Reloading is not so cheap!!!

[elkhuntingfool]

So far I've heard:
-Buy in bulk
-Use lead bullets
What other tips can you all give me

Look for deals on powder and primers. I pay about half of what powder costs in the stores. Look for guys getting out of reloading to pay the bills. I've picked up powder in bulk this way. I now have 20lbs of pistol powder that cost around $100. Not bad. This drops your costs. Look around for deals on primers - same guy - bought his small rifle primers - 4000 for $32. A brick of 1000 is about $32 (incl. tax). You'll see your costs going down. Scrounge the indoor ranges for brass. The outdoor range here - you won't find brass on the ground - unless it's crappy and you wouldn't want it. Indoor range - I can fill a duffle bag each time I go. They probably don't like it - but I don't care - there isn't a sign telling me I can't do it

 

[rockhound758]

Great comments above, especially on reloading for bigger calibers. I reload for .357, .45 and .44 mag, and the savings are significant. But like a few others noted, there are other reasons I find compelling.

1) It's fun to look for deals on components

2) I really like the thought of being able to make my own ammo even if things get tight...hopefully won't happen and call it a survivalist mindset if you will (I'm not one by the way) but I like being self-sufficient (at least to a point)

3) It's fun and relaxing and rewarding to me, pure and simple. These three make the cost thing a no brainer...

 

[earlthegoat2]

I kind of subcribe to this guys philosphy.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

And I take my reloading seriously enough and make it simple enough on myself that I can even reload a bunch of 38s with a setup like this.

 

[THe Dove]

"Hey guys. I'm trying to get into reloading here. According to my calculations its not going to save me much money."

Then don't...... However, re-consider after reading all the comments after your initial post.

The Dove

 

[jcwit]

Say earlthegoat2, what kind of press is that in the picture.

 

[FM12]

Go to gun shows and scrounge for things sold by individuals, such as brass, partial boxes of bullets, etc. I once bought a 4# jug of data 2200 rifle powder for $20.00. You'll find guys selling dies they no longer need, and maybe a shotshell reloader, etc. Become a brass scrounger at the range. Pick up calbiers you dont shoot and trade them to guys that need them.

 

[TexasRedneck]

An' at the range, lay out a large tarp to catch your brass. I recover a good 80-90% of it that way, saves a TON of time and bending over!

 

[MCgunner]

Casting bullets from range scrap saves me tons. I also scrounge brass at the range. I have to buy revolver brass occasionally, but .45ACP, 9x19, and .40 are abundant and I even find .380 ACP laying around. I reload all that except .40 and I give that to my son-in-law for his XD.

All I pay for is powder and primer for handguns. I pay for jacketed bullets and in some cases premium hunting bullets for my rifles, but I put far more handgun ammo downrange than rifle. I shoot a lot of milsurp in 7.62x39 and I have a .357 lever carbine that loves my cast SWCs. And, then there's my Hawken and my cap and ball revolvers. I even have a tool to make my own percussion caps.

 

[Hikingman]

Brass (loaded 4-6 times per caliber, sometimes more), Bullets, and powder cost significantly lower than the prices you mentioned (for this guy).

Visit this helpful link: http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Hikingman
(pronounced 'scrounger')

 

[Clarence]

I can load 45 ACP for around $6.25 / 50 rounds.

The cheapest place I know of factory ammo is Natchez and Blazer will cost you $15.49 / 50 rounds + shipping.

Do the math.

 

[FM-793]

Actually, I do save money loading 9mm. The only $10 a box ammo I know of is 115 gr range ammo. I believe in "practicing like you play", so I generally shoot heavier loads. Try pricing a box of 9mm 147gr XTPs, if you haven't done so in a while, and if you can find them. I'd back the truck up if I could find them anywhere near $10.

 

[GW Staar]

Walmart 9mm ammo is as cheap as factory ammo gets

1: Buy all the Walmart 9mm Federal, Remington, Winchester ammo you can find. (or where ever you can find good brass ammo, mail order, internet, etc.)
2: Then have fun shooting it at the range while you are collecting your new reloading equipment.
3: Pick up your spent brass. which is now free! (and any other good brass you can find)
4: Make friends at the range and order powder bullets and primers in bulk with your new found friends (sharing the hazmat fee)
5: Finally you get to reload CHEAPER and better ammo than the original Walmart factory offerings. (even 9mm)

P.S. Conceal Carry instructors quite often have all kinds of once shot 9mm brass after every class. (many students don't know or care about reloading, and most of those same students choose 9mm as their qualifying firearm. My instructor (got my C.C. a year ago) still brings me a sack of 38spl, and 40sw every month and my friend who shoots 9mm gets two sacks. (He sometimes keeps the 45's) In other words, make friends with a C.C. instructor and offer to pickup for him after his class!

 

[TurboFC3S]

Seems like the bases are covered here ... I'm always scrounging for deals, hitting the gun shows and asking around at stores. Every now and then you'll score a deal that will carry you for awhile. Bullets are most of the cost, and buying in bulk is the way to go there. Again if you ask around you'll probably easily find a friend or two willing to split a large order with you.

 

[Hiaboo]

Pick up brass on the range - Free.
Hard Cast bullets - 1k for about $60
Powder - 18$
Primers - 1k for $23

That adds up to about 100$, probably get 1,000 out of the whole thing. So that's 10 cents a round.

 

[mija]

Once fired brass 9mm 68$/2000
http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=42&pg=2

115 gr LRN hard cast 110$/2000 Missouri bullet co. 99% of the time you are plinking, lead hard cast works fine at a good price.

wolf Brand primers $40/2000 pick primers and powder up locally, save haz mat shipping.
http://www.scharch.com/products.php?cat=42&pg=2

Alliant Green Dot 19$/ lb. Bass Pro

Thats about 11.5 cent a round
If you need a jacketed or plated bullet. Ranier has the best price I have found. 8-11 cent ea. It's a good product. If you have to mail order powder and primers get 4-8, or 12 lb at a time, get primers a full 5000 case at a time. You will save $ on haz mat shipping.

I saw an ad a member had in this forum in the reloading section with good prices on bullets.

Look aroung on the internet, you will find good prices.

Mija