I've been dropping powder and stuffing lead for over 45yrs. It all depends on number of rounds you consume and whether a fella has a good supply of brass or ready access. I load MO Bullet LC Small Ball for high-count range trips. Cost up front is the biggie with a press from $30 Lee to ~$100 Lee Classic Turret on to well over a $1000 for a Blue monster ammo factory. Rifle dies, $20 to as much as a fella wants to spend for each caliber. For pistols...you can't beat the Lee Carbide 4-die sets. Carbide by any company eliminates case lube. One thing that I whole-heartedly believe in is the Lee Factory Crimp die for all rounds EXCEPT fine-tuned high-power gnat shooting loads for BR competitions, and then you might want a neck size only die. Oh the choices to be had and selections made.
As for the 9mm LCs, component cost 11.3 cents per round (not including brass) or $5.65 per box of 50. You can't match that ANYWHERE unless you make 'em at home. With larger calibers and jacketed bullets the price increases exponentially with the weight of the projectiles and their "touted" features. I also have the luxury of buying direct from Sierra in Sedalia at the outlet store. I had my bride stop by today on her shopping trip to town and retrieve two pounds of 60grHPs for the AR loads. I found these the most accurate in my and a family member's M4s, so I just keep stuffing them for a 'rainy day'. Bullet count this lot equaled 323 pieces. Sierra's policy is to always give a little extra, but still only charge for the number of pounds you request. Sweet deal that is walk-in only, no phone or net orders. I wt check each batch by random sample and find these within .2gr+ - and diameters perfect at 0.224 on my Mitutoyo caliper. Cost was a mear $28.17 w/tax...what would you pay for 3 boxes of the same bullet at your favorite supplier?
Anywho the decision is up to you, but I'm sure most of the guys that post here and elsewhere can tell you with a little experimentation, you can turn an "OKay" rifle into a shooter with the correct recipe. It's the search that compells many of us to load, load and load some more! IT's ADDICTING and in some cases more $$$ than just buying factory fodder Read up, decide and good luck with whatever you decide.
As for the 9mm LCs, component cost 11.3 cents per round (not including brass) or $5.65 per box of 50. You can't match that ANYWHERE unless you make 'em at home. With larger calibers and jacketed bullets the price increases exponentially with the weight of the projectiles and their "touted" features. I also have the luxury of buying direct from Sierra in Sedalia at the outlet store. I had my bride stop by today on her shopping trip to town and retrieve two pounds of 60grHPs for the AR loads. I found these the most accurate in my and a family member's M4s, so I just keep stuffing them for a 'rainy day'. Bullet count this lot equaled 323 pieces. Sierra's policy is to always give a little extra, but still only charge for the number of pounds you request. Sweet deal that is walk-in only, no phone or net orders. I wt check each batch by random sample and find these within .2gr+ - and diameters perfect at 0.224 on my Mitutoyo caliper. Cost was a mear $28.17 w/tax...what would you pay for 3 boxes of the same bullet at your favorite supplier?
Anywho the decision is up to you, but I'm sure most of the guys that post here and elsewhere can tell you with a little experimentation, you can turn an "OKay" rifle into a shooter with the correct recipe. It's the search that compells many of us to load, load and load some more! IT's ADDICTING and in some cases more $$$ than just buying factory fodder Read up, decide and good luck with whatever you decide.
