video games or watching movies.
I guess I could say I "pay" about $2 or so per 50 rounds of 9mm, a bit more for 7.62x39mm.
 
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You won't save a dime, you'll just shoot more.

Per round cost is almost always lower for centerfire rifle, sometimes even with new brass. Take my 8mm Remignton Magnum: Factory ammo is $60/box of 20 minimum. I just loaded 100 rounds for $200 (including shipping) with new Remington brass and premium bullets (Sierra Gamekings and Nosler Ballistic Tips).

Now, .223, 9mm and others that can be bought in bulk cheap, you can't really save on plinking ammo; Max savings with brass I already had for $223 is about $30/1000 vs. wolf 55 gr. military classic. Not worth my time. However, varmint loads for .223 aren't $5/20; I save quite a bit on those vs. factory Hornady V-max or similar at $20+/box.

More importantly, though, as others have said-it's custom tailored to your needs and your gun.
 
MachIVshooter said:
You won't save a dime, you'll just shoot more.
Click to expand...

He's absolutely right! But you won't care much either about whether you should stop shooting over budget concerns. I'd pack it up early before, as in, I'd consider the cost to continue shooting.

Something I think hasn't been mentioned is the steady supply of new tools you'll NEED. There is no kit that can satisfy you. You'll learn new things and, as such, you find that you need new tools. Sometimes to replace tools, sometimes you'll need to add tools.

When I go to MidwayUSA, or another seller, I find I can't leave checkout for less than $100. It's not unlike trying to go to Costco to pickup a couple things for $40. It doesn't happen.
 
Keep in mind that the larger the volume you buy components in, the cheaper the price per unit. Of course the cheaper the price per loaded round usually translates into more rounds down range. I guess you could say that buying in quantity gets you more "bangs" for your bucks? Sorry guys, it's been a long week. lol
 
What is the life of rifle brass? I mean, if I buy a bulk box of brass, how many uses should I expect to get out of each casing if I were to take care of them and not let them get beat up? As with equipment, I don't mind spending the money if I'm going to get a reasonable amount of use out of them.
 
All depends on the caliber and the firearm it's fired in and how hot or mild the load.

I have some .223 cases fired in a bolt action rifle that have been reloaded close to 100 times now.
 
All depends on the caliber and the firearm it's fired in and how hot or mild the load.

I have some .223 cases fired in a bolt action rifle that have been reloaded close to 100 times now.
Click to expand...

They would be used in a pretty basic 30.06 load fired from a new Ruger M77. If I'm going to be able to reload them close to 100 times, then it's definitely worth the money.
 
You should get more life using a bolt action for sure, now it depends how hot you load them to. My load for the .223 I mentioned is a mild load, loaded for accuracy, not for hunting or speed. Another thing to consider is being as its a bolt rifle, just neck size.

Be sure you keep an eye out for over all length of the cases.
 
Another thing to consider is being as its a bolt rifle, just neck size.

Be sure you keep an eye out for over all length of the cases.
Click to expand...

Where would I find info for determining the proper neck size? I'm shooting a standard 30.06 Springfield. Could I just buy a box of brass that's labeled likewise and be OK or do I need to get a particular neck size in the Spgfld?
 
Its a neck sizing die, most if not all manufactures make them. I load using a Sinclair Arbor press and a Lee Loader set or L.E. Wilson Die set. Others are available for use in standard presses with screw in dies.
 
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