reloading cost info

nearnorthguy said:
I was wondering how much you save by reloading 9mm? I was told 1/3 the cost.... also how much initial cost to get set up with press, dies and components. Thanks!
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I'm sure there are some people who can get cost down to 1/3rd but a beginner won't be able to get that cheap. Perhaps 60% of commercial cost. Still a significant savings. With the money I've spent I calculated I'd break even after ~2500 rounds. It sounds like a lot but at 200 rounds per session it's only 12 trips, and 200 rounds isn't a lot in one session either.

You'll need a press, dies, shellholder, priming tool, powder measure, scale, bullets, cases, powder, primers and a reloading manual.

There's an RCBS kit available for $300-350 that has most of that equipment. After that a shellholder and dies are about $65. Bullet vary widely in cost. Powder costs $25-$35/lb. Cases are free at virtually any range. :).

Just remember to be picky. You'll save money no matter what so there's no reason to get cheap or half asses.
 
I make 9mm 115gr JHP for $.10
ten cents a round (X50) is $5 a box.

its really easy and it wont take you long to recoupe the money. And, having the ammo for cheaper will allow you to shoot more, which in turn makes you a better shot.
 
you could use this caclulator for your cost estimation. If you have brass already you could cut the cost of start up.

Use higginsonpowder price list as a price guide.

W w W.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
 
I load 9mm about half cost of buying cheapest ammo on the shelf, but my loads are more accurate then the cheapest store bought ammo on the shelf.

your getting premium loads for half the price of the off the shelf stuff.
 
My current cost using using 124 grain cast lead bullets is 5.6 ($2.80 per 50) cents a round or about 4 cents a round when I can find the lead free.

Most expensive component for me is primer, it's getting hard to find anything cheaper than 2.5 cents per
 
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dan belisle said:
You save nothing. The whole "save money" storey is just something to tell your wife. All you do is shoot more, and that's a good thing. - dan
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What Dan said is true. You save nothing. Instead of bringing 100 rounds to shoot you bring 300 rounds and to top it off you bring a buddy because you think the cost of your reloaded stuff is cheap now. Hell, once you start reloading it costs you more.
 
Sly Old Fox

I don't know what you will save BUT with 50 years experience in reloading,
I do know that you will shoot more, become a better shot, and have a helluva lot of fun in the whole process. This is the bottom line, all else is a bonus.
 
I just worked out my target load costs for my 6BR....... OH MY.......ummmmm....it's alot more fun than buying a box from your local retailer :D and you can tell the wife your saving money by reloading... LOL
 
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