I need a math check for reload vs. factory 45 Auto

[BSA1]

I need some help with my math. It being a Sunday my brain is not fully engaged yet.

I reload. I reload a lot. I rarely shoot factory ammo. 98% of my handgun ammunition I use lead bullets and I recycle my brass until the cases split. You can say I am a cheapskate (heck I am a cheapskate. That is the big point of reloading).

So I am thinking about reloading a large quantity of 45 Auto using new brass and 230 gr. FMJ bullets. However when I do the math factory ammunition is much cheaper.

Example; 1,000 rds. of Starline brass is $ 164.50 per 1,000 (.164 ea.), 1,000 rds of MidwayUSA Winchester 230 gr. FMJ is $236.00 per thousand (.236 ea.), primers are $30.00 per 1,000 (.03 ea.). So I am at .43 cents a round before figuring in powder.

Then I look at Federal American Eagle 230 gr. FMJ from SG Ammo which runs $359.00 / 1,000 (.36 ea.)

I fully recognize that the cost of the bullets can be lowered through other venders and catching them on sale. But then I also might be able to lower the cost of factory ammo if I catch it on sale so lets just call it a wash. Still I am looking at around .10 cent price difference.

Am I correct in my thinking that it is cheaper and easier just to buy bulk American Eagle when using jacketed bullets?

 

[Blue68f100]

Your math is right. That why I don't add the brass cost in since you just keep reusing it. Buy some once fired for a lot cheaper price on brass. But it will not likely be Starline. Then again using jacketed over lead there is big coat difference too.

 

[jwrowland77]

You can add in brass cost, but only price the piece of brass divided by the amount of times you expect to reload it.

 

[Sunray]

Midway USA thinks you should pay for shipping too. However, shooting jacketed bullet will always cost more than cast and you have no guarantee your pistol will shoot the Winchester as well as your hand loads. Shooting the best possible ammo being the real reason to reload.
American Eagle being Federal is well known for being softer than other brands. Won't last as long before the primer pockets are enlarged etc.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

RMR has unfired primed brass for as little as $100 per 1k shipped and new 230 FMJ bullets for $155 shipped.

 

[Mal H]

Why not buy that case of FAE ammo and shoot it up. You then have 1,000 cases of good brass to reload. Even if you only load it one time (which you won't, you should be able to load it dozens of times), you are ahead of the factory ammo price.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You are listing prices that are way too high for bullets.
Zero bullets are high quality and nowhere near as expensive as you listed.
(230gr FMJ @$125/1k)

Just a note, you can not buy that American Eagle ammo from S&G since it's not in stock. You can list any price you want on a site is you have no product to sell.

 

[g.willikers]

The only way most reloading makes cost effective sense is not to buy much brass.
Thankfully most folks don't reload and there's always plenty of free brass at the local ranges.
And even if you start with new or once fired brass, .45acp brass can be used so many times, it's practically free even then.
So, your reloading cost figuring is way too high.
It should be around 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of bulk ammo.

 

[Potatohead]

Is the $ difference between reloading/buying factory smaller than it used to be?

Ive wondered if the cost difference between reloading and buying factory is a lot closer than it was years ago.. It sure feels like it's not as wide as it should be, I know that.
If the gap is getting closer, maybe its due to the recent surge in popularity and will level back out. But I wonder too, if the ammo manufacturers have gotten their (automated) production process running so efficiently, and are getting their components so cheaply, that the gap is just bound to shrink. I hadn't been around this long so I dont know, just wondering out loud.


Even if OP is quoting prices that are on the high side, it still feels to me like the gap is to small..

 

[RussellC]

I need some help with my math. It being a Sunday my brain is not fully engaged yet.

I reload. I reload a lot. I rarely shoot factory ammo. 98% of my handgun ammunition I use lead bullets and I recycle my brass until the cases split. You can say I am a cheapskate (heck I am a cheapskate. That is the big point of reloading).

So I am thinking about reloading a large quantity of 45 Auto using new brass and 230 gr. FMJ bullets. However when I do the math factory ammunition is much cheaper.

Example; 1,000 rds. of Starline brass is $ 164.50 per 1,000 (.164 ea.), 1,000 rds of MidwayUSA Winchester 230 gr. FMJ is $236.00 per thousand (.236 ea.), primers are $30.00 per 1,000 (.03 ea.). So I am at .43 cents a round before figuring in powder.

Then I look at Federal American Eagle 230 gr. FMJ from SG Ammo which runs $359.00 / 1,000 (.36 ea.)

I fully recognize that the cost of the bullets can be lowered through other venders and catching them on sale. But then I also might be able to lower the cost of factory ammo if I catch it on sale so lets just call it a wash. Still I am looking at around .10 cent price difference.

Am I correct in my thinking that it is cheaper and easier just to buy bulk American Eagle when using jacketed bullets?

Others have already said it: The Starline Brass is excellent brass. Many bargain .45 loads use brass not nearly as good is something else to be considered. As you said, the Starline Brass is about 16.4 cents apiece. (and you can use it many times) The closer you get to being able to buy ammo for 16.4 cents a round, and assuming brass is comparable in quality to Starline, your question begins to show increased merit. In the early days of reloading, before being exposed to low price once fired cases of good quality, I reasoned like this: I would buy 9mm (the only thing I shot at that time) ammo if it was decent brass and no more than 25 cents a round. I figured that the Winchester value packs of 100 at 24.00 or so at Walmart were the benchmark. After all, Winchester sold 100 empty brass for 22-23.00 or so, so why not shoot them first, save the brass for only a couple more bucks? Since then, I buy once fired, save all my brass, pick up all I can, and occasionally add a thou of Starline to the pile.

Also already said by others, once you have a few thopusandbrass on hand, you will quit figuring in the cost of brass, assuming you keep all you shoot.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

You are listing prices that are way too high for bullets.
Zero bullets are high quality and nowhere near as expensive as you listed.
(230gr FMJ @$125/1k)

Just a note, you can not buy that American Eagle ammo from S&G since it's not in stock. You can list any price you want on a site is you have no product to sell.

Or Precision Delta FMJ 230 grain RN for 117 a thousand IF you buy 2000, and with free shipping.

Russellc

 

[BigBore45]

yeah buy used range brass and divide that by at-least 8 for .45 acp. also use cheap bullets or cast. powder can be cheap 7000 gr. per pound. Titegroup at 4.5 gr. 7000/4.5=1555 rounds. $20 a pound 20/1500= .013 per bullet.


Lets see how much i load for

Brass once fired/8= $38=500: 500X8=4000 : 4000/38= .0095 so 1 penny in 8 uses. so 4000 rounds $40

Primers pretty strait forward: .03X4000= $120

Bullets: 500 at $48 = $328 for 4000

Powder i already did .013: $53

So lets add it up. 80+40+120+328= $571/4000= .142 So .142 cents per round and all items i just looked up are in stock not powder but you can find some powder similar at around that price. did not add shipping but that wound not even get you to .16 cents a round. bullets had free shipping from MBC. i can reload .45 colt at most for .20 a round and they retail about a dollar a round. that is 1/5th the price. you just have to shop smart. P.S. someone redo my math and make sure im right like OP said its Sunday:banghead: P.P.S. These will out shoot any wolf or tula ammo and American eagle and all other cheap ammo by a long shot.

 

[glc24]

Paying 236.00/1,000 bullets is ridiculously too expensive.
I load 40 S&W and 45 ACP, and have yet to calculate costing as much to reload as to buy. Even with some component prices a bit inflated.

Greg

 

[RussellC]

Paying 236.00/1,000 bullets is ridiculously too expensive.
I load 40 S&W and 45 ACP, and have yet to calculate costing as much to reload as to buy. Even with some component prices a bit inflated.

Greg

If you are pointing that at me, thats 2000 bullets not 1 thousand. If someone else, sorry (works out to 117 a thousand)

Russellc

 

[BSA1]

You can add in brass cost, but only price the piece of brass divided by the amount of times you expect to reload it.

Doesn’t matter. I am going to use new brass if I handload it and factory ammo brass is new also. The only difference would be the quality of the brass.

RMR has unfired primed brass for as little as $100 per 1k shipped and new 230 FMJ bullets for $155 shipped.

That is a great price. .10 cents for brass, .155 cents for bullet, .00 primer plus powder (.05 cents =/-) would be around .30 cents per rounds.

Any idea who made the bullets and how consistent they are (weight and quality)?

You are listing prices that are way too high for bullets.
Zero bullets are high quality and nowhere near as expensive as you listed.
(230gr FMJ @$125/1k)

From whom?

Just a note, you can not buy that American Eagle ammo from S&G since it's not in stock. You can list any price you want on a site is you have no product to sell.

They don’t have it in stock today but they will get it back in stock. I can wait a while. They are a great company to do business with. I placed a order last Friday and it is due to be delivered tomorrow.

Or Precision Delta FMJ 230 grain RN for 117 a thousand IF you buy 2000, and with free shipping

Let’s keep it at $ 144.00 since I started my figuring per 1,000 rds. (However being a cheapskate I would go with 2,000 rds).

.10 cents for brass, .144 cents for bullet, .03 primer plus powder (.05 cents =/-) would be around .32 cents per rounds.

yeah buy used range brass and divide that by at-least 8 for .45 acp. also use cheap bullets or cast. powder can be cheap 7000 gr. per pound

Reread my original post. Already do that. Coffee cans full of used brass and RNL bullets.

Paying 236.00/1,000 bullets is ridiculously too expensive.

I think he is talking about MidwayUSA price. Which is the main reason I don’t buy much from Midway.

Thanks for all of the comments. I now have a couple of new places to get components from.

 

[FROGO207]

Get Zero bullets from Roze Distributors. The key is to buy in large bulk and truck freight things like bullets. Lead (Missouri Bullet) or plated (Rainier/Berries/ X-Treme) 45 ACP bullets are less than the FMJ and work just as well for me. The primers and propellant from places like Widners and Powder Valley. One haz-mat fee for 40+ LBS so get 5K-10K primers and 3 8 LB jugs of propellant at a time (when things come back in stock some) typically is 1/3 less the cost of what you find at the LGS. THEN you can save some on costs. Shipping raw bullets should cost no more than loaded ammo does. Buy good brass for your ammo but the cost needs to be spread out over many reloads------otherwise just use OF range brass and if you loose some no biggie as you will probably find more of it as you go.

7.62X39 or 7.62X54 might be a cost wash due to high cost brass and bullets for them but most common calibers show a significant cost differential to me.

 

[RPegram]

Many times I've compared my reloading cost against factory ammo. I've found a couple that do come close, but they are still a few cents higher per round. I only shoot lead and buy only brass that has already been used. I've only been reloading about 2 1/2 years, but absolutely love it. Pushing 8,000 rounds loaded and shot. My greatest joy is getting a new powder or bullet and working up a round. Just a slight change in powder throw or OAL can make a world of difference. Sitting at my reloading "desk" and resizing, flaring, dropping powder, seating the bullet and crimping the case can do so much for stress. Many times I wonder do I shoot so I can reload? I love shooting, but do I enjoy reloading more?

I believe once you have a good supply of brass on hand, buy wisely when it comes to powder, bullets and primers, you can reload much cheaper. Example. 9mm. I can reload cheaper than Blazer aluminum. Only buy 8lbs powder and try to combine with at least 5,000 primers. Don't be fooled into thinking less expensive primers don't work, I am finishing 5,000 Sellier and Bellot primers and they have performed great.

 

[glc24]

If you are pointing that at me, thats 2000 bullets not 1 thousand. If someone else, sorry (works out to 117 a thousand)

Russellc

Nope. The OP.
He listed the Win bullets from Midway 236/1000. Yeah, at that price who would want to reload! Pays to shop around for sure.

Greg

 

[cfullgraf]

Doesn’t matter. I am going to use new brass if I handload it and factory ammo brass is new also. The only difference would be the quality of the brass.

As others have said or alluded to, the big savings in reloading is that the brass is re-usable. With a cartridge like 45 ACP, the case cost is virtually zero as it lasts near forever. Folks tend to lose them before they fail.

If you are going to buy new empty cases and leave them on the ground, then just buy the cheapest factory ammunition you can find.

If you leave the cases on the ground, reloading is a waste of your time.

 

[WestKentucky]

It's pretty easy math right now for most rounds. The cost of mediocre factory ammo is the same cost as reloading mediocre ammo. Buy loaded and keep your brass, it's the most sensible thing to do for 99.99% of us.

 

[RussellC]

Nope. The OP.
He listed the Win bullets from Midway 236/1000. Yeah, at that price who would want to reload! Pays to shop around for sure.

Greg

Agreed!

 

[RussellC]

Doesn’t matter. I am going to use new brass if I handload it and factory ammo brass is new also. The only difference would be the quality of the brass.



That is a great price. .10 cents for brass, .155 cents for bullet, .00 primer plus powder (.05 cents =/-) would be around .30 cents per rounds.

Any idea who made the bullets and how consistent they are (weight and quality)?



From whom?



They don’t have it in stock today but they will get it back in stock. I can wait a while. They are a great company to do business with. I placed a order last Friday and it is due to be delivered tomorrow.



Let’s keep it at $ 144.00 since I started my figuring per 1,000 rds. (However being a cheapskate I would go with 2,000 rds).

.10 cents for brass, .144 cents for bullet, .03 primer plus powder (.05 cents =/-) would be around .32 cents per rounds.



Reread my original post. Already do that. Coffee cans full of used brass and RNL bullets.



I think he is talking about MidwayUSA price. Which is the main reason I don’t buy much from Midway.

Thanks for all of the comments. I now have a couple of new places to get components from.

Not only might the brass be better, my reloads perform (at least the worked up ones) better than budget ammo. The cost analysis does not carry the whole equation. I enjoy reloading! If you dont that would weigh in favor of factory ammo. If you dont enjoy it as a hobby, then should you consider the cost of doing whatever else you do in its place? Most people enjoy various things. SOME people enjoying building or crafting these same things.

 

[Stripesdude]

I'd never buy top of the line brass for pistol. Potential for accuracy gains from consistent brass doesn't make sense for pistol.

 

[BigBore45]

well if you want to use those components, you might as well buy factory rounds. Kinda missing the point for hand loading for me but to each his own.

 

[BSA1]

As others have said or alluded to, the big savings in reloading is that the brass is re-usable. With a cartridge like 45 ACP, the case cost is virtually zero as it lasts near forever. Folks tend to lose them before they fail.

If you are going to buy new empty cases and leave them on the ground, then just buy the cheapest factory ammunition you can find.

If you leave the cases on the ground, reloading is a waste of your time

What the heck???

Your comment doesn’t make any sense.

If I leave my brass on the ground at the range then I can’t reload it can I?

Again my post is not about how many times I can reload brass. It is about cost comparison of assembling ammunition with all new components vs. buying new factory ammo.

The cost savings for the brass comes after it has been fired once and is reused.

To clarify. I have two reloading presses on my bench. I have reloaded 10's of thousands of rounds. I have reloading dies for 22 different calibers. I have reloading manuals clear back to the 1930's for use on a couple of old oddball calibers.

p.s I challenge any of you to show me on reloading your own ammo saves you money. All it means to me is I shoot more ammo which means buying more bullets, primers, powder and replacing brass which means more using more gasoline to drive to the range to shoot my reloads so I can buy more bullets, primers, powder and replacing brass which means....

Then of course I need a occasional new gun to keep from wearing out the ones I am using.

This is madness...all madness.

Again thanks for all of the comments especially for venders to buy components cheaper from. The cost savings will really add up with volume reloading.