The only reason I would reload at this stage in my shooting hobby is to increase my volume. Developing custom loads for accuracy isn't in my immediate future. With this in mind I built a bench to gradually acquire the tools I'll need. While browsing in WSS I noticed that components are far more expensive than I thought they'd be. Using Cabela's prices and .45 acp for an example, it would cost $73 plus tax and shipping for 250 projectiles. Considering that I picked up 250 cartridges from Custom Reloading for $105 tax in, how can I possibly save money doing it myself?
A cost comparison.
- Thread starter skookumchuck
- Start date
- Location
- The Orion Arm
Buy Berry's or Cam Pro. Around $110 or so per 1,000.
Or, if you want even better accuracy that those, buy Zero. ~ $125 per 10000.
All three are 230 grainers
If I use my reloading experience with .45 ACP, we get to: $0/brass (range pick up), 0.12/bullet, .03/powder, .02/primer = ~0.17/round x 250 rounds = $42.50 taxes incl. I count cost per thousand, so $170
Or, if you want even better accuracy that those, buy Zero. ~ $125 per 10000.
All three are 230 grainers
If I use my reloading experience with .45 ACP, we get to: $0/brass (range pick up), 0.12/bullet, .03/powder, .02/primer = ~0.17/round x 250 rounds = $42.50 taxes incl. I count cost per thousand, so $170
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Casting your own will save you the most assuming you can get fairly cheap lead. But even at $1+ per round it will still be cheaper then jacketed. For less mess plated is the way to go. I'm around $30 for 250 45acp using 230gr cast.
Reloading isn't about saving money. It's about using the best possible ammo in your firearms.
If you're buying components on-line, any savings will be negated by the cost of shipping. Cabela's isn't the least expensive place to buy anything either.
Do not buy loading kit piece by piece. It'll cost you more in the long run, just like trying to buy a vehicle part by part does. Buy one of the beginner's kits.
Don't use 'range pick up' brass either. You have no idea what's been done with it, how many times it's been loaded or anything else about it. And most ranges dislike shooters taking the brass.
If you're buying components on-line, any savings will be negated by the cost of shipping. Cabela's isn't the least expensive place to buy anything either.
Do not buy loading kit piece by piece. It'll cost you more in the long run, just like trying to buy a vehicle part by part does. Buy one of the beginner's kits.
Don't use 'range pick up' brass either. You have no idea what's been done with it, how many times it's been loaded or anything else about it. And most ranges dislike shooters taking the brass.
Learn to cast. Pistol shooting is way cheaper if you do that. I think excel makes lead bullets as well. Used lots of frontier not sure if they're cheap anymore. For pistol where you are shooting high volume and let's face it accuracy differences will not be very visible use cheapest components avail. If self defence use the best components avail.
Reloading is a hobby of its own, If you do not want to put the effort and expense and time into it, and you are not curious about making small changes to improve some function of performance, perhaps factory loads are for you. Many of us are on the other side, and would not consider owning a firearm that we could not load for..
I use lead (cast) bullets for all pistol shooting. the lead bullets cost about $35/500. Plated cost a lot more and other than for night shooting (no smoke) I see no need for plated bullets.
For each pistol I make a test batch of ammo, form 0.3 gr less than START up to MAX, in o.3 gr increments. One of those loads usually works much better than the others.
For each pistol I make a test batch of ammo, form 0.3 gr less than START up to MAX, in o.3 gr increments. One of those loads usually works much better than the others.
It all depends on what you are making. A friend was interested in 3006 for his garand, and was paying about a buck a shot. So 1000 bucks for 1000 rounds. Getting him setup with a basic press and enough components and misc items like lube pads, and reload racks, dies, shellholders, etc for 1000 rounds worked out to about 800 plus tax. Equipment is paid for in the first batch. That is on a single stage of course.
Pistol there isn't as much savings to be had, but like others have said, if you put in the effort to cast your own bullets, etc, it can be quite feasible. You also have to factor in your time. I work on call, so oftentimes when it is slow, I just go to town, and I am putting that time to good use. If you are busy, have a big family, or you can be picking up OT in that time, you are better off to focus on those activities.
A quick breakdown of what I usually reload:
168gr match ammo
65 cents per shot to reload, 2 bucks per shot retail for FGMM, etc. No brainer. But like hickok45 said in one of his reload videos, you won't save money, you will just shoot more. Either way you win.
Pistol there isn't as much savings to be had, but like others have said, if you put in the effort to cast your own bullets, etc, it can be quite feasible. You also have to factor in your time. I work on call, so oftentimes when it is slow, I just go to town, and I am putting that time to good use. If you are busy, have a big family, or you can be picking up OT in that time, you are better off to focus on those activities.
A quick breakdown of what I usually reload:
168gr match ammo
65 cents per shot to reload, 2 bucks per shot retail for FGMM, etc. No brainer. But like hickok45 said in one of his reload videos, you won't save money, you will just shoot more. Either way you win.
- Location
- Kingston, ON
I shoot 44 MAG. Reloading is the only way I can afford to shoot it.
- Location
- West Quebec
I was looking for some feed back on these two..is it significant..?
- Location
- The Orion Arm
I started shooting Berry's, then switched to Zero.
For my part, I will never go back. The difference is that much noticeable. I believe it has to do with the uniformity in built and consistency in weight of the Zero projectiles vs the Berry's. It's not just me either. At the club, the Berry's pallet is always full, but the Zero pallet is usually down to the last 1-2 rows within a week
