To reload or not to reload?

[ericire12]

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

Yeah, but its Quaker.

[tombogan03884]

 You mean Fighting "I want an AK, I want an AK, I want an AK".  I bought an AR, and for some reason I don't feel happy " Quaker  ?

[1Buckshot]

Yes you can save money over the long run. I started reloading when I was About 16. ( ? 55 - 16  OK a long time.) It
all depends how much you shoot and how long you will reload to whether you will pay for the equipment cost. If you are like me, you never pay for it because you keep upgrading and buying new toys to go with it. But damn is it fun.

[bbbean]

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

I save between 25% and 60% on ammo costs reloading versus buying commercially reloaded ammo. The wide range si due to the fluctuating cost of components and ammo. My initial investment in a Dillon 550 with most of the bells and whistles has effectively been paid off in the past year.

FWIW, I'm a competitive shooter shooting 10K+ rounds a year. It'd be a lot harder to justify the progressive pressif I was just an occasional shooter shooting a few hundred rounds a year. A single stage press would cut initial investment by 50-75%, and probably be adequate for someone loading hunting ammo and plinking rounds.   

[ericire12]

I save between 25% and 60% on ammo costs reloading versus buying commercially reloaded ammo. The wide range si due to the fluctuating cost of components and ammo. My initial investment in a Dillon 550 with most of the bells and whistles has effectively been paid off in the past year.

FWIW, I'm a competitive shooter shooting 10K+ rounds a year. It'd be a lot harder to justify the progressive pressif I was just an occasional shooter shooting a few hundred rounds a year. A single stage press would cut initial investment by 50-75%, and probably be adequate for someone loading hunting ammo and plinking rounds.   

Yep, thats the biggest deciding factor ---- > How many rounds per year are you gonna shoot.

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