I load 9mm
For me, getting into reloading was more of a "lifestyle choice". I traded two guns I never shot toward a 550B, conversion kits, and enough components to get me started. Some friends helped me out with some of their old stuff (I started with an old balance scale). Somebody even gave me their old F1 Chrony when they upgraded. I did splurge on a good size tumbler.
If you take out the initial investment, exclude time invested (because I enjoy the process), factor in once-fired brass as an average cost (sometimes I can pick up decent stuff, sometimes I don't have time) I load 9mm for about the same as White Box. But...I can load Frangible for roughly that same price (a requirement in the Winter months to shoot 9mm in our old indoor range). I can tune practice and/or competition loads for my taste. I can also experiment with some carry loads in White Box price range.
In the end, did I save money? Probably not. Will I going forward over a lifetime of shooting? It's probably a wash because I'll spend what I would have spent. I'll get to shoot more, and shoot what I want instead of what happens to be "in stock".
Reloading takes equipment, space, and time. I argued with my buddies for months about not wanting to bother. They kept badgering me because I think they realized before I did how much I would enjoy it. They were right
. There isn't a gun on the planet I would trade my reloading gear for. I wouldn't go back.
However, reloading isn't for everyone. 9mm in particular is difficult to justify economically. However, once you get into reloading...if you really enjoy it...you probably won't want to buy another box of factory anything...except for maybe a reference box for a load you are wanting to cook up.
Safe loading,
CZ52'