Reloading is the only way to go, once you get the brass. That's the tricky part. you can usually pick up tons of free 9mm brass at the range, but not so for 45 acp. To buy new brass to reload is as expensive as buying factory loaded rounds. I am paying $23/50 for S+B stuff till I get the brass and then it's reloading all the way. I am already doing some and it's also way more accurate.
.45 ACP ammo cost
- Thread starter Skinny 1950
- Start date
Thank you! I have priced out reloading (as a numbers guy) and could never come anywhere close to some of incredibly (meaning not credible) low prices people claim they reload for. Especially for handguns.
I do realize that for rifles that are over a buck a cartridge there is a true savings available once you have a supply of brass saved up.
I do realize that for rifles that are over a buck a cartridge there is a true savings available once you have a supply of brass saved up.
Bingo!
This would be your benchmark price for comparison to reloading your own.
When the "I reload for SFA" cheerleaders start up, they like to compare their costs to that of a single 50 rd box of Corbons, (components generally sell by the 000). They'll do this and also neglect to mention the cost of reloading peripherals which quickly adds up. "Yep, it takes more than just a press." I've even read posts where costs for taxes and shipping disappear for components,,?? Go figgure!!
Anyhow, I generally get bashed for my opinion about this but our, (yes I reload), enthusiasm more often than not needs tempering when prospective reloaders post honest questions about reloading cost benefits. If you're just gonna buy "common caliber" components and put em together yourself, thus going toe to toe with professional reloading outfits that do zillions a year, how do you really think you're gonna do?
Yes, by all means reload. You probably will save a penny or two in the process but the real benefit goes way beyond that. Just don't think you're gonna transform $40.00/box costs into $5.00 by running out and buying a Lee kit and some components. Thats just BS.
"Now I feel better,,".
First of all, reloading savings add up over time - especially in 45 acp. I have brass with 10-12 reloads through it and I'm still using it, just don't ask what brand it is - in fact once you have stockpiled a few thousand 45 auto cases you might never have to buy more. I think most guys depreciate the cost of brass cases to nothing, I know I do. Second, thank god, there are all of you wonderfull people out there who shoot factory ammo and leave the brass lying all over the range - you guys know we love you, right?
Third, I know of no one who buys new brass to reload for handguns - easier to buy a box of factory every couple of months. As far as bullets go, most guys I know shoot lead - might not be environmentally friendly, but damn it's cheap. Powder - I use one powder for both the pistol cartridges I load for, and like most guys, I don't load max pressures - there's no point. So while you might be able to load 7 grains and get 1,000 rounds per pound, most people are loading 5.x grains and getting 1300 rounds to the pound. The one thing there's no getting around is primers, but at $50/1000 they're cheap. I guess at the end of the day you can argue either way - to me I reload for many reasons, but primarily to increase the number of rounds I shoot, and the length of time I have to pay for them. If you buy bullets one week and 2 weeks later primers and then every month you buy powder, no one expense is large - but once you get the results of sustained production to the range, you find yourself shooting for a whole day and going through quantities of ammunition that are unrealistic to shoot otherwise. I've shot 700 9mm and 500 45acp in the same day. I could not do that buying factory. After a while, you shoot so much that round counts become somewhat meaningless, I carry ammo in one pound red coffee cans - and I can empty a one full of 9 mm in a morning, works out to just under a case. That has become my average trip to the range, anyone buying factory shooting that every 2 weeks during the summer?
Where are you buying primers from? All CCI primers have been $34/1000 (plus gst) from WSS for the last two years and I know there are people out there that have found better deals on large quantity lots.
Mark
Where are you buying primers from? All CCI primers have been $34/1000 (plus gst) from WSS for the last two years and I know there are people out there that have found better deals on large quantity lots.
Mark
It costs me more than $10 in gas to get to the nearest WSS, if I'm nearby I'll buy there if not I'm buying locally.
Have you tried Henry Nierychlo from here? He is carrying primers for decent prices and I think shipping wouldn't be that bad on a case of 5000. Certainly cheaper than $50/1000.
Mark
How much time does it takes to the average reloader to reload 1000?
2 hours or 2 days, depending on your setup but its a moot point really. As much as it would support my argument against reloading common (relatively cheap) calibers just to pinch pennies, this whole endeavor, shooting, hunting, reloading is, for the majority, a diversion or hobby which we enjoy. IMHO the time element is therefore a wash.
I would, however, argue that vehicle expense ($0.20 / k) plus fuel, is a valid expense against the scrounging of wheel weights, not to mention that molds, melting pots and swaging gear isn't free either.
But is it fun, is it interesting? I'd think so
.2 hours or 2 days, depending on your setup but its a moot point really. As much as it would support my argument against reloading common (relatively cheap) calibers just to pinch pennies, this whole endeavor, shooting, hunting, reloading is, for the majority, a diversion or hobby which we enjoy. IMHO the time element is therefore a wash.
I would, however, argue that vehicle expense ($0.20 / k) plus fuel, is a valid expense against the scrounging of wheel weights, not to mention that molds, melting pots and swaging gear isn't free either.
But is it fun, is it interesting? I'd think so
I've always been kinda interested into reloading, just don't know if I'd actually enjoy it. Frankly, I can do overtime anytime I want at my job and it would be economically better for me to just do overtime and buy ammunition rather than roll my own; but for the fun factor, the experience of creating better/more accurate ammunition, it might be worth it! I'll try to find someone locally who could show me the rope and let me roll a few
I've always been kinda interested into reloading, just don't know if I'd actually enjoy it. Frankly, I can do overtime anytime I want at my job and it would be economically better for me to just do overtime and buy ammunition rather than roll my own; but for the fun factor, the experience of creating better/more accurate ammunition, it might be worth it! I'll try to find someone locally who could show me the rope and let me roll a few
Absolutely!!My bet is that you will enjoy it. Rolling your own adds a lot to the enjoyment of and interest in your sport. If not, just do an hours OT at the office and be done with it.
Life is too short and time too valuable to spend it simply trying to produce enough cost spread between reloaded ammo bought and reloaded ammo made, to make VV facile VV claims on CGN.
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I bought 100 rounds from shop.moregunssupply.com (supporting dealer) for 20.99/50 for 200 grain lead SWC reloads. 42 cents per round is VERY reasonable (brass all Federal, too).
Although I am a reloader, so I supposed I'll be snapping up some dies and components shortly.
Although I am a reloader, so I supposed I'll be snapping up some dies and components shortly.
I bought 3 x 100 round Win 230Gr FMJ bulk packs the other day. I was happy with $140 taxes in. Ugh... $23 a box is good I guess, but damn. Should of bought more a few years ago. Then I don't even shoot factory ammo, I just stockpile it and shoot my reloads.
x2 for Henry. A very good fellow to deal with. Also if you do decide to get into reloading. He seems to be able to get just about anything because he deals with a big wholesaler in the US rather than relying on a couple of local suppliers.
Whether you decide to reload or not will depend on how much you shoot. If you can get good deals on bulk ammo and don't shoot much it may not be worth the bother. Many of us reload because we also enjoy it. But, like casting bullets, it takes some expenditure on the equipment and some time to get the hang of it.
StuartReloading allows you to tailor the ammunition to suit the gun and shooter.
I sometimes like shooting a lighter load and other times I prefer shooting a very stout load.
The other consideration is how much ammo you actually shoot.
For someone who shoots 1 box or 2 per month the cost savings may not be enough to make it worth their while.
On the other hand someone like myself who likes to shoot around 500 rounds per week may find it cost prohibitive to purchase factory ammo.
I sometimes like shooting a lighter load and other times I prefer shooting a very stout load.
The other consideration is how much ammo you actually shoot.
For someone who shoots 1 box or 2 per month the cost savings may not be enough to make it worth their while.
On the other hand someone like myself who likes to shoot around 500 rounds per week may find it cost prohibitive to purchase factory ammo.
Reloading purely for cost reasons isn't much fun and you may be better off just working overtime to get the extra $$. The bigger advantages come in producing custom ammo to suit your uses and guns and producing premium+ level ammo for budget prices.
If you shoot a lot, I would bet that you will enjoy the reloading as well. It gives you another connection to your shooting and is an enjoyable hobby all on its own. If you only shoot a couple of boxes per year and aren't really into going out and shooting just for fun, then reloading would be a waste for you.
Mark
Congrats on buying an original 1911. Much better than a reproduction in my opinion even if it has some scratches and holster wear. Are you going to post some pics of what you got?
Just be careful, as mentioned those old frames are soft and if you bought it as an investment/collectable you're gonna want to be real careful. If it's already have modifications and parts changed shoot away probably not a huge deal.
Have fun! Sucks ammo is pricey.
-Steve
Just be careful, as mentioned those old frames are soft and if you bought it as an investment/collectable you're gonna want to be real careful. If it's already have modifications and parts changed shoot away probably not a huge deal.
Have fun! Sucks ammo is pricey.
-Steve
