Reloading vs Ready to Shoot
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492 Posts
By using wheel weights to cast bullets, and scrounged brass from the range I can reload 45acp for about 5 bucks a box. It probably costs a little more for the energy to melt the lead and a little gas money. 357 and 44 are a bit more because brass is hard to come by for free, but they are still way cheaper than factory ammo. I load some of them up plenty hot too. I figure for hunting or SD rounds I'm only going to use one or two at a time so I'm not worried about leading up a barrel. For plinkers I load them light and have very little leading problems.
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3,356 Posts
I haven't figured it up since I started reloading,that's been about 20 years,but at that time it cost about half as much to reload.That's with figuring using the same brass about 6 or 7 times. The longer the brass lasts the more you save basically.I don't cast though and could save more if I did.Like I said though,I haven't figured it up in a long time,things could've changed.
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1,966 Posts
There are a lot of variables.
I buy my primers by the 1000. So, what are they now a days? Maybe $30 or $.03 each.
Bullets really vary based on caliber, weight, lead, jacketed, supplier, mfg., type.
Powder cost also varies. Most is $20 - $30 a pound. Depends on how much powder you use per shell and the type of powder.
Just so many variables. The only way to compare is to chose one or two calibers and develop a load to compare with.
Years ago, one could save about 50% compared to new shells, even if you bought factory bullets. I reload center-fire rifle shells. I feel like I'm saving some money but I like to be able to vary from what is available on the shelves. For example, I load 30-30s with a 125 gr. flat nosed hollow point, for coyotes and load my 35 Rem. with Hornady 180 gr. XTP for whitetails. I also loaded both with the Hornady FTX Bullets.
I would reload pistol shells like the .357, 44 mag. and 41 mag. However, I would not reload pistol shells like 9 mm or 45 acp. The saving is minimal unless you cast you bullets.
I load my own 12 ga. shot shells. Last time I checked, they cost me $4.85 a box for a quality shell compared to $6+ for the cheap stuff at Walmart.
So, there is at least a 20% savings, maybe more, and you get a quality load that was made by you. And you can customize a load that isn't sold in the stores. I shoot a lot of 1 oz. high speed loads in my 12 ga.
If you want to pick a cartridge or 2 for us to build on, we'll be glad to put something together for you to compare. I'll have to search the web for prices cause I've lost track. Haven't bought anything in the last year or so.
Don't forget, you're looking at a couple hundred buck, or more, for equipment to get started. And if you cast your own bullets, that's another investment plus the hassle of finding a lead supplier.
Hope this helps.
Grey
I buy my primers by the 1000. So, what are they now a days? Maybe $30 or $.03 each.
Bullets really vary based on caliber, weight, lead, jacketed, supplier, mfg., type.
Powder cost also varies. Most is $20 - $30 a pound. Depends on how much powder you use per shell and the type of powder.
Just so many variables. The only way to compare is to chose one or two calibers and develop a load to compare with.
Years ago, one could save about 50% compared to new shells, even if you bought factory bullets. I reload center-fire rifle shells. I feel like I'm saving some money but I like to be able to vary from what is available on the shelves. For example, I load 30-30s with a 125 gr. flat nosed hollow point, for coyotes and load my 35 Rem. with Hornady 180 gr. XTP for whitetails. I also loaded both with the Hornady FTX Bullets.
I would reload pistol shells like the .357, 44 mag. and 41 mag. However, I would not reload pistol shells like 9 mm or 45 acp. The saving is minimal unless you cast you bullets.
I load my own 12 ga. shot shells. Last time I checked, they cost me $4.85 a box for a quality shell compared to $6+ for the cheap stuff at Walmart.
So, there is at least a 20% savings, maybe more, and you get a quality load that was made by you. And you can customize a load that isn't sold in the stores. I shoot a lot of 1 oz. high speed loads in my 12 ga.
If you want to pick a cartridge or 2 for us to build on, we'll be glad to put something together for you to compare. I'll have to search the web for prices cause I've lost track. Haven't bought anything in the last year or so.
Don't forget, you're looking at a couple hundred buck, or more, for equipment to get started. And if you cast your own bullets, that's another investment plus the hassle of finding a lead supplier.
Hope this helps.
Grey
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492 Posts
If you can find lead cheap casting doesn't have to be a major expense. The only tools I bought were the cheap Lee molds, a pot, and a ladle. A pot can be any old second hand cast iron pot. I use a hot plate, spoons (I stole em from the kitchen) coffee cans...it's cheap and I like doing it. I don't size yet and I tumble lube. If I start getting into rifle or really tuning loads then the cost will go up for a few more tools.
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1,966 Posts
Here is a handy tool. A hand load cost calculator.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp
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730 Posts
My prices, for reloading
Powders..$45 500 grms, or 7,700 grains/container
Primers....$6/1000
Brass.......$65/100 to $100/100, depending on calibre.....Once fired $20 to $25/100, everything
Projectiles..$30 per 100 (55gr Nosler Balistic tips, 224 cal. to $130/100, again depending on calibre and mamufacturer)
we are getting ripped a bit, but thats the way it is
Powders..$45 500 grms, or 7,700 grains/container
Primers....$6/1000
Brass.......$65/100 to $100/100, depending on calibre.....Once fired $20 to $25/100, everything
Projectiles..$30 per 100 (55gr Nosler Balistic tips, 224 cal. to $130/100, again depending on calibre and mamufacturer)
we are getting ripped a bit, but thats the way it is
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1,813 Posts
I bought lead at .85/lb. I have 100 lbs stored.
Powder I use is $24.99/lb. Loading my 45 Colt ammo at 12.6 gr. per round I get 555 (+1) rounds per pound.
Primers were $30 per 1000. I don't know what they are now.
Cases typically were $22.95 per 100 when I bought them from Sinclair 6 months ago.
My figures come out to $.322 per cartridge for 45 LC. Brass cost is written off until I need new brass. Next loading is $.23 less per cartridge because I write off the brass. It is the only reusable part. However I have been known to pick up 30 pounds of lead and several hundred brass at the outdoor range during wait times.. Not 45 LC brass but enough 45 ACP and 9mm to offset costs of the other components.
Powder I use is $24.99/lb. Loading my 45 Colt ammo at 12.6 gr. per round I get 555 (+1) rounds per pound.
Primers were $30 per 1000. I don't know what they are now.
Cases typically were $22.95 per 100 when I bought them from Sinclair 6 months ago.
My figures come out to $.322 per cartridge for 45 LC. Brass cost is written off until I need new brass. Next loading is $.23 less per cartridge because I write off the brass. It is the only reusable part. However I have been known to pick up 30 pounds of lead and several hundred brass at the outdoor range during wait times.. Not 45 LC brass but enough 45 ACP and 9mm to offset costs of the other components.
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2,858 Posts
Right now the exchange rate is .96 (U.S.) = 1.00 (Aus.)
Primers are a bargin down under....About $33 per 1000 here
Brass is high there...Starline (from the Factory) is avg. $110 per 500(PISTOL) here with free shipping
Projectiles.....About the same
Powder is goin for avg. $23 Lb.
Seems folks have 'splaned' it putry good. B4 CT...9s were about $6.40/box of 50, 38s a bit less and rifle rounds and the like were about $10-$13 for top shelf components tailored to fit the weapon's tastes. Casting your own, CHEAP if you don't include the molds. Borrowing good molds from a buddy can make for cheap pills to perch upon handgun or reduced rifle rounds if you can get your metal to the right hardness/softness. Haven't cast in a long, long time, but pretty cheap per piece with Lee Tumble Lube styles for handguns. More $$$ if you have to size/lube/punch, all depends on each's abilities and preferences. Pooling resources may become a way of life if the ANTIs don't get their legs folded out from under them; that doesn't look promising. UN ATT may be signed TODAY 
, that's a whole nuther story. GRrrrrrr
, that's a whole nuther story. GRrrrrrr
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730 Posts
Check out these prices, from one of our Budget Suppliers.
http://www.cleaverfirearms.com/Projectiles_Federal.htm
That is another reason I reload !
http://www.cleaverfirearms.com/Projectiles_Federal.htm
That is another reason I reload !
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40 Posts
Holly Crap!! The Last time I bought .270 win Remington ammo it was $10 to $12 a box for 20 rounds. Federal Premium ammo was about $10 more a box. Now the prices are double to triple what they were just 3 to 5 years ago! The last time I bought.30-30 win Remington ammo, it was $5 to $6 a box of 20 rounds and Federal Premium was $15 to $20 a box of 20 rounds. Now Federal Premium is $30 to $50 a box of 20 rounds!
I still have some of both left, because I have not been able to get out and shoot that much due to a bulging disc in my lower back causing severe pain. Once that gets taken care of then I am going to start reloading!! I only have just a couple of pieces of odds and ends equipment to get and the Powder, Primer, Brass, and Bullets to get.
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