Benefits of reloading

[esmith]

Everyone always says that reloading saves money. But how much? Sure it will depend on whats being loaded but for a few cartridges i'd like to see how much im saving before i buy into reloading. I plan to reload with rather cheap supplies. Probably the cheapest i can find. Say im shooting, .45 ACP (about 30 cents for winchester) and 7.62 x 39 (about 18 or 20 cents for wolf). Using winchester brass for both, and lets say average bullets, primers, and powder for both, how much am i looking to save on a cent basis per round?

 

[Ifishsum]

If you start reloading just to save money, you'll probably be disappointed. I reload because I enjoy it, and on some cartridges I save quite a bit (.45 colt is a biggie) and on some not very much, but I can make substantially better ammo than the cheap factory load. I don't even mess with 7.62X39 because as far as I can tell it would cost more compared to Wolf, and I don't expect fine accuracy from an SKS anyway.

It's easy to figure out how much it will cost you. Price out the components you plan to use and divide the cost by the number of pieces. Primers, powder (7000 grains in a lb) and bullet. The case will be re-used so don't figure that into the cost, or divide it by the number of times you will reload it.

There's an online calculator somewhere for this if you don't want to do all the math. I haven't tracked my cost per round for a long time.

 

[1911user]

New reloaders need to do some reading and research instead of demanding everything be laid out on a gold platter. Read the last 6-8 months worth of reloading posts here, then come back with questions. Most of them should be answered because they come up daily or at least weekly.

 

[coloradokevin]

Esmith,

I recall at least three threads on this topic in the past week. Search a little through this section of the forum and I'm sure you'll find them.

Honestly, the easiest way for you to determine your cost/savings is to price some components that you would use versus your loaded ammo. It is really simple math (take your cost per casing, charge of powder, bullet, and primer added together).

THE SIMPLE ANSWER: You can save a decent amount on .45ACP, probably not much (if any) on steel cased 7.62x39, and a ton of money on more obscure calibers (.416 Rigby, etc).

Also, read up on the topic a bit... The stickies are a good place to start, but so is a reloading manual. I've only been at it for a couple of months myself (which makes me a novice compared to most folks here), but I've read probably 5 books and over a thousand pages on the topic so far.

NOTE: There is a sticky to a reloading cost calculation spreadsheet in this section of the forum. It might be a good resource for you to use when you start loading and want to do some cost comparisons. I've also made a similar spreadsheet myself (as I didn't notice the posted one originally). Check out the one on this site, or send me a PM and I'll gladly e-mail you a copy of mine.

 

[TAB]

on pistol, unless you go to lead or have a rarer calibur( IE not 9, 38, 40, 45) you really don't save that much.

Now going to comm'l cast bullets you can save around 50% of cost of decent FMJ ammo.( bought in bulk)

for me to load 45 up to WWB specs, its around 25 cent a shot. when I buy in large quantiys and assuming I get 5 reloads from new brass. if you remove the cost of brass it would be in the 16-17 cents range.

 

[dwave]

I don't save any $$ per month because I shoot more now!

 

[qajaq59]

If you start reloading just to save money, you'll probably be disappointed

+1

Of all the reasons I can think of to reload ammo, money is pretty far down on the list. We build custom ammo for the same reason people build custom cars. Quality and Accuracy is what it's really about.

 

[nelson133]

Even in 9mm you can shoot more for the same money, notice I did not say save money as number of rounds fired expands to burn up the same amount of money. If you count your time as money you won't see much difference in price, but if you are like a lot of us, reloading becomes another part of the lifestyle/hobby.

 

[Down South]

Yes, you can save some money by reloading. I’ve never have though. I like others only shoot more. I have a lot invested in my reloading equipment. I’ve been collecting equipment for 37 years.
You can go the cheap route and buy Lee equipment. Some of is good and some of it ain’t so good. I have a conglomeration of all brands of equipment. The press that I use for my hand gun loads is a Dillon RL 550B and they don’t come cheap.
I buy powder and primers in bulk, (large orders to offset Hazmat cost). Powder, the type that I use runs around $15-$16 a pound and primers are $2.50 per box of 100.
The main thing that I have done to offset cost is I started casting my own bullets. I have free sources for used wheel weighs. Jacketed bullet prices have went through the roof lately. You can still get some decent deals on store bought cast or plated bullets if you shop around.
Go to Leeprecission.com and price a starters kit. I think they make one. Use the prices that I gave you on powder and primers then price the bullets you want to use and do the math.

 

[Jacka L Ope]

Benefits of reloading?

I'll NOT write an essay much less an article on the subject. For far, far too many shooters and reloaders over the preceding decades have written much on the subject.

But I will leave you with this one question:

Given that you were professional auto mechanic, what are the benefits of working on your own car?

IMO, the answer lies within the realm of your own inherent abilities.

 

[jagugator]

Just as an example

I primarily shoot at a military range so getting .223 brass for me is free and easy.

Brass - Free, however 100 count winchester brass for 21.46/500 = 4.2 cents (reloaded on average 5 times each)
Bullets - Remington 55 grain fmj = 52.89/500 10.5 = cents per round
Powder - 24 grains of H335 = 20.84/lb roughly 7000 grains per pound. 7000/24 = 291.7 or approx 290 rounds per pound 20.84/290 = 7.2 cents per charge
Primers - 1000 Winchester small rifle = 26.07/1000 = 2.6 cents per primer

4.2 + 10.5 + 7.2 + 2.6 = 24.7/20 = $4.94 per box of .223 - all prices include taxes and shipping charges.

Local gun store charges 7.63 per 20 of PMC
Wolf from Midway shipped 278/1000 = $5.56

Obviously if you use even cheaper components or buy in bigger quantities you will save even more but this is pretty good to me.

Hope that helps!
Ed

 

[MMCSRET]

Up until 1977 I did very little handgun shooting but I started shooting 38 special and casting the bullets. The cases were free and not counting my time I only had the powder and primer to pay for. I was loading and shooting 38 cheaper than I could buy 22 LR.

 

[Griz44]

HUH? You trying to tell me that the stores actually sell ammunition already assembled? What will they think of next?

Kidding aside, cost savings are definitely there with larger loads/calibers saving the most, quality is MUCH better for than stock target rounds, loads can and should be customized to each gun meaning dazzling accuracy. Done with care and diligence, your own ammunition is safer than anything factory where you really have no idea what is in it?

 

[Walkalong]

HUH? You trying to tell me that the stores actually sell ammunition already assembled?

Really?

You can save money, or shoot more. Almost everybody goes with the second option.

You can also load to suit your needs which is a big draw to reloading. Many just get a great deal of satisfaction out of it.

 

[esmith]

Thanks for all the input. Excluding those taking the low road. Ill look at some reloading supplies and calculate how ill save.

 

[THe Dove]

This link may help. http://handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

The Dove

 

[chbrow10]

I shoot 45 ACP. I save 50% the cost. compared to WWB from Wal Mart, and get less recoil and more accuracy. i shoot plated bullets. More savings can be had with lead bullets.

 

[scrat]

Depends on what your shooting too. When your comparing the 45acp, 9mm and 223. Thats the YUPPEEE guns. the guns everyone has to have. So because of that the prices are usually the ones on sale or cheaply made and sold. However like my 45 Colt. The prices for a box of REAL 45s can be any where from 35-48.99 for a box of 50. I cast my own when i reload for 45 Long Colt it cost me about .05 cents a round. That is huge very huge. So it really depends. If you like to buy the on sale cheapest brand ammo. then maybe reloading is not for you. If you have some rare, expensive or Big caliber guns then you may want to reload as the cost of some of that ammo is huge. Reloading can save big money and keep you at the range.



Seems as though every other day we get someone asking about the cost of reloading, is it worth it how much. so i gues im going to just keep copying and pasting this same thing. We should almost lock the threads and post a general in the begining pages.

 

[MMCSRET]

I can Load 300 R.U.M. using all new components including cases with 180 corlokt bullets and Magpro powder for 50% of Sportsmans Warehouse prices for Factory ammo. It is a factory dupe load for velocity and more accurate. Next load the brass is free!!!!!!!!!!

 

[frenchwrench]

The major benefit is getting away from the wife when she's mad. 2 hours of reloading, you get ammo, she get's calmer....

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

+1 frenchwrench--now that the kids have left the house she not as mad.

 

[evan price]

I just updated my cost for components I just bought this month.
Here's 45 acp!

.45 ACP
230-gr RN, 4.7gr powder 1489/lb
Projo: 6.0¢ Primer: 2.0¢ Powder: 0.86¢
Total Cost per round: 8.86¢
Total Cost per box/50: $4.43

I am saving nearly 70% over WWB factory using my own lead reloads in range brass.

Do the math. Do you have the time and patience for reloading?

 

[45ACPUSER]

Reloading is for those that have the time and inclination to do it! Doing it to save money is not going to happen PERIOD! If you want decrease your cost per round then reloading is for you, if you want tailor ammo for your needs say wimp loads then reloading is for you, if you want to maximize your accuracy potential is various guns then reloading is for you! It is an expansion of your appreciation of the shooting sports.....nothing more! DECREASED COSTS OF AMMO with reloading is realized by buying things in bulk after you find a load that works! A good addition to a reloaders bag of tricks is getting a C&R FFL, Grafs gives a dealer discount. The thing to realize is that many people spout costs of this or that......but that is derived from large bulk purchases...but still a person can do well buying sleeves of 5K of primers and 8# lots of powder.....and bullets in bulk. A lot of cast bullet vendors ship in USPS flat rate boxes......

It will cause you to shoot more! Is that such a bad thing?

Do not say you do not have the space, that is a non-issue!

They are hobbies both Shooting / Hunting! Most hobbies cost money! :banghead: Geez look at people spending money on Jet Skis, snowmobiles, etc......