Should I start reloading?

[Ike85123]

From what I've read, we have some pro's on here with regards to reloading.
When does reloading make sense?
Cost of equipment and time vs money for factory ammo. I visit the local range 2 or 3 times a month.
Monthly rounds used.
60 to 80 300wm
10 500ne
50 44mag
20 12ga slugs
If i cant find the ammo, then I shoot something similar (308,30-06,357mag,375h&h)
Ive never thought I shot enough now days to reload.
Please give me your opinion. Thanks

 

[TNDave]

With the current shortage of components and the stupid ridiculously high prices if you do find them, I’d say hold off if you have to buy them retail.
However, there are a few forums that have people that are willing to help out anyway they can. Just start posting things you are looking for and I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for, just need to be patient and in no hurry. That is how I’ve been finding everything I need for the last year.

 

[Ike85123]

With the current shortage of components and the stupid ridiculously high prices if you do find them, I’d say hold off if you have to buy them retail.
However, there are a few forums that have people that are willing to help out anyway they can. Just start posting things you are looking for and I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for, just need to be patient and in no hurry. That is how I’ve been finding everything I need for the last year.

I was really curious on the break even aspect. For the small amount i shoot vs equipment cost. Aswell as how long does it take to reload say 100 rounds?

 

[Rare Breed]

From what I've read, we have some pro's on here with regards to reloading.
When does reloading make sense?
Cost of equipment and time vs money for factory ammo. I visit the local range 2 or 3 times a month.
Monthly rounds used.
60 to 80 300wm
10 500ne
50 44mag
20 12ga slugs
If i cant find the ammo, then I shoot something similar (308,30-06,357mag,375h&h)
Ive never thought I shot enough now days to reload.
Please give me your opinion. Thanks

To me one of two reasons drive me reloading. 1. Pin point accuracy. 2. Cost. Now my experience has been anything in the smaller most popular calibers forget cost since so many deals hard to justify on cost. However, given I now shoot only large bores it really is not pin point accuracy given at my distance shot two inches is just fine with me. It is cost alone that now drives me. On my 450-400 and 470 it costs me an average of $8 per shot buying at retail. Reloading gets me down to just over $4

 

[Opposite Pole]

I'd think that with 80 rounds of 300wm and 10 rounds of 500NE, it’d be worth your while. If you also shoot 375H&H, even more so. I don’t think you can save much cash reloading shotgun ammo, but otherwise, it is cheaper to roll your own, especially the big nitro cartridges. The cost of equipment is very relative. A press can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on your wants. For the big cases like you 500NE, a decent size press is needed. After the admittedly sizeable, initial outlay, the cost per round, for most calibres, is much cheaper than the factory. You can get a lot of the necessary tools second hand, although some, like dies for 500NE, might be hard to find.

 

[JimP]

I started reloading when I purchased my firs center fire revolver, a .44 mag clear back in 1974 and have been doing it ever since.

Depending on just what you are shooting and how often you go shooting it can be either cheaper or above the break even point. My main large game animal for elk and above is a .340 Weatherby mag. It loves to shoot 225 grain Barnes bullets which retail for around $120+ for a box of 20. I can load the same load for around $25 a box of 20. I like loading for my pistol rounds just for the reason that I can light load when I want to shoot a light mild load or I can load them up heavy for hunting purposes.

If you are thinking about it I would also suggest that you wait until this madness that is going on right now is over. Prices and availability is crazy right now and you will have a hard time trying to find components at a decent price.

 

[sestoppelman]

I would say you shoot enough to justify it, regardless how much money you may spend. Factory ammo is not only expensive, much is impossible to find.
The initial investment in equipment may be a fair amount but it pays for itself over time. The other factor is the fun factor. Reloading and all it entails is just fun, and you will be amazed at the things you didnt know.
I have been reloading for over 50 years and still enjoy it immensely.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

From what I've read, we have some pro's on here with regards to reloading.
When does reloading make sense?
Cost of equipment and time vs money for factory ammo. I visit the local range 2 or 3 times a month.
Monthly rounds used.
60 to 80 300wm
10 500ne
50 44mag
20 12ga slugs
If i cant find the ammo, then I shoot something similar (308,30-06,357mag,375h&h)
Ive never thought I shot enough now days to reload.
Please give me your opinion. Thanks

@Ike85123
Depending on the reloading gear you buy it can be expensive to set up.
I have the Lee anniversary set up. Comes with every thing you need to start with except dies for around 300 bucks. It reloads precision ammo if used properly. Some people will hang crap on Lee saying it's rubbish but after 15 years and thousands of rounds I have no complaints.
Reloading you get to learn more about your rifle and ammo and in the case of the 500NE you can load cast bullets for a fraction of the cost and a lot more practice.
Using the Lee and the 500 NE at the price of the ammo you would pay for the press with 100 cast bullets reload savings.
Just my 2 cents
Bob
Be warned you may not save much money as you will probably shoot more, but that's a good thing

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I’ve got it figured out that I save about a dollar a round on 45-70, which is a good savings but not the reason I got into reloading. Living in a rural part of an out of the way province availability of odder calibers was the draw for me. I’m right around a 1000$ in reloading casting gear and manuals however it’s a one time expense spread over a lifetime.

25-20 is my greatest savings a box’s runs over a hundred and fifty dollars here.

 

[Alistair]

It'll be a little different based on your local ammo costs and what cartridges you're shooting, but ball park, you're looking at 300-1000 centrefire rounds to break even on a reloading set up.

For me shooting .270win in the UK, I was loading 'target grade' ammo for about 80p ($1.10) a round. Factory local to me is approx £2.20 ($3.01) a round. I spent £640 all in on a reloading kit (RCBS stuff mostly). I didn't skimp on mine.

That gave me a break even point of 457 rounds for the kit to pay for itself.

For further perspective, you're looking at a break even anywhere between maybe 10,000 rounds of 9mmPara, through to 40 rounds of .500NE.

I don't factor the time in personally, any more than I consider driving time, fuel or wear on my car driving to buy ammo, but again, 2 hours of 'active' effort should yield you 50 centrefire rounds if you're aiming for 'precision' ammo, or maybe 200 'plinking' rounds in 44mag (the difference is in trickling versus throwing charges of powder, plus some additional case prep on the 'competion' rounds.)

The other advantage is reliability of supply, accuracy and flexibility. You want to only shoot a single load you know the rifle likes? Buy a load of components in bulk, and do that. Want to fine tune a load to your rifle? Yup. Want to work up mild cast bullet loads in 44mag or 500NE for practice? Also now an option.

Based on the use you describe, you'll be in the black within a year. I wouldn't bother with the shotgun ammo personally.

 

[Hogpatrol]

With the component situation now, it's a tough call to advise someone to start reloading.

 

[Ike85123]

I appreciate the replys !
Seems it will be a worthy project to start reloading. I was just worried about the justification of equipment taking me 10yrs to beak even. So now that worry is gone. My son reloads 2 calibers and I have a couple friemds that reload 1 or 2 also. But they all shoot alot more than me, so I had doubts about doing it. I shot alot as a younger man, just thinking about all those paychecks I couldve saved ! Lol
Thanks again guys !
Im gonna try to pick up a new shotgun this month. So maybe a monthe or 2 from now, I can shop around for some equipment !
I really appreciate the comments !!!!!

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

It'll be a little different based on your local ammo costs and what cartridges you're shooting, but ball park, you're looking at 300-1000 centrefire rounds to break even on a reloading set up.

For me shooting .270win in the UK, I was loading 'target grade' ammo for about 80p ($1.10) a round. Factory local to me is approx £2.20 ($3.01) a round. I spent £640 all in on a reloading kit (RCBS stuff mostly). I didn't skimp on mine.

That gave me a break even point of 457 rounds for the kit to pay for itself.

For further perspective, you're looking at a break even anywhere between maybe 10,000 rounds of 9mmPara, through to 40 rounds of .500NE.

I don't factor the time in personally, any more than I consider driving time, fuel or wear on my car driving to buy ammo, but again, 2 hours of 'active' effort should yield you 50 centrefire rounds if you're aiming for 'precision' ammo, or maybe 200 'plinking' rounds in 44mag (the difference is in trickling versus throwing charges of powder, plus some additional case prep on the 'competion' rounds.)

The other advantage is reliability of supply, accuracy and flexibility. You want to only shoot a single load you know the rifle likes? Buy a load of components in bulk, and do that. Want to fine tune a load to your rifle? Yup. Want to work up mild cast bullet loads in 44mag or 500NE for practice? Also now an option.

Based on the use you describe, you'll be in the black within a year. I wouldn't bother with the shotgun ammo personally.

After calling around and pricing components the only way I can save on 20 gauge is reloading steel shot for waterfowl. Other than that it’s not fiscally viable to reload shotshells. I have friends who do for skeet and clays but that’s more for bulk availability.

 

[Ike85123]

After calling around and pricing components the only way I can save on 20 gauge is reloading steel shot for waterfowl. Other than that it’s not fiscally viable to reload shotshells. I have friends who do for skeet and clays but that’s more for bulk availability.

I only use that 12ga to shoot slugs, try to keep my mind ready to relate to the 500 while saving some cash. I dont shoot it much anyway.
I appreciate the help !

 

[Alistair]

I'm quite confident that it's not worth reloading shotgun cartridges at all, unless it's something really niche like bismuth load 10 bore cartridges or something.

Certainly I can't achieve any savings for typical 12 bore steel or lead here in the UK.

Rifles however...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’ve got it figured out that I save about a dollar a round on 45-70, which is a good savings but not the reason I got into reloading. Living in a rural part of an out of the way province availability of odder calibers was the draw for me. I’m right around a 1000$ in reloading casting gear and manuals however it’s a one time expense spread over a lifetime.

25-20 is my greatest savings a box’s runs over a hundred and fifty dollars here.

@Skinnersblade
A 400bx of cast bullets for the 25/20 in OZ is about 50 odd dollars a can of H4197/ADI 2207 around 60 dollars. A tin of powder will give over 400 reloads. So for not much more than the cost of a box c.f. of ammo you get 400 rounds
Bob

 

[shootist~]

Reloading is something to "ease" into at the present time. Take your time, make a list - gear and components- maybe for just one rifle, (or pistol) round you like for practice. Accumulate quality gear as you can find it.

Hopefully you have saved a lot of brass.

 

[Tgood1]

Outside of the financial consequences. It's fun. And a damn good way of acqainting yourself with the nuances of your rifle

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I appreciate the replys !
Seems it will be a worthy project to start reloading. I was just worried about the justification of equipment taking me 10yrs to beak even. So now that worry is gone. My son reloads 2 calibers and I have a couple friemds that reload 1 or 2 also. But they all shoot alot more than me, so I had doubts about doing it. I shot alot as a younger man, just thinking about all those paychecks I couldve saved ! Lol
Thanks again guys !
Im gonna try to pick up a new shotgun this month. So maybe a monthe or 2 from now, I can shop around for some equipment !
I really appreciate the comments !!!!!

@Ike85123
If your son or friend live nearby you could buy the dies you need and ask them to teach you until you are confident and have built up your own gear.
Don't be tricked into buying a progressive press a SINGLE STAGE O FRAME will do A better r job but slower. If all my cases are prepped I can load 100 r pound in a bit over an hour on my old Lee.
Lee also make a big O FRAME cast iron press at a fair price compared to others.
Bob.

 

[meigsbucks]

IMO, it goes beyond economics. Yes that is a big part and especially considering what you shoot, it should pay off fairly quickly. However, the fact that you can choice from a myriad of bullet and powder combinations to obtain the perform you want is reloading’s greatest advantage.
An added advantage being that you can shoot more for lower cost will make you a better shot. Just get off the bench rest.