[ARCHIVED THREAD] - When to start reloading? (Page 1 of 5)
Posted: 4/8/2017 8:25:56 AM EDT
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When is it cost/time effective to get into reloading?
Typical range trip: 200rnd 9mm 250rnds 5.56 50rnds Grendel 200rnds .22 I take this to the range weekly. Sometimes twice a week On top of this I usually take a couple random boxes of either .38, 30-30, 300blk or 54r, Is it time to start rolling my own?? |
I made a shitty video a while back detailing the costs of reloading.
 Failed To Load Title I'd say if you're concerned about the financial side of reloading, you're probably going to see returns quickly shooting that much. You're going to spend quite a bit of time reloading that on a single stage, but if you have the money and patience to get a progressive press set up, you can bulk-load 1k rounds for all those calibers (except .22 of course) in a weekend. I'd go with something like a Hornady Lock n Load so that you don't have to buy toolheads and shit for all those calibers, the LnL bushing system is pretty fantastic for guys who load lots of calibers. |
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I dunno. I haven't done the math, but I feel that it takes a while reloading to recoup the initial investment, depending on what you buy to get started.
I went into reloading more with the idea that as long as I've got time and components, I'll have something to shoot. |
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Your random loadings are where you would see the most savings per round over factory. My .38's cost me 12 cents each.
9mm and .223 are the hardest to justify reloading unless your have specific accuracy goals on the .223 or like 124 or 147 grain 9mm. Takes a lot of rounds to recoup equipment cost on either of those. |
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You could easily start on a single stage, but the time it would take to load that amount in the OP would suck.
All those calibers are pretty cheap to buy loaded ammo right now. Someday they won't be. Now is the time to start buying reloading equip and components. |
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When is it cost/time effective to get into reloading? Typical range trip: 200rnd 9mm 250rnds 5.56 50rnds Grendel 200rnds .22 I take this to the range weekly. Sometimes twice a week On top of this I usually take a couple random boxes of either .38, 30-30, 300blk or 54r, Is it time to start rolling my own?? I don't reload for cost savings. I reload for performance and selection. But I don't shoot nearly as much as you say you're doing. I'd say you're definitely ready for a progressive press. You're talking about taking up an entirely separate, albeit related, hobby though. I hope you have some spare time. |
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I've been loading/reloading my own since 1991.
Savings used to be substantially more than in recent years, however, with ammo costs currently dropping down quite a bit, especially for common calibers, I've decided that I'm just going to buy and shoot the cheap stuff. The savings of 2 or 3 pennies per round is not worth the time involved in case preparation and actual loading/reloading. I do find loading my own to be "therapeutic" sometimes, but I also enjoy doing other things besides loading and shooting. The savings is DEFINITELY there and well worth it if you're shooting an exotic, obscure, or expensive caliber, or if you're developing an ultra-accurate load to wring/bring out the utmost in accuracy for a particular firearm, or you want to develop a specific hunting load. I've also decided to buy and stash-away loading components during this current friendly atmosphere. |
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First thing I tell people is, if this going to be a chore and not a hobby, don't do it.
I've been reloading for 10+ years and have loaded over 300k rounds of metalic and probably 50k of shotshell. My presses and dies are probably worth what I paid for them considering the price increases from Dillon. Good luck finding a used 550 or 650. That said if you drop a grand on a press, dies, tumbler etc, chances are good you could recoup most of your money if you didn't like it. Make sure you have a friend that knows what the fuck they are doing to help you get going. My current load costs 9mm .09 223 .17 308 .32 45ACP .13 |
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When is it cost/time effective to get into reloading? only when the amount of ammo you make cost more than the TIME spent some people justify their time as free, I would rather use my time for something else. I reload when I cannot buy the ammo, IE match ammo tuned to my gun. |
| I picked up reloading this year to learn the skills necessary to roll my own when ammo isnt as cheap or plentiful. Also, I wanted another hobby to go along with shooting and reloading was a natural fit. During the winter I have lots of free time cooped up in the house to reload. |
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Reloading for economics is interest sing.
I got into reloading a few years back, and found out it was a bottomless pit. There was always something I could upgrade to. I reloaded for years in Colorado as hobby. I enjoyed it, and *all* of the rounds I shot (and stocked up on) were reloads. I still have a good number of those reloads in ammo cans. Then I moved, and my job increased my hours, and Church gave me a lot more work to do... And I did not have the same kind of hobby time I had in Colorado, so I sold all of my reloading equipment in the EE. I do not think reloading to "save money" is there. Reloading for accuracy... Good reason to reload. You will find your accuracy increases with reloads. Reloading for fun... Good reason to reload. It was a fun and interesting way to spend time. Reloading for economics... Not entirely sure about that. Wolf Gold is shipped less than $300/per. I find it hard to think that someone can add up the man-hours, order the components (lead and powder, assuming they have the brass) and have them shipped for less than Wolf Gold. Assuming your time is worth something. 1 pound of 2230 is ~$25. I could get about ~250 rounds from a pound of powder. So to approximately reload 1000 rounds, you are at ~$100 in powder. Not counting the cost of shipping the powder. You can get "good" quality 1000 projectiles in the ~$100 dollar range. Not counting the cost of shipping the projectiles. 1000 primers are ~$40 not counting shipping. So... you are at ~$240 (plus the price of shipping for the components) to reload 1000 rounds of .223. And you can get quality factory fresh ammunition shipped to your door for ~$300. The economics is not there if you are trying for bulk ammo. If it is something you want to do as a hobby... Have at it. If it is something you want to do to increase accuracy... It is worth it. Economics? I just don't see it. |
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Your random loadings are where you would see the most savings per round over factory. My .38's cost me 12 cents each. 9mm and .223 are the hardest to justify reloading unless your have specific accuracy goals on the .223 or like 124 or 147 grain 9mm. Takes a lot of rounds to recoup equipment cost on either of those. I shoot about 5000 rounds of 9mm a year. I load 9 for .09 vs .20 cents....that's $500.00 a year. One MUST take advantage of component deals. A few months ago, Berry's had 9mm 115 grain for .06 each and free shipping. I only have to find one or two deals a year to make it happen. My last purchase of 55 gr 224, I paid .065 each and bought 8k. |
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Save your brass, not none of those calibers make sense to reload today unless you are looking to tighten groups on the 556 or grendle. .22 isn't a option. 9mm is $10/box, 556 is 30c a round, and wolf grendle is a steal. You can save some money but it's going to be a low return on your TIME and money based on those common calibers. If you were shooting some precision ammo, .45 ACP, oddball rounds, or just expensive rounds then reload. Example: 260 Rem I can reload for less than $.60 but factory equivalent is $2.60 not including shipping. That's a lot of money. 45 acp I can reload for under $.18 per round. Cheapest factory I can find is S&B on sale at midway for $.32 per round. $140 savings over a 1k rounds. |
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First thing I tell people is, if this going to be a chore and not a hobby, don't do it. I'd say it would be worth it for you to reload. I shoot a couple hundred rounds a week in good weather, and I set aside about 30 minutes several nights a week to reload. I'll turn on some music, a podcast, or an audiobook and punch out what I can in that time. Most people spend at least that much time daily sitting on the couch accomplishing nothing in front of the TV. I enjoy the time doing it and listening to something, and when I'm done I've actually got a small pile of ammo for my efforts. |
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Reloading for economics is interest sing. I got into reloading a few years back, and found out it was a bottomless pit. There was always something I could upgrade to. I reloaded for years in Colorado as hobby. I enjoyed it, and *all* of the rounds I shot (and stocked up on) were reloads. I still have a good number of those reloads in ammo cans. Then I moved, and my job increased my hours, and Church gave me a lot more work to do... And I did not have the same kind of hobby time I had in Colorado, so I sold all of my reloading equipment in the EE. I do not think reloading to "save money" is there. Reloading for accuracy... Good reason to reload. You will find your accuracy increases with reloads. Reloading for fun... Good reason to reload. It was a fun and interesting way to spend time. Reloading for economics... Not entirely sure about that. Wolf Gold is shipped less than $300/per. I find it hard to think that someone can add up the man-hours, order the components (lead and powder, assuming they have the brass) and have them shipped for less than Wolf Gold. Assuming your time is worth something. 1 pound of 2230 is ~$25. I could get about ~250 rounds from a pound of powder. So to approximately reload 1000 rounds, you are at ~$100 in powder. Not counting the cost of shipping the powder. You can get "good" quality 1000 projectiles in the ~$100 dollar range. Not counting the cost of shipping the projectiles. 1000 primers are ~$40 not counting shipping. So... you are at ~$240 (plus the price of shipping for the components) to reload 1000 rounds of .223. And you can get quality factory fresh ammunition shipped to your door for ~$300. The economics is not there if you are trying for bulk ammo. If it is something you want to do as a hobby... Have at it. If it is something you want to do to increase accuracy... It is worth it. Economics? I just don't see it. your hazmat fee down to .60 cents a lb. If you want to waste your money on CCI primers for $40.00, bang on, I am paying $25.00 for primers, shit, I still have Tula primers that I paid 14.50 a thousand for. Again, I am loading 223 for .17 or less. That is more than a few pennys per round savings. |
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Save your brass, not none of those calibers make sense to reload today unless you are looking to tighten groups on the 556 or grendle. .22 isn't a option. 9mm is $10/box, 556 is 30c a round, and wolf grendle is a steal. I reloaded 9mm back when Winchester White Box was 9 dollars and some change, and that was a box of 100. I want to say that same WWB of 100 is like $27 dollars now, at Wally World. |
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Very much this. I'd say it would be worth it for you to reload. I shoot a couple hundred rounds a week in good weather, and I set aside about 30 minutes several nights a week to reload. I'll turn on some music, a podcast, or an audiobook and punch out what I can in that time. Most people spend at least that much time daily sitting on the couch accomplishing nothing in front of the TV. I enjoy the time doing it and listening to something, and when I'm done I've actually got a small pile of ammo for my efforts. |
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That's for a box of 50 in 9mm reloaded, right? I reloaded 9mm back when Winchester White Box was 9 dollars and some change, and that was a box of 100. I want to say that same WWB of 100 is like $27 dollars now, at Wally World. |
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Not that you asked, but for 12ga the best time would have been 20+ years ago. It doesn't make much sense financially now given the rising cost of components, especially lead shot. I only still do it because I have been doing it for 25 years, have all of the equipment, and stocked up on a ridiculous amount of components long ago. I've also grown accustomed to shooting the exact loads I want.
My advice, whatever you reload, don't cheap out on the press. I have watched many people walk away from it because they started with the wrong tools. I have a 6 station progressive reloader and it was worth the cost. |
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I suppose it's different for different people.
For me I started reloading right after I purchased my first firearm back in 1972. I enjoy the process so for me it was simply part of my firearms "hobby". The cost of most of my equipment has been amortized In my 45 years of shooting (other than .22) I don't think I have ever bought more than two boxes of commercial ammo. |
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only when the amount of ammo you make cost more than the TIME spent some people justify their time as free, I would rather use my time for something else. I reload when I cannot buy the ammo, IE match ammo tuned to my gun. Time aspect I see is going to be my biggest concern. I love tinkering but I'm not sure it will be worth the time at this particular point in my life. The only real precision load I would want would be for the Grendel. Everything else is just plinking. I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on a used set up. If I find one I'll grab it. If not I don't think it will be worth it to dive into a bunch of new equipment. |
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Hopefully you've saved all your brass since it's definitely not economical if you're buying brass.
If you have saved your brass after having shot that much, I'm guessing you have a mountain of it, in which case you could sell a half of your mountain to invest in a good press! Like others said, the savings are amplified in relation to your volume of shooting you do, but really if you can afford to buy that much ammo even if it's cheap, then you can afford to reload as well, it comes down to if it's something you'll enjoy or not. And when people compare costs many times they do it wrong- comparing what you can get for cheap at the store with cost of components reloading, because you'll be able to load match quality bulk ammo custom tailored to your gun and shooting style that in reality would be much more expensive than bulk ammo off the shelf. And if prices are down then buy it off the shelf, if not then you've got the option to roll your own instead of waiting on the ammo prices to hopefully come back down. Watch component prices and stockpile on good deals and just store it until prices make it economical again. |
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Lots info in here. Thanks guys Time aspect I see is going to be my biggest concern. I love tinkering but I'm not sure it will be worth the time at this particular point in my life. The only real precision load I would want would be for the Grendel. Everything else is just plinking. I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on a used set up. If I find one I'll grab it. If not I don't think it will be worth it to dive into a bunch of new equipment. Dillon 650 is my reference, but as soon as I spent enough to get all my caliber changes/toolheads setup then I could not afford enough lead/powder/primers to keep my reloading bench from getting dusty. You won't spend an hour spitting out 1000 rounds of 9mm. You're time concerns will be trying to find enough time to shoot all you've loaded |
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The time is now.
Here's what I'm currently loading - .25-20 Winchester. I had to form the cases, any that are available in the used market are too expensive. 6X47 Lapua. A wildcat of sorts. 6.5 Creedmoor with Lapua cases and Berger bullets; not a commercially available combination. I think I'm going to drag out a 6mm Remington rifle to try some modern 105 grain bullets. More ammunition that is not available commercially. Here's a better reason for everyone that is not interested in specialty cartridges or shooting; during the ammunition drought, most reloaders that had been at the task for a while were able to keep shooting right on through the scarcity because we had components on hand. I'll bet that most of us are doubling or tripling down on components ahead of the next shortage. There is savings to be had in all handgun cartridges by shooting cast bullets, and that includes 9mm Para. |
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I made a shitty video a while back detailing the costs of reloading.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH9QqtbKZ_M
I'd say if you're concerned about the financial side of reloading, you're probably going to see returns quickly shooting that much. You're going to spend quite a bit of time reloading that on a single stage, but if you have the money and patience to get a progressive press set up, you can bulk-load 1k rounds for all those calibers (except .22 of course) in a weekend. I'd go with something like a Hornady Lock n Load so that you don't have to buy toolheads and shit for all those calibers, the LnL bushing system is pretty fantastic for guys who load lots of calibers. |
I started reloading about a dozen years ago, mostly to be able to customize my loads for precision rifles. But, once the initial investment is recovered, it's especially cheap and easy to do plinking ammo for handguns - even with a single stage operation - and it's even easy to collect revolver brass when shooting  .
One of the things reloading has done is to allow me to purchase some guns I might not have otherwise bought due to the limited availability of factory ammo. As an example, when I first bought my S&W .460 in 2005, factory ammo was rare and expensive - it's more available today but still expensive, so mine has never seen anything but hand loads. Same situation for the .221 Fireball rifle I put together 10 years ago. |
| Yes there are savings but in all honesty unless you shoot expensive calibers you would need to shoot and load a crap ton to make it worth your while. With auto loaders you lose a lot of brass that has to be replenished and cases do not last forever. Some firearms are very hard on brass. I had an HK94 back in the 80's that mutilated brass. I have reloaded many thousands of rounds and gave it up in 1990. Back then primers were 90 cents a hundred and $5 for a pound of powder and I cast my own bullets from wheel weights that I got for free. It just isn't worth it to me anymore with the cost of components and my time is more valuable to me now than the few cents I would save per round on what I shoot. I can buy steel cases 9mm for $169 a thousand or less sometimes delivered to the door. And all I got to do is shoot it. |
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First and foremost reloading is a hobby. The vast majority of folks that get into it and only stay for cost savings end up selling off their gear in short order. That or it collects dust in the basement/garage.
There is cost savings to be had on even the most common calibers. However to achieve those you have to buy in bulk and when deals can be found. Odd or not as common calibers you can see major savings. Some will talk about how much their time is worth. If reloading is competing with you making money then this is a valid point. For the majority it is more about what they do with their time. Your hour range time seems like a good use of time to some and a waste to others as an example. This is where the hobby aspect comes to the forefront. Two major factors outside of cost generally associated with reloading is tailored loads for your firearm and availability of ammo. For tailored loads that can be precision, subsonic, light loads, hot loads or simply something the market does not offer. For availability it allows a stocked reloader to continue to shoot while store shelves are empty. The key here is to have the components on hand. For the OP as well as any others I would also remind you that we have a reloading sub forum with a ton of helpful and experienced folks. If you are looking into this hobby stop by and look over the wealth of information. |
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My story is just a little different. I got into reloading as a matter of selective timing and traditional pass down for my kids to learn.
The ammo market is a lot like the stock market. There is a time to buy (factory) and a time to sell (reload) in my opinion. The last time the market went crazy, I paid for my whole setup by selling one case of M193 for $700. I then rolled my own for a while. Once the market came down, I went back to factory ammo. I guess it depends on your perspective. I'm ready for the next market downturn because I've done all the work ups on my rifles and kept my notes, so I can jump right back in. The market will turn again, there is no avoiding it. Will you be ready? |
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I look at reloading much like I do at shooting accessories like a good spotting scope, bench rest, etc. It's something that adds capability and performance to my shooting. If I want to see what a rifle will really do, I reload. If I need something special I reload. I shoot a boatload of 12 gauge shells for skeet/sporting clays. Unlike most of my shooting buddies, I don't reload regular 12 gauge shells. I buy them on sale. THe 50 cents per box they save isn't worth the time for me. I do reload some 2-1/2 12 gauge shells for some ancient side by side shotguns I own because the cost of these short shells from commercial sources is pretty darn high. Likewise, I reload for 28 gauge shotguns because the factory ammo is so expensive. I don't reload for 9mm because commercial ammo is so cheap. I do reload .38 special "FBI loads" because it's pretty easy and so much cheaper than buying (and finding) factory stuff. Most of the 5.56mm I shoot is cheap factory stuff but I have a couple of rifles that don't perform well unless I feed them heavier bullets so I load for those.
I guess what I'm saying is it's a case by case thing. It's not all or nothing. Sometimes factory ammo makes sense. Sometimes you need to load. Once you get set up for reloading you have the option. Again, reloading adds capability, performance and yes, even some enjoyment to the sport/hobby. All that said, if I were a competitor and going through tons of ammo I would have no choice but to reload. You do what you have to do to feed the beast. But you better put a pencil to it. Unless you're producing a lot of ammo, reloading is rarely the cheapest approach in the short term. The math changes pretty quickly when you're comparing premium ammo to plinking fodder, though. You can load really good ammo for not much more than it cost to load the cheap stuff. |
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Hahahah two young kids give no fucks if I'm tired. Off to soccer game in a couple mins. Then to range, mountain bike or dirt bike trails. All three need to get done. The question is in what order. |