It really depends on the caliber . IMO unless you have a supply of components bought years ago , 9mm isn’t worth my time . Most other calibers you can save some money and worth your effort , not to mention that you can usually make more accurate ammo than you can buy and load it mild to wild as long as you follow the start and max load publications .

Today especially I look for sales with free hazmat shipping and buy in bulk then .

 

This is spot on!

 

For me loading 38 special it breaks down as follows:

Federal SPP $0.07
125 grain lead bullet $0.04
Titegroup $0.01
Brass $0.01
Total $0.13

The brass cost is an estimate based on how many times I can reload a piece and losing maybe 10 pieces per match.

 

what value do you place on your time? How long does it take to load 100 rounds?

 

As a "reloader" for many years I can say that there is a significant investment of cash when buying the actual equipment, then even more to get all the consumables. Also, lots of time investment to do the actual reloading and testing of various different bullets and powder.

Check the price of bullets, primers and powder and the value of your time per round loaded.
Range of cost for 9mm reloads:
primer: 8 to 10 cents per primer
bullets: 10 to 20 cents per bullet
powder: 3 to 5 cents per round
cases: range pickup maybe free, purchased new approximately 25 to 50 cents each depending on cartridge. Cases can be reloaded several times depending on what power level the loads are.

With factory 9mm practice rounds sometimes available at 20 to 25 cents per round, you can reuse the cases and cut some of the investment in consumables.

The benefit of reloading is that you can tailor the load to your particular needs.

For me, the main attraction of reloading is that I can tailor my reloads to the power level that give me the best accuracy with the bullet I choose for the target in question...usually paper or steel.

For defense ammo I would use ONLY factory ammo.

 

First depends on many rounds a month you go thru. And whether you get free brass, or cast your own bullets. Not withstanding the cost of consumables, primers and powder. Usually savings are achieved when you buy 10,000 bullets, and primers, at a time. Then the cost of the reloading equipment, dies, tumbler, scale and calipers. Also what type of press you want (sinlge, turret, progressive). If you are less than 2,000 rounds a year, probably not.

and here is the real secret of reloading

 

Brass can be costly. Mine is generally free as I get most from an indoor range I go to. Bullet heads are to be bought in bulk or by the case, your post person will thank you. Powder cost what it costs, sometimes you can get it cheaper by going through local firearms forums or make deals with friends and acquaintances.

The machine is the most important. If you are only going to do small batches then a single stage is good, maybe a Rock Crusher or a Lee Challenger.

For mass you will want a good progressive unit. I started with a new Dillon 550, bought a second one used so I didn’t have to change out primer sizes, and then bought a used Dillon Square Deal for my most shot caliber. I can make 300 rounds of 9mm per hour working slowly or up to twice that ( a bit of an exaggeration) in speed mode. One pull, one bullet.

Here is the dirty secret…


It doesn’t save you one bit. Whatever your budget has been for factory ammunition it will be the same for reloading. You just get to practice more, (perfect practice hopefully), to increase your skill level.

…Ron

 

Brass can be costly. Mine is generally free as I get most from an indoor range I go to. Bullet heads are to be bought in bulk or by the case, your post person will thank you. Powder cost what it costs, sometimes you can get it cheaper by going through local firearms forums or make deals with friends and acquaintances.

The machine is the most important. If you are only going to do small batches then a single stage is good, maybe a Rock Crusher or a Lee Challenger.

For mass you will want a good progressive unit. I started with a new Dillon 550, bought a second one used so I didn’t have to change out primer sizes, and then bought a used Dillon Square Deal for my most shot caliber. I can make 300 rounds of 9mm per hour working slowly or up to twice that ( a bit of an exaggeration) in speed mode. One pull, one bullet.

Here is the dirty secret…


It doesn’t save you one bit. Whatever your budget has been for factory ammunition it will be the same for reloading. You just get to practice more, (perfect practice hopefully), to increase your skill level.

…Ron

It saves you per rd. What you do with the savings, up to you.

 

The biggest factor in my opinion is DO YOU LIKE RELOADING?

The savings is there if you work at it. Coated bullets are 10.5 cents if you don't try hard. If you bulk up with Bluebullets, the savings is more.

Powder isn't much in 9mm. A little over .02 per round. Primers can be $.045.

My current component cost is under $0.17 per round, but I spend a lot of time cleaning and prepping brass. If you don't like doing it, it's not worth it.

 

Curious for my own knowledge as I don't reload. What is the average time frame for reloading 50 rounds for example?

Thanks,

Michael

 

I have stopped reloading 9mm for now as factory ammo is about the same cost for target fmj 9mm. 45acp & 10mm I can still save $2 to $5 per box by reloading, but it's the time factor. With 45 & 10 prices at $20 per 50 lately, I am not so sure it's worth it for those cartridges anymore. After tumbling the brass, each case takes 5 steps to make a complete loaded cartridge. If using a single stage press, that takes time. It's magnum handgun and rifle rounds that there is still significant savings by reloading. Except for 223 or 5.56, where basic target ammo is pretty close to reloading for fmj. It all depends on how much you shoot and how much time you have to reload.

 

Initial equipment cost is going to be your biggest expense, unless you find what you want used. As far as components go you need to buy in bulk…BULK. When I was shooting 12k+ shotgun per year, I didn’t purchase powder less than 64# and primers less than 50k at a time, shot was a ton. When I was loading for (3) other shooters we were going through 2-3,000 per weekend, so again powder and primers were in bulk. I’m fortunate to live about 2hrs from CAC Associates so got a break on shipping and with bulk purchase I got a price break

 

Depend greatly on what type of press you have. I run a Dillon 650 and can knock out 50 in little over 1 minute. My last “big” run was 3,000 9mm 124 FMJ in just under 2hrs

 

A lot quicker than I would have thought. Thanks for the reply

 

The real savings comes from casting your own projectiles. I get my alloy from harvesting the dirt back berms at my clubs outdoor range.
A few years ago I figured I could load 100 rounds of .38 special for about $6.

 

My original Dillon from 1984 and my Square Deal from 2001 (match product). Rock Chucker from the late 60's

 

Serious question since I’ve never reloaded or seen anyone reload - can the powder stay in the machine or do you have to put it back in the can after you’ve stopped for a couple weeks?

 

I swore up and down I‘d never reload 9mm. But i like to reload and there’s always tons of 9mm brass on the ground at the range.

I was already set up to load 45 ACP. So a few more doodads for the 650, like dies and I was in business.

it’s a rewarding hobby if you like it. The initial outlay of necessary tools and accessories like powder measures, calipers etc adds up fast.

 

The initial outlay of necessary tools and accessories like powder measures, calipers etc adds up fast.

True, but the equipment lasts forever, so even by 10,000 rounds in, it's pretty much amortized.

 

If the goal is to save money, a great deal of the answer depends on how good you are at scrounging loading components.

 

Or ,if you live in a state like N.Y. it is the best way to go,no places that sell ammo,can't get by post.

 

I probably wouldnt reload just for 9, unless you shoot a lot, like 600/month, but if loading for other calibers, why not? Time v money. If your time is valuable you need to buy better gear. I can load an easy 600rds an hour on my 650 with case feeder. My 9mm cost at todays prices, about 15-17c per rd using free using range brass. if you buy once fired 9, call it 20c per. Is that worth it if i can buy ammo for 25c, maybe.
In my state, buying ammo is expensive & a hassle. I cant mail order without going dealer. There is 11% addl tax. Gas is $5 & i have to drive to buy ammo. Reloading components come to my house & no 11%. So for me, even if it cost the same, i would reload. 30min on the press a week gives me all the ammo i need per month. When i am shooting 10mm or 45 or magnum revo, savings can be 75% of factory, well worth it.
Cost to get started, figure $1200 for a dillon 550b, scale, calipers & die setup for one caliber. You can add other stuff as you go like tumblers but you only need clean brass to reload. That can be as simple as rolling it in a wet towel.

 

I like bling bling brass! Besides tumbling is an offline operation, not like you are waiting for it in real time. I just sleep thru processing...

 

It's a little like pizza. I can get a large one topping pizza from Little Ceasars for $10. It's round, has pizza sauce, crust, topping and cheese. It tastes like diarrhea, but it's pizza. I can also spend $10 or even a little more and buy better ingredients, set up the pizza exactly how I want it (perfect amount of cheese/extra sauce/leave in the oven a little longer). I honestly love reloading and don't see the time at the reloading bench a waste.

 

Its a hobby on its own. It has since lost the appeal for me after 400k plus rds, its just a means to an end. I do cast & coat my own bullets which is a sort of zen thing for me. Alloy is free, so my bullets just cost me time, electricity & a bit of powder coating.

 

As said before, depends on the cartridge. But cost is far from the only factor. Assembling ammo for your specific purpose and/or firearm is another major reason to load your own. E.g. power factor for shooting sports, loading for hard to find cartridges, fine tuning ammo for a specific rifle, etc.

I have many thousands of dollars invested in reloading and casting gear, but my break-even was a long time ago. And I could sell virtually all of it and recoup the majority of what I paid for it.

 

I paid for my first 550b in 3m loading 45colt for cas. Of course it was under $300 back then.

 

Some perspectives, and viewpoints:

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/whats-the-cost-of-reloading-50-rounds-of-9mm.2022642/?post_id=33102780#post-33102780

 

This can turn into a heated discussion with loaders arguing with non-loaders, and name calling and accusations.

 

I bought a Dillon 550 around 1990 or so. I shot a lot more then and ammo was kind of high. I'm sure it paid for itself over the years and when ammo was unavailable I had the ingredients. Starting from scratch now you about have to guess your life expectancy for cost calculations.

 

It's a noticeable cost savings when you're loading ammo that otherwise is very costly to buy in large quantities - Magnum revolver and hunting rifle ammo for example.

I didn't get into the hobby for costs savings alone, I started during the Obama years and the shortages he caused, but the cost savings are a nice bonus. Plus, I enjoy spending time working at my bench and loading up different types of ammo. Fun to tinker and experiment.

 

I've got thousands of primers and 7-800 bullets, a box of a thousand range brass. Some of my reloads are still using the same brass for yrs. so the vast majority will never get to my press. I don't keep track of cost it just is fun to do and fills times where I have nothing else to do or winter days. I haven't bought practice ammo in a long time.

 

How do you keep track of how many times you've reloaded a case? Whether recycling your own, or reusing someone else's leftovers found on the range that you have no idea how many times it's been recycled.

Is that not a concern? Do you just assume it will be fine. How many times can a case be safely reloaded?

 

I grew up watching my dad reload and helping him. In middle school and high school I forgot my homework assignments because I was busy helping dad reload.

I didn’t reload in college ($89 a case for Speer 9mm), and I can also remember the local fleet farm selling American Eagle .233 for 9.99 a box too and I was buying it because…. I didn’t reload…. this was 2007-2011 era.

Fast forward to having a real job (2011 to present) working shift work ect, and I needed something to do between shifts because I was renting a house an hour from my family farm. I had my own presses (used RCBS Rock Chucker, and a new Lee 4 Hole Turret), but nothing to put them on. My dad built me a reloading bench just like his which I currently have my legs up on while I type this, Dr. Pepper close by, and a bunch of 8mm Mauser brass to reload (I’ll mention that more soon).

I spent the better part of a year making thousands of rounds of various ammo the first year I was away from the farm. In fact I just opened up an ammo can of .40 from 2016, and still have 5.56 in ammo cans from 2014.

When I bought my own house, my bench and reloading stuff (which kept and still keeps, accumulating) came with me. I kept reloading and ammo kept stocking up. Sold the house, moved in with my fiance and her rug rats, and the reloading stuff came with me.

Point of this whole story is I started out turning out 9mm, .233, .308, and .45 ACP as a means of keeping up with my shooting habit. I once went to the range with my buddy and he had to stop and buy ammo and even then, he couldn’t afford very much. I kept a couple thousand rounds of various calibers in my truck so thankfully I was set. But it still was a reminder of not ever wanting to be “that guy” who can’t afford or have enough ammo

Today I still load for 9mm, and: .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .45 Colt, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .233, .308, .30-06, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Creedmoor, .458 Socom, .45-70, 10mm, and I’m sure some other stuff that I can’t remember.

I find that there is a lot of therapy and calmness involved when I turn out bulk pistol stuff, especially 9mm which I load about 10K rounds a year. And then there is a lot of other stuff that I load because the **** is expensive. I can turn out good 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .45-70 for far cheaper than I can buy it in the store.

I scarf range brass like a fat kid scarfs Blue Bunny ice cream (I too, am a fat kid, who loves blue bunny ice cream). So yes, there is a cost savings where it matters, and therapeutic calmness as well with the smaller stuff.

When it comes to 8mm by the way, I convert range brass like .25-06, .30-06, and .270 to 8mm cases. Talk about saving a ton on buying brass.

 

I grew up watching my dad reload and helping him. In middle school and high school I forgot my homework assignments because I was busy helping dad reload.

I didn’t reload in college ($89 a case for Speer 9mm), and I can also remember the local fleet farm selling American Eagle .233 for 9.99 a box too and I was buying it because…. I didn’t reload…. this was 2007-2011 era.

Fast forward to having a real job (2011 to present) working shift work ect, and I needed something to do between shifts because I was renting a house an hour from my family farm. I had my own presses (used RCBS Rock Chucker, and a new Lee 4 Hole Turret), but nothing to put them on. My dad built me a reloading bench just like his which I currently have my legs up on while I type this, Dr. Pepper close by, and a bunch of 8mm Mauser brass to reload (I’ll mention that more soon).

I spent the better part of a year making thousands of rounds of various ammo the first year I was away from the farm. In fact I just opened up an ammo can of .40 from 2016, and still have 5.56 in ammo cans from 2014.

When I bought my own house, my bench and reloading stuff (which kept and still keeps, accumulating) came with me. I kept reloading and ammo kept stocking up. Sold the house, moved in with my fiance and her rug rats, and the reloading stuff came with me.

Point of this whole story is I started out turning out 9mm, .233, .308, and .45 ACP as a means of keeping up with my shooting habit. I once went to the range with my buddy and he had to stop and buy ammo and even then, he couldn’t afford very much. I kept a couple thousand rounds of various calibers in my truck so thankfully I was set. But it still was a reminder of not ever wanting to be “that guy” who can’t afford or have enough ammo

Today I still load for 9mm, and: .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .45 Colt, .38 Special, .357 Mag, .233, .308, .30-06, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Creedmoor, .458 Socom, .45-70, 10mm, and I’m sure some other stuff that I can’t remember.

I find that there is a lot of therapy and calmness involved when I turn out bulk pistol stuff, especially 9mm which I load about 10K rounds a year. And then there is a lot of other stuff that I load because the **** is expensive. I can turn out good 7.5 Swiss, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .45-70 for far cheaper than I can buy it in the store.

I scarf range brass like a fat kid scarfs Blue Bunny ice cream (I too, am a fat kid, who loves blue bunny ice cream). So yes, there is a cost savings where it matters, and therapeutic calmness as well with the smaller stuff.

When it comes to 8mm by the way, I convert range brass like .25-06, .30-06, and .270 to 8mm cases. Talk about saving a ton on buying brass.

I always picked up range brass back before the internet. Its still a habit. If its in my bay during practice or a match, i’ll often pick it up. It just gets more expensive every year.
Btw, this thread should be in reloading??

 

It was way cheaper to get into it back in the day. I'm still using components I've had for years, and can still load a box of most common ammo for around 5 bucks a box. I dread the day I run low of my favorite powders.

 

I too have components from 15y + ago but i still buy here & there cost averaging. I have primers from 2016, maybe $25 per 1000. Bought primers as they became cheaper in the last couple years. I bought 8# of WST last year for $340 delivered, now its $420. I still have a few 1# left i paid $28 for. I dont want run out, maybe 10y more shooting then whats left will likely be worth 50% more.

 

I can reload for revolver calibers for half to a quarter of factory prices and that is being conservative. Consider what time is worth to you and how much you enjoy the process.