Reloading Question
- Thread starter MarkX
- Start date
356
New member
Not much. Buying in bulk is the way to go. I reload, and yes, it's saves 20 to 50 %. But reloading is very time consuming even with a good progressive press. I also teach reloading. Do it to acquire a hobby, not to save money. Equipment is not cheap, and you'll need to load 1000 rounds per month to make it worth the savings.
NMHunter
NM Hunter
It depends on what, premium defense, target, or hunting loads or plinking, you want to shoot and how much time you have. You can figure it yourself:
There are 7,000 grains to the pound. (Cost per pound of powder/ 7000) * grains/round = cost of powder per shot
Assuming you already have cases:
Cost of bullet + Cost of primer + cost of powder = cost per round
If I want premium hunting ammunition I usually come out with at least a 50% savings and can get more practice. Most of what I shoot for hunting doesn't have an inexpensive option, so I get savings right quick For common defense cartridges my budget for practice shooting is extended by at least 50% by reloading.
You figure what your time is worth for a hobby or training v whatever else you might want to do.
There are 7,000 grains to the pound. (Cost per pound of powder/ 7000) * grains/round = cost of powder per shot
Assuming you already have cases:
Cost of bullet + Cost of primer + cost of powder = cost per round
If I want premium hunting ammunition I usually come out with at least a 50% savings and can get more practice. Most of what I shoot for hunting doesn't have an inexpensive option, so I get savings right quick For common defense cartridges my budget for practice shooting is extended by at least 50% by reloading.
You figure what your time is worth for a hobby or training v whatever else you might want to do.
It all depends on what you are reloading. I started reloading 410 shotgun shells with a MEC reloading setup and save well over half the cost of buying new shells, 15 cents vs 45 cents a pop. However it does take money to get started reloading and a good setup is NOT cheap. 356 is correct in that it is more of a hobby, but whatever you reload you will save some. One advantage with reloading is you can make your loadings to suit you, within safety limits of course. But as with most of us these days money is a BIG factor, have you considered a 22 caliber something? A 22 shell costs just 2 or 3 cents a pop making it very economical compared to everything else. I was out Sunday and shot my 303 a few times ($1.50 a pop) but then put over 200 rounds through my 22 and spent only $6. You can still shoot whatever else you have, just not as much.
I currently load 45acp and 380acp. I ordered the dies for 223 last night and will be doing those soon.
On a single round fired:
45acp = 42% savings, and this is with bought plated bullets, you can go much cheaper with lead
380 acp = 40% savings, again with plated bullets
223 rem = I think I calculated that one to be about 48%
I have loaded enough rounds to pay for about half of my equipment. It is not a right away savings. You have to buy equipment, buy powder and bullets to make the rounds. If you don't mind the initial investment go for it. Just be warned you will be saving on rounds but it will take time to pay off that equipment.
I have a sense of comfort shooting my loads. I know I made them and if there is a problem it is my fault, not a company. It gets really fun playing with powders and their weights and bullets figuring out what YOU shoot best with in the respected weapon.
Hope this helps
On a single round fired:
45acp = 42% savings, and this is with bought plated bullets, you can go much cheaper with lead
380 acp = 40% savings, again with plated bullets
223 rem = I think I calculated that one to be about 48%
I have loaded enough rounds to pay for about half of my equipment. It is not a right away savings. You have to buy equipment, buy powder and bullets to make the rounds. If you don't mind the initial investment go for it. Just be warned you will be saving on rounds but it will take time to pay off that equipment.
I have a sense of comfort shooting my loads. I know I made them and if there is a problem it is my fault, not a company. It gets really fun playing with powders and their weights and bullets figuring out what YOU shoot best with in the respected weapon.
Hope this helps
Most of it comes down to what your time is worth. If you spend your spare time watching the tube or reading Playboy, then you will probably come out with some savings.
Conversley, if you could be making money doing something else, it depends on what that something else is and what kind of $$ it yields.
If you have the time, there is a great satisfaction knowing you put your rounds together. You can also develop the right loads for your particular gun which in itself, if you are into accuracy down to the 1/4 inch, is a great feeling of pride.
KK
Conversley, if you could be making money doing something else, it depends on what that something else is and what kind of $$ it yields.
If you have the time, there is a great satisfaction knowing you put your rounds together. You can also develop the right loads for your particular gun which in itself, if you are into accuracy down to the 1/4 inch, is a great feeling of pride.
KK
Iam2Taz
New member
The larger or more specialized the rounds, the more you will save. And YES you can save significant amount of money. As noted above, this is a HOBBY for the most part.
My .308 can save about 50%. That is almost a $.80 a round. (That is with some very nice bullets.) I won't load 9mm any longer. They are just too common and the savings just isn't there. But, .45 and .223, you bet. I can turn on a John Wayne flick and listen to that or a ball game and knock out a couple hundred rounds and be very happy.
The start up cost can get you, but I have a Lee single stage press. (About $125) I added dies and other incidentals such as a digital scale, case cleaners, trimmers, etc. and have about $500 in my whole set up.
I shoot IDPA, IPSC and some 3 gun. - That is lot of reloading during the summer months. SO... I will be reloading this winter for the summer. You don't have to do it all at once! Ammo will generally not spoil.
My .308 can save about 50%. That is almost a $.80 a round. (That is with some very nice bullets.) I won't load 9mm any longer. They are just too common and the savings just isn't there. But, .45 and .223, you bet. I can turn on a John Wayne flick and listen to that or a ball game and knock out a couple hundred rounds and be very happy.
The start up cost can get you, but I have a Lee single stage press. (About $125) I added dies and other incidentals such as a digital scale, case cleaners, trimmers, etc. and have about $500 in my whole set up.
I shoot IDPA, IPSC and some 3 gun. - That is lot of reloading during the summer months. SO... I will be reloading this winter for the summer. You don't have to do it all at once! Ammo will generally not spoil.
I reload pistol and rifle. When I started I put together a spreadsheet to calculate what the savings would be. PM me if you would like me to send it to you. You input your powder cost, bullet cost, primer cost and factory ammunition cost and it compares the two and tells you your savings. That said, I save, on average, about 50%. As others have said you just have to decide if your time is worth it. It is about 5,000-10,000 rounds (depending on how you set up) to recoup your investment in equipment and then it is savings from there. For me, it works out. I shoot USPSA pistol so reload lead bullets and save almost 50% (shooting mostly 9mm). I also reload .45 and .380 pistol and all my rifle (where the big savings generally lie due to ammunition cost for comparable factory rounds).
Thanks
Thanks all for the excellent help.
Problem is, I am still undecided. I use a time mgr system where you actually specify an exact value on your time. I have run the numbers above and their is no clear time-value answer.
I think im gonna wait right now.
I'm sure it would pay off, but I would probably be to laze to keep it up and my wife would probably just complained about another piece of junk cluttering the house.
I gotta keep her happy, she is a much better shot than I am.
Thanks all for the excellent help.
Problem is, I am still undecided. I use a time mgr system where you actually specify an exact value on your time. I have run the numbers above and their is no clear time-value answer.
I think im gonna wait right now.
I'm sure it would pay off, but I would probably be to laze to keep it up and my wife would probably just complained about another piece of junk cluttering the house.
I gotta keep her happy, she is a much better shot than I am.
Thanks all for the excellent help.
Problem is, I am still undecided. I use a time mgr system where you actually specify an exact value on your time. I have run the numbers above and their is no clear time-value answer.
I think im gonna wait right now.
I'm sure it would pay off, but I would probably be to laze to keep it up and my wife would probably just complained about another piece of junk cluttering the house.
I gotta keep her happy, she is a much better shot than I am.
If I were you I would keep all of your brass. You may decide later on to get into it and you will have brass ready to work with. And if you decide not to you can always sell your brass to us reloaders.
sourdough44
New member
Reloading is a hobby, money savings isn't the only reason to do it.
Shawn Jarman
crzyjarmans
I think reloads are ok, as long as you know what your doing, as for the savings?, like one already posted?, it's what you think your time is worth, for me, if i was to decide to start reloading, it would cut into work time and would cost me more in the long run, And on a side not, I would use the reload for defence, just practice
I reload and it's the best decision I've made since I started shooting.
I save money on ammo and I can tailor-make my rounds to my liking.
I use a Dillon 550 progressive press, it makes reloading a breeze. Components and gear can run you a pretty penny at first but few things are more rewarding than being able to have control over your ammo (how much you make and how they perform)
Like other people have said, saving money should be a factor but not your sole reason for getting into it.
It is however, a wonderful hobby and I've already converted a few of my buddies.
My vote = Do it!
I save money on ammo and I can tailor-make my rounds to my liking.
I use a Dillon 550 progressive press, it makes reloading a breeze. Components and gear can run you a pretty penny at first but few things are more rewarding than being able to have control over your ammo (how much you make and how they perform)
Like other people have said, saving money should be a factor but not your sole reason for getting into it.
It is however, a wonderful hobby and I've already converted a few of my buddies.
My vote = Do it!
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