mongoose33
Member
I only save about half on 9mm and .223, but I'm saving 2/3 on .45 ammo, producing it for 12 cents per round using Missouri Bullets and primers and powder bought in bulk. It costs 36 cents per round for WWB where I live.
Why bother reloading?
- Thread starter AKMac
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I only save about half on 9mm and .223, but I'm saving 2/3 on .45 ammo, producing it for 12 cents per round using Missouri Bullets and primers and powder bought in bulk. It costs 36 cents per round for WWB where I live.
RainDodger
Member
In my particular case, the handloading portion of shooting is as much a hobby as shooting itself. I have not shot factory ammunition in years. I've been reloading for roughly 39 years now - for many pistol and rifle calibers, as well as 12 gauge shotgun. I'm an avid trap shooter, and that eats shotshells.
For one who is into precision and the pride of equalling or bettering something that is "precision made" commercially... reloading is a fantastic hobby. I can lose myself for an entire afternoon in my reloading shop. Add in the fact that you can do it for anything less than commercial prices... it's priceless!
For one who is into precision and the pride of equalling or bettering something that is "precision made" commercially... reloading is a fantastic hobby. I can lose myself for an entire afternoon in my reloading shop. Add in the fact that you can do it for anything less than commercial prices... it's priceless!
Armoredman and some one else said it. When you're out of ammo or forget to get it or wait until the last minute and you rush in to town to get some and they don't have the brand and load you trust, what do you do? Reloaders very seldom have that problem.
SSN Vet
Member
how about because it's not a "bother" but is actually quite fun
rugerman
Member
The last factory ammo that I bought (except for rimfire) was in the late 70's. I don't shoot anything but reloads in any of my guns (rifle, pistol or shotgun). You can't just talk about the cost, you have to consider that you can make stuff that isn't available in the retail marketplace, you can custom load for a single gun to increase accuracy. And reloading is also a hobby itself, like gun collecting, shooting, fishing, etc. If you don't enjoy it don't do it, go buy your cheap ammo at wally world and keep throwing away your brass. We reloaders will come along, pick it up and enjoy reloading it for years to come.
ReloaderFred
Member
I forgot to mention that reloading is the only way to enjoy shooting some calibers. I've yet to see 9x25 Dillon, 9x21, 9x23 Winchester, .41 AE, .400 Cor-Bon or .45-120 Sharps ammunition on my local dealer's shelves. Or for that matter, any dealer's shelves. I load for some pretty exotic calibers, and that's the only way I can shoot them. I currently load for over 30 calibers and most dealers don't carry that many calibers in their stores.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
Sport45
Member
ReloaderFred said:
Fred makes good points here. For me I find it's about the only way to shoot my 7.7 Arisaka, a .375Win '94, and my M1 Garand.
qajaq59
Member
It's enjoyable, and I couldn't care less what it costs. And I seriously doubt that anyone that's been loading as long as I have is doing it to save money. That may be the result of doing it, but certainly not the reason.
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762 shooter
Member
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- Apr 26, 2008
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Reloading savings are substantial the longer you are in the game.
The primers I use now I purchased for $10.00/1000 fifteen years ago.
The brass (once fired)and factory bullets I use now are probably 30 years old.
The powder is only about 3 years old but a lot cheaper than current prices.
Casting takes at least 8 cents off each round.
Ammo or component prices will never be much cheaper than they are NOW.
As for "value of your time" comparison, your time is only worth what you would have been paid if you weren't doing a specific task. Around here, watching The Outdoor Channel, Self Defense TV, or watching the movie Taken, doesn't pay much.
My $0.02. Pardon the pun.
The primers I use now I purchased for $10.00/1000 fifteen years ago.
The brass (once fired)and factory bullets I use now are probably 30 years old.
The powder is only about 3 years old but a lot cheaper than current prices.
Casting takes at least 8 cents off each round.
Ammo or component prices will never be much cheaper than they are NOW.
As for "value of your time" comparison, your time is only worth what you would have been paid if you weren't doing a specific task. Around here, watching The Outdoor Channel, Self Defense TV, or watching the movie Taken, doesn't pay much.
My $0.02. Pardon the pun.
dwave
Member
not true, he posted this on page 2:
qajaq59
Member
If that was your intention you asked the wrong question. "How can I spend less on reloading" might have worked a bit better than "Why bother reloading?" Written words do not always convey what it is we want to say very well. But there were several suggestions on how to spend less in the 5 pages of thread, so hopefully, you got what you needed anyway?
But it is almost Christmas so it is a good time for all of us to relax and take it easy. Better yet, go load something!.
MERRY CHRISTMAS Folks
41 Mag
Member
With regard to your post, you picked out a easily found and relatively cheap and common caliber. Most of my loads are for not so easily found stuff like the 10mm, 41mag, Ackley Improved calibers, and even the common stuff for my rifles like the 25-06 and .280 are still as high or higher than say the .270 and 30-06 and aren't generally as easily found in more than one weight on the shelf.
I shoot quite a lot, maybe not as much as some but more than others. I look for sales, groups purchases withing my local area, and anything else to help offset cost. Like many others, I try and purchase in bulk to offset the other cost for quite some time. I spent hours looking over loads, and cost per round to decide which might be the cheaper load for my particular needs.
While the savings might not be much per round if purchased like your figuring, the fact that when I do load even as small a number as 10 rounds for any of my arms, I get the same performance from them as I did from the previous amount, with out having to worry about this or that lot being faster or slower. When I DO have to change things up, the loads and components I have chosen for my stuff are such that there is hardly if any differences between one lot to the next.
This to me, is well worth the added savings, no matter how small, over simply going to any ol shop and picking up a box of 20 or 50 factory loaded rounds, than having to adjust my scope or sights due to the new box being different form the last.
I shoot quite a lot, maybe not as much as some but more than others. I look for sales, groups purchases withing my local area, and anything else to help offset cost. Like many others, I try and purchase in bulk to offset the other cost for quite some time. I spent hours looking over loads, and cost per round to decide which might be the cheaper load for my particular needs.
While the savings might not be much per round if purchased like your figuring, the fact that when I do load even as small a number as 10 rounds for any of my arms, I get the same performance from them as I did from the previous amount, with out having to worry about this or that lot being faster or slower. When I DO have to change things up, the loads and components I have chosen for my stuff are such that there is hardly if any differences between one lot to the next.
This to me, is well worth the added savings, no matter how small, over simply going to any ol shop and picking up a box of 20 or 50 factory loaded rounds, than having to adjust my scope or sights due to the new box being different form the last.
oldreloader
Member
I 've never concidered reloading a "bother". It did kinda sound like a thread a troll would start.
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!
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Fatelvis
Member
I have found that the savings from reloading are generally dependant on what type of cartridge you're reloading.
Shotgun.........not alot of savings
Pistol.............save enough to make it worthwhile
Rifle..............huge savings in reloading!
Shotgun.........not alot of savings
Pistol.............save enough to make it worthwhile
Rifle..............huge savings in reloading!
dwave
Member
Do you reload .357? Heck of a savings for me. Costs $34/50 here. I reload them for $7.83/50 using lead bullets.
qajaq59
Member
Sure is. Especially if you just want to fool around with your 30-30. Just cast your own and use 7 to 9 gr of Unique powder. About the only real expense is the primers and gas checks, and that's maybe $7 a hundred at the most. Lots more fun than dry firing.
Ian Sean
Member
I initially got into reloading to save money.....now it has pretty much turned into a hobby of its own.
How in the world can someone afford to buy all the ammo necessary to find that "magical load" that works best in a particular firearm.
I can usually rule out a test load after only a few shots.......what gun shop is going to sell me only 5 or 10 rounds?
Besides it is pretty darn fun.
Anybody can go out and BUY ammo!
How in the world can someone afford to buy all the ammo necessary to find that "magical load" that works best in a particular firearm.
I can usually rule out a test load after only a few shots.......what gun shop is going to sell me only 5 or 10 rounds?
Besides it is pretty darn fun.
Anybody can go out and BUY ammo!
Sunray
Member
"...why I should even bother reloading..." Quality of the ammo. It's not just about saving money.
Thanks for the responses guys. I received a lot of replies on how to cut down the costs, which is nice. My numbers were calculated from powder valley, but as has been stated, there are cheaper alternatives out there.
To the posters who think with emotions rather than logic, I apologize for hurting your feelings.
To the posters who think with emotions rather than logic, I apologize for hurting your feelings.
mhodge
Member
I'm new to this site/reloading but not to guns/shooting. Up until recently factory ammo wasn't a concern for availability, all could be had in my area any time I stopped at any store. That was until about a year and a half ago.
I believe a lot of us are worried about the 2nd Amendment implications of the current political climate, but beyond that is the cost of components and the scarcity of them. Just try and find some primers right now, good luck. I believe I ordered the last of them from Powder Valley and feel bad for some reason. I have been scrounging brass, powder and bullets for years preparing to start reloading, but what's the point without primers?
I am reloading so I don't depend on the factories, it's a hobby now. I really don't care what the costs are to be honest, just like I don't care what the costs are to keep all my paid off vehicles running, it is what it is. Either buy from the store or make your own, it doesn't matter to me which one someone does. Every person who doesn't reload is just one less for competition for components.
I believe a lot of us are worried about the 2nd Amendment implications of the current political climate, but beyond that is the cost of components and the scarcity of them. Just try and find some primers right now, good luck. I believe I ordered the last of them from Powder Valley and feel bad for some reason. I have been scrounging brass, powder and bullets for years preparing to start reloading, but what's the point without primers?
I am reloading so I don't depend on the factories, it's a hobby now. I really don't care what the costs are to be honest, just like I don't care what the costs are to keep all my paid off vehicles running, it is what it is. Either buy from the store or make your own, it doesn't matter to me which one someone does. Every person who doesn't reload is just one less for competition for components.
navyretired 1
Member
AKMac; Everyone makes their own mind up if it's worth it but I need the stress releaf as much as the ammo, you can get rid of a lot of stress pulling that handle.
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