To reload, or not to reload....
That is the question.
Recently, I haven't been able to shoot much, a few hundred rounds a year. I'm hoping that thats going to change now that I know someone who has his own shooting range and hes given me permission to use it whenever I'd like. Basically, now I'm at the point where I can shoot as much ammo as I can afford.
I've looked into reloading for my 9mm, .223, and my .308 but I haven't because the price of the kit has outweighed the benefits of cheaper ammo.
Now I'm about to get a 30-06, and the price of ammo for that sucker is [:0]. I plan on shooting it as much as I can, and that could equal $40-50 every time I take it to the range. How much can be saved by "rolling my own"?
To make things more interesting, the guy with the range is considering going in 50-50 with me on the cost of the setup.
Suggestions?
Recently, I haven't been able to shoot much, a few hundred rounds a year. I'm hoping that thats going to change now that I know someone who has his own shooting range and hes given me permission to use it whenever I'd like. Basically, now I'm at the point where I can shoot as much ammo as I can afford.
I've looked into reloading for my 9mm, .223, and my .308 but I haven't because the price of the kit has outweighed the benefits of cheaper ammo.
Now I'm about to get a 30-06, and the price of ammo for that sucker is [:0]. I plan on shooting it as much as I can, and that could equal $40-50 every time I take it to the range. How much can be saved by "rolling my own"?
To make things more interesting, the guy with the range is considering going in 50-50 with me on the cost of the setup.
Suggestions?
0
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http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
here is a reloading cost calculator, there are better ones available, i have another at the home on the MAC that i can send you.
with it you can compare the cost of store bought factory ammo to your reloads. and see how long it will take to recop your setup $$$..
Buy a dillion 550 kit, it will run you a little more $$ and take some time to setup for each cal but the amount of ammo that can be produced in a short amount of time will pay off in the long run.
on the side a 30-06 to me just doesn't seem like a cartridge that i would want to shot much. ecspecially if i already have a .308 which IMO is far superior to the 30-06.0 -
Thanks for the link!
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
on the side a 30-06 to me just doesn't seem like a cartridge that i would want to shot much. ecspecially if i already have a .308 which IMO is far superior to the 30-06.
You're going to stir up the hornet's nest if you keep saying things like that [;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
Thanks for the link!
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
on the side a 30-06 to me just doesn't seem like a cartridge that i would want to shot much. ecspecially if i already have a .308 which IMO is far superior to the 30-06.
You're going to stir up the hornet's nest if you keep saying things like that [;)]
Ya, well there is a reason the marines use .308 and not the 30-06 for their sniper rifles.[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
Ya, well there is a reason the marines use .308 and not the 30-06 for their sniper rifles.[;)]
The U.S. military uses the .308 round because the shorter action is much more preferable to the 30-06 in automatic weapons.
Its much more logistically sound for there to be as little variation as possible in supplied ammunition.
In terms of overall ballistics, the 30-06 is superior to the .308.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
Thanks for the link!
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
on the side a 30-06 to me just doesn't seem like a cartridge that i would want to shot much. ecspecially if i already have a .308 which IMO is far superior to the 30-06.
You're going to stir up the hornet's nest if you keep saying things like that [;)]
Surprised the hornet's aren't buzzing right now. I love my 30-06 garand and the only way I would go to a .308 is if US surplus ammo became available but I'm not holding my breath ! Then I would get a M1A.0 -
Reloading is the bears teets!!!!Basic beginners single stage kit $200, 1# of powder $20, 1 box of Laser Cst bullets $40, 1000 primers $20, free brass picked up at the range. Reloading is a win-win situation.
If you are frugal you can keep the cost way down. But I like the gadgets and gettin' as close to perfect as possible so I kinda blow my budget at times, but...to be able to go back in the man cave and punch out a couple hunert rounds in a few hours is great. Through scrounging and wheelin' dealin', I can probably make .38 spl's for less than a nickel a piece right now. .44 Mag is almost free and 30-06 is almost less than free. My 41 Mags are at around .08 c each right now. You can't buy ammo anywhere that cheap.0 -
i would be lead to believe whatever data you are looking at on line is old and outdated. has anyone seen the price of goods lately? all metals are up! it aint cheap anymore. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SCorvers
Reloading is the bears teets!!!!Basic beginners single stage kit $200, 1# of powder $20, 1 box of Laser Cst bullets $40, 1000 primers $20, free brass picked up at the range. Reloading is a win-win situation.
If you are frugal you can keep the cost way down. But I like the gadgets and gettin' as close to perfect as possible so I kinda blow my budget at times, but...to be able to go back in the man cave and punch out a couple hunert rounds in a few hours is great. Through scrounging and wheelin' dealin', I can probably make .38 spl's for less than a nickel a piece right now. .44 Mag is almost free and 30-06 is almost less than free. My 41 Mags are at around .08 c each right now. You can't buy ammo anywhere that cheap.
How in the world do you reload THAT cheap?
Yes, imo, you save money in the long run regardless of how much you shoot. The less you shoot, the longer it takes, but you will come out ahead. I reload a box of the Remington Core-lokts for 30-06 ($12-15 retail) for about $5.25. I can reload cheap surplus bullets for much less than that. Just an example. Keep in mind that is per 20 rounds...0 -
One key to reloading is buying in bulk.
With current pricing on .308 vs current pricing on components it is a huge savings. I don't figure in brass as part of the price if you have to buy that your reloading cost will be almost as much as new so I would buy new then reload the brass. Now with that said buying .308 runs about $0.50/rd, I can load (again using current pricing as I just ordered stuff) for $0.20/rd. That is a savings of $300 for 1000rds loaded. In the first 2k loaded you can buy some nice reloading equipment. On 9mm I only save about $50/k, while not as much it does add up if you shoot much.0 -
If your guy is willing to go halfers on it with you, I don't understand why you're even asking.
You can save a substantial amount by reloading, especially on rifle ammo. I was at my local gun/farm/ranch store the other day, and the humble little .30-30 was going for $20/box!!!!!!!!! And this was the Winchester run-of-the-mill stuff.[:0][:0][:0][:0][:0]
Whereas with reloading, the bullets we use for the 30 cost roughly 20 cents apiece, the primers about 3 cents and then the powder (haven't bothered figuring out.) Altogether, it's likely in the range of 35-40 cents/round, still a savings over even what ammo cost until recently.
With the bigger stuff, the savings will likely only increase.
As far as pistols go, the savings aren't as big, but it's still fun as hell produce your own if you ask me.0 -
Noooo... run as fast as you can. Stay away from that deadly sickness (reloading)![;)]
You won't save any money at all......... You will just shoot more. It's just a perceived savings. If you figure on spending $40-$50 at the range you will still spend that. You'll just shoot at least twice as much ammo.[^]
When you calculate cost remember divide your brass cost by at least 4-5.0 -
Thumb rules
The cheaper it is to purchase factory ammo, the longer it takes to achieve payback/the lower the "savings".
9mm Para is almost a break even ammo, 223 is a little better and 308 on up is a win win (esp when you figgure that you can load "premimum" grade ammo for 2/3 the cost of factory "cheap" ammmo).
Compairing to surplus is difficult, as the price on that is "clearance sale" or better.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
Thumb rules
The cheaper it is to purchase factory ammo, the longer it takes to achieve payback/the lower the "savings".
9mm Para is almost a break even ammo, 223 is a little better and 308 on up is a win win (esp when you figgure that you can load "premimum" grade ammo for 2/3 the cost of factory "cheap" ammmo).
Compairing to surplus is difficult, as the price on that is "clearance sale" or better.
Have you seen the prices of surplus .223 latley???!!!
A yr. ago i bought 2000 LC 62gr green tip, for $350 and i thought that was alot, at the time but compared to the $500 per 1000 it is now $350 was a steal.
Wolf has gotten exceedinly worse. I won't buy it now and the nato stuff prints poorly out of my rifle.
I can relaod 1000 55 gr SPS for 141 bucks 55gr FMJ's for $120. It is good ammo that, my rifle likes and it prints an 1" MOA or less @100yds on paper.
The more I buy the more I save, IMO bulk reloading is 10x more cost effiecent than reloading 50-100rounds at a time0 -
Odawgp,..........this is what I bought a bit ago, 1000 rounds.
http://www.natchezss.com/ammo.cfm?contentID=productDetail&ammoGroup=1&brand=ZY&prodID=ZYSBA55603
It was a tad cheaper then, but now is $312.00 for 1K, and it is good brass.
I am planning on getting a Dillon 550B myself soon!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Odawgp,..........this is what I bought a bit ago, 1000 rounds.
http://www.natchezss.com/ammo.cfm?contentID=productDetail&ammoGroup=1&brand=ZY&prodID=ZYSBA55603
It was a tad cheaper then, but now is $312.00 for 1K, and it is good brass.
I am planning on getting a Dillon 550B myself soon!
I can remeber just a yr ago that stuff was half that. save the brass and that 550b will pay off quickly.
do you have excel??? if so i can send you a reloading cost calculator that will show you the money you save compared to buying it already loaded.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Odawgp,..........this is what I bought a bit ago, 1000 rounds.
http://www.natchezss.com/ammo.cfm?contentID=productDetail&ammoGroup=1&brand=ZY&prodID=ZYSBA55603
It was a tad cheaper then, but now is $312.00 for 1K, and it is good brass.
I am planning on getting a Dillon 550B myself soon!
that is not bad, But I can remeber just a yr ago that stuff was half that. save the brass and that 550b will pay off quickly.
do you have excel??? if so i can send you a reloading cost calculator that will show you the money you save compared to buying it already loaded.0 -
Odawgp,.......yep, I have Excel, shoot me an e-mail when you get a chance.
Thanks!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Odawgp,.......yep, I have Excel, shoot me an e-mail when you get a chance.
Thanks!
DONE0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
Have you seen the prices of surplus .223 latley???!!!
Have you priced real (not pop gun) ammo lately? Found any bargens on 404Jefferys, 458Lott, 416Rigby, 500NE EVER?
Have you seen what the prices on lead, copper and brass have are lately?
Have you noticed what the price of fuel has done lately?
Have you noticed that there are more restrictions on importing ammo lately?
Do you think the stockpiles of surplus ammo are endless?
The retailers of surp ammo keep an eye on scrap metal pricing (they buy it for scrap value), and you can bet money that they would break it down for scrap if retail price was less than the scrap price.0 -
Odawgp,........not to hijack Racks thread, but since you already reload, where do you buy your components?
Do you get them local to avoid the HazMat shipping, or do you order online?
I got the excel files BTW,......thanks![8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
Have you seen the prices of surplus .223 latley???!!!
Have you priced real (not pop gun) ammo lately? Found any bargens on 404Jefferys, 458Lott, 416Rigby, 500NE EVER? NO
Have you seen what the prices on lead, copper and brass have are lately?Lead $40 a 25lb bag, Copper 55gr 223 bullets 77.00 per 1k, was $70 per 1k a month ago, I don't buy Brass i pick it up and/or save what i had already bought before prices went up.
Have you noticed what the price of fuel has done lately?Have to be blind not to
Have you noticed that there are more restrictions on importing ammo lately?Yup
Do you think the stockpiles of surplus ammo are endless?No, that is why the prices are up and that is why i reload .223 now
The retailers of surp ammo keep an eye on scrap metal pricing (they buy it for scrap value), and you can bet money that they would break it down for scrap if retail price was less than the scrap price. i can reload it for less at todays "surplus prices"0 -
[8D]-Well if it wasn't for reloading, I'd have to cut down my off-roading, if I had to buy ammo for these Weatherbys--
--
--Better than wholesale prices--
--[:p][:p]--JIMBO0 -
Sweeeeeeeet![:p]
Where do all of you "reloaders" get your components?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Sweeeeeeeet![:p]
Where do all of you "reloaders" get your components?
believe it or not but i get the best prices on Powder and primers from a guy that comes to a near by gun clubs sponsored gun show. local shops here are small and only sell 14oz'ers which works out to be $18 per lb. I buy it in 8lbs, and can save nearly $4 a lb.
Primers i buy by the 5k and can save easily $10 per 1k over sportmans or cabelas. last time i was in SW they wanted $35 1k 209 primers and where out of small rifle and almost everyother one as well.
Bullets i try to buy pulled 223 if i can find them if not cabelas sells 1k 55gr sps for $77 or 50gr Fmj for like $57 per 1000. that is really the only cal that i buy in bulk. then there is the shotshell reloading and the theory is the same there buy in bulk and use reclaimed shot and you can reload for $2 or less a box.
I have found you have to shop around and when you find a good price buy as much as you can afford at the time. My hunting rifles i don't buy in such bulk but still save $5 or so dollars per box of ammo and that just goes back into the componet budget. every little bit help'$.
I have a lead pot that i pick up the lead out of the backstops at the range and will start casting 40-45cal bullets. i have nearly ton of lead picked up.
Becareful this get addictive almost as much as the acctual shooting itself does.0 -
quote:Becareful this get addictive almost as much as the acctual shooting itself does
Oh believe me I know!
I used to reload years ago before I went into business, and didn't have the time anymore.
I really enjoyed it, even though I had a "cheapie" Lee progressive machine.
Never really had any issues with it in all fairness though.
I have been looking on Midway USA, and some of the .223 bullet prices, are INSANE!
Also brass,........cheapest is Winchester. Fortunately I don't need brass. I have another advantage in the fact I belong to a private range, and I can scrounge up tons of pistol calibers.
Not many reload out there it seems![8D]0 -
I load. I still find deals on factory ammo, and buy it when I can.
Dillon 550, RCBS Green Machine .45 ACP, RCBS Rock Chucker for loading my premium .270, Nosler Partition 130gn., hunting loads (the dies have not been re-adjusted in 20 or so years). I enjoy loading. You have to. Have a buddy that only trusts my loads, because he knows they are right. He wont even buy from custom loaders. To me, it is well worth it.0
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