Hello, sorry if this question has already been asked in this forum but I was wondering how much money would be saved in reloading my own ammo for .223 , 9mm and .45. I figure I can buy .223 for around 35 - 40 cents per round. 9mm I could buy for around 33 cents per round and .45 for 50 cents per round. I am just doing target practice and am not really looking for premium ammo or to reload match ammo. Would it really be possible to reload for much of a savings over just buying in bulk? Thanks for your time.
Cost to reload ???
- Thread starter mattbol
- Start date
For 9mm it is actually cheaper to reload ($8-$9 bucks for 50). You can also make more accurate ammunition for your certain firearms. Also you have to keep in mind that it is a hobby, so sometimes it's not always about saving your pennies.
If you have to ask...
If it's about pinching pennies the initial outlay of $ for the necessary tools and equipment required will likely scare you off.
Many active re loaders have just as much or more money tied up in re loading gear than they do firearms.
Also... There's a significant time investment that needs to be made.
If it's about pinching pennies the initial outlay of $ for the necessary tools and equipment required will likely scare you off.
Many active re loaders have just as much or more money tied up in re loading gear than they do firearms.
Also... There's a significant time investment that needs to be made.
Using jacketed bullets and today's prices from suppliers it's about 35 cents a round for 223/5.56. with my recent scores and using my cast bullets i'm at 20 cents, 30 cents for jacketed.
for 9mm, 45acp, 38 spl, and 357mag i'm at $6-8 per box of 50 using cast.
I don't count equipment because it's a one time purchase so it's either a really expensive box of ammo up front or you will constantly be adjusting your costs the more you load. I enjoy reloading so i don't count my time.
for 9mm, 45acp, 38 spl, and 357mag i'm at $6-8 per box of 50 using cast.
I don't count equipment because it's a one time purchase so it's either a really expensive box of ammo up front or you will constantly be adjusting your costs the more you load. I enjoy reloading so i don't count my time.
just some basic costs off the top of my head
powder $35# depending what you load depends how much powder you use (1#=7000 grains)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1500 9mm rounds at a cost of $25 per 1000 (4.8 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 40/10mm rounds at a cost of $35 per 1000 (7 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 38super rounds at a cost of $35 per 1000 (7 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 45 rounds at a cost of $30 per 1000 (6 grns per round)
Primers per 1000 $45 (Dominion were $27.50/1000)
projectiles per 1000
- 9mm.........124grn...$100
- 40/10mm...180grn...$140
- 38super.....124grn...$100
- 45.............200grn...$150
so totals (estimate only)
9mm...........$170/1000.......$0.17 per bang
40/10mm.....$220/1000.......$0.22 per bang
38super.......$180/1000.......$0.18 per bang
45...............$225/1000.......$0.25 per bang
These estimates are for 90% max loads too, not wimpy barely cycle your gun loads.
Pistol brass usually survives 8-10 reloads if not more.
These are just estimates, not including brass, press and time. My Hornady Pro7 has over $300k reloads through it and still purring like new.
My costs are around 20% less as I get bulk deals and order when prices are lower. about to make some more deals soon, so PM me if you want in locally.
As for your time, its like fly tying for fly fishing, it's an art to work up the perfect load your gun likes.
I work up a IMR4756 load with a 115 RN that made major and was a well kept secret as it showed NO pressure issues, before they banned the bullet due to too many people blowing up their guns.
I shoot my 38super and 10mm cheaper than most 9mm factory
powder $35# depending what you load depends how much powder you use (1#=7000 grains)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1500 9mm rounds at a cost of $25 per 1000 (4.8 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 40/10mm rounds at a cost of $35 per 1000 (7 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 38super rounds at a cost of $35 per 1000 (7 grns per round)
- 1 pound of powder will load 1000 45 rounds at a cost of $30 per 1000 (6 grns per round)
Primers per 1000 $45 (Dominion were $27.50/1000)
projectiles per 1000
- 9mm.........124grn...$100
- 40/10mm...180grn...$140
- 38super.....124grn...$100
- 45.............200grn...$150
so totals (estimate only)
9mm...........$170/1000.......$0.17 per bang
40/10mm.....$220/1000.......$0.22 per bang
38super.......$180/1000.......$0.18 per bang
45...............$225/1000.......$0.25 per bang
These estimates are for 90% max loads too, not wimpy barely cycle your gun loads.
Pistol brass usually survives 8-10 reloads if not more.
These are just estimates, not including brass, press and time. My Hornady Pro7 has over $300k reloads through it and still purring like new.
My costs are around 20% less as I get bulk deals and order when prices are lower. about to make some more deals soon, so PM me if you want in locally.
As for your time, its like fly tying for fly fishing, it's an art to work up the perfect load your gun likes.
I work up a IMR4756 load with a 115 RN that made major and was a well kept secret as it showed NO pressure issues, before they banned the bullet due to too many people blowing up their guns.I shoot my 38super and 10mm cheaper than most 9mm factory
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Respectfully disagree with the above statement
I am reloading quality .223 for around $0.50 per round
100 x Hornady 68 grain V-max bullets is $28 taxes in, so $0.28/bullet
1000 x CCI primers is $55 taxes in, so lets say $0.06/primer
Powder at $45 per pound nets me around 280 reloads of .223, so $0.16/load
$0.50/round of .223 or $10 per box of twenty
Compare that to most LGS selling good factory ammo at $20+ per box plus applicable taxes depending on your location.
I am easily saving more than $10/box
My 9mm works out to around $6-$7 savings per box of 50
But, like others have said I just shoot more so probably don't save a thing
YMMV
Shoot straight - chrisco
What do you mean by this?:9mm 2500 $14just some basic costs off the top of my head
powder $35# depending what you load depends how much powder you use
- 9mm.......2500.....$14.00
- 10/40......1500.....$23.33
- 45...........1500.....$23.33
Primers per 1000 $45, Dominion were $27.50/1000
projectiles per 1000
- 9mm.......124grn...$100
- 10/40......180grn...$140
- 45...........200grn...$150
so totals (estimate only)
9mm....$159.00/1000...$0.15 each
10/40...$208.33/1000...$0.21 each
45........$218.33/1000...$0.22 each
just estimates, not including brass, press and time
my costs are around 20% less as I get bulk deals and order when prices are lower. about to make some more deals soon, so PM me if you want in locally.
as for your time, its like fly tying for fly fishing, it's an art to work up the perfect load your gun likes.
I shoot my 38super and 10mm cheaper than most 9mm factory
mikeydagunz
Regular
- Location
- Right side of Canada
I find reloading extremely rewarding. I reload 9mm and can do it for about $8 a box (quite a savings). 223 I find is not that cost effective, but it is really rewarding when you can develop the load data to the point where it really makes a difference in accuracy. I also load 357 and 38spl. Now in terms of 357, I am SAVING a LOT! It is also fun to experiment with different weight bullets and different powder combinations. A lot of shooters say that you will not save money, you will just shoot more. In my opinion, it is worth it because you have more range time and rounds to perfect your skill.
In your case, technically you would be saving money, but the savings is probably going to end up coming out of the barrel so to speak
One thing that I have found is that reloading has turned into a hobby unto itself. If you do not have patience and some attention to detail, then you might be better off just buying ammo.
Just my 2 Cents
In your case, technically you would be saving money, but the savings is probably going to end up coming out of the barrel so to speak
One thing that I have found is that reloading has turned into a hobby unto itself. If you do not have patience and some attention to detail, then you might be better off just buying ammo.
Just my 2 Cents
I find reloading extremely rewarding. I reload 9mm and can do it for about $8 a box (quite a savings). 223 I find is not that cost effective, but it is really rewarding when you can develop the load data to the point where it really makes a difference in accuracy. I also load 357 and 38spl. Now in terms of 357, I am SAVING a LOT! It is also fun to experiment with different weight bullets and different powder combinations. A lot of shooters say that you will not save money, you will just shoot more. In my opinion, it is worth it because you have more range time and rounds to perfect your skill.
In your case, technically you would be saving money, but the savings is probably going to end up coming out of the barrel so to speak
One thing that I have found is that reloading has turned into a hobby unto itself. If you do not have patience and some attention to detail, then you might be better off just buying ammo.
Just my 2 Cents
It's a science, and requires you attention. I know a guy that has just as many empty Tequila bottles in his reloading room as his empty powder bottles.
jus a 1" binder with my reloading information
As stated above I custom tailor the best possible 223 ammo for my rifle for 50 cents a round. I have paid upwards of 2 dollars a round for match ammo that can't shoot as well as my hand loads.
So I shoot more and shoot better. I will have paid off my equipment after 2000 rounds measured against match grade ammo.
I also load 9mm and save about %50 over commercial ammo.
This does not account for time, but since noone was paying me to sit in front of the television my time is better spent reloading anyhow. As we speak my wife is watching a TERRIBLE show and I am making ammo, win win.
So I shoot more and shoot better. I will have paid off my equipment after 2000 rounds measured against match grade ammo.
I also load 9mm and save about %50 over commercial ammo.
This does not account for time, but since noone was paying me to sit in front of the television my time is better spent reloading anyhow. As we speak my wife is watching a TERRIBLE show and I am making ammo, win win.
G-Man_Quagmire
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- North Delta B.C.
What show??
Very true. I have just started reloading and I have spent just over 2K to get set up. I could have cheaped out on several things, but my philosophy is to buy once and have quality tools. Also the time investment is worth it to see the level of accuracy that you are able to get out of your firearms increase dramatically over factory ammo.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Cost is at least the third best reason to reload. Shooting is expensive, no way around that.
Depends on how much you want to initially invest. A fully setup 650XL by Dillon can cost upwards of $3500++ when you get bullet feeders and multiple calibers involved.
I calculated that it would take 35,000 rounds of 9mm to "break even" with that setup, but I'm shooting 'expensive' VV N310. But i'm shooting a better, cleaner powder. It'll take about two years to recoup that if I just reloaded 9mm. But I do 45ACP and 223 on it, which have much better cost savings.
But as for savings, 50x 9mm is $10.50, about half the cost of local 9mm (currently $19.95/50 at LGS). 223 is the same as everyone else, about $25/50 or $.50 each. But it's a quality bullet, and better/cleaner powder which I like, because I dislike cleaning the AR-15's.. Personally I reload 6.5x55 on a single stage for $11/20. It is premium bullet for hunting (Lapua Mega or Partitions) with a dialed in accurate load. Cheap factory box is $27 currently, so I save a lot with this caliber.
Reloading isn't about saving money (because you're just going to shoot more) it's about having quality ammunition and it is a hobby of it's own. If you don't like reloading or hate the idea, it's not worth it to try to save money on ammo because it can take a lot of time depending on your involvement. You see lots of new or nearly new presses on the EE because people want to start reloading for cost savings, but don't want to take it up as a hobby. As soon as they determine the time needed to invest, the presses go up for sale.
I calculated that it would take 35,000 rounds of 9mm to "break even" with that setup, but I'm shooting 'expensive' VV N310. But i'm shooting a better, cleaner powder. It'll take about two years to recoup that if I just reloaded 9mm. But I do 45ACP and 223 on it, which have much better cost savings.
But as for savings, 50x 9mm is $10.50, about half the cost of local 9mm (currently $19.95/50 at LGS). 223 is the same as everyone else, about $25/50 or $.50 each. But it's a quality bullet, and better/cleaner powder which I like, because I dislike cleaning the AR-15's.. Personally I reload 6.5x55 on a single stage for $11/20. It is premium bullet for hunting (Lapua Mega or Partitions) with a dialed in accurate load. Cheap factory box is $27 currently, so I save a lot with this caliber.
Reloading isn't about saving money (because you're just going to shoot more) it's about having quality ammunition and it is a hobby of it's own. If you don't like reloading or hate the idea, it's not worth it to try to save money on ammo because it can take a lot of time depending on your involvement. You see lots of new or nearly new presses on the EE because people want to start reloading for cost savings, but don't want to take it up as a hobby. As soon as they determine the time needed to invest, the presses go up for sale.
- Location
- West Quebec
I'm happy to say that reloading has been a big help with my 223 rifle, I just never got a decent grouping with off the shelf ammo.. of course it migrated to all my pistol calibers as well ..same reason
hmmm never thought about cost except when i go through the check out process . once thats done im all good . i may think im saving something but its not money I now have a much larger ammo supply on hand then i would of been able to afford. I have done a lot of range salvage after a ig shoot. with that I ave been able to build up a pretty good supply of on hand ammo . If I wanted to save money I would never shoot. wheres the fun in that? 
saying that I go out and shoot and have some fun, with all of my various sticks of doom. I amy not shoot as many rounds as some others but I know i shocked a few of my friends when I say "what oh yesterday i shot 150 .06 rounds and yea i fired the .40 S& W a bit.. its all relative now i have to pay for that stuff . BUT its a hobby hobbies are fun and occasionally 
cost money
I now have a much larger ammo supply on hand then i would of been able to afford. I have done a lot of range salvage after a ig shoot. with that I ave been able to build up a pretty good supply of on hand ammo . If I wanted to save money I would never shoot. wheres the fun in that? saying that I go out and shoot and have some fun, with all of my various sticks of doom. I amy not shoot as many rounds as some others but I know i shocked a few of my friends when I say "what oh yesterday i shot 150 .06 rounds and yea i fired the .40 S& W a bit.. its all relative now i have to pay for that stuff . BUT its a hobby hobbies are fun and occasionally cost money
gewehr76
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Reloading obsolete or hard to find calibers is where reloading counts and is necessarry. You won't save much on commonly available calibers like 9mm or 38sp. It is where 455 elly that cost 70$ per 50 or 38sw at 45.99 per 50 that's when you save by rolling your own.
