Reloading costs : 44mag ?
- Thread starter biggerair
- Start date
As far as costs go here is a calculator to show how much per box.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
So for me, 30 bucks for a pound of 2400, 30 bucks for 1000 primers, nothing for cases and nothing for bullets because I make my own. Plug that all in with 20 grn or 2400 for a nice warm 44 load and it comes out to just under 4 bucks a box. As far as loaders it depends on how much you shoot and what your budget is. You will get all sorts of answers on this question. I have reloaded on my RCBS rock chucker since the last 70's and got tired of spending hours to shoot 1 hour on the weekend. I have three kids that come along and so obviously the amount of ammo I need is high. I started off with a Lee 1000 and I bought all the pistol calibers that I run. I am happy with it but it is a bit finicky, if you like to tinker then the cost saving to me is worth it. If you look at Lee's web site sometimes they have 2nds for about 1/2 the cost of a new machine and that is what I got. It is a new machine that the paint didn't go on right or a slight flaw in the hole placement where you mount it to the bench. I bought it for 80 bucks and then bought extra shell holders for all my other calibers and a small pistol primer tray. So to make a long story short with 6 different calibers I am into it a little less than 250.00 because I already had my reloading dies. Lots will recommend the Dillion and they are a great machine but prices are much higher but then again it depends on how much you shoot. I love the idea of a 4th or 5th hole to mount extra dies like low powder die and a factory crimp die. I will upgrade to the Dillion in the next year or so. At the time I didn't have much money but now I have a little bit to spend, and my ammo needs are higher. My 2 cents anyway.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
So for me, 30 bucks for a pound of 2400, 30 bucks for 1000 primers, nothing for cases and nothing for bullets because I make my own. Plug that all in with 20 grn or 2400 for a nice warm 44 load and it comes out to just under 4 bucks a box. As far as loaders it depends on how much you shoot and what your budget is. You will get all sorts of answers on this question. I have reloaded on my RCBS rock chucker since the last 70's and got tired of spending hours to shoot 1 hour on the weekend. I have three kids that come along and so obviously the amount of ammo I need is high. I started off with a Lee 1000 and I bought all the pistol calibers that I run. I am happy with it but it is a bit finicky, if you like to tinker then the cost saving to me is worth it. If you look at Lee's web site sometimes they have 2nds for about 1/2 the cost of a new machine and that is what I got. It is a new machine that the paint didn't go on right or a slight flaw in the hole placement where you mount it to the bench. I bought it for 80 bucks and then bought extra shell holders for all my other calibers and a small pistol primer tray. So to make a long story short with 6 different calibers I am into it a little less than 250.00 because I already had my reloading dies. Lots will recommend the Dillion and they are a great machine but prices are much higher but then again it depends on how much you shoot. I love the idea of a 4th or 5th hole to mount extra dies like low powder die and a factory crimp die. I will upgrade to the Dillion in the next year or so. At the time I didn't have much money but now I have a little bit to spend, and my ammo needs are higher. My 2 cents anyway.
Maybe its time to strap on the thinking cap and start using all that education
. What you need to do is factor in all the costs of your components which will vary by location. Keep in mind that there are 7000grains per pound of powder... Your initial costs for equipment are "hard costs" and they will factor into your actual cost per box over time, but the equipment is usually a 1 time cost. Keeping that cost aside, add up the cost of your components required for the desired load.. You will find significant savings if you plan on doing a lot of reloading. If its just a short term solution, the equipment costs will have a significant impact on your actual cost per box.
Welcome to the world of reloading and good luck.
Cheers
dB
Oh sure, there is the easy way and use the link above..(Dontcha hate it when somebody beats u to the post! Cheers)
Oh ya, perhaps this post should have been in the Reloading forum..
. What you need to do is factor in all the costs of your components which will vary by location. Keep in mind that there are 7000grains per pound of powder... Your initial costs for equipment are "hard costs" and they will factor into your actual cost per box over time, but the equipment is usually a 1 time cost. Keeping that cost aside, add up the cost of your components required for the desired load.. You will find significant savings if you plan on doing a lot of reloading. If its just a short term solution, the equipment costs will have a significant impact on your actual cost per box.Welcome to the world of reloading and good luck.
Cheers
dB
Oh sure, there is the easy way and use the link above..(Dontcha hate it when somebody beats u to the post! Cheers)
Oh ya, perhaps this post should have been in the Reloading forum..
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Away from the equipment, all magnum load save over 50-70% depends on powder choice. My 357 mag reloads cost $13-14 for a hundred but if I buy from gun store and will cost me about $22-26 for a box of 50. different powder choice also affect the cost factor. 44 mag will save even more.
Trigun
Trigun
If you have to buy your bullets the costs go up. Casting your own bullets adds additional time and it's tough to source the lead. Eventually you have to replace the brass so you can either buy it or switch back to shooting factory for awhile until you restock.
Buying the components in bulk is a good way to save money, but it costs a small fortune up front.
Check into reloading carefully and do your own math. It isn't cheap to get started, it takes time to do it, and it definately isn't for everyone.
Buying the components in bulk is a good way to save money, but it costs a small fortune up front.
Check into reloading carefully and do your own math. It isn't cheap to get started, it takes time to do it, and it definately isn't for everyone.
Depends of the grade of the ammunition you're looking for.
I can reload 44 magnum for almost the same price than 45ACP with Frontier CMJ 240 grains bullets, 10 grains of Titegroup and a regular LP primer, which would run me around 7 or 8$ per box of 50.
But I can also reload 44 magnum using Hornady premium .44 XTP Hollowpoints, with 24 grains of H110 and a Magnum primer, which will run me at over 20$ per box or 50 rounds.
But remember that cheap 180 grains bullets in 44 caliber are scarce, you might have to settle for higher grade.
As for the best loader, it all depends of your current budget, the quantity of ammunition you're looking to make. You can do excellent ammunition on a Lee single stage press that costs 50$ plus a die set, but expect to make 50 rounds per hour, or but a Dillon 650 press which will cost well over 1000$ (equipped) to do the same thing, but at 800 rounds per hour.
I can reload 44 magnum for almost the same price than 45ACP with Frontier CMJ 240 grains bullets, 10 grains of Titegroup and a regular LP primer, which would run me around 7 or 8$ per box of 50.
But I can also reload 44 magnum using Hornady premium .44 XTP Hollowpoints, with 24 grains of H110 and a Magnum primer, which will run me at over 20$ per box or 50 rounds.
But remember that cheap 180 grains bullets in 44 caliber are scarce, you might have to settle for higher grade.
As for the best loader, it all depends of your current budget, the quantity of ammunition you're looking to make. You can do excellent ammunition on a Lee single stage press that costs 50$ plus a die set, but expect to make 50 rounds per hour, or but a Dillon 650 press which will cost well over 1000$ (equipped) to do the same thing, but at 800 rounds per hour.
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(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Like PoFF said, premium jacketed bullets and full loads of powder will cost you. I still save about 50% over store bought doing this. Drop the boom factor, the price drops too. Shoot lead at special load levels and save a bundle (or just shoot more 
). But its a 44 Mag. You don't shoot a 44 Mag to hear it go pop, you wanna hear it go BOOM 
. Load for the top, baby.
(E)
). But its a 44 Mag. You don't shoot a 44 Mag to hear it go pop, you wanna hear it go BOOM . Load for the top, baby. (E)
I reload 44 mag mild loads with cast lead and a fast powder such as Tightgroup or 231. Usually used out of a short barreled rifle by my kids. About $12 per 100, as long as the kids don't loose all the @#$?$@# brass.
Amen to that Echo,
A .44 Magnum gun is meant to do big booms. The favourite load to annoy other shooters is 180 grains XTP over 32 grains of H110, not only there's a deafening boom, but the 4 feet of flame from the muzzle lits up the whole range.
Mucho fun with that. Lots of powder wasting (as half the powder burns outside the barrel, hence the flame), but nice to see.
A .44 Magnum gun is meant to do big booms. The favourite load to annoy other shooters is 180 grains XTP over 32 grains of H110, not only there's a deafening boom, but the 4 feet of flame from the muzzle lits up the whole range.
Mucho fun with that. Lots of powder wasting (as half the powder burns outside the barrel, hence the flame), but nice to see.
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Currently I use 200gr Frontiers in my .44mag, before I used Hornady XTP's but switched to save money. So I've tried H110, Blue Dot, Titegroup, HS-6, and Power Pistol they all cost different and require different amount of powder; H110 is expensive but will give you top velocities, lots of noise and a huge flame, Titegroup loads are pretty mild and the powder lasts longer because you don't need as much of it per load. Other powders in are between... that's one of the things I like about the .44mag it's very versatile
So the cost depends mainly on powder and bullets, primers are about 3 cents each and I reuses brass.
So the cost depends mainly on powder and bullets, primers are about 3 cents each and I reuses brass.
I load 5.2 grains of W231 pushing a 240 grain LSWC for Cowboy Action shooting. Thats where you don't have the requirement to knock down a rhino at 5 paces! Bullets, Primers and Powder will cost me approx $110.00/ thousand and I'll still have enough powder left for 346 more bullets. $5.50/ box of 50. There have been years where I've fired 7,000 rds during a season.
