[jonb32248]

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 don't keep track but inspect each case as I start the process. (mm isn't that high in pressure so the stress is less. I have a few that the head stamp is almost gone. I have started throwing some away at the range and reusing some factory brass that was in my storage from covid.

 

[MajorD]

While you still save a little reloading your own 9mm, the savings is marginal. I still do it sometimes. Other calibers the savings is huge and adds up fast.
yes there is an inital outlay of buying equipment but even that can be pretty cheap. I got all my equipment used from people upgrading to other equipment, or old guys getting out of it. I am an old school loader still using an old single stage Press. My press powder measure some of my die sets and all my ancillary gear was actually free. At one point I used an old Hollywood press made in the 1930’s.
with a single stage, taking my time and the way I compartmentalize my process, I will say it takes about 20 minutes to load 50 rounds.
if you are into old oddball antique cartridges, there is no other way To shoot. Some of my antiques shoot ammo so scarce it would run 10 dollars or more per shot to buy old stock factory ammo. ( some of the calibers I shoot were last commercially loaded in the 1950’s)
even a fairly common round like 45 colt which runs near fifty bucks a box retail, costs me least than $10 to reload.

 

[Markm87]

I don't keep track but inspect each case as I start the process. (mm isn't that high in pressure so the stress is less. I have a few that the head stamp is almost gone. I have started throwing some away at the range and reusing some factory brass that was in my storage from covid.

Yep. No need to keep track of number of reloads for pistol. If the case splits, it's done.

For rifle, I can tell when the primer pocket is too loose. I shoot with guys who are too disorganized to track number of firings.

 

[MarkCO]

Question for everyone who reloads their own ammo. What is the cost difference between reloading your own ammo and buying off the shelf? I understand the reasoning behind why you reload your own ammo and I am considering getting into it.

It varies, shotgun, hardly worth the effort to save 15 to -15%. Handgun I save from about 15 to 70%. Rifle from 35 to 85%.

 

[MarkCO]

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

Well over 1M rounds, I don't calculate my amortization anymore.

 

[fredj338]

**** idk, I’m just commenting on it like you are.

Understand, just thought the mod should move it.

 

[LDB]

You're looking at $1387 dollars for one round. After that first round you bought all the expensive kit to make you are looking at probably 20c and up per round depending on caliber etc. I just bought .32H&R brass, 32c each. I figure on 8 loadings each so 4c each cost. I'll be loading mild to moderate so I might get 10 loadings each for 3c each. I bought Magtech primers, 3.5c each. TiteGroup powder, 2800 loads per pound with my recipe, 1.25c each and 100gr plated round shoulder flat nose Berry's bullets 12c. So 12+1.25+4+3.5 is 20.75c per round. The least expensive 100gr. .32H&R are about a dollar each. So after my first $573 round I'll be at 21c and save at least 75c per round. YMWV

 

[Glockside]

Cost savings will depend on the cartridge, how much you shoot, and how you value your time. There are reasons other than cost to consider handloading as well. Certain cartridges are difficult to find, or you may have special heirloom firearms that are antique or delicate and want lower power charges to be more gentle on the gun for example. Generally speaking there is a significant investment in getting the equipment needed so you'll need to factor that into your math to determine if the "return on your investment" is worth it. The cost of equipment also varies depending on what you are trying to do. A progressive press set up to pump out thousands of rounds of 9mm in bulk is going to be a lot more expensive than a simple single stage press. If you are curious about it I suggest finding a friend who already does it and have them show you the ropes and let you get your hands on the equipment to see if it's a good fit for what you want. You can also get your feet wet by starting with a cheap Lee hand press like Amazon.com : Lee Precision 90685 Cast Iron Reloading Hand Press Only (Red) : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors or even the $30 Lee Loader kit that you tap together with a hammer. I would start with a handgun caliber to learn as handgun cartridges are simpler to load. Make sure you get a quality manual as the very first thing on your shopping list, followed by a good set of calipers.

 

[Glockside]

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

Thanks,

Michael

On a single stage press you are looking at probably an hour. Maybe more if you are new to reloading and it takes you a while to get your dies and seating depths dialed just right. And that's assuming you started with clean fresh brass, add another hour for cleaning if needed. But you wouldn't do such a small quantity at a time on a single stage generally because of the time it takes to set up the dies after swapping them. I use a single stage and like to work in batches. I'll size a couple thousand or so, not in the same sitting obviously but maybe over a few weeks. Then rotate those sized brass to a bucket ready for the next stage. Then I'll swap the die to the case mouth flare and do that until I finish the batch. Then swap to the seating die and get it set up to the proper COAL for the projectile I'm using. So I might load just 50 rounds in a sitting but that's because I already did the hours of work prepping a couple thousand cases to get to that point without having to swap the dies around. Reloading is not something you want to rush through, especially critical steps like powder charging and bullet seating. If you want to do large amounts of pistol rounds they make better solutions like progressive presses for that but they can be finicky to set up and dial in just right and take time. I would recommend learning the process and stages of reloading on a single stage press. It's cheaper to get started and will teach you the fundamentals of what is going on and troubleshooting will be easier when you make mistakes. You'll also never outgrow the single stage press and always have a use for it somehow. Either as a primer pocket swager or just to work a few cases in different calibers from your progressive that you already set up.

 

[norton]

The only rifle brass I've had that split at the neck after just a few loads is .17 Remington.
Nickel pistol cases do split. Brass pistol, you will probably lose before it cracks.

 

[Markm87]

Well over 1M rounds, I don't calculate my amortization anymore.

Same here. My equipment paid for itself over 20 years ago. I'd have to buy a separate building to put my investment upside down.

 

[nerr]

Discussed a lot both here and other forums. FWIW: my take:

• Unless you have a less-used caliber, cost difference is minimal even if you buy in bulk
• The more rounds you shoot, the more you will save
• When commercial ammo supply gets tight, you can have components stored to make your own ammo, choosing how much and what loads you want.
• You will probably be recycling brass if you care about cost. Good for you and good for environment.
• A real benefit of reloading is getting a load that your gun shoots best.

If you consider it a hobby and/or constant learning experience, the money and time you spend on reloading will be worth it regardless of any cost. Any savings or other benefits you might get will just be gravy.

 

[DannyB]

The only brass i track is my precision rifle. I have 45acp brass that has been loaded maybe 20x, headstamp is barely readable. Revolver brass loaded off max will last about that. Rifle brass can vary quite a bot depending on how you size cases, neck v full v partial, but 10x is pretty reasonable. I get all my 9mm from the range, most of my 223 as well. You load it until it cracks.

"maybe 20x, headstamp is barely readable." Dayuum... .... And I thought I took it to the max.

I have always thought people overthink way too aspects of reloading. When I gather brass at my little rural club range it is all mixed. I may be getting the LEO's freebee training brass + my reloads + "John Doe's" reloaded brass, etc. It all goes into the brass cleaner together. When I pick it up to place it on the Dillon I will see or feel a crack. The bottom line is even if I let a cracked one get by the gun's chamber is holding it all together anyway.

A buddy of mine and I used to laugh about our skeet loads, saying that we have to use over & under shotguns or we would have primers falling inside an automatic from shells being loaded so many times.

 

[Markm87]

A buddy of mine and I used to laugh about our skeet loads, saying that we have to use over & under shotguns or we would have primers falling inside an automatic from shells being loaded so many times.

I have that with bolt gun ammo. I've had to super glue primers into the pockets to get the last firing of some 300 WM brass many times.

 

[9x45]

Well over 1M rounds, I don't calculate my amortization anymore.

Same for me, a little over 1.6 million. I was just trying to make a point about the initial cost of reloading equipment falling off quickly

 

[Planter21]

It's not about money, because money is a matter of degree. Both factory and reloaded ammo still cost you money. Does shooting a 15 cent round make you happier than shooting a 25 cent round?

I don't find shooting factory ammo near as enjoyable as shooting stuff I made. I like making boolits.

 

[Markm87]

That's it right there. The biggest factor is LIKING reloading. I'd only stop if it was a money losing deal.

 

[Fx777]

simple math with explanation
U can calculate your costs

Google Search

 

[fredj338]

Cost savings will depend on the cartridge, how much you shoot, and how you value your time. There are reasons other than cost to consider handloading as well. Certain cartridges are difficult to find, or you may have special heirloom firearms that are antique or delicate and want lower power charges to be more gentle on the gun for example. Generally speaking there is a significant investment in getting the equipment needed so you'll need to factor that into your math to determine if the "return on your investment" is worth it. The cost of equipment also varies depending on what you are trying to do. A progressive press set up to pump out thousands of rounds of 9mm in bulk is going to be a lot more expensive than a simple single stage press. If you are curious about it I suggest finding a friend who already does it and have them show you the ropes and let you get your hands on the equipment to see if it's a good fit for what you want. You can also get your feet wet by starting with a cheap Lee hand press like Amazon.com : Lee Precision 90685 Cast Iron Reloading Hand Press Only (Red) : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors or even the $30 Lee Loader kit that you tap together with a hammer. I would start with a handgun caliber to learn as handgun cartridges are simpler to load. Make sure you get a quality manual as the very first thing on your shopping list, followed by a good set of calipers.

Fastest way to turn a shooter off reloading imo is a time consuming process like the hand press. Even a ss press for handgun is daunting, lots of handle pulls & hand movements. Your best bet is take a class, gets some hands on & learn the process. If all i wanted was to load a few antique or wildcat rds, sure ss press or turret is a good economical tool. If i want to shoot 500rds a month of handgun, then jump right to a good, not lee, progressive.
Time v money, but what a progressive does is reduce your work load, one pull, one loaded rd. With anything else, its 3-4 pulls for each round, 1500-2000 pulls for 500rds a month v 504 pulls. 500rds on a ss press if you are very organized is about 6hrs & lots of hand work. On a good progressive, its 504 pulls & about an easy hour.

 

[Deaf Smith]

If you pay retail, and I don't, you will save some but not a heck of a lot.

If, on the other hand, you go to hibid.com and bid for reloading equipment, primers, bullets, cases, etc.. all round the country, YOU WILL MAKE OUT LIKE A BANDIT.

Just FYI folks.. I try to never buy retail. I even got a Dillion Square Deal B 'FREE' off hibid (got a bunch of stuff for $70.. I saw in the tub a SQB blue arm sticking out.. yep.. and in 9mm to boot.) Sold off a bunch of the stuff cheap to friends and got the press FREE.

Yep that is the free SQB sitting there on the left. And I get those Lyman 55s real cheep off hibid. And case trimmer and electronic powder measure!! And at Pawn shops I find presses.. You see that black one to the far right... that is a very expensive press I got in Arkansas while vacationing there.. I went to a pawn shop!! It is a Harrells Compact press! And got that Lee press at a Estate Sale!! Oh and that old three hole Lee you see there... had that for almost 40 years.. notice the three hole turrets behind the Lyman 55s... I have at least NINE of them with everything from .380 to .44 magnum and .45 ACP. Ready to swap in just a minute and load a different round.