Reloading not looking quite as good.

[farmerbyron]

The prices for ammo especially .223 has really come down lately. It seems you can have it all day long for $300 per 1k. To buy once fired brass, bullets, powder, and primers with shipping would run me $256 per 1k. Plus, I just have a single stage reloading press so 1k would take a long time. Seems like buying loaded ammo makes more sense than a year ago. I wonder how those people that sucked up all that $500 per 1k ammo feel today?

Also, does anyone know where to find some 9mm Federal Hyrdashok 124 grn? Can not find it anywhere and don't really want to get another kind and have to go back through the 100-200 rnd function check.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[dukalmighty]

I'm still reloading,I started reloading about 5 years ago when I realised without ammo all my guns are expensive clubs ,It costs me about $120.00 1000 55grn fmj,still using powder and primers and bullet tips I bought when it was still cheap,

[OldVet]

While it's nice to save a few bucks reloading (I don't buy bulk components to get bigger savings), I reload for the enjoyment. I find it therapeutic, relaxing. I can also turn out custom loads that will shoot far more accurately in my rifles than any factory loads. Handloads can be "tuned" to a particular firearm. The choice of available loads is far greater than what is factory available.

So if you just looking at blasting tin cans and paper with an AR, cheap bulk factory ammo is probably the way to go, time- and money-wise. But if you're trying to shoot out a gnat's eye at 300 yards with your precision varmit rifle, the handload will come out on top.

[FHBrumb]

Reloading is a hobby unto itself, that from time to time, makes lots of financial sense. I do not reload very much now, but have (on and off) since I was a child. I remember loading up trays of 38spl with my Dad. One of my jobs was to be certain that EVERY case had powder in it, and NONE looked different from the others. My Dad threw the charges until I was a little older.

These days, I like to load a bit for rifles and 38/357. That's about it. I don't get much "hobby time" these days, and would rather spend it shooting than loading.

[nedrgr21]

Your math is a bit off. You can reuse the brass (the most expensive part), so what's the cost without that? What type of bullets are you using? If you don't buy enough online, you can wind up paying more b/c of the haz-mat fees; otherwise it can be cheaper to buy powder/primers local.

Like others have said, there's also accuracy and enjoyment aspects of it. It also opens up new aspects of shooting like certain bullets that aren't available in factory loads or light loads for new shooters or plinking. You also wind up knowing more about your individual firearm which can alert you to when things are starting to wear.

[farmerbyron]

True about the brass. I was just looking up the components for 1k rounds of .223 and comparing the cost to factory loaded ammunition. The $25 haz-mat fee for the powder and primers adds a bit to the cost as well. I do enjoy reloading but time is becoming more limited all the time and so long as the costs are the same I feel my press will be neglected.

[N.M. Edmands]

Reloading not looking quite as good?
Relaxation!
I shoot to unwind,
I reload to unwind,
I just can't decide if I reload to shoot more or shoot to reload more!
Life is good.

[carguy2244]

I saw some on ammunitiontogo.com

[mauser1959]

Reloading not looking quite as good?
Relaxation!
I shoot to unwind,
I reload to unwind,
I just can't decide if I reload to shoot more or shoot to reload more!
Life is good.

+100%

[tankdriver]

The largest cost you list once fired brass, I do not have, I pick up my old brass. I have reloaded sice the 70's and enjoy "rolling my own". I go out to my shop, turn on the radio all alone, and relax. I am a IT director and need it after being hounded all day.

[rickmn50]

I use reloading as therapy. I just lock myself in the basement and pull that handle. When all my stress is gone...I emerge! Right now it is cheaper...but that really doesn't matter.

[mojust]

If you add how long it takes you to reload, the advantages are marginal. Although it's good to know how to do it in the event it becomes necessary.