Tell me about reloading costs

[TheCoachZed]

I'm looking into buying an SKS, simply because I figure it's the only rifle I can afford to shoot affordably. Factory ammo is just too expensive for most centerfire rifles.

I would still like to know what sort of costs you can expect if you want to buy a 30-30, .303, 7.62x54, or 7.62x51 rifle and shoot commercial ammo, then reload it.

I figure costs are probably a couple hundred dollars at least to get set up with basic loading press and dies. Then, ammo costs, maybe, a dollar a round. How many times can you reload your average rifle casing, providing it hasn't been chewed up, and how much do you spend on powder, bullet, and primer each time?

I assume that different bullet sizes and styles will cause some variation, and I also realize that a lot of people reload for the fun of it, not to save money.

Sorry for being a newb. I've read lots about reloading and guns, over the years (got my hands on a copy of a 1970s Gun Digest when I was about 6 and never looked back), but my dad got out of hunting shortly after I was born, so I knew a lot of people who owned guns as a kid, but nobody who really used them often, and certainly none who reloaded.

 

[Steeleco]

Once your over the initial cost of the tools you can custom load for each and every rifle you own. Tailoring a load for each rifle/hand gun is fun and addictive.

I figure I'm around a $1.00 for my 30.06 and about .75C for my 444 and 7-08.

Even if you eventually tire or reloading, you'll get back the lion share or your investment by selling the tooling, effectively costing you next to nothing.

 

[tripalm]

You never ever save money on reloading, you just get to shoot more

 

[surfclod]

I reload .204 Ruger and the last time I calculated the cost per round it was about $0.35. That compared to $17.99 per 20 for factory ammo is a decent savings.

Here is a site that does the calculations for you, all you need to do is input the individual costs of components (prices can be found online for a ballpark firgure)

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Like Steeleco mentioned, reloading is often more about customizing your load to individual firearms for optimal accuracy. When you add the initial outlay for your equipment it takes awhile to recoup the investment.

Cartridges such as .223 (5.56), .308 (7.62x51), and 7.62x39 are easy to find cheap bulk ammo for, so may not be worth the investment unless you do a lot of shooting.

 

[curtmg]

Quality brass for 7.62 x 39 isn't the easiest thing to find, at least I seem to see lots of folk on here looking for it. The main strength of the sks is buying the big crates of steel cased berdan primed steel core corrosive ammo, so that's no good for reloading. I'd say you'd be better served with another more commonly commercially loaded caliber. Grab a Stevens 200 in whatever caliber you want, get a Mueller scope, and you can join me shooting well under 1 inch groups. Not counting brass, reloading for 300WM costs me about 50-60 cents per, and if you get a smaller caliber, it will cost considerably less. If you already have plans for reloading, I wouldn't bother with the sks. Unless of course it's what you really want, in which case, go nuts, have fun, buy big crates of ammo and shoot

 

[Sapper33]

As far as component costs, you listed a bunch of 30 cals, so it's easy

For really easy numbers:
bullets(most expensive part): $25-$35/100 for the most common
primers: $3.50/100 more or less depending on the volume you buy
powder: (aim high) $30/lb, 50gr/round, 7000gr/lb = 140rounds/pound = $0.21/round

You can of course spend more or less. But I am currently reloading .308 FMJ's for about $48/100

 

[TheCoachZed]

I know the SKS isnt a reloader's dream - I just want one to use all that cheap surplus ammo. I really would like an SVT-40 or M305, or Lee Enfield or Mosin-Nagant, but they are a heck of a lot more expensive to put a lot of target practice in with, so I can become a better hunter. I want a gun that I can go fire off a hundred rounds and not be spending a hundred bucks.

 

[brnolvr]

Most people are reloading jacketed bullets, I do myself 40% of the time, the rest of my bullets I cast myself. (jacketed bullets are largest cost of reloading)

I cast for 25-20, 7X57, 280 rem,30-30, 308, 30-06 and 303 british in rifle and a host of handgun rounds. They are plenty accurate as well.

If you are into saving money and have some spare time, take up casting and shoot alot more for next to nothing. It's also a great hobby.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I've never used that cost calculator that surfclod posted until tonight. Quite the eye opener!

My sissy loads for the .40 are running me about $6.42/50(without tax included).

 

[MauserMike]

Those military rifles you mention are also very hard on brass in general. Brass that doesn't last long is going to drive up your costs considerably.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

I figure costs are probably a couple hundred dollars at least to get set up with basic loading press and dies. Then, ammo costs, maybe, a dollar a round. How many times can you reload your average rifle casing, providing it hasn't been chewed up, and how much do you spend on powder, bullet, and primer each time?

No.

A basic reloading setup is a lee loader. 30 bucks with taxes and shipping.

Look around for brass, primers and powder. Costs vary tremendously. If you're spending a dollar a round to reload for your SKS, you're doing it wrong.

 

[roy6585]

So would this be good for a newb to get started? Price is $463.99 from Cabelas

Product Description

Single stage reloading has never been simpler with Hornady’s Lock-N-Load Classic loader. It’s designed to make reloading quicker and give you the precision to create perfect, consistent loads round after round. The Lock-N-Load Classic reloading kit comes complete with the Lock-N-Load single stage press, three Lock-N-Load die bushings, Primer catcher, positive priming
system, and automatic primer feed. Also included is the 2 volume set of the 50th Anniversary Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, magnetic scale, universal reloading block, chamfering and deburring tool, primer turning plate, unique case lube and Lock-N-Load powder measure.