The end of practically , is it coming?

I load for a large number of chamberings. Where it really pays off is when, as Dogleg so eloquently pointed out,
is when factory ammo is priced high.

I have 5 - 308 Norma Magnums. A box of factory ammo, loaded with a C&C bullet from Norma, [the only source, BTW]
is so close to $100.00 when taxes are in, that it won't leave you much more than a cup of coffee from your C note.

I load this ammo with a premium bullet for right around $35.00/20. About 1/3 of the cost of factory ammo.
Also it is tailored to each rifle, for optimum performance, so I see it as a win/win situation.

Regards, Dave.
 
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Well, I think then they will likely increase the components at a slightly higher rate than factory loaded until they are about on par for price, then, it will be what is your time worth.
 
SoylentD said:
Locally, they are asking $53 / 1000 CCI Small Pistol Primers. That's maddening.
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Don't be too mad. ;)

Shameless plug - if you're in Halifax area; I've got CCI SP for $45 ea /K - $42/K if you buy a case of 5K (plus HST) - I don't ship, I only do product pickup at AMA at IPSC events.
 
Shooting is very quickly becoming a rich man hobby as is hunting. I went and supported a small gun shop in Regina last week and paid $58 tax in for a box of 50 140 gr Accubonds....I felt sick after I realized how much they were.

Im at the point were I shoot to put some meat on the table and some fur down so I can sell. I do enjoy shooting but when you factor in the cost of range membership, cost of ammo, price of guns its getting very very pricey.
 
if i only shot 270, 308 and 30 06 i would buy case lots and be happy. when loading odd balls like 7rum 325wsm, 8 mag,338 06,35 whelen, 375 h&h i couldn't afford cases even if i could find it.
 
Loaded up on CanAmmo's primers that were on for $25/1000, free shipping over $200.
Higginsons has reasonable powder pricing, bullets are around that are cheap for plinking (Campro has .223/.308 fmj for cheap), once fired brass is still pretty cheap, it's not that bad if you look around.
 
I already pour money into beer brewing... in the end you save money but not a lot... looked into re-loading and figured it was the same game. Benefit is some savings and perfecting something to your specific liking.

When I look at a specific ammo type I average out the cost per round. If it is more than $.35 a round on a good deal I move on. That's just me...
 
About the cheapest one finds the bargain basement ...usually Win silver box....is about $25/20, magnum add $5. Cheapest factory ammo as i could not find brass, for my 300 Ultra was $68/20 probably 5 years ago. I would bet that some magnums like 375 Rum or 308 Norma would approach $120/20 to buy off the shelf.

I think once a person has the basic equipment, and a small stash of reloading components, probably $1000 today, the process of making premium ammo at 30-40% of factory quickly pays you back. Then there is the fussy loader, and fussy rifle. It is very satisfying to dial in the accuracy potential of a specific rifle, typically with even premium projectile that cost is still about $30/20; whereas, it could easily be $70+/20 for factory. That is not even dialed in to the full accuracy of the specific rifle, good projectile, but unlikely to have the most accurate primer, powder, or COAL.

Reloading is not for everyone. The cost to start and unavailability and cost of components is a barrier. Perhaps newbies could buddy up with a experienced person at their club, using only one set of equipment. Once the volume and interest is there, the cost is simply smart money.
 
Yeah, I can see me giving up shooting....... never. :)

When shooting gets more expensive, you shoot less or find a less expensive way of shooting. And in the mean time you don't whine or worry about it. Life is too short to waste worrying abut something that might never happen. When it happens you'll have time to worry about it then.
 
Quit whining bout shooting costs..........

Take in a Movie, buy your popcorn and drinks what's that gonna be 40 - 50 bucks

Go Golfing ( perfectly good waste of a rifle range) on a course in a metropolitan area.

Until our dollar improves we are in for some high pricing on components.

Remember 35 years ago when you where making $10 -$15 an hour.

What did you pay for powder ?

In 1975 RCBCS dies were over $45.00 a set. It wasn't till LEE came along die prices plummeted.

22 LR prices are 30% higher then the US account our dollar.

They have also increade in price account ammunition manufacturers are no longer discounting it as they can sell all that's produced.

357
 
Still cheaper to reload than buy factory ammo. The payoff is when you reload a premium bullet or uncommon calibers. Everything has want up in price.
 
Well I reload for 25-35, 325WSM, 7mmSTW, 6mm rem, 32 WS, 7x57, 8x57, 6.5x54MS, along with all the usual ones like 30-06, 308, 30-30, 270, 243, 22-250, 222rem, etc.....


So in a few cases I don't have much choice anyway if I want to use the rifles. Even if I could buy 20 for $20 I would hand load anyway, it's a very enjoyable hobby for me.
 
I started hand loading about eight years ago after a buddy who used to load for me moved away and I was forced to learn how to roll my own. Hand loading pays off in improved accuracy and especially if you shoot an old cartridge such as 6.5x55 and 45/70. Factory ammo is not loaded to the pressures that modern rifles can withstand. So if you shoot either of these two caliber and you want full potential from your rifle you have to load your own.
 
I don't hunt any more but I do shoot for fun. Normally a fun off-range session will be a lot of rifle ammo at a time, so I try to buy bulk bargains when I see them. Stockpiling components fits well with my natural desire to hoard stuff.

And to the original question, any pistol shooter who competes in anything is going to have to reload or get a second job.
 
Haven't found a hobby that's free yet.

The way things are going I'll be willing all my reloading gear to some undeserving family member. :)
 
ipscgraz said:
I don't hunt any more but I do shoot for fun. Normally a fun off-range session will be a lot of rifle ammo at a time, so I try to buy bulk bargains when I see them. Stockpiling components fits well with my natural desire to hoard stuff.

And to the original question, any pistol shooter who competes in anything is going to have to reload or get a second job.
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I thought before why do people always buy so many components..
Turns out I'm now one of those guys, hits up the counter if they have Varget for less than 45/lb I buy 4. If they have 175 SMK's I buy 1000, same with federal match primers, in stock grab 1000. I'm running out of places to store my powder (locked up)... I haven't been this broke since college, I keep buying and buying and buying!
 
My press got stolen out of a buddies garage and I haven't replaced it it got taken right at the height of the powder shortage and I just said screw it. I don't compete anymore and find it harder and harder to get out to the range and have no problem buying factory ammo for my hunting sticks so I don't see myself replacing my equipment anytime soon. What I do miss is the rainy day loading or when I just needed time to myself without hearing a TV or a wife.
 
I bought my first pound of powder 33 years ago for 20 bucks. Since the I've watched it go down locally to about 13, then up to 30, down to 20 and up to mid 40s a couple times. It'll come down again.
 
The end has came for me. I stopped reloading 12 gauge target ammo because the per box cost of reloads wasn't far off decent quality factory. Subgauge 28 and .410 still makes some sense to reload but I'm out of those gauges.

I don't shoot enough rifle recreationally to justify reloading. I had fun while I did it but eventually it become a chore and factory ammo works just as well for my purposes. The only way I'd get back into it now is if I acquired a rifle in an oddball calibre that wasn't readily available over the counter. I never did load handgun as cheap reloads are readily available.
 
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