mljdeckard
Member
You CAN spend $400 to get started reloading. You certainly don't HAVE to. See post #9. And the good part is, you don't have to do it all at once. A hand press this month, a set of dies next month, etc.
Has this Obama/Pelosi ammo market turned you from a shooter to an ammo hoarder?
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The Lone Haranguer
Member
Since the price of ammo has more than doubled in the last 10 years, I can't afford to "hoard" even if I wanted to.
OrangePwrx9
Member
I've been a reloader for decades. Never in large quantities, more of an experimenter. Always trying to come up with the ideal load that each firearm "likes". So I'd have 100 of this bullet, 100 of that. Maybe a pound each of several different powders. A single stage press was all I needed.
Primers were pretty much standardized on CCI, but generally 1000 or less of each type. When I got down to my last 100, I'd order more.
I was content if I had 100 loaded rounds of each rifle caliber on hand and maybe 200 or 300 of each pistol caliber. Didn't want more because I might find a better load before the on-hand quantity was shot up.
Now, thanks to O&P and their anti-gun sideshow, bulk orders of bullets and brass are the order of the day. Several thousand of each type of primer is on hand and I get real nervous if the quantity of any type drops below 2000. Powder is ordered in 4lb. and 8lb. quantities.
Also the goal is to have at least a five hundred rounds of each caliber on hand (rifle and handgun) and at least a few thousand of any round that can be fired in the available semi-auto rifles, pistols and .357 revolvers. The emphasis on "best load" has been replaced by what's most cost effective (for awhile, it was what's available). To meet that goal a lot of steel cased Russky ammo has been delivered here that never would've been considered a few years ago.
Though I swore I'd never go back to progressive reloading presses, I'm leaning toward a Dillon 550. It's not about fun and games any more.
Primers were pretty much standardized on CCI, but generally 1000 or less of each type. When I got down to my last 100, I'd order more.
I was content if I had 100 loaded rounds of each rifle caliber on hand and maybe 200 or 300 of each pistol caliber. Didn't want more because I might find a better load before the on-hand quantity was shot up.
Now, thanks to O&P and their anti-gun sideshow, bulk orders of bullets and brass are the order of the day. Several thousand of each type of primer is on hand and I get real nervous if the quantity of any type drops below 2000. Powder is ordered in 4lb. and 8lb. quantities.
Also the goal is to have at least a five hundred rounds of each caliber on hand (rifle and handgun) and at least a few thousand of any round that can be fired in the available semi-auto rifles, pistols and .357 revolvers. The emphasis on "best load" has been replaced by what's most cost effective (for awhile, it was what's available). To meet that goal a lot of steel cased Russky ammo has been delivered here that never would've been considered a few years ago.
Though I swore I'd never go back to progressive reloading presses, I'm leaning toward a Dillon 550. It's not about fun and games any more.
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Commercial Reloaders
I keep a large supply of ammo on hand because I shoot various calibers and whenever I see a good deal I buy what I can afford to.
I'm not a tinfoil hat type but I am a realist-there are some people in DC and locally who would disarm citizens in a minute-there is also a chance of civil disorder,so better prepared than not.
That said,I just like shooting a lot when I go to the range.
I have found two commercial reloaders in my area and they are extremely reasonable-particularly on 45 Colt and 44 Special as well as 45 Auto Rim and 44 Magnum.
This ammo is not loaded hot at all,more like cowboy level or a little above,making for pleasant range sessions-I like shooting single action revolvers a lot so brass recovery in that case is easy and cuts the resupply price by a few bucks a box.
Sometimes I see Graf&Sons or Ammoman run a really good price on stuff like 38 Super-no shipping,no tax,and a low price-can't beat that.Graf even throws in nice premiums sometimes.
BVAC bulk ammo from Cheaper Than Dirt isn't bad either-but they charge shipping.
I keep a large supply of ammo on hand because I shoot various calibers and whenever I see a good deal I buy what I can afford to.
I'm not a tinfoil hat type but I am a realist-there are some people in DC and locally who would disarm citizens in a minute-there is also a chance of civil disorder,so better prepared than not.
That said,I just like shooting a lot when I go to the range.
I have found two commercial reloaders in my area and they are extremely reasonable-particularly on 45 Colt and 44 Special as well as 45 Auto Rim and 44 Magnum.
This ammo is not loaded hot at all,more like cowboy level or a little above,making for pleasant range sessions-I like shooting single action revolvers a lot so brass recovery in that case is easy and cuts the resupply price by a few bucks a box.
Sometimes I see Graf&Sons or Ammoman run a really good price on stuff like 38 Super-no shipping,no tax,and a low price-can't beat that.Graf even throws in nice premiums sometimes.
BVAC bulk ammo from Cheaper Than Dirt isn't bad either-but they charge shipping.
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M2 Carbine
member
But just think what it will be in another 10 years.
This 9mm cost a little over $4 a box. Check the dates.
I have been comparing the price of supplies to the cost of factory made in the 9mm and 45 online. Maybe I have not found the right source for supplies because so far the the time invested to load 1000 rounds is worth more at the federal minimum wage than the savings I can realize.
Can you guys share where you are getting supplies at the best prices so as to save reasonable money.
I have been seeing 124 gr bullets at around $95/1000, primers at $25 and powder at about $15. If you have to purchase even 300 brass casings you it's around $40 so before shipping or taxes I would be in for $175 and I can buy 1000 rounds or Ruag 124 9mm at $200 locally. I guess that over a years time I could save around $1500 but the time invested seems to cancel that out. What am I missing?
Can you guys share where you are getting supplies at the best prices so as to save reasonable money.
I have been seeing 124 gr bullets at around $95/1000, primers at $25 and powder at about $15. If you have to purchase even 300 brass casings you it's around $40 so before shipping or taxes I would be in for $175 and I can buy 1000 rounds or Ruag 124 9mm at $200 locally. I guess that over a years time I could save around $1500 but the time invested seems to cancel that out. What am I missing?
Sharpdressedman,
I go to trail Glades every Thursday night for tactical practice with a group and the range Nazi's don't let you police much of your brass. You can maybe scoop up 50 shells before you are asked to stop. I think they sell the brass to companies for reloading for retail.
I go to trail Glades every Thursday night for tactical practice with a group and the range Nazi's don't let you police much of your brass. You can maybe scoop up 50 shells before you are asked to stop. I think they sell the brass to companies for reloading for retail.
trickyric-
Look at tjconevera.com. 1000 115 plated 9mm with 1000 pieces of brass for 119$.
The savings is in the brass, reuse it and you will be loading a 1000 rounds for half of what you pay for that Ruag stuff.
And if you use powders like Universal the ammo will be a whole lot cleaner.
Get a basic Lee press and dies and you will pay for the initial startup costs in the fist batch.
Hangingrock
Member
When the herd stampedes it stampedes and the duration of the stampede is dependent on which way the political winds are blowing.
Hysteria may be too strong of a word but then it’s descriptive of what occurs with panic buying. The internet fuels the fire with rumors, innuendo, speculation and WAG (AKA= Wild Ass Guess). It is I have a friend of a friend of an individual that is in the know and THE Word is.
You betcha with the election coming up and commentary fueling the fires of fear its going to be a record year.
Hysteria may be too strong of a word but then it’s descriptive of what occurs with panic buying. The internet fuels the fire with rumors, innuendo, speculation and WAG (AKA= Wild Ass Guess). It is I have a friend of a friend of an individual that is in the know and THE Word is.
You betcha with the election coming up and commentary fueling the fires of fear its going to be a record year.
MuleRyder
Member
So, what exactly has driven the prices of ammo up? Is is hysteria/Obama/Pelosi/ or is it commodity prices of metals? Or a combination?
JohnBT
Member
I poured a cup of coffee this morning, opened the newspaper, saw an ad for next week's gun show at the raceway complex and thought to myself, "I need to get a lightweight hand truck for hauling ammo home."
I don't mind carrying 2 Georgia Arms ammo cans of .45 through the parking lot, but that's my limit these days.
Luckily, I'm still shooting Wolf Match Target I bought for $15 a brick years ago. It's $46 in the J&G flyer I got the other day. Dang.
I don't mind carrying 2 Georgia Arms ammo cans of .45 through the parking lot, but that's my limit these days.
Luckily, I'm still shooting Wolf Match Target I bought for $15 a brick years ago. It's $46 in the J&G flyer I got the other day. Dang.
Scuba_Steve
Member
I buy in volume because it is cheaper, it has nothing to do with Obama or Pelosi.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Way back - early 60's the house rule was buy 2 shoot 1. got a stash you would not believe.
leadcounsel
member
I'm with Trickyric. There is no savings unless you remove the "cost of your time" equation. If you enjoy it, you probably break even. If it's like a second job to you, you'd be better off working more or getting a second job to earn $ to buy ammo in bulk.
9MM is a concern, but, usually last on my reloading list. I'm in the really hosed categories, and, would like another one, 45 Colt.
Calibers I need to reload: 375 H&H, 30-06, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Linebaugh, regular and Maximum, .500JRH, .45 Super, .357.
Calibers I need to reload: 375 H&H, 30-06, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Linebaugh, regular and Maximum, .500JRH, .45 Super, .357.
Once the panic buying settled down things could have returned to normal if we could have kept our debt in check.
Look at the price of Gas these days. Everything is more expensive because we keep printing money to pay for the deficit we keep spending and it is devaluing the dollar.
Weak dollar= more expensive metals, more expensive ammo, more expensive food and gas et.al.
No
I buy ammo to shoot, but I shoot a lot.
I buy ammo to shoot, but I shoot a lot.
M2 Carbine
member
Seldom is anyone paid for their personal time.
How much are you paid for wasting your time watching TV or being on THR?
Reloads cost about half the price of factory ammo. If that cost savings isn't worth your time then pay for factory ammo.
Personally, when I started shooting in 1960 I couldn't afford to buy 38 and 45 factory ammo, so I started reloading.
Now days I can afford to buy factory ammo but it seems silly to pay double for my shooting, when I can load thousands of rounds in my free time.
My Dillon is always ready to go. I can sit down for a half hour, like when I'm waiting for supper, and load several boxes. Time better spent than watching the TV news liberal talking heads.
M2 Carbine
member
Ain't it the truth,
BUT.
All we have to do is, each one of us taxpayers pay the $135,368 we owe and the cost of ammo will come down.
It would help if your children would pay the $48,858 they owe.
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Beagle-zebub
Member
Care to explain how those two are responsible for prices going up?
SharpsDressedMan
member
Prosser: Who was making 28K as a MEAN income in 1968? Who was that "average" guy making that much in '68? Not too many in the US Army. My dad was in construction, feeding a family of seven, mom didn't work outside the house, and he probably never made over $15k then. I used to work with some pharmacists then, and I don't think a pharmacist was making that much then, and I would bet that a pharmacist was ABOVE mean income then. I think that figure may be off a bit.
22-rimfire
Member
I buy ammo to shoot. My shooting suffers from an ebb and flow of interest. But I continue to buy ammo. The result is an accumulation of factory loaded ammo that is available to shoot when I want to without thought of whether the local store has any in stock or at what price. Sometimes it looks like I am an ammo hoarder.
But I have to say honestly, that I cache a significant amount of 22LR ammo because it is my favorite round to shoot day in and day out.
You can't equate your free time with any wage scale on a practical basis. If that truly is the case in terms of your belief system, just buy factory ammo and shoot less. Shooting is not an inexpensive hobby. It does not have to rule your life in terms of disposable income.
Prosser, if those numbers (#45) are about you personally, I would have to say that in 1968 you made a significant income. As mentioned earlier, my Dad never made more than about 22K per year in his entire life and he raised 7 kids. You need to consider moving somewhere cheaper to live. When I got out of college, if I made 12K, I thought I was doing pretty well for the time and being a member of the working class.
But I have to say honestly, that I cache a significant amount of 22LR ammo because it is my favorite round to shoot day in and day out.
You can't equate your free time with any wage scale on a practical basis. If that truly is the case in terms of your belief system, just buy factory ammo and shoot less. Shooting is not an inexpensive hobby. It does not have to rule your life in terms of disposable income.
Prosser, if those numbers (#45) are about you personally, I would have to say that in 1968 you made a significant income. As mentioned earlier, my Dad never made more than about 22K per year in his entire life and he raised 7 kids. You need to consider moving somewhere cheaper to live. When I got out of college, if I made 12K, I thought I was doing pretty well for the time and being a member of the working class.
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carbuncle
Member
I'm getting into reloading one item at a time: the Lee Breech Lock Press Kit for Christmas, Lee manual last week, bullet puller this week, you get the idea. Makes it more affordable in bite-size chunks. I'm also shooting more .22LR and planning to buy more .22s, so I have a multi-front approach to rising ammo prices: shoot more .22 now, buy 4 centerfire factory ammo and shoot 1 or 2, and begin reloading to build up a stockpile.
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