dnot; you bring up a very good point that many seem to forget. There are definitely some people that NEED the accuracy that only reloading can provide. (Assuming they do the work and find the perfect bullet/powder/load for their particular rifle). There’s also some who simply enjoy the hobby of reloading. But there are some people that simply want to plink. And they only plink a couple hundred rounds here and there. For them; if their rifle eats steel case ammo OK; are much better off simply buying inexpensive russian steel case ammo for plinking.
Then, there are people like me, who as they’ve gotten older, have realized that TIME is more important to me than MONEY. Many of us, as we get older, have a lot more money than when we were younger; but a lot less time to do everything we want to do. Some will argue that they only spend a couple hours a week reloading. Well; for some of us, a couple hours a week is too much time. Except for my soft points, I usually buy FMJ steel case .223 ammo for $3.59-$4.00 (Tax, shipping, etc… included). Reloading for less than $0.20 is difficult to do. (You have to average reloading 5 times then might need new brass). Some people get free brass from police ranges. That’s cool. But for some of us, the small amount I save in reloading, is not worth my time. Not even for just 2 hours a week.
But again; for the hobbiest and/or competition shooter, they aren’t just reloading to save money. They’re also reloading for a purpose or for the enjoyment. You can’t put a price on that. That’s definitely cool. I use to reload about 7 different calibers of rifle and pistol. I now just reload my hunting rounds. 60-100 per year. 60 to re-sight in my rifle/scope and to have fun with. The remainder is for hunting. What I don’t shoot at an animal, I plink with during the year if I get bored. But for the marksman or hobbiest, reloading is great. Just not for everyone. For me, $179.50 for a case of 1000 55g FMJ steel case works perfectly fine.