Newbie - should I start reloading pistol - cost per unit

Paul_T

Paul_T

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Newbie question:

Should I start to reload based purely on a cost per unit?

Pistol only; 9mm, 45ACP, 357Mag and/or 38 Special

I am now buying:
9mm at approx .36 per unit in bulk (1000)
45ACP at approx .60 per unit in bulk (500)
if I find a sale then of course prices are lower - i.e. 1000 45ACP recently for .48 per unit.
I missed the over-run 9mm sale a few days ago at Westernmetals :(

357mag and 38Spl I usually buy by the box, harder to get in 500/1000

So - assuming you have all the reloading equipment (which I don't) and the brass (which I do), what are your costs per unit to reload 9mm (124gr FMJ) and 45ACP (230gr FMJ)?

If the cost per unit to reload is not much lower than bulk buying then the only other reason I can see for doing it myself is coming up with different loads for each handgun.

I have the space, I have the patience and I have the time.

Does spending the money for a good turret setup and all the associated equipment make any sense purely on a cost per unit basis?

How long to recoup the cost of the reloading equipment?

Thanks
-Paul
 
I just got setup with a single stage press and began reloading 9mm. My start up costs were just under $1,000.00 which includes everything I need from a tumbler to a press and some dies, as well as a small workshop to work in.

I reload 9mm for about $0.20/round taxes and shipping in. I can buy it new for about $0.30 a round. I reload 100 cartridges in an hour, so I am effectively working for $10.00/hour. I'll break even at 10 000 rounds, unless I start loading something more substantial; which I will. It's also a lot of fun.
 
At current cost of ammo I figure I reload for around half the cost of the common calibres. But that is my time and cost of set up. So if you figure saving half of the current cost of a 1000 nine mil, if you shoot a lot , may pay for all equipment in a year or two. But on the plus side once you have a stash of components you never have to go looking for ammo. I bought a .45 last month which I haven't reloaded for, had to buy a couple of boxes of federal to test out. Nearly #### when the price rang up. I haven't paid for ammo I haven't rolled in 5 years. I'll be casting .45 this winter. If you get into casting and powder coating you can save even more per rnd. But another time consumer! All depends on what you enjoy.

On a side note if it is pistol you want to load bare minimum go a turret, but I would push you to go progressive. You will out grow a turret quickly. I can churn out 300-400 per hour at a slow pace on my lee progressive. A lot of haters for lee but I'm not made of gold. If price is no object there are better systems than lee.
 
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Reload only if you are either passionate about accuracy or about reloading.
You won't save any money after you factor in your time, equipment, etc.
 
jza said:
I just got setup with a single stage press and began reloading 9mm. My start up costs were just under $1,000.00 which includes everything I need from a tumbler to a press and some dies, as well as a small workshop to work in.

I reload 9mm for about $0.20/round taxes and shipping in. I can buy it new for about $0.30 a round. I reload 100 cartridges in an hour, so I am effectively working for $10.00/hour. I'll break even at 10 000 rounds, unless I start loading something more substantial; which I will. It's also a lot of fun.
Click to expand...

hate to say it, you paid way too much

Tumbler ~$100
progressive press ~$600 (Hornady Projector) ~$850 (Dillon 650)
Dies $75

Powder $35 for 1# = 7000 grains ~ 1500 rounds
primers $25 per 1000
Projectiles $100 per 1000
Brass (once fired) $40 per 1000

Total cost without time loading per $1000, You can load 9mm for as little as 0.18c a round

If you are going to reload pistol, go to a progressive, you will in the long run, so why not do it first. Why load 100 rounds an hour, when you can 800+. With modifications and enhancements you can increase it more

Where you really save is when you load 10mm, 38super, 357sig, 44 Mag, and other expensive rounds.

when you start seeing bulk production on your press you stop looking at the time you spend loading. It's an art form like fly tying by fisherman, you can buy flies cheap enough, why spend the time making them.



Do not waste your time with a single stage for pistol
 
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9mm with CamPro 124gr FCP RN, 4.1gr of Vihtavuori N320 and Sellier&Bellot small pistol primer: $0.16 per round

9mm with CamPro 124gr FCP RN, 4.1gr of Hodgdon TiteGroup and Sellier&Bellot small pistol primer: $0.14 per round

.45ACP with CamPro 230gr FCP RN, 4.6gr of Hodgdon TiteGroup and Sellier&Bellot large pistol primer: $0.23 per round

i reload 9mm on a Dillon Square Deal B and can crank out around 300 rounds per hour. i shoot an estimated 1000-1500 rounds of 9mm per month.

i reload .45acp with a single stage and can do 100 rounds an hour. i shoot maybe 50 rounds per month but usually less so single stage is fine for me.
 
madcow said:
Tumbler ~$100

Where you really save is when you load 10mm, 38super, 357sig, 44 Mag, and other expensive rounds.

when you start seeing bulk production on your press you stop looking at the time you spend loading. It's an art form like fly tying by fisherman, you can buy flies cheap enough, why spend the time making them.



Do not waste your time with a single stage for pistol
Click to expand...

Unless you go stainless for a tumbler then it is more then $100

You can save a lot on any caliber. Casting is cheap.

Tying flys is an art form. Lots of people enjoy making things not just buying them. I reload because I like it. I also reload 9mm on a single stage. And yes It takes a while but I enjoy reloading so time isn't a factor to me.
 
when i first started reloading i did it for the potential cost savings but i have come to really enjoy it. it helps me clear my head.
 
madcow said:
Powder $35 for 1# = 7000 grains ~ 1500 rounds
primers $25 per 1000
Projectiles $100 per 1000
Click to expand...

Where are you buying your components? I haven't been able to find primers for under $45 / 1000, and I've been paying $135 / 1000 for 124gn 9mm copper plated.
 
I can only shoot two or three times a week. But I can load ammo every day. So loading adds another dimension to the hobby/sport.

It does not save money. It is a just a different way to spend money. The result would be more ammo, a better understanding of shooting and ammo that shoots better in each gun.

You know how to buy ammo in bulk. Just learn how to buy 8 pounders of powder when there is a deal, and how to buy primers by the case of 5,000 when there is a deal.

If you have more than one 9mm, etc., be prepared to discover that each will have a different best load.

I almost never load jacketed pistol bullets, and seldom load plated bullets. 95% of my pistol ammo is loaded with DRG brand cast lead bullets that cost less than $70/1000, when bought in quantity.

I use these lead bullets in my Glocks. A couple of passes of a bronze brush after each session is all they require to stay spotless.
 
DanNorth said:
Where are you buying your components? I haven't been able to find primers for under $45 / 1000, and I've been paying $135 / 1000 for 124gn 9mm copper plated.
Click to expand...

https://www.westernmetal.ca/shooting/9mm-calibre-plated-bullets-124-grain-campro-bag-1000

buy $200 and get free shipping

Dominion Primers work as good as any other I found, the last I got were federal for $35/1000 at wss

Stainless tumbling for pistol is a waste of time, I only do it for rifle brass, as you don't get the quantity done and you have to dry it too.
 
Reloading to save money only makes sense for the expensive stuff.

For example, my cost to reload .44 Magnum is less than 30 cents a round and a box of factory ammo is over $50 which gives me a savings of over 70 cents a round which adds up quick. Same applies to reloading rifle rounds.

But as others have said, any money you save from reloading will be offset by you just shooting more.

In the end, reloading is like an additional hobby to me. I enjoy the act of reloading and I also get extra satisfaction from shooting ammunition I crafted myself.
 
madcow said:
hate to say it, you paid way too much

Tumbler ~$100
progressive press ~$600 (Hornady Projector) ~$850 (Dillon 650)
Dies $75

Powder $35 for 1# = 7000 grains ~ 1500 rounds
primers $25 per 1000
Projectiles $100 per 1000
Brass (once fired) $40 per 1000

Total cost without time loading per $1000, You can load 9mm for as little as 0.18c a round

If you are going to reload pistol, go to a progressive, you will in the long run, so why not do it first. Why load 100 rounds an hour, when you can 800+. With modifications and enhancements you can increase it more

Where you really save is when you load 10mm, 38super, 357sig, 44 Mag, and other expensive rounds.

when you start seeing bulk production on your press you stop looking at the time you spend loading. It's an art form like fly tying by fisherman, you can buy flies cheap enough, why spend the time making them.



Do not waste your time with a single stage for pistol
Click to expand...

Hate to say it but you don't have your facts straight.

Wet tumbler and media - $300.00
Lumber for "reloading shop" - $200.00
Reloading equipment (new RCBS: press, powder measure, scale, etc.) - $400.00
 
hometownhero said:
Unless you go stainless for a tumbler then it is more then $100

You can save a lot on any caliber. Casting is cheap.

Tying flys is an art form. Lots of people enjoy making things not just buying them. I reload because I like it. I also reload 9mm on a single stage. And yes It takes a while but I enjoy reloading so time isn't a factor to me.
Click to expand...

And here I thought I was the only nutbar reloading for pistol on a single stage. I salute you, sir!

The secret to making that work is breaking the work into stages, with breaks between them:

First stage: cleaning and drying the brass.
Second stage: decap/resize.
Third stage: prime and flare
Fourth stage: powder and seat the projectile.

Second and third stages I do about 200 at a sitting. Fourth I do 100 to 200 a sitting.

Back to the question: last time I checked, I was doing 9mm for just under 15 cents per round. That's substantially cheaper than commercial. I also reload for .38 S&W, 7.62x25, .303 and .308 for both bolt action and semi-auto, ditto.

Another option is remanufactured ammo, but it sounds as though you'd enjoy doing it yourself. As others have said, it's a whole new hobby, and very relaxing too.
 
stevebc said:
And here I thought I was the only nutbar reloading for pistol on a single stage. I salute you, sir!

The secret to making that work is breaking the work into stages, with breaks between them:

First stage: cleaning and drying the brass.
Second stage: decap/resize.
Third stage: prime and flare
Fourth stage: powder and seat the projectile.

Second and third stages I do about 200 at a sitting. Fourth I do 100 to 200 a sitting.

Back to the question: last time I checked, I was doing 9mm for just under 15 cents per round. That's substantially cheaper than commercial. I also reload for .38 S&W, 7.62x25, .303 and .308 for both bolt action and semi-auto, ditto.

Another option is remanufactured ammo, but it sounds as though you'd enjoy doing it yourself. As others have said, it's a whole new hobby, and very relaxing too.
Click to expand...

I use the same methodology. Always doing something different that way.
 
Lots of info here to digest.

I would estimate 1000 rounds of 9mm per month, a couple of hundred 45ACP. Another 1000 38 SPcl, 357 I'll just buy by the box I expect - more just to blast away with now and again.

Waiting for the son of a friend to get back from up north - he reloads, but he is working his loads for distance rifle shooting, his main interest.

I'm a go big or stay home guy, I'd rather buy once than go cheap and have to upgrade a couple of times. Unfortunately it would mean any reloading equipment would be mid-high end/price so I would not have to do it again.
Seems like that means progressive.....?
$1000 or more to start from scratch is probably not out of the question then.

Will have to think on this and see what my buddies son has to say.

Keep the comments coming, thanks.
 
Talk to Henry at budget shooting supplies, some of the better prices. He's in your area.

yiur biggest expense will be the press, almost everyone started with a single. I personally loaded on my cousins single stage for my IPSC course loads. After that got a progressive and never looked back.

deals are always had on components, just buy by bulk when you can.

Once fired brass is avaliable everywhere cheap. Projectiles are consistent in pricing, buy 5k or more at a time and negotiate a discount.

even cheaper if you have friends that reload, buy in larger quantities.
 
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