Do you consider ammo cost/availability?

[340PD]

I do pay attention but being a reloader I can modify my shooting based on "deals" that come along. In January I found a deal on 100gr. FMJ's in 380 at 4¢ ea. I bought a bunch and now my LCP and Shield ammo is costing me a bit less than $4/bx.
As far as .22 after the great .22 shortage back a few years, I vowed, never again and I have more than I will ever need and still leave plenty for my kids after I am gone.

 

[Armored farmer]

Guns I have purchased based on ammo price and availability:
9mm pistol, 7.62x39 rifle, .22 rifles and pistols.

 

[CowboyRL]

Dillon makes great stuff, but it’s really costly. Depending on how much you want to spend to get started, a Dillon Square Deal B will set you back around $400 bucks for just the press...add the cost of powder, bullets, primers, cases etc you’re hitting $550 and up before you’ve loaded one round. The frustrating part of the SDB is it can’t be swapped out for other handgun-only calibers without pricy kits and you can’t use regular reloading dies not will it handle rifle rounds (I have a SDB in .45 ACP, I can’t ever swap out and load .30-06 on the SDB as an example.)

If you want to start off slowly to see if you like it, a Lee Challenger set will get you rolling for about $250. I’ve loaded thousands and thousands of rounds on mine, and I added a second Challenger press for about 40 bucks. A set of carbide dies, box of 500 MBC coated 215 gr SWC bullets, a pound of Unique, a bunch of cases and 500 primers (the hardest part to find right now!) and you’re rolling your own ammo for under $400.

View attachment 940327

I’ve loaded a .30 cal ammo can of .41 Mag, on a Saturday and Sunday, plus I reload for all my rifle rounds from .243 to .300 Weatherby on these presses as well.

View attachment 940328

For the money they can’t be beat, these just keep going and going. It’s not quick to load hundreds of handgun rounds in a day on a single-stage press like you can on a progressive press like the SDB, but a) it’s .41 Mag you’re starting with so you will probably not be burning through hundreds and hundreds of shots a day like a 9mm shooter will and b) you will have the time to ease into the hobby and learn to do things systematically so your chances of an ooops are reduced.

Just an idea, YMMV.

Stay safe.

Dillon makes great stuff, but it’s really costly. Depending on how much you want to spend to get started, a Dillon Square Deal B will set you back around $400 bucks for just the press...add the cost of powder, bullets, primers, cases etc you’re hitting $550 and up before you’ve loaded one round. The frustrating part of the SDB is it can’t be swapped out for other handgun-only calibers without pricy kits and you can’t use regular reloading dies not will it handle rifle rounds (I have a SDB in .45 ACP, I can’t ever swap out and load .30-06 on the SDB as an example.)

If you want to start off slowly to see if you like it, a Lee Challenger set will get you rolling for about $250. I’ve loaded thousands and thousands of rounds on mine, and I added a second Challenger press for about 40 bucks. A set of carbide dies, box of 500 MBC coated 215 gr SWC bullets, a pound of Unique, a bunch of cases and 500 primers (the hardest part to find right now!) and you’re rolling your own ammo for under $400.

View attachment 940327

I’ve loaded a .30 cal ammo can of .41 Mag, on a Saturday and Sunday, plus I reload for all my rifle rounds from .243 to .300 Weatherby on these presses as well.

View attachment 940328

For the money they can’t be beat, these just keep going and going. It’s not quick to load hundreds of handgun rounds in a day on a single-stage press like you can on a progressive press like the SDB, but a) it’s .41 Mag you’re starting with so you will probably not be burning through hundreds and hundreds of shots a day like a 9mm shooter will and b) you will have the time to ease into the hobby and learn to do things systematically so your chances of an ooops are reduced.

Just an idea, YMMV.

Stay safe.

Thanks Rio, I will check these items out.

 

[wiscoaster]

I usually don't take availability and cost of ammo into account and I usually end up regretting it. I think that availability and cost of any consumable should be a prime consideration. However, evaluating availability and cost during the present crisis can be skewed by the (hopefully) temporary nature of the crisis. So do take that into account.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I do consider ammo cost/availability when I acquire firearms. It's not the only factor, but it is a factor.

I own quite a few firearms in .22lr, 9mm, 223, etc. Not many in 32 acp, 45-70, 32 Special and other less available cartridges.

I reload for many of the cartridge types I have on hand, but not all. When I'm looking at a new-to-me gun, I take into account ammo cost and availability, cost of accessories and intended usage.

If it's going to be shot a great deal, I'd better be able to feed it without breaking the bank.

 

[Scooter22]

Nope. I have guns and they need ammo whether its factory or reloaded to work. Otherwise they are expensive clubs. If you can't feed them don't have them. Same with kids.

 

[375supermag]

I have had a s/w 41 mag for 30 years, love it, actually have 4 now, but here recently I’ve been considering reloading , do you have any recommendations, do’s and don’ts on what to buy? Like I mentioned, have just considered it do to recent activity’s.

Hi...
Start with a least one reloading manual, preferably two or three. Read and learn the steps, procedures and practices until you understand them thoroughly.
I would suggest starting with a single stage press. I prefer RCBS but any quality iron/steel press should be more than adequate.
Quality calipers, powder measure and scales are essential.
You will need a rock solid reloading bench.
For most handgun reloading, use carbide dies. They just make life easier. Again, I prefer RCBS.
I shoot both cast and jacketed bullets. I would start with one bullet, one powder and one primer. Learn how to reload with those components until you are proficient with the process. Then you should have enough experience to branch out into different bullets, powders and primers, which will allow you to experiment and tailor your loads to your firearm and needs.

Do not expect to save any money...it won't happen. You will shoot a lot more and that practice will make you a better shot.

Be well aware...this hobby tends to expand into more calibers, more firearms, more equipment and more expense.
I highly recommend it.

 

[lightman]

No, not for myself. Actually at one time I went for the lesser common stuff. Calibers like 38 Super, 10MM, 41 Magnum, 308 Norma Magnum to name a few. I'm going to reload for the calibers that I have and cast for the pistols so ammo cost is not important to me.

I do consider ammo cost and availability if I'm advising a less informed person on a gun purchase.

 

[CowboyRL]

Hi...
Start with a least one reloading manual, preferably two or three. Read and learn the steps, procedures and practices until you understand them thoroughly.
I would suggest starting with a single stage press. I prefer RCBS but any quality iron/steel press should be more than adequate.
Quality calipers, powder measure and scales are essential.
You will need a rock solid reloading bench.
For most handgun reloading, use carbide dies. They just make life easier. Again, I prefer RCBS.
I shoot both cast and jacketed bullets. I would start with one bullet, one powder and one primer. Learn how to reload with those components until you are proficient with the process. Then you should have enough experience to branch out into different bullets, powders and primers, which will allow you to experiment and tailor your loads to your firearm and needs.

Do not expect to save any money...it won't happen. You will shoot a lot more and that practice will make you a better shot.

Be well aware...this hobby tends to expand into more calibers, more firearms, more equipment and more expense.
I highly recommend it.

Thanks 357 Supermag , I will look at RCBS and do my research.

 

[Ignition Override]

Ammo and gun prices have been fairly equal factors, and this began right when the gun "bug" first bit in 2007:

Russian .223, a 'fair' amount of 7.62x39 ammo (people say not to elaborate), 'some' Makarov, what was > then < fairly cheap 7.62x54R & 8x57mm, .380 Auto and .22 LR.
Had Lots of luck selling about 9,000 rds. of discounted (by me) centerfire rifle ammo via Armslist over the last several years. A retired C-141 pilot / T-38 IP drove from near Columbus AFB to Tupelo MS for his purchase.