Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

I recently got into reloading and have some buddies who would like me to reload some .45 auto for them. I didn't mind a bit because this stuff is fun (thanks for talking me into it). I was going through midway and calculating how much it would cost to buy all the parts and start from scratch. Here is what i came up with.

Winchester brass (1000) $174.99
Winchester bullets (1000) $133.99
Winchester powder (1lb) $15.13
Federal primers (1000) $26.99
TOTAL$351.10 per 1000 rounds (230gr FMJ)

I can buy these same bullets at wal-mart for $29.00 / 100 rnds
So thats 35cents per round for the reloads vs. 29cents per round factory
I know i will save 17 cents per round if I already have the brass but I don't. So am I missing something or just need to buy factory winchester loads and save the brass? One guys gun loves the factory loads, and that is why i am loading them to factory specs, thanks for the help.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

There's where you are paying too much. If you are just loading 230gr rn loads, $13/100 is way too much to pay. There's nothing special about 230gr RN bullets. If you are shooting a 1911,you might also try 200gr SWCs (especially lead if you want to shoot those), they shoot best out of my springfield loaded 1911.

Try these: http://www.berrysmfg.com/56.php

If you can shoot lead bullets out of you rgun try these: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...amp;t=11082005

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

That's another good route to go. Winchester can charge a lot less for loaded rounds than the individual components because they load billions of rounds and can set whatever price they want on the components.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

thanks alot briman

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

Are you planning on throwing your reloaded brass away after the first firing? If not then your calculations are way off.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

You can cut your cost considerably shooting cast bullets. That's about all I shoot in my .45 and if you get a can of bullseye or red dot, they use so little powder that a pound will last forever. It's a HOT powder and you best be careful with it. My own best .45 powder is Unique........6 1/2 grs under a 230 gr RN cast bullet.

Also keep in mind that for certain cartridges, usually military ammo, it IS possible to find commercially loaded ammo cheaper than you can load it and for the reasons Birman has mentioned. They load the stuff by the train loads and can sell it cheap. But for most ammo, it will never touch your reloaded cost...and reusing the brass (which is LAW #! for a reloader) will drastically lower your cost.

Instead of buying new brass for .45, check Midway and others for once fired brass. Learn to keep your eyes open when you go to a shooting range and latch onto the brass others aren't smart enough to pick up. It takes a little time but eventually you'll have all you want. And another thought, people who ask me to reload for them, usually the first thing I tell them is "Bring me YOUR empties."

Finally, be careful about loading for others. If they have any sort of "problem," guess who they will blame or try to sue.[:-]

I only load for VERY close friends. Resist the temptation to be a "nice guy." Very quickly they will waste more of your time than they are worth and you'll get the blame for every miss or whatever they have forever.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

you will not need a thousand rounds at one time right? why buy a thousand brass?buy 200 brass and do what reloading is intended for. . . .reload

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

There are two reasons to reload. One is to reduce the cost of ammunition and the other is to improve balistics. This of course dosn't account for the fact that it is just plain fun!

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

In theory you're right, SC. But the reality, as we all know, is getting into reloading is like wading into quick sand. You just get sucked in deeper and deeper. But the good news like you say...you can build better ammo and it's a mighty fun and interesting hobby. Lot more satisfying to take your next deer with something you put together all by yourself.:)

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

thanks alot guys, you are all a great help to the newbies

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

I enjoy reloading as much or more than just about anybody out there. But there are a few cartridges that it just does not make a lot of sense to reload, because of the cost of cheap ammo. And the fact that plinking ammo does not have to be top notch stuff. If your concern is strictly competitive target shooting or hunting then I would reload for the 45 Auto. But if your goal is just fun shooting then just buy your ammo by the case, and sell the brass when you are done. It will be just as cheap as reloading, without the extra work. Unless you cast your own bullets.

I do cast my own bullets, but I enjoy shooting so much, and I shoot so much of the cheap ammo, that I just go the cheap ammo route. However I do cast for my 44 Magnum's. But I hunt with these pistols, and accuracy is paramount.

I buy factory ammo for my 9mm's, 38 special, 40 S&W(buying one right now), 45 Auto, and 223 Remington. It is hard to beat the factory stuff in these cartridges. And as said above if you sell the brass when you are done, then the price is comparable. Tom.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

yep, reloading 9mm has never been cost effective for me, I reload .45 with my own cast bullets which is hte only thing that makes it cost effective. I usually cound on losing 1/4 to 1/3 of my brass every firing as most of my pistol shooting is on grass IPSC courses of fire.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

When you toss out a once-fired case, you are throwing away 75% of the price of a loaded round of new ammo!!

When you buy EVERYTHING NEW, you are making CUSTOM AMMO, you are NOT RELOADING! Reloading is refilling already-fired cases!!

Where you are going wrong in your calculation here, (in addition to possibly paying too muchfor bullets, powder & primers!!) is charging the cost of new brass (Winchester brass (1000) $174.99) to the RELOADING process.IF you are reloading, YOU ALREADY OWN THE BRASS!! Here, you are actually making ammunition from the component parts! That's different!!

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

Good point eldequello. I just picked up 200 pieces of once fired .308 Win brass for $20. I figured that I scored pretty good since the stuff goes for $25 for a bag of 100 around my area. Honestly, for getting started with a 45 auto I would just buy a few boxes of factory ammo and then reload that stuff once emptied. Buying 1000 rounds for $175 just doesnt seem very cost effective to me. You will have a hard time using that much ammo in a day anyways.

RE: Reloads higher than factory loads? What gives?
 

Midway usually sells once fired brass cheap. Its a seasonal offering, meaning they generally have it in the summer. I try to pick up some every year to replace those lost at the range. If You're buying new unfired brass it is expensive.