Should I consider reloading?

[Walkalong]

Probably not but you can shoot twice as much

That's the way it works out for most of us, we start so we can save money, but find we can shoot more.

I enjoy reloading, although long runs can be boring at times. I enjoy working up a load, get great satisfaction from it. Some folks hate reloading.

 

[Gus_McCrae]

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

I have had 3 threads on here and have enjoyed every comment. I have learned so much by reading what these "internet strangers" have to say. I have been shooting handguns for years but am a newbie to the multiple guns and ammos. These comments have sparked questions and helped me learn what to research. I'm really enjoying it.
But, lol... if that's your take, why in the world are you on an internet forum doing the same?

 

[teerex.otw]

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?

I’ve seen a lot of good arguments in favor of reloading in this thread, and if you are a careful, detail-oriented person, it can be a fantastic hobby.
It can save money, especially if viewed over the course of a lifetime, a little on some calibers, a whole bunch on others.
you can load ammo that is simply not available elsewhere (I enjoy casting and shooting gas-checked bullets in my .30 cal. rifles…easy on the wallet as well as the shoulder).
You can form cases for stuff that is not (readily) available, or use fire-formed cases to load very accurate rounds for a specific rifle.
One more thing; I have about a 2’ stack of reloading manuals. They are a wealth of information, and some even provide history related to the cartridges. I’ve read some of these cover-to-cover just out of interest, even though I’ll probably never load most of these calibers.
Ultimately, it’s your decision, but as someone who loves all things “gun-related”, I can tell you it has been a worthwhile pastime, and has given me untold hours of fun and relaxation.
Best of luck whatever you decide !

 

[ballman6711]

Is reloading worth the investment? Will I save money? Do most reloaders enjoy it as much as he does, or is he just odd?

My answer is "maybe" to all of those questions.

I break even or save a little (per round) on .223, but my .480 is about 1/4 the cost of factory ammo (if I can find it).

I save money (again, per round) on other calibers as well, but how much varies depending on the caliber.

But (and it's a very big but), I don't worry about how much I shoot when I do go to the range. And I didn't change my shooting habits when everything went crazy and factory ammo was unobtainable.

Others here have given great advice and made great points. All I'll add is try it and see, you may like it. If you don't, you can sell your gear/components and recoup at least some of your cost.

chris

 

[mjsdwash]

I currently am paying the following prices
.308 -50c/round (jacketed)
5.56 -25c/round (jacketed)
9mm -11c/round (cast bullet)
45 colt -11c/round (cast bullet)
300bo -15c/round (cast bullet)
8mauser -12c/round (light load, cast bullet)

Prices are inflated now, and who knows if they'll go down, but what I was paying when Trump was president with the same loads were:
.308 - 32c/round
5.56 - 19c/round
9mm - 5c/round
45 colt - 5c/round
300bo - 11c/round
8mauser - 6c/round

Some of those loads are cast but not all.
Reloading can be everything you described but its not for everyone.

I have about $1200 in total equipment cost, but that includes two presses, casting and some specialized tools you don't need but make things easier.
You can start out with about a $600 cost of entry including a press, basic tools and components for one caliber.
If loading something like 45 colt where your saving .90$ per round or even 45acp/38 special where your saving $.60/round that pays off fairly quickly.

Once nice thing is that you can get decent prices on guns in calibers no one wants to deal with.
At this point anything other than .223/9mm/7.62x39 is getting to be discounted. I have not seen 8mm mauser for sale in almost 4 years.

 

[mjsdwash]

For what its worth I did save money for the first 10 years. I got my first press, dies and accessories and shot the exact amount I had been for years. The equipment paid for itself in about 6 months. After 10 years I probably am not saving money, but at this point I just wouldn't be shooting if not for reloading. I can't see paying $19/box for 9mm.

 

[DMW1116]

That’s another part of it. I shoot almost exclusively cast bullets in pistols and 30-30. I prefer cast and polymer coated, either Hi-Tech or powder coated, though lubed bullets work just as well if that’s what I find. No centerfire pistol I have shoots as well as my 357 Blackhawk with Hollow Based Wad Cutters. I’ve never seen factory ammo with them, so can’t say how well it would shoot.

 

[Varminterror]

I've been reloading since I was a kid, over 30yrs, with most years of my adult life seeing 10-20,000+ rifle rounds fall out of the press, and frankly, I HATE making ammo. It's a relatively necessary evil in my life, a means to a desirable end, but if I could pay someone a reasonable fee, legally, to press my ammo, I'd never pull another press handle, ever.

I reload as a means to produce custom tailored ammunition, especially ammo for rounds which are not available as factory ammunition at all, with a secondary (or tertiary) benefit of saving money over premium factory ammunition for the few rounds I shoot for which I COULD purchase factory ammo. I shoot a lot, and I shoot a lot with cartridges which are either unavailable, or exceptionally expensive to purchase as bespoke custom ammunition - so reloading is a means to shoot what I want with the performance I want. There WAS a time when I was reloading high volume ammo for action competition, and I hated that too - but it did save several hundred dollars every year, some years a couple thousand dollars.

I've also spent tens of thousands of dollars in reloading gear over the last >30yrs, and for much of it, I would rather have most of that money back as training classes, extra ammo, or better scopes/rifles.

If I were only shooting common cartridges like those described in the OP, wasn't shooting big volumes of any of them, and/or wasn't shooting with a high demand for performance, I wouldn't reload. I don't typically reload hunting ammo, and don't reload plinking ammo.

If you DO choose to take up reloading, make sure to work with a knowledgeable reloader which knows how to help you optimize your processes to be able to minimize your wasted investment. Whatever you do, don't buy a "reloading kit," as the survivability of most of the included gear is exceptionally short. Consider VERY carefully what process you want to use - since you're loading some handgun cartridges and mentioned 5.56, I'll assume you'll benefit from a progressive press - don't be mislead by the lie that "everyone should have a single stage press," or that "everyone should learn on a single stage." It's just bad advice, propagated for generations by well meaning folks which have absolutely no idea what they're saying, and which have no concern for your wasted time or money.

If you're only shooting ~100 rnds per year of each of these, don't waste your time, money, or energy reloading.

 

[redneck2]

A little different perspective....

The term “reloading” is bandied about as though there is one basic set up. What I found was that reloading with a single stage press was a painful process for what I wanted to do. If you’re loading for a rifle, a single stage is fine as for the most part you’ll shoot maybe 20-60 rounds per rifle per range session. Obviously this can vary. If you have an AR and do mag dumps you burn it up faster. I shoot for precision, not to turn money into noise.

Loading for most pistols is a different program as you’ll go through quite a bit more ammo. Single stage presses are slow and tedious.

I have a Dillon 550 and can load about 500 rounds per hour assuming I’m set up and ready, going at a moderate rate. A single stage might do 25% of that or less. Not really sure as it’s been a long time since I’ve used one.

 

[bigpower491]

I've been pulling the handles over 30 years now, and I haven't saved a dime.

But then, I've shot probably 4 times the ammo of every person I know for about the same price they paid for factory.
The biggest beauty of our game is loading for cartridges that aren't as common, hence, priced a bit high when you do find it. 44 Special, 45 Colt, in my neck of the woods, aren't as popular as 38/357 and the vast array of autoloader ammo on the shelves. Although you can find it, you don't really get a good selection, so IMO, one is better of rolling their own of those. 20 454 Casulls are $80-100......you bet I've saved money there.
The ability to fine tune makes it worthwhile for me, I love the rocket science, and although I've got great proven recipes in most of my firearms, I still tinker with this and that. Sometimes can't leave well enough alone, just for fun.
@GeoDudeFlorida made a good point, do the spread sheet and weigh the costs of getting started, so many options out there in equipment and it all isn't what I'd call cheap. Gone are the days of brand new $20 RCBS die sets, about what my first dies cost me.
In today's world, I'd hate to have to buy this stuff again, but as a firearms enthusiast, I'd be freaking lost without it.........

 

[reddog81]

Ask your friend if he’ll show you the process and explain the various considerations for reloading. I had a friend who was interested in setting up for .30-06, 9mm and .38 Special but once i showed him how much time it took he bowed out. Between 3 kids in school, sports, a new boat and working full time there was no way he’d ever find enough time to load enough to make it worthwhile.

 

[Highland Lofts]

If you buy used equipment and don't like it or buy something different you will recoup your money spent.
If you buy new equipment and decide to pass it on you can figure about a 50% loss.
Check out ebay for used reloading manuals. You will use them for data research.

When using single stage press I have two of them set up side by side.
For rifle reloading I'll charge the primed
Case then seat the bullet, take it out of press one and put it in press two to crimp it.

For pistol I will resize the case in press one then put the case in press two so I can flare it.
When loading I'll take a primed pistol
Case, charge it with powder.
Place it in press one to seat the bullet, take the cartridge out and place it in press two for the crimp.
It goes pretty fast.

If you decide to go with a single stage press I'd recommend a RCBS RockChucker or the Hornady Lock n Load.
With the RCBS Rockchucker Press you can take the plug out and put the Hornady Lock n Load bushing adapter in to use the Lock n Load bushings.

 

[horsemen61]

@Gus_McCrae I think your friend is onto something here I too find the hobby relaxing and rewarding I got into it to save money know I just have the ability to Make Ammo When You Can’t buy it on the shelves My suggestion is as follows see if you can check out your friends reloading setup see what your Getting into?

I’m Sure he wouldn’t mind showing you the ropes
So to speak if you just ask him

 

[kcofohio]

For me, reloading and the supplies necessary to complete the cartridges have been worth it. It takes a certain commitment and time. From my observation, only a small percentage that delve into reloading remain.
But if you have a worthy mentor, that may be what many lack and could help to your success.

 

[BJung]

Whenever I go to a store and look at the price for a box of ammo, I say to myself, "I'm glad I reload"
Whenever I think of the leftover brass that will be tossed after I shot the ammunition, I say to myself, "I'm glad I reload.
Whenever I can print groups under 1" with my rifle when others say that 1" is very good, I say to myself, "I'm glad I reload
Whenever I reload for excellent rifles with unique chambers like 7.7 Arisaka, 6.5 Swede, 7.5 MAS, etc.. I say, I'm glad I reload

 

[Ironicaintit]

Potential cost savings and tailored loads aside...

you have to really do a self assessment and decide if you want to go through all the steps and tedium of processing over and over again to make your own ammo.
do you enjoy sorting, inspecting, calibrating and measuring and all that goes with it, with an unerring attention to detail? Because if not, the hobby might drive you nuts.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have had 3 threads on here and have enjoyed every comment. I have learned so much by reading what these "internet strangers" have to say. I have been shooting handguns for years but am a newbie to the multiple guns and ammos. These comments have sparked questions and helped me learn what to research. I'm really enjoying it.
But, lol... if that's your take, why in the world are you on an internet forum doing the same?

Because I am a reloader I participate in this forum, but I didn’t decide to be reloader after conducting a focus group. So, I’m not at all doing the same.

But more importantly, I was pulling your leg.

 

[lordpaxman]

Hobbies are interesting occupations. This one crafts containers that go into a firearm, and you’re very close to the action when that trigger is pulled. Personally, I’d answer “is that for me” before having a friend say it’d be fun and I should do it. If you’re still interested, have your friend mentor you through a few reloading sessions and see if floats your boat.
If you’re still in to it, you’ll decide your own cost value equation for this “hobby”. Good luck!

 

[DMW1116]

Yes it’s worth considering what happens if things go south. I tell my wife I’m building a grenade I hope never works and I’m testing it next to my face. Knock before you come into the reloading area.

 

[red rick]

I would try to buy all the components to make your cartridge first before I bought any equipment , or you might have a bunch of reloading equipment that you can’t use for a long time . IMO , this is not a good time to start reloading , expensive and hard to find components .

 

[teerex.otw]

I would try to buy all the components to make your cartridge first before I bought any equipment , or you might have a bunch of reloading equipment that you can’t use for a long time . IMO , this is not a good time to start reloading , expensive and hard to find components .

This is actually a very good idea…
Long gone is the “golden age” of reloading when you would shell out an extra 10 bucks for an extra 1k primers…not because you were afraid you wouldn’t be able to find more, but because you didn’t want to make an extra trip if you ran out…or when you would actually negotiate price on 3 buckets of wheel weights at the local tire shop.
Leave it to us to pick a hobby where everyone is out of everything we need all the time !

 

[Jim Watson]

Buy a book or a couple.
Study the first part, where it describes HOW to reload, don't just jump to the data and look for the biggest numbers like many seem to do.
You cannot reasonably learn the process one question at a time on the internet although it seems like a lot of people try to.

I don't consider reloading to be a hobby all its own, it is just what I do to get ready to go shooting.
I have largely got tired of trying stuff out except as required by "supply chain" shortages. I am just now working my way out of a couple of nonstandard lots of pistol ammo and back to my usual load.

 

[jmorris]

I find that when I let other people pick my hobbies they are not that fun.

Reloading isn’t for everyone and we are all different. What are your interests? Keep in mind you have to pay close attention to certain details or you can have catastrophic damage to equipment and or injuries. So it’s an inherently more dangerous hobby than stamp collecting, bird watching, fishing, etc.

These are photos from a fellow that accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle of powder.



And proceeded to load a rifle (243 iirc) with a quite fast pistol powder. This is how his rifle accepted the round.



Click on the attachment below if you want to see how his hand did.

So, keep that in mind if you just want to get laid back for a “therapy session”, you still need to pay attention to details.

Is reloading worth the investment? Will I save money? Do most reloaders enjoy it as much as he does, or is he just odd?

It can be but isn’t always.

That depends on what you shoot and how much, the math is pretty easy to do though. It will be a loss at first because of equipment purchases but they will be around for many years if not longer than you. The more rounds you load, the more money they could potentially save you.

Some people shoot to reload, others see it as a necessary evil they have to do to afford to be able to shoot more. Many fall somewhere in between.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hobbies are interesting occupations. This one crafts containers that go into a firearm, and you’re very close to the action when that trigger is pulled. Personally, I’d answer “is that for me” before having a friend say it’d be fun and I should do it. If you’re still interested, have your friend mentor you through a few reloading sessions and see if floats your boat.
If you’re still in to it, you’ll decide your own cost value equation for this “hobby”. Good luck!

Queue @Slamfire and his collection of pictures/stories about what happens when reloading goes wrong.
All modesty aside, I am one of the better enablers here but, I think people are fore armed best when they are forewarned first.
Don’t kid yourself, this can be a very dangerous hobby and a very rewarding experience all at the same time. Do the cost analysis. Do the risk assessment. Don’t forget to take opportunity costs into consideration. Include the time, space and isolation considerations.
It’s a great question for the community to help with. Just don’t get jollied into a snap judgement.

 

[ManFromMontana]

"Uva uvam vivendo varia fit"