[jalabarba]

I’m trying to get my head around the investment in equipment to reload vs. good quality off the shelf ammo.
Currently I’m using 1000 rounds per month of 9mm Federal 115 / 124 at $325 per case.
Appreciate your input.

 

[DXT_Shooter]

 

[Dwvalor]

View attachment 1135306

That was fantastic !!!
I thought I would save money reloading ! HA HA not . If you dont value any of your time then sure tons of money saved. It is very time consuming but if you like dialing in your own recipe then it is worth it especially for small batch expensive ammo like 38 super 👍

 

[DXT_Shooter]

Seriously I spent $2000 plus to get into reloading 300 BO because during the pandemic it was like $3 a round...I am not sure it’s worth it for 9mm with recent deals in bargain section I don’t know that you can reload for .21 to .25 a round.

Primers are almost no existent at least since last time I checked…they are like .10 a primer if you can find them, add brass, bullet and powder and I bet you are over .25 a round.

You would probably want a progressive reloader the one I have is a single stage and for 300 BO it’s ok but if you want to crank out a bunch of ammo it will be beneficial to have something that pumps out several hundred rounds and hour.

Good luck I am sure people who reload pistol will have more information.

 

[Dwvalor]

I’m trying to get my head around the investment in equipment to reload vs. good quality off the shelf ammo.
Currently I’m using 1000 rounds per month of 9mm Federal 115 / 124 at $325 per case.
Appreciate your input.

I just paid $264 delivered for 1k of 9mm have to keep it cheap as possible because I am going thru 1k a month from competition. Not worth it to reload at that price for me . 45 and 38 super yes def worth it . YMMV
Great skill to learn . I see more problems at matches because of reloads it isnt even funny it is crazy . Most stem from leaving powder in a hopper in a moist environment - dont do that ! I saw a 5k Atlas getting smashed on a 2x4 trying to free a locked slide with one in the chamber due to a mouse fart load . Learn the correct way and no matter the savings/ cost it will be a life long skill 👍best of luck to you on your journey .

 

[Dwvalor]

Seriously I spent $2000 plus to get into reloading 300 BO because during the pandemic it was like $3 a round...I am not sure it’s worth it for 9mm with recent deals in bargain section I don’t know that you can reload for .21 to .25 a round.

Primers are almost no existent at least since last time I checked…they are like .10 a primer if you can find them, add brass, bullet and powder and I bet you are over .25 a round.

You would probably want a progressive reloader the one I have is a single stage and for 300 BO it’s ok but if you want to crank out a bunch of ammo it will be beneficial to have something that pumps out several hundred rounds and hour.

Good luck I am sure people who reload pistol will have more information.

Primers are hen’s teeth in my area and are .14 each when I can find them which it just about never . So to use them for 38 super which runs $38 a box of 50 here (insane) it is worth it but for $14 a box 9mm no way .
Least with the 300BO you can workup accurate loads for your rifle 👍
I just had a slide lock 1/8 “ out of battery today with one hot in the chamber because of too long OAL on 9mm Norma . I have shot that brand a ton and never seen it happen before - that is another thing you get reloading - quality control .

 

[PhilaPop]

I've been meaning to get into reloading for years, but never got around to it. I question whether it's worthwhile or not. I agree w/ the comments about customizing your own load. Most of my shooting is 9mm, so it's not worth it to reload myself, plus I have enough in stock to last 4-5 years. Reloading 45ACP might be worthwhile, but again I have 6-8 cases in stock.

It would definitely worthwhile for my 6.5 CM, 50 AE, or 500 S&W but I don't shoot them that much. So here I remain, indecisive for now. The $2,000 or so to get into it could go towards buying another 1911, hmmmm... I think I have my decision.

 

[NWPewPew]

Not worth it for 9mm currently. Was during the pandemic.

 

[Dwvalor]

One thing to consider if your not competing and dont need to pump out 500 rounds at a time- single stage press . You can probably get into reloading for around $600
Lee turret press
Dies
Calipers (digital)
Misc tools for case prep
Powder scale
Case tumbler
See what I am doing here … misery loves company lol 🤣🤣🤣 View attachment 1135313

 

[36863]

I used to handload for experimental velocities on 1 mile shooting--you can make some unreal loads on your own, but otherwise it doesn't pay to save $$..
I was handloading 8mm Remington Magnum and with the powder capacity it has and using new components on experimental loads, I was pushing 4000 fps with 150 sptizers--makes for unreal long distance Deer and Antelope shooting too!
Best of luck with your decision and enjoy!

 

[B81]

I wish there was an easier way to sell brass. I was shooting about 1000 rounds a month before ammo prices spiked. At that kind of volume, even a few cents per case would be worthwhile (assuming it could be sold with little time and effort).

 

[TexasAC]

I’m going to agree that loading is great for 300 BO and ham’r. But the prepper in me wants to have all the tools ready for the next big downturn

 

[Yoemen66]

I don't really mess with dialing in loads on my 1911s. I find a load that runs well and accurate in 45 and 10mm and I just crank the stuff out. Even with cheap primers you don't necessarily save money, you just shoot more.

Now on my 475 Turnbull and 348 win there is definitely cost savings.

 

[Xringchaser]

My thoughts are I can reload when I can't find what I want anywhere and still be able to shoot. Primers are the week link currently.
I'm not doing it to save money but that's a bonus.

 

[Rick McC.]

I have plenty of reloading components, and a Dillon RL 550 B, all of which were bought years ago. So, my reloads aren’t costing me much (even 9mm, which I load the most). As far as brass; I have many many thousands of 9mm and .45 acp brass; all cleaned and ready to go.

For the last 35 + years; I’ve been buying components (and loaded ammo) during the “good times,” and buy none during times like now.

 

[Old Sea Dragon]

Nine keeps getting cheaper, so maybe the savings are not there, but with many calibers you will save money. I load 38 special, 38 Super, 45 ACP, 44 Special and Magnums. Saving $15 to $30 a box pays off equipment really quick. I may even begin loading 9 soon.

 

[Merton]

Primers can be had online for seven cents per and sadly, that's as good as it gets these days. in 9mm, you'll probably use 1.5-2 cents worth of powder per round and the bullet will cost a dime or so for a cheap 115-124gr. FMJ or plated bullet.

So, you're looking at about 20 cents per on the cheap end to load 9mm and that is without the cost of equipment and your time factored in. I have personally seen prices of late that have me looking at purchasing 9mm factory ammo in the future and using my primers in .32/.38/.357 cartridges that are much more expensive.

I enjoy reloading and casting my own bullets. When I use primers bought before '20 and cast my own bullets out of wheelweights that I inherited and my bullets that I sift out of the berm, I can reload .45acp, .38spl., etc. for 4-5 cents per round and these days that seems unreal but it was only three years ago.

 

[Quickish]

If you favor interesting and antique cartridges reloading is essential. Some unusual cartridges are beyond expensive into ridiculous off the shelf.

 

[Merton]

If you favor interesting and antique cartridges reloading is essential. Some unusual cartridges are beyond expensive into ridiculous off the shelf.

That's a fact. I love the .250 Savage. I can neck up .22-250 brass and that's awesome, because it's everywhere around here. Just this morning I was looking at ammoseek.com and I searched .250 Savage ammo out of boredom and curiosity. There is exactly one seller with exactly two boxes of Winchester 100gr. SP ammo for the low, low price of $125 per 20 rounds. At that price I expect to be buying ammo for a .500 Jeffrey.

 

[M5Fan]

I got into reloading thanks to Barack Hussein Obama. When there’s nothing on store shelves, there’s a Dillon ready to produce.