Hello ladies and gentlemen. I went to my favorite ammunition retailer to purchase more 9mm. Guy behind the counter remembers me from an earlier purchase of 9mm. He asked point blank if I retain my spent brass. I said usually ends up in the bucket at the range. The conversation turned more serious. He said I should look into reloading. Now, doing the math, looks like $1200-$1500 to get into it. At sale costs, thats a bit of factory 9mm. I have read about shortages and could be getting worse. Is there hidden savings Im not aware of? By the time you add labor it could be very close to new cost. Comments please.
New Guy Considering
- Thread starter 08A42.0t
- Start date
Hope you don't mind an "old guys" reply. I've been reloading for about 50 years, could NEVER shoot as much as I did without reloading. Factory fodder is simply too $$$$$$ AND you can never tell when factory stuff is ON THE SHELF. However, I'd also say that reloading has brought a LOTTTTTT of pleasure to me. While some of it is tedious (trimming) MOST of it is very much enjoyable, never thought of it as "added labour".
Will you save money?... Theoretically I guess... actually, you’ll just shoot more and for sure spend as much time reloading as shooting.
9mm is a wash unless you cast for it too. There’s a decent savings in all other pistol calibers though. Especially if you cast as well. I think most enjoy reloading though. It’s an extension of the hobby. If you don’t enjoy pulling on the press handle for a few hours here and there, then it’s for sure not worth it to reload 9mm. You’ll pay a press off in no time reloading .45, 357-44 magnum, 50ae...
9mm is a wash unless you cast for it too. There’s a decent savings in all other pistol calibers though. Especially if you cast as well. I think most enjoy reloading though. It’s an extension of the hobby. If you don’t enjoy pulling on the press handle for a few hours here and there, then it’s for sure not worth it to reload 9mm. You’ll pay a press off in no time reloading .45, 357-44 magnum, 50ae...
How much do you shoot? I load 9mm (some .38 Special) but save a ton because I shoot a lot of 9mm ($170 per 1K vs $260ish). My entire setup paid for itself within the first year. Personally, I think factoring in "labour" is silly. Do you sit down and calculate how much money you lose doing other things you enjoy? Do you "pay yourself" to watch TV or browse the internet? If reloading sounds like too much work than it's probably not for you.
P.S. Don't forget, components will be difficult to source in the coming months.
P.S. Don't forget, components will be difficult to source in the coming months.
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If you want to reload for 9mm and 5.56, you definitely don't need to spend $1200-$1700 to start. Like all the rest of the reloaders will tell you, get some reloading manuals FIRST. Very important to know what you are doing. I have reloaded since around 1970, so 50ish years. I love to reload, cast, and shoot.
I'm not going to recommend any particular brand, as it will just end up in a slagfest over which brand is best. I use almost exclusively one particular brand. PM me if you want to know about my setup and views.
I'm not going to recommend any particular brand, as it will just end up in a slagfest over which brand is best. I use almost exclusively one particular brand. PM me if you want to know about my setup and views.
- Location
- Mission B.C.
You cant factor in labour for a hobby, if you do just how much is it costing you in labour to shoot the ammo you buy. Most guys dont save a ton with reloading they just shoot more for the same price. I find reloading very relaxing almost, meditative you are so focused on the task at hand the rest of the world just kind of fades away in the back ground. You very quickly forget about all your worries and stress and when you suddenly realize you have a BIG bin full of shinny fresh 9MM ready to go to the range tomorrow you walk away with a big smile on your face.
For you that is true. I have multiple hobbies plus a life to keep up with. Of course those that have the spare time aren't concerned about it. It's when you have limited spare time that it becomes a factor. I have 6 project machines on the go, multiple gun projects, a full time job plus outdoor activities. Free time is a commodity I have to ration between all of it.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
As others have said, how much you shoot will dictate how much of a savings ther is to reloading in the "big pitchure"... The two cartridges you specify are going to have the slowest "pay-back" if you don't shoot more than a 500-thousand rounds a year.
Kjhon is right about the equipment cost being relevant to the amount you shoot as well...and the free time you can afford to the hobby. Lets put some #ers to that equation. The $1700 set-up should net you a system that can produce 800 round an hour after a year or so getting proficient at the task...but be aware that after the initial equipment cost you will probably have to justify another 3-500 buck in components for the two calibers.
With the 2-300 dollar equipment expenditures Kjhon mentions you can look forward to doing up to 1-200 rounds per hour and have the same component expenditure. Many Different levels of expenditure can increase load count...Just remember this point, time spent is time spent and not recoverable but no matter what level of cash expenditure you arrive/decide at, it is all a "recoverable commodity" the more you use it.
for the OP and calibers listed, the amount he shoots will set the pay-back schedule but for others one caliber can alone can be a tipping point...a buddy of mine bought a 45-70 and local commercial rounds were costing him $3 each so I talked him into using my equipment to load his rounds, he's now around $0.85 per round and smiling every time we attend a match...commercially he was spending $120 per match, now he's at $ 34.
This should give the OP some #rs to combine with the offered suggestions.
Ohh, and I have been reloading since I was 10 under the tutelage of my old man...in 1963.
Kjhon is right about the equipment cost being relevant to the amount you shoot as well...and the free time you can afford to the hobby. Lets put some #ers to that equation. The $1700 set-up should net you a system that can produce 800 round an hour after a year or so getting proficient at the task...but be aware that after the initial equipment cost you will probably have to justify another 3-500 buck in components for the two calibers.
With the 2-300 dollar equipment expenditures Kjhon mentions you can look forward to doing up to 1-200 rounds per hour and have the same component expenditure. Many Different levels of expenditure can increase load count...Just remember this point, time spent is time spent and not recoverable but no matter what level of cash expenditure you arrive/decide at, it is all a "recoverable commodity" the more you use it.
for the OP and calibers listed, the amount he shoots will set the pay-back schedule but for others one caliber can alone can be a tipping point...a buddy of mine bought a 45-70 and local commercial rounds were costing him $3 each so I talked him into using my equipment to load his rounds, he's now around $0.85 per round and smiling every time we attend a match...commercially he was spending $120 per match, now he's at $ 34.
This should give the OP some #rs to combine with the offered suggestions.
Ohh, and I have been reloading since I was 10 under the tutelage of my old man...in 1963.
I appreciate all responses. I understand that you shouldnt factor time BUT time is money and needs to be considered. I walk into a vendor and walk out 5 mins later with 1000 rounds. I spend 5hrs reloading 1000 rounds. Ive lost 4hrs and 55 minutes. Im not looking at this as a cost savings per say but I feel this might be the next evolution for me. Im gathering information and would like to source the necessary equipment ASAP as its getting harder and harder to locate.
I could easily work a few hours overtime and buy ammunition with that. OR, I could spend a few hours reloading, and still have the cost of the gear and consumables... Time may be money, but time doing something you enjoy instead of work is priceless. If you’re looking at this from a strictly financial point of view, DO NOT reload 9mm! I promise you it is not worth it. You’re saving cents. Larger pistol and rifle, it’s dollars.
You will literally pay yourself $10 an hour with 9mm.
I reload...but not 5.56 and 9mm.
I'm not overly fussed about the accuracy I get from my 5.56 and 9mm firearms to bother fine-tuning them (I don't hunt or compete with them), and at the price commercial 5.56 and 9mm sells for, it isn't worth my time and effort to reload.
littlehughey
Regular
- Location
- Central Alberta
Time is not money, some of your time is compensated with money. If youre like most of us, the majority of your time isnt worth a dime - unless you do something with it that adds value. Trust me, 5 hours of reloading is much more valuable than 5 hours of Netflix binge watching.
