Reloading Math, $ for Newbie

tapedeck74

tapedeck74

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Hi there,

I've been toying with the idea of reloading recently. I'd get myself a Lee turret loader, probably the kit with the scale and all that.
The calibers I'd be reloading are 9mm, 303Brit. and .44Mag.

I'm hoping you can give me some median estimates on what it would cost me to reload 1000 rounds of each caliber, powder, primers and bullets. I already have plenty of brass.
I would do the research myself, but I don't have a reloading manual, so don't know the powder weights for each cartridge.

Thanks, Steve
 
I have a couple reloading manuals on my site..

But there are too many variables to really answer your questions;
are you loading for target or competition..
are you loading hot or not
are you loading lead, plated or jacketed

Figure 30 bucks for primers
there are 7000 grains to a pound... and powder can range from 15 to 35 a pound

Pistol bullets can range from 30-60 for lead and up to 150 (for very heavy jacketed 44's)
rifle bullets have a wide range in price...

Hopefully this gives you a place to start...
 
Thanks for the help Bear. I checked out one of the manuals to get an idea of powder weights. In my calculation, trying to keep apples to apples, compared to the factory ammo I buy, the .44mag is definitely worth reloading.

9mm would cost me about 50% less than factory.
.303Brit would be about 35% less than factory.
.44mag is an incredible 75% less than factory.

I guess I'll be buying the .44 dies first. :)

Thanks again, Steve
 
The rule of thumb I've found is that, discounting the inital cost of tooling, reloads cost 1/3 as much as factory, if you re-use brass.
 
A good "average number" is $0.20 for powder, $0.25 for lead and $0.02 per primer for each round.

This does not include dies, press, scale, primer tool, powder scale etc.

I would get the lee anniversary set and the dies. The lee anniversary set has all you need to start. I think the set is around $160 and the dies are about $40 a set.

1000 bullets would be about $470 if you have the brass.
 
Reloading isn't about saving money. You likely won't. You will, however, be using the best possible ammo in your firearms and you won't have the endless search for the best price for factory ammo that may or may not shoot well in your rifle.
To find the best load requires working up a load for your firearm. Not just picking a load and hoping for the best. Go buy an RCBS Beginner's Kit, a set of dies(the kits do not come with dies. Does come with a manual though.) and a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. Read the manual and the ABC book cover to cover and remember that you're not alone.
 
I am surprised that your calculations put you at only 35% savings on 303 Brit. What bullets and powder did you base this on ( and what are you paying for factory loads)? I would still guess that your best savings per round would be on 44 Mag.
 
sunray said:
Reloading isn't about saving money. You likely won't.
Click to expand...

Sure you will. On a per shot basis, I'm spending MUCH less on ammo. But, it lets me to shoot MUCH more.... so in the end, I'm still spending more money than I otherwise would have. :cool:
 
I reload not because of saving per box.....but rather per thousands of Round....and the ability to tailor the loads to my specific need(IPSC).....and at last but not least because some are impossible to find on the market(not made by any factory ie 9mm Major, 38 SC)

Of course in the process I save money per round.....sort of ;)
 
bylogic said:
hmmm, very good reason to buy a marlin cowboy lever action in this caliber... to save money.:D



bylogic
Click to expand...

That's exactly the rifle I have, a Marlin 1894 Octagon. :)


"I am surprised that your calculations put you at only 35% savings on 303 Brit. What bullets and powder did you base this on ( and what are you paying for factory loads)? "

I used mid-priced bullets from the LeBaron catalog and powder at $20/lb. I'm paying $12/20 for factory .303 right now. At that price, and considering I'm not exactly using my Enfield as a blaster (shoot ~20 rounds per range session), and the fact that my rifle shoots 1 1/2 MOA with cheap ammo, it's not really worth the bother of reloading for it.
 
This will help in figuring out your costs. http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp you can just fill in the appropriate numbers and it will give you how much it costs per round per 50 or per 100.

Try one.
22 grn of 2400 (30.00 per lb.)
240grn swc lead bullet (free wheel weights)
large Pistol primer (30.00 per 1000)
brass. (free)
So if you discount the initial outlay of reloading equipment and make your own bullets like I do and re-use your brass, then according to the calculator it costs me 6.21 per box and I am not sure how much factory stuff is but I assume 40.00 a box for hollow point 44 Magnum. For all intents and purposes these shoot out the barrel at about the same rate and are very close to a factory load.
So once you are set up with reloading equipment you can see how much more shooting you can do, especially if you make your own bullets.

So lets say it is 30-06 factory bullets

150grn bt speer (29.00 per 100)
Imr 4350 at 48 grn. (30.00 per lb)
brass
primers 30.00 per 1000

About 53 cents per round or 53x20=10.60 per box

These will out perform any factory stuff for accuracy at over 1/2 the cost per box.
 
The only caliber I have in common with you is 9mm, and I reload it for $5 a box ( of 50) as apposed to the $12-$14 it costs me in the store.
I get 1000 bullets for $78, primers are around $30 and a pound of powder is about $35.
(1lb=7000gr) loading 9mm with 4gr=1750 rounds.
So, 1750 loaded rounds for $210 is way better than you will ever get from the store.
Why buy it from the store, when you can make your own, and take pride in the quality product you have produced? Maybe its just me, but I find I shoot tighter groups with my own ammo than factory stuff.
 
Last edited:
tapedeck74 said:
Hi there,

I've been toying with the idea of reloading recently. I'd get myself a Lee turret loader, probably the kit with the scale and all that.
The calibers I'd be reloading are 9mm, 303Brit. and .44Mag.

I'm hoping you can give me some median estimates on what it would cost me to reload 1000 rounds of each caliber, powder, primers and bullets. I already have plenty of brass.
I would do the research myself, but I don't have a reloading manual, so don't know the powder weights for each cartridge.

Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...

Check ebay and the u.s gun stores.
you can get 1000 9mm copper jacketed bullets for $20 and under
3000 once fired brass casings for under $30
and 8lbs of accurate #2 power for $60
primers are $15 per 1000

I have bought all these items for the above prices in the last month.
PM me if you need anymore help.
 
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