Reloading cost per caliber? Post your numbers!
- Thread starter espritv8
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- Prince Albert, Sk
That $3.00+ for brass is killer! Bought one box @ $250.00 , won't find that deal again.
Some BMG is cheaper to shoot, store bought!
Some BMG is cheaper to shoot, store bought!
Your costs will vary. I find generally it's about half the cost of factory ammo. Some calibers save even more.
If you are shooting premium bullets then your savings really add up. Large caliber like 45 70 huge savings. 45 acp as well.
Decide what calibers you are going to shoot and what bullets . Go and find a online or app for reloading costs. Find prices online for component and punch in numbers. Handgun calibers brass lasts long time say 15. . Rifle use number of reloads about 8 for figuring out. This will give you currant pricing.
One of the biggest benifits of reloading is accuracy.
If you are shooting premium bullets then your savings really add up. Large caliber like 45 70 huge savings. 45 acp as well.
Decide what calibers you are going to shoot and what bullets . Go and find a online or app for reloading costs. Find prices online for component and punch in numbers. Handgun calibers brass lasts long time say 15. . Rifle use number of reloads about 8 for figuring out. This will give you currant pricing.
One of the biggest benifits of reloading is accuracy.
My cost for common calibers (30-06/308/44Mag) is about 1/2 factory cost for the components. If I use bulk projectiles like Campro bullets for the 44 my cost is 25% of factory. I don't include cost of dies and press because the press etc is a 1 time expense and dies are part of each new gun purchase. Uncommon, large, or exotic calibers will be closer to 1/4 factory cost to reload. A $300 box of 20 458Lott ammo will bring out the reloader in anyone. You usually don't save money, just shoot a lot more for the same price. If you are borderline autistic and precision and repetition make you happy, reloading is your wet dream.
How long does it take you to do 1000 9mm?? (Seriously, I'm interested)
The $ you're presenting is attractive but I value my time as well.
He is using a progressive press. Much faster, but much higher startup costs too.
it takes me about 2-3 hours to load 1000 rounds on my dillon square deal. the press paid for itself in under 4 months.
edit: i load 45acp on my single stage. that takes me about 1 hour to load 100 rounds. i dont shoot .45 much so its enough.
I cast and powder coat.
9mm costs: Bullets + powdercoat = $20, Primers $41, powder $25, brass $0 (not purchased 9mm brass in over 3 years)
total = $86 per 1000, lets add electricity and make it $100
40 s&w is around $150 per 1000 (just starting loading 40 so had to get brass)
45 acp is around $120 per 1000
9mm costs: Bullets + powdercoat = $20, Primers $41, powder $25, brass $0 (not purchased 9mm brass in over 3 years)
total = $86 per 1000, lets add electricity and make it $100
40 s&w is around $150 per 1000 (just starting loading 40 so had to get brass)
45 acp is around $120 per 1000
1000 rounds in 3 hours is great! I was expecting a lot less rounds in that time. Are many of you re-loaders getting similar results?
Does that include all the prep time of cleaning and priming the cases? Sorry to go off topic from the OP's question, which, by the way, I am wanting
direct answers for, also. Thanks
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Oddly enough, I'm looking hard at getting into reloading as well, and have come up with some rough budget numbers for components if starting from scratch. Including 1lb of powder per thou as well as new brass, here are my projected cost per thousand:
9mm: $192~
.223: $304~
.308: $692~
7.62x39: $380~
Would love to here some feedback to know if I'm close. Obviously the second and third batches would end up being $50-120 +/-cheaper without the cost of new brass, so the average would work out to be a little cheaper.
9mm: $192~
.223: $304~
.308: $692~
7.62x39: $380~
Would love to here some feedback to know if I'm close. Obviously the second and third batches would end up being $50-120 +/-cheaper without the cost of new brass, so the average would work out to be a little cheaper.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
To answer that is impossible. Some calibers have brass that is $3-5/ just for brass, so how many firings do you get per brass, impossible to know. Large caliber premium bullets are the most expensive component.
Several years ago, a box of 20 factory 375 Rum was $109/box. My cost to reload the same was about $30 for powder, primer, and projectile. Like i said it is hard to say or know how many firings per brass, the other thing impossible to know is availability of components. However, if components are hard to find, then so will factory ammo.
A low volume shooter, that sticks to non magnum ammo in calibers found in the Walmart ammo lockup, saves very little. It is when you go into non cookie cutter calibers or precision that the savings are found. Same goes for shotgun. One does not save building low power trap loads. The saving is in high power hunting ammo or the sub gauges.
Several years ago, a box of 20 factory 375 Rum was $109/box. My cost to reload the same was about $30 for powder, primer, and projectile. Like i said it is hard to say or know how many firings per brass, the other thing impossible to know is availability of components. However, if components are hard to find, then so will factory ammo.
A low volume shooter, that sticks to non magnum ammo in calibers found in the Walmart ammo lockup, saves very little. It is when you go into non cookie cutter calibers or precision that the savings are found. Same goes for shotgun. One does not save building low power trap loads. The saving is in high power hunting ammo or the sub gauges.
There are a number of variables of which the most important is quality of components. As an example, I reload .308 and if I want to use Lapua or Norma brass it could cost 2 or 3 times what cheaper brass would cost. Likewise, with projectiles if you use match quality or basic stuff. For me, IMHO, I make excellent accurate .308's for about 40% of comparable factory rounds, it appears that the larger or more exotic calibres will save even more significant money over factory rounds.
450 Rigby. 500gr DGS/DGX 1000 rounds $7000 (my reloads). This one's insane: Factory 1000rds @ $170CDN (10 per box) $17000.
I'm sure guys that shoot larger cals and double rifles would need to take out a second mortgage!
I'm sure guys that shoot larger cals and double rifles would need to take out a second mortgage!
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...wow. I'll stick with 223 and 308 lol
