The Cost of Reloading.

[ljnowell]

Does anyone include the cost of the gun that blows up because of a mistake too?

Maybe no one makes mistakes any more?

You know, if you cant be careful enough, then you have no business reloading. If you inspect every case before a bullet goes in it to look for double charge and you follow your reloading manuals (not running on the ragged edge with 20x reloaded brass) you should NEVER "blow up" a gun. I have relatives that have been reloading since the 1960s and have never blown up a gun. Its called common sense and attention to detail. If you lack either, dont reload.

 

[rfwobbly]

Hear! Hear!

 

[Halwg]

I certainly agree with whomever said that golfing is an expensive hobby. I reload, and shoot a lot, I just bought 2 guns in the last month, and my golfing from April to November will easily be 6X what I have in the guns and reloading.

So if you are considering golf as a second (or first) hobby, you would be money ahead to stick with guns!

 

[chieftain]

Nope.. People that can follow simple directions and check their work don't anyway. And we had a thread a while back on another site about guns blowing up. Not one person had actually "seen" it happen. It was, all, "Well I heard.... Or someone told me." If as many people got hurt reloading as they do skiing we would sure know about it real quick.
I will admit though that there are people that should not even think about this hobby.

Well let me tell you, I have seen 3 guns blow up in the last year. No injuries of consequence. Even over the years I have personally never seen anyone get seriously injured with a blown up gun. Cuts and scrapes is all. I usually see about two per year. I expect that number to really go up. A lot of people new to reloading starting right now. Mostly because of the price of ammo. One of the best reasons to reload.

I shot in an endurance shoot early last year. 1000 rounds in your gun in one day without any gun maintenance or lubrication past what it started with. No one shooting reloaded ammo finished. In police work they call that a clue.

Well, I have been shooting for about 52 years, still compete and shoot a lot. Use only store bought ammo these days.

And to a man, everyone who blew up their guns stated, "I am so careful, I don't understand how that could happen, I have never had that happen before." At least everyone of them swore they would be more careful from here on out. And probably were. I actually knew one guy that blew up the same gun three times, I tried to get him to understand the reloading wasn't his "thing". He just kept blowing it up. Asked people to try his rounds to prove it wasn't his loads. Of course no one would touch them.

Nope I used to roll my own, but like cigarettes I gave it up, and I am glad I did. It is not a knock, I understand perfectly how many guys enjoy the reloading process from working up a load to hours of production, and scrambling for supplies these day's. (almost as bad as store bought right now.)

Good luck, for all of you that don't make mistakes, God Bless you, I don't know anyone like that.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[ljnowell]

Well let me tell you, I have seen 3 guns blow up in the last year. No injuries of consequence. Even over the years I have personally never seen anyone get seriously injured with a blown up gun. Cuts and scrapes is all. I usually see about two per year. I expect that number to really go up. A lot of people new to reloading starting right now. Mostly because of the price of ammo. One of the best reasons to reload.

I shot in an endurance shoot early last year. 1000 rounds in your gun in one day without any gun maintenance or lubrication past what it started with. No one shooting reloaded ammo finished. In police work they call that a clue.

Well, I have been shooting for about 52 years, still compete and shoot a lot. Use only store bought ammo these days.

And to a man, everyone who blew up their guns stated, "I am so careful, I don't understand how that could happen, I have never had that happen before." At least everyone of them swore they would be more careful from here on out. And probably were. I actually knew one guy that blew up the same gun three times, I tried to get him to understand the reloading wasn't his "thing". He just kept blowing it up. Asked people to try his rounds to prove it wasn't his loads. Of course no one would touch them.

Nope I used to roll my own, but like cigarettes I gave it up, and I am glad I did. It is not a knock, I understand perfectly how many guys enjoy the reloading process from working up a load to hours of production, and scrambling for supplies these day's. (almost as bad as store bought right now.)

Good luck, for all of you that don't make mistakes, God Bless you, I don't know anyone like that.

Go figure.

Fred

I've got to ask, why would you come in here in a smug fashion to "edumacate" all of us to how we make mistakes and will all blow our guns up? Why come to the reloading forum at all?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, why come to the reloading forum at all?

If you are afraid to reload that's your right. There's no reason to push your inadequacies on anyone else. Most reloaders are careful enough to load for decades without a problem. It's those who thing they know it all and start to get sloppy who make mistakes.

 

[Walkalong]

And to a man, everyone who blew up their guns stated, "I am so careful,.......I actually knew one guy that blew up the same gun three times,

That guy does not understand the definition of "careful"

Did you just come here to scare folks? I have never seen a gun blown up, not in person. People make mistakes and come see us in the Emergency Dept every day. 99% or so is not gun related. Life is full of dangers if you are careless, sometimes even when you are very careful. Would you like us all to live in a cave and never venture out?

 

[Floppy_D]

Well, I have been shooting for about 52 years, still compete and shoot a lot. Use only store bought ammo these days.

Nope I used to roll my own, but like cigarettes I gave it up, and I am glad I did.

There, there. No need to pout. Assuming guaranteed failure is about as useful as assuming windfall success. Drawing a comprehensive conclusion after 52 years of your observation doesn't empirically speak for anyone or anything other than your observations. I respect your choice to buy factory. My shooting buddy lost a barrel to a P226 to factory ammo this year. I guess snap-caps are the only safe ammo. *shrugs*

 

[chieftain]

I've got to ask, why would you come in here in a smug fashion to "edumacate" all of us to how we make mistakes and will all blow our guns up? Why come to the reloading forum at all?

I guess my definition of smug is different than yours. I see these things happen and encourage guys who reload to be careful. But that wasn't my point.

There appears to be some reloaders who do not consider what happens when they screw up. I have monitored the Reloading area's of most of the Forums I follow from time to time, just to keep up.

I also know some of you guys are masters at it. But a new guy is going to make mistakes, mistakes equal increased costs, in my world.

Did you just come here to scare folks? I have never seen a gun blown up, not in person. People make mistakes and come see us in the Emergency Dept every day. 99% or so is not gun related. Life is full of dangers if you are careless, sometimes even when you are very careful. Would you like us all to live in a cave and never venture out?

Nope, but if I did scare anyone I truly apologize. I guess the cost of ruined weapons, which was my point, is not to be considered in your world. I guess that is new math accounting. I must of missed it.

The ER I worked in, before I retired, was the closest to one of the ranges in town too. I didn't see one guy there. Slow down catch your breath and read what I said, not what you think I said.

(I say again) Even over the years I have personally never seen anyone get seriously injured with a blown up gun. Cuts and scrapes is all. I usually see about two per year.

Unless the reloaders in your town have a very low threshold of pain, I doubt any of them would have showed up in your ER either. I have heard of serious exceptions, they probably happen, but I ain't seen them, or know anyone that has been injured by them.

Oh to the guy talking about my inadequacies, seems to be your subject not mine. I choose to not reload, I used to, didn't care for it. I always thought of it as a choice, obviously you have different standards. Good luck with what ever you are trying to project. You do have to remember I ain't perfect, apparently unlike many of the other folks here.

There, there. No need to pout. Assuming guaranteed failure is about as useful as assuming windfall success. Drawing a comprehensive conclusion after 52 years of your observation doesn't empirically speak for anyone or anything other than your observations. I respect your choice to buy factory. My shooting buddy lost a barrel to a P226 to factory ammo this year. I guess snap-caps are the only safe ammo. *shrugs*

Pout? I guess that's what happens when your read into, what ever you read, what ever it is you are thinking. Interesting, you know some one assuming guaranteed failure? Or are you just being obtuse?

I don't doubt that you have always ignored 52 years of experience. You appear way to smart for that. Me just a dumb old Grunt.

Boy are you boys sensitive. I say again, my point was about the cost of home rolled ammo. Yes store bought can blow up guns too. The one Glock 21 I saw do it was with Federals American Eagle. The Glock 23 I saw blow apart was with Winchester White Box. Even saw an M1 Garand blow up in ITR back in 66 with issue ammunition. But most of them were with reloads. Of course against the Factory's advice. Even the guys who got a barrel with "normal" lands and grooves.

Sorry I didn't realize that this was a closed area.

I will nary a word again.

Just want to get the list right,

I am smug?
I am trying to scare people?
I am inadequate?
I am afraid to reload?
I am pouting?
I was trying to educate?
I assume guaranteed failure which is about as useful as assuming windfall success, too.

Amazing, am I a communicator or what!

Go figure.

Fred

Good bye

 

[ljnowell]

Bye fred!

 

[ls0n3]

right said fred!

 

[rockhound758]

Fred:

I think part of the issue is while it seems you have seen numerous guns blow up, most folks on here (and that shoot a lot as well) simply haven't, and for that reason they don't see figuring the cost of a "blown up gun" as a viable line item in the reloading equation. Many of the people here have been reloading (and shooting those reloads) a LOT, and haven't really had any problems because they HAVE been careful. If you read the threads here the "be smart, be careful" theme is preached over and over again, as is the "before you start, read The ABCs of Reloading" theme--to good effect. And if you think about it, you can get hurt just as seriously with power tools or even driving a car as you can with reloading...it's all about being careful and knowing what you're doing.

 

[rockhound758]

"I guess the cost of ruined weapons, which was my point, is not to be considered in your world."

Basically correct. I suppose we could do a survey and see how many people here have had a gun blow up on them, but my guess is the number would be VERY small.

 

[IDriveB5]

I wouldnt even want to begin to figure out how long/how many rounds it would take to recoup the cost of equipment.
For me its as much of a hobby as actually firing the ammunition I produce.

 

[lgbloader]

Wow...

That turned into an ugly conversation...

LGB

 

[ljnowell]

nah, its just "spirited discussion"

 

[whatnickname]

I'll put in my 2 cents

Theoretically I guess you save money over the cost of factory ammo. However, as others have pointed out, you shoot more so whatever savings you may have realized are pretty well offset and then some. I'm 57 years old and have been reloading since I was 17. I'm able to adjust the type, make and quantity of components to get the best accuracy out of my rifles. I like rifle calibers that are semi-obsolete and reloading enables me to maintain components in such a way that I can build fresh rounds when they are needed. Its much easier to purchase the brand and style of bullet I want for a given caliber of rifle, revolver or pistol in component form without having to drive all over town to find factory ammo or order factory ammo on line. Occasionally, I'm able to buy bullets that are factory seconds at a considerable savings. I shoot quite a bit of handgun ammo and do realize savings on what would otherwise be a large quantity of factory ammo. I take satisfaction in producing ammo that is factory quailty or better. When I take a deer or antelope at 200+ yards with a bullet I reloaded that fact adds to my satisfaction. Reloading enables me to shoot more than I would otherwise but, I find the activity enjoyable in and of itself.

 

[Halwg]

I started the thread, and I would never call a person a liar, but how do you blow up the same gun 3 times? Once it's blown up, it's gone to the trash heap. Everything this guy says is absurd, and we don't need people like that on this forum. I'm glad to see him go, as well.

 

[Gewehr98]

I like to think I've saved money over the last few decades...

But, actually, I just shot more.

As for the pissing contest initiated by Chieftan, that's a specious argument at best, and does absolutely nothing to credit the many thousands of reloaders who've assembled probably millions of rounds of ammunition with nary a hiccup since metallic cartridges first showed up on the scene.

If his buddy blew up three guns, he shouldn't reload - period. The clue bird should've struck him after the first kaboom, honestly.

But don't label all of us reloaders as accidents waiting to happen based on somebody who wasn't paying attention. That's disingenuous, and doesn't help your credibility at all, either. To do so in a forum specifically dedicated to reloading, well, that just smells of something...

I can document cases of factory ammo going "kaboom", too. There's a recent thread floating around here that shows a sideways primer from a box of factory fodder. Even my low-volume one-on-one QC at the reloading bench is considerably better than that, and I've only handloaded about 25K rounds so far.

 

[amlevin]

Why try to justify the cost of reloading. I can't even justify the cost of most of the guns I own.

That aside, I reload for several reasons.

1. I shoot thousands of rounds each month. If I was forced to buy Factory I couldn't afford to shot what I do.

2. Reloading gives me the ammo I want, when I want it, in quantities I want.

3. Reloading allows ME to control the quality of my ammo.

4. Reloading allows me to have ammo that may no longer be available from a "Factory Source".

Once purchased, good reloading equipment pays for itself in the savings. In my case I save just less than $100 per thousand on 9mm and over $200 per thousand on .223 ammo. Based on the last 6 month's consumption the total savings has been $500 or more. In the last two years I have paid for my press/casefeeder/trimmer, etc at least two times just with the savings on two calibers.

I don't consider myself "Cheap" or even "Frugal". I just approach reloading (I prefer the term "Self Manufacturing") of ammo as a good business decision. I've been reloading for almost 40 years now and the savings have allowed me to continue the sport.