Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/5/2010 4:28:55 PM EDT
| Over the long haul, would reloading be cheaper than buying cheap ammo like barnaul? Perhaps if used once fired cases? |
|
Quoted: Depends on what your time is worth. The most important question to consider; are you reloading for fun to save a buck? Too true. For me, if you're reloading to save money on blasting rifle ammo, you have to be really broke, because dealing with lubing rifle cases in high volume is a PITA. And now that ammo prices are falling, I have a hard time justifying spending hours cranking out a few hundred rounds of M193 equivalent. Now if you want accuracy, or to be able to afford high performance bullets, reloading is totally the way to go. And it can be an addictive and fun hobby all its own. I spent months this past year trying to create a subsonic load to cycle in my 6.8 (no luck... I think cause it's a middy). And handgun is another matter when you can buy carbide dies and skip lubing. On a turret, or even better a progressive, handgun reloading for even blasting ammo is fun. |
| The big cost of reloading is setup. If you calculate the savings, and use bulk components you will break even at 2,000 rounds give or take depending on the gear you buy. I load .223 for about $.24 a round at last calculation. Brass lasts 7-10 loads before primer pockets start coming loose. |
| I reload 9mm and .223... reloading is much cheaper in those cases. I would say the only caliber I would not waste my time on is 7.62x39 shot out of a AK. In that case I would go with wolf. Right now I am reloading .223 for about 18 cents a round compared to buying for about 40 cents a round. |
Yes, it takes a while to "break even". I'm not really sure that you ever *really* do, because just like with guns, there's always some new reloading toy to buy, in addition to components. If you factor in your time, your reloads are probably more expensive than factory... BUT, it gets addicting. I started out reloading 9mm (arguably one of the least worthwhile calibers to load for), and now I do .38/.357, .45 ACP, .223 and .308... with more to come. It's time consuming, but I really enjoy it and feel that it is a natural expansion of one's firearm "hobby". FWIW, my first ever batch of 9mm loads (after the work-up) shrank my group sizes by half when compared to the factory fodder I'd been using up to that point. 
|
|
A benefit apart from cost is CONTROL
If the local store has not got any supplies of the ammo you need - YOU can (with a little bit of pre-planning) have the components on hand at home to just make it yourself With factory rounds too you have less control, as bullets types from some makers are only used in some ammo brands, etc. YOU can mix & match what bullet in what case, etc. etc. Buy bulk ammo WHEN you can see it & have spare $$$'s - buy reloading components when you see them too at the right price = best of both worlds |
|
Quoted:
If the local store has not got any supplies of the ammo you need - YOU can (with a little bit of pre-planning) have the components on hand at home to just make it yourself By that reasoning, with a bit of pre-planning you could already have supplies of the ammo you need at home. 
|
|
As long as you can recover most of your brass, reloading will always be cheaper. When you compare match factory ammo to reloaded match ammo, it's MUCH cheaper.
Cheaper per round at least. I have to agree with everyone that I probably spend about the same amount per range trip as before I started reloading, but I can shoot 3 times as much ammo. |
|
Quoted: Over the long haul, would reloading be cheaper than buying cheap ammo like barnaul? Perhaps if used once fired cases? Absolutely. You will save alot over the long haul, even with cheap shit..........and the ammo you'll assemble will be better quality than the cheap shit. |
|
Reloaders are hardcore shooters. Not all hardcore shooters reload though...
It is a lot of fun, really. I'd give it a shot. I'd also suggest buying factory new ammo and reload the cases. I am weary to use others' brass or "range pickups", but I'm a freak like that. |
|
Can you load more ammo for the same money? Yes.
Will you spend more? Maybe, if you shoot a lot more, which I consider a benefit, or you just have to have the next best doodad. Is it rewarding? I think so. You are doing something in which you have a lot of control over the results. |
| It's a hobby itself. I enjoy reloading as much as shooting. As for cost, I'm currently loading 55 gr ammo capable of 2MOA for 12 cents each or $120/1000. Thats with range brass, my own once fired brass and components all purchased in the last few months. You just have to shop smartly. |
| For me the savings is in hunting or premium bullets. Take Hornady V-Max bullets in 22 cal for example. I can buy a box of 20 loaded ammo for around $17 or reload 100 for around $30 ($17 for bullets, $5 for primers (high side) $8 for powder (appx). The savings really add up in calibers like 300 wby mag ( a box of 20 "low end" Remington Cor-Lokt at Wally World is $50) 458 socom, 6.8 spc, and so on. |
|
I buy factory .223 to keep up my SHTF stash but I reload for the range.
I like having the ability to reload and I think I can produce a better round than most factory ammo. It is an enjoyable thing to do. I am not sure that it is all that cheaper to reload when .223 is around $300/1000. At about $500/1000 it is definately cheaper. However, the price of components tend to also go up with the price of factory ammo. I think the guys that reload for pistol make out cost wise. |
Armory Sponsor