Since I need to justify the purchase to some people who don't understand that reloading is a hobby I'll crunch the numbers.
I shoot on average 300 rounds or 6 boxes a week of .45 ACP.
Here in Canada, when purchased locally, it costs roughly $30.00 + tax for a box for .45 ACP.
So to go shooting for a couple of hours on a Sunday I would spend $180.00 + 5% Federal Sales Tax. + 8.5% Provincial Sales Tax (compounded) for a total of $205.06 per week.
That's a total of $10,663.12 a year for 312 boxes of ammunition.
Remember this is after tax dollars we're spending since we pay income tax when we earn it.
This doesn't include my IPSC Black Badge Course or any competitions I shoot.
My material cost for manufacturing .45 ACP is as follows:
Winchester Large Pistol Primers $37.99/1000
Winchester 231 $23/Lb.
Cam-Pro Plated Bullets $138/1000
Once Fired Brass $180.00/2000 (reloaded 8 times)
My material cost per box is $10.08 or $60.48 + 5% Federal Sales Tax. + 8.5% Provincial Sales Tax (compounded) for a total of $68.90 per week.
That's a total of $3,582.80 a year for 312 boxes of reloaded ammunition.
I just spent $1500 + Taxes ($1708.87 including Taxes) on a Hornady LnL AP along with a bullet feeder, case feeder, different caliber dies, shell plates, RCBS Lock Out Die, etc.
If I amortize this equipment over 10 years my cost would be $170.89 per year.
If I want to look at labor cost I must do it objectively.
I make $33.00/hour which nets me $20.73 per hour after taxes. (Yes this is Canada).
With my press I can put out around 900 rounds/hr or 18 boxes per hour. This puts my labor cost at $1.15 per box or $358.80 per year.
All prices after taxes
Cost of store bought ammunition $34.18 per box or $10,663.12 a year.
Cost of home made ammunition, material only, $11.48 per box or $3,582.80 a year.
Cost of home made ammunition with equipment amortization $12.03 per box$3,753.69 a year
Cost of home made ammunition with equipment amortization and labour $13.18 per box or $4,112.16 per year.
Now to get to my conclusion.
For me to shoot 300 rounds a week of store bought ammunition I need to work for 9.9 hours at my job.
For me to shoot 300 rounds of my own ammunition with equipment amortization and paying myself for my labour I need to work 3.8 hours a week.
That's a savings of 6.1 hours a week or 317.2 hours for a pre tax savings of $10,467.60