Reloading Advice
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memtb
Well-Known Member
There once was a time…..when reloading/hand loading was definitely a money saver. Not so much now….but, you can better specialize loads to the firearm.
And, while not really considered in the long range shooting conversations …..cast bullets can still save you a bunch of cash. Though, it's getting very difficult to get quality (proper material) wheel weights anymore! memtb
And, while not really considered in the long range shooting conversations …..cast bullets can still save you a bunch of cash. Though, it's getting very difficult to get quality (proper material) wheel weights anymore! memtb
If you had a high volume shooting hobby, maybe, you'd save some money. You just can't put any "value" on your time. Sometimes the need to spend time reloading holds me back from shooting more. For awhile I only wanted to reload. I wouldn't even buy ammo for anything. I was constantly in some sort of load development mindset.
So, I'm adding some lower cost, easy-button options to the mix in 2023/2024. Nice, full-size 22LR, 6mm ARC, 223/5.56. 6mm ARC is the in-between. A box of ammo is less than $30 but I can also reload for it, if/when I want. Save the brass from the 223/5.56 and maybe get around to reloading it. Maybe not. Wait until the next crisis and sell the brass for more than I paid for loaded ammo. We're about due, there's actually some inventory available... LOL
So, I'm adding some lower cost, easy-button options to the mix in 2023/2024. Nice, full-size 22LR, 6mm ARC, 223/5.56. 6mm ARC is the in-between. A box of ammo is less than $30 but I can also reload for it, if/when I want. Save the brass from the 223/5.56 and maybe get around to reloading it. Maybe not. Wait until the next crisis and sell the brass for more than I paid for loaded ammo. We're about due, there's actually some inventory available... LOL
ya i do it more for the good quality i can do and i enjoy being as precise as i can. and being able to combine all kinds of componets
now 7.62x39 ammo is so cheap, that i think im gonna get off the shelf stuff. but who knows
If you shoot 338 Lapua, 338-378 Weatherby or even 300 Win Mag, reloading still saves a ton of money. Factory loads for my Bee are $220 a box, I can still make them for under $40. If you shoot a 223, you aren't saving near as much but you can load them on a Dillon so you can crank out large volumes in relatively little time. I don't actually save money long term because I shoot a lot, but if I shot that much and used factory, I would be flat broke.
I started out reloading in college because I couldn't afford ammo for my 300WM and 44Mag. The entire RCBS setup was $270ish, powder was $12.90 per lb. A reloaded round for my Ruger M77 300WM was $0.25 and it would shoot a 3/4" group or better with a 180gr BTSP hand loads. I ran the factory paddle stock and a Simmons scope for 15years.
Then somehow things got out of control with neck sizing dies, sizing mandrels, micrometer seaters and annealers.
Nowadays, the Ruger M77 300WM wears a McMillan stock, a NF scope and will shoot a 5/8" group with 220gr ELDx.
Handloading can still be cost effective as long as you don't fall down the rabbit hole head first.
Then somehow things got out of control with neck sizing dies, sizing mandrels, micrometer seaters and annealers.
Nowadays, the Ruger M77 300WM wears a McMillan stock, a NF scope and will shoot a 5/8" group with 220gr ELDx.
Handloading can still be cost effective as long as you don't fall down the rabbit hole head first.
crashlanding
Well-Known Member
It's one of my favorite hobbies , I don't think of the money I throw at it, comes with the territory
I shoot USPSA & IDPA. Loading my own is the only way I can justify the cost. I use range pickup brass and that keeps me around 16-20 cpr.
The rifles that I load for are loaded for precision that can't be bought.
The rifles that I load for are loaded for precision that can't be bought.
Even todays rip off prices I cannot buy green box Rem, white box WW for what I can reload the same. Lets say 06. Buying brass, bullets, primers, powder I'm saving 70-75/100. No brass I'm saving 100/100. Want to crunch it down more. Buy a used press, dies, and I have broke even on the first 100 rounds. The less reloaders the more chance I have to save even more money.
I think @flyguy1's meme sends a more profound message. Most of us know the value added to reloading, i.e., custom loads, precision, hobby, etc. A very high percentage of the cost of ammunition is on brass, the only component that can be reloaded multiple times, a cost-saving opportunity. Guys here are minimalist, and some have costly range and reloading types of equipment, some of which will take time to realize (or perhaps never) the return on investment.
Luckyshot7
Active Member
I remember being told that I "wouldn't save money" by getting into it, and not believing that advice at all. Just didn't make sense. Now I understand
birddog 68
Well-Known Member
Last year I started shooting my 223 way more than I normally do. Started running low on components for it so went and purchased a pound of benchmark, a brick of CCI 400's and a couple hundred ballistic tips. After doing the math with the elevated price of components I believe it's about the same price as buying factory ammo. Although it probably won't be as consistent.
Larger cartridges it's still cheaper to load my own.
Larger cartridges it's still cheaper to load my own.
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Varmint Hunter
Well-Known Member
Loading your own ammo is like shooting crack. It's highly addictive and you won't care what it cost. You just can't stop doing it. 
