Does reloading 9mm range ammo make any sense?

[otisrush]

IMHO I think the most important decision factor for anyone considering reloading should be answering the question "Does it sound fun and interesting?". I believe reloading safely involves a level of mental investment and understanding that is less likely (I didn't say "not possible") to occur if someone is focused ONLY on the cost savings.

Anyone who says "Loading abc caliber isn't worth it." should be saying "Loading abc caliber isn't worth it to me." As someone pointed out, if we incorporated the cost of our time into our hobbies, in many cases, we'd never do them. Hunters and Fishermen never talk about the price/lb of the meat they pursue and harvest.....because they do so *primarily* because they enjoy the activity itself. Getting meat or fish to eat is most often an incremental benefit.

In my particular case I have the time to reload. (I see reloading as a better use of my time. If I didn't reload I'd be using that time to watch some stupid movie or something like that.) Even if it cost me more to reload as compared to buying ammo I'd reload....I get that much mental satisfaction and pride from shooing ammo I've made.

OR

 

[rpenmanparker]

What do you do at indoor ranges where the brass gets thrown over the barrier and also mixed together with your neighbors' on the line? Do you just sweep some over to your lane and gather it up. Do ranges like that allow you to pick up as much as you want and cart it off? Do you just try to take about as much as you fired yourself?

 

[rpenmanparker]

I should mention that I am retired also and a chemist. So working at a balance and weighing out precise quantities is second nature to me. A technical pursuit like optimizing loads is right down my alley.

 

[Legionnaire]

What do you do at indoor ranges where the brass gets thrown over the barrier and also mixed together with your neighbors' on the line? Do you just sweep some over to your lane and gather it up. Do ranges like that allow you to pick up as much as you want and cart it off? Do you just try to take about as much as you fired yourself?

I shoot a revolver ...

 

[drband]

Your time’s worth is not measured by only a salary. If you have heavy family or other time obligations, it probably won’t make sense to reload.

 

[Axis II]

What do you do at indoor ranges where the brass gets thrown over the barrier and also mixed together with your neighbors' on the line? Do you just sweep some over to your lane and gather it up. Do ranges like that allow you to pick up as much as you want and cart it off? Do you just try to take about as much as you fired yourself?

Generally it will bounce off the wall and land in your stall and sometimes behind you so just sweep what's yours or politely ask if the stall next to you is shooting 9mm and minds if you keep their brass. Most indoor ranges have buckets your throw the brass into if you don't want it and they will have a cow if you start digging through the bucket as they sell it to people. You could also buy a Caldwell brass catcher and it will catch all your stuff. I did visit one range that told me i was not allowed to keep my brass and i told him its my property and i'm taking it home. They have a counter guy go in every 10min and sweep it up and take it to the back room so they can sell it. He caught me picking it up one day because they hide the brooms and shovels and scolded me and he was told where he and his range could go. I would NOT try and reach under the bench and gather brass though just what's at my feet.

 

[otisrush]

I don't have very much experience at indoor ranges - but the ones I've been to have said as long as it's not ahead of the firing line grab what you like (and be careful about grabbing your neighbor's if they want theirs, too.)

I believe some reloaders will mark their brass (useful at competitions I believe as well) by taking a Sharpie and drawing a line across the headstamp or something like that.

Also, depending on whether you frequent places that allow scrounging (fortunately my normal - outdoor - range does), if you're on average able to come home with a few more cases than what you shot....you'll build up a stockpile. While I certainly try to get every round I shoot, I'm at the point now where I don't worry about it too much. In fact, for the first time since I started reloading 4 years ago, last week I saw some once-fired .223 cases in the brass bucket and it wasn't worth my effort to dig them out. I've got enough .223 brass where any more starts to be a burden.

 

[ponchh]

Whenr I come back from a fishing trip with a bunch of fish to eat I always tell my wife, enjoy that walleye fillet, it cost $60 to go get it.

Same with bow hunters. When they step off in the woods its $20 per shot.

 

[reddog81]

What do you do at indoor ranges where the brass gets thrown over the barrier and also mixed together with your neighbors' on the line? Do you just sweep some over to your lane and gather it up. Do ranges like that allow you to pick up as much as you want and cart it off? Do you just try to take about as much as you fired yourself?

Depends on the range. I've heard that some consider any brass that touches the ground to be theirs. Some ranges don't let you shoot reloads to begin with. Some ranges let you sweep up your stuff, however anything that lands beyond the firing line is off limits. Some ranges let you sweep up yours and whatever else is laying around. I have 2 indoor ranges near me. One doesn't allow reloads (I don't go there). The other lets keep "your brass", however I've had times where an employee comes in and sweeps the range and drops everything off at my stall for the takings. Other times there will be a neighbor that makes a quick pass of the broom and pushes all the brass forward of the firing line and you're SOL.

With 9mm I don't even bother trying to pick it up unless I'm shooting 9mm. I usually end up with extra 9mm cases after every trip to the range and have more than I can use already.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Another point I don’t think anyone mentioned is that while reloading certain calibers might not make sense to some now, if ammo gets scares, having loads woeked up, and having the dies and components could be the difference between shooting and not.

Also if other states follow California it can be a way to have ammo without the red tape.

 

[ATLDave]

I should mention that I am retired also and a chemist. So working at a balance and weighing out precise quantities is second nature to me.

Well, you'll likely need to relax your weight precision expectations if you're trying to efficiently create reliable plinking/practice ammo! Most people who load 9mm in volume rely upon some sort of volumetric powder dispenser, which will have some small weight variance between charges.

I agree with those who say "do it if it sounds interesting to you."

 

[KYregular]

Thanks for that. Not counting the equipment investment, is that otherwise "all in"? What % losses do you experience due to errors? Say you produce 200 rounds of a new load and find after shooting about 25 rounds it really is a stinker. What do you do with the rest? Can you save the bullets, casings and primers, but lose the powder? Or do you save the powder too? Just wondering.

Yes, you can save the bullets, casings, and primers if you pull them. I don't take chances on the powder however. The key is to chronograph your loads while grouping, say 5 rounds each in your ladder work up, then take your best and make 25 or so more to see if thats what you like. Do not make large batches of untested ammo.

 

[rpenmanparker]

So I have to have a chronograph too? Or are they available for rent at a range?

 

[someguy2800]

you don't need a chronograph

 

[Jenrick]

Pick a good middle of road charge weight that fits between the min-max charges in multiple manuals. Make sure you load it longer then the minimum overall length (OAL) and short enough it reliably will feed from the magazine. You are done if all you want is a plinking load.

-Jenrick

 

[doubleh]

I went into business for myself a long time ago and I had a consultation with the guy that was considered the best and smartest accountant in the area. One of the first things he told me was your labor for yourself is worthless. If you pay yourself for working on your own stuff you have to pay taxes on it so forget it. After you retire it's still worthless so forget about it.

Reloading is a hobby. It will save you money but you will probably use the savings to shoot more which is actually an advantage if you like to shoot a lot. You just invest some of your spare time in reloading instead of drinking beer, watching TV, or taking naps.
Of course there is the cost of reloading equipment and only you can make the decision on that. You can buy a lot of 9mm practice ammo for the cost of that equipment. Is that going to be enough to satisfy your shooting needs in the future or not? That's also a decision only you can make. In my case I chose reloading long ago and haven't regretted it at all.

 

[Nature Boy]

There is always a smart *** in every thread! Still, I hope you see my point.

Oh, you’re underestimating by a good bit. There’s always at least 3 or 4 per thread.

As far as brass at indoor ranges you’ll have to ask your’s what their rules are regarding brass. Some will say if it’s over the firing line it belongs to them.

 

[z7]

RMR 124g FMJ $82 per k ($0.082 ea)
Primer $0.025 ea
Brass: free
Powder $0.02 per drop
Labor:free but valuable

$0.13 (round up) per round, $6.50 per box of 50

The cheapest I can find online is $0.19 per shot, saving about $3 per box of ammo. You pay for 9mm does with 500rds and have the satisfaction of rolling your own

But the real cost is time and effort, you can make more money but not more time

 

[Nanook]

Do it. You wont regret it. If you are like most of us, it starts out as a cost savings venture, but in the end you reload because you enjoy it.

I said the same thing too... only 9mm. Lol. Now I load almost a dozen cartridges. And I buy new guns primarily just to have a new caliber to experiment with!

Agreed, the first thing I buy after buying a new gun in a new cartridge is the set of dies.

 

[Lilsnoop]

I would also recommend reloading 9mm if you are planning on shooting regularly. I bought a Dillon Square Deal B which will come setup for 9mm if you choose that caliber. I can reload approximately 300 rounds in an hour and that is at a normal typical pace, not rushing. I find reloading very enjoyable and interesting finding what loads work best for my rifles or pistols, etc. Not figuring in the initial costs of equipment and if you use range brass I can reload for half the cost of what I could buy at Walmart for $9 a box. I use titegroup powder, and look for sales on small pistol primers and typically buy bulk (cheaper) 115gr plated round nose bullets from Everglades. I started with intent of only reloading 9mm, but I now reload 40cal and 45 & use a single stage for reloading .223 as well. Beware though.. it can be addicting..

Ref: Chrono question-If you are interested in your load velocities from varying barrel lengths, etc then I would suggest buying one. I bought mine for approx $110. You won't use it a lot, but it is interesting and nice to have it for recording your load data.

 

[MikeInOr]

I am not saying don't get into reload but after 25+ years of reloading I doubt I have saved that much money. My first press was an RCBS 4x4 and it sucked and I gave up. Then a friend had a kid and talked me into buying his Dillon 650xl progressive press from him at a good price... I really enjoy reloading on my Dillon 650. Of course I had to add a case feeder, then upgrade to carbide dies, then buy conversion heads for other calibers, then buy a ton of other accessories... etc... I have a LOT of money in reloading gear! If a buddy from work says "lets go out shooting tomorrow" and I don't have any ammo loaded I can spit out a quick 300 rounds of 9mm or .45acp in a half hour to 45 minutes and I am ready to go shooting. It takes me longer to load all my gear into the pickup than it does to load the ammo. I would have given up long ago if I only had a single stage or turret press! Of course I have a single stage RCBS rockchucker as well as my Dillon for forming rifle brass (I reload a half dozen rifle calibers on my Dillon) or trimming cases or....

 

[mstreddy]

the first thing I buy after buying a new gun in a new cartridge is the set of dies.

I've been known to have the dies before the new rifle or pistol. Sometimes it just works out...

OP, I started on 9MM a long time ago on a single stage press. You can get set up with equipment for $150 to $400. You don't NEED a chronograph to reload and achieve good, safe results. I don't own one yet.
The essentials are a press, dies, shell holder or plate, calipers, scale (for reloading has to be in Grains), powder measure or dippers, and the most important item - a good manual detailing the process.
That's it!
Now, nice to have, a tumbler, a kinetic hammer for bullet pulling (I call it a mistake eraser) and a few other things. In the stickies at the top of the forum there are a couple of threads for the beginning reloader, I suggest you read them.

One other thing I suggest would be to find a local guide or mentor to shadow or learn from. If you have a buddy that reloads, go over their house and watch and try it. See if you like it. Offer to pay for the components you will use, powder, primers and bullets. Bring some brass and try it out.

As mentioned above, you don't jump into 100-200 rounds of untested loads. You load a few test batches in some increments and test. If they work fine at the range in your guns, and you're satisfied with the accuracy, etc, then you can go into production run.

As to costs... many above have mentioned it. If you're buying 9MM for $9 per 50. You should be able to load it at around $5-6 if you buy components in bulk. Brass for 9MM should be plentiful. Find out the range rules and pick yours up.
I don't count the cost of the equipment into the cost of the ammo as you can easily determine your breakeven point. If you shoot with any regularity, you will find that you will quickly pay off the cost of the equipment. Let's assume you end up paying $300 for your equipment. You are "saving" $4 per box on your loads. That would translate into 75 boxes of 50, or 3,750 rounds.

So, the question would be, how long does it take you to go through 3-4K rounds?
Another thing to consider is that reloading equipment will not lose much value if you want to sell it off later.
And last question, where are you located? There may be a forum member near you that could provide some one-on-one help.

 

[hdwhit]

rpenmanparker asked:
Does reloading 9mm range ammo make any sense?

From what standpoint?

If you're looking at it purely from a financial standpoint, the answer is, No.

I started loading in 1977 using an original Lee Loader. In 1979, I graduated to an RCBS press. I probably paid for the equipment with savings on components vs. loaded ammunition by the mid-1980's/early-1990's. So, today, I count the equipment fully amortized and so save a couple, three cents per round. That means my time spent reloading is worth less than what a child chained to a sewing machine in Bangladesh gets paid per hour.

But, I shoot to support my reloading habit and that habit lets me say, with some pride, that (first rounds through new-to-me guns and rimfire excepted) if I shoot it, I loaded it. And to me, that has an immense value.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

But, I shoot to support my reloading habit and that habit lets me say, with some pride, that (first rounds through new-to-me guns and rimfire excepted) if I shoot it, I loaded it. And to me, that has an immense value.

I'm the same way. I enjoy casting and loading as much as shooting.

I also love the fact that I have a couple of firearms that have never fired a factory round (except for the test round).

 

[splattergun]

rpenmanparker, reloading 9mm makes plenty of sense to those of us that do load it, in a variety of ways. for some of us, hand loading or reloading is a hobby in itself. We do it for the pleasure it brings, usually with a modest cost savings on a per round basis, so it make sense. Some of us load 9x19 in order to have the freedom to customize our own loads to perform best in our own guns, usually with a modest cost savings on a per round basis, which makes sense. Some of us reload massive amounts of 9mm for competitive shooting, at a much greater cost savings on a per round basis, which makes sense. I'm sure there are other reasons as well.

There would be an initial investment of 2 or 3 hundred bucks for tools and books. Those costs you will amortize over the lifetime of the tools, so you will see your actual cost decline the longer and more you reload.

You said you have 3000 factory rounds on hand. Shoot 'em and pick 'em up. There is your free brass. Those shells will last numerous reloads before failure, and you will probably lose more than fail.

The powder, bullets and primer are consumables and are subject to economy of scale. Purchasing in volume reduces net cost. YOu might not see a dramatic reduction of cost on a per round basis (although you likely will see at least a modest reduction of the cost of each round), but you will likely soon learn how to tune your loads to perform best in your gun. And if you enjoy the attention to detail the reloading requires, you will have found a new hobby. Makes sense to me.

As for the value of the time you spend loading... does a fisherman place a dollar value on the time he/she spends on tying flies or molding lures, or question the expense of the tools and materials? Not if he wants to enjoy doing it.