To reload or not to reload?

[fightingquaker13]

Here is the question. I have no interest in developing a custom round here. Accuracy from what I can buy commercially is good enough, and I can't argue with performance either. It just comes down to cost. .556 is about $.50 per round, UMC or PMC. How much, if anything, would I save by rolling my own, if you include gear and components plus time?
FQ13

[philw]

you won't save anything


all that will happen is you will be spending the same amount and just shoot more...




that's they way I see it

also it can be quite therapeutic to get out in to the Man Cave and crank through a few rounds

[jaybet]

I started reloading pistol ammo about 9 months ago and I've been keeping track of costs. The problem is that I always have money invested in materials that are not yet viable rounds. Including all of that, on average, my rounds still cost less than store bought. 9 mm is store price or a little higher, .38 is maybe 10% lower than store, and 45 acp is HALF of store bought. Of course, as prices come down that will all change. What I think is more significant is that I spend about the same or less for ammo, but I have the ammo I want when I want it.

The main reason I started reloading was that I couldn't order on line and I'd go on a 150 mile buying trip and come home with 2 boxes of 38 Sp for my wife to shoot. No good. Now we have the caliber we want when we want it, and generally, plenty of it. AND I'm saving a little money too. Primers are still hard to buy and I ended up spending too much on them, BUT I have them. I scrounge brass and load lead bullets exclusively, but it is worth it. If ammo prices change where 45 is $12 a box and 9 mil is $6 a box again it won't be worth it until material prices come down.
BUT...availability can't be beat.

[TAB]

the only time you save money is when you have something that is odd ball.

like me I have a bunch of 16 ga, a 257 weatherby mag and 17 remington.  the only way I could aford to shoot them is if I reload.

[ellis4538]

You should save money if you pick up your brass and have saved factory brass to start out with.  You can reload each piece any number of times and that is mostly where the savings comes in.  Initial cost will be up there but with time that will pay for itself.  Look for quantity prices. (for example...I can get indoor range 9mm for $20/1000 unprocessed and .45 for $30-40/1000 both big savings!).  Primers are scarce still but out there for a price and powder also - try Powder Valley.  It can be theriputic for some and torture for others (I have a back problem even though the Dr. says NO you don't! and can only sit thru 50 rounds which is OK because I am retired and can load enough for next season during the winter).  Talk to other shooters at the range for their opinion.  I recommend Dillon equipment for the quality and customer service/tech support alone.

JMHOFWIW

Richard

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Not including equipment costs I save about 10% - 15% on shotgun and about 40% on handgun - this is when comparing apples to apples.

I don't figure my time, because I am using recreation time and wouldn't be out working a third job during this time anyway.  I didn't figure in the cost of the equipment, because I have reached the point that it is less than a penny a round and decreasing with every pull of the lever.

Like the commercial would say - extending your shooting enjoyment by remembering past shooting and dreaming of the future as you build your own ... PRICELESS!

[Solus]

I use a Dillon 650 and love it and the company.

However, I'd not recommend someone start with a progressive. 

With a single stage, you really get an understanding of it all by touching everything, checking everything and adjusting everything.

Reloading can be a hedge against fluctuating ammo prices.  If you buy your components at low prices and buy more than you will use, you will build a stockpile.

When ammo prices are low, using factory ammo will not cost much more than reloading and you will be building your brass supply.

When ammo prices go high, you can then reload.

Of course. when they investigate you for anti-Obama sentiments posted here, the headlines will note they found components to make 50,000 rounds of ammo in your basement.

[tombogan03884]

 FQ, count me in with JayBet and Solus.
Phil has a good point though  But that is not a bad thing 

[ericire12]

There is a lot of money that has to be spent up front.... and you have got to shoot in volume if you really want to see a return. Plus there is that whole "you might kaboom your eye out" factor that must be included -- and I submit that you, sir, are at a much higher statistical likelyhood of that occuring then others.

Unless you are doing it for a hard to get round or you are seeking maximum accuracy, IMO life is just too short.

[tombogan03884]

Start with a single stage press, cross reference between at least 2 manuals, READ THE HOW TO sections of both before you even start. and DO NOT trust your memory about anything and you should avoid the Kaboom