Well finally did it...sold all my reloading stuff !! Anyone else shooting factory ?

[Tangent]

Yep, I shoot factory ammo. I don't have the time to reload, and frankly reloading is more expensive if you include the value of your time.

Factory ammo is great nowadays, and I've had no problems shooting 1-MOA plates out to 1,000 yards with factory ammo. Even shot out to 1,400 yards many times with it, and did fine considering.

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

I've reloaded several thousand rounds for my .308. With a 3 and a 5 year old, it is easier to buy what I need since I don't have time to shoot as much as I'd like. I'm never getting rid of my reloading equipment, since the current hysteria surrounding Covid-19 shows me that I need to have the capability of making my own ammo if needed.

 

[J E Custom]

There are many good quality ammo makers to day and if you find one that your rifle likes and is happy with the results, I see nothing wrong with using it.

Personally, I will always load my own for many reasons. Price and availability was the main reason I started in the first place back in the sixties. There weren't very many good brands for precision shooting so we had to load our match ammo to be competitive. also not as important but a consideration was the price difference. We could load all types of ammo for less than half the price and it was consistently better.

Now days, the price is still better to load custom ammo, rather than buy it and the quality is still better in most cases. (The chances of finding a brand of ammo that will shoot sub 1/4 MOA is all but impossible and very rare). good ammo requires good components, great ammo requires the same but has to be tailored to your chamber and rifle causing many more steps that a factory cannot and will not take.

For most factory ammo, 4 or 500 yrds is about there accuracy limit. of course there will always be the exception and with good luck, one may find one that will perform to their requirements for accuracy. Long range hunting has definitely raised the bar on accuracy and loading your own. Nothing has really changed in the difference in loading your own, or buying it. The factory ammo it much better than it used to be, but so is the re loads because of the improvements in dies, procedures, knowledge of the process and what effects things have on quality and a general sense of what it takes to load the very best ammo possible.

I am approaching 80 and still load everything for the benefits it gives me. Life can be much simpler by buying factory ammo and I can see and understand the reasons. I just can't see it for me just yet. Besides, I don't want to depend on the factory's for anything. We have witnessed what they can do when they want to raise prices, a shortage happens. Or panic sets in and hording begins.

Just my Opinion on factory versus reloads.

J E CUSTOM

 

[UplandFreak]

If you are shooting a round that can be purchased for $20-$30/box, it could take you several years to break even if you purchase the high end reloading equipment, that doesn't include your time. If you put a value on the time spent reloading, there is no way it is cheaper to reload vs buy factory ammo.

 

[flyguy1]

14 Jan 2020 Military.com
"The U.S. Army recently selected Sig Sauer, maker of the new Modular Handgun System, to make .300 Win Mag ammunition for the service's bolt-action sniper rifle.

In a $10 million deal, Sig will manufacture the MK 248 MOD 1 and MOD 0 .300 Win Mag ammunition, which will be used in the Army's M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle."

If any of the U.S. Military uses handloads I am unaware of it and they make some pretty fair shots (and, again, talking about animal size targets, whether two or four legged, not F class).

 

[Bob2650]

The competitive shooting teams still handload some but the guys in the field are all factory ammo.

 

[Tangent]

The competitive shooting teams still handload some but the guys in the field are all factory ammo.

Bingo. If you're looking to be a top level competitor - reload. If you are on a fixed income - reload. Or if you just enjoy it.

For everyone else, factory.

Just my opinion/experience shooting consistent 1/2 MOA at close range (within 400 yards) and practical sized steel beyond 1,000 yards.

 

[J E Custom]

If you are shooting a round that can be purchased for $20-$30/box, it could take you several years to break even if you purchase the high end reloading equipment, that doesn't include your time. If you put a value on the time spent reloading, there is no way it is cheaper to reload vs buy factory ammo.

The loading equipment is/was an investment and you are right about the pay off. But mine was bough many years ago and has more than paid for it,s self. Pistol ammo is still much cheaper to load than to buy by two or three times. Also the 20 to 30 dollar rifle ammo is not custom ammo and is not a good apples to apples comparison. Most factory custom ammo starts at $60.00 and goes up from there. Lots of factory ammo sells for over $100.00 a box of 20 and the custom ammo goes for that much for 10 rounds.

When you consider that a single round may cost 5 or 6 dollars for all of the components $1.50 for the case, $2.00 per bullet, $1.00 worth of powder and a dollar for the primer (these prices are the top price paid for the components and are much cheaper than for most components needed, this means that I can load top quality ammo for $25.00 or less and in many cartridges $10.00 to $15.00 dollars a box. And in some pistols this is for 50 rounds.

But as I said the cost is secondary to the quality. Time is something I have plenty of and besides I just enjoy loading and creating ammo that will far exceed my ability as a shooter.

J E CUSTOM

 

[UplandFreak]

The loading equipment is/was an investment and you are right about the pay off. But mine was bough many years ago and has more than paid for it,s self. Pistol ammo is still much cheaper to load than to buy by two or three times. Also the 20 to 30 dollar rifle ammo is not custom ammo and is not a good apples to apples comparison. Most factory custom ammo starts at $60.00 and goes up from there. Lots of factory ammo sells for over $100.00 a box of 20 and the custom ammo goes for that much for 10 rounds.

When you consider that a single round may cost 5 or 6 dollars for all of the components $1.50 for the case, $2.00 per bullet, $1.00 worth of powder and a dollar for the primer (these prices are the top price paid for the components and are much cheaper than for most components needed, this means that I can load top quality ammo for $25.00 or less and in many cartridges $10.00 to $15.00 dollars a box. And in some pistols this is for 50 rounds.

But as I said the cost is secondary to the quality. Time is something I have plenty of and besides I just enjoy loading and creating ammo that will far exceed my ability as a shooter.

J E CUSTOM

I order my match ammo online. I pay $29/box for Hornady Match 6.5 PRC ammo. Consistently shoots groups between .4 and .6 moa. I pay $23/box for Hornady match 6mm creedmoor ammo - same thing, right around .5 moa. Copper creek ammo runs between $30-$45 for custom loads depending on the cartridge /brass you choose.


Let's say my time is worth $75/hour, I come out ahead buying factory every time.

I used to handload, and could get between .25-.5 moa. But a few promotions and kids later, time is tight. I am lucky to spend 8 hours a month at the range and that is if I can squeeze it in around kids ballgames and family/church and service activities. I try not to work on fridays, so while they kids are in school, thats my range/golf time.

I would gladly give up .25 moa to spend more time at the range or with my family.

 

[PAGSDIII701]

14 Jan 2020 Military.com
"The U.S. Army recently selected Sig Sauer, maker of the new Modular Handgun System, to make .300 Win Mag ammunition for the service's bolt-action sniper rifle.

In a $10 million deal, Sig will manufacture the MK 248 MOD 1 and MOD 0 .300 Win Mag ammunition, which will be used in the Army's M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle."

If any of the U.S. Military uses handloads I am unaware of it and they make some pretty fair shots (and, again, talking about animal size targets, whether two or four legged, not F class).

Many units (individual snipers) handload for their personally rifle. What SIG is providing is range ammo; often to season barrels.

 

[25WSM]

I know a bunch of military snipers my son in law is one also. He said any sniper rifle they have that is doing 1 moa is a real good one. I think they should build a bunch of 6. 5 Creed's and use Hornady match ammo. The guns would instantly shoot better and the ballistic edge over the 308 is alot at longer range.
Shep

 

[Radman]

I'll be 72 this year, none of my kids are reloading. They can but my oldest son and grandson bow hunt mostly and my other son likes pistols and factory ammo. He shoots a lot but mostly 9mm. Anyway I was getting tired of it. I've been reloading since the mid 1970's.
Had a couple of good friends( young guys) just getting into reloading so they came over and got it all. Good guys and they are enjoying it !!!

So I head to the range today for the first time with 3 rifles and all factory ammunition.

Pre 64 270 is shooting around 1" per several 3 shot groups with Barnes 130 TTSX.

Barrett Fieldcraft 6.5 Creedmoor is an inch (some better) with several groups. I used all factory loads, Hornady 147 ELDX 2710 FPS, Berger 156 EOL 2638 FPS, and Berger 135 Classic Hunter 2735 FPS

Then a GAP Xtreme Hunter, 6.5 PRC, I shot only Hornady 143 ELDX , 3010 FPS. Around 18 shots today at just barely a little over an inch for all.

So, I was happy with the results today shooting at 100 yards !! Gonna shoot in a few days at 200 yards then later this summer we'll be shooting out to 900 and in between with the 65's. Life is still good, haha !!!

I only shoot factory Hornady.

 

[Radman]

If you are shooting a round that can be purchased for $20-$30/box, it could take you several years to break even if you purchase the high end reloading equipment, that doesn't include your time. If you put a value on the time spent reloading, there is no way it is cheaper to reload vs buy factory ammo.

Exactly what a friend showed me. I only shoot factory Hornady but if I was all ready into reloading I would likely continue it. If it was a hobby I could see that it could be very interesting and fulfilling as well as relaxing. It would be nice to have it to follow back on just in case.......

 

[SHDeersniper]

Reloading would have better accuracy I'm sure but I don't have enough time to shoot let alone reload

I shoot a pile of Hornady and black hills. Berger, and black hills probably have the best accuracy with Hornady not far behind