Sticks

I think I done fried my brain.

Spent 5 hours reading, window shopping, and researching on reloading, started to smell something like smoke, and my head hurts.

Press
Scale
Tumbler
Dies
Consumables
Options

Then...
Powder
Brass
Bullets

Which manufacturer of each of the above determines how much powder...

I keep reading about some of you turning out ammo for 1/3 or less of retail, but in my pricing, the bullets alone are 1/2 of retail (for low end plated), then there is primers and powder to consider, and that is if I scavenge brass.

I can buy 1000 rounds of .40 reloads for $240 (was $220 but the supplier ran out, had to go elsewhere). Oddly enough I can buy 1000 ct range brass online for $50 and send those in for exchange on the purchase and knock the price down to $170.

Am I missing something here?

__________________
Sticks
Curiosity was framed, poor judgment killed the cat

A Government is comprised of a body of people notably ungoverned.

Three can keep a secret if two are dead

Ram Rod

Maybe you're over-thinking things? Maybe you're thinking short term instead of long term. That's where you'll come out ahead. I reload for rifles only currently, and have been for a good eight years. It really made sense to me...rifle ammo is most often $1 per cartridge or more for factory quality re-usable brass. I've bought new brass for them, but in small quantities as my original brass won't last forever. Thing is....you should start out using your own once fired brass instead of buying new...that's why they call it reloading. I haven't crunched the numbers for entering into the pistol reloading myself. Right now for me, selling my once fired brass, and purchasing new seems to work out well for me up to this point in time. Actually, I'm buying while keeping/saving what I have in stock and it's not an issue that's come to a turning point decision for me yet. I don't even have a press! Lee original loaders work for me and my rifles.
Some folks make their own bullets from lead...this is saving them more than if they used plated bullets. Primer bargains will be seen when you're buying 1000 or more. Bulk purchases see the discounts, but one shouldn't buy if they can't use---otherwise it may go to waste. My opinion? Quit frying your brain, and start putting things down on paper. Best advice I can give you.

__________________
RamRod-----sans remords

Sticks

All the numbers that I pushed were per 1k.

My Baby Eagle has the polygonal rifling so I can not shoot the straight lead bullets. I am not even sure if I can get away with plated.

Same thing with my Desert Eagle plus the gas port would get plugged with non jacketed.

I want to get into reloading, if it truly is a money saving factor. Right now I can not see the numbers. My rate of consumption is probably 2k rounds per year, it might go up to 3k after joining the IDPA. I am thinking 6 maybe 7 years to break even at todays market prices for supplies.

__________________
Sticks
Curiosity was framed, poor judgment killed the cat

A Government is comprised of a body of people notably ungoverned.

Three can keep a secret if two are dead

dukalmighty

I cast my own bullets and so the cost is cheap less than .01 per bullet,my range lets me pick up brass for free so no brass price,pistol brass can be reloaded quite a few times.Iif your buying plated bullets and paying to ship and buying cases you aren't gonna save that much

__________________
I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

Ram Rod

I hear you. Unless I buy aftermarket barrels for my Glocks, I'm in the same boat on that. Okay then....a new water heater should realize cost savings after what? Two years? The new energy saving light bulbs should reap cost benefits in the first year? Well, there's a lot more to it than that. Figure your cost for new ammo per year....add 50% for the way things are going, and double your usage in order to keep some in stock (in case you already haven't considered stock), or the cost becomes unfathomable to you to pay. Then gamble on the supplies you will need being available after ammunition has been outlawed, because the next thing to outlaw would be the components for making ammo..............................uh-oh! You know what? I'm smelling smoke now! Anyway.........at a 6-7 year return rate at this time, it wouldn't pay for me. I've become increasingly conservative with what I have vs. what I've allotted to buy and my practice sessions have mirrored my priorities. There are also other ways I practice besides live fire, and this furthers my options for savings. One good reason I stick with what I know as far as pistols and weapons. I'm not changing to go with the current 'fad' or what's 'hot' on the market. I've learned my chosen venues and there's no good reason to change nor impress anyone with me keeping up with the neighbors or what's the newest or 'best'. I'm what they would term as stable or boring. It costs me less in the long run. Older and wiser maybe, but I don't consider myself a smart man.

__________________
RamRod-----sans remords

dukalmighty

I actually just reloaded 500 40 S&W 155grn LRN bullets for a guy for 50.00 and made 25.00 over my cost not counting any labor.He told me that is what he pays for 100 not including tax.I have over 3000.00 invested in reloading equipment and in cost of ammo savings over the last 2 years It has more than paid for itself.you don't have to spend that much money,for about 100-150.00 you can start casting good lead bullets that will get you a bottom pour lead pot and at least 2 to 3 bullet molds,you will need to find a decent supply of lead and used tire weights have about the right amount of tin and antimony to make good cast bullets.If I didn't reload I would only shoot about once a month and lots of 22 and a few out of my carry gun maybe some rifle.

__________________
I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

cvhoss

A lot of the savings in reloading depends on what you are reloading for. If you only reload 9mm and only shoot a couple hundred rounds a month, it's going to take you a long time to recoup your investment unless you also cast your own bullets, something I don't care to do. Whatever caliber your reload, remember that your brass cost is good for at least 5 loadings (unless it's for a Glock 40 S&W by several reputable sources, but that's another discussion) and in most instances, brass will last way beyond 5 loadings. I have some 45 Colt brass that has been loaded 15+ times. When I started cowboy action shooting, I bought my first Dillon 650 press (already had a 550) and it took less than 3 months to pay for over 1000.00 worth of equipment. At that time, I was shooting about 1500 rounds a month and factory 45 Colt was 20.00+ per box of 50. I could load it for 5.00 per 50 saving 15.00 per box X 30 boxes a month = 450.00 a month X 3 months = 1350.00 saved.

Obviously, if you're loading 9mm or 40 and only saving 2.00 - 3.00 per box and only shoot 2 boxes a month, it's going to take a lot longer to amortize the investment but if you buy quality equipment, it will eventually pay for itself and then it starts saving you money.

Like Ram Rod said, if you also load rifle rounds, the savings can multiply very quickly. Hornady factory 223 ammo with a 40 grain V-Max bullet is $17.49/20. I can load the same bullet to the same specs and with 5 loadings per case my cost is $5.92/20 or a savings of $11.57 on 20 rounds. On a single prairie dog hunt where I would shoot at least 300 rounds I would save $173.55 and that's not counting the 1000 rounds or more I would shoot practicing.

In the long run, do the cost/benefit analysis based on your own requirements. If it saves you sufficient money, do it. If not, don't. Just remember this: As long as you pick up your brass, reloading will ALWAYS save you money. How much it saves depends on what calibers you reload for and how much you shoot.

Hoss

__________________
I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was
Kahr PM-9 / Sig P-245 / Para NiteHawg / Walther PPK / Beretta Tomcat / Ruger LCP
BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 / Sig Sauer 239 SAS / Walther PPS .40

NRA Life Member
My Web Site

dukalmighty

I reload plinking.223 milspec 55 grn bullets the bullets cost me about .07 shipped I have cases and powder is about .05 round primers are just under .02,so for .14 cents a round i'm loading what your gonna pay around .40 + in the stores for and I reload about 300 rounds a week for a friends m16 and he pays me .20 round.Like hoss said depends on calibre you shoot and how much you shoot that depends on savings and also prices you pay for components.Components have increased in the last 3 to 5 years a lot but they aren't going to get cheaper

__________________
I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

4my son

I consider it a hobby that does give me something back besides the enjoyment of doing it.

__________________
"fundamental principle of American law that a government and its agents are under no general duty to provide public services, such as police protection, to any individual citizen." [Warren v. District of Columbia,(D.C. Ct. of Ap., 1981)]
If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand

bmcgilvray

I'd still reload to some extent if it cost more than factory ammo.