Savings with reloading

[Laxer]

So I am thinking about getting into reloading. Per 50 rounds how much do you save when you reload plinking loads? I will be shooting 45acp, 9mm, 38 sp. and 357mag

Thanks

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[waketurb007]

So I am thinking about getting into reloading. Per 50 rounds how much do you save when you reload plinking loads? I will be shooting 45acp, 9mm, 38 sp. and 357mag

Thanks

Although I am still a newbie to reloading there is no doubt that I am saving money. My numbers do not include the cost of equipment. I am reloading for the 9mm.

Brass = 0 (I have tons of it that I saved over a long period of time)
Bullets = $0.08 per bullet (using Berry's Plated)
Primers = $0.03 per bullet
Powder = $0.01 per bullet

So that equals $0.12 per bullet or $12.00 per hundred.

[Miggy]

Nifty little calculator for you

Handloading Cost Calculator

[alnitak]

Wake has it mostly right ... you can reload a box of 50 for $5-$7 (assuming you don't count anything for the time you invest). I find the bullets are the most expensive component, round for round. Although I try to keep the cost down to $.06-$.08 per bullet, in the last year those costs have gone up to $.10 or more (even for lead). Good bullets can run $.15 to $.20 each, or more. Brass is cheap (figure $50 for 500), so at $.10 each divided by an average of 10+ reloads each, that's a penny or less per round. Powder has also gone up. There are 7000 grains per pound, with powder running $20-$24 per pound around here. If you are shooting 9mm with 3-4 grains per load, powder is cheap. However, if you are shooting rifle or .44 mag, those costs can be higher than Wake indicates.

Bottom line, if you don't count you time, reloading can save you money. But I warn you...don't go into it thinking you will save money. Not only is there the initial investment for equipment and supplies (not to mention building a reloading bench and storage for the supplies), but your time has a cost as well. What you will find also is that whatever savings you have from reloading will be sucked up by the extra shooting you do. In the long run, reloading does not save you any money ... it just allows you to shoot more with the same funds.

[keboostman]

In my experience reloading saves zero. The ammo is less expensive per round, but, because it's cheaper, you shoot more. However, it's fun and you get more practice for the same dollars. Saving money is what you tell your wife to justify buying the equipment and the components.

[BIKERIDER]

+1 Keboostman on telling wife.

[kazzaerexys]

For me, I am currently reloading .45 ACP at a cost of about $16/100rds. The best price I can find on retail bulk practice ammo right now is about $350/1k, or $35/100rds, so I am reloading for just under half the price for buying, using range brass.

At that price, I'll pay for my reloading equipment in about a year (7k rounds, give or take). It'd be sooner but I splurged on accessories for the RL-550B.

[Miggy]

OK, I find the whole concept of "You don't save 'cause you shoot more" utterly silly. If you are getting more bangs for the same buck, you are indeed saving. If you shoot more or less is unrelated to the issue.

But even if we add it to the "Shooting More" statement to the equation, you are getting an increased benefit for less money as you spend more time practicing, relaxing or perfecting your shooting skills.

Let's add another benefit: How about not depending of the local gun shop for your ammo? How many live in states or counties where in the event of a SHTF scenario, the first thing that gets regulated or stopped is the selling of guns and ammo? The most likelihood is that as a reloader, you may have a sizable stash ready or will be able to create one at a moment's notice.

Reloading saves you money, helps your skills and provides a bigger degree of independence.

[rottkeeper]

OK, I find the whole concept of "You don't save 'cause you shoot more" utterly silly. If you are getting more bangs for the same buck, you are indeed saving. If you shoot more or less is unrelated to the issue.

But even if we add it to the "Shooting More" statement to the equation, you are getting an increased benefit for less money as you spend more time practicing, relaxing or perfecting your shooting skills.

Let's add another benefit: How about not depending of the local gun shop for your ammo? How many live in states or counties where in the event of a SHTF scenario, the first thing that gets regulated or stopped is the selling of guns and ammo? The most likelihood is that as a reloader, you may have a sizable stash ready or will be able to create one at a moment's notice.

Reloading saves you money, helps your skills and provides a bigger degree of independence.

+1 And thanks for the calculator in your previous post. Handy indeed

[Jmac00]

In my experience reloading saves zero. The ammo is less expensive per round, but, because it's cheaper, you shoot more. However, it's fun and you get more practice for the same dollars. Saving money is what you tell your wife to justify buying the equipment and the components.

Whaaa?????? THAT doesn't work at all?? I shoot competition and I reload.

Factory load of 40cal @ $29/50rounds (at Dick's Sporting Goods) = 58¢/round

at 62* rounds per week, that comes to $1,869.92 per year
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Reloading 40cal at .107¢/round = $5.35/50 rounds

at 62* rounds per week, that comes to $344.97 per year ( if you include the price of equipment for one year at $500for a Dillion your still at $844 you save $1000/year reloading

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I shoot every Wednesday night..........even if you include the equipment the saving are freaking HUGE (BTW, I used Miggy's calculator) without Miggy's calculator I came up with 12¢/round

The equipment will pay for it'self in no time


*62 rounds per week is about the average number of rounds shot.

[Jmac00]

okay? after re-reading my post:

Whaaa?????? THAT doesn't work at all?? I shoot competition and I reload.

that sounds like I'm going to meetings for an addiction or something

[Laxer]

Thanks everybody! so i think i will start to reload and how much would i be looking at for an initial investment? Any things that you guys recommend starting with?

[farronwolf]

Thanks everybody! so i think i will start to reload and how much would i be looking at for an initial investment? Any things that you guys recommend starting with?

How many rounds per year do you shoot, or how many do you anticipate shooting?

How much time do you intend on spending doing the reloading?

How much do you intend to invest in the initial equipment for the 4 caliblers you want to reload?

These questions will be very helpful in determining what equipment you might want to purchase.

[Laxer]

How many rounds per year do you shoot, or how many do you anticipate shooting? - about 1k of 9mm, 1k 0f 45 and 500ea 38 and 357

How much time do you intend on spending doing the reloading? -As long as it takes(I have quite a bit of spare time in the week).

How much do you intend to invest in the initial equipment for the 4 caliblers you want to reload?- I would say no more than 500-600 with enough components for a years supply

[mathewsman]

brass is very expensive here i have a little but not a lot