Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

I am always wondring :is reloading your bulets really cheaper OR what is the &quot;braking point &quot;that your bulets are costing say &quot;1/3&quot; of store price.<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

Toons

Safty Is # 1

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

By the time you buy all the gear you have to shoot several hundred rounds a year to actually save money.The biggest advantage is that you can develop a load that is most accurate in your gun.

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

Reloading cost to get set up but once you get set up it more than pays for itself especially if you shoot alot. Like already mentioned accuracy is one big reason some people reload. I personally do alot of shooting both rifles and pistols along with my son and brothers so i know for a fact that we save money on ammo as well as have a great time reloading and working up different loads for our guns. Reloading is just plain fun. I'll admit reloading can try one's patience at times but it's a great hobby.

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

[You don't save like you used too many years ago but if you shoot all year you can save quite a bit.If you are just going to shoot a day before the season you would be better off to just buy a box

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...ght&encore.jpg

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

I don't know if it's cheaper, but it sure is alot more fun <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Seriously stubblejumper is right on and I think it's nice to know that I reloaded the shell that put down my deer, etc.

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

Toon,

Unless you're only loading for 1 caliber and if you hit paydirt with your 1st can of powder & 1st box of bullets..........you won't be saving money anytime soon. Realistically, it will probably take at least 1000 rds for you to recover the initial cost for tools & load development components.

However, it is a great hobby........you will shoot more for the same price........you will end up being a better shooter (and thinker)....and you will really appreciate every &quot;X&quot; and every animal that you put a hole through.

If you got the time and the money......GO FOR IT!! :D


&quot;Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat&quot; (Gen 9:3)

Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

I started handloading for a hobbie, and to save money on ammo. I now handload for hobbie, accuracy, and to save money on ammo. Once you really get into handloading, you will produce more accurate ammo than any factory ammo available. I keep on reading by gun writers say that factory ammo is as accurate as handloads, don't believe them they are just trying to endorse a product. Good luck with your new hobbie.

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RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

I think it also depends a lot on the retail cost vs. component cost of the caliber you're reloading for.

DG gave one example with the 7mm STW, and I've done a similar analysis with the two calibers I'm favoring for my next rifle, .308 Win and .300 Win Mag.

.308 Winchester

Lapua Brass $32.94 per 100
Powder $20/lb
Primers $16 per 1000
Bullets (A-Max 168 Moly) $19.09 per 100

Cost per shot:
Brass (reloaded 10 times)=$32.94/(100*10)=$0.033
Powder (7000 grains/lb / 45gr/shot= 155 shots/lb)=$20/155=$0.13
Primers ($16/1000)=$0.016
Bullets ($19.09/100)=$0.191

Total cost per shot: $0.42
Cost per box: $8.40
Box of Hornady Match Grade(w/o A-Max bullets): $19.49
Savings: $11.09 (56%) per box

.300 Win Mag

Winchester Brass: $14.24/50
Powder: $20/lb
Primers: $15/1000
Bullets (A-Max 178gr Moly): $19.58/100

Cost per shot:
Brass: $0.028/shot (10 reloads each)
Powder (7000gr/lb / aprox 76gr/shot= 92 shots/lb): $0.22
Primer: $0.015
Bullets: $0.196

Total cost per shot: $0.46
Cost per box: $9.20
Box of Hornady 180gr Heavy Mag ammo (not A-Max): $26.49
Savings: $17.29 (65%) /box

The equipment setup I want to get (I'd be just getting started), which includes the Rockchucker Master Kit, Redding dies, and the rest of the tools I'm figuring $350 initial investment.

To break even I'd have to reload about 31 boxes of .308 Win, or about 20 boxes of .300 Win Mag, but I'd have the luxury of combining exactly the components I want and finding the perfect load for my rifle. Factory ammo is manufactured to shoot well in and meet the needs of the widest variety of rifle and shooters. It's impossible to put a price on being able to make ammo that precisely meets one's needs.

Mike


Gun control means putting the second bullet through the same hole as the first- Ted Nugent
NRA Member
&quot;They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.&quot; -Ben Franklin

RE: Is reloading really Cheaper?
 

I fire several thousand rounds per year.

I started reloading.

I did not save one penny... because I started shooting twice as much!!

~Happiness is flying brass! -Country Boy