Is it worth reloading 7.62x25 when you can get it for $0.35/rd?

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TTv2

TTv2

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I was doing some thinking and watching some reloading videos of 7.62x25 and it doesn't look as easy as straight wall cases are. Add to it the only bullet I know that can be used in it is a .309 Hornady XTP that costs a minimum of 17 cents a bullet. So, add the 4 cent primer and a cent of powder and were up to 22 cents a round without factoring in brass, which probably won't last very long.

So I'm wondering, is it worth reloading the 7.62x25? I can get brass cased, non-corrosive PPU ammo for 35 cents a round.
 
I think you just answered your own question.

Financially speaking, it takes quite a bit of volume to ever make reloading “worth it” no matter the cartridge. There are a few higher value cartridges out there. Examples would be 45 Colt or .280 Remington among many others.

People don’t reload so much to save money (they might initially but the philosophy usually changes over time) as they reload to be more part of the process and have more control over their shooting. As well as it being a natural progression in the hobby.

The short answer is no. Not for this cartridge. How many rounds would you have go through to pay for dies? How much do you intend to shoot this gun?
 
I came to the same conclusion with the FN 5.7. Have a thread on it somewhere here.
Not only is it a PITA but calculating all the costs it was just not worth it (to me)
 
Usually what I do is if I come across dies for goofy stuff like this I will grab them....they are usually not something they make runs of and hard to find if you end up needing it.....I think this is how I got tons of stuff I don't use.
 
I have reloading equipment for every cartridge that I have a gun for except one. Many of the cartridges and the guns they are chambered in I do not shoot much but I want to have the capability to make ammunition should a round becomes obsolete or unavailable.

So, if you reload, I would buy the dies and shell holder for the 7.65x25. If you also cast bullets, get a mold and bullet sizin g dies suitable for the round. Then, save all the cases that you shoot and you are set incase shortages rear their ugly head.

P.S. The one cartridge that I do not reloading equipment for is for an old S&W revolver that I'd prefer not to shoot so that I do not risk breaking it.
 
I am with cfullgraf on this one as well. I have the means to make ammo for all my centerfire calibers. And the bullet molds to make those as well. I went one step further and tested for and found good loads with several propellants already, to have if we run into another shortage. There are currently several that I can buy blasting ammo cheaper than reloading for but I have options.:thumbup:
 
If you don't reload it, I'd save the brass, because you'll probably change your mind later. This happened to me with 7.62 x 39.
 
I can't answer your question as cost of handloads vs factory ammo is waaaaay low on my list of reasons to reload. But reloading isn't for everyone and if the math/savings makes you feel better about your shooting, then no, don't reload. After reloading for about 25 years I tried to figger just how much my reloads cost. Having purchased components over about a 10 year span I would have to factor in the cost at the time of purchase (which often varied considerably from current prices). Often being "perfectionist" minded other factors jumped into my head like spillage, dropped primers, faux pas that ruined cases or bullets, etc. And the actual cost of assembling all the components (not equipment costs), like travel expenses to purchase first hand vs shipping with Haz Mat, and utilities for my reloading room (might even add "oh, I need some of that" while component shopping). All the math and researching my costs gave me a headache and, in my mind, I couldn't get an estimate accurate enough for my "perfectionism". So I gave up and now my most predominate reason for reloading is "cause I wanna and I like it"...
 
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I look it it a bit differently than most.
As I have all my gear, all I need is a set of dies for a new caliber. So setup cost isn’t much.

Then comparing cost of ammo and “saving” isn’t fair the way most people do. My ammo is much better then the cheapest crap most compare to. So if you want to do a fair equation comparison to match grade or a little less expensive, not the cheap stuff.

I also look at reloading as an enjoyable activity. One that’s relaxing and a stress relief. So that’s a bonus and something you can’t put into the equation.

Finally, I look at it as keeping sharp on a skill that may be needed soon. I’m in Va and it seems the Dems are proposing every crazy gun law imaginable and a few that even our worst nightmares didn’t. So, if CA style ammo restrictions occur I should be able to make my own still. Hence it’s good to do.

Now it’s not for everyone. If you don’t have a good attention to detail, and if you get bored easily, then DO NOT RELOAD.

Otherwise I suggest now is the time to learn and to stock up on supplies.
 
NR53 said:
If you don't reload it, I'd save the brass, because you'll probably change your mind later. This happened to me with 7.62 x 39.
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That's another one that I have thought about, but the reason I never bothered loading for it was because the ammo was so cheap and because if I had to go thru the process of reloading bottleneck rifle cases, I'd rather do it with .308. A lot more free brass and MUCH larger bullet selection.

I don't cast unless I have to, which means .454 round ball because $10/100 balls is not fair.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
I look it it a bit differently than most.
As I have all my gear, all I need is a set of dies for a new caliber. So setup cost isn’t much.

Then comparing cost of ammo and “saving” isn’t fair the way most people do. My ammo is much better then the cheapest crap most compare to. So if you want to do a fair equation comparison to match grade or a little less expensive, not the cheap stuff.

I also look at reloading as an enjoyable activity. One that’s relaxing and a stress relief. So that’s a bonus and something you can’t put into the equation.

Finally, I look at it as keeping sharp on a skill that may be needed soon. I’m in Va and it seems the Dems are proposing every crazy gun law imaginable and a few that even our worst nightmares didn’t. So, if CA style ammo restrictions occur I should be able to make my own still. Hence it’s good to do.

Now it’s not for everyone. If you don’t have a good attention to detail, and if you get bored easily, then DO NOT RELOAD.

Otherwise I suggest now is the time to learn and to stock up on supplies.
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I've heard all these points before, but I already reload for a few calibers, mainly .327 and .45 Colt because I can make make a 50 rd box for $13 worth of materials vs $26 or $35. Pretty good savings and I can make loads that aren't available. In fact, it was the ability to make a .45 Colt load using two .45 round balls that got me into reloading... then I realized I could make very soft .32 reloads that were like a hot .22 LR... then I could also make some good .327 JHP loads for hunting medium game or social work.

So for me it's always a question of "is reloading *insert cartridge here* worth my time doing vs what I already load for?"

I have a hard time answering that question with 7.62x25, but I'm leaning hard to no, but I will save my brass.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I think you just answered your own question.

The short answer is no. Not for this cartridge. How many rounds would you have go through to pay for dies? How much do you intend to shoot this gun?
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If I bought a Zastava M57, I would probably shoot 50 rounds a trip and make a trip at most once every 2-3 months. What has me leaning towards not bothering is the difficulty of reloading it, the VERY limited bullet selection, and because PPU makes a JHP load that costs the same as the FMJ load, thus I could practice with the same ammo I or someone else might use for their own defense.
 
I have to throw in my two cents worth.....I thoroughly enjoy reloading by own ammo. How much is that worth?
I shoot quite a bit and I like to acquire reloading supplies and experiment with different bullets and charges. It's all part of the reloading hobby and experience. Some people golf, some people spend thousands on a bass fishing boat. I shoot and reload.
 
I have contemplated this same question. As I am still deep in quality surplus ammo, my current answer is no, but I may still go through the process to get setup for future. My understanding is that brass may be manufactured from. 223. This aspect is important as my CZ52 and TT33 fling it into the next county...brass must be treated as expendable. Also my understanding that 100 grain SJ and 110fmj carbine bullets may be used. I would probably go that route.
 
There are times it isn't worth actively reloading for a cartridge. I am thinking I will not make the effort for 9mm and I do not for 12 gauge or 9 mak. But I always want to be able to reload for any cartridge I see myself shooting for a long time. So I have molds, dies and components to do so and usually do load workup just in case I can't easily buy what I want. At a minimum, save your brass and buy some dies and bullets.
 
I decided to see what die sets were available for the 7.62x25 and the only company who makes a set is Lee and here's the dealbreaker: they're steel dies, not carbide ones. That means if I were to reload, I'd have to lube all the cases. I can accept lubing cases if it's a long rifle case or something like .460 S&W, but 7.62x25? No, not bothering with that on top of all the other issues.
 
Money ain't everything...

The 7.62x25 is a bottle necked cartridge, just like a 357 Sig., and very few manufacturer's produce a carbide sizing die for bottle necked cartridges (and $$$). Most are steel just like those for all other bottle necked cartridges and need lube. No big deal...
 
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I would say no, for many reasons. But the main reason is that 9 MM is the best pistol cartridge in the history of mankind, until laser guns are invented. LOL! Seriously..the main reason is the guns themselves...9MM and 45 have so many great framed guns that shoot great...and shooting is about the shooting experience...shooting a CZ Shadow, or etc, is great. And its 9 MM...or you name it. 7.62? the guns are rough. Shoot rough...
 
NATO Reloading said:
I would say no, for many reasons. But the main reason is that 9 MM is the best pistol cartridge in the history of mankind, until laser guns are invented. LOL! Seriously..the main reason is the guns themselves...9MM and 45 have so many great framed guns that shoot great...and shooting is about the shooting experience...shooting a CZ Shadow, or etc, is great. And its 9 MM...or you name it. 7.62? the guns are rough. Shoot rough...
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I don't care a lick about that, I'm not buying a $250 Yugo pistol believing it's some sleeper pistol that's a bastion of quality. I'm buying one because 7.62x25 is a very fast moving bullet from a 5 inch barrel, it's very close to .327 velocities and bullet weights, but is available in a 9+1 package.
 
As suggested already, I would buy the dies and save the brass in case you need to reload for it. I do this with 9mm, but with 9mm rounds readily available at good prices I don’t bother to reload for it but I am ready if another panic that dries up the shelves were to occur.
 
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