Should I consider reloading?

[Gus_McCrae]

I have a friend who says I should consider reloading as a hobby. His argument is that aside from saving a little bread, reloading is a great hobby. He says he even enjoys reloading as much as shooting, says it's like therapy.
I do enjoy hunting for supplies with him, trying to find the good deals and all. Although, to be honest, I have no clue what the stuff is.
Is reloading worth the investment? Will I save money? Do most reloaders enjoy it as much as he does, or is he just odd? Well... he is odd, but ... haha
Anyway, I shoot .40 cal, 308 win, 5.56/ .223, 6.5 creedmoor and various shotgun rounds.
Plus, I will probably add more.
Thoughts?

 

[entropy]

Just don't go into thinking you'll save tons of money. That used to be somewhat true pre- pandemic, not so much anymore, as you already know from helping your friend look for components.
The biggest gain is you can craft your loads specifically for your guns, and it will still be less than the top end premium loads. It is also true that many reloaders enjoy reloading itself as a hobby.
First time you shoot a really tight group or get that deer with a round you made, you'll be hooked.

 

[N555]

To get the most out of your 6.5 amd 308 you need to reload for it.
If your brass gets glock bulge, not ideal for reloading for that gun.
Shotgun reloading is completely different from center fire rifle. Nothing crosses over aside from shotguns and 40sw may share the same powder.
Shotgun reloading is only worth it if you want weird stuff. Any 410. Something really weird like 28ga buckshot. Or odd 12ga shells, such as ones loaded with lead T shot. Or 8 pellet 00 buck. Turkey shells loaded with no2 lead shot, black powder, ect.
My 6.5 reloads cost like 50 cents each and regularly make holes touching groups at 175 yards. And my gun likes em a bit longer and a bit hotter than factory loadings so little to no chance I can buy that kind of accuracy.

 

[dannyd]

34 years and 202,805 rounds later have I saved any money no, but had a lot of fun.

 

[Targa]

I agree with your friend in reference to it being an enjoyable hobby, as far as saving coin, well that depends. Most of my shooting is with revolvers in .357, 44, 45, 454, 475 and 500 S&W, I have payed for all of my reloading gear to include primers, brass, bullet molds for casting, melting pots, scales, press, books and powder multiple times over again.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Welcome and good question!
For the cartridges listed - esp. 9mm & 5.56mm - the answer is a flat, “No.”. Even dedicated handloaders are going back to buying cases because loaded plinking/target ammo is cheaper than buying the components. The 6.5 might be worthwhile but getting started is a big investment. I’d say maybe setup for loading the most expensive and hard to come by and see where that puts you in cost. You have a HUGE advantage in having somebody close by who can teach you the ropes.
The big advantage to handloading is being able to customize ammo to your guns, your requirements, and your habits. Shelf ammo is generic in nature - but it’s also got a lot of testing behind it no one who loads as a hobby can afford. My advice is to do a spreadsheet, get an idea of the startup costs, and compare that to buying stock ammo for three years. If the numbers are close, flip a coin.

 

[drband]

Just don't go into thinking you'll save tons of money. That used to be somewhat true pre- pandemic, not so much anymore, as you already know from helping your friend look for components.
The biggest gain is you can craft your loads specifically for your guns, and it will still be less than the top end premium loads. It is also true that many reloaders enjoy reloading itself as a hobby.
First time you shoot a really tight group or get that deer with a round you made, you'll be hooked.

^^^^THIS!^^^^
It can be satisfying, and you can save money (depending on how much you typically shoot), but it’s time consuming. I did not have time for it until I retired. Now, my time is my own, so reloading is a great activity for me.

I saved enough in the first year to pay for my press and associated equipment. It’s harder to do that now— probably would take two years to recoup your investment.

 

[N555]

My 9mm loads are way more interesting than factory ammo. They range from very quiet silencer ammo to near 357mag power level sub gun ammo.

 

[Dudedog]

Will I save money?

Probably not but you can shoot twice as much

Components are high right now (primers are way overpriced IMO) but yes you can save money on the rifle and pistol stuff.
Shotgun probably not unless as mention your loading for something not as common, .410, 28ga, maybe 16ga.

Yes it is fun, I enjoy it, but it is a $rabbit hole you can go down.

 

[.38 Special]

The standard line is "You won't save money, but you will be able to shoot more". I think that is still largely the truth, even in 2023. Certainly, I think that anyone who regularly shoots bolt action centerfire rifles is well advised to handload, both for cost savings and accuracy concerns.

Semi-autos - especially handguns - are slightly different, especially in common military chamberings. As has been pointed out, factory loads can sometimes be found for little more cost than handloading components, even if we ignore the cost of loading equipment. There also typically is a certain amount of brass loss - literal loss, as in "I don't know where it landed and can't find it" - unless a person is very conscientious. I'm not that person, and brass is expensive enough that it really cuts into my "savings".

As for the value of handloading as a hobby itself? Obviously we can't answer that question for you. At best I'll note that if you enjoy making things with your hands, working with precision tools, etc. then handloading probably is for you. If you don't, then handloading probably will be drudgery for you, and dangerous drudgery at that.

 

[AJC1]

Are you willing to invest the time to read and learn how to do it safely. The investment in time to achieve a level of knowledge is probably the most overlooked... some people have an aversion to reading directions and following them.

 

[jmr40]

I don't necessarily enjoy reloading. It is something I do to produce better quality ammo for some of my rifles. I can often get a little more speed and almost always better accuracy. And I can afford to use premium bullets. I'm basically shooting premium ammo for about the same cost as factory budget ammo.

It isn't worth my time to load for 9mm or 223. I could load them a LITTLE cheaper, but my time is worth something to me. I'd only load those rounds if I actually loved spending hours at the loading bench. The rounds I do load for are rounds I shoot in lower volume, but I want more performance from those loads than typical factory loads.

I got started handloading after I bought a 338/06. Factory loads were pretty much impossible. I no longer have that rifle, but since I have the equipment, I continue to load for 30-06, 308, and 6.5CM. I've loaded for 7mm Rem Mag, 300 WSM, and 280 in the past, but no longer own those rifles.

I'm not saying, "Don't do it." Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.

 

[sfl_gunner]

I recommend it as a hobby, as a way to fine tune loads for your guns, and as an act of self-sufficiency. There's a great deal of satisfaction in being able to make loads that outperform factory loads and being able to make a whole range of loads. I don't think there are significant savings in the current environment unless you are loading rare stuff.

 

[Russ57]

Will your friend let you come over and reload with him? Would he goes as far as to let you buy dies for a cartridge he doesn't load for and show you how to set them up? If so, go buy some powder, bullets, and primers and spend some time with him (ask him what he likes and let him keep half the finished ammo). I think you will decide in a hurry if this is fun or "too much like work".

I think it pays off the most for the handgun target shooter. A guy that is shooting hundreds of rounds per week and looking for the best accuracy at an affordable price. The hunter probably won't save as much, but he can make what woks best for him (and might not be able to buy an equivalent).

P.S. This guy knows we are enablers, right?

 

[thump_rrr]

In Canada a box of 20 Hornady 338 Lapua Magnum cartridges sells for $190.00
With current component prices and the same 285 ELD-M bullets my cost is $39.00 a box.
For my S&W 460 a box of 20 Hornady 200gr FTX costs $47.00 while it costs $30.00 to reload

 

[CQB45ACP]

Why in the world would you care what a bunch of internet strangers have to say?

 

[WestKentucky]

All depends on what you want to do. If you want to custom load incredible ammo tuned specifically to your gun, then yes. This is the way. If you just want to churn out boring ammo then it’s a maybe.

 

[sparkyv]

The corollary applies for me: I shoot more, so I don't save money by reloading.

"You won't save money, but you will be able to shoot more"

Probably not but you can shoot twice as much

I enjoy reloading. It helps me clear my mind of everyday activities and from work. Plus I take pride in my workmanship and challenge myself to produce the least expensive and best ammo possible for me in firearms, and finally, it compliments my self-reliance interests.

 

[Highland Lofts]

At the cost of most ammunition and the availability of it reloading is a step in the right direction if you do any amount of shooting.
For casual shooting factory ammo is the way to go.
When shooting ammunition you are dealing with a whole lot of pressure and when reloading you need to give all of your direct attention and if in doubt find out.
ASK QUESTIONS.
Most of my equipment I bought used. It will save you a lot of money.
RCBS and Hornady are my go to manufacturers. But I have Dillion, Redding, and other brands of reloading equipment.
Lee being at the bottom of the list for personal reasons.
A sturdy bench is a must.
Having several reloading manuals is another requirement to cross reference load data.
I have bought a lot of my reloading stuff from the classifieds on the gun forums and from e Bay.

 

[gudaki]

I didn't get into reloading to save money. Like others have said it's a hobby for me and I enjoy the many options it provides.

 

[DMW1116]

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to shoot large volume and your accuracy requirements are not too high, then it’s not worth it unless you just like to reload. You didn’t list any calibers that really benefit cost wise unless you want improved performance over factory loads.

For example, in 308 I can replicate the accuracy of a Federal Gold Medal Match for less than $1/ round, while the real thing is 75% more expensive. Even factory 149 grain 7.62 NATO is $1.25/round and my rifle shoots it pretty well.

In 9mm, the very cheapest 115 grain FMJ ammo costs the same as my tailored 147 grain target loads. However they just won’t shoot to the same accuracy or even close.

Then there is 357 Magnum. Spicy loads with golf ball accuracy at 25 yards are half the cost of generic 158 grain FMJ loads.

The last time I saw 30-30 in the store it was $2/shot and that was 6 months ago. I make a target load or two and a couple hot hunting loads. The hunting loads are 1/3 that cost and the target loads are 1/10 the cost.


You’ll just have to try it and see if you enjoy the process or the results or not. I’m kinda tapped out in calibers at 6 or 7. If I had several more, it wouldn’t be worth it unless I had a bunch of rounds that can only be obtained by reloading. Some it’s were shooting an old 7mm a Mauser and 6.5 Arisaka so that’s really the only way to get ammo at all.

 

[JmacD]

I can say for myself it has to be one of the most therapeutic things in the world for me. I picked it up as a “vice” dealing with a divorce. If I wanna unwind, I go fiddle about at my bench for awhile. Just finished priming 50 357 mag cases actually… I also shoot a 250-3000/250 savage… finding factory for that anywhere right now is… I just handload…

 

[Hugger-4641]

I'll second the idea of buying some dies and components, if your friend is willing to help you. You can see if you like doing it or if there is a benefit to make it worth it to you.
As mentioned already, right now you will not save much unless you inherit some components and/or equipment.
I don't do it for savings. I do it for accuracy, customization of ammo, and self sufficiency. I actually do enjoy it as a hobby, and it's definitely a confidence booster when you get that submoa group or take a deer with ammo you made. I'm blessed with enough disposable income to invest in equipment and components, when they're available. My biggest challenge is time. In the winter I have a little more disposable time, not so much in spring and summer, and fall is deer season.

 

[Nature Boy]

I enjoy the process. I like developing loads for optimized accuracy. I like having components delivered to the house, and whenever I need more ammo just sit down at loading bench and make some.

I also enjoy the learning aspect of it and I’m always learning something new. Wether it’s from my own experience, individual experts or knowledge from the reloading community at large.

 

[.308 Norma]

Deleted.