tracking costs...

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lostinrockford

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I'm just starting to reload and was wondering if there were any programs that help you track your cost? I saw one link here, but it doesnt seem to be a good link.
 
I tracked it by keeping written records when I first started, I quit after I got everything paid for, now I figure every box I load I'm that much farther ahead.
 
I don't track anything. Who cares. I buy cheap as I can as long as it shoots good. I cut costs all I can, within what I want, and just shoot.
 
Once all the machinery is paid for then it becomes less and less expensive and then you start to shoot more so you can load more and it doesn't take too long until you are actually making money shooting and loading your own ammunition. That was my retirement plan, but I had to get a job to make it work, it worked, now I'm back to making money the old fashioned way: shooting my own ammunition.
 
After the initial $700 to buy EVERYTHING for a fully tricked out LNL in four calibers... 9mm is 9.6 cents, 45 ~15 cents and 300 Weatherby at 30 cents due to 1000 free bullets from Hornady.
PS: I have a reloading habit that I shoot to compensate for.
 
Based on my recent purchases, I can tell you that my 38/357 rounds cost about 12-13 cents each, which includes a 10x case amortization figure.

When I started about 20 years ago, I could do 45ACP for just over 5 cents, without case amortization (haven't worn out any yet; splits are less than 1-2%.

So, another vote for Walkalong's approach.

Jim H.
 
With the exception of a major woodworking project, I don't count costs with my hobbies. When figuring expenses for woodworking projects, I don't add in costs of my tools. I figure I paid for 'em so I don't need to figure out a cost/hour basis on the equipment. I only figure out my wood & hardware costs and go for it.

I figure reloading is a hobby in itself, which lends itself to another hobby (shooting), so I get 2x the benefit from it.

If you track your other hobby expenses, by all means, track your reloading costs.

If your wife tracks your hobby expenses, perhaps a (GENTLE) reciprocal tracking is in order - watching the HIS and HERS side of the hobby ledger.

As long as you can afford what you're doing (i.e., living within your means), enjoy it. If your hobby is presenting a financial hardship, then tracking your expenses is critical.

Q
 
My shooting partner is also an avid golfer. He says that the shooting is so much cheaper then golf that he considers the shooting to be profit making because on the day we shoot he doesn't play golf. :D
 
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