Is now the time to start reloading?

[Highland Ranger]

I have always toyed with the idea of reloading, but time was always an issue and economic justification was weak.

Time aside, has the latest ammo shortages changed that equation?

Does it now make economic sense to reload and are there components available to reload if one was so inclined?

The fact that the planet is out of 22lr has me re-thinking many things including this.

Realize you cannot reload rimfire but maybe its time to put those saved 45acp and 9mm cases to use.

Thanks,
HR.

 

[SuperNaut]

Starting now would be the equivalent of buying high and selling low. But, if you can't find your caliber, you gotta do what you gotta do...

 

[Droid noob]

My next major purchase will be reloading equipment. That will not be until things settle down a bit. I'm not buying anything substantial until prices get to their new normal.

 

[Belmont148]

I would probably wait a few more months. I am having a harder time finding primers/powder than I am loaded amunition. I think way to many people got into reloading at the same time, plus the component hoarders are just as bad as the ammo hoarders.

I purchased all of my equipment in December when it was still available at discounted prices. I also picked up a years worth of primers and powder at a gun show the first week of January. I have a source locally for good cheap hard cast bullets, and my .308 bullets seem to be available in places. It would be tough to start from scratch right now. I think some presses are on BO for months.

Just make this a lesson to not put it off once things settle down, or you will be back here again wishing you would have started when the next shortage hits.

Just know that it has to be sonmthing you love to do, as much or more than shooting, or else you will be selling everything 12 months later.

 

[j1]

It is the best time possible.

 

[USSR]

Is now the time to start reloading? No, the time to start reloading was a year ago. I bought 5k of primers for $75 then. Now it is almost impossible to find them, and if you do, you will pay thru the nose. I'm afraid the best thing you can do right now is sit tight, remember the situation as it exists now, and when/if things loosen up, jump in and swear you will never be caught in this situation again.

Don

 

[wally247]

If you buy RCBS equipment there is a great rebate.
http://www.rcbs.com/pdf/RC316_2013RCBSWebRebateCoupon_FNL.pdf

 

[GT1]

It is almost a must if you want to do any shooting and not pay factory ammo crazy prices. The only folks paying through the nose are the panicky types.

Patience and perseverance will pay off. Know what you want, search for it, it will show up at normal or even discount prices, just don't expect to buy it all in one place at the same time. It might take a month or three to get together what you need.

The sooner you start the journey the sooner you'll be on the inside loading cheap-to-make ammo instead of being on the outside looking in.

 

[mgmorden]

Now's not the time to be buying anything ammo related. That applies to loaded ammo and components to reload with (or even the tools).

Its a great time to have stocked up on such supplies and be reloading and shooting though. What I'd suggest is that when things calm back down (and they will), go ahead and invest in your equipment then and start building up your supply cache. When things go crazy again (and they will ), you'll be good to go.

One of the great things about reloading in situations like this is component commonality. Brass is reused and often free on the ground so I don't even factor it into cost equations, but powder and primer is the same across lots of different rounds. If I buy lots of Bullseye and Small Pistol primers that works for any handgun I own. Only thing to worry about having different per gun is bullets. To me that's a lot better than buying factory loaded 9mm in bulk and then deciding I'd like to shoot the .38 a bit in a situation like this.

Kinda like buying bulk flour and sugar vs bulk packs of cookies. Sure you have to work harder, but the raw "ingredients" are a lot more versatile.

 

[kingmt]

You could order your equipment & get in line. Then if you need time to save up for the other stuff you have some time.

 

[James2]

Right now there is not much of anything ammo wise nor reloading supplies/tools available locally and if they show up prices are inflated. I have not shopped online, but hear same story there. There are some tools on eBay, but again selling at inflated prices. Bottom line, it may be hard to get anything right now and if you can the prices will be high.

I have reloaded for many years. Yes, my ammo costs about half the on shelf price for factory ammo, (this in normal times). Right now, since I had some components on hand before this craziness, my ammo seems dirt cheap.

I highly recommend it, but perhaps you will want to watch as things loosen up again and buy at better prices for the reloading tools and components? Do some looking around and see what you can find and ask if you want to pay the price I guess. One thing for sure, buy good tools, the tools last a very long time, and you soon get a return.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Thanks for the responses. I actually have sufficient factory ammo so that I can easily wait this out. I have enough that I have been giving it out to friends and family who didn't prepare ahead of time, so no rush.

This is more looking down the road - if history holds true, the prices for factory ammo will not go back down to their 12/2012 levels. Given that - thinking is maybe the economy of reloading is much more attractive then it had been in the past.

It sounds like availability of components isn't an advantage - any other advantage to reloading?

Or does it make sense to sit this out and just stockpile all the more factory ammo for next time?

On a related note: I have boxes of 45 hardball I bought for $6. And they aren't that old.

Best investment of my adult life - certainly the market hasn't done so well.

 

[OldTex]

I've seen some of the RCBS starter kits for sale at prices that haven't gotten outrageous yet. I started with one of these kits many years ago. You might over time replace many of the tools with better ones but the basic tools are quality items that will serve you well as you learn. That RCBS rebate/bullet deal mentioned above sounds good since a complete starting setup will run a little over $300.

As others have mentioned, its the components that are hard to find right now (cast bullets are easier to find than jacketed but there are delays). Some places are charging outrageous prices but others are still charging pretty much what they were before Sandy Hook. It just takes a lot of time to seek out the components you need at the right prices.

The incendiaries are the biggest problem financially right now. Even if the prices are not jacked up, you have to pay an extra Hazmat fee (in the $20-$30 dollar range most places) when you order powder and primers online. Used to you could buy in quantity and package all of this into a bulk order to minimize the effect of this extra fee. But nowadays if you find the powder or primers you need, they will sell out if you don't jump on them right away. This means you end up paying a lot of unnecessary Hazmat fees.

Ideally, it's best to have a local dealer that knows you as a regular customer and isn't interested in gouging you. He can keep an eye out for what you need. But in today's market, even a dealer cannot find what he wants.

When things settle down and you can get the components you want, it helps to buy in bulk. This not only keeps your cost per round to a minimum, it keeps you in good shape when these buying frenzies hit.

 

[gahunter12]

^^^^ I agree with this. Just remember once you get started, stock up on primers, and powder. I keep a Credit Card just for reloading, and a savings account that I stick a little money in to pay off my CC when I make a purchase. Every year except this year I have made large bulk purchases of primers, and powder in January, then again in June/July.

 

[soonertoby]

If/when you can find the stuff at decent prices go for it.... I just started a while back myself but luckily got stocked up a bit before things got really crazy......I figure I'm in it for the long haul/lifetime hobby and didn't really jump into it because of state of things right now. I could certainly use more supplies, but I'm in no hurry and I will wait it out...I hope to reload for years to come regardless of ammo availability...I really enjoy it

 

[GT1]

I've bought bulk primers, powder, and bullets(bulk .224 bullets are hardest, though.) in the last three months pretty much at the same old prices as last summer, I just had to bide my time and jump when the getting was good. That's why you educate yourself, know what you are looking at, and know what you need to get supplied.
The only real change now is if you don't know and have to go research what you see being listed is that it will be gone in an hour, sometimes less.

That, and don't shop at the gougers. Shop places where prices have stayed the course with little fluctuation. The manufacturer's haven't changed their prices very much, though some things have because of materials prices, etc, the gougers have marked things up at a ridiculous rate.
Good guys:
Wideners
Powder Valley
Natchez
Brownells
Grafs
Midsouth
Scheels
There are others.....

 

[James2]

It sounds like availability of components isn't an advantage - any other advantage to reloading?

Here are some pluses for reloading:
Cheaper ammo
More accurate ammo tuned to your guns
Larger selection of bullet types and weights (customized loads for special purposes)

If you are the type that enjoys doing things with your hands, you may find it to be an enjoyable pass time.

There is a lot of satisfaction in developing a load that performs better than any factory loads you have ever used.

 

[SCPigpen]

If you are just now getting into reloading you are well behind the curve. You still need to do it but dont ask me about my favorite secret vendors.

 

[Certaindeaf]

The only time we have is the present. You might have to be patient though.

 

[f100owner]

I kept putting it off and putting it off. Reading about the different presses, etc. Wish I had not waited so long. Purchased a simple, easy-to-use Lee Turret press two or three years ago and have enjoyed it every since.
Just depends on what floats your boat.
Fun and relaxing for me. Probably saving some money on ammo, but at least right now I do have ammo for every pistol I own and have plenty of supplies to reload a lot more.

 

[Speedster00]

I literally just bought everything in the past 4 weeks. Ive had to spend some time looking around and researching but I got everything I wanted. I have enough to reload a few thousand rounds...with the except of my equipment cost, Im looking around $7.50 for a box of 45ACP using my brass.

 

[Metal Tiger]

Yes Don is of course right. However, i could not do the shooting I do if I did not handload.
Be patient and buy supplies whenever prices normalize.
Good luck and read as much as you can here.

 

[USSR]

Highland Ranger,

Now might just be a good time to think ahead. You mentioned that you want to reload for .45ACP and 9mm. You will always be at the mercy of the bullet manufacturers unless you cast your own. And, bullets are the major expense of any reload. So, keep an eye out for casting equipment while you wait for a reprieve from the components drought. Even this equipment is in short supply (this is indeed the mother of all panics), but with a little patience you should be able to start picking up a few things here and there. Something to think about.

Don

 

[silicosys4]

Now is not the time to start reloading. Now is the time to start setting money aside. In 6 months, when ammo starts reappearing on the shelves, and people start looking at selling their newly bought reloading gear because ammo is now available and reasonably priced again....then will be the time to start reloading.
Most of the benefits of reloading are lost right now if you were to start gearing up from scratch. Any components you find are going to be expensive enough to offset any cost savings. I'm sorry to have to say it, but for the next 6 months anybody that wasn't prepared is either going to be overpaying for what they want, or biting the bullet and finding other ways to spend their time than shooting or reloading unless they want to pay out the nose.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

No better time to start than now. Yes the prices are on the high side but finding what you need can still be done at reasonable prices. It will take a little time and effort but its doable.