For a while I’ve been wanting to get into reloading; I read the stickies here, and I enjoy browsing the reloading sub forums.
I was about to make the jump into getting a setup and components a little over a couple weeks ago. Then a wave of stupidity came out of nowhere, but I don’t want to turn this into a thread about that; I think we all know what I mean.
So now the question I have is this: is reloading really practical for someone to start today? I get that a lot of people have large stashes of components saved up, and I see that certain things like powder aren’t the easiest to come by.
My main reason to get into reloading would be to save costs on ammo. I’d be reloading .223/5.56 and 9 mm. .357 magnum and maybe .45 Auto would be possibilities in the future.
I see conflicting comments saying reloading is more for the “hobby” aspect these days vs saving ammo costs, but then there’s always the occasional “I can get that for 22 cpr reloading vs buying it for 35 cpr” every now and then.
I have enough money for a decent reloading set up right now. At the same time I can use that on quite a bit of factory ammo instead right now. Either way I just don’t want to be left with no ammo during the next shortage.
As of now I have just under 3k of .223 and a few thousand of 9 mm. So I have something, but it’s not a comfortable amount in my opinion.
I shoot about 5-8K of 9mm a year. I load it for about .10/rnd. Makes sense for me.
.223 is next. I will start that in a few months. I only shoot about 3-5K .223 per year but I’d like to load some hunting rounds and range ammo. Range ammo will be at about .18 per of 55 ball. Not a huge savings TODAY, but if ammo prices go up or I start shooting more it will be very worth it. Both of those are likely IMO.
For me the key to reloading savings has been buying bulk components when prices are cheap. I have years worth of components on hand. 1. It’s cheaper 2. I don’t sweat ammo scares - I shoot my normal amount and then load up on components once the scare is over.
Lastly, while I don’t mind reloading and I do find it interesting, I certainly don’t enjoy pulling the handle for hours. Keep that in mind. If you are time limited or think you’ll hate it just buy ammo in bulk.
If just saving money is your only reason I think not. You would get tired of the reloading process and your equipment would sit unused.
If you want better quality ammo than you can buy, if finding the absolutely most accurate bullet/powder combo for your rifle interest you, If you just want the ability to create your own ammo then yes
I kicked the idea of reloading around for a while, but realized I’d never save money. I simply don’t shoot enough to save money, mainly due to lack of time with job + family, which also means less time for reloading. Availability of components seems subject to the same frustrating lunacy as the factory ammo market. I even have a good friend who quit reloading because he wasn’t saving any money, despite shooting every weekend. Reloading does look interesting, but only as more of a hobby and time investment, not an economic or material boost.
Just started reloading recently. Of course this was in due partly due to the fact that I picked up a single stage RCBS rock chucker for $50 plus full sets of carbide dies for 9mm, .45, and .38/,357 for $10 a set, and a set of 30-06 for $10 as well. Need dies for .308, 5.56, and a couple other calibers. I also picked up a progressive MEC shotshell reloader for $25, which I have been using since I run a lot of 12 gauge at clays with the old man. Is it worth it? Well, if you shop around, are shrewd in what you buy, and patient, yes I think you can save a few bucks on ammo, over time, because lets be honest start up is a bitch, but if you don’t shoot enough to justify it then it may just not be worth the time or effort. I like tinkering, reloading is in someways a cheap way for me to screw with shit, better than building another AR, and lets me justify putting more rounds down range. I also have a number of calibers, more than I really need, but it is what it is.
Now, all that said, do I think now is a bad time to get into reloading? No, not compared to two years ago, and if you are willing to put in the time and do shoot enough that a few bucks a hundred rounds can add up then I say go for it.
This is only my experience, so yours may vary; just another data point to consider. I got into reloading to save money, that was the only consideration. I’m still a student, so money is a little tight, and every little bit helps when the savings may be the difference between being able to take a class this year or or not. I will be getting primers for $22/1000 online (by buying in bulk). I have a supply of cases, so I consider those are free. I load 9mm 124 grain bullets with 4 grains of titegroup (1750 rounds loaded per pound), which is just over 1 cent per pound. Finally the bullets can be had for 6-8 cents each depending on where you look (black bullets, xtreme, berry’s etc.). I have a local guy who is coating lead bullets with hi-tek and charging $50/1000 if I buy in bulk. I would think it’s pretty hard to find loaded 9mm ammo for less than $9/box of 50, which I am loading for way less. .05/bullet, .02/primer and .01/powder throw is 1000 rounds for 80 bucks or $4 s box. You are going to save even more with .38 and .357, as long as you can get cases, because factory ammo for those are usually more than 9mm, but cost about the same to load. Rifle ammo is a little different for me. Comparing my 55 grain FMJ reload price to steel cased wolf, it’s about a wash as far as price.
I have come to enjoy just sitting down and loading for an hour or so, it’s relaxing and a chance to think about something else besides work or school for a bit. If you ever have any questions, I’ve found reloaders are generally some of the most helpful people you will meet. I’ve had older guys who have been loading longer than i’ve been alive spend copious amounts of time helping me figure things out when I was getting started.
The idea of creating and testing loads does interest me, so I might get into reloading eventually. I’m just not in a hurry, and I don’t want to do it in the middle of yet another market panic.
I reload with my father, so the hobby aspect certainly plays a role for us.
Our CPR doesn’t really beat bulk 5.56 prices, certainly not el cheapo Eastern Block steel case. But our 55gr FMJ range fodder is far more consistent as each charge is weighed on the RCBS Chargemaster.
We do save money on the more expensive rounds. I can load 50 rounds of 70gr TSX bullets for hunting for little more than the cost of 20 factory rounds of the same. Plus I can dial the charge to really perform out of my barrel.
I think one of the most important practical benefits is being able to weather shortages and panic buys. Stack the components deep and when shelves go dry, I’m still shooting and not touching my factory stash.
Getting into reloading only makes sense if you’ll enjoy reloading. If you just want to save money, you’re better off just shopping smart for common calibers like 9mm and .223.
I dig reloading, I’d do it even if it cost me the same as buying factory ammo because I control the quality of my rounds this way.
When you start loading match ammo, you really start to see the savings since any kind of match ammo is $1+ a pop. I can load them for less than half that. Plus you control the quality and can find a sweet load that really shines in your rifle. I honestly think my match grade loads are held to a much higher quality standard than anything you can buy. And I’m sure most will agree about their loads as well.
As for bulk ammo, it gets really tiring on a single stage. Load 50 or so at a time and it’s not bad. I still do it because there are definite savings involved. But 90% of my loading and shooting is match grade stuff, so the savings really add up.
Components that work well can be found fairly easily, you just have to look around and possibly wait a few weeks. I really don’t have any problems finding 223 powder or SR primers these days. If you want a specific powder, you might not be so lucky, but a powder that will work well is not hard to find at all. Bullets might be a little more tricky to find at times like these though.
I just got into it about 3 months ago,i can load damn near 100 6mm remington for the price of one box of 20,and i can pick the weight of the bullets. As far as 9mm i load for two and the difference is i get great ammo for 9 or 10 bucks a box verses the American eagle i can buy for $12 a box or so that isnt even hot enough to seal the chamber properly.
Ive spent probably $1700 or so on all the stuff and now have everything i need to load thousands of rounds. You have too figure in the price of equipment, powder, bullets , primers and brass etc. It adds up but once you have it , you have it and it should last you a long long time. I was beginning to think i was going a bit over board,and probably did, but now that ammo seems to be disappearing again it makes it worth it, iam set up to load 9mm,.45,.223/5.56, and 6mm remington.
Plus you can always still buy factory ammo to shoot and you can reload the brass and shoot it again. It will take a bit to learn how to do it,but with this place,books and you tube it makes the learning pretty easy really. Its not that hard just precise, since i am used to building engines and spending time doing precision stuff it doesnt bother me i bought a small tv thats wifi ready so i just sit there and mess with whatever and watch netflix for hours in my back room. You can make it fun and very peaceful.
With the elections comeing and .223 ammo flying off the shelves iam glad i did it. If you ever start up you will see just how crappy that cheap ammo really is and you will learn alot of different things you probably didnt know and thought you did all these years, I did.
Also for you guys that dont have netflix and like to watch tv and movies ,get it, its awsome 8.99 a month and watch whatever you want basically when ever you want.i love it. In the middle of watching Magnum PI one episode after another and no damn advertisements. TOTALLY worth it. I only wish i would have gotten it years ago,so nice calling Direct TV and dropping my 100 a month down to basic, sorry to get off topic.
Thank you everyone to all the replies; all of the posts were great to read.
While saving on ammo costs is certainly a plus, I guess I forgot to mention that to me just having access to ammo at all times is the most important. Even if it means paying just as much as or a little more than factory ammo.
I do get some down time at different points in the year like Winter etc. and I can always find a few hours in the weekend. Time isn’t an issue, as I enjoy doing maintenance checks or cleaning my guns; it’s relaxing, and I’ve always had an interest in different ammo performance.
A question I have is: have powders always been this scarce? I mean I know pre-Obama/Sandy Hook things were better all around, but is there currently another craze that just developed on reloading components due to the whole M855 BS? Or has it been like .22 LR where it’s just been constantly scarce?
Also, around about what would you say is a fair price for 8 lbs of H335 or H110? I’m seeing close to ~$180 at most places and sold out. Is this normal, or just a sudden spike in price? For ex. I’m seeing XM855 for ~55 CPR which is just stupid.
Thanks very much again
Off Topic: Netflix is good, but their selection just keeps shrinking. Check out the foreign films though; there’s lots of really good movies that aren’t in English, but I’d say they’re better than most American films I’ve seen.
Both of my local powder retailers are selling 8lb of any powder @ $200+. No hazmat fees though, so take it as you will. Some online shops are charging $200+ with hazmat fees on top… that’s just insane.
I just bought 8lbs of H110 from Powder Valley at <$150. They didn’t post a new shipment on Facebook like they normally do, so out of pure luck, I have some on the way. And I feel like I got a fair price on it too. I’ve seen kegs of H110 in stock 2-3 times in the last month, so it is coming back around. You just have to keep your eyes open and subscribe to email and Facebook alerts. Better be quick though, they sell out in minutes.
To me, “fair prices” are what Widener’s and Powder Valley are selling powder for. They didn’t raise their prices much after Sandy Hook. Widener’s seems to be more reliable to have powders in stock and Powder Valley is the most popular supplier in the nation, so it can be hard to find through them. Sometimes you get lucky though…
It seems that powder is getting slightly easier to find (slightly…).
Here is an interview done by the Powerfactor Show guys with Chris Hodgdon from Hodgdon Powder about powder supply about 7 months ago. It is a long interview, basically about how the demand for powder is so high that manufacturers cannot keep up with demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jphEvE3IXkw
Powder Valley has H110 listed at $142.50 for 8lb jugs and $165 for H335 (both out of stock atm)
Look for local places,theres a guy down the road from me that has tons of powder. Then thers no doubt if it there just walk in and look,thats how i get mine,i dont buy 8 pounds at a time i just buy it when i find it for a reasonable price,it cost more but not when you figure in hazmat and shipping.
