The biggest mistake I've made as a reloader was not foreseeing the shortages and hoarding before they came. I never thought I'd see the day where things would be THAT scarce! I was always the guy who worked out of a couple of bricks of primers - one for large pistol and one for small pistol. When I'd get down to a couple hundred left, I'd go buy more - sometimes locally, but I usually bought them at the Chantilly gun show. Bass Pro always had them at a markup, but I figured in a pinch I could at least still get them there.Reason I bring this up is if and when the next big ammo shortage happens, reloading shortages aren’t far behind. I started reloading before Covid so I had a good supply of components and equipment. Figured I should be able to load 9mm if it came to it. It was difficult to find even 9mm dies and they were going for crazy money on the secondary market.
There is a sticky thread that actually answers your question and cost of components back then is broken down.Hello, I have no clue how to reload. I have just thought about doing it in the past, but never committed to it. Regarding today’s high prices in ammo, I’m wondering if it is more economical to reload calibers like 5.56 and 308. Assuming, I have the brass already, I would need powder, primers, and bullets. What are these components going for? Are they easy to find? For those of you who reload, how much does it cost you for, roughly, each of these calibers? I would be reusing my own brass, as I have a good amount of surplus quality ammo. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
I’ve just traded out the time I spent hunting for ammo deals with time spent hunting component deals. Though I’ll admit I don’t do that much anymore. Mostly because I’ve reached “stupid amounts of components” levels. It’s have to be something unique or a really scorching deal to get me interested the next couple of years.Time is relative when it's something you enjoy doing.
A month or so ago I wanted to bump up my stock of both 9mm and 223. I bought 500 bullets each, and I loaded 1000 rounds in just a couple of hours in two nights.
With my Dillon 550 I'm rolling about 100 rounds every 12-14 minutes, so it didn't take long. It usually takes me longer to set the press for the caliber I'm loading when I do a caliber change than it takes me to load the first 100 rounds.
I know that would be more time than someone wants to burn, but I bet I spend less time reloading that some guys do hunting around online for the best ammo deals.
Shhh. Don’t mention them too loudly. Don’t want to give away the secret :-)You don't save money from reloading, you just shoot more . My reloads always comes out cheaper than buying factory, but you also got to take account of your time and initial investment costs. Started out with a turret, and now i run a lee pro6000. Personally, I enjoy volume reloading target/range grade ammo to expend at the range.
I progressive reload and try to streamline brass prep processes as much as I can, i.e. lee app for swaging, bench trim unit for progressive, rotary annealers, etc.
I cast when it's economical to do so, i.e. casting lee .312" 160 grain projectiles, make my own gas checks, and powder coat them to cover .308"-.314" bore rifles - my main source of cheap 300 blk projectiles and combloc diameter projectiles (.310-.314).
Americanreloading.com is my go2 source for cheap projectiles. Powders and primers are always a scavenger hunt, but I've stocked enough to the point where I just pay attention to casting lead and projectiles.
Recently been looking into reloading 9mm subs when I eventually get my can. Cost savings for reloading subs is pretty big.
Just about eve thing you mentioned is a one-time expense, and if you load for something like 44 mag, provided that you shoot it a fair bit, it’s interesting how quickly your investment will pay for itself.Quick and simple answer is no, it is not more economical.
Your start up cost is going to run you close to $1000.00 (Progressive press). That price is excluding reloading components (brass, primers, bullets, powder).
Price the following equipment.
-Reloading press
- case tumbler
- case trimmer
- primer picket reamer
- calipers/vernier
- scale
- swager (for military brass)
- primer plates
- reloading data books
You would have to reload thousands of rounds before you begin to see a return on investment. As a new reloaded you will want to load small batches to make sure you get it right.
You will find that you are doing this more for enjoyment than for costs savings.
Good luck.
You can do it for both. I've been reloading 3 years now, and I don't reload a ton. 1500-2000 rounds a year. I've probably saved about the cost of my reloading equipment, and it isn't a small amount of reloading equipment either. Not nearly as extensive as many people's.Quick and simple answer is no, it is not more economical.
Your start up cost is going to run you close to $1000.00 (Progressive press). That price is excluding reloading components (brass, primers, bullets, powder).
Price the following equipment.
-Reloading press
- case tumbler
- case trimmer
- primer picket reamer
- calipers/vernier
- scale
- swager (for military brass)
- primer plates
- reloading data books
You would have to reload thousands of rounds before you begin to see a return on investment. As a new reloaded you will want to load small batches to make sure you get it right.
You will find that you are doing this more for enjoyment than for costs savings.
Good luck.