What's the best savings you've gotten out of loading versus buying factory ammo?

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Another benefit to reloading besides saving some cash was having plenty of components on hand during the Obama shortage. I had been reloading for a long time before that so I had lots of reloads and powder, primers around anyway. When most were reluctant or unable to shoot much during those years I had a decent stock of 223, 9, 45 etc...
I don't know how much $ I saved over the years, it's hard to figure and you should count buying the tools as well as the components.
Being able to shoot plenty throughout the years is the real benefit to me..
 
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mstreddy said:
380 ACP $4-5
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Jeb Stuart said:
I would be curious to see how much folks are saving on reloading 380. I shoot about a 1,000 rds a month
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Jeb, how much are you paying for a box of 50 380s? How does that compare to the loaded price I listed? Lax shows it at .20 per round in 1K case, so $10 a box plus shipping?
So, I'm saving 5-6 per box of 50. That's 100-120 per 1K case. But, as you mentioned, time versus money.
I can spend a little time to save some money, or as we say here, afford to shoot more.
But in 380, a difference for me is that I can load some rounds with less recoil for the range.
 
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I can reload premium ammo for way less than the crap blasting ammo at the least. Or make a round that has not been manufactured in over 50 years (33 WIN, 25-20 single shot). Or those slightly expensive rounds like .416 Rigby or 500 Nitro Express for waaay less.:D Cost however is irrelevant as I actually ENJOY loading the ammo as much or more than shooting it so it seems.;)
 
I view it a little differently. I take my time, hand-load each cartridge on a single stage. But my cost, which is about
even with a box of, say, WWB, or Blazer, shoots better than ammo costing 3 times as much. How do you attach a
value like price to ammo that shoots that smoothly and accurately?
 
What have I saved by reloading?

My sanity...

What have I spent?

Eh, there’s over $25,000 in gear which has passed through my inventory roster... but I never intended to save MONEY by reloading when I started...
 
Yep, I save a lot reloading 357 mag, 44 spl/44 mag, 22 Hornet, 30-30 Win and 308 Win.
To lesser degree .380 acp, 9x18 mak, 38 spl, and 45 acp.
I load 9x19 and 7.62x39 just for fun.
 
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I find the argument that you don't save money because you just shoot more silly. That's like saying I wouldn't save anything if I could buy a suburban that got 32 mpg instead of the one I have that gets 16. Even if that were the case I'd still be getting twice as much use out of it right? Isn't that the goal, to shoot the gun right? I've paid for my reloading equipment with the first caliber I started reloading. Certainly I wouldn't have shot as much if I hadn't started reloading but then I wouldn't be half the shooter I am.

I used to reload as a hobby in itself but with family and work there is other stuff I'd rather spend my time doing so now I load just to be able to shoot. I've recently started dissenting and started buying factory ammo for certain calibers. I thought 9mm would be the obvious one to buy factory ammo for but I found the cheap factory 9mm ammo to be crap compared to what I can make.
 
#8 shotshells for 357 mag. I made these for about 6¢ each without the shot cups. Great snake charmers! CCI gets $11-$15 for 10 rounds.
 
A bunch of us guys got together to buy bullet casting equipment. One guy bought the pot, another bought molds, I bought a lubricator-sizer. We got free wheel weights from a few garages and we were in business. We got together to cast bullets, lube/size, and box them and it was like a party. I think loaded rounds cost us about 50 cents a box, using mostly beveled-base 148 grain .38 bullets. We also made Keith-style 158 grain bullets with gas checks, used for hunting, etc.
 
someguy2800 said:
I find the argument that you don't save money because you just shoot more silly.
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So do I but it would be more accurate to say, I spend less money by reloading than I would shooting factory. There is no money saved either way.
Reloading equipment costs add up quickly but resale value is very good on most of it.
 
Best savings(as per cost per round) is from loading .460 vs factory. Best savings overall(as in total from large volume shooting) is for .357, just because me and the boys(and the girls) shoot a lot of it.
 
The entire reason I got into reloading to begin with was so I could shoot more for the same cost, not necessarily save money in the long run. I don't have a ton of time to dedicate to the hobby, but I have managed to load 750 rounds in the last two months. Loading at that rate should keep me shooting just fine, and once it warms up, I'll be able to head out to the woods and shoot. I have no doubt I'll speed up once I get past my newbie nervousness, and I'm guessing next winter my stockpile will grow quite a bit.

In this thread, I'm only concerned about the cost of the rounds, not the equipment. I have done my research and bought what works for me. I know I'll buy more along the way and need to replace things, but I don't see myself having 5 presses and a bunch of stuff sitting around. I WILL have multiple tool heads dedicated to different cartridges and may add a Dillon 650 at some point, but a 550 will probably always be a part of my bench.

If I figure $17 per box of 50 factory rounds (going rate around me with a sale), versus what I paid for the components, I have already saved over $150, in the first two months. My equipment will pay for itself probably in the first year of loading.

Unfortunately if I get to shoot 2 or three times per month, that's a good month. My work schedule just doesn't allow for more. So I doubt I'll ever have a ammo factory like some of you. Wouldn't mind it though.
 
mstreddy said:
460 Shooter,
We each find what works for us in how we approach the hobbies. As I said before, I don't really consider the cost of the equipment. It quickly pays for itself with some moderate use.
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Yes sir. I am hoping to land a different job in the next two or three years, as that would be the promotion level I am striving for to hit a retirement income I am comfortable with. Once I do that, I doubt I will be allowed to work overtime ever again. Right now, I'm still working 46 to 50 hours weeks, and have a home to maintain by myself. So reloading will undoubtedly pick up more once I change positions. In the mean time, I am content to load 50 and 100 round batches, as it is quick.
 
Started reloading so I could enjoy my 32 H&R mag. Reloading at 15 cents each vs. 80 cents for factory ammo.
Now I reload 3 more calibers and enjoy the reloading as much as the shooting.
 
someguy2800 said:
I find the argument that you don't save money because you just shoot more silly. That's like saying I wouldn't save anything if I could buy a suburban that got 32 mpg instead of the one I have that gets 16. Even if that were the case I'd still be getting twice as much use out of it right? Isn't that the goal, to shoot the gun right? I've paid for my reloading equipment with the first caliber I started reloading. Certainly I wouldn't have shot as much if I hadn't started reloading but then I wouldn't be half the shooter I am.

I used to reload as a hobby in itself but with family and work there is other stuff I'd rather spend my time doing so now I load just to be able to shoot. I've recently started dissenting and started buying factory ammo for certain calibers. I thought 9mm would be the obvious one to buy factory ammo for but I found the cheap factory 9mm ammo to be crap compared to what I can make.
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But we don't actually "save" it, because "saving" implies that we're spending it on something else. We just spend it on more shooting. My shooting has never "saved" a penny. ;)
 
CraigC said:
But we don't actually "save" it, because "saving" implies that we're spending it on something else. We just spend it on more shooting. My shooting has never "saved" a penny. ;)
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If you get twice as much of something for the same money isn't that saving?
 
338 Win Mag. I can load for $18.00 (Hornady 200g SST) retail $39.00 21$ savings (less tha1/2)
 
No saving here either, we just shoot more for the same price. Instead of shooting 50 rounds I can shoot about 200 rounds for the same cost. (handgun)
 
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