Cost of Reloading

Janvier

Janvier

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Can't seem to find this in searches..

1) Approximately how much does it cost per round to reload for .308? .338? I've heard that a factory box of 20 for .308 is around $15, and .338 is much more.

2) What would be a ballpark figure for a full set of generic reloading equipment?
 
The costs can vary widely, depending on the equipment you choose, the components you choose, etc.

Basic rule of thumb is that for most 'common' cartridges, reloading is 1/3 to 1/2 the cost (excluding the cost of your reloading equipment) For less common cartridges or match ammo, your savings increase. Check out the price of loaded weatherby ammo, for example
 
Lets see here,

For .308,
- cases run about $.40 each
- bullets are ~$.30 each
- primers are $.03
- powder runs about $.17 - $.20 a round.
(These are just ballpark figures here.)

So, for you initial setup, your ammo's gonna cost about $.90/round. Saving your brass will reduce the next batch to $.50/round.

As for reloading setups, you can get a Lee kit with all you need (minus dies and consumables) for about $140 at WSS.

(E) :cool:
 
I just about fell over when I just purchased some TSX bullets. They are almost $1.00 each. Whoa!! So much for $0.25/trigger pull.
 
Thanks, very helpful info. But from what I'm seeing here, if factory ammo is $15/20 rounds, that's $0.75 per round, and roughing reloading cost with the Adjusted Brass Factor (ABF), it's about $0.60 per round? Doesn't seem like huge savings, but I guess that's probably just a result of all the Ballparking we're doing... I guess the bottom line is: if you reload, you'll save at least some money/round, if not a lot. Sorry, just talking to myself a little here...
 
Janvier said:
Can't seem to find this in searches..

1) Approximately how much does it cost per round to reload for .308? .338? I've heard that a factory box of 20 for .308 is around $15, and .338 is much more.

2) What would be a ballpark figure for a full set of generic reloading equipment?
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Janvier, I don't reload a lot for 308, but I have reloaded a lot for 30-06, which uses even more powder. Now these prices are extreme, but considering I live in Newfoundland :p, well here we go, taxes in;
Powder about $0.29 per pound($40 per pound)(50 grains)
Primers about $0.04 per round($3.50-$4.00/100)
Bullets, Winchester bulk power points $0.20 each($20/100)
Used brass, I get most of mine for free $0.10 each and you can reuse these several times over, so you can eliminate the cost on your next 20 rounds.

Total cost per 20 rounds of Winchester Power Point ammunition $12.60. Without the brass $10.60. How much do you pay for that brand of ammo, I pay close to $25.00/20 rnds. Now take into account you initial cost for set up of say $200 for press kit and dies from Lee, you would pay for your reloading setup after 13 boxes of 20 rounds. And you may be able to get these components a lot cheaper as well.
 
Cost Based Reloading

ilovepotatos said:
I find it very difficult to buy cheap reloading materials. Most reloading supplies are of super high quality. There's a market out there for people doing cost based reloading.
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I take it you mean components rather than reloading equipment? If you mean the latter, the Lee line of equipment can't be beat for cost and simplicity (though will wear out sooner than the fancy brands, if your loading volume is high).

As for components, living on the Island can make it difficult. BC Redneck out Chilliwack way (w ww.bcredneck.com) has good prices on bulk primers, powder etc. For projectiles, there's a guy out of Lake Cowichan (John Bell, Ten-X Bullets) who is quite reasonable (especially if you buy from him at a gun show and save shipping/driving).

Higginsons in Ontario offers free shipping on powder orders of 21+ pounds, worth considering for a group deal.
 
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It's not always the cost factor. You have to take into consideration that you are essentially getting custom ammo tailored for your particular rifle.
This is how it was put to me when I asked the same question several months ago.
 
Reloading is a hobby and should be viewed as such. Having said that, it's alot less expensive than many other hobbies.




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CyaN1de said:
It's not always the cost factor. You have to take into consideration that you are essentially getting custom ammo tailored for your particular rifle.
This is how it was put to me when I asked the same question several months ago.
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x2. Custom ammo that you have diligently prepared and tested. Nothing better than that.
 
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