I'm not seeing much savings

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Z-Michigan said: "Some cartridges see less savings, and I think 9mm has the narrowest spread between cheap factory ammo and reloading. As others have pointed out, in rifle calibers the difference can be quite large. Ditto for bigger handgun calibers."

I haven't priced factory ammo lately but that is the way I remember things. If you are comparing the price of your handloads with, basically, military ball ammo, the savings will be there but not dramatic. Just about any cartridge with Magnum in it's name is a different story.

I wouldn't want to discourage a potential reloader but if the shooter were going to shoot large volumes of military ball type ammo, good quality (WWB, UMC) factory ammo might be a smart choice.
 
tx1911fan said:
I'm not seeing much savings

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Guys, I'm doing the research right now on reloading and have been saving my brass for months now. I just can't see how reloading saves much money. Even taking the cost of the equipment out of the equation, I don't see much savings. The cost per round of 9mm is about 18 cents per round, and I can buy it for that at Walmart. 45 ACP is a little cheaper than what I can buy it for, but I'm not sure enough to justify the time. 12 gauge and .223 is the same, just a little cheaper than what it goes for retail.

Am I totally off base here, or is this about right? I guess I was expecting to save a BUNCH and maybe that's just not possible.
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Hmmm...

I don't know about your numbers, and I didn't read all of the other posts.

But, I've found the savings to be substantial by reloading. Even when building the equivalent of military type ammunition (a home-made XM193, if you will).

A couple of hints:

1) Make sure you are doing an apples-to-apples comparison. If you are basing your prices off of cheap factory ammo, then look for cheap bulk bullets, etc. If you are basing your numbers off of premium ammo (say Speer Gold Dot), then you can base your component prices on those higher-end components.

2) Consider the number of uses you will get from your brass.



Here are my current numbers for .223 plinking ammo (btw, mine has outperformed XM193 in every test that I've tried):

First, factory built brass cased .223 is running around $9-10 per box of 20 around here right now (for plinking / XM193 type ammo). Cases are going for about $385/1000 for similar quality ammo.

That would be $.475/round or $38.50/rd right now.


I didn't shop around for my last purchase, and didn't buy in large bulk. I could have saved a substantial amount of money by buying online from Powdervalley, etc. Nevertheless, here's what I paid for .223 components:

Bullets: $75/1000
Brass: $22.50/100
Powder: $24.99/ 1 lb
Primers: $26.99/1000
I will figure a fairly conservative 4 loads per cartridge right now.

(some folks who reload would cringe at any of those prices, saying that I overpaid).




Anyway, load those and you will get your ammo for $.25/round



At that price you will:

save $4.50 on a box of 20
save $137.51 per case of ammo
AND, be able to load in any quantity you choose!
 
I know that I am not saving a cent because I have only been hand loading for several months now and it will take me forever to recoup all that I have invested to do this. My satisfaction comes from knowing that I can make my own ammo,which some of it has been very good, and the fact that I get a lot of enjoyment out of making it.:D
 
Honestly, I kind of agree with the OP. If you're willing to use bargain basement ammo in a common caliber like 9mm, reloading won't save you much money -- unless you want to scrounge range brass, canvas the tire stores for old wheel weights, and cut up pop cans for gas checks.
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I'll bet you I can load for 50% less than the cheap ammo you buy with store bought FMJ's. I can load 9mm with Zero FMJ bullets for $7.50 per 100 rounds, no scrounging involved even though I like to scrounge.
You're not going to save a penny, so just put all that saved up brass in USPS Flat Rate Boxes and send it to me. I'll do the saving for you......... Heck, if you want, I'll even let you know how well they shot, each and every time I reload them.

No need to thank me, just part of the service.....

Fred
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They just don't get much nicer around here than Fred. Way to step up Fred.:D
Rusty
 
Start shooting 10mm, 41mag, 44mag, 45Colt. The savings are enormous. You can pay for your equipment in a month, and spend future savings on more reloading stuff.
 
I've been researching a bit more, and it appears I can get the price down a little more. I guess I just needed the encouragement to search for better prices. Thanks guys.
 
I see your point OP for the smaller numerous shot calibers, but when you load for the larger, less known calibers you really rake up the savings, I load for 500 S&W and store bought ammo if you can find it costs $2.50 a round, and I can reload it for less than .60 cents a round with my brass.

50 BMG ammo really multiply the savings, factory 50 BMG costs $3.65 to $10.00 a round, and I can reload it for less than .70 cents a round for plinking ammo, and $2.50 a round for match quality ammo with the Hornady Amax bullet.

And reloading is just plain fun, another part of shooting I love.

Keith
 
I like to calculate what ammo costs to my door. When I have components delivered, I don't have to add in gas to the store.
Here in PA, a box of 100rnd WWB is $18.47 + tax. That's 6% tax on 18.47 is $1.11. Add in gas to the store at $4.10gal, figure .50cents +/- equals around $20 a box or .20cents a piece for 9mm. Ridiculous. The round, to me, isn't worth .20cents, and not worth my time reloading for it, so I sold all my 9mm. I do, however shoot 38spl, 357mag and 45acp. 45acp costs me around .12cents a round to reload. That's about 120% less then retail. 357mag costs me about 11cents a round for lead bullets, or 16cents a round for JHP. At worst, that's around 160% cheaper then retail. 38spl costs me around 10cents a piece for lead bullets. Retail doesn't sell lead, but I don't load jacketed 38spl..no need. I save about 150% off retail price for 38's. I see the savings for what I shoot.:cool:
 
so how does one make gaschecks out of cans, and what is the cream of wheat trick?
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there are several threads over on CastBoolits about it and there's a guy on ebay selling a punch tool, though it's reported to be pretty "cheesey".

there's a little controversy over just how much alluminum oxide there will be on the checks and whether or not they can damage your bore.

several have reported good results, thought the soda can metal is a little to thin. Sheet copper (like that used for roof flashing) has been used with much better results.

one of the CastBoolits guys (who is quite a machinist if I understand correctly) is building an improved punch tool and is going to offer it as a group buy when it's finished and proven out.

do a search for cream of wheat (or cow) and you'll find some threads with impressive results, where cow is used as a filler over the powder. The stuff actually compresses to make a form of gas check, but also scrubs the barrel.

that's what I know....I'm keeping my eyes open o see how much the punch tool goes for on the group buy.
 
I am sorry, but, when I can go to the local gun shop, and leave with a pound of powder, 100 bullets, and a pack of primers for $5 more than a box of the same caliber ammo, I know I am saving money, learning a bunch about ballistics, and making better ammo........

Here is one for you. My father just told me a day or so ago he is going to give me my grandfather's Rem 700 CDL in .30-338. Norma ammo at the local store is $99.99/box of 20 (The ONLY factory loading for this caliber). This cartrige is .30 cal, and uses no more powder than .300 win mag. Think I can load that for cheaper?
 
You should be able to reload it pretty cheap for a large magnum round. Dies for the less common rounds is what will cost you. You can reform brass so that wouldnt be a big deal.
 
As stated, it depends alot on what you're reloading. I shoot alot of 218 bee. Priced that ammo lately? I can reload it for practically nothing. I also shoot alot of 357max. Seen any of that ammo lately? And then of course there's my 6tcu. Ain't never seen a box of that laying around. I don't really think about price, reloading is just an extension of shooting, something I can do when I can't get to the range. And when my 6tcu gave me a 0.13" group at 100 yrds, that was all me.:D
 
i love to shoot !
i love guns & what they represent!
i love manufacturing my own ammo!
& as long as my wife thinks i`m saving money doin it all is good in the universe!!!!


GP100man
 
yes you save money and get a better product
.308 walmart price .75 reload match ammo .50 best 100yd group .4in 5 shots
.223 reload cost is now same as lake city ammo bought 2 years ago(half current prices
.40 .12 reload price, .20 at walmart.
Add in the fun of reloading, priceless.
 
TX1911fan if you want to really save some money look into a C&R license. I can buy at dealer price at Graf's and some other places. The license cost $30 and is good for three years. It is very easy to get. For an example I can buy Wolf primers at Graf's for $80 per 5,000 and most powders for $96 per 8 pound jug. That's aroung $16 per thousand primers and $12 per pound of powder. I go in with two friends and we max out a order for a single hazmat fee and split the stuff up. A max order is 50,000 primers or 48 pounds of powder or 50 pounds of powder & primers mixed.
Rusty
 
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.
 
For the cheapest possible good 9mm rounds:
Alliant Promo powder, Wolf primers, and quality cast bullets.

But the really big savings are when shooting big-bore revolver cartridges, like .45 Colt. You can save almost $1 per round.
 
I'm new to reloading so bear with me.

I was under the impression that different powders were not to be substituted one for the other....
 
Here's my analysis:

WWB .45ACP/1000 $320
Other brands are more/1000

Homemade/1000 $163
Brass Free or almost Free
Powder $15
Primers $25
Berrys 230gr Plated RN $123


I save over $150/1000.... and I go thru a lot. ;)

However... I really wish more people didn't see a savings... people are starting to fight over 9mm brass these days.
 
I dont know... but what I am reading in this thread is:

If you really want to save big on reloading shoot exotic calibers... :evil:
 
You will not save money.

You will spend the same amount of money or more.

Instead of going to the range and shooting 200 rounds you will shoot 400 rounds.

You will not save money.

Bryan

PS I loaded black powder cartridge 45-70 and really didn't care about shooting except to empty the cases so I could reload some more. I am sick.
 
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