RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Reloading is a whole other hobby that goes with shooting and it takes time... I'm thinking that "if" you start reloading just to "save money", you probably won't ever be good at it, and it will probably end up being a poor investment.

Maybe you should try it with a friend before you sink any money into it? At least that way you will see what's involved, and decide if it's for you...

DM

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Listen!When you toss out an empty cartridge case, you are throwing away 75% of the cost of that round of ammo! Today, that's big bucks out the window forever!!

To begin reloading you need ONLY three items of equipment-a set of dies for the caliber you will be loading; a powder scale; a reloading tool such as a single-stage press to screw the dies into. In addition, you need the components: a pound of powder, 100 primers, a box of bullets, and the empty cases; and one decent reloading manual, such as that published by Lyman.

That is all! Period! There are a very few other,"nice-to-have" items, such as a dial caliper,a case trimmer, and a case chamfering tool. BUT these are NOT INDISPENSABLE ITEMS, at least not to start with!

For example, I started out reloading .30/'06 ammo at age 14 (in ther dark ages) for my Remington Model 721 with nothing but a Lyman 310 tong tool, a set of 310-tool .30/'06 dies, and a Pacific powder scale that cost me about $15.00. I had empty cases, and I bought a pound of IMR 4895 and 100 primers from Hodgdon; 100 M2 ball GI bullets from the DCM. There is still NO NEED AT ALL to lay out $250.00-$500.00 to start up in handloading! Most of the stuff you need right away you can find on e-Bay, for 50% or less of what it would costretail. (I got a nearly newRCBS Rockchucker press off e-bay two years ago for $50.00!!)

You can start reloading with ONE set of dies for the caliber you shoot most, or that costs you the most for factory ammo, and add a set of dies for the others at one set per month, or as needed.

A chronograph is very nice to have,(whether you are a handloader of not!!) but I reloaded ammo for almost 30 years before they were afforable enough to buy one, and suffered not one whit from the lack thereof. There are plenty of handloaders that still lack a chronograph!!

IF you figure in the value of your TIME at whatever wage rate you earn, you'd be far better off working some overtime and buying your ammo factory-loaded. BUT your ammo will NEVER BE as good as the stuff I shoot! Plus, I can make mine exactly right for my needs & purposes. I love to load ammo & experiment! If you won't, then maybe handloading is not for you!!
Just to give you an idea of what costs can be kept down to.[/b]

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

To all you advanced reloaders... does it add to the cost savings to reload for the same calbers? I'm looking at adding a new rifle to the battery and my brother just gave me a Lee Anniversary kit which has most of the necessary items to start (I think I just need dies). In centerfire I have 30-30, 7.62X39, and 270 Win. My son shoots the 30-30 and the 270 is mine. 7.62 is for fun. I'd like to have another deer/elk cabable rifle. If I go 270 wsm and load both 270's with the same bullet (e.g., 140 accubond) does that add to the savings? Do most of you try to stay with a sigle caliber? Does it matter?

Thanks,

Spud

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Well, it certainly keeps you from having to buy more than one caliber of bullets!

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

I certainly don't look at reloading like it has to be cost effective. But then its a hobby unto itself. Among other things not considered cost effective -golf, tennis, skiing, boating, hunting, fishing.............etc.

If you shoot a couple of boxes of ammo a year it will be hard to justify. Just like if you buy a season ski pass and use it twice a year......cost per trip is very high. The more you used the pass the less expensive each trip becomes.

shoot more - save more

You will not make money handloading, you will shoot more at less cost per shot. Besides, it will keep you out of the bars and thats bound to be worth something.

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Right now I am looking at if from a straight cost savings. I'm assuming from what's been posted here that I can reload 100 rnds of 270 wsm with 140 grn accubonds cheaper than I can purchase them. Even if it's not cheaper I will probably still reload a little just because I think I should learn, but I don't anticipate it getting to the hobby level for a long time.

spud

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

I started loading one cal. about 25 or so years ago. Now I'm loading 8. Eldequello hit the nail on the head when he stated that,

"IF you figure in the value of your TIME at whatever wage rate you earn, you'd be far better off working some overtime and buying your ammo factory-loaded. BUT your ammo will NEVER BE as good as the stuff I shoot! Plus, I can make mine exactly right for my needs & purposes. I love to load ammo & experiment! If you won't, then maybe handloading is not for you!!"

Reloading is not just a hobby but an art. Time is never an issue. When the kids were babies, it was often started late and finished later. Thinking back reloading time can't be measured in hours, days, or weeks but in years. Trying to tweek a load, or trying a powder change, or bullet change, it is endless. Every gun will shoot just alittle different ( I've 3-.303's and each has their own load). But I love the experimenting. You may start for the hoped savings but one of 2 things will happen. You'll put your stuff up on ebay or you'll end up thinking decades from now how much more efficient you have become. Best of luck and you've come to a great place for information.

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Well, assuming you are reloading brass you already have, yes!! you can/will save money!! Just look at the cost of empty shells at Midway or Graf's. If you already own them, you only have to pay for new bullets, powder & primers.

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Thanks for the input. I'm going to do the math after I figure out what additionall tools and supplies I'll need.

Spud

RE: Is reloading cost effective?
 

Depending on powder charge, chambering, bullet type and my ability to find the best pricing my cost per shot ranges from a low of $.22 to about $.49 maybe more if I am using premium bullets of some type.
If you are buying any of the larger CF rounds as factory ammo you will be paying $1 to $1.50 minimum (don't know for sure cause I don't shoot them)
My reloading equipment dates back to the early 70s so its been paid for a little while tho. I have brass I saved that is 25 plus years old and any chance I get I buy bulk components.