Reloading worth it.

M

Moose hunter

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
MB,Canada
I am going to buy a reloading kit (rcbs master reloading kit). I am a complete nb to reloading rifle cartridges. Have reloaded hundreds of shotgun shells though. I was wondering how much can i expect to save on a box of cartridges. I bough 2 boxes of federal premium 300 win mag bullets 180 gr barnes at $71.00 a box an 2 boxes of Winchester 300 win mag xp3 150gr wich cost me $63.00 a box. I am not worried about the initial set up cost. These are premium cartridges that perform well can i reload a cartidge as good as these. I am into the hands on of shooting so saving money isnt the only reason i want to reload. Any other advice is appreciated.

Thanks
 
The componants you use and how much you buy at a time will tell the tale, but you can expect to reload for about half the cost , generally.
The savings in centerfire rifle ammo are far greater than those for shotguns unless you are shooting the smallbores ( 28 and .410), then it is worth it.

Generally , handloading for 12 and 20 is not worth it unless youare doing special stuuf, but for rifle, the cost can be greatly reduced.

Powder bought from Higginson's in bulk can be cut to about $23.00 per pound, bullets ( non premium) about $29.00 per hundred, you already have brass.
primers can be gotten for about $25- $30 in places .

Cat
 
My 300 wsm costs about 90 cents a round to reload with good Nosler bullets. (not including brass). If I use bulk bullets that drops to about 60 cents per round. Try finding a box of ammo with premium bullets for that price.

Good factory ammo is very good these days but you sure pay for it.

I also have a 300 weatherby. It is well over $80 for a box. I could never afford to shoot it more than 20 rounds a year if didn't reload.
 
Last edited:
reloading

Once you get more proficient with reloading it opens up a whole new world of shooting.....I have a Pedersoli Sharps .45/70 and load blackpowder cartridges.....it takes a bit of time but they are a lot of fun and really impress the boys at the range with the smoke and flame...and darn good groups...
 
Reloading is a great hobby, you can produce wonderful ammo, you can customize it to your rifle etc. While the cost of a box of shells might be cheaper, I don't think anyone would ever really say it costs less.

I shoot way more and have at least 25 boxes of different bullets on my bench and several hundred dollars of equipment.
 
Reloading should be about having a hobby, not saving money, although it does make oddball cartridges cheeper to shoot.

If you want to save money, buy one cheep rifle (30/06) with a decent but cheep scope and shoot one box factory ammo per year. Please note that shooting in a pit for free will be cheeper than joining a club. ;)



.
 
SuperCub said:
Reloading should be about having a hobby, not saving money, although it does make oddball cartridges cheeper to shoot.

If you want to save money, buy one cheep rifle (30/06) with a decent but cheep scope and shoot one box factory ammo per year. Please note that shooting in a pit for free will be cheeper than joining a club. ;)



.
Click to expand...
But here's the rub SC, I have to join the club to shoot competitions, and if i showed up with an '06 that I had one box of shells througha year, I'd get
A: disqualified in some categories ( palma for one)

B: severly waxed in other categories

C: asked for a DNA test becuase nobody would believe that I got rid of all my guns and bought an '06!!:D
Cat
 
"...I reload a cartidge as good as these..." You can reload much better ammo. It's not about cost though. It's about using the best possible ammo. It won't cost you anywhere near $63 per 20 though.
 
Thanks folks. Saving money isnt the only reason. I really like the hobby aspect as well i might pick up a few more toys like a weatherby.:D or a 270 wsm.:D
 
Moose Hunter,
reloading is not about saving, that was my excuse to my wife when I was buying my first kit. Now it is a hobby, I say very expensive hobby.
I spend thousands of dollars since I started, any regrets, hmm NO :))
 
Reloading is about choice, quality, flexibility and sometimes savings.

No factory makes a 110 grain V-Max in .270 for coyotes but I can make as many as needed.

Money can be saved reloading 28 gauge although not the 12 but I don't have a regular supply of decent 12 gauge, 7/8 ounce target loads unless I reload. My 1 ounce #6, copper-plated 12 gauge hunting loads are better quality than what I can buy from the factory.

I also think you are more of a "shooter" when you reload your own ammo. You understand the hobby better and are more in tune with your guns. That's something I don't think you get when you only use factory ammunition.

And if you stumble across the rifle of your dreams only to find it's in a wildcat caliber it's not a problem if you reload.
 
I agree it is not about the saving, but if you also cast it sure can be. There is the distinct possibility that you'll spend lots of money on equipment if you really get into it. If you just want the basics to do something custom maybe not.
 
Last edited:
I've probably spent 10x as much on components now that I am reloader (well, 15 years a reloader). You will save money because its cheaper to shoot your own loads.

As my wife will concur, you will not save any money, all the .50cal ammo boxes in my basement full of brass, bullets and primers its getting to the point of excessive, I rationalize it like this, these things aren't getting any cheaper, better buy now.

I now have tens of thousands of bullets, cases, 50lbs of powder and pretty much a whole room dedicated to store all of it!

I will confess it is a fasinating hobby and provides endless fun on winters nights reloading, and great fun during the summer shooting off all the rounds!

Hoarding of components is fun, especially when the democrats look like their headed for office.
 
You won't save any money if you only shoot 20 rounds a year...if you start having fun with your gun(s) and shooting more it's certainly worth it. Having said that, it's still rewarding to make your own.

If you are fairly young it's a no brainer...I have 2 presses that I've had for almost 30 years, both of which still work like new (lubrication is your press's friend.) Expect to reload for your shooting life expectancy.

If you ever plan on competition it will be almost mandatory.
 
Cost is relative here, you probably will not make back the cost of the equipment, unless you reload alot , and shoot a lot.

But the price per round, not counting the investment in equipment is going to be less than what you can buy, the real issue is that you will never be able to buy ammo tuned to your rifle, that is anywhere near as good as what you can make.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom