[ron59]

Originally Posted by CaptainXL

I know that I spent more for the Hornadys 115gr FMJ but at the time I just wanted to get started and ordered only 500 rds along with my reloading equipment order. Ordered everything from one source and did not buy large or bulk quantity of anything.

The cost per box that is shown is based on bullets that were somewhat higher priced and not the lowest price that 9mm's can be reloaded for.

In the future I will order a larger quantity and probably a less expensive but quallity bullet. Costs are my current and true costs at this time, which will in all probability decrease in the future.

Yep, understood fully.

Just didn't want folks to think the cost you were quoting there as the type of costs/savings that can be achieved.

I've said this several times before... unfortunately, to get the *best* (lowest) cost you have to have lots of funds available. Buying powder in the 8lb cannisters, primers by 10k if not 20k.. and bullets in as much quantity as you can.

For example, I'll buy a minimum of 10k primers along with 8lb of powder in one order from PV. When I can, I'll get 20k primers and some powder.

I'm also using Bear Creek moly coated bullets. They are a little smokier than jacketed bullets but not nearly as smoky as pure lead. I'm getting them for $71 per 1000 of the 147grainers.... a pretty good price indeed. PD wants $101 for 1000 of their jacketed, and Montana Gold is up to $110 per 1000 *if* you buy 3000.

[F106 Fan]

Originally Posted by ron59

I'm also using Bear Creek moly coated bullets. They are a little smokier than jacketed bullets but not nearly as smoky as pure lead. I'm getting them for $71 per 1000 of the 147grainers.... a pretty good price indeed. PD wants $101 for 1000 of their jacketed, and Montana Gold is up to $110 per 1000 *if* you buy 3000.

Ron,

Where are you buying the Bear Creek bullets? I used to shoot a lot of these when my LGS carried them.

Richard

[fredj338]

There is a supplier sticky at the top of the forum. Precision Delta for jacketed bullets (just skip the plated bullets, they cost too much) and I buy S&S lead bullets from Dillon but there are a lot of places that sell them.

Recently PD has increased their prices & some plated are now cheaper again, for now. Extreme from TJCon are $102/1000 for 165gr/40, $18 less than PD jacketed. Worth it, if you shoot a lot, sure. If you can't swing a useful bulk order, then go in w/ one or two other shooters & split up the HM & shipping. HM has gone up, $27/order now, so IMO, you need to order at least 10 units to get a decent price. So that would be 1K primers & 1# of powder = one unit. Order more, spread that further.

[Colorado4Wheel]

Haze Mat on bullets?????

[ron59]

Originally Posted by F106 Fan

Ron,

Where are you buying the Bear Creek bullets? I used to shoot a lot of these when my LGS carried them.

Richard

Richard,

He doesn't have a web site. You call the phone number, he takes your order and CC#... a few days later you got the bullets. I've ordered 15,000 - 20,000 or so over the last 6 months, I know guys who've been buying them for the last few years. Don't be concerned about not having a web site.

209.874.4322

I don't have a price list, but the cost of 9mm 147grainers is $35.50 per 500 ($71 per 1000) if I recall correctly. That includes shipping.

He gives a 5% discount for 10k bullets, 10$ for 25k.
Just something to keep in mind.

My last order was for 10k, so it was basically getting 500 free bullets. I'm down with that.

[F106 Fan]

Ron,

Thanks for the info. The Bear Creek shop is only about 60 miles away so I'll try again. Last year some time I called but I never got a call back.

I really like the bullets, particularly the 200 gr LSWC. I could use a few thousand of those. I'm sitting on about 10,000 bullets so it will be later in the summer.

Richard

[CaptainXL]

Originally Posted by Bob2223

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
Read the stickies at the top of the page for supply's
I cast my own bullets so I'm out $23 a thousand on primers and $24 for a pound of powder to load 1000 rounds, and I still have powder left over.
Buy in bulk and you will save $
I have plenty brass and you can reload it many times so I don't even figure it in being most of it was free.
Been savin your brass, if not you can find once fired brass pretty cheap.

Welcome to the forum !
Bob

To get a TRUE cost be sure to add any tax and/or shipping costs to the prices for bullets, powder, etc. in the cost boxes in the estimator at http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[Colorado4Wheel]

No tax for out of state stuff. Usually the money you save on taxes pays for shipping (not haze mat of course).

[glockaviator]

Last time I checked I was about even. This is after about 3000 rounds. But....I can reload RIFLE rounds that are better than just about any rounds one can buy. They are more accurate. Pistol, I dunno. I don't shoot precision pistol like I shoot precision rifle. I do reload for my pistol also, of course.

Also, loading is a great experience. Teaches ballistics, mechanical engineering, chemistry and statistics and test engineering principles if you do it right. Would be great for any aspiring engineer or scientist, young or old!

[CaptainXL]

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

No tax for out of state stuff. Usually the money you save on taxes pays for shipping (not haze mat of course).

Being somewhat of a newbie and because I wasn't ordering big quantities I bought powder and primers locally @ Cabela's to avoid the hefty HazMat fees, so I ended up paying tax but no HazMat.

The problem with buying at a local Gander Mountain or Cabela's (not online) is that in store stock inventory is somewhat limited in powder types. No problem with in store stock inventory of small pistol primers. Gander Mountain's in store inventory was way worse than Cabela's in store inventory across the board for all reloading supplies.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

Haze Mat on bullets?????

No Steve, generic statment on reloading supplies. Put the cough syrup away.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by CaptainXL

To get a TRUE cost be sure to add any tax and/or shipping costs to the prices for bullets, powder, etc. in the cost boxes in the estimator at http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Prices quoted by most of us includes shipping & HM. Many bullet places shipping is included. As Steve notes, no sales tax out of state & that is factored into buying local. Here, it's 8%, that covers a lot of shipping @ flat rates.

[Colorado4Wheel]

Originally Posted by CaptainXL

Being somewhat of a newbie and because I wasn't ordering big quantities I bought powder and primers locally @ Cabela's to avoid the hefty HazMat fees, so I ended up paying tax but no HazMat.

The problem with buying at a local Gander Mountain or Cabela's (not online) is that in store stock inventory is somewhat limited in powder types. No problem with in store stock inventory of small pistol primers. Gander Mountain's in store inventory was way worse than Cabela's in store inventory across the board for all reloading supplies.

Suck it up, save some money. Buy in bulk. You will be glad you did.

[ron59]

Originally Posted by CaptainXL

Being somewhat of a newbie and because I wasn't ordering big quantities I bought powder and primers locally @ Cabela's to avoid the hefty HazMat fees, so I ended up paying tax but no HazMat.

The problem with buying at a local Gander Mountain or Cabela's (not online) is that in store stock inventory is somewhat limited in powder types. No problem with in store stock inventory of small pistol primers. Gander Mountain's in store inventory was way worse than Cabela's in store inventory across the board for all reloading supplies.

The Gander mountain near me charges $3.99 per 100 for primers. that's $40 per 1000. Ridiculous.

I buy from Powder Valley and even with hazmat/shipping, get them for under $30.00. I had to buy a BUNCH to get them that way, but if you shoot alot, that's what you'll do.

[PhantomF4E]

Unless you go to Gander Mountain and the clerk scans the outside of the brick of large rifle primers and just charges you 3.99 for the brick . Happened to me once when I had to buy for loading up some hunting rounds real quick . I didn't know till I got the Credit card statement and almost complained about a false charge. Then I realized , Oops on them 900 free primers , well I have spent a LOT of money at that place over the years ....

[SARDG]

Originally Posted by SARDG

As is usual for me, I jumped in with both feet... ...it will probably take me the rest of my life to break even.

Originally Posted by fredj338

No Sardg, just shoot more!

For sure Fred... good clear thinking.

Originally Posted by F106 Fan;18852269[B

]...buy enough machine the first time![/B] Today I would head straight for the XL650 with casefeeder and be done with it.

Richard

That's generally my mantra for purchases - buy quality, buy once. Once you get past the buyer's remorse, it's all downhill and you are a happy camper for years to come.

[Ski2me]

Thanks everyone you've sold me. I can't wait to get started. Maybe I can even get back to shooting my G20 with the original 10mm barrel.

[Gunnut 45/454]

Simple answer - if you think your time is money you'll never be happy nor feel your saving money. As in any job if it's work and not something you love to do then you'll never be happy nor will it be wurth the effort! Is shooting a chore or something you like to do?

[Batesmotel]

I only load for long range rifle. It is not a big savings but it lets me taylor my rounds for each rifle.

[fredj338]

oops!

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Batesmotel

I only load for long range rifle. It is not a big savings but it lets me taylor my rounds for each rifle.

Really? That is where I save most. Last time I looked, Fed GMM was pretty pricey compared to a better handload using the same bullet. You also don't need an expensive progressive setup to load precision rifle. It's not like you shoot 150rds a week.

[IndyGunFreak]

Originally Posted by PhantomF4E

Unless you go to Gander Mountain and the clerk scans the outside of the brick of large rifle primers and just charges you 3.99 for the brick . Happened to me once when I had to buy for loading up some hunting rounds real quick . I didn't know till I got the Credit card statement and almost complained about a false charge. Then I realized , Oops on them 900 free primers , well I have spent a LOT of money at that place over the years ....

LOL...

I went to Gander Mountain one time, because they were having a huge boot sale. I was looking for some new work boots. Got there, found a pair I liked but they didn't have them in my size (wearing a size 14 sucks). The employee found a boot in my size that was similar to the one I wanted, but wasn't sure what the sale price was. They were $179 on the sticker, he said they were probably at least 10% off with their current sale and it would show at the register.

I get to the register, the girl rings them up, and they come up $39. I stopped her and said, no, that's not right, those boots are $180, look at the price tag. She says (I kid you not).. "Sir, we're having a lot of sales on boots right now". I tried explaining to her there was no way on earth they'd mark a $180 pair of boots down to $40, but she was adamant that that was the price. I started to ask her to call a manager, but she was giving me a fairly agitated look like I was interrupting her from doing something else, so I paid and left.

[GioaJack]

Moderator, Moderator!

Sadly this forum is ripe with scofflaws of questionable repute. So as not to contaminate the mush minds of newbs who constantly join this once shinning example of loading related knowledge and integrity there is little choice but to institute Plan B and banish the offenders to GNG.

Do it for the children.

(Are the boots still on sale? )


Jack

[DoctaGlockta]

Originally Posted by Ski2me

OK I've been back and forth on reloading. Now I'd like to hear from those who are experienced reloaders. Is reloading really a money saver? I can buy 40 s&w Federal 100pks for my G22 for less than 28.00 bucks. How much can a person reload 100 rounds for?

Where is the best place to buy supplies?

I have a 9mm conversion barrel that won't shoot re-manufactured ammo very well. I there any particular resizing die that I should go with?

Hardware store for supplies. Dies? We don't need no stinking dies.

This is how we roll on GTR. Old School.

Hardware Store Reloader - YouTube

Hardware Store Reloader - YouTube

[PhantomF4E]

LOL @ Jack