Is reloading worth it threads....

[AJC1]

No one has mentioned this but I'll bring it up now. One reason to reload is to learn how. Many people like to learn a new skill and have it in their repertoire. If I could shoot factory 9mm and get the same accuracy I get from my target reloads for a comparable price, I would. If I find some factory ammo at comparable price that does shoot as well, I'd probably stop for that one caliber. If that source changed or went back up, I am comfortable enough now that I can pick up where I left off and be back making my loads as soon as I can get to the shop. The other calibers I reload will have to get a lot cheaper before I quit. Even if I do stop reloading them, I've done it long enough that I can pick back up if needed. I would be comfortable making new loads if the components I currently use aren't available. I have 6 loads for 9mm as it is, just based on the scavenger hunt we've all been on for components for 2 years anyway.

I for one will never be caught during a hunting season without a way for my son to go if he so chooses. I have set back 1000 lrp to ensure he never has to.

 

[ballman6711]

One reason to reload is to learn how. Many people like to learn a new skill and have it in their repertoire

This is why I started. I wanted to try it, to see if I liked it, but I also wanted to learn how to make my own ammunition. I found that I enjoy it, but I don't want to do it everyday. Sometimes I will sit down and reload five or six times over the course of a week or two, and sometimes I don't touch it for a few months. Just depends on how I feel at the time.

I also like that I have ammo when the store shelves are empty, and that my ammo is less expensive and more consistent too.

I'm currently on a reloading binge, since work has cut hours, and I won't be working for three weeks, and maybe more. That's fine with me, it gives me a chance to restock my ammo for next springs range time.

chris

 

[Hikingman]

Factory Blazer (45ACP) is 38.99 near me. I would like to find some factory 9mm at $16-17 per 50. The 100 qty. boxes can lower the price a couple of bucks if they are available.

 

[CQB45ACP]

This is why I started. I wanted to try it, to see if I liked it, but I also wanted to learn how to make my own ammunition. I found that I enjoy it, but I don't want to do it everyday. Sometimes I will sit down and reload five or six times over the course of a week or two, and sometimes I don't touch it for a few months. Just depends on how I feel at the time.

I also like that I have ammo when the store shelves are empty, and that my ammo is less expensive and more consistent too.

I'm currently on a reloading binge, since work has cut hours, and I won't be working for three weeks, and maybe more. That's fine with me, it gives me a chance to restock my ammo for next springs range time.

chris

Next springs range time? Next spring?

I went to my wife’s hometown last weekend and STILL got in some shooting.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Factory Blazer (45ACP) is 38.99 near me. I would like to find some factory 9mm at $16-17 per 50. The 100 qty. boxes can lower the price a couple of bucks if they are available.

Your post reminded me…Here is the last box of 45ACP I bought before/as I started reloading in September 2019. Bought it at the same gun show when I bought powder and primers and bullets to start my adventure.

Obviously, never shot it/never needed it. Now it’s a reminder of how low ammo prices have to go before I can say whether loading is cost effective (waay different than is loading “worth” it).

 

[Skgreen]

As far as Factory ammo/9mm, my last purchase was a couple-few years ago. Black Friday Black Packs. After Sales/rebates, came out to 11 cents a round. Still have 97% of it tucked away,,,

Couldn't tell you how many thousands of 9 I've reloaded/shot since then. (Thank goodness for Progressive presses!)

Today, I could either shoot up my '11 centers' or reload some more 9. (Good cost comparison Nature Boy! )

No doubt in my mind, I'll be reloading.

YMWV!

 

[ballman6711]

Next springs range time? Next spring?

I went to my wife’s hometown last weekend and STILL got in some shooting.

Yes sir, next springs range time. The range I frequent is outdoors, and it gets kind of cold here in the winter. We do have an indoor range, but I don't go there often, and it's almost as cold as the outdoor range, believe it or not.

I'll still go shooting a bit during the next few months, and I have plenty of ammo for that!

Don't know where you were in PA, but there is a nice indoor range in Wilkes-Barre if you're in that area. It's called "The Cabin". I went a few times while I lived in PA, and the range and people working it were great.

chris

 

[CQB45ACP]

Yes sir, next springs range time. The range I frequent is outdoors, and it gets kind of cold here in the winter. We do have an indoor range, but I don't go there often, and it's almost as cold as the outdoor range, believe it or not.

I'll still go shooting a bit during the next few months, and I have plenty of ammo for that!

Don't know where you were in PA, but there is a nice indoor range in Wilkes-Barre if you're in that area. It's called "The Cabin". I went a few times while I lived in PA, and the range and people working it were great.

chris

Other end of state. Near Pittsburgh. Most all Pennsyltuckians I meet are great people. (Boy, my wife hates it when I say Pennsyltuckians.)

 

[blackd24]

Factory Blazer (45ACP) is 38.99 near me. I would like to find some factory 9mm at $16-17 per 50. The 100 qty. boxes can lower the price a couple of bucks if they are available.

Norma has $.25 per round ball 9mm. Free shipping over $150 - direct on their website.

 

[ballman6711]

I have relatives (Pennsyltuckians) in the Beaver/Monaca/New Brighton area. Haven't been up there in a long time, but still talk to them on occasion. Always liked that area.

chris

 

[blackd24]

Reloading bench never closes either… if you want to shoot in the morning and the gun shop is closed, you sol.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I for one will never be caught during a hunting season without a way for my son to go if he so chooses. I have set back 1000 lrp to ensure he never has to.

I was swapping deer jerky recipes with a couple guys at work and the subject of reloading came up. I was the only one who thought it was okay to hunt with handloads. Now, keep in mind, some of these guys are still shooting from the box of ammo they bought pre plandemic and will probably get by with it until next season. They shoot three shots a year: one to make sure they remember how to work the rifle; one to make sure the scope is still zeroed; and one to fill their tag. Then everything gets put away for the year.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have relatives (Pennsyltuckians) in the Beaver/Monaca/New Brighton area. Haven't been up there in a long time, but still talk to them on occasion. Always liked that area.

chris

Saw my first real life oil well pumping slowly away in the woods of Butler county PA back in 1978. They’re not uncommon (maybe old & rusty, some inoperable but not uncommon). Not an especially interesting story except for me since I had been to both Dallas and Houston before that and don’t recall seeing one there.

 

[hdwhit]

When I started considering retirement I realized my income would be about 48% of what it had been when I was working, so I decided to go ahead and buy the components I would need to reload for the rest of my life to at least eliminate that as a future cost.

Good thing, too, since I couldn't afford to shoot (or reload) in the current environment.

 

[Riomouse911]

I reload all of my centerfire revolver ammo and much of my rifle ammo.

.32 H&R. 327 mag, ..38 Spl, .357,.41 Spl & Mag, .44 Spl & Mag, .45 Super, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and .243, .257 Roberts, 6.5x55, .270, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-30, .300 Weatherby, .35 Rem and .45/70.

Outside of .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 5.56 and 7.62x39 and shotgun shells, which I buy, the cost and hassle of finding ammo for anything else listed above makes reloading the way to go.

Stay safe.

 

[AJC1]

I reload all of my centerfire revolver ammo and much of my rifle ammo.

.32 H&R. 327 mag, ..38 Spl, .357,.41 Spl & Mag, .44 Spl & Mag, .45 Super, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and .243, .257 Roberts, 6.5x55, .270, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-30, .300 Weatherby, .35 Rem and .45/70.

Outside of .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 5.56 and 7.62x39 and shotgun shells, which I buy, the cost and hassle of finding ammo for anything else listed above makes reloading the way to go.

Stay safe.

That's the type of mix I was expecting with those produced vs those bought shifting with availability and price. Every specialty requires a hand load because I've never seen 9mm major for sale.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I've never seen 9mm major for sale.

I’m not in a position to hunt it down now but I seem to recall another member did post links to a boutique shop selling 9mm Major. I could also just be remembering wrong.
Of course, if it’s selling through a member’s only type store, that would make it 9mm Private.

 

[kidneyboy]

They shoot three shots a year: one to make sure they remember how to work the rifle; one to make sure the scope is still zeroed; and one to fill their tag. Then everything gets put away for the year.

I know a couple of guys that only reload their yearly hunting ammo. Generally about 10 rounds. They are second or third generation hunters and reloading just these rounds is part of the yearly hunt. These guys really enjoy their hunting and the fact that they make their own ammo.

 

[lightman]

Not if you hate it. I'm probably one of the few guys, or a guy that will admit it, that hated reloading. Not sure why but I always found my mind wandering when I was reloading and after my first squib I knew it wasn't going to be for me. As stated many times. A man has got to know his limitations. Yeah, I buy everything now. Yes it's expensive. But I don't worry about squibs or blowing my gun up either. Guess it's a good trade off.

I know a few guys that wanted to get into reloading and didn't like it. Its not for everybody and theres no shame in not enjoying it. I also know a few guys that reload that probably shouldn't!!!

 

[MacAR]

I load for 7 calibers, mostly rifles but also.357 and 38-40. I do save on the cost of ammo, but not on the cost to set up; I figure it costs roughly $100 to set up for a new caliber and that is a consideration when buying a new gun. Recently, I bought a Star BM 9mm, and the $100 I'd had to spend on setting up for reloading 9mm bought 5 boxes of plinking ammo. As long as it's that cheap, I'll continue to buy it vs. load it. In the case of my 38-40, factory "cowboy " loads are $90/ box. I can load them for about $25/ box. So it's trade off, honestly. Buy supplies or loaded ammo, both are costly so pay your penny and take your chances.

Mac

 

[Fishtales]

I see these pop up all the time and my answer is always the same. Is your focus nato calibers. The radio just stated a special of 50 9mm for 13.99. For that I wouldn't bother, but this also today is a not so subtle reminder.View attachment 1120792View attachment 1120793

Not to make anyone cry, but I still have a 50 round box of Remington .357 158 gr semi wadcutters sitting in my ammo closet that I bought after I got out of the navy in 1970 marked down from $6.50 to $4.67.

 

[Fishtales]

I’m nearly to the point I might quit loading 9mm except nothing I’ve tried from a factory will shoot as well as my pet 9mm heavy load. For everything else it’s more fun to reload the equivalent of match ammo for blammo factory prices.

Pet (custom) loads are a major reason why we reload. In my case, my Remington 700 in .222 Mag (bought in September,1969) would not shoot factory ammo worth beans, but, between my buddies and I, we found the reloads (2 of them using BLC-2 or IMR 4895 behind Sierra 53 gr hp's) that made that rifle an M O A rifle even though I was rarely an M O A shooter (decent on woodchucks though).

 

[Fishtales]

My post was not to say that reloading cannot help reduce costs. It most certainly can, especially with non-current military cartridges (if that description makes sense). Rather it's kind of silly for someone to claim big savings by comparing components acquired when prices were lower. Chances are darned good factory ammo could have been purchased cheap at some point, too. My observation has been most reloading components are purchased in larger lots so we tend to have supplies on hand when shortages or price hikes come around as the cycle inevitably does. Of course this can turn some people away from the hobby, too. There's plenty of folks who would never envision needing 1000 rounds of anything which I think is pretty well recognized by the standard box sizes seen on store shelves of 5, 20 or 50.

When I first started reloading (shotgun shells) a box of 25 Winchester AA's was about $5.00. I bought a few boxes of them, shot them and reused the hulls and the cost dropped, eventually (after allowing for the purchase of a press) to $2.50 a box and over the past 52 years has not changed yet due to component stock on hand (need some primers sometime in the future). Bought my first three boxes of .338 Winchester Magnums at $30.00 each in 2002. Three because I had to find out which ones were shooters and which weren't (the first box was terrible, the second box was not bad, but the third box was the charm). Eventually shot them all up (not all at one time) and saved the brass. Bought dies (already had the Lyman Turret Press I bought sometime in the 80's for the other calibers I reloaded for) and started reloading the .338 for $.75 per round-a half price savings over the cost of buying factory ammo. All is not roses, though, as I got caught short on Remington 61/2 Small Rifle Primers (for my .222 Mag) that I had to pay an exorbitant price for (other calibers are okay for now). Reloading, however, is not just about saving money. It's a great hobby, especially in the winter when it's too dark after dinner to mow the lawn or play softball).

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Not to make anyone cry, but I still have a 50 round box of Remington .357 158 gr semi wadcutters sitting in my ammo closet that I bought after I got out of the navy in 1970 marked down from $6.50 to $4.67.

Killed my first deer with one of those. Good bullets. It would be a shame to have them go bad. Chootum!

 

[AJC1]

Not to make anyone cry, but I still have a 50 round box of Remington .357 158 gr semi wadcutters sitting in my ammo closet that I bought after I got out of the navy in 1970 marked down from $6.50 to $4.67.

Sounds like those cases need a christening in fire and a bath. A fresh primer every decade or so keeps the relationship fresh....