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Posted: 11/27/2009 12:04:10 PM EDT
| I've been thinking of reloading my .223. I've read some posts about the subject but I haven't seen anyone say what it costs to reload. I know there will be setup costs, but that aside, assuming I already have the brass what is an average cost per round. I have been buying brass reloads from someone that I am very happy with for about .36 cents a round. I average 200 rounds a month but I have some friend that shoot .223 also. |
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Cost to produce vary.... My .223 runs me about $0.19 per round in materials, and I'm not a HUGE bulk buyer or scrounger.
If you have brass and can get loads for $0.19 per round, you could pay for $1000 worth of loading equipment in about 5,900 rifle rounds. You can probably get started for a lot lower than $1000 too... Here's a cool link where you can plug in your components to get your cost per round. http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp |
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The truth: you will NOT save any money reloading.
You will simply shoot more rounds per dollar. You have to consider the cost of equipment as sunk costs. Reloading will never "pay for itself" in any real fashion. You can do some complicated math that says if I pay $.50 a round at Walmart, but now I'm paying $.19 a round at home, I"m saving money, but the offset is you have to spend more for components at once (i.e., you'll have to pony up $60-$80 for a keg of powder, about the same for 500 bullets, etc., instead of being able to two boxes of ammo and shoot just that). Buying components in smaller quantities is actually more expensive and will drive your cost per round up. Now––what we tell our wives is, we save lots of money reloading. 
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I save a TON of money reloading honesty.
When you consider you pay 25.00/box for 45 acp... I reload nice cast bullets and, my cost on those is under 5.00/box. While it's true that you don't really "save" money reloading because you shoot more.... I don't know many people that could afford to become good at shooting a 45 and pay full price for ammo even if you could find it. So, I reload everything.... 7.62x51... well, when you consider the price of federal gold medal match against my own loads.... hell, you could pay 1.50/bullet for GMM and, I can load something that shoots better in my gun for .35/round.... another poster is reloading 5.56 for .19/round..... Hell, I'm really saving money on 30 caliber carbine... I found a good source for hard cast bullets... 50.00/1000 and then, it's just powder and primers.... probably 6.00/box of 50 for that.... you do save serious money but, that just allows you to shoot a lot more without guilt... knowing that you are producing better ammo or, if you're just going for cheaper... it's much cheaper. Yes, you do have to buy powder and primers in bulk to save on the hazmat fees... I only shoot lead pistol bullet and 30 carbine bullets but, they shoot great and are actually less wear on the barrel. When you consider rifle rounds... you save almost as much but, you have to spend a bit more on bullets but, it's pretty cheap to load 5.56 and, you still save a ton of money reloading 308.... a TON when you consider an equal bullet from federal. |
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I feel like I really save money reloading. But I bought all my components in bulk years ago. In fact I haven't bought any components in 3 years or so.
FMJ costs me between $80-90 per 1000 SP's cost me about $110 per 1000 Match rounds with 69SMK cost more, but not nearly what they cost in the stores. I could not afford to shoot at todays costs. |
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I save a ton of money reloading:
Reason #1=bought all my stuff "pre-owned" from gunshows or "former" re-loaders (much less than 50% of retail prices) Reason #2=buy your components "on the cheap"––look around for "deals"––they are there––trade or swap for bullets, brass, etc. Reason #3=don't rush into it––take your time Reason #4=I tossed my TV, so I have plenty of time to reload |
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I reload .45, .40, .380 and .300 remington SAUM. The 45 and the 40 I reload for myself and a few friends that I trust not to sue me for a KB (they understand the risks). I have probably put way more into my reloading than I would have paid for factory ammo had I not started reloading but I would not have shot nearly as many rounds downrange if I hadnt. Same with my friends. 45 was impossible to find here for about 6 months. I have only loaded about 100 rounds of the .300 RSAUM but at almost $2.00 a round factory and about $.47 a round reloaded I know in my mind that I have saved money. And I know as long as I can find components, I can keep shooting that rifle even when there is only one store within 100 miles of my house that carries .300 RSAUM and it has only had 4 boxes the entire time I have owned the rifle. Reloading has been the best hobbie I have ever had second only to shooting actual weapons.
I just read through this post and I noticed that I rambled on and on. But I will not edit. Im too tired. Good night. |
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