Economics of Reloading

Might as well add a poll. “Estimate” how much you’ve spent on reloading equipment (not components)

  • $0

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • $1 to $1000

    Votes: 25 27.5%

  • $1,000 to $2,000

    Votes: 26 28.6%

  • $2,000 to $3,000

    Votes: 14 15.4%

  • $3,000 to $4,000

    Votes: 10 11.0%

  • My answer will scare away any new reloaders

    Votes: 15 16.5%
  • Total voters
    91
Most of my equipment was bought between 1977 and 1980. I added some more (dies for new calibers, powder balance, chronograph, etc.) in the early-1990s, but that's about all.

I use a single stage press, so I haven't had to add too much since then. I obviously don't have all the receipts from some of the ancient equipment, but I doubt I have more than $400 (1980's dollars) invested in equipment.
 
I began because I wanted to make my own rounds that shot as accurately as I could get them out of my rifle.
I started with a Lee single stage press, probably ten years ago, and I’m still using that same press and loading for approximately seven calibers.
Ive purchased what I’ve needed over the years and I’ve got a routine down of how I like to do things, and it’s working well for me.
I probably have not quite $1000 invested, but not sure how much actually.
 
Remington1911 said:
No, I am saying you don't have the choice in bullets when buying factory ammo. Does anyone load a "high end" loading for "pick your caliber" using a Speer bullet, Berger bullet, Hornady bullet......
Click to expand...
Sure. Hornady Match Grade ammo uses high end bullets, ELD-M's in the 6.5CM loads. And it's good ammo, almost as good as my reloads using the same bullets.
 
I started reloading a few years back out of concern that if one didn't reload, one would not have ammo to shoot at any price. At the time, only equipment available was used and no components of any kind. No ammo, no primers, no powder, no bullets. Brass, used or new was very spotty. I knew if that continued it would mean guns were going to become high end paper weights and low quality boat anchors.

General consensus at the time was hang on, supplies would come back and as soon as they started trickling in, everyone was complaining about the price. One of my first buys was 500 LRP off gonebroker for the absurd price of $7.50 per hundred. But kept buying......equipment and components.........as they became available. Was able to load ammo......and since then have continued to pad the stash to the point I could stop today baring a zombie apocalypse, I'll never shoot it all in my lifetime.

Good thing I did. In the month or so since I last checked powder prices, I looked at prices yesterday. Kinda snapped my head back. There is a lot of powder that I bought with first number being a 3 or 4, which now have a first number of 5 or 6. One of them had a 7.

By making the choice to be able to reload, I stopped the merry go round and got off. Glad I did. If they are frugal with their shooting, whoever inherits my stash will be glad I did.
 
I answered $1-1000, mostly on dies. 2 of my 3 presses were given to me, the third I paid a very nominal price. Dies, bushings & bars for the MECs, a 5-0-5, (Dad kept his,
but gave me the presses)and a buck for a dial caliper at a garage sale have been my main expenditures for reloading equipment.
 
jmorris said:
You know how to make a small fortune in auto racing? Start out with a large one...

Makes "gun stuff" as a hobby, cheap in comparison.
Click to expand...
In gun related stuff, I've probably spent $15,000 to $16,000. Today, I know I could recover all of those costs and then some if I were to liquidate all of my shooting gear. Sure, if I had put that money I spent on guns into Amazon stocks at the IPO, it makes my opportunity cost of buying gun stuff look really expensive, but I won't do that. I'll just be happy I'm not into auto racing. I'll agree - gun stuff is pretty cheap.
 
JEBruns said:
Sure. Hornady Match Grade ammo uses high end bullets, ELD-M's in the 6.5CM loads. And it's good ammo, almost as good as my reloads using the same bullets.
Click to expand...
High end Hornady bullets, not one by anyone else. That is the point I am not sure I am getting across, if you like everything about the hornady but want another 10 grains in bullet weight, you are out of luck, now yes I have not checked so they could, but I doubt you are going to find one with a speer bullet, or norma, or....................
 
@Remington1911 - you are out of your depth. At least google any of what you’re saying before you say it…

Remington1911 said:
High end Hornady bullets, not one by anyone else. […] I doubt you are going to find one with a speer bullet, or norma, or………..
Click to expand...

Here’s ammo loaded by Lapua:

www.lapua.com

6.5 Creedmoor / 8.8 g (136 gr) Scenar-L

This Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor round is loaded with the 8,8 gram / 136 grain Scenar-L bullet and has the small rifle primer.
www.lapua.com www.lapua.com

Here is ammo loaded by Norma:

www.norma-ammunition.com

Dedicated Precision

www.norma-ammunition.com www.norma-ammunition.com

Here is loaded Berger ammo:

Rifle Ammunition Archives

Berger Bullets makes the most premium rifle ammunition in the game. We use only the highest quality copper and lead available to eliminate impurities.
bergerbullets.com bergerbullets.com

Here is ammo loaded by Federal using Speer match bullets:

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/american-eagle/

Here is ammo loaded by Federal using Berger and Sierra match bullets:

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifle/gold-medal/

Here’s factory ammo offered with multiple premium match bullet options:

Home

clayscartridgecompany.com clayscartridgecompany.com
 
I picked $2,000 to $3,000 in the poll but I didn't add it all up. I bought an RCBS Supreme kit and a Dillon XL-750 with a casefeeder new. Add in the Wilson trimmer, RCBS Chargemaster Lite, roughly a dozen die sets, floating toolheads, gizmos, gadgets, and doodads, and I'm probably being conservative. I've acquired it over two decades. It's worth every penny to me because I enjoy reloading.
 
IMHO, unless you're a pro or in the reloading business for profit, calculating the overall cost per round of your reloaded ammo is comparable to calculating the cost per pound of the fish you catch. It serves no useful purpose other than to put a damper on the fun you have reloading and fishing. ymmv
 
I have had my reloading equipment for a number of years, so I don't really know how much I have in it. I checked the $1000 - $2000 range because it would cost $1275.00 today to replace what I have with the same equipment.
I just have basic beginner type equipment but it has served my needs very well. I probably haven;t saved a lot on ammo costs but I sure have been able to do a lot more shooting.
MEC 600 Jr. 20 gauge reloader
MEC 600 Jr. 12 gauge reloader
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Reloading kit
Lee Quick hand primer
6 Lee 4 die carbide sets
2 Lee 3 die sets
Frankfort Arsenal Digital Scale
 
I got my first reloading gear of my own in 1996, a Lee bundle meant to build my own loads for 30-06, 22-250, and 44mag, after borrowing access to my grandpa’s and uncle’s presses for a few years prior, and loading ammo for said family for a few more years prior. At last tabulation around 2016-17, I was somewhere north of $25,000 spent since then, and I've bought a few bigger ticket items since then as well, so I'd guess my total spend is likely somewhere around $30k in the last ~27yrs. I’ve sold out a lot of gear over the years as well - I'd have to do a proper inventory, but I'd guess I'm somewhere between $10-15k of equipment on hand (spend accounting, not current value). But I reload a lot of different cartridges, and have multiple sets of gear to accomplish different paths for different qualities of reloaded ammo.

Alternatively, I help a lot of new rifle reloaders come into the craft each year, and I generally tell folks, it should take around $1000-1500 to put together a kit which doesn't make them want to pull their hair out to make their ammo. It won't be as fast nor as capable as my go-to kit, but it'll be affordable and functional to do the task. Cheaper gear can be had to complete a process design to make ammo, but in general, we give up some concessions to put together a reloading process for much less than $1000.
 
black mamba said:
I've been reloading for over 43 years, and am still using the original press, powder measure, scale and case prep kit I bought back at the beginning, so low cost. Add in 7 or 8 more sets of dies and a few new gizmos and I'm still well under a grand for equipment. Now if you include bullets (7500) powder (31 pounds) and primers (7000) the total is something I'm grateful my wife does NOT know! ;)
Click to expand...
Speaking as one who matches your history and utilization of original press, powder measure, scale and case prep kit, I have to say your bullets, powder and primers are “rookie numbers, you need to pump those numbers up”! 😉
 
d31tc said:
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? :what:)

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 :uhoh:. How's that for rationalizing another $1,000 of equipment remaining to buy that is on "The List"? :thumbup: .

My logical conclusion is everyone thinking about reloading should ignore the cost of equipment. :rofl: 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...
Click to expand...
I was in the 3K to 4K range but I've been in the game for close to 40 years. I initially started out with a Lee anniversary starter kit for $60 and loaded a butt load of ammo on it successfully. Start small then work your way up if you enjoy it like any other hobby.
 
OS/N said:
Are we supposed to include back up equipment in just because storage at alternate locations or just what we use today. 🤪
Click to expand...
I went back to the first press and dies I was given in 1973 for my 13th birthday, updated to current MSRP (replacement value) and deducted the loss-of-use cost back to 1987 when the box containing the press fell out of a trailer onto US1 and shattered.
Rounded up, of course.
 
My answer is well in excess of the range offered in the OP...even taking into consideration that my first press was a progressive that I won in a contest (so - zero cost)

My primary concern when deciding if I should buy a new reloading item is if it will save me time in my reloading process by being more efficient. My main reason for reloading is convivence . Not having to look for ammo on sale to stock up and finding space to store it. It is much easier to have components for 20k rounds on hand than 20k loaded rounds. I can go out to my garage to load 300 rounds for a match in less than a hour over my morning coffee

A secondary consideration is value...does it do something at it's price point better than other available options at a lessor price point...or is it priced unusually well at the moment
 
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