Paddy
member
Looking at components and bullets are nearly half the cost of 45 but powder and primers much closer. Brass can be found or acquired easier? Just kicking around the idea of a 9mm rifle but not sure it's worth setting up a new cal.
How much cheaper to load 9mm?
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Mad Chemist
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I spend <$5/50rds when reusing or scavenging 9x19 brass and loading with 124gr plated bullets from RMR or Xtreme.
ColtPythonElite
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I don't see how you can load 50 for less than 5 bucks a box using the stated components....Looks like RMR plated bullets are about 8 cents each. A primers are at least 2 cents. That puts you at 5 bucks per 50 before powder is factored in.
Paddy
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Yeah but how much powder is that? Like 1$!
Classic55belair
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Ok. Now we are at $6.00. That's still great savings. 1 lbs of powder goes a long way with 9mm
ColtPythonElite
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If it is a dollar, that is 20% more. Sure load 50 and it's no big deal. Load 5k and see how you feel about 20%.
ColtPythonElite
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As far as the OP's question goes, if you own the brass .45 only costs a few cents per round more than 9.
Paddy
member
Actually could be more like .50$ for powder, but yeah, 45 seems a lot more fun for only a little more dough.
Now, who makes 45acp rifles anyway?
Now, who makes 45acp rifles anyway?
I loaded 9mm not for cost savings as much as for availability and quality. A few mainstream manufacturers of 9mm have been less than stellar for me.
But for me loading 9mm is a pain. I dislike the smaller components. I now just buy Speer Lawman for $12 for a box of 50 shipped to my door when ordered by the case.
But for me loading 9mm is a pain. I dislike the smaller components. I now just buy Speer Lawman for $12 for a box of 50 shipped to my door when ordered by the case.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Buy 5k and see how you feel about loading them instead.
Even though I'm using older components I'll list current prices.
124gr RMR Plated bullets $81/K
SP Primers $29/k (Cabela's)
Powder $30/lb
No one pays for 9mm brass
That works out to:
12.7 cents a round
$6.36 / 50
$127 / 1000
Ammunition To Go
115gr WPA $11.99/50
124gr Blazer $12.95/50
115gr Speer Lawman $14.99/50
115gr Rem/Win $15.49/50
IMO a 50% savings is well worth setting up to reload for the 9mm. Back in 2007 i would never have thought I would load for the 9mm but I do now.
GBExpat
Member
Reminds me of a time back in '68 when Dad & I started reloading for the K98k Bringback that my grandfather gave me. We were using a classic Lee Loader (Whack-a-Mole style).
He taught me the math of Reloading (component cost /per including a loose approach to the amortization of equipment purchased as part of the /per cost).
IIRC, 5¢ was about the break-point at that time ... he figured that if we could find 8mm milsurp for ~5¢/ea or better we should buy the milsurp for shooting rather than reload.
He taught me the math of Reloading (component cost /per including a loose approach to the amortization of equipment purchased as part of the /per cost).
IIRC, 5¢ was about the break-point at that time ... he figured that if we could find 8mm milsurp for ~5¢/ea or better we should buy the milsurp for shooting rather than reload.
WKY
Member
Hey all!
There's a cheaper way, as many of you know.
Loading bullets you cast yourself will extremely reduce the amount you pay per round.
I get my lead for free at the tire shop with every oil change.
I'm not sure how much primers are now, but the one's I'm using were $32/1000.
The powder is Industrial Pistol Powder. I paid $40 per gallon at Gibrass.com
The brass is free, took me a year to collect 1500 pieces at the range. (I do more scrounging than shooting it seems).
Based on those figures and a generous amount of powder (I don't have my manual handy), the reloading calculator figures this out to be about $2.93 per 50 rounds.
With the right tools, this doesn't add much time to the process either.
There's a cheaper way, as many of you know.
Loading bullets you cast yourself will extremely reduce the amount you pay per round.
I get my lead for free at the tire shop with every oil change.
I'm not sure how much primers are now, but the one's I'm using were $32/1000.
The powder is Industrial Pistol Powder. I paid $40 per gallon at Gibrass.com
The brass is free, took me a year to collect 1500 pieces at the range. (I do more scrounging than shooting it seems).
Based on those figures and a generous amount of powder (I don't have my manual handy), the reloading calculator figures this out to be about $2.93 per 50 rounds.
With the right tools, this doesn't add much time to the process either.
I'm loading (includes bullet costs, powder costs, primers costs, and FREE range brass):
124 gr cast bullets from MBC at $5.46 per 50.
124 gr xtreme CPRNs for $6.25 per 50.
Very close to ArchAngel's numbers for plated rounds.
I'll take the savings......
124 gr cast bullets from MBC at $5.46 per 50.
124 gr xtreme CPRNs for $6.25 per 50.
Very close to ArchAngel's numbers for plated rounds.
I'll take the savings......
LiveLife
Member
By the time you shoot 3K rounds, the cost savings of around $120 for reloading 1000 rounds instead of spending $240+ to buy factory ammunition, you could have paid for reloading set up. By 5K-10K rounds, even Dillon 550/650.
Regardless of cost savings, many reload for accuracy. Even my cheapest plinking loads using lead/plated 124/125 gr bullets and 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo will significantly decrease the size of shot groups compared to cheaper factory "target" ammunition.
I don't mind reloading "smaller" 9mm cases and bullets. Compared to reloading even smaller 380Auto, it's "bigger" by comparison.
Regardless of cost savings, many reload for accuracy. Even my cheapest plinking loads using lead/plated 124/125 gr bullets and 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo will significantly decrease the size of shot groups compared to cheaper factory "target" ammunition.
I don't mind reloading "smaller" 9mm cases and bullets. Compared to reloading even smaller 380Auto, it's "bigger" by comparison.
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If you order online don't forget the shipping and hazmat fees. I'm right at 14-15 cents each for 9mm, less than half of what I can buy retail. That's what we shoot the most. Also I can tailor to our shooting styles or needs.
We shoot enough that I have already paid for a nice Dillon 650 setup. I also have several thousand dollars worth of components on the shelf. I'm retired so it gives me something to do on days when nothing else is going on and I enjoy the reloading experience.
We shoot enough that I have already paid for a nice Dillon 650 setup. I also have several thousand dollars worth of components on the shelf. I'm retired so it gives me something to do on days when nothing else is going on and I enjoy the reloading experience.
anothernewb
Member
I'm at 9.7c per round. even with the insane powder prices. I shoot coated lead.
bullets (bulk) .056
Primers (bulk) .027
powder .014
I set up a massive bulk purchase through my local shooting club. we ordered something like 50k bullets and about as many primers at once. split the hazmat and shipping fees between I think 15 of us. worked out slick.
bullets (bulk) .056
Primers (bulk) .027
powder .014
I set up a massive bulk purchase through my local shooting club. we ordered something like 50k bullets and about as many primers at once. split the hazmat and shipping fees between I think 15 of us. worked out slick.
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I never "add it up" any more. I am going to reload. The only way I will buy ammo is if someone is closing some out at super prices. That hasn't happened for some time obviously, but the last time it did I bought 500 each of 9MM. .40 S&W, & .45 ACP. Generic soft point 9MM, HST .40, and generic hollow point .45. I have shot some, and given some of the 9MM & .45 ACP to friends. Since I got rid of my .40, I gave all of it to my sons, both of which have .40's and likely to keep them.
That said, 9MM is obviously cheaper to load than .45. I shoot more 9MM these days for two reasons, lower cost and lower recoil. I still love my .45s, but aging bones and joints don't like as much of it anymore.
A 9MM carbine is about as fun as it gets.
That said, 9MM is obviously cheaper to load than .45. I shoot more 9MM these days for two reasons, lower cost and lower recoil. I still love my .45s, but aging bones and joints don't like as much of it anymore.
A 9MM carbine is about as fun as it gets.
ny32182
Member
Between 9mm and .45, the vast majority of the cost difference is going to be in the bullet.
Also brass if you have to buy .45 brass... 9mm is usually pretty easy to get a nice volume of it just picking it up at ranges.
Also brass if you have to buy .45 brass... 9mm is usually pretty easy to get a nice volume of it just picking it up at ranges.
mstreddy
Member
OK, I'll chime in --
Assuming free brass, the bullet is the most expensive component in pistol reloading. So, from a purely per round cost 9MM is much cheaper than 45 ACP, but I wouldn't say 50%.
The primer cost is the same or nearly so. The powder cost is the same, in some cases the amount of powder for 9MM is the same as for 45. So, it comes down to the bullet cost. My 9MM 124gr Xtremes are 7.4c, my 45 ACP 230gr plated are 10c.
So, for 9MM here is my breakdown:
Brass is free -- I have and continue to find more 9MM than any other brass at ranges where I shoot. I hardly ever pick it up anymore, more often than not, I share it with my friends.
Bullets -- last order from Xtreme 124 gr Plated @ 7.4c each
Primers -- earlier order at a high of 2.7c each (latest order is around 2.2c)
powder -- based on $20 per pound - 01.28c per round (I've actually been using Promo which is $13 per pound)
Total round cost 11.38c
50 rounds $5.69 -- using "current" prices.
In my case I'm using some primers I picked up from a buddy that gave up reloading and I figured the cost out to $15/K, the Promo @ $13/lb and those extreme bullets, the per round cost is 9.5c and the 50 round box is $4.75.
Assuming free brass, the bullet is the most expensive component in pistol reloading. So, from a purely per round cost 9MM is much cheaper than 45 ACP, but I wouldn't say 50%.
The primer cost is the same or nearly so. The powder cost is the same, in some cases the amount of powder for 9MM is the same as for 45. So, it comes down to the bullet cost. My 9MM 124gr Xtremes are 7.4c, my 45 ACP 230gr plated are 10c.
So, for 9MM here is my breakdown:
Brass is free -- I have and continue to find more 9MM than any other brass at ranges where I shoot. I hardly ever pick it up anymore, more often than not, I share it with my friends.
Bullets -- last order from Xtreme 124 gr Plated @ 7.4c each
Primers -- earlier order at a high of 2.7c each (latest order is around 2.2c)
powder -- based on $20 per pound - 01.28c per round (I've actually been using Promo which is $13 per pound)
Total round cost 11.38c
50 rounds $5.69 -- using "current" prices.
In my case I'm using some primers I picked up from a buddy that gave up reloading and I figured the cost out to $15/K, the Promo @ $13/lb and those extreme bullets, the per round cost is 9.5c and the 50 round box is $4.75.
NapalmMan67
Member
Unfortunatley, not all of us can get unlimited supplies of 9mm brass. I rarely find any at my club and I know a lot of people who shoot that particular caliber.
I'm guessing what isn't picked up by the majority of shooters themselves for relaoding, get's cleaned up by a company that comes in and does.
Or those that do pick up, deposit in the brass containers for pick up by same company- and it's immediate loss of membership if you are caught dipping in to those containers.
So for me to really get more 9mm brass would be to buy. Kind of takes some of the savings and fun out of it for me.
.
I'm guessing what isn't picked up by the majority of shooters themselves for relaoding, get's cleaned up by a company that comes in and does.
Or those that do pick up, deposit in the brass containers for pick up by same company- and it's immediate loss of membership if you are caught dipping in to those containers.
So for me to really get more 9mm brass would be to buy. Kind of takes some of the savings and fun out of it for me.
.
I've seen 9mm brass for sale at about 3-4 cents each, sometimes shipped. I had a good supply but bought some for $1 a pound from an acquaintce; too good to pass up. I just bought some .380 brass for 4 cents each. Most of this I reclaim when shooting.
mstreddy
Member
Napalm,
Your range should allow the shooter to keep their own brass. If it does, then you may want to ask your fellow shooters to "keep" their own brass and then give it to you. I do that at may ranges -- if some one is shooting a caliber I want to pick up, I ask them if they want it or if they mind if I have it. Most give me the go ahead and some will even pick it up and give it to me in a nice pile or box.
If you want, I can send you a small flat rate box of 9MM brass as a PIF. A small box will hold around 400 pcs of 9MM brass.
Your range should allow the shooter to keep their own brass. If it does, then you may want to ask your fellow shooters to "keep" their own brass and then give it to you. I do that at may ranges -- if some one is shooting a caliber I want to pick up, I ask them if they want it or if they mind if I have it. Most give me the go ahead and some will even pick it up and give it to me in a nice pile or box.
If you want, I can send you a small flat rate box of 9MM brass as a PIF. A small box will hold around 400 pcs of 9MM brass.
Paddy
member
Well, an important factor for me is that I don't own anything in 9mm. Loading 45 is very pleasurable and I leave my lnl setup for it most of the time. We've been watching Boardwalk empire a lot lately and I have to admit it's made me sort of think that justifying a tommy gun could be possible haha. But theres a new crop of pistol cal carbines out now too, beretta, hi points, kel Tecs, taurus...
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