On average how much does a box of ammo cost you if you reload it?

[hometheaterman]

So with Federal Fusion 30-06 ammo that my gun likes around $30 for a box of 20 now it's getting a little expensive to hunt with. I've been considering getting into reloading. On average how much would it cost to reload a box of ammo similar to the above?

Also what about other calibers? I'm just trying to figure out if I'd save enough for it to be worthwhile. Is re loading something hard to learn or is it something I can pick up fairly easily?

One other thing is that my rifle seems super picky with ammo and the Fusion ammo is the only kind I've found it seems to really like accuracy wise. Would it be hard to reload something that it likes accuracy wise or should I be able to reload something just fine?

Also can you reload ammo for pumps and semi automatic's? I've heard some say it's no problem and others tell me that you usually can't do it. So I'm wondering what the truth is.

 

[TEDDY]

loading

only you know if your mechanicly inclined.you need to get some books and read.
ABC reloading -lymans relading manual #48-and lees reloading manual.
all can be got from midsouthshooters.com you have time as most are backlogged for months.
I recomend the lee clasic turret,lee dies,lee powder measure.and scales
lee dies come with a shell holder and a powder dipper.and instuctions for loads.others will advize other presses.in your case I would stick to lee for now.

 

[jcwit]

Also can you reload ammo for pumps and semi automatic's? I've heard some say it's no problem and others tell me that you usually can't do it. So I'm wondering what the truth is.

Get the dies that full length resize and you can reload for pumps, semi autos ect. All the mfg's make them. Lee gives you excellant value for your money spent.

Not trying to discourge but check and see if you're ablew to get primers, powder, and bullets in this time of shortages that we have created for ourselves.

 

[jfh]

The first box is expensive--easily $200.00 or so.

The second one, of course cuts the cost in half, and so on....

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, FWIW. The point is, you need to make the capital expense in gear. Then you need to get the supplies--cases, you may have, if you've been saving them. As jcwit pointed out, supplies are "iffy" right now, even non-existent in some of the popular (handgun) calibers.

As for long-term cost--I really can't speak to larger-caliber rifle reloading--but I can tell you that I reload handgun calibers for perhaps twelve cents a round, averaged across the spectrum.

Read the sticky(s) at the top of this forum for some insight on how to get started, then come back here and ask more questions as needed.

Jim H.

 

[Noveldoc]

Prices are up and you will need jacketed bullets but I would estimate about 30 to 50% cost of factory ammo. You can get started with a Lee Centennial press kit for a bit over a hundred bucks and it has everything you need including scales, primer seater and even a primer pocket cleaner. Just need a set of dies and Lee again is good and less expensive though others will tell you other brands are worth the difference.

You can find charts of safe loads for your bullet at the powder manufacturer's web site but will want to buy a manual soon. Several good
ones out there so get recommendations from friends.

First I would buy a copy of the classic "ABCs of Reloading" to learn how and get a flavor for the hobby. The Lee reloading manual also has good instructional chapters and their web site has great videos re: how to set up the press and dies.

If you want to shoot up a couple of boxes a week at the range, you'll recover your investment in about a month. Especially true if you can scrounge discarded brass at the range rather than having to buy new. (Have somebody show you how to spot military surplus bass because it is a PITA to decap and prime, especially for a beginner.)

Honestly, you will probably shoot a lot more and not save much money. But that adds to the fun of your shooting hobby and also gives you a new reloading hobby.

You will quickly find it is fun to play with such things as bullet seating depth and powder charge to find the perfect load for each of your guns. And, with some study and practice, you will crank out more accurate ammo that the great majority of the factory stuff.

Equation changes if you reload for a pistol. Velocity and charge are not hot enough to melt lead so you can use much cheaper cast bullets.

Good luck and have fun.

Tom

 

[UltimateReloader]

There's a nice reloading costs calculator at www.handloads.com right off the front page:
http://handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Here's some numbers I ran (note you may spend more on bullets, etc)- comes out to about $8./box.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

For 40 S&W, I'm running about $6/box, because my component stash was purchased several years ago, before the panic ensued.

For .223, its about $4.25/20, using Hornady 55 gr sp bullets and H-4895 powder.

For .308, is about $9/20, or 45 cents/round. That's easily half what factory ammo cost's, if you can find it, .308 is hard to find right now.

 

[jcwit]

I'm easily under the cost of .22 rimfire if using my surplus powder for reloading rifle and pistol. Purchased primers years ago at $50. per 5000, thats .01 cent apiece, powder $9.00 a lb. thats .006 cents for pistol and .04 for rifle rounds. No I do not use the same powder for both. Bullets are free as I cast, using range lead.

Yup it pays to reload.

 

[RustyFN]

I'm with jcwit. I can load for any of my pistols with my cast bullets for $25 per 1,000 with primers and powder I bought in early 2008. Normally anybody should be able to load today for half of what factory ammo cost.

 

[jcwit]

Congrats on that post count RustyFN.

 

[freakshow10mm]

I load personally for 9mm, 10mm, and 223.

9mm
125gr lead home cast: $38/1,000
115gr plated: $84/1,000

10mm
180gr lead home cast: $40/1,000
180gr plated: $125/1,000

223
55gr FMJ: $125/1,000

 

[Speedo66]

I don't know how many shots you take while hunting, or how much hunting you do. If you're like the average guy you go hunting once or twice a year and don't fire too many rounds.

If that's the case, too be honest, in my opinion you're better off spending the $30 to buy your hunting ammo.

I reload, but it's not for everybody. Taking into consideration the cost of the equipment, the reference material, the components, and the time, you may be way ahead just buying a box of bullets every few years.

 

[mongoose33]

For 9mm, .45, and .223, less than half storebought price.

I'm loading .45 today w/ 200gr RNF Precision Black Bullets, which cost 9.1 cents in bulk. Primers at 2.7 cents each, powder at 1.5 cents. Total, using my own recycled brass, under 13.3 cents each.

If I reload using 230 gr (probably a fairer comparison), the bullets cost about 1.5 cents more each, so even w/ 230gr, I'm still under 15 cents a round.

WWB at WM is now $34.97, or about 35 cents each.

Pretty good deal to reload, eh?

 

[ranger335v]

Last question first, reloading ain't brain surgery. If I can do it, anyone can!

Average cost? That's more difficult to quantify; it's sorta like asking, "How high is UP". Cost of brass and how you get it matters. Range of bullet costs vary from very little if you cast to a lot for premium jacketed stuff. Powder type and charges vary a LOT by case size and retail prices per pound vary quite a bit too. Primers are running from $20 to $150 per thousand today, if you can find any at all! So, "average" costs really aren't an averageable figure.

Suffice it to say that you ain't gonna get any reloader forum to tell you reloaiding's not worth it!

 

[qajaq59]

If it was JUST for hunting rounds? I'd say you may as well buy a box of ammo. If however you also like to target shoot and are looking for a good hobby where you can build accurate ammo and learn a lot, then loading is a great idea.
As for savings? Think long term. I started loading in the mid 60s and I will usually go thru 50 to a 100, 30-06s, .308s or 30-30s a week. I can't even begin to guess how much money loading has saved me.