I'm looking for information for anyone reloading 45 acp FMJ ammo and what there reloading cost is? also where have you found the best prices for reloading supplys, bullets, powder, primers etc. I have been searching through the forums and looked at a few sites however it seems like the bullet prices are big influence on the overall cost of reloading.
45 ACP info needed
- Thread starter wizzardsl
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That's the kind of info I needed now what kind of set up are you guys using for reloading? RCBS, LEE, a simple press or turret press? I ask because my next step is to buy a press / starter kit and I have seen the RCBS rock chucker kits and have seen the lee turret press kits and wonder if a turret press would be better?
I love to reload however, the notion that you can save any real $$ putting 45 ACP components together yourself versus buying the rounds is often flawed.
First of all you can purchase reloaded ammo from outfits like wolf and others. Their prices should form the basis of your comparison not new defense ammo priced in 50 rd boxes.
Next, ubercheap reloading seems to involve stockpiles of powder purchased at 50's prices and molding your own bullets using lead scrounged from sources you probably don't have taking time and gasoline you're supplying for free.
Finally, reloading presses cost money as do the dies, scales, calipers, tumblers etc. that one commonly buys and occasionally these need replacing.
If cost saving is your only concern then buy your 45 ACP from a professional reloader and save and trade in your brass.
People do save $$ reloading but realistically, not if 45 ACP is the only round they load.
First of all you can purchase reloaded ammo from outfits like wolf and others. Their prices should form the basis of your comparison not new defense ammo priced in 50 rd boxes.
Next, ubercheap reloading seems to involve stockpiles of powder purchased at 50's prices and molding your own bullets using lead scrounged from sources you probably don't have taking time and gasoline you're supplying for free.
Finally, reloading presses cost money as do the dies, scales, calipers, tumblers etc. that one commonly buys and occasionally these need replacing.
If cost saving is your only concern then buy your 45 ACP from a professional reloader and save and trade in your brass.
People do save $$ reloading but realistically, not if 45 ACP is the only round they load.
^^^^?????????
My cost per round is about 17 cents, I used plated or lead bullets that I've purchased, and bought all my powder and primers in the last 15 months. There's money to be saved, that much is to be sure. Of course you have to factor your time in, so if that's a premium, then maybe. For me, $$$ is my number 1 reason to reload my own 45acp.
My cost per round is about 17 cents, I used plated or lead bullets that I've purchased, and bought all my powder and primers in the last 15 months. There's money to be saved, that much is to be sure. Of course you have to factor your time in, so if that's a premium, then maybe. For me, $$$ is my number 1 reason to reload my own 45acp.
230 gr LRN cartridges can be purchased for around 0.22 plus brass from Wolf.
http://www.wolfbullets.com/Spec.htm
A nickle per round saving is better than I would have guessed though, and you'll offset $500.00 in reloading gear, which is a damn site less than I've paid, with only 10,000 rds,,less interest and wear and tear of course
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I bought my single stage setup in order to reload .338 LM. Now you're talking savings, among other things. Once you do have the press, of course it makes sense to reload other calibers. I'd never have gone for the nickle though, but thats just me. At 2000 rds a year (10 matches) it would take 5 years just to break even with a cheap slow setup. I feel I've got better things to do.
I'm not posting this just to knock other peoples logic BTW, but the guy is asking a question and my point of view is that the cost saving benefit is generally overstated. I see reloading as a very interesting and enjoyable facet of our sport. What cost saving there is is just icing on the cake and is best viewed as such IMHO.
http://www.wolfbullets.com/Spec.htm
A nickle per round saving is better than I would have guessed though, and you'll offset $500.00 in reloading gear, which is a damn site less than I've paid, with only 10,000 rds,,less interest and wear and tear of course
.I bought my single stage setup in order to reload .338 LM. Now you're talking savings, among other things. Once you do have the press, of course it makes sense to reload other calibers. I'd never have gone for the nickle though, but thats just me. At 2000 rds a year (10 matches) it would take 5 years just to break even with a cheap slow setup. I feel I've got better things to do.
I'm not posting this just to knock other peoples logic BTW, but the guy is asking a question and my point of view is that the cost saving benefit is generally overstated. I see reloading as a very interesting and enjoyable facet of our sport. What cost saving there is is just icing on the cake and is best viewed as such IMHO.
Or, if you bought your press and dies in the states, and only paid $300, it'll only take 6000 rounds, if you only shoot 45, which I don't. I'd say I'm already ahead of the game, between the 2 handguns and 2 rifles I load for. Don't forget to include shipping in the 22 cents per round. And taxes.
My latest toy is a 44mag, loaded ammo is $48/50, my reloads cost 24 cents each. I'll pay for my press again, by the time I'm through the bucket of cast bullets I bought. I'm still 22 cents ahead per 44 round, on the wolf ammo.
I also add, I enjoy my time loading. I can see how some might find it tedious, if the $$$ is worth it for you, it's your $$$, do as you please
My latest toy is a 44mag, loaded ammo is $48/50, my reloads cost 24 cents each. I'll pay for my press again, by the time I'm through the bucket of cast bullets I bought. I'm still 22 cents ahead per 44 round, on the wolf ammo.
I also add, I enjoy my time loading. I can see how some might find it tedious, if the $$$ is worth it for you, it's your $$$, do as you please
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I'm using a Dillon 550 progressive press
manual indexing, chose it because I also reload for rifles and it's nice to have a little bit more control (that's my opinion)
As for what HKmark23 says, I totally disagree. Reloading even only 45acp is worth it. It's true Wolf offers quality reloaded ammo. But making my own (and I use Wolf bullets anyway) lets me control my components. Not everygun likes Wolf receipe, I read.
Actually, if I wanted to buy Wolf bullets I'd pay alot in shipping. Here, the cheapest box of 50x 45acp is 26$ taxes in, thats 52 cents a pop...
And I too, like curtmg, love to reload, it makes shooting a whole new experience
manual indexing, chose it because I also reload for rifles and it's nice to have a little bit more control (that's my opinion)
As for what HKmark23 says, I totally disagree. Reloading even only 45acp is worth it. It's true Wolf offers quality reloaded ammo. But making my own (and I use Wolf bullets anyway) lets me control my components. Not everygun likes Wolf receipe, I read.
Actually, if I wanted to buy Wolf bullets I'd pay alot in shipping. Here, the cheapest box of 50x 45acp is 26$ taxes in, thats 52 cents a pop...
And I too, like curtmg, love to reload, it makes shooting a whole new experience
Do I hear $200
? Do you have scales ? verniers ? Case trimmer ? Powder trickler ? case tumbler & media? Case holders and other plastic brick-a-brack? How bout a hand primer or case lube and pad ? Got any of this mounted on a bench perhaps? This stuff isn't free. We all know this goes far beyond the price of a press and 2 or 3 dies now don't we. I think its entirely fair to call 500 bucks a conservative cost for setup.Last I checked, there's shipping and taxes on components too.
This is typical of just how folks manage to underestimate the costs associated with reloading and why I warned Wizzards about it.
At least the stated cost of components has thus far been fair. Seventeen cents per round seems realistic though I expect we'll soon read claims closer to a nickle
.I don't think anyone is trying to set up a conspiracy here
I WILL tell you right ahead my initial investment is around 1000$
manuals- I don't have any, I use manufacturer's website data
caliper- bought the canadian tire one 19$+taxes (some will go for over 100$!!)
case trimmer- I only reload pistol and 308 for my m14 (the chamber is so big, by the time the brass lenghtens, it'll be time to chuck em away anyway)
powder trickler- I use a cantaloupe spoon
case tumbler and media- I havent used one for a while, I clean my brass with steel wool, works pretty well. Actually, I still don't have one, UPS was supposed to deliver today they didnt.
case holder- Well... what can I say about case holders? I've never even considered buying these, making them would be the better option IMO, 2x4 and a press drill
bench-made mine with lumber, ±15$
Point is, there are many way to cut corners and split the initial investment over quite some time
Another thing, and it goes in your favor HKMark23, is the current shortage in components, that's a pain straight up the no man's land.
But all in all, the fun I get reloading makes it worth all the money, savings are a bonus
I WILL tell you right ahead my initial investment is around 1000$
manuals- I don't have any, I use manufacturer's website data
caliper- bought the canadian tire one 19$+taxes (some will go for over 100$!!)
case trimmer- I only reload pistol and 308 for my m14 (the chamber is so big, by the time the brass lenghtens, it'll be time to chuck em away anyway)
powder trickler- I use a cantaloupe spoon
case tumbler and media- I havent used one for a while, I clean my brass with steel wool, works pretty well. Actually, I still don't have one, UPS was supposed to deliver today they didnt.
case holder- Well... what can I say about case holders? I've never even considered buying these, making them would be the better option IMO, 2x4 and a press drill
bench-made mine with lumber, ±15$
Point is, there are many way to cut corners and split the initial investment over quite some time
Another thing, and it goes in your favor HKMark23, is the current shortage in components, that's a pain straight up the no man's land.
But all in all, the fun I get reloading makes it worth all the money, savings are a bonus
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Or, if you bought your press and dies in the states, and only paid $300, it'll only take 6000 rounds, if you only shoot 45, which I don't. I'd say I'm already ahead of the game, between the 2 handguns and 2 rifles I load for. Don't forget to include shipping in the 22 cents per round. And taxes.
My latest toy is a 44mag, loaded ammo is $48/50, my reloads cost 24 cents each. I'll pay for my press again, by the time I'm through the bucket of cast bullets I bought. I'm still 22 cents ahead per 44 round, on the wolf ammo.
I also add, I enjoy my time loading. I can see how some might find it tedious, if the $$$ is worth it for you, it's your $$$, do as you please
I hear you charles.e. I'm not trying to get into it with you or curtmg or anyone else either. Its obvious everyone's just telling it according to their own experience and thats just fine with me.I know guys whom I bet get 5000 rds down range per year and probably get far better deals on stuff than I do. I might do a quarter of that in a good year and paid over a grand for my setup like you did, so thats where I'm comming from. Its a personal thing but I've read cost/benefit claims in the past, (not this thread), that you'd have to be coked up to believe so I figgure if wizzards gets my yarn it'll lend a little balance to the story
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I dunno, I reload, I have for years...... Lately I have gotten into pistols in a big way. I used to only reload for my rifles, and I was reloading for accuracy..... Back in 99 or so (the last time I worked up a load for my .243) I was paying $1.85 per round for the "recipe" I was using...... factory bullets were in the neibourhood of $.95 ea..... I understood it was expensive as heck, But the performance I was getting was second to none!
I reload for 9mm & .45........ I can't seem to find any components, so I order 2000 rnds from Wolf for my .45.... Total cost was $573 to my door so $.28ea..... Compared to the cost of reloading..... My recipe costs me about $.19 ea (cast bullets, Titegroup & LPP)...... To be honest I am seriously considering buying all my ammo from Wolf! I figgure I can even sell off the brass @ $100 per 1000 (.45) Dropping my cost of 2000 rnds to only $375....or $.1875!!!!!!...... Just cheaper than I can load it for!!!!...... and the icing on the cake is Wolf's recipe works well in my 1911..... and more accurate than I am to be honest!
I agree with everything HK is saying...... If I didn't already have a Dillion SDB and a single stage press....... There is NO WAY you could convince me to reload for my .45!
That said I am still loading for my Rifles! I can't afford Hornady Ammo..... I can make ammo with the same consistancy for a little less......
Cheers!
I reload for 9mm & .45........ I can't seem to find any components, so I order 2000 rnds from Wolf for my .45.... Total cost was $573 to my door so $.28ea..... Compared to the cost of reloading..... My recipe costs me about $.19 ea (cast bullets, Titegroup & LPP)...... To be honest I am seriously considering buying all my ammo from Wolf! I figgure I can even sell off the brass @ $100 per 1000 (.45) Dropping my cost of 2000 rnds to only $375....or $.1875!!!!!!...... Just cheaper than I can load it for!!!!...... and the icing on the cake is Wolf's recipe works well in my 1911..... and more accurate than I am to be honest!
I agree with everything HK is saying...... If I didn't already have a Dillion SDB and a single stage press....... There is NO WAY you could convince me to reload for my .45!
That said I am still loading for my Rifles! I can't afford Hornady Ammo..... I can make ammo with the same consistancy for a little less......
Cheers!
I also recently started loading .45 and 9mm, but have been loading for numerous rifles for many years. If a guy is just starting up,and is shooting only .45, it'll take some time and lots of shooting to recoup your costs.
That said, I've got it down to being about as cheap as possible.Like you said,bullets are the most expensive part,so I decided I should do something about it. I started casting my own bullets,for both pistols. I got 3 buckets of wheelweights for free,but even if you can't,most guys can get a 20 litre bucket for less than $20, and that's alot of lead. I use simple 2 cavity Lee molds,which cost $26 each,and lube with Lee Liquid alox,which is $5,and lubes about 1000 bullets. I decided to spend the $60 on a Lee production pot,but also have used just a pot on my coleman burner with a little ladel,and it works too.
I'm just an amateur caster, but in a few sessions of a couple hours each, I've produced about 1500 bullets,and I'm getting faster, my last 2 hour session netting me 600 bullets. I load Unique in both calibers, and will probably try Power Pistol or another powder next that will also work in both pistols.
Brass I bought for $20 for 400 9mm,and $50 for 550 .45acp, fired brass. The press I already have,as well as powder measure and scale. I use a Lee perfect powder measure,and it has been just fine,and it's cheap. I don't even need the trickler,though I have one. I haven't bothered to trim the brass,so no expense there. Primers I buy for $34 for 1000.
All in all, I don't know what the finished rounds cost me,but I think it's about as cheap as it's gonna get.
That said, I've got it down to being about as cheap as possible.Like you said,bullets are the most expensive part,so I decided I should do something about it. I started casting my own bullets,for both pistols. I got 3 buckets of wheelweights for free,but even if you can't,most guys can get a 20 litre bucket for less than $20, and that's alot of lead. I use simple 2 cavity Lee molds,which cost $26 each,and lube with Lee Liquid alox,which is $5,and lubes about 1000 bullets. I decided to spend the $60 on a Lee production pot,but also have used just a pot on my coleman burner with a little ladel,and it works too.
I'm just an amateur caster, but in a few sessions of a couple hours each, I've produced about 1500 bullets,and I'm getting faster, my last 2 hour session netting me 600 bullets. I load Unique in both calibers, and will probably try Power Pistol or another powder next that will also work in both pistols.
Brass I bought for $20 for 400 9mm,and $50 for 550 .45acp, fired brass. The press I already have,as well as powder measure and scale. I use a Lee perfect powder measure,and it has been just fine,and it's cheap. I don't even need the trickler,though I have one. I haven't bothered to trim the brass,so no expense there. Primers I buy for $34 for 1000.
All in all, I don't know what the finished rounds cost me,but I think it's about as cheap as it's gonna get.
You may want to consider cast or plated bullets as a lower cost alternative to FMJ. This will make a pretty big difference.
I would regard a turret press as a bare minimum for pistol reloading. I'm very fond of my Dillion 550 progressive and highly recommend them. I think you would find it very time-consuming to reload .45 ACP on a single stage press.
I would regard a turret press as a bare minimum for pistol reloading. I'm very fond of my Dillion 550 progressive and highly recommend them. I think you would find it very time-consuming to reload .45 ACP on a single stage press.
