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 TheReluctantOhioan 
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Joined: Jun 2012  OH, USA
 Posts: 31 Feedback: 0% (0) |
Posted: 8/3/2012 11:37:00 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT A.) Find comparable ammo online and calculate that way (HP to HP, Frangible to frangible, cheap RN to cheap RN...You get the idea). In this case, if there is a commercially available round with the same bullet component, that's the price I'll use to calculate. B.) Find the cheapest, nastiest bulk ammo that I can and compare the price to what I'm reloading for (Tula and Wolf, anyone?) Realistically, I know that my cheap ass would never drop $38/box for environmentally friendly 9mm lead-free rounds. As such, I feel like using this to compare to the Midway special frangible rounds I'm loading currently is kind of a stretch when calculating savings (to the tune of $1520/2k commercially loaded vs $220 handloaded). Although it is nice to be able to tell the wife I'm saving $1300 by reloading, giving me leverage for the next time she says I don't need new/more equipment! So how are you guys calculating your cost savings for reloading? |
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Posted: 8/3/2012 11:48:59 PM
There was a website called 10Xshooters.com which disappeared several months ago.
They had very good spreadsheet macros which were done for rifle, shotshell, etc. The sheet had breakeven calculations for the cost of equipment, cycles on the brass, and several other parameters. Darn shame is disappeared without a trace. You can base your case on anything you like in terms of ROI on the tools, comparison to commercial, etc. Most of the reasons for reloading end up being a mix of cost and performance, but some are just one or the other... YMMV Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun reloading has lots of dimensions beyond cost, so I hope you don't dwell on budget too much and forget to enjoy pulling the trigger. |
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Posted: 8/3/2012 11:51:03 PM
I fully enjoy working up a new load, is it cheaper Yes if I don't add in all the equipment and gotta haves, but at the rate I reload I doubt I've saved any money yet.
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Stove_Pipe
"Bacon and eggs, dear"
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Posted: 8/4/2012 12:03:33 AM
I used to think that I would save money too, but it turns out I just shoot more and get more range time. The real benefit as a tinkerer is that I get to make the rounds myself and shoot them. The more I get into reloading and now casting, I find myself shooting just to get the cases back so I can do it again.
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Willz
Hoisting the black flag...
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Joined: Nov 2008 USA
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Posted: 8/4/2012 12:13:04 AM
If you're looking to reload to save money, don't.
It's as addictive as BRD. You can, by buying the cheapest components and not hot loading assemble cartridges of better more consistent quality than factory match ammo. The margin is thin. The primary reason is improved accuracy. You can taylor your reloads to your rifle. Factory ammo is designed to be as accurate as possible over the broadest range of firearms. Reloading let's you customize your ammo to your firearm. You can save money but that shouldn't be your primary motivation. I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. |
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dryflash3
Global Warming Hoax Skeptic before it was cool
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Joined: Jun 2007 WA, USA
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Posted: 8/4/2012 12:22:53 AM
Originally Posted By Willz: If you're looking to reload to save money, don't. It's as addictive as BRD. You can, by buying the cheapest components and not hot loading assemble cartridges of better more consistent quality than factory match ammo. The margin is thin. The primary reason is improved accuracy. You can taylor your reloads to your rifle. Factory ammo is designed to be as accurate as possible over the broadest range of firearms. Reloading let's you customize your ammo to your firearm. You can save money but that shouldn't be your primary motivation. I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. Same for me. Reloading is my #1 hobby, shooting #2. |
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Posted: 8/4/2012 12:32:09 AM
I'm just getting into reloading. Why?
1. I want the ability to do it if the kenyan gets in again. 2. I like the challenge. 3. I pick up a ton of brass and sell all of it except the LC (which I reload). This pays for a large percentage of my powder/primers/bullets. 4. I am finding it to be relaxing. With my job - that is important. I may live a little longer than the stats say I will. 5. I can keep the lady that lives at my house at ease regarding my shooting expenses...  |
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tbonifie
Martyrdom covers a multitude of sins...
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Joined: Dec 2008 OR, USA
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Posted: 8/4/2012 1:51:01 AM
[Last Edit: 8/4/2012 1:52:38 AM by tbonifie]
The first year I was tracking the money... but I've long since fell off the wagon. All I know for sure is my cost per round, I've long since broke even given the number of rounds I shoot.
For my own cast lead pistol rounds, I pay about 8 cents each. The last time I went to the range, I shot 400 of them. That's $32. 400 rounds of Remington UMC would be around $160. So I guess I "saved" $128 that day. Fact is, though, I'd never shoot $128 worth of pistol ammo in a single sitting, so what's the point of comparison? I just get to shoot a lot more. (I love the looks on the faces of guys shooting commercial ammo when they see how much brass is laying around me  )But for the sake of argument... my .223 rounds cost me about 18 cents each. I'll generally go through a couple of hundred in a range trip, let's say 200. That's $36. Cheap brass-cased rounds are about 37 or 38 cents each, let's call it 36 cents... that would be $72 for 200. So I saved $36. Again, though, the truth is, I wouldn't shoot so much if it was more expensive, before I started reloading, I could feel the impact of each trigger pull on my wallet. Now I just feel the impact of the 6K Hornady 55gr FMJ's that I recently had shipped to me... but don't think much about it at the range. I also reload 30-06 for my M1. While my reloads are about 35 cents, I don't think I'd shoot much less even with commercial ammo at about 60 cents to a dollar a round. My shoulder gets sore after about 3 or 4 clips.  |
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Posted: 8/4/2012 7:57:02 AM
I compare using Wal-Mart prices for plinking ammo, and similar quality ammo to my precision loads.
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Corporal_Chaos
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Posted: 8/4/2012 9:42:45 AM
I accept that I'm not really going to save any money, but I will get to shoot two or three times more than I otherwise would, which for me is the whole point. Of course, I do enjoy the reloading process as well. When buying components I try to maximize my dollar by buying in bulk and waiting for deals, but that isn't about saving money, it's about being able to shoot more for the same expenditure.
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Posted: 8/4/2012 10:00:41 AM
Originally Posted By Willz:
If you're looking to reload to save money, don't. It's as addictive as BRD. You can, by buying the cheapest components and not hot loading assemble cartridges of better more consistent quality than factory match ammo. The margin is thin. The primary reason is improved accuracy. You can taylor your reloads to your rifle. Factory ammo is designed to be as accurate as possible over the broadest range of firearms. Reloading let's you customize your ammo to your firearm. You can save money but that shouldn't be your primary motivation. I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. Same for me. Reloading is my #1 hobby, shooting #2. I've got a small fortune invested in reloading equipment. Any savings realized over the price of factory ammunition has been eaten up many times over by equipment and tools. On most days I also would rather reload than shoot. |
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larrythetuna
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Posted: 8/4/2012 10:26:20 AM
Originally Posted By Stove_Pipe:
I used to think that I would save money too, but it turns out I just shoot more and get more range time. The real benefit as a tinkerer is that I get to make the rounds myself and shoot them. The more I get into reloading and now casting, I find myself shooting just to get the cases back so I can do it again. This is my pleasant dilemma also. |
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WI57
Breath, Relax, Aim, Squeeze...
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Joined: Dec 2006 WI, USA
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Posted: 8/4/2012 12:42:43 PM
I don't save any money... I just get to shoot more.
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ReefRaider
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Posted: 8/4/2012 4:30:41 PM
It keeps me off the street's
Seeing as my equipment has paid for itself ( processing brass) . I'm too the point were some of the ammo is only costing me my time to reload it. Don't kid yourself though. It has taken years to get to this point. One of the best things about reloading is all the great people I have had the pleasure to get to know along the way.  |
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Posted: 8/4/2012 8:07:27 PM
I don't really want to know what it costs per round, if you're counting the equipment and assorted gadgetry, not to mention the time spent reloading and "researching". I'm pretty sure if it wasn't a hobby, it would make no financial sense. I'll bet that my wife has a running tally in her head. It's ok if it keeps me out of trouble.
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Posted: 8/4/2012 10:14:58 PM
Do I save money by reloading? Yes, of course. Every time I pull the handle. I'm saving 30 to 60 percent over purchasing factory ammo.
But will I ever make up the cost of all the reloading gear I've purchased? I don't think so. I believe my children will make up the costs in their lifetime. But it is also very satisfying to know I don't have to wait for WalMart to get what I want or need in stock. |
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Posted: 8/4/2012 11:14:01 PM
I rationalize it as "savings" by comparing to ammo that I would buy commercially. I have a thing for spreadsheets and numbers, so I do keep meticulous track of what I've spent, savings, inventory levels, cost comparisons, etc. Of course, like most everyone, I wouldn't shoot nearly this much if I didn't reload... but because I reload, I do. And, I don't count my time.
So, according to my numbers, across all calibers and over the past 2 1/2 years, I've saved 62% compared to the cost of the equivalent commercial ammo. That savings in dollars is roughly 2.15 times the cost of all of my reloading gear. So yes, in theory the reloading gear has paid for itself, but who am I kidding... I wouldn't have spent those thousands of dollars on commercial ammo! |
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Posted: 8/4/2012 11:28:48 PM
The only way I save $$$ reloading......
Is when I reload my Weatherby 300 Magnum loads. @ $70 / 20 rounds. It doesn't take many boxes to recover the cost of the equipment..... When I reload my .50 Cal Beowulf .... @ $27 / 20 rounds + Shipping. It doesn't take many boxes to recover the cost of the dies. When I reload my .45 ACP @ $45 / 50. I break even when I rattle off a couple of hundred rounds at the range ;-) When I reload my .44 Magnum @ $20 / 25 . I don't save much money...but I can reduce the loads so my hand cannon is more fun to shoot. When I reload my 5.56/.223 @ $10 / 20 I don't save ANY money but I can tune a load for speed AND accuracy for my specific rifle. |
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Posted: 8/6/2012 12:32:29 AM
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dryflash3
Global Warming Hoax Skeptic before it was cool
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Joined: Jun 2007 WA, USA
Posts: 19706 Feedback: 100% (1) Link To This Post |
Posted: 8/6/2012 12:43:15 AM
Originally Posted By ScurvyPete: Dupe post is a DUPE! BTW, I think you know which choice I voted for  That's true the subject comes up frequently. But we don't call dupe here in a technical forum, we help the new guys not make fun of them.
Please take the dupe calling back to GD. dryflash3 |
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Posted: 8/6/2012 11:33:17 AM
[Last Edit: 8/6/2012 11:38:25 AM by wshbrngr]
I also keep an excel spreadsheet.
I mainly keep track of my component costs. I track what I bought, what it cost and the date I bought it and keep a running average cost for each component. I also keep track of what I have on-hand, so when I am out and find an opportunity to buy stuff, I know what I need. I keep a copy of my spreadsheet on my i-Touch. When I reload, I put a label in with the ammo which lists, the type of primer, bullet, powder & how many grains. I also list what it cost per round to load the batch as well as price per 50. When I do compare, I compare apples to apples. i.e. I am not comparing my Berry's plated bullet plinking ammo to Hornady FPD ammo. I do not record any savings or even try to calculate my break-even point for the components & equipment. I simply enjoy reloading. |
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Posted: 8/6/2012 11:58:54 AM
It's a myth.You save no money, but you do get to shoot a lot
More. Originally Posted By TheReluctantOhioan:
I just made an Excel file to keep track of everything about my reloading setup costs, including an area for money saved. Now, the way I see it, there are two different ways that I can do this: A.) Find comparable ammo online and calculate that way (HP to HP, Frangible to frangible, cheap RN to cheap RN...You get the idea). In this case, if there is a commercially available round with the same bullet component, that's the price I'll use to calculate. B.) Find the cheapest, nastiest bulk ammo that I can and compare the price to what I'm reloading for (Tula and Wolf, anyone?) Realistically, I know that my cheap ass would never drop $38/box for environmentally friendly 9mm lead-free rounds. As such, I feel like using this to compare to the Midway special frangible rounds I'm loading currently is kind of a stretch when calculating savings (to the tune of $1520/2k commercially loaded vs $220 handloaded). Although it is nice to be able to tell the wife I'm saving $1300 by reloading, giving me leverage for the next time she says I don't need new/more equipment! So how are you guys calculating your cost savings for reloading? |
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angus6
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Posted: 8/6/2012 12:19:02 PM
shooting was cheaper before I took up casting and reloading
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Posted: 8/6/2012 1:08:24 PM
off the top of my head, I can reload 1000 rounds (frangible) for around $200
bulk ammo is what...$400+ per 1000? and that is FMJ savings aren't huge, but it's definitely there |
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MastaMarksman
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Posted: 8/6/2012 1:13:03 PM
I choose "Other" as you don't have my option available.
Unlike most whom think *THEIR* ammo compares to the best most expensive ammo you can buy, I compare my cost to reload to the cheapest brass cased ammo I can purchase. Typically that's XM193 Bulk ammo for .223 and typcially Blazer Brass, Winchester, or something along those lines for 9mm. I don't compare to steel cased stuff because all but the Silver Bear wont ever see my chamber. That said, I compare the cost of the cheapest brass cased ammo I can purchase, If I can purchase it cheaper than I can reload it, I'm stocking up on as much as I can afford at the time. If it's within $0.03/Round of what I can reload it myself, then I'm stocking up. However if it's more than $0.03/Round more than I can reload it my selft for, I'll buy the components and reload it myself. .223 is ALWAYS more affordable to reload myself, 9mm use to be cheaper to buy than to reload, but in the last couple years, it's cheaper to reload. -Masta |
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ErikO
Smart liberals love guns
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Posted: 8/6/2012 1:57:57 PM
I live and work close to Hi-Tech Ammo, they will be my source for rifle powder going forward. 844 surplus powder for $89/8# keg? Yes, please! I've still got a significant amount of TAC to go through, need to pick up some more .224 pills first.
Honestly, I like taking inert things and make them go bang, reloading is its own reward for me. |
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