Do I reload or not.

[dragongoddess]

Yes I looked at the sticky thread. The thread is no longer up to date and links are broken or missing.

So where is the savings in reloading. All I see is the few pennies one saves by reusing the cartridge and that's it. That savings though will disappear when shipping and the cost of your time is included.

 

[GeneS]

If you count the cost of your time, then no, you probably won't save much. I guess that depends on how much your time is worth. Not counting the cost of your time, you can reload jacketed pistol rounds for about 2/3 the price of new. If you load lead bullets the price is more like 1/4 the price of factory new. That's just rough figures. The price varies according to the type and weight of the bullet, type of powder, and what kind of qty., etc. the components are bought in.

 

[armoredman]

I have never understood those who insist thier time is so valuable. If your time is so valuable that you must weight it in this process, then I suggest you return to work, where you will be fairly compensated for that time.
I, on the other hand, enjoy reloading, and consider it a fun and productive hobby. I gain the value of handloaded cartridges I have tailored to the individual firearm, the knowledge of exactly how those cartridges are loaded, and the relaxation I gain while doing this handloading. I have lost no time, as I would have spent that time in other activities to relax, such as readin, playing games, or sleeping, in which nothing is gained, so no, I do not even "charge" myself my own time.

 

[YodaVader]

Don't agree at all where my shooting is concerned. In shooting for precision such as for my varmint .223s I use match bullet reloads which are simply not affordable in factory loadings.

For example, Federal's .223 factory load with the Sierra 69 MatchKing is $22 for 20 rounds in my 2006 Midway catalog! Over a buck a round for .223! It is a no brainer for ME to reload.

In precision rifle reloading one can seat the bullet to the optimum seating depth since throat lengths vary and the factory loads are made to work in ALL rifles of a particular cartridge. Serious reloaders also take care in preparing cases.

If all wants to do is plink away and is not concerned with extreme accuracy then maybe buying a 1000 rounds of bulk stuff might make sense.

On handguns the cost savings is well worth it. At around $25 bucks for 50 rounda of 44 mag there is no way I would ever own a 44 mag. With reloading the costs are considerably less and the ten minutes or less it takes to load 50 Mag rounds on a progressive press is time well spent for me to be able to enjoy shooting the 44 mag.

 

[1911user]

As a general rule, you can reload ammo for roughly half the cost of purchasing it new. You can save more on some calibers especially if you use lead bullets. The biggest savings come from people who shoot a great deal of ammo. For most, reloading is what allows them to shoot a great deal of ammo.

 

[strambo]

I would rather spend my time reloading than driving to and from the store to buy ammo. Secondly, I like tailoring the load to my guns and what I want to use it for. Lastly, yes I like saving some cash. I load custom match grade 300WM rifle ammo with Berger bullets and Federal GM brass for about 2/3 of what cheap 300WM ammo costs.

 

[Steel Talon]

Hello,

I've reloaded for many years now so my equipment costs have been paid for by my re-loading savings.

However the more ammo you have the more you shoot

For me its always a savings over store bought. $22.00 for 20 rounds
.223

1lb AA2230 $18.00 about $4.00 for 100 rounds
100 Primers $2.00
100 Heads $16.00
Re-use cases $0.00

For my ball park figure for 100 rounds about $22.00

Copper market prices are up so re-load componenets and store bought prices are up also.
Peace
Steel Talon

 

[Deanimator]

Don't agree at all where my shooting is concerned. In shooting for precision such as for my varmint .223s I use match bullet reloads which are simply not affordable in factory loadings.

PRECISELY!

I load two rifle cartridges, .308 and .30-06. I load for 600 yard NRA competition.

In the former, factory ammo loaded like mine is both hard to find and hellishly expensive. Anybody know a CHEAP source of FACTORY .308s loaded with 175gr. Sierra Matchkings, Vihta Vuohri N150 and Federal 210m match primers?

In the latter, it's IMPOSSIBLE to find factory ammo loaded like mine. Of course somebody may know where to buy factory .30-06 loaded with IMR4350, a 200gr. Sierra Matchking and Federal 210M match primers. If so, what does it COST?

Of course I kind of doubt that ANY of that factory ammunition will have been loaded to suit MY rifle using a Stoney Point gauge.

I MIGHT be able to find cheaper .38 Special than I load... I just doubt that it'll fit in the magazine of my Giles .38 Special M1911A1. I KNOW I can't find cheaper .44 Special.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I have handguns in .500 S&W Magnum, .44 Special, and 10mm. The savings in the ammo I can load in one weekend would pay off all of my reloading equipment several times over.

 

[SiG Lady]

Both a joy and a responsibility...

What 1911user said just about sums it up. I've saved soooo much in reloading my own .45ACP that I can't even begin to calculate it. It costs me barely HALF (or less) to reload .45 than to buy factory ammo! Moreover, I can load the charge to whatever works best for me.

Furthermore--as some members have mentioned--reloading is often an enjoyable part of shooting and is a pleasant pause in what can be an otherwise frantic little schedule. My time away from the day job is valued at whatever I want it to be (and I'd rather not put TOO much of a 'price' on my "spare" time or I'll drive myself nutz), and I just do the reloading as a conscious decision to save money and enjoy the process.

Oh, and the reloading process paid for the little Blue Press loooooong ago.

 

[bender]

I find that you can buy 9mm ammo cheaper than reloading it, or as cheap. At Academy, a 50-round box of Monarch 9mm costs $5.86. A 100-box of Hornady 115gr FMJ bullets costs $10.49 at Midway, plus lots of shipping cost.
Maybe if you buy 9mm is mass quanities its better.

However, I mostly load .45 auto, which is much cheaper to reload. Also my rifle calibers are much cheaper to reload.

Note: I've never bought or shot Monarch, but my shooting buddy has shot a lot of it, without any problems.

 

[theHeretic]

Other Factors

Why make a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving when you can buy it premade from Stouffers or Swanson and it will cost less?

The answer is not a monetary one. There are intangibles that are involved.

When a company loads ammo it loads it for the widest possible range of firearms and is, therefore, loaded to the least common denominator. A 9x19 round may end up in a Hi-Point, a classic Luger, a Sig226 or any other firearm chambered for it. As such, it may fit your tastes and needs but perhaps not.

Hand loading you own ammo allows you to match your needs and the idiosyncrasies of your weapon more precisely rather than taking a compromise ‘off the rack’ product.

There is also the pride/satisfaction factor. Nothing matches the feeling you feel when you do it yourself. Sure, you may be able to buy surplus ammo a little cheaper, but it’s just not the same.

Third, it’s a hobby and, as we all know, we tend to become passionate about our hobbies.

 

[lcarreau]

To add to what others have said above, the reasons that a lot of reloaders continue to reload are a lot different than the things that got them started. I doubt the spouses of reloaders would argue that it saves money, but it does allow you to shoot a lot more for the same amount.

-Lonnie

 

[chutchis]

YodaVader is right. If you are just loading regular cheapo factory ammo (I.E. 55 FMJ in .223) then you might as well skip reloading. But if you want any kind of specific load then you will save alot of money by reloading. I load 69gr MK's and save alot over purchasing factory ammo.

The other factor depends on if you are the kind of person who is satisfied with just shooting or are you the kind of person who wants to expand the hobby to it's fullest. If you are the latter then you should definitely reload (it's not all about saving money). Before I took up shooting I used to play with hobby grade remote control cars (500 to 600 dollar toys) and I wasn't happy just having a run of the mill car...always had to see how fast they could go. For me it's the same with shooting...always looking for the tightest group. It all depends on what kind of personality you have...once you figure that out then you'll know if you should reload or not.

 

[dragongoddess]

Well thanks for the info guys. Strambo. can you point me towards that cheap 300 win mag ammo. I could use some though I somehow am confused by the term cheap being used with 300 win mag ammo. Other than that I guess reloading is going to be mandatory if I want to shoot my Carcano in 7.35.

 

[distra]

Reload, all the cool kids are doin' it My wife and I both shoot and I load 9mm, .45ACP, 44 Rem Mag, .38spl/mag and have .223 and 7.62x39 dies (no rifles yet). It is definitely cheaper for me to reload. I enjoy the process and couple hours a week on the 550B will keep us both shooting.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Reloading will not save you a dime!

You'll just shoot a lot more for the same amount!

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Reloading saves money!

I've started reloading 40 ammo because its expensive. Even the cheap FMJ target ammo runs about $13/50 around here. I can reload for quite a bit cheaper. 1000 rounds of factory FMJ runs about $190/1000, its cost me $105 to reload 1000 rounds. Thats a savings of $85/1000 rds! I also enjoy the time doing it, its an enjoyable activity.

 

[strambo]

Dragongoddess, I have only bought 1 box of factory 300WM in my life (Federal premium 200gr Sierra BTSP) it was $30 for 20. The cheapest I've seen factory 300WM was $20 per 20 I don't remember the brand, though I hardly shop around for it. I was just saying that the lowest price on factory irregardless of the quality is still higher than using some of the most expensive components to handload.

Other than that I guess reloading is going to be mandatory if I want to shoot my Carcano in 7.35.

Yet another reason handloading is great. Obscure calibers don't phase you a bit as long as there is a source of brass. Starline is a good place to look for brass the big boys (Winchester, Federal etc..) don't carry.

 

[Waitone]

Back when I was reloading a $14.00 box of .45ACP (plus tax) could be duplicated on my Dillon for $3.50. Capital recovery was fast.

Reloading is the same as printing money.

 

[RustyFN]

I find that you can buy 9mm ammo cheaper than reloading it, or as cheap. At Academy, a 50-round box of Monarch 9mm costs $5.86. A 100-box of Hornady 115gr FMJ bullets costs $10.49 at Midway, plus lots of shipping cost.

I don't know where you buy your supplies but I can load 9mm for $6 per 100.

 

[Deanimator]

I don't know where you buy your supplies but I can load 9mm for $6 per 100.

And don't forget that unless you like to load your ammo very hot, you can amortize the cases down to near nothing. I've probably gotten 8-10 uses out of lightly loaded .45acp cases.

 

[Sistema1927]

.45 Colt Cowboy ammo is typically $20 - $22 per box. I can load better ammo myself for ~$7.00 per box. I can load 4 boxes an hour easily on my Lee Classic Turret press. Is my time worth the $52 to $60 per hour that I am saving? You betcha!

On top of that, there is something very satisfying and enjoyable about the process that is difficult to describe.

 

[lcarreau]

The argument for reloading gets a lot more compelling when you are shooting the less common calibers. Certain calibers just about require you t o reload. For common ppistol service calibers, I think reloading only really makes sense if you actually enjoy reloading. If it seems like a chore, then it won't be worth it at all.

-Lonnie

 

[temmi]

I think reloading may save some money (Premium .338WM ammo is $ 40 a box) It will take some time to recoop your setup cost…But to me it is about choices, accuracy, and fun. You can load just what you want… not what is available at the store, and tweak it so you get the best performance in your rifle… …. And it is a hobby so the way I see it… it’s kinda like asking if bowling will save you money…