Real world savings

4string

4string

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I am considering reloading and am looking for "real" cost savings for three calibers. I shoot 9mm, 45 Auto and .223. In most weeks I shoot 200 to 300 rounds, which is nothing to most of you, but I am going to be starting IPSC and I know this will probably double or triple a week.

So for a benchmark I pay the following for each factory box of ammunition.

9mm - $11.00 (box of 50)
45 - $18 (box of 50)
223 - $8 (box of 20).

I am sure there is a link somewhere here that also discusses basic required equipment, but feel free to post any recommendations.

Thanks
 
You likely won't save a ton of money, but your ammo will be tailored to your firearms. You won't be spending $108 for 300 rounds of .45 ammo either.
Cast bullets(don't even think about jacketed if saving money is the idea) are sold by the 1,000, as are primers. Powder can be had by the pound or 8 pound keg. About $50 per thousand for 230 RN or FP .45's.
Look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. Wholesale Sport should have one or be able to get it. Then you need a set of dies, a shell holder and components for each cartridge. Get a taper crimp die for the .45. Aids feeding.
Get another manual. The kit comes with one, but it's a bullet maker's manual. Think Lyman. More loads with more brands of powders than any manufacturer's manual. Isn't cheap though. $50 the last time I looked.
 
I've got a neat looking Excel program to calculate the cost of reloading. Anyone know how to upload it?:confused:
 
"...how to upload it..." You'd need space on a web server preferably an FTP server. You may get some web space with your internet service. Ask your ISP or go to one of the on line web space sites. Costs though.
Mind you, figuring out how much a load costs really doesn't need a spread sheet. Divide the powder charge into 7,000. That'll give you the number of loads per pound. That divided into the cost per pound plus the cost per bullet and primer tells you your cost per shot. Reloading isn't about cost saving though. It's about using the best possible ammo.
 
Type of round

For common rounds such as the ones listed the savings is not very big. However, you can create far superior ammo. The big pay off comes in the less common rounds. Weatherby ammo for instance $80 plus for 20 rounds or if you have a big 50 smith or 460. mag smith you save a bundle.
 
Right on.. Alot of cals. you can't get factory ammo., or you can't get it in a heavy bullet, or in the 45/70, you can't buy anything but light loads, thats the real advantage to reloading!
 
tgt40 send it to info@icegecko.ca and I'll host it for ya

4string Lee Pro 1000 is 125$us all set up in the caliber of your choice, you can change caliber quite easy. How much of each you shoot?
 
Icefire said:
tgt40 send it to info@icegecko.ca and I'll host it for ya

4string Lee Pro 1000 is 125$us all set up in the caliber of your choice, you can change caliber quite easy. How much of each you shoot?
Click to expand...

I shoot 150 rounds of 9mm, 100 rounds of 45 and 40 rounds of 223 in most weeks. The 9 mm sometimes doubles in a week but only if I am taking a new shooter out.


Thanks to all for the great quick response.
 
your paying way too much for the 9mm and 223 start buying buy the 1000' thoses are tought to justify reloading for cost since it can be had cheap but you will win on the 45
 
4string said:
So for a benchmark I pay the following for each factory box of ammunition.

9mm - $11.00 (box of 50)
45 - $18 (box of 50)
223 - $8 (box of 20).
Click to expand...

I don't reload 9mm (don't even have one....yet) but my 45 is about half the cost of factory for better ammo. 223 reloads are only slighty cheaper but again, they're better suited for my rifle.

(E) :cool:
 
I would reload even if it cost more to do so than to use factory... and it sometimes does cost more to reload stuff like 12ga skeet loads. I find it to be one of the more gratifying pasttimes, as you can tailor the loads to exactly what you want, and you learn a lot in working up each load.

If you are looking at REAL savings and want to reload a lot of ammunition, make sure you factor your time into the equation as well. You will find that a progressive will be relatively inexpensive if you take time into account.
 
Hi people. Been signed up on site for some time but lying doggo.

Go to my website at http://www.bghi.us and look under the left side menu near the bottom. Main heading is reloading and under it there is a cost savings calculator I put together some time ago. Use it as is or you can save it to your PC. It is an Excel spreadsheet. Hope it helps.

Edit : Also have a couple of my figures at http://www.bghi.us/index.php?x=ammo
 
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