Price Per Box on your Reloads

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This topic comes up as a new post just about every week on reloading forums across the 'net. IF I match my realistic ammo needs/consumption and budget to the variety of hardware price points, it is often suggested that I will recover my initial reloading costs in about a year of reloading.

That would work out for those starting on a $30 Lee whack-a-mole Loader or a $30,000 Camdex manufacturing center.

If I only project using a couple hundred rounds per month but opt to spend $2,000 on a Dillon 1050 or over $700 for a Dillon 650 fully set up for one caliber? Not even counting in the cost of components? It is going to take me substantially longer than just one year to recoup my investment based on "saving" that possible $20 per month on my reloads -LOL
 
well, i keep seeing strong recommendations for the Lee Turret press. I figured I'll be shooting roughly 200-300 rounds per week. I've been wondering if something like the whack-a-mole would be a cheap, easy option and still keep up.
 
I'm retired and shooting is my main hobby. I got started reloading because I thought I could save a few bucks. It didn't take me long to realize the cost savings had become secondary to the improved performance I can wring out of my guns by reloading.
 
I use surplus powder I purchased sometime ago, primers I purchased from a closeout for approx $50.00 for 5,000. I also cast my own and again brass is free.

regarding handgun ammo about $ .85 cents for 50 rds., rifle a little more.

More than likely have components to last to the end.
 
On my Classic turret a very relaxed pace output is 150-175 rounds per hour. Single stage is 50-75 RPH.

Using a Lee loader would be much slower than single stage IMHO.
 
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I stopped obsessing over what my reloads cost versus store bought new decades ago. My reloads cost less.

I always have ammunition that shoots well in my firearms on hand and i don't run all over town looking for some.

Finally, I enjoy reloading and playing with all the neat toys that go with the hobby.

Now, excuse me while I go empty the tumblers.
 
RandyP said:
That would work out for those starting on a $30 Lee whack-a-mole Loader or a $30,000 Camdex manufacturing center.

edited for brevity
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It always depends on what you count.

If you don't count cost of equipment and cost of your time, the answer is always "yes".

The mallet powered Lee Loader allows you to recoup your investment in fewer number of rounds but a lot more of your time. As equipment costs go up, generally your time cost goes down. If you put a high value on your time that will extend to a higher value you should be willing to put on your equipment.

The economics are simple. The equations are complex. But not that complex.

And then there are the intangibles. Accuracy, pride, customization unavailability, etc. What value do you put on them?

Lost Sheep
 
WhistlinDixie said:
well, i keep seeing strong recommendations for the Lee Turret press. I figured I'll be shooting roughly 200-300 rounds per week. I've been wondering if something like the whack-a-mole would be a cheap, easy option and still keep up.
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Make sure you buy the Classic 4 hole turret press, not the Deluxe model. The Classic is cast Iron and a much better tool. Also, but the Pro Auto-Disk, not the standard Auto-Disk. Again, a much better tool and for only a few dollars more...
 
Rolling my own would cease to be enjoyable if I turned it into an accounting drill.

On the other hand, that's part of the fun for me. Call me crazy. Everyone has different fun buttons. Some are stranger than others.
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I can see how that would add to the fun for some folks, but counting beans is a big part of my former career. These days I dislike counting beans, even my own.
 
Im one who doesn't reload to reduce the cost and have kept up with how much I spend on it but have never calculated the cost per box or case of ammo. I do it purely for loading the the type round I want to shoot in competition. I also use plated bullets and clean-burning powder and, although I'm saving a little, that's not the primary reason for me to do it.
 
"IF I match my realistic ammo needs/consumption and budget to the variety of hardware price points, it is often suggested that I will recover my initial reloading costs in about a year of reloading."

That includes the cost of machinery and materials - again starting by buying hardware that MATCHES output needs in a realistic way. If I am only going to reload a couple hundred rounds per year, I would be a fool to buy a Dillon 1050. But based on that round count, my Lee Loader or single stage kit culd provide me payback in that year of shooting.

I NEVER count the cost of my free-time based on a labor rate. I reload in my free-time, not instead of working for a living. I don't calculate a labor rate when I watch TV, go shooting or engage in any other pursuit either.
 
I also shoot 300 rounds a week, I load on a lee turret press and while it is possible(I've been doing it for a year now) I think a progressive press is in my future. You just can't match it's output.
 
Personally, I wouldn't use a whack a mole kit for 300+ rounds a week.
We use strictly single stage and that many isn't a problem at all with it though. 2.5-3 hours would get it done.
 
DoubleSawbuck said:
I also shoot 300 rounds a week, I load on a lee turret press and while it is possible(I've been doing it for a year now) I think a progressive press is in my future. You just can't match it's output.
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I'll take that Lee turret off your hands to help pay for that progressive!
 
Not only will the reloads be cheaper but also a lot more accurate. I have a friend that shot his 40 from a Ransom rest. He shot two mags of WWB and two mags of reloads. On an 8.5 by 11 piece of paper with the reloads he was getting 2" groups and with the WWB he was only able to get 9 out of 12 bullets to hit the paper each mag.

As far as cost I buy in bulk. I max out a hazmat fee every order. That's 50,000 primers or 48 pounds of powder. I am still reloading,
9mm $70 per 1,000
38 spcl $70 per 1,000
45 auto $25 per 1,000 ( I cast my own bullets )
223 $110 per 1,000
 
mgmorden said:
My cost per box varies, but buying the cheapest I've found is:

Primers - you an find for $20 per thousand depending on brand and quanity purchased.
Bullets - $22 per 500 for 9mm Z Cast Bulletz (9mm 125gr cast lead)
Powder - $101 per 8lbs of Alliant Unique which will do approximately 11,000 rounds.
Brass - free - reuse and pick up at the range.

At those prices you're looking at - per 100 rounds - $2 in primers, $0.90 in powder, and $4.40 in bullets.

So $7.30 per 100.

If you'd prefer not to shoot lead, then primers stay the same. $80 per 1000 Precision Delta 124gr bullets, and I switch to Bullseye on jacketed bullets so same price on 8lbs of powder but you'll get 13k rounds out of it instead of 11k.

So per 100 of the FMJ loads its still $2 in primers, $0.78 in powder, and $8.00 in bullets - so $10.78 per 100.

There are shipping costs to figure in, but if you buy in large volumes you can get around those to a large degree. Shipping on the bullets actually isn't that bad (the Precision Delta above ship free and with the Z-Cast I think you can order around 3000 for only $12 shipping). The primers and powder - just order primers at least 10,000 at a time and powder 16+lbs at a time.

One thing to consider too is that while IMHO, the lead reloads are just kinda range fodder (they shoot ok, but when I shoot lead I'm doing it solely because its cheap), but the FMJ reloads that you do will typically be a LOT better and more consistent than WWB.
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id like to see your sources for these prices, including shipping and hazmat fee.
I just loaded a bunch of lead .45 acp with old primers @ 13.99/1000 and the price per box was $5.20
 
And then there are the intangibles. Accuracy, pride, customization unavailability, etc. What value do you put on them?
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That is a very high value for me.

I particularly enjoy this set of "intangibles" :

I('m?) saved(ing?) a lot of money on equipment using whack-a-mole stuff. This allows me much more cash for components.

More cash for components multiplies the amount of time spent at the bench exponentially by being forced to manipulate my inferior equipment more often.... and thus deprives me of the time necessary to be held hostage on the couch watching "the good wife" reruns.

All of this elbow-grease time has taught me how to make some FANTASTIC ammo -from beginning to end- the hard way, and what effect each of the 4 strokes has on the treasure i'm creating. Thats a skill I'll have forever !

Time is not always a cost........ Sometimes, its the cash itself.
 
Cost savings aside...reloading is a great addition to the fun of your shooting time. I just like shooting my own reloads. Each bang and puff of smoke is kind of a connection to old time shooters. Bullit casting and reloading was a often a necessity and I like being a part of that history.

To some, shooting is an extension of their reloading time. Others see reloading an extension of their shooting time. Works either way for me. :D

Mark
 
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