Is it worth it?
- Thread starter tutteal
- Start date
2000rds a year? A month? A week? Even if that were annual amounts, that's 4500 rounds a year. Reloadable on a single stage press at about 50rds an hour or about 100 hours a year. 50 evenings throughout the year, figure every Tuesday night would be reloading night.
if that 4500rds is monthly, then you would need to figure on 1125rds a week. You are loading two nights a week on a turret press.
if that is weekly, you already have a progressive press, prob a Dillon 650 since you would need an AMMO FACTORY but that would still be loading two long nights a week with calibre changes.
first you will need to define your needs a little better.
if that 4500rds is monthly, then you would need to figure on 1125rds a week. You are loading two nights a week on a turret press.
if that is weekly, you already have a progressive press, prob a Dillon 650 since you would need an AMMO FACTORY but that would still be loading two long nights a week with calibre changes.
first you will need to define your needs a little better.
- Location
- West Quebec
Agreed and get the satisfaction that my hits are more frequent because of it
Wrencher2008
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Reloading is another hobby in its self that I thoroughly enjoy as much as shooting.
Reloading is a great way to cut costs, casting bullets is another way to further reduce costs. At one point, picking up brass from those who do not reload, getting free wheel weights and casting bullets left me to only buy powder, primers and bullet lube. Cost per round was very minimal and I tended to shoot more. I also have ammo stockpiled from over 25 years ago and it still works great 
All my reloading was done on a Lee Turret press. I do plan to upgrade here very soon to a Dillon 550.
All my reloading was done on a Lee Turret press. I do plan to upgrade here very soon to a Dillon 550.
I feel that reloading gets you something not available anywhere else. A round custom made to your gun. The only way you save money is when you sell off your reloading equipment and recapture your investment. Or I suppose if you bought only one powder one type of bullet and reloaded range brass using bottom end or used equipment or perhaps a Lee Loader. (sorry I'm thinking rifle here and you are asking about pistol ammo)
I am in the same boat. I have done the math and for my 375 ruger it looks like I will be going ahead with reloading. at 70$ a box I figure I can pay for a Hornady lock n load kit in 250 rounds. its all depends on what your reloading and how much. do a little reaserch and break it down to cost per round.
The first part of this is the best reason to reload. Custom cartridges for your firearms, that when combined, make for an accurate reliable system that can consistently be depended upon.
As for the rest of it, not so relevant but depending on how you go about it, only partially true.
You are very specific about the cartridges and the amount of said cartridges you intend to load.
If that is a specified amount for a project or all you will ever need, then go to one of the banner sponsors and take advantage of their bulk deals. The amount of ammo you list would have shipping included in the price. This would save you the effort of setting up a reloading bench, picking up the components in bulk, etc.
If you are actually doing a group buy and making up the cartridges for buds at a slight mark up to cover your own costs, the amounts your describe are hardly worth the trouble. IMHO, the bulk pistol ammo prices being offered, negate any reason to consider reloading at all. Often, such as one of the 9mm deals offered by a few of the banner sponsors, it was cheaper to buy their loaded ammo and have it delivered to your doorstep than it was to purchase the components to load them up, even if you were using cheap range brass to do it. The only way it would be cheaper is if you can get the range brass for free. This is often possible, depending on who you work for or follow onto the range. A few months ago, I got onto the range after a certain law enforcement agency had just left. They were cleaning up after themselves and dumping the used cases into the garbage bin. I asked them to just leave the cases and promised them that I would clean them up. They were only to happy to leave the troublesome chore to someone else.
Good deal for me, a few thousand cases of Winchester 223rem, 9mm, 12ga hulls and 7.62x51. Not a few thousand of each of course. About 1500 9mm cases and the rest a mixed bunch of at least a couple hundred of each, except the 12 ga of which there were only 50.
This doesn't happen often though, not for me anyway. If any of you gentlemen that were there at the range that day, thank you very much. It was a favor that worked both ways.
Anyway, I notice that you don't mention any rifle cartridges. If you are just going to reload pistol cases, it will take a lot longer to recoup your costs, say 5000 rounds of each of the cases you mentioned and only then if you purchase your components in bulk.
Amen brother,in fact some days I get more enjoyment out of the reloading aspect of it.And I particularly enjoy forming ammunition for less popular numbers from other more popular ones.
- Location
- West Quebec
I enjoy it as well, it's a bonus to work up loads that show improvement over factory ammo
It really pays off with larger calibers. I have spent quite alot on my setup, but for example just buying the components to reload 45acp (1000) I was able to recapture the cost of the dies and shellplate for my Hornady LNL AP. So if you think that you are going to save about $100 every thousand on just pistol ammo, it won't take long to save a $1000 and get your initial investment back out.
Here here. It truly is great fun and I enjoy the savings I get from reloading for the more expensive milsurp chamberings.
