Is it worth it?

[James2]

I am looking at reloading mostly 9mm, .308, maybe some 38spl and 357 mag

Definitely worth it in my book too. You will do better on the rifle ammo and 38/357 than the 9mm.

I have found that I can load for about half what ammo costs over the counter. I figure you can pay back the initial investment for a Rockchucker Kit with 1600 rounds of 45 auto.
This even buying your components 100 at a time. If you buy bulk and save on components it becomes even a better deal. Cast your own bullets then it really cuts costs.

I started reloading when in high school. My first outfit consisted of a press, a powder scales, a set of dies and a powder funnel. Did I save any money? No, but I sure shot a lot. I think that is the bottom line. If you enjoy doing things with your hands and like mechanical gadgets and want to get the most bang for your buck, then yes, go for it.

Hey, if its about saving money, sell your guns!

 

[rtpzwms]

I have a cost calculator that goes above the link listed and is written in excel. If you would like this file let me know and I will email it to you. THR doesn't seem to like the newer xlsx file format or extension.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

Last time I did the math this spring my 9mm was 13 cents using 115g Berrys, WSF and WinSP. Always purchased in bulk or with a group (sub-bulk)

 

[whipper]

When I started reloading, the gun shop I was dealing with would by brass from me for store credit. Every time I went to the range, I would pick up everything reloadable. Pistol and rifle brass was about 3 to 8 cents a around the bigger the caliber the more it was worth. This is back in the 80’s when gun shops were plentiful in California. Today there are not many gun shops left, and most do not buy used brass anymore. Maybe in your area gun shops will do that.

 

[shenck]

this is why I do it

This makes it worth it. Three round groups.

 

[rfwobbly]

One last thing to remember. Regularly check craigslist and classifieds. You can happen onto a complete setup on the cheap.

+1

You can't say that enough. I lucked into a guy selling out his reloading "business" with 5 presses, 30+ dies sets, 16 lbs of powder, roughly 10,000 primers, 2 Dillon vibratory cleaners, RCBS scales, RCDS motorized pocket pref station, a Lyman motorized trimmer, brass, bullets, all manner of stuff. All this and more for roughly what most people pay for a basic starter kit.

I simply horse-traded the items I didn't want until I had a new high-end press worth more than my initial purchase, then I kept everything else. Deals like this don't happen every day, but the point is they are out there.