P Flados
Member
I "run the numbers" from time to time and have made choices that have pushed my costs way down. I like keeping my "higher volume" ammo dirt cheep to allow shooting "all I want" without thinking twice.
For "mouse fart" loads, Titegroup gives both good metering in small charges and about the lowest cost for a given projectile at a given velocity.
My other powder I use for light loads is Promo. This powder is near best for lowest charge for given projectile at a given velocity. However, the 11% reduction in charge is offset by a cost per pound (currently ~$36 per pound delivered for a 16 lb order) that is ~20% higher than Titegroup (~$30 per pound delivered for a 16 lb order). Alliant powders have gone up much more than the ball powders from Hodgdon, Shooters World, etc.
For the record, 231 is pretty good for cost right now. However, my Quickload evaluations show it takes about 23% more than Promo or 10% more than Titegroup to get the same velocity with the same bullet.
I currently cast bullets using range scrap at near zero out of pocket cost. However, when estimating cost per load I typically assign $1.10 per pound to be "more fair" when comparing a 50 gr bullet to a 200 gr bullet.
For me, primer cost is very low as I reload primers (using EPH-20). Around $0.002 each.
My 7 TCU plinker is pretty good at 0.011 (70 gr bullet) + 0.011 (2.5 gr TG) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.024 each.
My lowest cost round is 32 ACP at 0.009 (55 gr bullet) + 0.007 (1.7 gr TG) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.018 each. Fired from a TC Contender 8" stub tube barrel.
I have a 9mm loaded to 380 power (a little more "bang" than both of the above) at 0.017 (110 gr bullet) + 0.014 (2.7 gr Promo) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.033 each.
My 38 special gets fed a mix of 95, 110 & 120 gr bullets over Promo. Average cost is probably around $0.04 each.
All of the above are part of my regular rotation for shooting at the nearby indoor range (typically 2 or 3 times a month) and get loaded in sizable quantities. I frequently also shoot some amount of full power or heavy mid range stuff that can be 9mm, 357 Mag, 7 TCU or something else. Quantities fired for the "big bang" stuff are much lower than the low power stuff.
For "mouse fart" loads, Titegroup gives both good metering in small charges and about the lowest cost for a given projectile at a given velocity.
My other powder I use for light loads is Promo. This powder is near best for lowest charge for given projectile at a given velocity. However, the 11% reduction in charge is offset by a cost per pound (currently ~$36 per pound delivered for a 16 lb order) that is ~20% higher than Titegroup (~$30 per pound delivered for a 16 lb order). Alliant powders have gone up much more than the ball powders from Hodgdon, Shooters World, etc.
For the record, 231 is pretty good for cost right now. However, my Quickload evaluations show it takes about 23% more than Promo or 10% more than Titegroup to get the same velocity with the same bullet.
I currently cast bullets using range scrap at near zero out of pocket cost. However, when estimating cost per load I typically assign $1.10 per pound to be "more fair" when comparing a 50 gr bullet to a 200 gr bullet.
For me, primer cost is very low as I reload primers (using EPH-20). Around $0.002 each.
My 7 TCU plinker is pretty good at 0.011 (70 gr bullet) + 0.011 (2.5 gr TG) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.024 each.
My lowest cost round is 32 ACP at 0.009 (55 gr bullet) + 0.007 (1.7 gr TG) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.018 each. Fired from a TC Contender 8" stub tube barrel.
I have a 9mm loaded to 380 power (a little more "bang" than both of the above) at 0.017 (110 gr bullet) + 0.014 (2.7 gr Promo) + 0.002 (primer) = $0.033 each.
My 38 special gets fed a mix of 95, 110 & 120 gr bullets over Promo. Average cost is probably around $0.04 each.
All of the above are part of my regular rotation for shooting at the nearby indoor range (typically 2 or 3 times a month) and get loaded in sizable quantities. I frequently also shoot some amount of full power or heavy mid range stuff that can be 9mm, 357 Mag, 7 TCU or something else. Quantities fired for the "big bang" stuff are much lower than the low power stuff.
Last edited: