Sad .45 Shooter

[Defensory]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

If H/R isn't a good option for you, buy something like Federal American Eagle (or the Winchester and Remington equivalents) ammo, in cases of 1000 rounds.

Shop around before buying. Look for sale prices online, at Wal-Mart, "big box" outdoors/sporting goods stores, gun shops/shows, etc.

Be a smart shopper, and you'll be able to shoot more often than you think, without going broke. I've cut back on my driving, not my shooting.

 

[easyrider604]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

Very true. It is easier to relate the economic viability to the number of rounds it will take to recover the cost of reloading/casting equipment.

Actually I computed the break-even point, compared to bulk .38 spl ammo ($250.00/1,000 plus shipping) for my LEE Loadmaster .357/.38 set-up with tumbler and weighing scale at around 2,000 rounds, using commercial hard cast LSWC bullets.

For my bullet casting equipment (Lee 20 lb bottom pour, 6 cavity tumble lube .357 SWC mold, Lee Classic Cast single stage press for resizing, etc), the break even point, compared to commercial hard cast bullets, was around 4,000 bullets.

 

[WheelgunZealot]

I bought a fairly inexpensive reloading setup for myself (~$100) and LOVE IT. My break even point was a little under 1,000 rounds. I went from $23.99 per box of 50 to $12.54 per 50. At the rate I shoot I already paid for it in under one year. Loading good ammunition doesn't cost a fortune. More money buys additional speed, not necessarially quality.

 

[kcshooter]

My reloading setup cost me about $800 total for Dillon 550 press and heads and dies for 4 pistol and 2 rifle calibers.
Since I shoot between 350-500 rds a week, I could never afford to keep up if I didn't reload. $50 a week as opposed to $150. Or $200 a month vs $600 a month.
Trust me, reloading will pay for itself very quickly if you shoot a lot.

 

[Defensory]

If you shoot about a thousand or more rounds per month, handloading/reloading is worth it.

If you shoot noticeably less than that, you're better off buying Federal American Eagle factory ammo or similar brand, in cases of 1000 rounds. Shop around and catch a sale somewhere.

Group buys are another good option. Find some shooting buddies who'll chip in on a 5000 or 10,000 round quantity purchase. Most of the time, the more you buy, the more you save.

 

[earplug]

While I shoot and reload for several S&W 625's in .45 acp, I have recently had lots of fun with a Marvel .22 conversion for my 1911 pattern pistol.
I can shoot .22 rf during my club Bullseye match, shoot at my local steel shoot in .22rf or shoot my 45 acp reloads.
If I was manly i'd shoot .45 wadcutters for bullseye, the .22 is just fine.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

You said you had a .22, maybe a conversion kit for your .45 would be more thrilling than the .22 you have.(of course, $300 buys a lot of ammunition.)

I don't usually shoot anything but my .22s, I suppose I could buy some 12 gauge, but 25 rounds of 12 gauge is about the same price as 300 rounds of .22.

 

[loop]

You can buy a Lee progressive press for under $200. You can buy the components to load 1,000 rounds for under $100.

That's $300 for your first 1,000 rounds. That's $30 a 100.

After that you are down to $10 per 100.

Then there is the fact you can tune each round for function and accuracy specifically suited to the gun...

I only have 1,400 rounds of .45 sitting in two boxes in my closet. I shoot all I want, any time I want.

 

[Yo Mama]

How do you melt them?

 

[rfurtkamp]

Handloading/reloading (H/R) will only save you money if you shoot frequently. The typical person who only goes to the range a few times a year, will actually lose money. The startup cost is also pretty high, not to mention the significant amount of time it takes to H/R.

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth. I shoot in large quantities (the UPS guy loved the 10k 7.62x51 orders back when it was $105/k a few years back, let me tell you), and it's just not worth my time. On 9mm and even on 45 where I have guns that shoot even the dreaded Wolf defensive-practice accurately, I'm not willing to pay myself the functional equivalent of minimum wage for the process.

Why? I get no tangible enjoyment in reloading. I hate policing brass, prepping brass, and pretty much the whole process. If all I shot was revolvers, it'd be different - but I shoot automatics 99% of the time.

It's the same reason I pay to let someone else do most of the wrenching on the car these days - I don't enjoy it, and I can afford to pay them.

Reloading is for folks who have more time than money, or who want super-tailored loads for particular guns.

I won't even get into the fun of policing HK brass that's scored from the fluted chamber and goes godsknowwhere into the next county.

I respect the folks who enjoy reloading, but it's not for everyone.

 

[MCgunner]

I load .45 ACP or .45 Colt cheaper than CCI mini mag. I cast my own bullets from range scrap lead and they shoot just as straight or straighter than anything you can buy. I've even killed deer with my own cast bullets in .357 magnum. If you value your time that much, if you're friggin' stupid lazy, well, I can't help ya, but I quite enjoy working with my presses and molds. It's a neat past time. Since you're lamenting not being able to shoot due to costs, I suspect you're not Bill Gates.

 

[easyrider604]

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth.

Exactly. How much do we value our time? It is different for all of us. I'm not a high priced lawyer or doctor, so my time is relatively inexpensive. But it is not always about economics.

However I see my time on the reloading or casting bench as my leisure time, to recharge the batteries so to speak. At times, it is also therapy.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Well here's what I learned today about reloading, .45 ACP, and LRN bullets.

If you over crimp (taper crimp) a lead bullet it WILL "mushroom" forward causing your reloads to not feed in your 1911.

Don't quite know how I got my crimp set as severely as I did, must have not been paying attention somewhere.

Fortunately I had only done 5 "test loads" before I attempted to use them and found my error.

Ruined the bullets but all else was reusable. so much for time savings <grin>.

 

[theotherwaldo]

If you're serious about using Lee equipment, check out their Factory Sales Outlet. You'll likely save a bit over typical retail price.

 

[kcshooter]

It's also not necessarily a savings depending on what your time is worth.... I'm not willing to pay myself the functional equivalent of minimum wage for the process....Reloading is for folks who have more time than money
Exactly. How much do we value our time?

It's not that bad. Actually, the thought that I didn't have time to load was what kept me away from it so long. But I get up on Sunday mornings and with the radio on and a pot of coffee, I load about 500 rounds in an hour and a half, including set-up time.

So for 6 hours a month, I save $400 a month. That's $66 bucks an hour. I make good money, but not that good.

If you don't shoot as much, you won't save that much, but your time investment will be less. If you can spend an hour and a half loading 500 rounds, how long will those rounds last? Is that worth a time investment of 1.5 hrs?

And since it's Sunday mornings when I'm up before everyone else anyway, I really didn't lose any time that I was putting to good use.

I don't cast my own bullets, because I don't have time for that, but with a GOOD progressive press, you'd be suprised how much output you can do in a short time.

 

[rfurtkamp]

So for 6 hours a month, I save $400 a month. That's $66 bucks an hour. I make good money, but not that good.

Once I calculated in brass recovery, inspection time, etc, and other prep-work, it wasn't nearly as much for me, it topped out in the $10/hr range.

And yes, I've used Dillon 550s. Yes, I know how to reload. I find it boring as watching paint dry - there's less than zero enjoyment in doing it.

If you can spend an hour and a half loading 500 rounds, how long will those rounds last? Is that worth a time investment of 1.5 hrs?

Factoring in the 'do not enjoy' and brass recovery/prep times, it's not worth it for me. FMJ bullets (I will not and cannot use bare lead in some of my firearms because of gas systems and rifling) and primers, 9mm saves me less than $30/case in bulk. .45 saves me < $45, but I don't go through it like the fun guns do 9mm. Picking up and prepping 1k brass takes longer than people give it credit, and again, don't enjoy it.

You don't have to be Bill Gates to not benefit from reloading - just have to not enjoy it.

If I shot magnum rifle calibers, it'd be different, a lot different. But for handgun and commonly available surplus cartridges, it's not a cut and dried thing.

 

[cliffy]

Shooting .22 LR Fare . . .

Can become boring after awhile. Small Pops and no real feeling of POWER, yet if face-to-face with a killer, eight-foot RATTLESNAKE, how comforting a suddenly needed .22 can become! SUDDENLY, a flash-back! What .22 ammo did I just purchase? How much money did I save? I hope this next round POPS? Did I choose wisely? Will I vanquish my immediate enemy? Will I die via a poor purchase?

It's amazing what can go through one's mind in a milli-second . . . cliffy

 

[Ala Dan]

Due to the recent economy downturn, I have seen more "shooters"
exploring the handloading market as an alternative. I sell R.C.B.S.
handloading supplies; and our sales have jumped thru the roof. We
also carry a full line of Hornady and Nosler bullets; and a variety of
Magnus hard cast lead bullets. With the upcoming election, it might
be a wise decision to enter into this phase of the game~!