YOU GUYS need a contender or encore from thompson center. Barrels run around $200, and come in calibers you've never heard of.
That's pretty dark Ben
That's like selling crack pipes cheap, so junkies can save a little money for their next bag of rocks
I reload for several reasons.
One, it's MUCH cheaper than most people think. When you compare the equipment outlay of a progressive or two and use of components that meet your needs, lot's of people make the comment about not saving much money.
I don't remember the last time I saw SMK or Gold Dot surplus coming in from Mayalsia, and I can't remember ever seeing what is called 'Premium' ammo priced anywhere near the cost of WWB, Wolf or S&B. I shoot with budget components (getting on paper with a new scope or plinking) at times, but more often than not, I do my absolute best to find the 'sweet spot' for my guns. Try to find out which load your gun shoots consistently under almost all conditions with factory ammo that you would actually depend on (self-defense, hunting or competition) and you will more than likely spend more doing so in one caliber than the price of a decent reloading setup.
Two, it is damned nice to walk into the loading room and work up a load for a specific purpose without making a trip to the local Wally World or putting up with the diatribe and rip off prices from a local gunshop. Have you ever had to stop by somewhere and buy ammo or buy ammo at the range when you decided to make a range trip with little notice ? I haven't done that in MANY years.
Three, do you really think putting a case of Wolf/S&B/WWB etc down range optimally prepares you for shooting the HydraShoks, Gold Dots or Ranger ammo you carry for SHTF ? I can duplicate almost any load, from almost any manufacturer in a heartbeat. If you don't load, how much is a case or two of your favorite carry ammo ? Around here, 'Premium' defensive pistol ammo runs about $18 bucks for a box of 20 rounds. Premium hunting rounds cost exponentially more.
Four, shooting anything other than the most (read: stocked at Wally World) common calibers, and you are damned lucky to even find ammo, let alone find it reasonably priced.
One thing that's kinda hard to put a price on, buying a bunch of third world, unknown origin ammo to put thru your expensive guns, may be cheaper in raw dollars than loading your own, that's true, but if you have problems (Indian .308/147gr case head seperations (common in 1997 or so), incorrectly labeled as non-corrosive 30-06 etc..) who ya gonna call ?
I would MUCH rather have complete control over what I put in my guns. I am human, therefore I am prone to mistakes - everyone is. Knock on wood, I have been loading for 25 years and never had a mishap.
Are you an idiot for not reloading ? Of course not. You might just shoot a hell of a lot less than some of us, or like me, don't shoot enough of a (some) specific caliber to warrant reloading.
If you're making weekly trips to the range, burning a half a case per trip of third world or low end ammo, that's great, but I can tell you first hand, you're missing half of the thrill that I experience. I have bowling pin loads, light loads for steel, factory dupe loads with identical bullets to factory premium self defense ammo, loads for the 500 in 350 plated for plinking or sight in, 350 XTP loads for deer, 400gr loads for big hogs and some heavier stuff I'm still working on. Rifle loads include serious tack driving match ammo and a range of hunting loads for everything from prairie dogs to elk. I even have a couple of .32 H&R loads worked up for the kiddos to shoot with.
Next trip to Wally World, spend the time, gas, frustration (hope you speak several languages and are supremely patient
) and cash to duplicate the flexibility that a hand loader has and then compare costs.
Hands down, handloading or reloading is BY FAR cheaper than buying factory or surplus ammo, regardless of what kind of equipment you buy - if you shoot a lot.
Lastly, and in my mind, worthy of consideration, compared to other hobbies, reloading is just about as cheap as it gets. A set of high end golf clubs will set you back several hundred dollars not to mention green fees are more expensive than shooting in many places. Fishing can be inexpensive, but if you have a boat, you know it gets expensive quick. Bar-hopping for a night will sometimes cost more than the cost of a decent progressive - you get the idea.
Buy the right gear and you can get most of your money out of it if you decide to sell. Try that with your golf clubs.
I can spend hours indoors during the winter and never miss a stroke. If I don't need to load another box of ammo, I can always spend the time reading data, organizing, prepping brass or making sure my reloading records are up to date.
It's not for everyone, but it does give you a lot more bang for your buck than many think of at first...
BigSlick
