benefit of reloading.

redneck1861 · Apr 7, 2011

I have been thinking about going ahead and buying some reloading gear, but I want to know if it is worth it.

So I am asking you guys that do reload, to see what the savings are. Right now I am really only looking to reload pistol rounds. Currently the only caliber I shoot is .40S&W, but I will be getting a G34 in 9mm soon hopefully.

On average what does it cost you to load 1000 rounds of .40S&W, they will only be used for competition, or just practicing for competition. I want a total cost of everything, brass, primers, bullets and powder.

Thanks guys.
Justin

pyplynr · Apr 7, 2011

I'll tell you the honest truth. You won't save any money. You'll just shoot more. I don't know about pistol, but on my long range rifle rounds I can go out and shoot 50 rounds for the same price as a box of 20 match factory ammo.

Chambers · Apr 7, 2011

.40 costs me roughly $5.50 per box, or $110 per K.

Not to mention the advantage of having ammunition tailored to my specific purposes.

redneck1861 · Apr 7, 2011

Chambers said:
.40 costs me roughly $5.50 per box, or $110 per K.

Not to mention the advantage of having ammunition tailored to my specific purposes.

$110 per 1000 rounds? is that with using brass you pickup or buying brass? That sounds like a great price.

Copper01 · Apr 7, 2011

I haven't done the math lately but I figured to load .45 ACP was running me 6.50 per 50 rounds with my used brass or 12.50 with new brass. I bought all my gear in December and January and I've already saved enough to pay for it twice over. However, as was stated, you probably won't save money but you will get to shoot more.

drmitchgibson · Apr 7, 2011

You will save tons of money unless you shoot a lot, a whole lot. The break-even point on my Dillon was 2000 rounds, but I've gone through maybe 10K in the last 18 months. So it's paid for several times over. I do shoot much more now that I have it, but the money I spend each time is small, especially compared to the quantity of lead going downrange. It's really the only way to go if guns are your hobby, unless you're some kind of d-bag that just sits around and talks about them.

technetium-99m · Apr 8, 2011

Depends on your bullet choice.

Prices range from $110-120 for jacketed 180's, $80-90 for coated 180's, or $70 or so for cast lead.
Add $10 for powder, $25 or so for primers, and $25-30 for cases.

$120 to $170 depending on where you get your brass, if you're pretty anal about picking up as much as you can you'll be able to load it until it splits or you lose it.

Loading the el cheapo bullets goes a long way since they're the biggest cost component of a handgun round by far.