How cost effective is reloading?

[papajohn1964]

Myself and a couple of buddies are pondering the thought of getting into reloading. We each shoot about 200 round of 9mm per month. Assuming we buy can buy 100 rounds at Wally World for about $20 is it really worth the investment?

[powerboatr]

Myself and a couple of buddies are pondering the thought of getting into reloading. We each shoot about 200 round of 9mm per month. Assuming we buy can buy 100 rounds at Wally World for about $20 is it really worth the investment?

i have to get over to wally world
last time i saw a range pack of 100 rounds for the 9mm is was $42
if you can buy 100 for $20 its a bargain. I currently if i re-use my brass it cost me right at .13 cents per built up cartridge, i amortize the hazmat fee into my costs for powder so the bigger the jug 5 or 8 pounder it drives the per round cost down.
if i have to buy new brass its .31 cents per cartridge, brass fluctuates wildly in my area, and i usually get un primed or fired ONCE brass from an indoor range

hope it helps

[Beiruty]

not worth your time if you shoot 9mm. However, It is fun and addictive.

[SRH78]

Not counting equipment costs, you can load 9mm for $5.50 per 50 using lead bullets. My cost for 357 Sig jhp is $6.50 per 50.

[AndyC]

Assuming we buy can buy 100 rounds at Wally World for about $20 is it really worth the investment?

Over time, sure - but a lot depends on the cost of the bullet itself.

Let's assume you already have your empty brass cases; the primer & powder will cost you about 4c per round (call it 3c per primer and 1c for the powder, although bulk-buying obviously drops this price). Cast lead bullets from a well-known manufacturer are going for roughly 10-12c each, so....

The peace-of-mind you get from being able to make your own whenever you want, though, is priceless (assuming you have a stock of components on-hand). Remember the ammo panic of a few years ago? It's coming again soon - hold on to your hat.

I cast my own bullets from free lead I recovered, so I'm reloading .45acp for less than $50/1,000 rounds.

[mrvmax]

The last time I figured mine up I could load 50 rounds of 45acp for $5. Maybe not so good for 9mm, but with other calibers well worthwhile.

[AndyC]

Heck, even if you saved only 10%, that would mean every 10th box of (reloaded) ammo would be free. At 20% savings, every 5th box is free.... etc, etc.

[anygunanywhere]

Darn the cost! It is a manly thing to do! Why does it have to be cost effective to feel the powder grains trickle into the measure, lick the lead from your fingers, grip the primers with your teeth!

Anygunanywhere

[KinnyLee]

That all depends. Hand-loading is a positive reinforced system. By that I mean the more you shoot, the more you'll save. Typically, the more you buy in bulk, the more you'll save. Depending on the caliber, you'll be able to save more on some. If you even have an idea in your head about hand-loading, then start save your own brass on your range trips. Every little bit helps and it's a good way to give you a head start.

[michael e]

My 9mm is just under 5 a box. That's bulk and using lead. 9mm is not much of a savings but it is still about 40%.
Now my 44 mag I can load 1k for what 100 would cost if bought loaded ammo.
It also allows me time to myself since when I shut the door to reload no one bothers me.

[papajohn1964]

Myself and a couple of buddies are pondering the thought of getting into reloading. We each shoot about 200 round of 9mm per month. Assuming we buy can buy 100 rounds at Wally World for about $20 is it really worth the investment?

i have to get over to wally world
last time i saw a range pack of 100 rounds for the 9mm is was $42
if you can buy 100 for $20 its a bargain. I currently if i re-use my brass it cost me right at .13 cents per built up cartridge, i amortize the hazmat fee into my costs for powder so the bigger the jug 5 or 8 pounder it drives the per round cost down.
if i have to buy new brass its .31 cents per cartridge, brass fluctuates wildly in my area, and i usually get un primed or fired ONCE brass from an indoor range

hope it helps

FORTY TWO DOLLARS?!?! I had to look up to make sure I was on TXchlforum and not CAchlforum! WOW! Winchester white box is always $20 - $22 for 100. I bought some Remington last time for $9 something for 50. Bought all 8 boxes that they had.

I figure even if its break even it will be worth it just to have fun. The next question is where is a good place to buy the equipment? If there are 4 of us splitting the cost will $100 each get us started with what we need for 9mm with the option to add other dies later?

[AndyC]

Quite easily, depending on the type of press you want (single-stage, turret-style or progressive) - I'd suggest either of the latter two as they can go faster than single-stage.

However, I would STRONGLY advise that you go slowly if you do this and use them initially as a single-stage press - do one round at a time until you have it all figured-out, correctly set-up and can handle multiple things happening simultaneously.

A basic setup would be a press, dies, powder-measure, powder-scale (to help set the powder-measure, as it measures by volume), a few plastic reloading-trays to hold the shells and a decent reloading manual - "The ABC's of Reloading" comes to mind.

Good to have would be a set of dial-calipers and a bullet-puller, among other things.

[urnoodle]

Darn the cost! It is a manly thing to do! Why does it have to be cost effective to feel the powder grains trickle into the measure, lick the lead from your fingers, grip the primers with your teeth!

Anygunanywhere

I am not a man so are you saying thats the wo-manly thing to do?

[powerboatr]

we are headed to wally world tonight
I think east texans (mineola) are getting gouged..it was 42 two weeks ago
we stocked up on 20 and 12 ga shells by the 100 pack. I was going to grab a box of 9mm for grins 42 stopped me dead
i have to go to tyler end of week and will check there


thanks

[anygunanywhere]

Darn the cost! It is a manly thing to do! Why does it have to be cost effective to feel the powder grains trickle into the measure, lick the lead from your fingers, grip the primers with your teeth!

Anygunanywhere

I am not a man so are you saying thats the wo-manly thing to do?

Absolutely. Pardon my not noticing the feminine nature of your handle.

Whatever fluffs your skirt, ma'am.

Equality, right to vote, all that and more.

Anygunanywhere