DIOPTER said it!
I started reloading back when 8mm Mauser was $5.25 a box and I was working for $1.27 an hour less union dues, less taxes. Over FIVE hours at work for 1 box of shells.
I spent less than $75 to set up for handloading. RCBS dies were $25 back then; they are only $45 today. I could turn out my own ammo, just as good as factory, for $2 a box.
That was a long time ago. I still have the tools, they still work fine..... and I have had 47 years of inexpensive ammo from them.
Seriously, you can't afford NOT to load your own.
Head for a gun show; lots of second-hand tools there for half-price or less. Get them, set them up, use them, look after them and they will outlast YOU.
For cheap practise ammo, you can load 13 grains of Red Dot with a 180 CAST bullet (wheelweight metal works fine; I just got another 250 pounds yesterday for free). Gives you 8 to 10 rounds for a loonie, depending on if you want gas-checks or not. And you also get just about ZERO barrel wear and 2 MOA or better accuracy. You can afford to shoot every weekend and, in 20 years, that wonderful Swiss barrel still will be perfect.
Pretty good deal in my books.