Do you reload and do you think it's worth it?

[kimbernut]

Reload- Yea/Ney

Absolutely I reload and it is worth it for me but then I reload for several rifle and handgun calibers and both 20 & 12 gauge shotgun and have for eleven years now. In the last seven years I have bought no factory loads except .22 RF. It has been tough finding components for reloading this past year. I am thankful that I had purchased enough to see me through to this point
If you are happy shooting only 5-6 boxes of .30-06 per year and have no expectation or desire to shoot more often, more quantity, and different calibers, or experiment with different powders and bullets for each then for you- No you do not need to even consider reloading. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

 

[Samgotit]

That's why I shoot so little. I just don't have time to do all that much shooting.

You've answered your own question. If I only shot 100-200 rounds or less a month or used a rifle for hunting only, I would not reload. I shoot 5x-10x that a month in pistol calibers, and I couldn't/wouldn't do that if I were not reloading. Rife ammo is a different animal all together. When you start comparing GOOD, match quality, factory rifle ammo to reloading your own is when you start to see massive savings, not to mention tailoring reloads for each rifle you reload for.

The lessons you learn reloading are invaluable, though. Still, the decision should be made while keeping in mind what your goals are in the sport. If you are looking to go no further than going to the range once a month, honestly, I don't see the point in reloading.

 

[Sam1911]

Being able to custom tailer loads to my gun seems like a benefit but I really don't have time to mess with it and try a ton of different setups.

No time and only a vague "might-be-nice" interest in custom building your own ammo? You're just throwing good money away buying a reloading kit.

I just don't have a ton of free time for stuff like this. That's why I shoot so little. I just don't have time to do all that much shooting.

Lots of folks are answering your question FOR THEMSELVES. Anyone who says "I shoot 40-bazillion rounds a month," or "I shoot to empty the brass so I can reload it again," is not answering the question you asked.

You asked if reloading made sense for someone who shoots 5-6 boxes of rifle ammo a year, and might like to shoot a bit more (maybe up to 10 boxes?), but who doesn't want to go through the hassle of even trying out a variety of factory ammo again, (let alone testing charge weights that differ by a tenth of a grain, in multiple brands and formulas of powders, with different primers, adjusting seating depth, and on and on).

The answer is, NO. Reloading doesn't make any sense for you, period.

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Having said that, if you think there is some slight chance that you might want to just try it, and maybe see if it somehow could be an engaging enough hobby that you will forsake all the other things that now hold your time and attention, you could get the Lee Anniversary single stage press kit http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...e=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233 for under $100 that will (with a few extras and components) load very nice ammo. If it doesn't blow your mind, package it all up and offer it for sale here or elsewhere and get your money back.

-Sam

 

[Leaky Waders]

My Reloading Story....

Heya HTM!

I bought the rockchucker supreme master reloader kit in 2003/2004. I got it on sale from MidWay, i think, with a set of Lee carbide 45 long colt dies after a Ruger vaquero birthday gift.

I'm in the military and have been deployed over 2 1/2 years since then and have moved three times to different duty stations. Each time, I'd pack up that damn kit and move it. On this last move, we bought a house and have decided to settle down...so I decided to reload.

I started last year with 28 gauge shotgun shells - after buying a mec jr. I didn't have a real person on hand to mentor me and fel that I had less chance of blowing myself up with a shotgun shell after watching the rednecks on youtube reload their shells. A few people weighed stuff, a few people had a dedicated space, a few people just stuffed things into their hulls until it kind of fit.

I counted the fingers and thumbs on these people and they added up to ten, so I figured, hell...I can read and follow directions a lot less ghetto then them, so i'll go for it.

Wallah...my first batch of single stage 28 gauge rolled off the line. I'm not going to lie, my first trigger pull was holding that shotgun as far away from me with a gloved hand and welders mask on...but there was no violent boom, or disaster - just a pleasant boom and a coke can riddled with shot.

My family loved the reduced loads. My 13 year old actually enjoyed his 28 gauge BPS and my older son quickly started calling my 28 gauge wingmaster his. Both of them and my wife sat down when I got the reloader out and helped - it was a family affair.

My mec jr is mounted on a planed 1 1/2 x 11 x 17 inch piece of wood with felt on the bottom. I moved it from the kitchen table to the garage as needed to reload. Then I decided i liked reloading (see above) so i made a small bench from an old desk we had. Basically 3/4 inch plywood on a light steel frame. It's in the garage now.

After feeling all confident with my 28 gauge success, I decided to reload the 45 long colt. I felt a little more intimidated by the metallic cartridges...they just seemed more dangerous. Still, I set up my press on my new bench read everything i could and then made a bunch of stupid posts on this forum (after reading nearly everything i could find online from like here, chuck hawks, shotgunworld.com, leverguns.com etc...and the manufacturers sites).

After I botched two rounds by seating them too deep ( I had to trial and error the last die adjustments) my reloads looked like the factory loads. Other casualties thus far include one destroyed case by not lining up the flaring die, and have mashed my finger a few times in the press as i follow the brass up a little too far.

So, with my first 100 reloaded 45 long colt, in a vaquero and brand new model 25...i grabbed the welding mask, gloves...and it was dejavu. The rounds kicked mild and everyone enjoyed shooting them. Three rounds didn't fire...I'm still awaiting my rcbs bullet puller to see what the heck is the deal. They were struck hard. I don't know if it's a primer thing or something else.

Anyways, I have 100 more reloads ready to go and more stuff on order so I can dabble in 45 schofield too.

What does reloading do for you?

1) You don't have to run to Walmart and look for ammunition anymore - who cares if they even stock it?

2) You will look at reloading supplies in every gun store, cabels, bass pro though and start to buy in bulk

3) Instead of looking at the pistol or rifle or hunting forums first...you'll look at the reloading forums first.

4) You'll send e-mails to experienced reloaders/mentors and make post in the reloaders forums and get some well written feedback.

5) You'll read the reloading sections of gunrags that you've always skimmed over and thought wth is that even taking up paperspace.

6) You'll learn alot about different ballistic coeffients, diameters, powders, primers and gun strengths.

7) You'll shoot alot more...you won't really save money...because you'll shoot more.

8) You'll actually enjoy reloading (well maybe not ) But I do...it's like tying your own fly and then catching a fish on it.

9) Your family may enjoy it too. It's like a neat project and is better than tv (or the internet).

10) You'll meet a lot of friends who will be like "Wow! I always wanted to do that...but blah blah blah."

11) Your mechanically inclined father in law will be jealous because you actually did it first

12) Your awesome mother in law will wonder what are all the 100's of wad things that she's raking up on the shooting part of the property

13) Your wife and kids will want to shoot your N frames and Vaquero and will actually hit targets on single and double action as appropriate due to your lower, but still man stopping loads.

14) You'll look at your collection of guns and decide which ones you want to really shoot alot and start learning about relaoding for them.

15) You'll get a Lee and RCBS tattoo on your...oh well maybe not...but you get the idea.

Oh well...long reply while some weird Desperate Housewives is on TV.

Then again...your mileage may vary

L.W.

 

[RoostRider]

Your results on the poll are going to be more than a little skewed there my friend..... (really surprised to see a "I reload and don't think it's worth it" reply at all, quite frankly, but won't get into the psychology of all that.... lol)

I didn't get into shooting a lot until well after I was into reloading waist deep... I know that seems odd, but it's true.... I would reload a box of .357 here and there and then, after I shot them up I would load some more whenever I got around to it.... hell, I probably reused my first .357 brass 5 times before I bought another box of ammo at all.... lol...

I came from a strange place with it all, as my dad had given me some reloading gear when I bought my first handgun so I just thought "why not?"... this was primitive gear and reloading 1000 rounds wasn't going to happen... but I didn't shoot much anyways... so...

I then bought a pile of gear from an estate sale really cheap.... but I still didn't shoot much aside from reloading a pile for a 'special' weekend a year with some friends.... we call it "Fire When Ready Weekend"

Now I reload so I can keep proficient with certain guns of mine, and I have discovered fun ways to burn ammo like USPSA, and I am sure glad I have a progressive and those skills.....

 

[woad_yurt]

Reloading has enabled a man of modest means (me) to practice a whole lot. I couldn't do that if I had to use store-bought. I only reload one particular loading in .38 SPL but I can crank out 250 in no time. Nowadays, that would cost a fortune for boxes of fifty.

Another advantage: I make a load that's unavailable on the shelf, a powerful 148 gr HBWC load. Wadcutters are mean when they have some power behind them and factory wadcutter ammo only comes in weak, target loads.

I also get to practice with my self-defense ammo, which makes for a reliable consistency of results.

 

[Ryder]

Worth it in regard to economic efficiency? It was back when that was a consideration for me. I am sure it still can be. For about $100 you can load 1000 rounds using a single canister of Bullseye and purchased bulk cast bullets. How much would 1000 factory bullets cost?

As I say it is no longer a consideration for me. These days I buy things because I want them, not because I need them. I have a powder measure that cost >$200 to supplement my $10 scale and I just bought a headspace gauge for $50 even though I've been making ammo without one for decades now. I no longer buy my brass by the hundred to see how many reloads as I can get from them and although I still buy bulk lead bullets cast by local entrepreneurs it is not because I have to. I buy brass by the thousand and have a wide selection of premium jacketed bullets from various manufacturers.

It's costing me more money to reload these days but is still very much "worth it" because the ammo is custom made to fit my guns which makes it more accurate than factory. No matter how much I splurge on components and accessories it has to always be less expensive than than factory ammo over time because they must factor in wages, whereas I don't.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Unless you shoot a serious volume of ammo, a couple thousand rounds in any one caliber, reloading won't be worth it. For a guy that only shoot's 5 or 6 boxes a year, I wouldn't mess with it.

I buy bullets by the thousand, powder in 8 lb keg's and primers by the sleeve, 5 bricks. The only brass I've bought has been for .223, bought 1000 once fired cases, because I didn't have a bunch of factory ammo shot up. Same thing for .308, bought 300 once fired cases, because I didn't have a supply from factory ammo. Buying in bulk makes it very economical.

With 40 S&W, I had a boatload of brass from factory ammo that I shot, so I haven't had to buy any. My 40 rounds are running about 12 cents/piece.

 

[chris in va]

As I said on TFL, you don't have to spend a ton of cash on a reloading setup. Buy used equipment on Craigslist or Ebay and shop around. No need to run out and order the very best available from some website.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think you should get the book, read it, so you can make an intelligent decision on what works for you. I can understand your hesitation.

If you shoot your 30-06 only a few boxes a year like I do my 270 win, I wouldn't worry about reloading for that caliber. But if you shoot any centerfire handgun ammo a fair amount, especially 38spl, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag, or larger, I would start reloading for the calibers you use. Again, if you only shoot a box or two of ammo a year, probably not worth the effort.

A lot of people enjoy reloading. You don't have to cast your own bullets. Do get yourself a fairly good digital scale if you decide to do it. You will be uncertain and lack confidence at the beginning, and you will be able to weigh every powder charge if you like much more easily than with an old style scale.

 

[The_Pretender]

It is a great hobby. It saves a lot of money after the initial large investment. It's something you can do with friends and family. It's something you can do when you can't get out to the range. You can customize your loads and tailor them to your own needs. It is very educational. The list goes on.

Where I live, 44 mag in the store is $35 for 50 rounds of Winchester 240g.

I can make 100 rounds of my preferred load (Hornady 200g XTPHP loaded with blue dot) for $20. It only gets better as you go. 200 rounds in store: 140 plus tax. For me, $40.

I shoot until I make a profit. I tried that with drinking once.

I don't load the things I can get in cheap bulk. Something like 7.62 x 39 is cheaper that way. I always think I should get the components just in case, but eh.

 

[M2 Carbine]

The time thing.

I reload when I feel like it or when I have a half hour (or more) with nothing to do.
I have a old Dillon press that has loaded many, many thousands of rounds of ammo. It easily paid for itself the first few months I had it. Using that press it takes about ten minutes (or less) to load a box of pistol ammo.
Just think how much ammo you could turn out instead of watching the talking heads on the news.

I leave the press set up all the time, usually for .223. Anytime I have a few minutes I can sit down and be turning out ammo in a minute or two.

 

[flrfh213]

my 10 year old son loves sorting and de-priming, he wants to do more but i am not sure how safe it is so he does all the sorting and de-priming, but we both enjoy it...

 

[warnerwh]

My favorite rounds to shoot are the .44 and .357 magnum. If I didn't reload I couldn't shoot enough to make it worth the effort. No way I'd pay the exorbitant prices for factory ammo.

 

[Ala Dan]

Very Much Worth It~!

I like seeing my very own handloads sail down range, striking at POA in most cases~!

 

[Backpacker33]

In the late '70s I got my first security job, followed in the early '80s by a law enforcement job. I realized early on I needed to shoot a LOT more than I was, so bought a Lee Loader. Lee is only 25 miles from my home, so, easy decision. Paid for itself in about 6 months. Bought caliber conversions for .40S&W, .357 Mag and .45ACP.

Bought a Thompson and the die investment paid for itself in a weekend. Then I got a Dillion 650 so I could make ammo faster. THAT was expen$ive and took about 18 months to pay for itself. Since then I've added .44 mag & Special, .45 Colt, .45-70 and shotgun.

I load for Cowboy, IDPA, subgun, hunting and backpacking. I load black powder for Cowboy and just for the hell of it. I bought an engraved S&W 29 a few years ago and scandalized the other shooters after an IDPA match by shooting my black powder loads in it. Also shot .45ACP blackpowder in the Thompson. Lots a stinky smoke and black faces because the ejection port is huge for that blowback bolt, and just in front of the shooter's face. We were all laughing like loons.

I can STILL load .45ACP (with Winchester 231!) for about 6-cents a round. .44-Mag for a penny more. Cases last for 7 to 11 times.

I use almost exclusively Lasercast bullets. For specialized stuff I get Hornady bullets, or Speer, or other. I do NOT make bullets. I decided early on I don't like to work with lead. Specialized rounds include .500 Linebaugh (I bought the mold$), .44 Mag heavy loads for backpacking - I love the Garretts but can load similar for less than a quarter of the price, useful for practice.

I also load for our LEO son to practice with. Just like when he was my Cowboy partner in his teens, though, somehow the occasional black powder load mysteriously get into the mix. Heh heh heh!

I do very little custom loading, tending to stick very closely to the manuals. My Dillion has a powder checker and *I* say do NOT do progressive reloading without one.

I do make several .44 Mag loads that push a 240 or 200-gr bullet out the barrel at 900 fps or so so I can plink with it, and some that hit the SAAMI limit.

I've learned to pay close attention to guys like John Taffin and John Linebaugh when trying for more powerful loadings. Just remember, EVERY shot stresses the gun. Heavy loads stress them more, and if you buy a gun used, you have no idea what the previous owner(s) did with it. So I normally load below max by a significant number.

Second thing (after a powder checker) - and maybe the FIRST thing - you absolutely must have is a chronograph. It has solved many a problem and helped me be SURE I'm in the desired range. Perfectly good ones are available for around $100. You don't need fancy stuff like a print-out. I use pencil and paper.

Now, I'm a volume reloader. I have many friends who have single-stage setups and who shoot competitively. Their interest is in precise, consistent loads, and they do fine. One bought my first Lee from me.
- Backpacker

 

[Jefferson Herb]

reloading

I've been loading since pre teen w/Dad.I still load because I have this disease about having odd caliber firearms,and it would cost lots for some of them.I also cast bullets,and if I buy anymore guns,am considering flintlocks so no one can control ammunition for at least one of my guns.I also have a shotmaker and scrounge wheel weights.

 

[Dokkalfar]

Well if you only shoot a few boxes a year, its not really worth it. (though dont forget you can reload most brass, so you might save a bit more $$ there, instead of having to buy new cases) Unless, of course, you try it out and find that you enjoy doing it.

That said, I don;t currently reload, its a decently sized initial investment, and my current priorities mostly involve getting a car first. :/ However, I really hope to be able to start doing it soon, cause it'll probably double the amount of time I'm able to spend at the range

 

[Arkansas Paul]

To me it's not a matter of whether or not it's worth it money wise. Sure saving money is nice, but if it didn't save much, I would still do it. I just flat out enjoy it. I've heard it said on this forum and it's true, "I used to reload to shoot, now I shoot so I can reload". I think you'll find that most handloaders feel the same way.
Way to go flrfh213 getting your son started early. It's a great thing. My two nephews load with me and my brother. They're 18 and 15 and both take shooting and hunting very seriously. I think they're going to love it as much as we do.

 

[MarineOne]

I just bought my house last year, and because I've been in Iraq for 2 years I haven't had a chance to get into reloading or had a place to do it with safety in mind ..... but its something I want to do.

Now that I've gotten my wife and 2 sons into shooting, my ammo budget has increase by 4 times. Can you say ouch?


Kris

 

[Daveboone]

For someone who only shoot one or two guns, limited hunting ( a few boxes a year) it isnt worth it financially.
Target shooters, club members, and those who simply like the inner workings of shooting and getting the most out of their equipment, it is worth it. For handgun shooting in particular where you may be shooting a couple boxes a week, the savings materialize very quickly. Over a period of years if you are an avid rifleman who practices in the off season regularly, savings can also be considerable. Equipment is easily found used much cheaper than new, and it generally never wears out. The hobby isnt worth getting into if you tend to take short term interest in new hobbies.

 

[Boris Barowski]

I don't shoot that much, but still it pays off.

here (in Belgium) factory ammo is pretty expensive.
.223 S&B ammo is about 0.40 euro per shot, while I can reload better quality ammo for about 0.17 euro now.
.40s&w factory is 17 euro / 50, I can make them below half the price.
.45 ACP, .45 LC are even more savings.

I only don't like how much time goes into reloading. I am a full time college student with publishing and web-development businesses on the side, so time is limited

 

[Robert]

I do and I find it to be worth it. Though worth can be described in more than just monetary terms. I am able to craft better, more accurate loads than any factory. And I find it to be relaxing and cathartic at the same time. If you only shoot 5 or 6 boxes a year then, no it is most likely not for you. I compete on a very limited basis and have been known to shoot 200 rounds in one match.

 

[CZ223]

No it is not worth it for you

if you only shoot a hundred or so rounds per year. I shoot several times that many in one outing usually. I f I go to the range for a short session of handgun practice I will shoot up 200 rounds of 45, 40, 357 sig etc. If I am going for a few hours or more I can easily shoot up 500-600 rounds of handgun ammo. If I am playing with my rifles I will normally shoot 100-200 rounds unless time is short. One year when I was shooting cowboy action alot I used almost 30,000 rounds.

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

For those of us who reload for the love of it, or because we fine tune loads to particular rifles, the issue of "worth it" isn't an issue. We fargin love it. It is a way to enjoy our hobby without going to the range, and something to spend money on that you don't have to put in a safe.

For those who want to just save money on ammo (like my brother tried to do) it isn't such a clear cut thing. These are my suggestions.

1. Do not buy a single stage press. - There is no upside to loading one bullet at a time through three rounds of dies, plus powder, using dippers, and trimming cases on necked rounds.
2. Do not buy a Dillon. - The Lee progressive press is a fraction of the price and works absolutely perfect, and caliber changes are effortless. Search midwayusa.com for "lee progressive" and pick your initial caliber.
3. Buy the Lee reloading book first. - this will take you through the explanation of what is involved, and show you the ways Lee made everything cheaper and more efficient.

I don't have any affiliation with Lee at all btw. I just feel that a single stage press is a complete waste of time on anything but ammo that is being made one at a time for accuracy, and if you are going to eventually spend the grand plus on the Dillon, let the Lee pay for itself first.