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Does reloading REALLY save money?
gunnut505
Member Posts: 10,290 ✭
I've crunched some numbers about whether it saves money to reload anymore, and I chose 3 calibers that are common for CCW, have about the same load weights and bullet weights, are similar in power, and are available anywhere. I assumed an average cost of a box of 50 from prices listed in Natchez, Cheaper Than Dirt and Sportsmans' Guide for each caliber; 38 Super Auto+P, 357Sig and 40S&W.
Each reload uses 7 grains of HS6 and except for the 40; a 135 grain bullet.
I then got prices on brass and primers from some other sources, mainly 'cuz CTD doesn't sell primers or most bullets or brass, and SG sometimes doesn't have other components, etc., so I averaged the cost of reloads for 500 rounds versus the cost average for 500 rounds of factory fodder.
Turns out that HS6 is $16.49 locally, so I save on the HazMat fee, and bullets are running about $15 a hundred (15X5=$75for bullets+$16.49for powder=$91.49+$10.00 for primers=$101.49+$14for brass=$115.49), so if I did the math right; we pay about $115 for 500 reloads.
Factory prices for 38 Super are $22 for 50, so there's 10 50's in 500; so 22X10=$220 for 500 factory rounds.
Factory prices for 357Sig are $26 for 50, so again; $260 for 500 'new' cartridges.
The cost for the 40 is $19; so it's $190.
Seems like it pays to reload NOW more than ever; I used to pay $9-10 for a box of 38's, and it cost about the same to handroll 'em back then (2005); good thing I got all my components a long time ago!
Each reload uses 7 grains of HS6 and except for the 40; a 135 grain bullet.
I then got prices on brass and primers from some other sources, mainly 'cuz CTD doesn't sell primers or most bullets or brass, and SG sometimes doesn't have other components, etc., so I averaged the cost of reloads for 500 rounds versus the cost average for 500 rounds of factory fodder.
Turns out that HS6 is $16.49 locally, so I save on the HazMat fee, and bullets are running about $15 a hundred (15X5=$75for bullets+$16.49for powder=$91.49+$10.00 for primers=$101.49+$14for brass=$115.49), so if I did the math right; we pay about $115 for 500 reloads.
Factory prices for 38 Super are $22 for 50, so there's 10 50's in 500; so 22X10=$220 for 500 factory rounds.
Factory prices for 357Sig are $26 for 50, so again; $260 for 500 'new' cartridges.
The cost for the 40 is $19; so it's $190.
Seems like it pays to reload NOW more than ever; I used to pay $9-10 for a box of 38's, and it cost about the same to handroll 'em back then (2005); good thing I got all my components a long time ago!
Comments
Voila! Even more savings!
And for all the others that haven't started reloading for themselves, there is always more to reloading than just saving money. Sure you save money simply from the standpoint of not having to pay for the manufacturers overhead with each box. You supply the labor for free. There is also the point of using the cases more than once so the cost of those is amortized over the multiple uses.
Reloading allows me to experiment with loads that aren't available through the manufacturers, whether I select a different powder or more commonly a bullet that they don't use. Reloaders create more information about ballistics and performance than the manufacturers ever could. Reloading Match ammunition can be more consistent and more highly customized because we can spend as much time as we want to craft the exact load that works for our situation and system. You can't get that from factory ammunition. Without the ability to reload there would be no such things as wildcats and new cartridge designs. We'd be stuck with whatever the factory decided we wanted, not what we decided we needed.
Probably the most important aspect of reloading is the satisfaction of having the ability to create and shoot your own recipes. I look forward to reloading, it's relaxing and enjoyable in my opinion. It's also important to note that reloading can be shared with others, those of the same level of expertise and more so with beginners or the inexperienced.
Saving money gets us into the process of reloading and the rest follows along fortunately.
Best.
I reload for the volume, accuracy, plinking, and the satisfaction of taking game with my own rounds or watching that ram topple over with the red dot still on his chest.
I was just recently curious about HOW much one could save by just making 500 rounds of typical pistol caliber ammo, and thought I'd share the results (with 1/2 a lb. of powder leftover! THX B17) with the fine folk at GB.
Everything you guys have said is true about reloading, and there's the added bonus of doing something right that results in more shooting!
buy factory shells let the rest of use waste our time and money [;)]
this will insure that we who do reload won't be short components in the days ahead [:o)][;)]
I say overall it has always paid to reload. However, it really boils down to how much do you like to shoot? If you shoot a fair amount it will save money. If you don't shoot that much it might become a not really all that expensive hobby. I like the fact I can reload premium rifle loads that in a store would cost 3 times as much...just for having the components assembled. Mine are tailored to my rifle, and therefore shoot better from it.
Put in terms of how much you trust your ammo and how well it shoots, wouldn't you prefer to have spent 75 of 100 rounds working up the perfect load and using 25 out of 100 rounds successfully hunting. There's a lot of money tied up in a hunting trip. First, the 75 rounds gave you a lot of practice. It let you see where you would hit at different ranges. It also allowed you to see how consistent you could be. If you spent that much money on 100 rounds of premium ammunition then you might need half again as much money just for the trip. Meaning, most people probably wouldn't buy 100 premium rounds just to practice.
In any target game it is no question at all if you want to win. and you will shoot a lot so the savings is there...even with some of the spendiest bullets.
In reloading pistol, I've found that the cost of reloading was always equal to the cheaper brands of pistol ammo. So you were about dead even when it came to reloading vs. buying in bulk. But, again though, the buying in bulk has to prove itself out when thinking of winning. Some handguns like one speed and some ammunition just won't do it with some pistols.
The same holds true for bullet casting, building 1911's, building AR15s, restoring shotuns and building computers, they are all hobbies that cost money.
It's not a matter of saving money it's a matter of doing things in life in a way that will bring you the most satisfaction.
I've saved alot with reloading Pyrodex rounds to us in my antique sxs for hunting my average cost is $5.75 a box loaded with 1 1/8 #5 magnum shot without the count of my 3-4cent paper hulls that will get reloaded many times...So if a person needs to use special BP rounds like I did they could easy break even by loading up the first 4-5 boxes of shells.As to what certain people would charge for a BP box of shells.[:D]
with the wildcat cartridges is it possible to modify the cases yourself at home? as in making a 243 from a 308? i figured this was beyond backyard mechanics.
Josh
Considering you can't but "pre-made" wildcat cases, the answer to your question is yes, you convert them yourself.
As to the 308 to 243, yes, that is a do-able home project. You do need to check for "neck thickening", but again correcting that is not difficult (either ream or OD neck turn) to correct the issue.
The easiest to make are the "Ackley" type (fire a factory round in the "wildcat" chamber)
Or you can get quite radical in your modifications
Left started out as a 300 H&H, right started out as a 30-06, both are now 22cal's
Or going in the other direction (bigger), the one on the right started out as a 50BMG case, that has had been straightened and had a rim added
That's a "12ga From Hell" round. BTW, there is a thread about it on this forum. Mr Hubel also has his "700 Hubel Express" that features a 50BMG cas with a belt formed onto the case.
IOW how far to you want to go?
dgac
quote:Originally posted by joshmb1982
with the wildcat cartridges is it possible to modify the cases yourself at home? as in making a 243 from a 308? i figured this was beyond backyard mechanics.
Josh
Considering you can't but "pre-made" wildcat cases, the answer to your question is yes, you convert them yourself.
As to the 308 to 243, yes, that is a do-able home project. You do need to check for "neck thickening", but again correcting that is not difficult (either ream or OD neck turn) to correct the issue.
The easiest to make are the "Ackley" type (fire a factory round in the "wildcat" chamber)
Or you can get quite radical in your modifications
Left started out as a 300 H&H, right started out as a 30-06, both are now 22cal's
Or going in the other direction (bigger), the one on the right started out as a 50BMG case, that has had been straightened and had a rim added
That's a "12ga From Hell" round. BTW, there is a thread about it on this forum. Mr Hubel also has his "700 Hubel Express" that features a 50BMG cas with a belt formed onto the case.
IOW how far to you want to go?
22cal! Wow!!! Can we say OVERBORE![:D][:D][:D]
It was then I realized that I could load almost 100rds of "Better than Factory Match Grade" ammo for my rifle for what it cost me for 20rds of GOOD Factory Match.
And then it just Snowballed from there to my 223, 30-30, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 38, 222, 22-250, and I have even severely expanded my caliber collection in the past year JUST because I don't have to rely on the availabilty and dread the cost of factory ammo.
There are many wonderful, helpful, and useful aspects to reloading, but regardless to that it WILL save you money sooner or later.
JT