Cost to Reload 308
- Thread starter -Doug-
- Start date
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
When I could get 150grn berry bullets for 30/30 for 17$, I could reload 308 for under 30 cents. As 308 brass is dime a dozen, or free.
As I was just using the 150grn, with reddot pistol powder. I could get avg 3/4-1" at 100m with them.
As I was just using the 150grn, with reddot pistol powder. I could get avg 3/4-1" at 100m with them.
6.5 shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Medicine Hat
Depends:
Primers right now are ranging from $8-18 bucks a hundred.
Powder is from $40-70bucks a pound.
Projectiles from $45-100 for a hundred.
SO: to load 100 rounds you would average 1LB = 7000 grs. of powder So 7000/50grs per round = 140 rounds @ $60 bucks for powder= ~.43 cents + ~.10cents per primer + ~.50 for your bullet = ~$1.03 per round.
Primers right now are ranging from $8-18 bucks a hundred.
Powder is from $40-70bucks a pound.
Projectiles from $45-100 for a hundred.
SO: to load 100 rounds you would average 1LB = 7000 grs. of powder So 7000/50grs per round = 140 rounds @ $60 bucks for powder= ~.43 cents + ~.10cents per primer + ~.50 for your bullet = ~$1.03 per round.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Plus the cost of the tooling to make that loading - trimmer, de-primer, re-primer, sizer, meter out powder, bullet seater, etc. Cheap, cheap like I started with - Lee Loading tool might be $40 or $50 these days - uses a scoop to measure out your powder - no choice of load - have to use the included chart for the various bullet weight - will only neck size, so often will not work for your rifle with cases previously fired in another rifle. But it does make rounds that will go "bang". My most recent purchase was an RCBS Chargemaster Lite - so that was just over $400 delivered to my mailbox. Plus press, dies, etc. - so could spend $1,000 or more in tooling I am sure, by the time you include some way to anneal the brass, etc.
6.5 shooter & Potashminer got it covered.
Only thing I can add is that whatever you buy, you can resell for more then what you paid for in few years. If you decide reloading is not for you.
Reloading gear is like a rolex watch, it just gets more and more expensive every year. The prices never drop and it is same with supplies (powder, primers, etc).
Here is a good video that Lee Loading Tool in action.
Even with all my "fancy" tools, i still go back to it. Especially when kids are "helping".
Cheers,
Only thing I can add is that whatever you buy, you can resell for more then what you paid for in few years. If you decide reloading is not for you.
Reloading gear is like a rolex watch, it just gets more and more expensive every year. The prices never drop and it is same with supplies (powder, primers, etc).
Here is a good video that Lee Loading Tool in action.
Even with all my "fancy" tools, i still go back to it. Especially when kids are "helping".
Cheers,
Last edited:
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Getting the tooling needed, can probably be done for about 100$, for a die set, the case prep tools ( if you already reloaded, will probably already have them )
Lee trimmers for drills are cheap, and if you are not loading seriously and just for plinking like I do, it works good enough. I have a RCBS that I don't use and just prefer the Lee. Plus with 500 + 308 brass on hand, toss them out, and circulate new ones in, so no annealing needed. But yes starting out if you don't already reload, can be $$$ but I'm assuming that many already have alot of the tooling, just not the dies/shell plate and the trimmer.
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
cost for plinker 100 target ammo
CAMPRO BULLETS - .308, 147GR, SBT, FMJ, CASE OF 500 $135 = .27 c round
current price primer .10c each
current price powder .app .8 c each
= .45c round plus tax, + your time, + brass. + your equipment, + knowledge to do it right
CAMPRO BULLETS - .308, 147GR, SBT, FMJ, CASE OF 500 $135 = .27 c round
current price primer .10c each
current price powder .app .8 c each
= .45c round plus tax, + your time, + brass. + your equipment, + knowledge to do it right
shoot_to_kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Luskville quebec
These are my rough calculations from about a year ago.
Cost per round
308
Varget 60$ per pound +tax
Sierra Tmk 175 , 71.99+tax
Large rifle primers 10$/100
Winchester brass 44.99/ 50 +tax
43 grains per load
50c powder per load
Bullets 81c each
11c primers
Brass 51c
Total
With brass- 1.92
Without brass- 1.41
Cost per round
308
Varget 60$ per pound +tax
Sierra Tmk 175 , 71.99+tax
Large rifle primers 10$/100
Winchester brass 44.99/ 50 +tax
43 grains per load
50c powder per load
Bullets 81c each
11c primers
Brass 51c
Total
With brass- 1.92
Without brass- 1.41
Burton Urnie
Regular
- Location
- Near Woodstock New Brunswick
A hard thing to figure, since the gear can amount to a fair price.
I cast my own projectiles from scrap COWW lead I buy.
Projectiles including lube, .01c
Powder, 20gr. .10c is $70 LB tax included.
Primers .09c tax included.
For some cheap blinkers this is it.
Approximately. 20c each.
I cast my own projectiles from scrap COWW lead I buy.
Projectiles including lube, .01c
Powder, 20gr. .10c is $70 LB tax included.
Primers .09c tax included.
For some cheap blinkers this is it.
Approximately. 20c each.
I can get Sellier + Belloit 180gr cartridges here for 1.35. Why not just buy those instead of reload?
Doug, Not nearly enough information as to what you intend to use the ammo for, what kind, if any reloading equipment you have etc.
If you don't have any reloading equipment, such as a press/dies/powder scale or even a Lee Loader kit, you have to factor in the largesse of someone willing to do it for you or allow you to learn on their equipment.
You don't mention what a "bunch" of 308 brass entails.
A half dozen boxes??? Less? More.
Average, nothing fancy bullets suitable for hunting, say flat base/spire point 150-165 grain bullets are going to cost you at least $50+ per hundred.
A pound of powder, enough to load those hundred bullets $60. A pound will usually load just over 145 308win cartridges.
100 primers $10.
Case lube $3
A case of beer or a nice bottle for whomever lends you his time/equipment $30-$50.
So, $150 to $175 per hundred.
I see similar ammunition advertised at Canadian Firearms Outlet for $35/20. Add taxes and shipping to that amount, say $60 and your looking at $235/100 for bottom of the barrel, but still adequate for hunting purposes ammunition, that may or may not shoot well in your rifle.
If you don't have any reloading equipment, such as a press/dies/powder scale or even a Lee Loader kit, you have to factor in the largesse of someone willing to do it for you or allow you to learn on their equipment.
You don't mention what a "bunch" of 308 brass entails.
A half dozen boxes??? Less? More.
Average, nothing fancy bullets suitable for hunting, say flat base/spire point 150-165 grain bullets are going to cost you at least $50+ per hundred.
A pound of powder, enough to load those hundred bullets $60. A pound will usually load just over 145 308win cartridges.
100 primers $10.
Case lube $3
A case of beer or a nice bottle for whomever lends you his time/equipment $30-$50.
So, $150 to $175 per hundred.
I see similar ammunition advertised at Canadian Firearms Outlet for $35/20. Add taxes and shipping to that amount, say $60 and your looking at $235/100 for bottom of the barrel, but still adequate for hunting purposes ammunition, that may or may not shoot well in your rifle.
There are several reloading calculators online. I've used Xreload's and Dillon's before. It might help you to see whats out there and the costs. And how many rounds you need to make to cost out the equipment.
I used it to settle the 9mm reload or not question for myself.
Clint
I used it to settle the 9mm reload or not question for myself.
Clint
- Location
- Western Manitoba
OP - depending how you think - factor in that nothing you buy today is going to be cheaper next year. Some years ago, I was buying canister powder in the $20 and $30 - could not fathom ever having to pay $70 or $80 per pound, like today. Same with bullets or primers. 5 years ago, who would have thought to pay more than $1.00 per round for factory 308 Win hunting ammo. Same with the reloading tooling - best price to have bought was 5 years ago - even better to have bought 10 years ago. Next best is today, if you did not buy it then.
shoot_to_kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Luskville quebec
The consistency and quality of reloaded ammo is far better than all store bought. Plus if I can’t find a certain pre rolled ammo I don’t have to recalculate all my drop charts.
Sierra loaded match ammo is more comparable to 50$ a box quality 308 ammo. Not cheap soft point 180 grain stuff.
You won't save much if anything by reloading with today's component prices. Reloading for me has been about availability and quality, but has the unexpected benefit of cost savings over time. I'm always shooting components that have been in the stash for a while and were bought in bulk on sale when they were available. My cost of components for ammunition I load today will be about half what it would be if i bought those same components today.
When you have some extra pocket money buy some powder or components, build up some stock a bit at a time and in a couple years you have a buffer for lean times. When you're driving on the Alaska Highway you don't wait until the fuel tank is empty to start looking for a gas station. Top it up when you have the opportunity.
When you have some extra pocket money buy some powder or components, build up some stock a bit at a time and in a couple years you have a buffer for lean times. When you're driving on the Alaska Highway you don't wait until the fuel tank is empty to start looking for a gas station. Top it up when you have the opportunity.
Below is an example for a 30-06 round loaded with 60.5gn of RL17 and 150gn TTSX. Cost per round $1.88.
It does not include equipment depreciation, spills or other mess that might happen. It also assumes batch of powder, bullets, brass, primers match perfectly.
As mentioned on previous posts, look up up and you will find tons of spreadsheets online.
It does not include equipment depreciation, spills or other mess that might happen. It also assumes batch of powder, bullets, brass, primers match perfectly.
As mentioned on previous posts, look up up and you will find tons of spreadsheets online.
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vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I have no idea what my costs per round are and don't really care a great deal. I do like Jet said, using supplies today that I bought a few years ago when supplies were easier to source.
If you are just worried about the dollars and cents or number per hour then reloading is likely to be a chore and not something you enjoy. For me it's a gun hobby I can do in the basement at 10pm in January and it's -25 C. Sometimes I have to drag myself to the range to make brass empty so I can load some more. LoL
I also can shoot my 1889 in 7.5x53.5mm or 44 Merwin & Hulbert whenever I like without worrying about collectable ammo. If you don't reload what do you do if you find a killer deal on a 8x58R Danish Krag?
I love having options. With a long term outlook on stocking components and the tricks you pick up for different types of loading you can weather the shortages and use guns that haven't had ammo in the store for a century.
If the plan is to make better ammunition than you can buy it's not likely to be quick or cheap either.
I think anyone who wants to get serious about their sport should try reloading with someone in their discipline but it's not for everyone. If it's a chore you don't do for the right reasons it will be an extra impediment to getting out shooting or it will be something you don't do with the care and attention it requires.
