Economics of Reloading

[d31tc]

First, I'm going to say this isn't about comparing the cost of reloading to the cost of buying ammo. Before I started reloading, I was looking at that cost and the start-up cost of buying the equipment. That mostly went out the window once I started reloading. Now it's become a hobby and, a bit like buying guns, looking for deals for things on "The List".

And like the guns I've bought, I keep a spreadsheet on what I have, what I paid, what I sold and for how much.

I've been patient (read "slow") in acquiring equipment and getting my reloading up to where I think I want to be (I'm way past where I "need" to be). Part of the reason for being "slow" is I've made a list of things I want, and then look to find it used. If I can't find it used, then I wait for a decent sale, or look for the lowest price.

Where does that put me? To date, I've spent a net of approximately $2,390 on reloading equipment. This does not include consumables or components. Recently, I input estimated used resale values into my spreadsheet. After looking at ebay prices, sorted for lowest price sold and forum trading post prices, I think a reasonably conservative estimate of what I could sell my equipment comes out to be $2,210. Admittedly, I will likely never sell my equipment. That will be up to my heirs, and they might not be as patient as me in trying to realize the value of the equipment I've hoarded. Did I say hoarded? I meant acquired (I mean really, how did I wind up with 5 uniflow powder measures? )

To add the cherry on top, the cost of equipment factored into the cost per round over time becomes negligible the more rounds I load . How's that for rationalizing another $1,000 of equipment remaining to buy that is on "The List"? .

My logical conclusion is everyone thinking about reloading should ignore the cost of equipment. OK that might be a fallacy argument; you should do your own research and draw your own conclusions. I don't want anyone out there to get in trouble with their significant others. And yes, I know - those are rookie numbers...

 

[FROGO207]

One should consider the inital cost to gear up to load one caliber and figure out if it is worth it monetarily and time wise. If you find you like it falling down the rabbit hole can get really expensive. I just consider it a sub hobby of owning firearms and enjoy doing it for that reason alone. That can also turn into casting bullets as well. All reloaders are the type that are sort of mizerly in that looking for good deals and free stuff are a common trait. That even flows over into your other life adventures. I feel you have to be part mizer part pack rat, and willing to work with mecanical problems on the fly.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I went down the rabbit hole probably about six years ago. I don't keep records on what I bought or what I spent, it really doesn't matter. When I have extra money I buy used reloading equipment.
I just picked up a Dillion Square D press last week all set up for 9mm, $400.
It will fit right in with the Dillion stuff I have.
A 650, two 550s a Hornady AP press Redding T-7 press and the other presses I bought.
Total cost? Don't know and don't care.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The other thing to consider is some folks just don’t like buying used. Not anything used, I mean. That’s going to make startups more costly.

 

[d31tc]

One should consider the inital cost to gear up to load one caliber and figure out if it is worth it monetarily and time wise. If you find you like it falling down the rabbit hole can get really expensive. I just consider it a sub hobby of owning firearms and enjoy doing it for that reason alone. That can also turn into casting bullets as well. All reloaders are the type that are sort of mizerly in that looking for good deals and free stuff are a common trait. That even flows over into your other life adventures. I feel you have to be part mizer part pack rat, and willing to work with mecanical problems on the fly.

I agree, consider the initial cost to gear up. But I think the cost calculation for new reloaders should include resale value. Often times car buying guides include cost to own that include future resale value. In the end, that cost to own is your actual cost. Resale value, or cost to own, is not something that I see when you google "economics of reloading." A lot of reloading equipment seems to hold its value; more so if you buy used.

I'm finding the pack rat part certainly comes to play with components. I got started with reloading a year before the pandemic and didn't have the disposable income to stack 'em high and deep. When the pandemic started, I remember standing in front of a full stock of primers at the local Scheels when I started reading about shortages. The price was about $35 per 1,000. I asked the manager if they had any supply issues and he said, "Nope." At the time my wife was going to college. Went back a couple weeks later and the shelves were bare and anything that came into stock was 2 to 3 times more expensive as we all know. Woulda, shoulda, coulda even though there ws not a "coulda" option without the extreme benefit of hindsight. Wife and I have decent paying jobs now and I'm slowly increasing my stash.

 

[d31tc]

I went down the rabbit hole probably about six years ago. I don't keep records on what I bought or what I spent, it really doesn't matter. When I have extra money I buy used reloading equipment.
I just picked up a Dillion Square D press last week all set up for 9mm, $400.
It will fit right in with the Dillion stuff I have.
A 650, two 550s a Hornady AP press Redding T-7 press and the other presses I bought.
Total cost? Don't know and don't care.

If I won the lottery, this would be me . In the meantime, I need to keep a list to help me stay focused on where I'm heading (and what I have). Otherwise I end up with 2 of something I already have 1 of and none of something I thought I had 1 of .

 

[Remington1911]

I also think it depends on what you are reloading.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I am not one to do meticulous accounting of any hobby so I have no idea what I have invested in reloading equipment. I never really made any one time huge buy in. I have accumulated what I have over a time span of 50 years or so. I have added items over the years mostly one at a time when I had a specific need to attend to. I don't have the large number of presses and other key components other folks on THR have. But what I do have allows me to reload whatever I personally want to. Much of the equipment I have was acquired long enough ago that at today's prices for new equipment I could probably at the very least sell most of it used for at least what I originally spent. But again, I don't do serious number crunching for a hobby. If I can afford what I want I get it. If I don't have the money I wait.

 

[CQB45ACP]

On advice of counsel, I won’t have any comments. Good idea, @GeoDudeFlorida ?

 

[lightman]

I have not calculated what I have invested in equipment but I expect it has paid for itself, several times over. When 2 boxes of 243, 270, 30-06 ect will tear up a $100 bill it doesn't take long. Or if you shoot in competition. Change those common calibers to one of the Weatherbys or something like a 7mm STW or 338 Lapua and the pay-back time is quicker. Or enough 223, 22-250, 220 Swift ammo for a 3 day Prairie Dog hunt. It helps if you buy large amounts (did I say Hoarder) of components when they are on sale. But handloading is probably not worth it for the guy that shoots less than a box of shells every 3 years in his Deer rifle.

Cost savings is not the only consideration. Its important, but...........! My hand loaded ammo is more accurate than anything that I can buy. Black Hills Match, Federal Gold Metal Match, ect is pretty good stuff but mine is more accurate. During my 50 years of handloading theres only been one cartridge that I could not beat, accuracy wise. Hurt my feelings, it did!

A couple of other considerations. Hand loaders can load for obsolete calibers thats hard or impossible to find. Right now 257 Roberts brass is hard to find, so I'm making them from 7mm Mauser brass. I also have 2 rifles with custom tight neck chambers that I have to neck turn for. Factory ammo won't chamber in those.

 

[JEBruns]

Cost savings is not the only consideration. Its important, but...........! My hand loaded ammo is more accurate than anything that I can buy. Black Hills Match, Federal Gold Metal Match, ect is pretty good stuff but mine is more accurate. During my 50 years of handloading theres only been one cartridge that I could not beat, accuracy wise. Hurt my feelings, it did!

Agreed. Folks always compare the cost based on the lowest cost/quality range fodder, when they should be comparing it to the top of the line ammo.

As far as the original post, I say good for you. If buying your stuff used/cheap is part of the enjoyment you get from the hobby, then scratch that itch. I do a little back of the napkin math when I'm looking at a new press, but nothing serious. It's hard to put a number on the enjoyment I get from shooting ammo I loaded myself.

 

[Remington1911]

Agreed. Folks always compare the cost based on the lowest cost/quality range fodder, when they should be comparing it to the top of the line ammo.

As far as the original post, I say good for you. If buying your stuff used/cheap is part of the enjoyment you get from the hobby, then scratch that itch. I do a little back of the napkin math when I'm looking at a new press, but nothing serious. It's hard to put a number on the enjoyment I get from shooting ammo I loaded myself.

Why, when the bullet is the only thing that is really special over the "range fodder".

Everything else that the "lowest cost/quality" is going to be on par with your hand loads.

Add another .04 for a better bullet and call it a day. And then it is not the same as top of the line ammo, unless the COAL is exactly what I want, the powder load is the type and weight I want and have tested, the primer the same, case volume......on and on.

 

[JohnMc]

Cost savings is not the only consideration. Its important, but...........! My hand loaded ammo is more accurate than anything that I can buy. Black Hills Match, Federal Gold Metal Match, ect is pretty good stuff but mine is more accurate. During my 50 years of handloading theres only been one cartridge that I could not beat, accuracy wise. Hurt my feelings, it did!

True for the rifle cartridges to feed bolt guns I've reloaded, I'm not so sure about the volume powder dispensed, cheap as I can find 'em bulk bullet loaded semi-auto fodder loaded on my progressive. I'm guessing it's on par with good store-bought.

 

[Highland Lofts]

With all of the equipment I have bought I think I'm ahead of the game, most of what I bought I bought used. So when it's time to dispose or it I should recoup most of what I paid.
It is better to have something and not need it then to need it and not have it.
When it comes to dies I have atleast two sets all set up for use incase I get a stuck case or bend a stem or something. I just grab the other set and keep going and fix what's wrong later.

 

[mdi]

Besides all the advantages of handloading, I like handloading. I have no idea what my equipment costs are, nor are component costs heavily considered.

FWIW, no one ever asked me how much my salmon fishing cost (equipment, boat, bait and licenses), and I never tried to figure it out, because I enjoyed fishing...

 

[d31tc]

Agreed. Folks always compare the cost based on the lowest cost/quality range fodder, when they should be comparing it to the top of the line ammo.

As far as the original post, I say good for you. If buying your stuff used/cheap is part of the enjoyment you get from the hobby, then scratch that itch. I do a little back of the napkin math when I'm looking at a new press, but nothing serious. It's hard to put a number on the enjoyment I get from shooting ammo I loaded myself.

I agree. Consistency is nice to have, especially these last few years. I haven't had to grab "whatever the store has on the shelf" for the last few years and that has served me very well. It's satisfying to hunt with and harvest game with a rifle assembled by myself and with ammo loaded by myself. Others I'm sure are able to claim much more hands on capability and are able to say "rifle manufactured by myself..."

I've read a number of posts about purchasing equipment and often times it comes down to various levels of quality vs cost; "buy once, cry once" vs "good enough." Looking past the initial cost, maybe it helps to look at what the value after the initial purchase when making a purchasing decision. I know for me, it's still hard for me to justify spending more money on diminishing returns. But....are they actually diminishing returns if the money can be recouped? Got me thinking about not being so miserly.

When starting out, I saw the cost of used reloading setups in the thousands of dollars. I looked at that and compared it to a single stage reloading kit that had everything I needed. Boy, was I kidding myself. Of course, it did have everything I NEEDED.

Of course, I didn't know what I didn't know and still don't know what I don't know, but little by little some knowledge is coming from experience. Even knowing what I know, I would be hard pressed to find a complete reloading setup with all the equipment that I think that I needed or want in one neat package being sold used in one of the online forums. I will say I'm pretty happy with the equipment that I have, but I also don't have a lot to compare it to, so maybe ignorance is bliss. I don't have multiple brands of multiple presses. Hint: I am not the "Ultimate Reloader". My best (and only) review to date comparing different reloading manufacturer products is primer pocket reamer/crimp remover. Total investment on my end under $40 for that review. Maybe a youtube channel, "Cheap Reloader" is in my future. But I know there are others here that clearly would scoff what I consider to be frugal and would represent the "Cheap Reloader" channel much better than I ever could.

 

[9mmepiphany]

When you get to the point of being able to justify having a roll sizer to feed your 10 station progressive, you can start down the road to justifying automating your press

 

[freebird914]

I bought my RCBS Rock Chucker kit in 1984 from Gander Mountain online. I have acquired a RC I and the IV a Rebel and was given a Special 3, I also have a 650 and three MEC shotshell and a Lee load all ... I have all kinds of device now, and just spent more money on a RCBS Neck turning kit... My machine's sit in my man cave and when I'm bored, I Deprime a few.... I hope to never know how much I have spent ... I consider it a wash. I am not selling ... I sometimes wish there was a reloading club near me. I know I use to attend the South Bay Rod and Gun Club every month. It was always great just to share knowledge and be around others with the same hobby... a friends father pasted that's how I ended up with the 3 and but loads of dies and odds and ends... Its a good life... chasing precision

 

[higgite]

Where does that put me? To date, I've spent a net of approximately $2,390 on reloading equipment. This does not include consumables or components.

Simply put, unless you're a business that is amortizing your investment for tax purposes, your first reloaded cartridge cost you approximately $2390.20. All the rest cost 20 cents. You're welcome.

 

[d31tc]

Besides all the advantages of handloading, I like handloading. I have no idea what my equipment costs are, nor are component costs heavily considered.

FWIW, no one ever asked me how much my salmon fishing cost (equipment, boat, bait and licenses), and I never tried to figure it out, because I enjoyed fishing...

Yep, I like handloading. Tracking my costs is a bit of necessity and a bit of a character trait (flaw?).

If I was to get into fishing, I'd be finding my hole in the water into which one pours money (common definition of a boat by many) on boat trader or some other marketplace. I would not buy used components such as bait. That's where I would draw the line.

 

[d31tc]

Simply put, unless you're a business that is amortizing your investment for tax purposes, your first reloaded cartridge cost you approximately $2390.20. All the rest cost 20 cents. You're welcome.

At that cost, I should have saved and gold plated my first reloaded cartridge to put into a shadow box and displayed it prominently in my reloading room, wherever that finally winds up in my house. Instead, I foolishly spent that very expensive cartridge on a piece of paper with holes in it. Take heed, new reloaders, don't be foolish like I was.

Now technically, NOT being in the business of amortizing my investment for tax purposes, that first reloaded cartridge was about $339.17, give or take a few pennies (RCBS Supreme Kit and Trickler for $287.67 from Natchez, 7mm RM die $0 from RCBS Rebate for the Supreme Kit, Lyman M5 Scale for $50 from Craigslist, and about $1.50 in components), when primers were about $0.035 each, H4831 was $29.99 per pound back in the good old days of 2019. That round would still have been worthy of a shadow box.

 

[ballman6711]

A couple of other considerations. Hand loaders can load for obsolete calibers thats hard or impossible to find

I started loading 45 Colt during the pandemic, about a year and a half ago. I couldn't find brass for love or money, so decided to buy factory ammo just to have the brass. No luck there either. I found brass eventually and got started. And I don't consider 45 Colt "obsolete" and never would have thought it would be hard to find.

Simply put, unless you're a business that is amortizing your investment for tax purposes, your first reloaded cartridge cost you approximately $2390.20. All the rest cost 20 cents. You're welcome.

LOL!!! My first reloaded round cost me about $400, the next 499 rounds were free if you don't count my time.

I don't have an exact $$ amount, but I'm about $1400 into equipment over five years. It's certainly paid for itself at this point.

And one thing that most don't consider, once you have the equipment, a new caliber/cartridge doesn't cost much to get started on. Take out the cost of components, and you have a set of dies and a shell holder or plate.

chris

 

[berettaprofessor]

Often times car buying guides include cost to own that include future resale value. In the end, that cost to own is your actual cost.

I've used this logic to rationalize most of my firearms. That gun I bought and resold was $50 difference so it really cost me $50 to rent.....

Of course, it helps the economics if you forget about FFL transfer fees, the 10 extra magazines you bought for it that just sold in a bundle, etc.

 

[dobedo]

 

[n2omike]

See the car in my to the left in my avatar? I'm 55 and have had it since age 15. Bought it for $1,300. It's been worked up from being really slow and rusty, to a 13, 12, 11, 10 and 9 second car with multiple engine/trans/rear end combinations. I don't DARE add up how much has been spent. I could easily buy a house. lol
But, when it comes to passion projects, it's not about the money. It's about the fun and enjoyment!
If you're not enjoying your money, you're missing out in life!
Live responsibly, but don't be a miser. Can't take it with you!