Load question about 9mm, 40 S&W or the 45ACP

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Hunt480

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This might be a wore out question but I thought you guys could save me some research...
Which of these calibers is the cheapest for the reloader ? the 9mm, 40S&W or the 45 ACP...
I usually just load for my hunting revolvers and use them for home protection,never loaded any of these calibers but I'm considering buying an auto for the home.
I was thinkin the 45 ACP might be more economical because of the availability bullets at so many different weights of the 45.
All info on this is welcome...
 
9mm costs me about $5/50, while 45acp costs about $6/50. That's lead. (and free brass, of course)
 
Just off the top of my head I would say the 9mm... The cost of components would be less expensive IMO.
 
9mm is the cheapest to reload; .45 saves the most.

I can reload 9mm for about 10 cents per round; .45 for about 12 cents each.
 
A wide variety of weights can be had in those calibers and the great thing about so many companies making bullets is it will drive prices down.

The bad part is so many companies are making a variety of weights in those calibers that people like me snatch them up when they're available due to popularity.

But to answer your question the cheapest "per round" would be the 9mm.
 
9mm is the cheapest to reload; .45 saves the most.
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+1

If you're not going to shoot a lot, maybe the 45 is the one to go with.

If you are going to try to wear out a gun the 9mm will give you more rounds for your money.
 
By and large, the cost of the primer is the same, the powder is as close as the same as not mattering. The only thing more expensive is the larger bullet and brass.

That said, 9mm is the cheapest.
However if you cast your own boolits there really is no difference in cost at all.
 
As long as you're not shooting a stock glock barrel and don't mind shooting cast 9mm is gonna be the cheapest. If you're shooting jacketed bullets once again 9mm will still be the cheapest. It is the most common round and uses the least materials to manufacture and therefore the cheapest. If you are buying brass, Definitely the cheapest.
 
As long as you're not shooting a stock glock barrel and don't mind shooting cast 9mm is gonna be the cheapest.
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I tell other Glock reloaders that they can pay for the Lone Wolf barrels for their Glocks (about $100 from Cheaper Than Dirt) in about 2000-3000 rounds shooting lead bullets. Of course, once you got the cost of the barrel covered, you will save $40-$90+ per 1000 over FMJ/plated bullets depending on the caliber.

9mm is the cheapest to reload because the primer/powder charge is about the same per load, but the 9mm bullet is lower in price than 40S&W/45ACP.

Per 1000 rounds, the 9mm bullets cost difference is $15-$30+ less than 40S&W and $30-$50+ less than 45ACP depending on the type of the bullet (FMJ/plated/lead).

In other words, you can reload:
4000 9mm for the price of 3000 45ACP
6000 9mm for the price of 5000 40S&W
 
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Been along time since I ran numbers. Last time I did was when I started casting. Wow.... talk about cheaper.

Of the three calibers you listed, I like shooting 45ACP so to me that is the biggest savings.

I shoot 9mm and 40 S&W but not nearly as much as 45 ACP.

LGB
 
Last time I did was when I started casting. Wow.... talk about cheaper.
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Bingo! The bullet is by far the most expensive component, as others have already pointed out the difference in primer and powder is negligible, and brass...who pays for brass, I've picked up buckets full for free at the range. Get a 6 cavity mold, a bucket full of wheel wheights and start cranking out bullets. I just cast well over 700 230 gr. .45 bullets yesterday, probably took me about 2 1/2 hours including setup time. If I buy powder and primers in bulk I can load .45ACP for the same price and most times cheaper than I can buy good .22LR ammo for.
 
9MM by quite a bit. Free or very plentiful cheap brass. Cheaper bullets than .40 & .45.
 
Since bullet prices seem to be tied to bullet weights because of the rising metal costs the caliber which uses the lightest bullets will be cheaper to load. You mentioned the 9mm, 40 S&W and the .45 Auto and of those 3, if you agree with what I've said so far, the 9mm will be the cheapest to load.

I chose to shoot the .38 Special over the .45 Colt for Cowboy Action because bullets for the .38 Special are half the weight and half the price of those for the .45 Colt. Add the fact I use 4.0gr W231 in the .38 Special and 7.2gr W231 in the .45 Colt the .38 Special costs me almost half the price to reload over the .45 Colt.
 
But shooting your 1911 without worrying about ammo cost is priceless! Silly me, before I became a reloader, actually got a 625JM because (at the time) it would have been cheaper to buy Wolf 45acp than buying new 38 special or 357 mag.

Of course, now I reload, and I really prefer shooting my 45's. It is more expensive, but considering the difference between a case of new 9mm and a case of new 45 acp, your time spent is better on the 45.

No matter what, you won't save a dime, and probably spend more on toys and gadgets you never knew existed. But you'll shoot way more!
 
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