First, let me differentiate here. Reloading consists of replacing the primer, powder and bullet in a cartridge case after it has been fired. Essentially, reloading involves the same tasks as reloading a muzzleloader you just fired. The only difference is that you are putting the power, new cap, and bullet into a cartridge case instead of into the barrel of your gun! On the other hand,if you have the equipment, you can buy brass, powder, primers and bullets and assemble custom-made cartridges. This is calledhandloading. Slightly different, as you produce a NEW round of ammo this way.

If you fire a round of factory ammo, then toss out the empty case, you are throwing awayabout 75% of the purchase priceof that round of ammo, regardless of how much it cost in the first place. To me, that is just too much of my initial investment to throw away. So I reload. How much it costs to do this depends on how much you spend on powder, primers and bullets. There are sources of military surplus, salvaged powders that are pretty inexpensive even today. For load development and target practice, you can also buy relatively inexpensive bullets as well. (For example, in almost every cartridge I reload, I found that I could use a Sierra bullet of a given weight, then switch to the same weight Nosler Partition. Usually,performance is generally close to identical, and the Nosler bullets, for hunting only, cost twice as much as the Sierras!!)

Another advantage is that using your loading tools, you can produce ammunition with features that you cannot buy already loaded. You can use bullets and powders to obtain ballistics and accuracy performance for which NO factory load exists. In additon, you may have, or may acquire, guns for which no factory ammo exists at all. If you are daring and resourceful, like the Lone Ranger, you can use your tools to make ammo for such critters. For example, I have an old German 8X60RS double rifle. I make ammo for it, as there is none still in production for it anywhere in the world, not even in Deutschland. When I see a gun I like, the fact that it is chambered for some oddball cartridge that is not available anywheredoes not concern me at all. Because it is mostprobable that I can whip up some cartridges that I can use in it. Using George Nonte's Home Guide of Cartridge Conversions or Cartridges of the World, I get the critical dimenstions and loading information so I can figure out what brass I need for modification, the powder and bullet specs, & which of my extensive collection of tools will let me make the stuff! (I will not keep any gun I cannot shoot! I am a shooter, NOT a collector!!)

I guess I really enjoy reloading and making special ammunition. It is, however, something you need to enjoy -or it can become just tiresome work. If you would not enjoy being able to do these things, just buy your ammo.