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Ammo reloading questions
Posted on 9/11/21 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 9/11/21 at 6:55 pm
Is it still significantly cheaper to reload vs buy new rounds? And will a press be able to reload 223, 9mm, 45, 556, and 762? Or would I need different types of presses for different rounds
This post was edited on 9/11/21 at 6:56 pm
13
Posted on 9/11/21 at 7:06 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Is it still significantly cheaper to reload vs buy new rounds?
Not really, especially right now when reloading supplies are in high demand. Even when things were much cheaper there wasn't a significant cost savings in reloading unless you were loading for rare or commercially unavailable cartridges.
quote:
And will a press be able to reload 223, 9mm, 45, 556, and 762?
I have an RCBS Partner press and I have reloaded 9mm, 45 ACP, .223 Rem, .308 Win, 30-06, 30-30, .357 Mag, .50 AE. You just have to have the die set for whatever you are reloading for.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 7:09 pm to Clames
Cheaper overall though?
Posted on 9/11/21 at 7:21 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Cheaper overall though?
If you shoot a lot, and even then you’ve got to figure out how long the savings takes to pay off your equipment. Most people who handload do so for rifle accuracy, trying to chase the perfect combination for their rifle.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 7:37 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Cheaper overall though
No
Posted on 9/11/21 at 7:46 pm to TheOcean
Don’t even think about it. Unless you have primers then reloading right now is useless.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 8:03 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Cheaper overall though?
Only way you could make it cheaper right now would be to minimize your investment in equipment and plan to spend a lot of time at your bench. Beyond primers, powder, bullets, and cases is the equipment to make it efficient. I have a powered case trimmer, automatic powder throw, powered case prep center...all fairly expensive equipment and that's because prepping brass is the biggest time expense. If you are reloading for common cartridges that you plan to shoot a lot then you have to invest in the equipment which means you'll have to load a lot of rounds just to break even.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 8:40 pm to TheOcean
I did the math once. It was something like 30000-40000 rounds for 9mm. Not worth it for common calibers, unless you're doing it for accuracy.
In the BEFORE,.300BLK was about the kind of cartridge where you'd start seeing it worth doing.
Now, supplies are so rare and expensive that it's probably hard to find a loading that's worth it.
In the BEFORE,.300BLK was about the kind of cartridge where you'd start seeing it worth doing.
Now, supplies are so rare and expensive that it's probably hard to find a loading that's worth it.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 9:01 pm to TheOcean
When I first started reloading I calculated what it cost me for a reloaded round. I was around $7/50 rds. That didn’t include the reloading equipment just the components for the rounds. And that also assumed I was reusing the brass at least five times.
I don’t reload to save money because it don’t. I shoot a lot more. The real benefits of reloading is accuracy and getting a load the does exactly what I want depending on the pistol competition I’m reloading for.
I don’t reload to save money because it don’t. I shoot a lot more. The real benefits of reloading is accuracy and getting a load the does exactly what I want depending on the pistol competition I’m reloading for.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 9:34 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Is it still significantly cheaper to reload vs buy new rounds?
No. Primers have always been the controlling factor. Invest in ammo stock at times like this and stock up on primers when times are better.
Posted on 9/11/21 at 10:46 pm to TheOcean
At this point it cost me ~ $150 per rifle round. Maybe more…
Amp annealer and Auto trickler v3 with Area 419 upgrades have ruined any savings I was getting close to. Throw in the lab radar and well it goes up even more.
Amp annealer and Auto trickler v3 with Area 419 upgrades have ruined any savings I was getting close to. Throw in the lab radar and well it goes up even more.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 8:49 am to TheOcean
As others have stated this is a bad time to get into reloading.
Equipment costs are back down and are available but components are still sky high and scarce.
The bottom line is even if component prices were back to normal the only person to answer the question of is it worth it is you.
What are your goals?
Do you want to save a few bucks on a few boxes of ammo or do you want another time consuming hobby? For me it is a hobby that i enjoy.
If you go into it understanding reloading will be a hobby then it is worth it. If not just buy what you need and save your brass and send them to me.
Basic equipment will cost about $200 for first caliber and about $50 for each additional.
Basic reloading kit from LEE
This kit has started people off on the right foot for decades. Still a great value even after doubling in price over the years.
Die sets are about$35
9mm Dies
ETA: Also, you will need at least 1 reloading manual and CLOSELY follow the instructions!! This is very important!!!
Equipment costs are back down and are available but components are still sky high and scarce.
The bottom line is even if component prices were back to normal the only person to answer the question of is it worth it is you.
What are your goals?
Do you want to save a few bucks on a few boxes of ammo or do you want another time consuming hobby? For me it is a hobby that i enjoy.
If you go into it understanding reloading will be a hobby then it is worth it. If not just buy what you need and save your brass and send them to me.
Basic equipment will cost about $200 for first caliber and about $50 for each additional.
Basic reloading kit from LEE
This kit has started people off on the right foot for decades. Still a great value even after doubling in price over the years.
Die sets are about$35
9mm Dies
ETA: Also, you will need at least 1 reloading manual and CLOSELY follow the instructions!! This is very important!!!
This post was edited on 9/12/21 at 9:11 am
Posted on 9/12/21 at 9:58 am to btrcj
Not to derail, but I just inherited a bunch of reloading equipment (no I don't want to sell). All of the reloading books are from the mid to late 70's. What is a good new manual to buy? This is for centrefire rifle ammunition.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 10:06 am to ItsBernie
You can get a lot of info from Hodgdon’s website without buying anything.
A good first Manuel is Lyman’s Manuel. They have assorted bullets and powder. The Hornady and nosler Manuel’s are good but they are limited to only their bullets.
A good first Manuel is Lyman’s Manuel. They have assorted bullets and powder. The Hornady and nosler Manuel’s are good but they are limited to only their bullets.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 10:55 am to civiltiger07
Can also get caliber-specific reloading manuals as well as those tailored to a particular rifle. I have reloading manuals just for my Garand and M1A, that's how I found out about 155gr Palma match loads that both rifles have very good results with vs the more typical 168gr and 175gr loads.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 12:09 pm to btrcj
quote:
If you go into it understanding reloading will be a hobby then it is worth it.
This is my case. But now that hunting ammo is scarce it's nice to be working up some loads and having the components to get through this season anyway.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 12:11 pm to TheOcean
When I was going through tens of thousands of rounds of 9mm it was worth it, I was also loading to keep bullets subsonic in a 8" machine gun barrel that would also cycle an open bolt machine gun without running away, so a little bit of a specialty round.
I reloaded to have ammo I needed, I hate it as a "hobby", it is more of a job.
I reloaded to have ammo I needed, I hate it as a "hobby", it is more of a job.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 12:24 pm to TheOcean
Good luck finding primers, as others have said. The savings come when you can get “X” amount of firings off a piece of brass. That will be determined on the caliber, powder, charge and etc. Powder is getting a little easier to find but still a pain in the arse. Quality brass is hard to find as well. shite, it’s all hard to find
I’ve been looking for 6.5mm 156gr Berger EOL bullets since April and nothing.
I’ve been looking for 6.5mm 156gr Berger EOL bullets since April and nothing.
Posted on 9/12/21 at 12:29 pm to TheOcean
Depends what you're loading. For something like .45 colt or oddball calibers its generally going to be cheaper to reload. For some reason 45 colt loads are stupid expensive
Posted on 9/12/21 at 1:17 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Almost impossible to get smokeless powder right now.
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