Is reloading 9 mm Luger cost effective

I have been reloading for over 25 years for pistols for competition

shot over 250,000 re-loaded, I have the used primers to prove it. Don't ask me why I'm keeping them.

All loaded with a Hornaday Pro7 that is still kicking 800-900 rnds an hour, I love the fact Hornaday offered me an upgrade to a LnL because they don't make the parts anymore for the old one.

The press will pay itself in 1 shooting season easily

If you consider the costs of materials

9mm copper clad bullets 1000 for $90
1000 primers for $30
power $33# that will reload 2500 = $13.2 per 1000


reusing your brass $132.00 per 1000 works out to $6.60 per 50

brass is either free or once fired at $40 per 1000


most components are interchangeable too
bullets, powder, primers can be use in multiple calibers
 
Gunggeek said:
Great advice all of you.i do want to shoot better ,more acurat.and if i can save some $ in the proces than great.but i still dont understand what's the deal with pistol powder? Guys here say they can't find any.i looked online and there is plenty of choice.
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Depends where you are. Lots of listings, not much stock. I've bought powder from online sellers ranging from BC to Quebec, if you see what you want, buy it while you can.
 
Gunggeek said:
Great advice all of you.i do want to shoot better ,more acurat.and if i can save some $ in the proces than great.but i still dont understand what's the deal with pistol powder? Guys here say they can't find any.i looked online and there is plenty of choice.
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I love buying on line. First you send them an email asking if they have Bullseye. Responses next day or so :"not in stock". win 231 ? Responce next day: "not in stock". H 2400 ? responce next day: "not in stock."

A week passes. You then ask "What pistol powders do you actually have in stock at this moment ? Responce two days later: "Fill in an order form for the powders you want".

My solution = put my pistols up for sale on EE.
 
People Reload for several reasons in my experience and not in any particular order ...
Therapy.
Cost.
Tailor the load for the sport (ipsic) for example
Because they can.
They like to experiment..improve the wheel so to speak.
Because they hate most commercial ammo man.
One gun and one caliber and 500 rounds a year isnt really a good enough reason to start reloading the 9mm.
But, who says you should not or can not is full of ####e.
Just some random thoughts.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
never had problem getting powder for what I need. Cabelas has stock in a different times, just order anything "out of stock", they usually call you in a few weeks when it arrives at the warehouse, then have it shipped to a local store.

That's how I got my hs-6, 700x, 800x, 231 which pretty much covers my spectrum of 9mm, 38super, 10mm, 40sw, 45acp, 357mag, and 44

I get a laugh at the people wanting a specific powder, unless you use it in competition as long as it goes bang and is accurate, who cares
 
madcow said:
never had problem getting powder for what I need. Cabelas has stock in a different times, just order anything "out of stock", they usually call you in a few weeks when it arrives at the warehouse, then have it shipped to a local store.

That's how I got my hs-6, 700x, 800x, 231 which pretty much covers my spectrum of 9mm, 38super, 10mm, 40sw, 45acp, 357mag, and 44

I get a laugh at the people wanting a specific powder, unless you use it in competition as long as it goes bang and is accurate, who cares
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If you have ever worked up a load with a specific powder to acieve a certain result in a specific firearm you want it to be repeatable. Generally you are not satisfied with "What weird and wonderfull powder do you have in today ? I don't care as long as it goes bang."
 
stampede said:
I love buying on line. First you send them an email asking if they have Bullseye. Responses next day or so :"not in stock". win 231 ? Responce next day: "not in stock". H 2400 ? responce next day: "not in stock."

A week passes. You then ask "What pistol powders do you actually have in stock at this moment ? Responce two days later: "Fill in an order form for the powders you want".

My solution = put my pistols up for sale on EE.
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Bummer, I've bought powder from 3 different sponsors of CGN and from a couple of others and the only thing I've ever encountered was limits on how much I was allowed to buy per order.
 
I still load .223 with a Lee classic loader, but I've found some reloading gear fairly cheap over a long period of time, just waiting with cash ready to buy. Even If you don't shoot too much like me, still buy a bulk lot of projectiles (1000's), primers, and powder to match, and it will also be worth it just for the knowledge that you've gained! otherwise, sell it on the EE.
 
madcow said:
shot over 250,000 re-loaded, I have the used primers to prove it. Don't ask me why I'm keeping them
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That's cash money right there...
Last time I took a load of spent primers to the scrap yard they were paying just under $1 per pound for brass.
My spent primers abd a small bucket of unusable brass cases netted me $109.

And to think I almost threw tge stuff into the trash.
 
667 said:
...and don't mind being "that guy" smoking up the indoor range Lol.

Really though... If cost was so important mist of us wouldn't be in this sport/hobby.

Reloading frees you from being at the mercy of the retail ammo chain.
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Yet were still at the mercy of the powder gods
 
with what you said, you will still save more than half compared to retail. my calculation is not even based on the cheapest components. this calculation was done using campro FMJ bullets, HS-6 Powder, Dominio primer, free range brass. If you shot lead bullet, or cast your own, and then stock up on cheaper powder, you will save even more.

Gunggeek said:
ok,so it is straight math here.the cheapest 9 mm I can find ,with brass casing ,goes for around 280$ per 1000 rounds.is reloading that caliber even cost effective ,not including the time ,or even press which I'm not planning to spend more than 200$ on it,just raw cost of bullet,powder and primer.
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I take to reloading kinda like therapy, reminds me how much I have spent on this sport.

Just like fly tying is a hobby on uts own.
 
With free brass (tons in the brass bucket in my range) figure ~$140/1000 for plated bullets. OP can do own math to decide if that is cost effective.

Tired of lead bullets using lube. Too much smoke and dirty gun. Plated is so much nicer.
If ever free lead comes my way have to tried powder coating.

Use Titegroup for 9mm and 45ACP (and for light load 357, 44 and 50).
Use H110, LilGun for full load 357, 44 and 50.
Same small primers for all except LR for 50 (same as rifles)
Beauty of reloading is powder and primer can be shared, not stuck if you decide to change caliber.
 
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