Considering reloading - worth it?

[StefanB]

TGIF ODT crew!
Looking to tap into your reloading experience.
My son just got back from college, and with a little push from my wife (“you need hobbies”), I’m planning to try some USPSA and maybe PRS matches.

When we hit the range, we usually run:

• 200–400 rounds of 9mm
• 100–150 rounds of 300 BLK or 5.56
• Some 6.5 Creedmoor for precision rifle

Given the round count and ammo costs, I’m seriously considering getting into reloading—both for the enjoyment and the potential cost savings.

I’ve had my eye on the Dillon XL750, especially the package deals that cover the calibers we shoot. I like the idea of a progressive press, but I’ve hesitated due to upfront costs.

For those of you who’ve been reloading a while:

• With today’s component prices, do you still find it cost-effective?
• Any setup tips or things you wish you’d known starting out?

Appreciate any guidance you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kaotiktribe]

Feel like I've evaluated this many times over the last few decades lol.

Unless you are looking to net a specific load for a specific rifle the average rounds to keep shooting don't make sense to me. Seems to almost be the same once all things are captured/acquired.

 

[BHPSteel]

You already know the calibers and the types you want to reload which is helpful. Your 9mm and 300BLK demands will be easy to meet.

I'm sure you've done some of the numbers - if you value your time at $0/hr, you can probably make 9mm for maybe 5 cpr less than commercial - IF - you become a real brass goblin and snap up primers and powder when you see good deals. The ammo you'll make will be pretty much indistinguishable from stuff like Blazer Brass in performance. 300BLK is the same kind of thing - savings at maybe 12 cpr for basic plinking ammo. If you shoot suppressed or want to build some specialized 300BLK ammo, then you can build that pretty easily and you can build loads that just aren't available commercially. It's fun if you're interested in ballistics and physics.

6.5 Creedmore is a bit different - when you're loading for precision, you're usually relying on weighing your powder rather than using a volumetric drop, You're working at higher tolerances and depending on JUST how precise you want to be, you'll probably want a much more precise scale, caliber gauges etc. You'll also need a different press, although single stage presses are like frying pans. Every house should have one. So your setup cost to support 6.5 will be higher, your component costs (particularly brass and bullets) will be higher. But given the cost of match ammo, your cpr savings will be higher.

The downsides?

The Dillon press - like all progressive presses - has to be set up for a production run. Setup can take quite a while compared to the time it takes to churn out 1000 rounds, especially while you're developing the skills and experience necessary to load a lot of safe, reliable ammo. So it pays to set it up, and build a LOT of a particular specification load. Unless you really like tinkering. That said, you can get a lot of satisfaction out of a couple of 50 cal ammo cans of 124gr 9mm just sitting there under the bench.

Precision loading - there's a lot to the topic. I load for a number of rifles that don't really qualify as PRS guns, but are accurate enough for me to want to build ammo that isn't the limiting factor on accuracy. And after a couple years, I've had my ups and downs when it comes to loading. There are so many variables, a fair amount of disinformation etc, that having a proven mentor seems like the best way to be successful. It's a long path - I'm enjoying it - but don't expect to be making stuff to compete with commercial match ammo for a while. You'll really need a non-progressive press, a much better-than-standard powder scale and a lot of other stuff for case prep.

Personally, I'd start with 9mm and 300BLK on the Dillon and see if it's really for you. Despite the fact that the Dillon is not a 'budget press', it'll do just about everything you'll need it to do and give you an idea whether you actually like reloading.

Lessons Learned?

In my early days, I had just a Hornady Lock'n'Load, which is a manual progressive press. It took a while to get the real benefits from it because I was unable to just load it up with powder and boolits and crank the stuff out because while I was developing the skill set, I was constantly evaluating things like primer and bullet seating, feed adjustments etc. to make sure everything was in-spec. It's not a bad thing to do until you develop a 'feel' for reloading, but it's another barrier to "I'll just go and crank out another 500 rounds before dinner, honey".

Don't look on reloading as a way to save money. Even if you value your time at $0/hr, you have to shoot a lot, and keep your head on a swivel for component deals for it to be able to compete with the big boys. It also pays to be able to be slow, methodical and analytical when it comes to reloading. Inattentiveness can become expensive and dangerous.

 

[Reloadhby]

Those calibers are some of the cheapest, atleast currently, if shooting different calibers coulld be, just those, you would be braking even counting your time.

 

[robchavous]

For 9mm I don't think it's nearly as cost effective as it was 10 years ago. It'll take a while to pay back the equipment costs. I think rifle still saves you some depending on volume.

You find sales and buy bulk 9mm for low .20ish /Rd.

I have a 1050 setup for 9 and I still find myself buying cases of Blazer Brass on sale.

 

[coach482]

Think of the cost of your press as a lease. If you decide no to continue to reload at some point, it is easy to sell and recoup most of your investment.

 

[MuleShoe]

I reload a bunch of calibers but 9 mm is way to cheap to buy to load!

 

[alexs2006]

#notworthit any more. It used to be when powder was $25 a pound and projectiles were cheap, and primers were $2.50/100. Now days those prices are looooonnnnngggggg gone. Die sets were $25 for RCBS and an RCBS press was $175 for the good un.

Not to mention the time it takes to do it and do it right.

 

[cire0309]

I’ve only been reloading since this past August so here’s an opinion from a relatively new guy.

I jumped on the 300 BLK bandwagon and I really didn’t want to buy commercial ammo for it so I figured I’d look into reloading. Snagged up a used Dillon 550B at a great price and it came with the 1500 case trimmer. Got a friend who’s got a nearly unlimited supply of 223 range pick-up brass so I went to town converting brass. I can load 220 gr Blue Spire Point subs at about 27 cents per round (projectile, powder & primer).

300 BLK prices are slowly coming down, but reloading is still worth it since I'm converting brass. For 9mm and 223/556, I buy factory loaded plinking ammo. I do load my own 9mm subs for my PCC because I can do that for less than buying 147 gr ammo which is sometimes borderline subsonic. Anything from the factory that's labeled "subsonic" will cost you extra even though they're actually reducing the powder charge, go figure.

I also load a lot of 38 & 357, you can definitely save on those rounds if you have the brass. Fortunately I've squirreled a bunch of revolver brass for both from my decades of shooting.

I think the biggest benefit to reloading thus far is the ability to customize my loads. I can have a 190 gr Sub-X doing 1060 FPS from my 10.3" SBR but load another batch for my Ruger American Ranch 16" to the same velocity.

It is a rabbit hole to go down if you enjoy that kind of stuff. I've learned a TON. It's definitely a hobby that will keep you busy.

 

[buellbrewer]

even if you break even (as BHPSteel said your time @$0.) Its a hobby! Beer brewing, fly tying, beekeeping and reloading should keep you occupied and mind off stupid crap. Something to enjoy, especially if you son wants to participate. I started reloading and casting for 45/70 BP in late 80's. Those rounds wasn't easy to find then. Still reload stuff I can buy for about the same price but as I said , its a good hobby to keep the sanity.