I shoot cowboy action and that's where you really see the savings of handloading. CAS requires lighter loads to prevent ricochet and splattering of steel targets. I load about 5K / year.
I have taught, over the last 10 years, at least 15 cowboys how to reload, which is a simple, albeit somewhat time consuming process. Actually "handloading" is a misnomer since we reload with semi-automated, human powered presses. I know exactly what the costs are!
Cost savings of reloading can be considerable but you'll shoot more and the spend more, but, HEY, you're shooting more and having fun!
I load .38Spl, 44Mag, 45LC, 45ACP, 38-55. 32-40, 45-70 plus smaller runs of 9mm, 44-40, and 32-20.
Lets look at 38s
Brass: This cost is one time and I get freebies from ranges. Cost of a new 38 case is about a nickel ($.05)
Bullets: Cost from $20/1000 for CAS to 35.00/1000 for JHPs
Primers: Cost $17-20/1000
Powders: I love Clays. $60/4 pounds, at 7000 grains/lb. and 3.1 gr loads I get about 2200 rounds (38) per pound. I use 5744 for rifle loads with 16-22 grains per rounds, so 400 rounds per pound is average. Black powder or substitute loading requires full cases so cost per round may be as high as 15 cents.
Labor: This can be a relaxing experience but when you load you need to reduce distractions. No loading while watching football, etc!
Per round cost (38):
Bullet: 2-3.5 cents
Primer: 2 cents
Powder: 1.5 cents
Total: about 5.5 to 8 cents each (assume recycled case) or 11-13 cents with a new case! 9mm are about 8 cents due to jacketed bullets!
How much do new 38s cost you? I'll bet 18 to 35 cents each! ($ 9-17 bucks per 50!)
My 44s, 45s and 32-20 cost 7-9 cents each.
44-40 about 10 cents
38-55 and 32-40 are 15-17 cents each (more powder and bigger bullets)
45-70 are 20-22 cents (405 gr lead )
Start up costs for reloading:
Single Stage Press:
I start all my students with a single stage press to better learn all the steps and pitfalls of loading.
Lee Aniversary Kit has all the components to start loading. Costs about $80
Dies: $25-35 including crimp
Boxes/miscellaneous: $50-60
Modern Loading Manual: $15 Don't go loading without it!
Total: about $200 (Electronic balance is another 100)
After a while a progressive press is desireable. In this matter I'm all blue which means Dillon. If you load one pistol caliber the Square Deal B (SDB) is the BEST autoindexing progressive press at about $325. If you load more calibers and rifle, the Dillon 650 is the way to go but will run northwards of $500 plus dies. I personally use two 550B, one SDB and a Lee.
If you shoot 5000 rounds per year of 45 ACP at $15-20 box/50 you will spend $1500-2000 for the ammo alone! Multiply by 5 years. The saving are considerable! You can shoot more for that same $$$ by reloading.
Note 1: If you don't load to warthog specifications the brass can be reloaded numerous times. I have some CAS brass that is over 10 years old with probably 20-25 loadings!
Note 2: You need a Manual (I like the Lee) and to start with reasonable loads. In Palm Beach County Florida all of the indoor ranges now ban handloads due to the problem of maximum loadings (and they want to sell more ammo but that's another story)
Convinced? This is my opinion and I could be....
streakr
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then 9mm would be purchased not loaded and I'd probably search for deals on other calibers. Since I load on a fast (progressive) press 
