Five of Clubs
Member
This is a question that I had to answer for myself, but it may help others. Where is the "break even point" on 45ACP with reloading versus buying off the shelf? The answer for me was 1000 rounds. Here is the math:
Walmart price (cheapest around) for 100 rounds 45ACP = $32.99
X10 = $329.90 for 1000 rounds purchased.
Reloading startup costs:
$138 for Lee Breech lock Single Stage kit plus carbide dies shipped from
Cabelas
$17 Digital calipers from Harbor Freight
$106 for 1000 230gr lead bullets
$18 for 1 pound of Unique powder
$30 for 1000 CCI large pistol primers
$25 for ammo boxes (loaded rounds)
$0 Free range brass
$334 dollars total reloaded
Every thousand rounds of 45ACP from now on will cost $154 until prices change. All reloading components were purchased locally. I could probably get bullets cheaper off the web, but the hazard fees prohibit buying the other components that way.
Therefore, my advice is that if you plan to shoot more than 1000 rounds through your .45, start reloading. This is especially true if you have about 4 hours per week to dedicate to this hobby. The good news is that I have developed a load that I LOVE to shoot. The bad news is that I shoot WAY more than I ever did prior to reloading.
I hope this helps some person like me when I was looking a few months ago.
Walmart price (cheapest around) for 100 rounds 45ACP = $32.99
X10 = $329.90 for 1000 rounds purchased.
Reloading startup costs:
$138 for Lee Breech lock Single Stage kit plus carbide dies shipped from
Cabelas
$17 Digital calipers from Harbor Freight
$106 for 1000 230gr lead bullets
$18 for 1 pound of Unique powder
$30 for 1000 CCI large pistol primers
$25 for ammo boxes (loaded rounds)
$0 Free range brass
$334 dollars total reloaded
Every thousand rounds of 45ACP from now on will cost $154 until prices change. All reloading components were purchased locally. I could probably get bullets cheaper off the web, but the hazard fees prohibit buying the other components that way.
Therefore, my advice is that if you plan to shoot more than 1000 rounds through your .45, start reloading. This is especially true if you have about 4 hours per week to dedicate to this hobby. The good news is that I have developed a load that I LOVE to shoot. The bad news is that I shoot WAY more than I ever did prior to reloading.
I hope this helps some person like me when I was looking a few months ago.