Thank you all for the thoughtful and quick responses! Very helpful and appreciated.
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Considering reloading - worth it?
- Thread starter StefanB
- Start date
I agree with most of what everyone here has said. Reloading is another part of the reloading hobby. For 9mm if you are looking to replicate factory loads making your own probably doesn't make financial sense, but it can be very rewarding.
I was able to buy a Dillon 550C from ODT at a great price and have been snagging reloading components from here to lower some of the costs, but even then 9mm is break even at best when I am able to buy 9mm Blazer Brass 124gr for $0.28 a round and reload it for $0.22 a round (but that is a $60 savings over 1,000 rounds which takes me about 3 hours to produce.)
But for .45 ACP the cost saving is significant, the cheapest .45 target rounds, which are terrible, cost me $0.35 a round while I can reload amazing semi-wadcutters for $0.22 a round. That's $130.00 per 1,000 for a round that is exactly what I want for Bullseye/Precision Pistol shooting.
There is a lot of satisfaction from developing a load for a round that does exactly what you want and sometimes that is worth a lot more than the cost of the components.
I was able to buy a Dillon 550C from ODT at a great price and have been snagging reloading components from here to lower some of the costs, but even then 9mm is break even at best when I am able to buy 9mm Blazer Brass 124gr for $0.28 a round and reload it for $0.22 a round (but that is a $60 savings over 1,000 rounds which takes me about 3 hours to produce.)
But for .45 ACP the cost saving is significant, the cheapest .45 target rounds, which are terrible, cost me $0.35 a round while I can reload amazing semi-wadcutters for $0.22 a round. That's $130.00 per 1,000 for a round that is exactly what I want for Bullseye/Precision Pistol shooting.
There is a lot of satisfaction from developing a load for a round that does exactly what you want and sometimes that is worth a lot more than the cost of the components.
I have been reloading for decades and collected a bunch of reloading stuff over those decades. It really adds up in cost of equipment.
For bulk 9mm, 556, and 300 BO - lots of blaster ammo available cheap without reloading.
PRS is a different world. If you decide to shoot PRS a lot, then I would load for PRS versus buying factory as the ammo precision is different.
In any case, I would start with a single stage press or a Dillon 550 - I would never start with a Dillon 750 assuming you are taking case feeders and bullet feeders as that is a lot of complication.
I have a good friend who shoots PRS and he buys custom handloads from a custom reloader then makes some money back by selling the once fired brass.
For bulk 9mm, 556, and 300 BO - lots of blaster ammo available cheap without reloading.
PRS is a different world. If you decide to shoot PRS a lot, then I would load for PRS versus buying factory as the ammo precision is different.
In any case, I would start with a single stage press or a Dillon 550 - I would never start with a Dillon 750 assuming you are taking case feeders and bullet feeders as that is a lot of complication.
I have a good friend who shoots PRS and he buys custom handloads from a custom reloader then makes some money back by selling the once fired brass.
I feel like rifle stuff to tailor your loads to your rifle is worth it. I load a good bit of 22-250 and 300blk subs. It's worth it to me to have something to do, a "project" if you will to find the best load for that particular rifle.
Those that say it's not worth it obviously don't do it enough to figure out that you don't reload to save money on the popular calibers. If you save your brass, you can save money on even 9mm and 223s. 6.5 Creedmoor is a no brainer. There is definitely cost savings there and you definitely want to develop your own loads for PRS. You can even save money on 300BO.
However, once you start reloading, you will find that it's actually enjoyable and relaxing. You and your son can spend some quality time together doing something that you both enjoy. To me, that's priceless.
Once you decide on what equipment you want, start saving all your brass. Also pick up as much range brass as you can. Despite all the nah sayers, it can actually be used, lol. Start looking for deals, usually in bulk to save costs on your components. Buy them when they are on sale or cheap even if you don't need them. You will then have a supply when things get tight again.
You will find that you will be reloading more calibers than you thought. Remember, it's a hobby, not a job.
However, once you start reloading, you will find that it's actually enjoyable and relaxing. You and your son can spend some quality time together doing something that you both enjoy. To me, that's priceless.
Once you decide on what equipment you want, start saving all your brass. Also pick up as much range brass as you can. Despite all the nah sayers, it can actually be used, lol. Start looking for deals, usually in bulk to save costs on your components. Buy them when they are on sale or cheap even if you don't need them. You will then have a supply when things get tight again.
You will find that you will be reloading more calibers than you thought. Remember, it's a hobby, not a job.
Not on your list, but 38/357 commercial ammo is stupid expensive. Furthermore, if you want something like a reliable, consistent subsonic 38 wadcutter load that STAYS subsonic out of a lever action rifle, you pretty much have to load it yourself (which is stupid. It would be commercially VERY popular)
Same goes for 9mm frangible. If you want some practice ammo where you want to shoot steel at very close range (and the range officers permit it), you can build those cheap too. The economics change quite a lot when you're not making 9mm ball, 158gr HP .38 Special or 308 HPBT rounds.
Same goes for 9mm frangible. If you want some practice ammo where you want to shoot steel at very close range (and the range officers permit it), you can build those cheap too. The economics change quite a lot when you're not making 9mm ball, 158gr HP .38 Special or 308 HPBT rounds.
I've loaded about 23,000 rounds. Looking at it from only the financial perspective, if I had to buy 9mm components at today's prices, it would not be worth it. Thankfully, I'm stocked up.
I think it's still somewhat cost-effective to load 300Blk and .223 at today's prices on my progressive press.
When you get into "precision" stuff, I think you'll realize significant savings. My savings on .308Win, 6.5CM, and .338LM precision loads alone have probably paid for my equipment.
But in my opinion, a progressive press is not what you need for precision rounds. Maybe consider a compromise and buy your plinking ammo and invest in a good single-stage press to make your own precision rounds. Someone on ODT recently had a used MEC Marksman listed at a fair price. Not sure if it's still available now. But, your up-front capital outlay for equipment and components will be minimal compared to that Dillion setup for multiple calibers.
I think it's still somewhat cost-effective to load 300Blk and .223 at today's prices on my progressive press.
When you get into "precision" stuff, I think you'll realize significant savings. My savings on .308Win, 6.5CM, and .338LM precision loads alone have probably paid for my equipment.
But in my opinion, a progressive press is not what you need for precision rounds. Maybe consider a compromise and buy your plinking ammo and invest in a good single-stage press to make your own precision rounds. Someone on ODT recently had a used MEC Marksman listed at a fair price. Not sure if it's still available now. But, your up-front capital outlay for equipment and components will be minimal compared to that Dillion setup for multiple calibers.
I got into reloading mostly for the hard to find/expensive MILSURP ammo.
30-40 Krag
7.7 Japanese
.455 Webley
.38 S&W
.303 British
8MM Mauser
7.63 Mauser
I can load range ammo for 30-06 and .308 that commercial costs. I just reload 9mm, .45, 5.7x28 to keep my commercial ammo stacked deep for if I ever give up reloading.
30-40 Krag
7.7 Japanese
.455 Webley
.38 S&W
.303 British
8MM Mauser
7.63 Mauser
I can load range ammo for 30-06 and .308 that commercial costs. I just reload 9mm, .45, 5.7x28 to keep my commercial ammo stacked deep for if I ever give up reloading.
I was gobsmacked when I wanted to shoot some .303. It was either expensive milsurp from Greece (not awful, but not cheap) or hunting ammo at $50 for 20 rounds. Reloading - once I'd got some brass - it was a pretty standard Speer Hot-Cor bullet over some 3031.
Same kind of story for 7.62x54R.
And for that matter, .30-06, given that you really should shoot milsurp or reduced-load commercial modern ammo.
With reloading, I can build ammo that is accurate and reliable, with slightly reduced loads that make it easy on these older actions.
And I can have the ammo when I want it, and not lurk around on Ammoseek to catch lightning deals.
Same kind of story for 7.62x54R.
And for that matter, .30-06, given that you really should shoot milsurp or reduced-load commercial modern ammo.
With reloading, I can build ammo that is accurate and reliable, with slightly reduced loads that make it easy on these older actions.
And I can have the ammo when I want it, and not lurk around on Ammoseek to catch lightning deals.
I've been loading for 40yrs. I'd really have to think it over because of the investment needed to start today. I've never loaded 9mm. Back in the day loading big bore pistol was a nice savings. If it were me, I'd just have to run the numbers to see if it was worth the investment and time. Also having to dedicate a space for it.
If you want to get the most out of your shooting, this is the route. But these days you may not be able to save money. I just have a Lee turret press. I've loaded pistol and rifle on it. The large African game cartridges are a bit much for it though. The ole tried and true RCBS Rock Chucker is as strong as they get. But you can only use one die at a time. So it is slower. Then you have the Progressive set up. Expensive and you have to maintain it to work correctly.
If you want to get the most out of your shooting, this is the route. But these days you may not be able to save money. I just have a Lee turret press. I've loaded pistol and rifle on it. The large African game cartridges are a bit much for it though. The ole tried and true RCBS Rock Chucker is as strong as they get. But you can only use one die at a time. So it is slower. Then you have the Progressive set up. Expensive and you have to maintain it to work correctly.
