UplandFreak
Well-Known Member
You are right, if you don't put any value on the time it takes to reload, you might come out a head. A lot of people don't count the cost of brass. Nor do they count the cost of having to develop a new load every time you get a new lot of bullets or powder or switch powder or change bullets. I have all the reloading equipment - I don't love the process.ROI (Return of Investment) depends on lots of factors. I can build a 20-count box of .45-70 ammo for $5.25 but the cheapest I can buy is $30 a box Ten boxes save $250, which will buy a lot of good reloading equipment – more than enough to get started - especially if you buy used. My RCBS Rock Chucker press loaded thousands and thousands of rounds and was good as new when I gave it to Big Brother. Load data is free online.
I shoot a lot of Barnes TTSX. Factory ammo for my rifles runs $44-50 per box. I can build it for about $18 a box, a savings of $26-$32.
I also shoot a lot of Nosler AB. Same savings.
Plinking or low-cost hunting ammo? $10.50 a box for .30-06.
Shortages of factory ammo? No problem – build your own.
The time required to build a box of 20 is about 20-30 minutes total, including time to deprime, clean, trim, prime and charge the case, and load the bullet. Depending on your setup and experience, the time required may be more or less.
My time is important to me but reloading is my hobby – and an enjoyable one.
Some people golf, I reload. And shoot.
If you shoot weatherby's or RUMs or Normas or Lapuas, I agree - you could come out ahead financially, barely if you don't care about your time. But if you are reloading for a 6.5 cm or 308 or 7mm or 300wm, there is no way you come out ahead financially.
Also, I can't help but feel you die hard reloaders are probably stuck in the past when all that was available is some old school remington soft points that got you 5" groups at 100. Times have changed.
If you do it because you love it and it is a hobby, I think that is fantastic. I would rather spend that couple hours at the range instead of the reloading bench.