Do ammo prices have you considering reloading?

[armoredman]

Other people got me into reloading, by simply declaring on one internet board- "It's time you start reloading!", and sending me thier older equipment. A 26 year old RCBS Jr single stage, still works, RCBS 5.10 scale from probably the same era, (check weights say it still knows the right weight), Uniflow powder measure, loading blocks, tumbler, brass, bullets, etc., all I had to buy to start was primers and powder. Wow. Since then I tried to follow suit, and donate my unused equipment.
Wal Mart, (just called), is charging $.19 for Remington 9mm 115gr JHP, before tax. Using my "expensive" 9mm recipe, I come up with a cost of $.14 each. That's with the premium bullets, and "high" quantity powders. Now, in .38 spl bunny fart loads, the price drops dramatically, as powder use goes down, and bullets are dirt cheap, (even the plated ones I use), so those run me $.09 a round. SIDE NOTE - Wal Mart quit answering the Sporting Goods phone, so I called my favorite store, Sportsman's Warehouse for pricing comparison - he said the have had a run on ammo, just some high dollar stuff left. Go figure...
Now, I load 7.62x54R because it's fun, no way it can be cheaper than surplus prices, but it is MUCH more accurate.

 

[22-rimfire]

Yes, ammo prices have me thinking about it again. But, that would not be the sole reason for re-starting reloading. It depends on how much you shoot and I don't shoot enough. I shoot in spurts and then go for a couple months without doing any shooting at all, even 22LR. The jury is still out, but I am just about to release the funds for a good single stage press.

 

[10-Ring]

In short, yes. I had started to collect the equipment I needed back when I was shooting several 100s of ammo per shooting session. Now, with all the prices going up on the ammo I have started pricing necessary components for reloading.

 

[Ala Dan]

I've been handloading for just about 35 years; and have recently seen the
cost of compotents rising to outrageously rates. Use too be a time when
we handloaded our ammunition to save $$$; those days are long gone my
friends. Nowdays, I load strictly for accuracy; on bullet weights that the
factory does not provide.

 

[Average Joe]

I just shoot a lot more .22's

 

[Mark Whiteman]

Everyone should at least buy and read a good how-to on reloading, if not acquire a single stage press and dies for your primary calibers. It is a prime way to assert your independence from excessively nosey politicians and their desire to control you and your shooting activities. There is always BP also. EVERYONE should have a good .22 rifle with 3 or 4 bricks stashed for it.

 

[qajaq59]

It's a good hobby for your retirement.

Back in the 60s I probably started loading to save money. But then I began to shoot ten times more ammo so the money savings went out the window real quick. But I kept it up because I just plain enjoy doing it.

And now that I'm retired it's a great hobby. I do it slowly, I have the time to be fussy, and I end up with some really good ammo. Plus as soon as one type, or weight, of bullet is accurate I go find a different one. With all the combinations of bullets and powders I'll never run out of things to try.

 

[Deanimator]

Since 1979!

 

[USAFA06STX]

I've been thinking about it, however since it looks like I'll be moving three to four times in the next two years and my amount of free time will be decreasing as well, right now I am only researching the idea and will probably wait until I will be in an area for longer than 6 months to a year before I take the plunge.

 

[aka108]

Reloading used to be cheap. Now, with prices on primers, powder and bullets way up it is now simply less expensive. In some cases only a little.

 

[ocabj]

Reloading used to be cheap. Now, with prices on primers, powder and bullets way up it is now simply less expensive. In some cases only a little.

Prices on reloading supplies have gone up consistently with ammo prices.

I currently load 77gr .223 competition rounds for under 25 cents a round.

A box of Black Hills 77gr blue box (50ct) goes for $27 at best which is above 50 cents per round.

If that's not cheap enough to consider reloading, then I don't know what is.

Plus, you should be reloading for accuracy, too.

 

[dlcrouch]

With the price of 45 ACP higher each time i go to Wally World

i'm definitely considering it. Got a copy of ABCs of Reloading at the library just yesterday.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

yea its caused me to think about reloading for a while with the rising prices. Its also caused me to buy as much cheap surplus ammo as i can afford

 

[CountGlockula]

I'm just concerned about nullifying the warranty.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've been thinking about it, however since it looks like I'll be moving three to four times in the next two years and my amount of free time will be decreasing as well, right now I am only researching the idea and will probably wait until I will be in an area for longer than 6 months to a year before I take the plunge.

About ten years back, I got assigned to work in the Detroit area for my sins (they were pretty bad sins.)

Rather than move the family, I got an efficiency apartment, and would visit home now and them -- and my wife and unmarried daughter would come up now and then to visit me.

I bought a Lee Handpress, and packed that and everything else I needed for reloading in a large toolbox, which I kept in the closet. I reloaded .45 ACP, .22 Hornet, and .30-06 with that kit -- sitting in front of the TV while doing it.

 

[Feanaro]

I got used to the cheap surplus ammo for my first rifle, an M48A. 7.62 surplus wasn't bad when I bought my CETME. But the price is really biting me in the butt right now, especially 7.62 and .357 Mag. I'm looking at a setup right now. Plus, I can reload ammo to my liking. That's a nice one. I'm not limited to wuss-ball factory loads for the .357. Gotta shell out the money to save it though and I can't get a 'loadin' kit just now.

 

[Mr. Beretta]

I don't reload. I have this guy do it for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

 

[john1911]

$.36 (new brass) handloads
$.84 Factory
$.23 reloads

Cost of factory vs. handloads for my .41 magnum. I save even more reloading the brass. I found that you just about have to reload for the .41. Limited ammo available locally. What I can find is outrageously priced. It's a PITA getting ammo shipped to Illinois, so I don't buy online. I also find I shoot more using my loads.

On a related note, today at Gander Mountain .45acp Blazer Brass was priced at $19.95 . I need to get dies for .45acp!