Reloading 9mm cost effective?

[.30/06 FTW]

Reloading is a hobby. I don't add the time I spend at the range to my range fee cost, nor the cleaning time. Hell, I even sort pistol headstamps. My definition of fun is mine.

Same. I only have 3 headstamps of 9mm in over 10000 pieces!

I don’t really factor my time into it either because for all the non-critical/brass prep steps I’m usually watching TV too. TV goes off when it’s time to actually load.

 

[Scotty454]

The cost of reloading 9mm has always kind of flirted with the cost of buying new factory (Using similar components- i.e. plated bullets). When you consider that factory ammo obviously also comes with reusable brass, it sometimes doesn't seem to make sense to reload it (I didn't bother for a bit when I could get Blaser Brass for $230/1000). The gap has widened a bit now, but it still would be hard to justify a decent progressive press if ALL you're loading on it is 9mm. You'd have to load a TON.

I shoot between 1k and 3k rounds of 9mm a year, so I save a bit loading 9mm, but I save a PILE more on the other cartridges I reload on my XL650. I'm probably loading .38 special for just over half of retail, .357mag for less than half, and .50AE/.460mag for a third or better (If it was even available retail, which it isn't really). I can also tune my loads for what I'm shooting them out of- I have autocomp 9mm loads for my guns with brakes/compensators on them, and titegroup loads for my standard pistols. I can load my .38 special super light for steel challenge, or closer to factory for my rifle loads. I'm saving different amounts of money everywhere, but having more control over everything adds value too.

 

[marlin58]

Until the supplies come back nothing is effective. 9mm is pretty cheap and still widely available so waste of time unless you already had a top end kit and want speed over cost as the main consideration. I shoot .44 mag and 45-70 so definitely more cost effective to reload these days.

 

[ted_dent]

I enjoy reloading for handgun and rifle, but if I am truly honest about the total amount of time I spend doing everything associated with it, the cost savings are usually a minor part of the equation.

Thanks for suggesting some real numbers, that provides useful context. They do seem a bit on the optimistic side (for most people), but I have no trouble believing that a talented and organized person could get there: You've got your techniques and equipment dialed in, and maybe you have a dedicated space to keep your equipment set up and have components easily accessible. For somebody starting out, that's not likely to be the case.

I think it's very easy to underestimate how much time is actually put in to reloading. You almost never hear about time spent doing the behind the scenes stuff - Those things that are not directly related to "production reloading". It takes time to research, choose, and then shop for equipment and components. Then there's time spent learning basic techniques and setting up your equipment and reloading area. And time spent researching load data and then testing loads. There are probably other points I'm missing. Oh, and how about time spent collecting and processing brass? How many times have you seen someone write that they use "free" range brass?

And yes, casting sounds like a great way to save. But again, there's not typically any mention of how long it takes in production terms. And almost never any discussion of how much time is spent behind the scenes.

If you love reloading, and that's a hobby that you choose (like I do), then great. You'd probably make a different cost/benefit calculation from someone who loves shooting and is indifferent to reloading (or someone who dislikes reloading). Or someone who, on a good week, maybe only has two hours per week available for their shooting hobby (and everything associated with it).

Of course there is setup time and researching equipment, etc. but those are usually a one time thing. As for the brass, a one time cleaning is all that is required and that simply consists of throwing it in a tumbler for a couple of hours. I'm a little OCD so I always clean my brass but many do not and don't seem any worse for it (i just like shiny ammo ).

Aside from the cost savings, another major benefit of reloading that is often overlooked is the ability to tailor your loads to their intended purpose. I really don't see the enjoyment of shooting noisier, heavier recoiling, more expensive full house factory loads at paper targets when you can handload quieter, milder (and cheaper) target loads which will do the same thing. If I do need hotter loads for IPSC or pin shoots I can create those as well.

Like any hobby some people get fully involved and some only want to enjoy part of it. Some people just enjoy driving a fast car while others want to know why the car is fast in addition to driving it.

Since the OPs original question was whether reloading 9mm is cost effective I think the simple answer is that unless the quantity of ammo being fired is small (like a box a month) it is cost effective and becomes even more so with the larger, more expensive calibres.

 

[Unholysavage]

I think it really depends on shooting volume, and whether or not you're already set up to reload other cartridges. You can definitely save money, but not as much as other cartridges.
I don't load for 9mm, and am fully set up to reload other cartridges that have already more than paid for my setup. Main reason I don't currently load 9mm is time. I run single stage presses, so I can't crank out big volumes in short time spans. I also bought several cases of 9mm back when they were $200/1k and haven't had a need yet.

That being said, I've gone deep down the rabbit hole with precision rifle over the past half dozen years, and am looking at buying a Dillon 550 to speed up the process. When that happens it will make much more sense for me to start loading 9mm.

 

[DiMP]

I reloaded and shot about 2000 9mm last year. I never thought I would reload for 9mm when I got into it, especially after I only bought a single stage press. But, turns out I moved somewhere where Winter sucks and I don't like Minus 30*c weather. I love putting on a podcast and pressing 9mm all winter. Takes me about 45 minutes per 50 rounds, so it's easy to burn up a cold winter day. I absolutely refuse to reload 9mm in late spring/summer/fall

 

[ZREXER]

***

 

[mactroneng]

Interesting that some value their time at nothing. I cast and load my own 9mm, never going to value my time at $0.

What's the time you spend planted in front of the TV worth?

I have trouble believing that some people think they could be actively making money every waking second of every single day.

 

[ZREXER]

***

 

[rmsg0040]

So far this year I have shot 55 rounds of 9mm, 45 rounds remain in stash.

So for me, no.

 

[jethunter]

Interesting that some value their time at nothing. I cast and load my own 9mm, never going to value my time at $0.

Most people over value their time.

 

[rmsg0040]

Time is a commodity that cannot be bought, sold, traded or predicted.

 

[Somerset Bar]

There's a whole lot of factors. The biggest being how much you shoot. If it's a box a year, spend the $30 and be happy.

If it's thousands of rounds, well then reusing the brass and getting the best price on components is key.
(count me in as one of the guys that doesn't have to put a $ on "my time").

However, reloading is a passtime that you sort of have to take some pain up front to save it on the back end

For example, as soon as primers came back around after the obama shortage, I bought 50,000 small pistol and 50,000 small rifle. My cost per primer is about 4 cents taxes and shipping in from when I bought them. ($4000)
Right now, they look like (if you can find them) that small pistol primers are running around $.12 each. So 50,000 primers would cost almost $7000 taxes and shipping in.

Factory 9mm used to be $15 a box. Now it's closer to $30.
50,000 rounds of 9mm would have been ~$15,000
50,000 rounds today would be ~$30,000

So I guess the point is, you have to fork out the $ for the equipment, the powder, the bullets, the primers, and maybe the brass upfront. Seems insane at the time, how can this be a savings?

HOWEVER, Right now my cost to produce 9mm is $.16 a round. 50,000 x .16 = $8000 So for me to reload I save TWENTY TWO THOUSAND dollars over factory. Now I don't think I get through 50,000 rounds a year, but it's likely close to 10,000. at $.60 a factory round, that's $6K on just 9mm and that doesn't take into account the .223 I like to plink with, which is even MORE of a savings (powder charge is much more $$$ on rifle cartridges....24 grains vs 4 grains per round) ~7000 grains per pound, again the math can be done.

So in short, there's no real easy answer on if it's worthwhile. Now if you want to factor your time into it: Unless the act of reloading is preventing you from doing something that would make you money, then realistically costing in "time" is kind of silly. If this was so someone owes me $2,000,000 for my time playing COD. The cost savings on the process is more than enough compensation. I don't have to go out and earn $22,000 to cover my ammo bill

 

[B]

What's the time you spend planted in front of the TV worth?

I have trouble believing that some people think they could be actively making money every waking second of every single day.

My time spent in front of a television is close to zero. My point is not that you should be valuing your time in a major monetary way, but it should be considered and accounted for.

 

[Butcherbill]

Interesting that some value their time at nothing. I cast and load my own 9mm, never going to value my time at $0.

My time while I’m working for someone else is worth a lot, my time doing the things I choose to do in my off time is not worth a monetary value. If I’m doing something that makes me happy I don’t care if I could buy it for the same or less, the satisfaction of making it myself is worth more than a few dollars saved.

Just my take on it, I’ll happily load 9mm for me. If someone asked me to load 9mm for them I’d tell them to go buy some lol.

 

[thump_rrr]

Interesting that some value their time at nothing. I cast and load my own 9mm, never going to value my time at $0.

There is a difference between a hobby and a job.
It doesn't matter if you love your job, it's still a job.
If I had to calculate my time at my going rate I would be better off buying ammo off the shelf.

I got called out tonight just after supper by a client of mine.
Door to door I was gone for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
That call is going to cost my client $1200 + tax.
I still didn't feel like going despite the nice payday.

What was I doing when I got the call?
Sorting brass by headstamp.

 

[thump_rrr]

Those things aren't relevant so yeah, don't count it. It seems to be a #### measuring thing for guys to get a lower number yet nobody works for free. Casting 5-10,000 9mm bullets is time consuming and becomes a chore every time for myself.

You need to work smarter, not harder.

 

[Blinkmaster]

There's a whole lot of factors. The biggest being how much you shoot. If it's a box a year, spend the $30 and be happy.

If it's thousands of rounds, well then reusing the brass and getting the best price on components is key.
(count me in as one of the guys that doesn't have to put a $ on "my time").

However, reloading is a passtime that you sort of have to take some pain up front to save it on the back end

For example, as soon as primers came back around after the obama shortage, I bought 50,000 small pistol and 50,000 small rifle. My cost per primer is about 4 cents taxes and shipping in from when I bought them. ($4000)
Right now, they look like (if you can find them) that small pistol primers are running around $.12 each. So 50,000 primers would cost almost $7000 taxes and shipping in.

Factory 9mm used to be $15 a box. Now it's closer to $30.
50,000 rounds of 9mm would have been ~$15,000
50,000 rounds today would be ~$30,000

So I guess the point is, you have to fork out the $ for the equipment, the powder, the bullets, the primers, and maybe the brass upfront. Seems insane at the time, how can this be a savings?

HOWEVER, Right now my cost to produce 9mm is $.16 a round. 50,000 x .16 = $8000 So for me to reload I save TWENTY TWO THOUSAND dollars over factory. Now I don't think I get through 50,000 rounds a year, but it's likely close to 10,000. at $.60 a factory round, that's $6K on just 9mm and that doesn't take into account the .223 I like to plink with, which is even MORE of a savings (powder charge is much more $$$ on rifle cartridges....24 grains vs 4 grains per round) ~7000 grains per pound, again the math can be done.

So in short, there's no real easy answer on if it's worthwhile. Now if you want to factor your time into it: Unless the act of reloading is preventing you from doing something that would make you money, then realistically costing in "time" is kind of silly. If this was so someone owes me $2,000,000 for my time playing COD. The cost savings on the process is more than enough compensation. I don't have to go out and earn $22,000 to cover my ammo bill

Really well said!!

 

[Armourall]

Don't care if reloading 9mm saves money. I tailor loads to my CZ SP-01 Phantom and I appreciate the accuracy increase over factory
Ringing the 100 yard Gong at my range consistently with my hand loads.
If you shoot 7 to 15 yards, factory ammo is fine.

With this in mind, I load for Major Power Factor and to even find a constant and/or good supply of that for Open Division and then pay the price they would demand isn't going to happen. I can tailor the load to whatever pistol - 9mm or ??? - that I want. Cost isn't a factor for me - but it would get damn expensive to purchase +P ammo or hotter for Open Division all the time.

 

[A-bolt243]

Thanks for the information guys! Reloading is for sure a hobby of mine and similar to other guys I would rather be at a press vs watching TV.