The math on reloading... how different it is

[Erief0g]

Most of you know I'm a pistol reloader at this time. Thinking back on all those threads of is it worth it to reload? Is it worth it to reload 9mm? Etc etc.

Funny to think that my press is dumping out lead bullets and there cost is now at precious metal prices. Lead=rebel gold has never been more true in its humorous statement.

Another reason to give thanks to the moderators who do so well at keeping us all on track and all you forum members that have helped my reloading journey progress at a much more rapid pace than if left to my own devices.

Does reloading and you money? No, you just shoot better ammo and more of it... unless there is a pandemelection that outstrips supply so that demand makes prices skyrocket.

 

[sparkyv]

It's "worth it" to me, for reasons you stated above, Erief0g.

 

[Erief0g]

It's "worth it" to me, for reasons you stated above, Erief0g.

Heck yes.. my justification even when WWB 9mm was .16-.17 per round was i could make it a few cents cheaper but the accuracy was considerably better. Now regardless of accuracy the math is largely in favor.

It will be nice to look back on this thread when the new normal stabilizes and the threads start popping up again about us it really worth reloading xyz cartridge

 

[Dibbs]

With the cost of the initial investment, in order to get started, you have to load quite a few bullets, just to break even, before you start to
"save money". I've found the real attraction, for me, is the quality control of components and methods, and the ability to make high quality
loads, at WWB prices.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My cost to load 9mm is about 6.50 per 50 rounds. Using coated cast. So yes it's worth it for me.

 

[high country]

I started reloading justifying it in my head as a money saving effort, especially for rifle rounds and .38 special.

It has become a third of my enjoyment of the sport (aquiring and tinkering with rifles and handguns, reloading, and shooting). Sometimes I find myself needing to go shoot to have something to reload for... It makes for a nice way to spend an hour or two in the evenings to block out the world and focus on something precise and repetitive.

I don't even really think about the cost savings much anymore, it is just a fun hobby unto itself and a nice steady supply of good ammo.

 

[alfsauve]

Right now? Using supplies I bought 2 years ago? It saving me a fortune.

Over the life of it, I've probably shot a lot more for the same amount of money than had I bought factory.

 

[Charlie98]

Heck yes.. my justification even when WWB 9mm was .16-.17 per round was i could make it a few cents cheaper but the accuracy was considerably better.

It depends. I quit loading 9mm and 5.56mm for many years... it was cheaper to just buy loaded ammos for general shooting when I factored in my time and effort, very often in short supply. I always said I would rather spend the time I have available for reloading to produce ammo I can't afford to buy... things like .41MAG, and .348WCF (at any price...) and loading cast bullets for my lever-actions.

Now... guess what? I'm reloading 9mm and 5.56mm now... and that's because I'm always prepared for the alternative. Just because I don't normally load for those doesn't mean I'm not prepared to do so.

 

[jmorris]

Most of you know I'm a pistol reloader at this time. Thinking back on all those threads of is it worth it to reload? Is it worth it to reload 9mm? Etc etc.

Funny to think that my press is dumping out lead bullets and there cost is now at precious metal prices. Lead=rebel gold has never been more true in its humorous statement.

Yeah, I’m not close to having to make smokeless powder or primers, but I do reuse the brass and lead,



Have lots of $20/1000 primers and <$20/lb powder. My most often loaded 9mm rounds only use 3.1-3.2 grains so several thousand rounds can be loaded from a single pound.

The “waste of time” threads make a lot more sense when people are buying sensibly, when they are going nuts reloaders and casters sound a lot more reasonable while shooting their $30/1000 ammunition.

 

[sparkyv]

I calculated that it took 2.5 years of loading for 3 pistol and 4 rifle calibers before I offset sunk costs and started saving money by reloading. Many factors come into play such as equipment selection, how much one loads, brass lifetime, and etc., but even during the good times, it made sense for me to reload 9mm and 223 Rem. Of course I don't factor in the cost of my time, but I do consider reloading to be an enjoyable hobby. [Edit; corrected spelling error]

With the cost of the initial investment, in order to get started, you have to load quite a few bullets, just to break even, before you start to
"save money". I've found the real attraction, for me, is the quality control of components and methods, and the ability to make high quality
loads, at WWB prices.

You never seem to not amaze me, sir.

Yeah, I’m not close to having to make smokeless powder or primers, but I do reuse the brass and lead,

 

[kerreckt]

I enjoy reloading so value of time spent isn't an issue. Just as value of time spent at range isn't an issue. It is where I find joy and spend time with my sons......priceless. Best wishes!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Depending on what Math you’re using

 

[Average Joe]

I reload because it was fun, now its still fun, but highly profitable. I bought large quantiles of components when they were on sale , way back when.....

 

[FROGO207]

Well way back in the middle 1970's I made my initial investment back after reloading about 400 44 MAG rounds. These days I have several K invested in equipment. There were times when it made economic sense to buy steel cased blasting ammo and 12 GA skeet ammo. I did that too but for precision ammo I would always fall back to reloading for the best stuff. Now being able to reload what I want whenever I want to and just go and shoot it up with no worry of restocking is priceless.

 

[TEXASJD]

All of my bolt rifles are custom built so feeding them factory ammo is like puttin E85 in a GT-40, never got into it to save money but I am sure glad I did.

 

[Erief0g]

Yes indeed.. Black Friday 2019. Remington small primers, 1.5's, 10k primers $225...
Albeit they are the low pressure primers they are great for the spp 45acp loads. Can't say I should have bought more as at that time in that day that was my max discretionary money... but it was and is a great deal

 

[Mark_Mark]

I reload because it was fun, now its still fun, but highly profitable. I bought large quantiles of components when they were on sale , way back when.....

FYI... reloaders need permission from the government to sell reloaded ammo. just a heads up

 

[kmw1954]

COSTS? What are Costs? I do it because I enjoy it not because I am trying to save a penny. I also have thousands of dollars in fishing tackle and never consider the price per pound of the fish I eat or throw back. How many of you have 4 wheelers or snowmobiles that you cannot drive everyday to work or the grocery store? Just don't feel the need to attach a price tag to everything I do.

 

[jonas66]

Yeah, I’m not close to having to make smokeless powder or primers, but I do reuse the brass and lead,

Holy carp, that video ...now I'm going to have to go back and read all your posts.
Good lord.

 

[lightman]

[QUOTE Right now? Using supplies I bought 2 years ago? It saving me a fortune.

Over the life of it, I've probably shot a lot more for the same amount of money than had I bought factory.[/QUOTE]

This pretty much says it for me. I suggest not getting into reloading just to save money. You can save money if you shop for good prices and stay stocked up before these panics hit. But most of us are into it for other reasons.

 

[Laphroaig]

You can debate cost all that you want. In these times it is very comforting to me to know that I have a ready source of ammunition down in my basement. I don't have an endless supply of components but will get by for now.

 

[blackd24]

Also remember reloading presses, dies, equipment value does not go to $0. You can always recoup some or most of the cost back if you decide to sell.

reloading for me is more of a hobby than anything. I like to have control over the process and control of when I have access to ammo. As everyone can see by the millions of questions (justifiably so) that new reloaders have right now, reloading is the only option when you can’t find ammo or 9mm is $.75 per round.

I stopped keeping track of the cost of reloading tools.. I just enjoy doing it so the cost savings are just part of it on a per round basis.

 

[gifbohane]

Four years ago I was "embarassed" to admit I was reloading 9mm. Most were stating it was nuts and I tended to agree. I was reloading for 12-13 cents per and as earlier poster said WWB was a few pennies more. Being retired I never factored in my time.

I have never totaled up what my equipment cost because I can't figure it out. I have replaced good equipment with much better (more expensive) equipment and added numerous gizmos. I might never recoup my equipment investment. I just enjoy the process.

 

[Mark_Mark]

COSTS? What are Costs? I do it because I enjoy it not because I am trying to save a penny. I also have thousands of dollars in fishing tackle and never consider the price per pound of the fish I eat or throw back. How many of you have 4 wheelers or snowmobiles that you cannot drive everyday to work or the grocery store? Just don't feel the need to attach a price tag to everything I do.

I got a wife that cost way more than I can save. I mean, it weren’t for her “cooking” I’d probably get a younger model.

 

[wcwhitey]

It’s as much of a hobby to me as shooting is, they go hand in hand. I bought it cheap and stacked it deep as well. Both factory ammo and components. I am going to have primer issues by the end of the year but hopefully things will even out. I have been loading with the same RCBS Master Kit that my father bought in the mid 70’s. I have gathered bullets and brass for pennies. The last powder I bought was $28 a pound. Primers I don’t remember the last price but they were purchased in 5k batches. Down to my last 1k of each. I enjoy it, don’t think I ever put a round or box price tags on it.