Ridge Runner

only ammo I will buy is for my ccw piece, I bought out an inventory of a reloading shop in the mid 90's, I'm good, my long range specialty stuff is all I order, mil spec powder can be had cheap, as can primers at the right time if you order 10M at a time
RR

super_hunt54

Not quite a fortune but it sure seems like it sometimes. But it's one of my only vices. I don't drink or go out to bars, I don't spend anywhere NEAR what I used to fixing up old muscle cars and trucks so my surplus money goes into shooting and hunting/fishing. I keep telling the wife "I can't take it with me" and she is always saying "take it where, you will probably outlive us all since your too damn stubborn to die"

alleyyooper

Been so long since I bought any factory ammo I can't even come close to guessing the year.


I have even said screw the 22lr and 22mag stuff, got tired of spending time looking for it and found I can reload 22 hornet cheaper that works fine.


Searched for months for a used 22 hornet rifle too. I saw one but it sold before I got to the shop 22 miles away. Seems others are also going the 22 hornet for squirrels, loaded at 22 lr or 22 mag speeds.


I go to my loading room and turn the stereo on and go to work. Very relaxing and no one bothers me, was one of the rules.
I do most of mine in the winter during the nastiest weather we get. And that has to be real nasty like 30 Below with wind chills.


Al

TN Lone Wolf

Here are the numbers I came up with in regards to the cost of handloading the cartridges we use vs. buying comparable factory ammo. All prices are per round.

270 Wincester
Nosler factory load: $2.15
Handload components: $0.57
Savings per handloaded round: $1.58

300 Weatherby Magnum
Weatherby factory load: $4.25
Handload components: $0.72
Savings per handloaded round: $3.53

460 S&W Magnum
Federal factory load: $3.10
Handload components: $0.57
Savings per handloaded round: $2.53

243 Wincester
Hornady factory load: $1.20
Handload components: $0.46
Savings per handloaded round: $0.74

300 Winchester Magnum
Hornady factory load: $1.67
Handload components: $0.61
Savings per handloaded round: $1.06



I didn't factor in the cost of brass for two reasons. One, I use a lot of reclaimed brass from factory loads and two, brass can last for many firings, spreading out the cost over the number of times it is used in its lifetime. Since I don't know whether my brass will last for five reloads or five hundred, I felt it wise to leave it out.

Now, granted, I'm not comparing my handloads to the cheapest factory ammo out there. Even if I did, at about $1 per round being the cheapest I can find 243 and 270 bullets I'd still be seeing substantial savings. Not to toot my own horn, but my handloads are pretty good rounds, plus they're tailored to my guns, so I'd say they're comparable to premium factory bullets. And, let's be honest, it's easier to justify handloading when you show people how much you save compared to more expensive bullets.

TN Lone Wolf

One more thing. I didn't cover my 375 because I rarely shoot my handloads through it due to the bullets and powder for it being impossible to find, and on top of that my granddad gave me the few dozen boxes of factory ammo he had for it. It would probably be similar to the 460 in terms of factory costs vs. reloading costs.

super_hunt54

Bullets and powder being "impossible" to find? Just what bullets and powder are you trying to find? Several years ago I used to load .375 220gr Hornady's on top of H4350 for my buddies .375win Marlin. .375 bullets are not at all hard to find. And as far as powder, there isn't really some special blended powder out there for .375 H&H. MANY use H4350. Lotta folks use RL-15 for their H&H's. Some use 4064 (I personally don't like 4064). Powder and bullets are very easily found for the .375. Now, what you MAY be having a hard time finding is the lighter 220-240gr bullets. 260-300gr are pretty much the standard weights for the .375 H&H with some going to 400 grain specialty bullets. 220gr .375 are a specialty round that is near impossible to find nowadays. But the purpose of the .375 H&H is to deliver a very heavy bullet at a reasonable speed to get the most bone crushing performance possible to down dangerous game.

TN Lone Wolf

You said it, the .375 220 grain bullets were really difficult to find back when I was looking online for a box. I use them with A5744, which I haven't seen in a shelf since 2012, to create a reduced load that works well with the rifle's fixed position iron sights. I've still got enough of both, but I'd rather not use them any more than I have to. True, the 375 was designed for stopping big and dangerous game, but with this load I've got a downright pleasant shooting, open sighted deer rifle.

super_hunt54

250 grain GMX's from Hornady over a reduced load of H4350 would be a good combination. 4350 is just about the perfect powder for creating reduced loads. It's burn rate lends to a more forgiving pressure curve. Woodleigh has some 235 grain offerings I believe. Just checked Midway and they have some 235gr speed Hotcore for 19+ on backorder though. But they have the 250gr Sierra game kings in stock. I'd probably jump on those if I were you. SGK's tend to shoot well out of most H&H's from my experience and as long as you don't go lower than 60-65% of min charge you would be fine (that's 30-35% reduction). Still have a pretty hard hitting round out to 100-150 yards and not hard on the shoulder at all.

TN Lone Wolf

I actually want to try the GMX at some point, but if I use it, it'll be part a full power load. Maybe even with a higher magnification scope so I can shoot it at longer ranges.



Back on subject, I highly recommend reloading to every serious hunter and shooter.

bronko22000

yeah I can't believe the prices either. I'm glad I reload. The only thing I don't reload for is naturally my rimfires (.22LR and 17 HMR) or my .380. I use Critical Defense in that.