Reloading... Worth the time and the investment???

thenewbieglockguy

thenewbieglockguy

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Hi All,

I am sure there has already been a thread on this subject so please don't be angry! :)

So after a year or so of shooting, I am starting to get an itch for reloading. However, I am am seeking an honest opinion from you guys if its worth reloading pistol calibers like 9mm, 40, 45 ACP, 38 special/357 mag? Initially, how much money did it cost after buying a press, dyes, powders, bullets and all the other things you needed to get going?? Does it really cost less in the long run or is it the same as buying factory ammo when all is said and done? I havent really researched the price of the equipment and other necessary items to get started so thats why I am curious for your thoughts after doing it now for some time.

Thanks for your input! :)
 
You spend the same amount, but shoot 3 times give or take as much for the same money.

My best prices using free lead are sub $8 for a box of 50 in the common calibers.


But, the main thing is better ammunition tailored to your gun and you.

I enjoy reloading so my time is free, people who don't enjoy it put a price on every single hour of the day...

If you can make tons of money on over time vs reloading then work overtime.
 
Ya I'm easily under $6 dollar per 50 casting and reloading my own .45 ACP.

Edit:

Let's see,

primer 3.5c
powder 3.3c
case 2c (5 reloads conservative)
lube 1c
bullets free lead

lets round it up to 10c per round.
 
Last edited:
For 9mm it doesn't pay unless you have access to free/cheap lead and cast your own bullets and don't value your time at all. For pretty much every other calibre it is worth it if you are shooting a decent amount. If you move into centerfire rifle and the heavier pistol cartridges, then it pays off big time.

To set up for pistol loading I would say you want to budget $750 - $1000 by the time you have bought a turret or progressive press, dies in a couple of calibres, a scale, tumbler, components, etc.


Mark
 
I'm gonna get into reloading in the next few months. Slowing gathering gear and will be reloading mostly for match grade 308 and 223 and also for 357 and 45ACP. 9mm and 40SW is fairly cheap and from what I'm reading, there isn't much savings if you have to buy your bullets. With reloading I can load 38spc in 357 brass to cut down on fouling in my SAA cylinders not to mention some cost savings. For how much I shoot so far, I'm going the single stage route for now. :p
 
For me I got into reloading as a hobby. Not really looking to save $$$ but more looking into making accurate ammo and have that sense of accomplishment. I don't need to reload I was doing fine with factory ammo.
 
If you reload for pistol and don't at least get a turret press you will hate your life. I can't wait to upgrade to a progressive. 4 pulls per round is starting to get old.
 
Spawn-Inc said:
You spend the same amount, but shoot 3 times give or take as much for the same money.

My best prices using free lead are sub $8 for a box of 50 in the common calibers.


But, the main thing is better ammunition tailored to your gun and you.

I enjoy reloading so my time is free, people who don't enjoy it put a price on every single hour of the day...

If you can make tons of money on over time vs reloading then work overtime.
Click to expand...



well said, it will take a long time, as in many thousands of rounds to recover the initial investment, but the real bonus is tailoring the best possible ammo for your pet rifle/pistol. changing powder charges/types and bullet types/seating depth enables one to find an accurate load/mild load for yourself/ your wife/gf/concubine/child. and the upside is reloading is quite therapeutic and relaxing after a strenuous day.
 
Maximum said:
If you reload for pistol and don't at least get a turret press you will hate your life. I can't wait to upgrade to a progressive. 4 pulls per round is starting to get old.
Click to expand...


I seen that the new lee turrent presses had 4 dies now, mine is old school, only 3 pulls of the handle per round. :)
 
Maximum said:
If you reload for pistol and don't at least get a turret press you will hate your life. I can't wait to upgrade to a progressive. 4 pulls per round is starting to get old.
Click to expand...

+1, that's why I said a turret or progressive press for pistol loading in my reply. I can load 100-120 rounds per hour with a Lee turret and I would suggest that is the minimum to consider if OP is loading to feed a significant pistol shooting habit.


barsik said:
well said, it will take a long time, as in many thousands of rounds to recover the initial investment,
Click to expand...

That depends on the cartridges being reloaded. For 9mm or 40S&W, definitely. I paid out ~$1000 worth of reloading gear in less than a year loading 30-06, .44 Mag and 6.5x55.


Mark
 
Maximum said:
If you reload for pistol and don't at least get a turret press you will hate your life. I can't wait to upgrade to a progressive. 4 pulls per round is starting to get old.
Click to expand...
How does that differ from a pregressive? Still takes 4-5 pulls to throw a round out. Don't believe me? Try loading only one round and see how many times you pull the handle. There is just less actual touching of the components and a slight bit more automation and that makes it faster. Unless, of course, you spend the big money and get motorized equipment or motorize what you already have.

I can easily do 200 .223 in an hour in my turret press (5-600 an evening). Far more than I shoot a week.
 
I think the cost savings is worth it. The ability to customize rounds to power level or extra light/ heavy bullets or whatever is also a big plus. But possibly the biggest advantage to reloading is that you are no longer limited to those calibers that ammo makers load and stores stock in quantity. Do you think I would own a .32 H&R Magnum or eyeball a .303 Savage if I wasn't a handloader? Keep a good stock of components on hand and you can ride out a pretty severe ammo shortage without missing a shot.
 
thenewbieglockguy said:
Initially, how much money did it cost after buying a press, dyes, powders, bullets and all the other things you needed to get going?? Does it really cost less in the long run or is it the same as buying factory ammo when all is said and done?
Click to expand...
I started reloading because I wanted to be able to actually shoot my rifle.
Store bought stuff was more than $2/shot, so I was hoarding any ammo I bought, and never wanted to "waste" it.
Lee Anniversary kit, on sale $100
Dies.....................................$30
Powder.................................$30
Primers..................................$5
100 Bullets...........................$30

After the first 100 rounds, the quipment had paid for itself, and all the components, and I still had a good bit of powder left over.
So then I needed to get more bullets, maybe some of a different weight...and I've heard good stuff about this powder...
Buying primers by the hundred seems silly, I'll get a thousand.
I'm going to need to trim these cases soon, I should pick up a trimmer...

I tell ya, if I save much more by reloading, I'll be broke!

Seriously though, you can save money, shoot more, better, and have a very rewarding hobby that meshes quite nicely with shooting.
 
Reloading is like fly tying - it can save you money (after recovering initial investment and/or you shoot more obscure cartridges), it can produce better quality ammo (although there is lots of superb quality factory stuff) but the main appeal is that you can 'custom load' ammo that you can't buy and it becomes an auxillary hobby in itself. Like fly tying becomes a natural progession for keen anglers so reloading for many is simply a natural extension of shooting and hunting passions. Its a very interesting pastime and if you like to tinker with stuff then reloading will suit you well.
 
Im buying 9 mm ammo 147 grain, $200. for 1K box. And 556 ammo for $500. for 1800 rounds. That's pretty cheap as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure it could be done for less, but then how much time is spent "rolling your own" compared to the amount of time I spend on the range? I don't reload, so just wondering how long does it take to make 1K of 9mm, and 1800 rounds of 556 ammo? For me I can come home from work, or get kids off to school, then head right to the range with ready ammo, instead of sitting down to make it.
 
OP,
So is reloading worth the investment...it is a tough call. I really enjoy and have never looked back. It is really satisfying to shoot your own loads. Also I can make up really light loads for the kids so they can also shoot "357 Magnum" lol
 
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