Should I consider reloading?

[thump_rrr]

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?

Straight walled pistol cases are the easiest to learn on because you don't have to worry about how far you need to set the shoulder back affecting headspace, denting shoulders by using too much lube, trimming for overall length, etc.

With 40 S&W however you may need to worry about the Glock bulge but on newer generations of Glocks it isn't as much of a problem.
Lee sells an inexpensive push through die for that if you run into this problem.

 

[thump_rrr]

90% of noobs abandon reloading after the first year.
It's akin to gym memberships or buying a boat.
Reloading requires commitment, passion, money and a certain level of OCD. The learning curve is never ending.

I wasn't sure if I would like reloading when I started 13 years ago.
I bought a Lee 50th Anniversary Kit and started on that.
I never used the beam scale that came with the kit;.
That press made some sub 1/2 MOA ammo using Lee dies also.
Despite moving on through numerous single stage presses and ending up on a Forster Co-Ax that little Lee Challenger press still occupies the left corner of my bench and gets used quite a bit for seating and priming.
I also run a Hornady LnL AP Progressive.

 

[2ndtimer]

Reloading is not for everyone. But for some of us, it offers the opportunity to match loads to specific firearms and purposes. Many comment that it doesn’t pay to reload 9mm or .223/5.56, as factory ammo is readily available and returning to affordable today. But that is TODAY, recall what happened a couple years ago (and seemingly every 4 years), when ammo either wasn’t on the shelf or it was priced at double the previous price. Also I load a lot of .223/5.56 and 9mm ammo for less cost than the bulk 55 gr FMJ and 115 gr FMJ, that is far more accurate and Target effective than the factory ammo. The other plus to those common cartridges is that brass is frequently available for free, other than the cost of picking it up off the ground at the range. I am nit in the “shoot to reload” camp, but I do really enjoy the process.
Being slightly obsessive compulsive is a plus, as it is a potentially dangerous activity if one is easily distracted, or naturally careless and sloppy. But having loaded many thousands of rounds over more than 40 years, I still have fingers, eyes and firearms intact. My RCBS Rockchucker II has handled the bulk since I started, although my 9mm is more rapidly produced on my Dillon RL-550B.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Whatever the reason an individual chooses as an excuse to jump into the reloading game , I believe they should consider ALL aspects before doing so . Nothing shooting is inexpensive now days ,components included . One will gain Accuracy ,Knowledge ,and to a degree lessor cost ammunition ( especially plinking fodder ) . Those of us who have been at it a number of years ,more than likely started reloading for the Cost savings ( I certainly did ) as it allowed and abundance of practice and in due time proficiency . Later came the THRILL of reducing the old hunting rifles groupings by half or more . Speaking personally also educated Me on Precision Rifles ,as opposed to off the shelf hunting rifles .

Today's advantage EVERYTHING with exception to prices ,has gotten BETTER . Manufacturing and available outlets in which to purchase from .

 

[ReloaderNoob]

I started reloading 3 years ago on the advice of my younger brother, a 40 year FFL/smith. I moved to Georgia from San Diego where my retirement hobby was building and flying radio controlled airplanes and never owned a firearm. Too many pine trees and no flying clubs made that go away. Bought a S&W 9m SDV (cheap at $250, junque but didn't know any better), started with the Lee Loader and mallet, quickly (within hours) tired of that and started down the rabbit hole with a set of Lee dies and the Challenger press. 3 years later reloading everything handgun from 22 TCM to 45 Colt, 223/556 and 300 AAC rifle and have accumulated 18 presses (I like to tinker, 73 years old, single - good excuses to spend my $$, right!) from the Challenger up to the XL750. Make 2-3 trips weekly to the local range to give me something to reload. Moral of the story is once you start, you'll never look back!

 

[Pottimus]

Your friend is right, you should let him help you, it will give you two more to talk about and do together.

 

[Buzznrose]

I got into reloading at the worse possible time (2000) when components were scarce and expensive when available. I started reloading again (used to reload in the 80’s) as a hedge against ammo shortages.

I reload 9, 10, .40, .38, and .357, and have ability to reload .45ACP. Thinking of jumping into .308 and 30-30 when I connect with LPP’s.

I decided to jump in with both feet and went with a Dillon 550C. Expensive but works for me with the convenience and resale value. I am not 100% sure I’m committed yet…but I’m hanging on to the equipment for now. I have a decent source for powder locally and bullets are available in bulk, but I am undecided about whether to buy up on pistol primers at $100/1000 or not. That is the critical factor for me going forward. Kinda waiting for them to come down to around $70/1000 but who knows…

I had a friend get me started. It is a way to pass time and get something done, a good hobby.

 

[Bill M.]

Sure. If you have extra money and extra time and some extra space to work in then you should consider reloading. But..it does require those 3 things in abundance. In favor of reloading is that it is a hobby that you can enjoy for many, many years with a small initial investment in equipment. I have reloaded at some level since 1964 and I still enjoy it.

 

[barnfrog]

Just to throw in the Captain Obvious perspective, the answer to your initial question (Should I consider reloading?), is that you obviously already are.

 

[2ndtimer]

I got into reloading at the worse possible time (2000) when components were scarce and expensive when available. I started reloading again (used to reload in the 80’s) as a hedge against ammo shortages.

I reload 9, 10, .40, .38, and .357, and have ability to reload .45ACP. Thinking of jumping into .308 and 30-30 when I connect with LPP’s.

I decided to jump in with both feet and went with a Dillon 550C. Expensive but works for me with the convenience and resale value. I am not 100% sure I’m committed yet…but I’m hanging on to the equipment for now. I have a decent source for powder locally and bullets are available in bulk, but I am undecided about whether to buy up on pistol primers at $100/1000 or not. That is the critical factor for me going forward. Kinda waiting for them to come down to around $70/1000 but who knows…

I had a friend get me started. It is a way to pass time and get something done, a good hobby.

Regarding primers, there is a glimmer of light ahead. Recently my local Sportsman’s Warehouse had primers available for around $5.50 per sleeve of 100, with a limit of two sleeves per person per day. Granted, they didn’t have any large rifle primers available, but they did have small rifle, small pistol in both standard and magnum, as well as large pistol. A greater selection than I have seen locally in a couple years. Hopefully, the next step will be increasing the limit to a full brick (or more) and further expansion of primers available to include large rifle in standard and magnum at more reasonable prices ( you know, like only double what they were three years ago ).

 

[mljdeckard]

We all snicker when someone says they are going to start reloading to save money. We have guys in here who have picked up a shell casing at a range, and built a rifle for it because they were curious what it was like to reload for that cartridge. So....no.

Here's how I rationalize that I'm 'breaking even' on time and money. I own the rock-bottom cheapest progressive press you can get, a Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) It's a bit rickety, but most of the drama comes from the force and resistance of the first stage. (Sizing and de-capping, the first die for pistols.) So, I have my juvenile range slaves use my Lee Hand Press (about $35) to run that stage. That makes the rest of the process very smooth and easy. If I buy 115 grain FMJs from Rocky Mountain, they are cheaper than Berry's plated lead. I use Titegroup for 9mm, and I had a pretty good stash of it before the pandemic hit, so I didn't end up paying dearly to get it. That makes it fast, cheap, and easy FOR me.

I have been piling up 5.56 and .243 brass, I still haven't started on it yet.

 

[Buzznrose]

There are clearly folks who save money reloading, but they did a few things to get there…

1. Bought up a lot of components when prices were much cheaper than today

2. Saved/scrounged a lot of brass from range visits and shooting buddies

3. Melt and mold bullets and can/have sources cheap/scrap lead

4. Built their equipment up over time and often through good deals.

Guys like me who buy all components (except some brass) don’t save much. Obviously if you are shooting a lot of expensive rounds ($1-3 per), then reloading can save money faster. It cost me about $0.24 per round to load 124 grain FMJ 9MM and that’s with my own brass (RMR 124 gr, CCI SPP, VV320). Guys who have stacks of $30/1000 primers and mold their own bullets likely pay around $0.12 per round, but at some point, they may be replacing those spent primers at 3X the previous cost…

If you have time and want a good hobby, this is a fun one in my opinion. But save money? That’s harder than it used to be…

 

[Buzznrose]

Regarding primers, there is a glimmer of light ahead. Recently my local Sportsman’s Warehouse had primers available for around $5.50 per sleeve of 100, with a limit of two sleeves per person per day. Granted, they didn’t have any large rifle primers available, but they did have small rifle, small pistol in both standard and magnum, as well as large pistol. A greater selection than I have seen locally in a couple years. Hopefully, the next step will be increasing the limit to a full brick (or more) and further expansion of primers available to include large rifle in standard and magnum at more reasonable prices ( you know, like only double what they were three years ago ).

If I could buy a box of 1000 primers for $55 I’d buy a couple 5K cases in a minute…

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Your friend is right, you should let him help you, it will give you two more to talk about and do together.View attachment 1149552

Nice touch. May the Fourth be with you. Always.

 

[barnfrog]

Recently my local Sportsman’s Warehouse had primers available for around $5.50 per sleeve of 100, with a limit of two sleeves per person per day.

$5.03 per 100 for CCI 500s here in NY, and they actually have them in stock which has not been the case for quite some time. Still two sleeves per day, but the situation is improving.

 

[Chief TC]

With today's prices, I don't think you are saving money. What I think you accomplish in reloading is developing better or the best loads for the rifles you own at a cost maybe a little cheaper than factory ammo and if you like these types of tasks then it is a little therapeutic. I small batch reload and do tasks separately based on my schedule. I usually spend no more than an hour at a time. I don't cast bullets. After work for some decompression, I'll prep brass or I will prime a batch. Usually do charge and seat bullets of 50 max. I like doing things in small tasks and not spend hours. Everyone's different.

I save a lot of money loading black powder cartridges for my 45-70. You cant really find black powder cartridges and smokeless ones cost 2.50 and up. I can make a BP cartridge for about .80. 30-06, not really saving any money. The cost of bullets, powders, primers and cases are more than buying factory M2 ball ammo but these are high quality loads that perform way better than any factory ammo could.

 

[tactikel]

Reloading is fun! You learn about all the components involved in the firing of a round. Reloading gives you tremendous flexibility to produce target, plinking, SD loads.
Using my cast lead bullets I can load .45 acp and .357 magnum for 12 cents a round exclusive of brass. Before the primer shortage it was half that!

 

[Cheesemaker]

Reloading is fun! You learn about all the components involved in the firing of a round. Reloading gives you tremendous flexibility to produce target, plinking, SD loads.
Using my cast lead bullets I can load .45 acp and .357 magnum for 12 cents a round exclusive of brass. Before the primer shortage it was half that!

Please breakdown your 12c a round.

 

[AJC1]

Please breakdown your 12c a round.

6 cent cast boolit
3 cent primer
3 cent powder
Case reused or range pickup.
Those were old prices and that's with me paying 1.65 a pound for lead. I now have 27 cents in that same 357.

 

[Cheesemaker]

6 cent cast boolit
3 cent primer
3 cent powder
Case reused or range pickup.
Those were old prices and that's with me paying 1.65 a pound for lead. I now have 27 cents in that same 357.

Thanks @AJC1
But not today - right?
The OP asked about getting into reloading and it seems everyone said what it used to cost them, or cost them if I exclude lead and cast my own etc. None of these are normal circumstances.

12c a round in 2023 - no way.

Most shooters do not reload/handload.
Most that do reload/handload do not cast their own bullets. They buy primers, bullets and powder. And we are living in 2023. So, when someone asks if "I should get into reloading?" Why do so many talk about what a round would've cost 5,10,15,20+ years ago?

 

[tactikel]

9 cents per primer, 3 cents for powder. Bullets scrounged lead, alox lube less than 1 cent. Brass range pickups.
This is in todays market: primers $90 per 1000. Powder $50 per pound. You do the math.

 

[DMW1116]

It might take some mental gymnastics and a little risk but I could reload 30-30 practice ammo for under 20 cents per round.

Acme cast bullet: 9 cents
Large Pistol Primer: 5.5 cents
W231 Pistol Powder: 3 cents

At this point “rifle “ is just the name of the machine I use to empty my brass so I can reload it.

As a recovering knife nut, I think of being able to reload the same as sharpening your own knife. You can tune it exactly how you want, you can sharpen it again when needed, and it’s a somewhat arcane skill, which I find appealing.

 

[AJC1]

Thanks @AJC1
But not today - right?
The OP asked about getting into reloading and it seems everyone said what it used to cost them, or cost them if I exclude lead and cast my own etc. None of these are normal circumstances.

12c a round in 2023 - no way.

Most shooters do not reload/handload.
Most that do reload/handload do not cast their own bullets. They buy primers, bullets and powder. And we are living in 2023. So, when someone asks if "I should get into reloading?" Why do so many talk about what a round would've cost 5,10,15,20+ years ago?

They state their costs from their stockpile. Some guys bought cases of primers on sale when the market sucked... they buy powder in 8s or several 8s at a time and have tons in reserve. Some guys get free wheel weights. I'm not any of those guys.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I never average the cost per round.
I buy what ever I need.
I load what we use.
And keep going.
I buy lots of extra stuff and stock up on a lot of stuff.
I just picked up 500 pieces of 380 auto
And 500 pieces of 7.62x39.
And 500 pieces of 380 auto bullets from Everglades Ammo.
I look at the classifieds on the gun forums and bought several complete reloading set ups. RCBS, Hornaday and lee.
There are deals out there if you wait and keep searching.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

They state their costs from their stockpile. Some guys bought cases of primers on sale when the market sucked... they buy powder in 8s or several 8s at a time and have tons in reserve. Some guys get free wheel weights. I'm not any of those guys.

Not to mention the generosity of the community. I have given away bricks of primers and pounds of unopened powder to newbies who couldn’t find any. I don’t think @LiveLife knows or has kept track of how many full press sets he has given to newbies starting out.
12cent .357? Easy. Free bottle of Unique and free brick of CCI 500’s plus a bag of free brass. It’s not that uncommon for old guys who see the train coming down the tunnel to pass along their stuff to new hobbyists.