luisespinal
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2013
- Messages
- 16
Hello all - I was wondering what's the collection of opinions regarding the current cost of hand loading. I'm sure it's been discussed in the past, but I wanted to query your current opinions (and suggestions maybe?)
I bought a hand loading book and read it from A to Z, and I was already set on buying some equipment for reloading 0 mostly 38 SP for starters, with an eye to reload 45ACP and 45-70 (once I finally get a 45-70.)
My main goal was to reload for the 38 SP to shoot and practice. But then I'm looking at the current prices of components (current as of the time of this post.) The average small pistol primer goes from as low as $0.03 (if I'm lucky to find a good deal on gunbroker), to $0.15. I've done the math looking at different options on gunbroker and midwayusa, and the typical price is $0.09 regardless of buying 1K or 5K.
Then, there is the brass, on average $0.10 a piece. I can reuse it like, what, 4-5 times. So, it would come up to be $0.02 a piece. Then there is the bullet, which I find it to be an average of $0.10 a piece as well.
Assuming the cost of powder is negligible, then primer plus (amortized cost of) brass plus bullet, it comes around $0.21 a piece. That is probably 48% the price of 38 special rounds that I could get in bulk (about $0.48 a round, maybe cheaper if I'm lucky.)
Maybe I was wrong, but I was thinking the savings per round would have been more substantial. I don't shoot often (once every other month) with no much free time to spare (2 kids). Due to those constrains and lack of space, bullet casting is most likely out of the question for now.
So I was hoping, perhaps unrealistically, to have more substantial savings to justify the initial investment in hand loading equipment (plus the time to hand load.)
I might still reload for the larger calibers when I'm ready for it, but I don't think I might do it for the pistol calibers for the reasons above (and might simply pay the $0.2x extra per manufactured round.)
Am I way off in my calculations (with regards to hand loading the 38 sp)?
Has it been like this before, or has it gotten more expensive since the Obamapocalypse Gun Chupacabra Scare? BTW, I'm noticing that it is getting harder and harder to get hand loading equipment and parts (most are back ordered on midwayusa for instance.)
I bought a hand loading book and read it from A to Z, and I was already set on buying some equipment for reloading 0 mostly 38 SP for starters, with an eye to reload 45ACP and 45-70 (once I finally get a 45-70.)
My main goal was to reload for the 38 SP to shoot and practice. But then I'm looking at the current prices of components (current as of the time of this post.) The average small pistol primer goes from as low as $0.03 (if I'm lucky to find a good deal on gunbroker), to $0.15. I've done the math looking at different options on gunbroker and midwayusa, and the typical price is $0.09 regardless of buying 1K or 5K.
Then, there is the brass, on average $0.10 a piece. I can reuse it like, what, 4-5 times. So, it would come up to be $0.02 a piece. Then there is the bullet, which I find it to be an average of $0.10 a piece as well.
Assuming the cost of powder is negligible, then primer plus (amortized cost of) brass plus bullet, it comes around $0.21 a piece. That is probably 48% the price of 38 special rounds that I could get in bulk (about $0.48 a round, maybe cheaper if I'm lucky.)
Maybe I was wrong, but I was thinking the savings per round would have been more substantial. I don't shoot often (once every other month) with no much free time to spare (2 kids). Due to those constrains and lack of space, bullet casting is most likely out of the question for now.
So I was hoping, perhaps unrealistically, to have more substantial savings to justify the initial investment in hand loading equipment (plus the time to hand load.)
I might still reload for the larger calibers when I'm ready for it, but I don't think I might do it for the pistol calibers for the reasons above (and might simply pay the $0.2x extra per manufactured round.)
Am I way off in my calculations (with regards to hand loading the 38 sp)?
Has it been like this before, or has it gotten more expensive since the Obamapocalypse Gun Chupacabra Scare? BTW, I'm noticing that it is getting harder and harder to get hand loading equipment and parts (most are back ordered on midwayusa for instance.)