Is reloading cheaper? The total cost of reloading
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- Опубликовано: 10 окт 2013
- I go over the actual cost of the reloading supplies and equipment needed to make your first 1000 rounds of 147gn 9mm Hollow points. And compare that cost to the cost of buying 1000 rounds of 9mm ammo.
I took your numbers, revised them for 2020. Here's what I got.
The reloader and all the setup costs $351.18. The consumables cost $0.14 per round. MaxxTech 115 FMJ was $0.28 per round on Ammoseek.
That means you are saving $0.14 cents per round by reloading. Your break even quantity (where you have paid for the machine) is 2,500 round at a total cost of $699.50.
I did not figure shipping and tax as that would be up to the individual and where they live.
Seems to me reloading is a no-brainer.
Yes but that wold be the way to go for a competitive shooter who goes through lots of ammo. You would have to go through roughly 5000 rounds to start to profit, that’s a lot of ammo for someone who doesn’t shoot there ar but just a few times during the hunting season. But if you are shooting 10-20k rounds annually then go for it
I ran the numbers. The Break even is 2500 rounds fir 9mm FMJ. I got through double that in a year.
Thanks for the info, was curious how it stands up to today since ammo has changed so much. To me, I think one of the biggest benefits is reloading is pretty stable whereas these last couple shown ammo can be volatile. I see boxes of 9mm right now being so overpriced that it hits almost $2 on some websites. Not to mention, most places are just outright sold out with no real sign of a full restock coming soon.
Thanks for the update! Could you recommend a company for a reloader? Where could I get brass for my ar. Our local gun range is ripping us a new one!
What about 2022
Being cheaper is only part of the equation. Reloading is just fun, and really satisfying. It's an excellent rainy day activity.
Your forgot another point to reloading. It is relaxing, fun , and you get better accurate cartridges.
That's what I tell my friends ... it's a hobby in itself and a science - I have a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry and the amount of variables in developing a load are incredible - just for 9mm, you've got around 15 different bullets, about 15 different powders, and for each of the 225 different bullet-powder combos, you've got a range of powder charges (if the range of safe loads is 1.5gr then this is 15 increments of 0.1gr) so 3,375 possible combinations (15x15x15).
When I do load experimentation, I produce 10 cartridges of each load - do the math and that's 33,750 rounds that I'd have to load just for 9mm - but because the initial pressure varies as a function of bullet seat depth and it is reasonable to assume that this could change the mean impact point and possibly the grouping, I could vary that too and safely vary my seat depth +/- 0.005" which brings the number to 337,500 rounds.
But let's add to that the fact that I cast my own bullets too - I can then bring an additional level of experimentation by varying the hardness of bullets that I throw down the barrel - this needs to be optimized in order to insure adequate obturation of the bullet (engaging the grooves of the rifling) without being too soft that it leads up the barrel, or too hard that the bullet doesn't engage the rifling at all and just flies straight out of the barrel not spinning - my job provides me access to an instrument that can quantify the concentration of lead, antimony, and tin in the alloy I cast into bullets.
I reload for every caliber I shoot (except 22LR) so 11 different calibers - I don't think I have enough time in the rest of my life (I'm only 34) to find the perfect load for just 9mm...so reloading can easily become a lifetime of experimentation...or you can just skip the experimentation part and just enjoy it for the relaxing fun of it and the cost savings.
Thanks for all your info. Getting this setup in a few days to reload .40 S&W for my G27 and I plan on doing alot of practicing so, I appreciate you videoing tips & experience for us newbies!
Thank you for the wisdom.. Great video "liked and subscribed" so my military family will watch this as well. We've always been trigger pullers with an unset ammo allowance. Those days are long gone, do to budget cuts. So once again thank you for sharing your time and wisdom for free to us.
thank you brother exactly what I was wanting to see awesome video great info well done. if I could like it twenty times over.. I would.. more people need to know this. about to start reloading 556 & 223 myself. spread it to everybody you can guys
Great review and breakdown of it all, not only are you saving money but your making custom ammo that you can tune to perfection, and just for plinking, cast and powder coat your own bullets
And get the cost under a nickel or there about, good video! And nice loading bench too.
Been kicking around the idea of reloading vs cost thanks for a well thought out video with good info and examples. I'm sure those prices for supplies and equipment have all gone up but than so has ammo.
Great video. I would love to see more videos like this!
Smart guy, you seem to know your stuff, and how to properly break down the math for cost. You have easily showed what some have such a hard time conveying to people. Great video!
I have done the price calculations before for 9mm luger. When you start to cast, the prices cut in half! For 50 rds, it would cost me $2.98 and 1000 rds is $59.62!! It should be noted that this is with paying or lead on ebay. If I were to get lead free (range scrap), it would be $44.19 per 1000 rds.
Yeah man, casting is the way to do. And I'll put my powder coated cast rounds up against ANY commercial or reloads in accuracy and reliability. Plus, with cast, you can slug your bores and load the exact diameter you need. Especially helpful when shooting old surplus firearms with wide variances in bore diameter.
Thanks for this informative video. With ammo inflation during this pandemic, I got curious about reloading my own ammo. You've convinced me that this is definitely smarter in the long run.
Unfortunately I don't have space for all that equipment but as soon as I'm able to, I'm going to buy a whole set up like yours.
In the mean time, I'll just save all my brass. Luckily I just bought an MCK with brass catcher so that won't be an issue 😎
Thanks again 👍
Saw your comment about maybe getting started reloading from 2020.
Did you ever get the space and make the reloading investment? If yes, how long did it take you to find primers?
I retired May 2020 and quickly got started reloading. For a while in 2020+2021 I had no primers, and piles of clean deprimed brass ready. When I got primers I reloaded about 600 rounds in one weekend. Then my wife and I went out and shot half of it the next weekend.
My stuff is all paid off compared to buying the same ammo off the shelves. It took a few thousand rounds.
Another great video!
I'm sold, I appreciate your video and our 2nd amendment.
Nice Jo’s. Great video 👍
Awesome video, very informative.
Great video. Another good point is that when the stores don't have it, you can make it. The bottom line, is the bottom line for me though.
That's a true point and why I got into reloading, could not find my zeroed factory ammo during the shortage a few years ago.... lucky me I had stockpiled quite a bit ahead of time. Love making my own ammo now and I think the only HIGH cost is getting the starting equipment.
Great informational videos. Thank you.
NodaSheep love the review. The Pro 1000 is a great press for the value. Also if you add in casting your own the price savings/precision goes through the roof.
I agree. I just started to buy equipment. I found some Federal HST hollow points, 124 gr on Brownells at Just over 20 bucks for 100. Compare that to the over 20 bucks for twenty in the box.
I bought a Lee hand press and carbide dies. That was just over $100. I can’t see any negative to reloading. As you said, you are quality control when it comes to everything you run.
Thanks for the explanation dude. I was thinking about getting some 300blkout and 40cal reloaded. Now I have a ballpark figure.
Now that is a proper man-cave. Well done.
I got into reloading because during the ammo shortage, I could still find and buy all of the components. I found that the cost was the minor part of the reason. All expert sources say that you can create far more accurate ammo that is customized to your firearm using once-fired brass from your chamber, neck-sized only. You can also create ammo that is not readily available. (Vibrating Tumbler Harbor Freight $54, 40lbs 1420 corn cob media $20 The Anderson's). The Lee loading equipment is as good as any; great choice.
Furthermore, as you started to say, "Unless you are loading high-end components...." Actually that is where you really start to see the savings. Lapua Brass and Bullets, Vihtavuori powers and RWS primers would retail for over $2.50 per round, your cost...about $0.88...and only $0.38 if you reload your brass!
Finally, the best hobby ever.
Great video!
Way to go dude......keep it up.
I got the same questions...People keep comparing my single Stage lee to a Dillon they really just do not get it I have had my lee about 4 years now I reload .40 .45 acp/colt .38 spl and 9mm it has paid for itself over and over again.
with the press in this video can you interchange calibers with the same press? or do you have to buy a seperate press per caliber?
Dennis Nunes if I'm not mistaken he said his is set up for 9mm but you can buy different "Dies" for it which should change your rounds to whatever you want .
yes you can buy separate dies
Yeah you can set up separate die holders and switch between calibers pretty quick
Hay, can you put down a recipe for what feels good for you in a .40 cal?
Great Video.
Thanks for the video. I’ve been reloading for over 30 years and have never tried to figure out the cost per round like you did. It’s actually a much bigger savings than I thought it was. And that’s just the 9mm. 44’s, 45’s, etc must be a bigger savings.
The answer to the question "is reloading cheaper?" is a definite yes (maybe). I always say yes, it's cheaper, but you never save any money doing it.
Why the contradiction? Because most of the time you just end up shooting more, so the savings per month disappears.
Now, you can, if you want, make reloading as expensive as you want to by buying premium equipment and supplies. But this isn't necessary. It's kind of like the difference between buying a Ford vs buying a Rolls. You don't need luxury to drive from place to place. Is it nice? Yes. Is it what the average person does? No.
If cost is the driving factor, a Lee Classic kit will do the job. Cost - $30 for one caliber. Box of bullets $20 - $40. Powder - $30. Primers - $5. Lube - $10. Nonmarring hammer - $10 (I'm assuming you save your brass). Initial outlay $125 approximately. At about $35 per 50 rounds, you have paid for the cost of the setup in 3 and a half boxes of ammo. And you only need to replace the supplies as you use them.
Now, this is a long way from progressive presses that can assemble a thousand rounds an hour but it's functional and can show someone if they want to reload or not.
Shotgun shells are another story. Nowadays its cheaper to buy shells if you shoot standard guages. 28 guage and 410 are another story, but people continue to reload their standard guages. Why? You can put together exactly what you want. Custom features for anything do cost more, but most will say its worth it.
Finally, "time = money".......yes, if you are talking about work, but I don't know of anyone who calculates time cost when figuring out how much their hobby is costing them.
So, if you are figuring out how much reloading is costing you, you have to decide if its work for you, or fun/interesting/satisfying etc, and if you want functional vs premium precision.
Kirk Boswell time is money. Always a factor in my book and loading your own isn’t cheaper.
Great Info. Good Video
Good video, thanks for sharing
great video thanks man
currently 5/12/2020 i can buy 1000rnds of 9mm online for $0.25 per rnd ($250) After tax and shipping. At my local gun store i can buy for $0.30 per rnd. After buying 1000 primers, 500 bullets, and 1lb of gunpowder. I can make 500 rnds for $0.16. If i find a way to collect the lead after i shoot, melt and mold my own bullets, i could make each rnd for $0.08.
This comment applies to people who enjoy shooting. NOT people who go out to the range once or twice a year. If you fall in the 1x or 2x a year category, stick to commercial ammo. For the rest of you, 9mm ammo is one of the cheapest commercial calibers out there and you still make your money back. As the price per round goes up, so will your cost savings. And you get the added benefit of tailoring the ammo to your weapon/ purpose. Lower pressure for some fun at the range. Wrist snapping, eventual arthritis causing high pressure ammo cause you just LOVE recoil. To be honest though, I still spend just as much as I did before. I just get to bring more ammo per range trip. And if you live in that west coast state that won't be named, they have just regulated where, when and how much ammo you can BUY. They haven't said a thing about how much you can MAKE.
wow, ive never reloaded before and have always been interested but i thought it was too complicated, what changed my mind was my trip to academy yesterday. during this scamdemic theres a huge shortage in ammo but i knew academy restocks every monday where i live. i went in early and within LITERALLY 5 minutes the ammo was gone, meanwhile, 5 feet behind me were shelves fully stocked with reloading supplies, not a single item had been bought.
i think i might have bought my last few boxes of factory ammo
aw your comment about maybe getting started reloading from 2020.
Did you ever make the reloading investment? If yes, how long did it take you to find primers?
I retired May 2020 and quickly got started reloading. For a while in 2020+2021 I had no primers, and piles of clean deprimed brass ready. When I got primers I reloaded about 600 rounds in one weekend. Then my wife and I went out and shot half of it the next weekend.
cabelas has the Rainer rounds about $20 cheaper than midway. best to do research on brass, I have found great deals on sportsman's guide on brass and a great price on 5.56/.223 and Sierra match king HPBT rounds for and incredibly cheap price.
One more thing is during multiple times in recent history could not be found in stores.
I see a lot of comments about how much time it takes. Yes, that is something you should account for. But how long do people watch TV, or talk with friends on the phone, or watch youtube, or listen to podcasts/audiobooks? Most of the time that people do that, they aren't exactly doing much else, people are generally bad at multitasking and therefor aren't doing much during that time (at most, folding laundry or washing dishes).
Whenever you're about to watch TV/youtube/streaming service, or you get a call from a friend, or are about to listen to an audiobook/podcast and are about to just sit/stand there for an hour+, just start reloading, and when your finished with what you're doing, finish the last few bullets you're working on, and clean up.
When watching TV (TV, streaming service, youtube, whatever) whats the most you usually do? Likely a nothing, or a small easy task that requires you to stay in one room. Most people own a laptop/tablet and a wifi connection these days, if you don't need to fold laundry/do dishes you could reload ammo while you do it.
Ever listen to an audiobook/podcast? Same as watching TV. If you do anything that requires your brain, its harder to do whatever you're doing, and you frequently pause and just listen in for a minute. People generally start one task, and when they hear something interesting, they zone out/take a break from their task and listen for a while before going "oh shit" and starting their task again. (assuming this is something you do in your freetime, and not just when you're doing housework/driving).
Ever talk to a friend over the phone or some sort of internet communication? Generally people will walk around, do something simple (laundry, dishes, etc.), or just sit there for a while.
While reloading when you have free time, and aren't doing anything else, then you can start talking about time=money and therefore doesn't make it cheaper. But at that point you might as well just start attaching dollar signs to everything. Do i watch TV for 2 hours a day? Lets put your time on the lower end of the time=money scale. You just wasted 20 dollars (10 dollars an hour). Someone will say "but i pay for it" ok then, just add that cost in. Lets say someone watches 40 hours of TV/streaming service in a month that costs 14 bucks a month, thats 414 dollars you just "wasted."
Good video!
I find it cheaper, but i do it because it's very satisfying to create ammo with my own hands,,& also i like the fact that i can make specific types of ammo for different applications,,& i can also work up more accurate rounds by changing & trying different components. ...
I have thought about reloading a couple of times but have not bitten the bullet yet so to speak. Main reason is around here all the ranges require you to take factory loads. There is one outdoor public range that is about 1.5 hours away I could go to but I don't have time to do that every time I want to shoot. As a result the only real reason to reload is to build up a stockpile for a SHTF type scenario. It would certainly save me money versus buying it.
I wish the description included links to the products.
Of course I did not buy brass tumbler I just use a mason jar lemon juice and Dawn dish soap and hot water as hard as my faucet puts out and I turn off all my cases in put some mixture in their shake it or will let sit for about 5 minutes I'm shaking again repeat that process about three times and my brass comes out looking pretty new basket cost on the tumbler too
Good video tanks ..
My 2022 estimate is based on reloading 380, 9mm and 223 ammo, a single stage press, Lee dies for each caliber, a lee decapping die, a lee powder measure, a frankford arsenal wet tumbler, lee swager, lee bulge buster kit, lube tray, steel pins, manual, trimmers, deburrer, additional lighting, and a bench.
My equipment cost in 2020 was $950. In 2022, probably $1,100
My average 380 rounds material cost was18 cents. I made about 500 rounds
My average 9mm rounds material cost was 19 cents I made about 2,200 rounds
My average 223 rounds material cost was 28 cents. I made about 1,000 rounds
Because I have a stockpile of primers, powder and bullets if you were to start in 2022; my estimated material costs are the 380's would go for 25 cents, the 9mm 27 cents and the 223 would go for 37 cents.
The time spent scavenging brass, cleaning brass and reloading was about seventy to ninety hours. Then there is the time spent looking for primers, powder and bullets. At one point I was spending an hour a week just looking on the internet for primers.
As of November 2022, my equipment and material cost have reached a break even point compared to the prices at the time I reloaded. As long as my time is free.
Special note, as ammo prices went up and ammo got scare, so did the cost of primers, powder and bullets. Primers were non existent for 10 months. I have 4 stores I can buy primers and powder at, and most of the time they are out. I now have eight hundred dollars invested in powder, primers and bullets in storage. It is a couple years worth of shooting supplies. When any of them reach a certain point I start looking again.
Reloading is not for everyone. The time involved is more than some can invest. The initial costs for equipment and supplies, same, it can be like paying a month's rent.
Also, if you are easily distracted, don't like to follow or read instructions, don't like safety glasses, cut corners because you think you might get away with it, don't have time or space, reloading may not be for you. Reloading can be safe or it can be dangerous. It is your choice.
A solid bench is a requirement, there's a lot of torque on the press at times. When my wife saw the lighting I was using she commented that I could tan while making ammo. Lighting and the bench must be figured into the equation.
The space in the house for equipment, cleaning, reloading and supplies is significant.
But I deeply enjoy reloading, it is a quiet solitary pursuit. It is details to take care of. It is equipment to clean, lube and maintain.
My wife is on board with the investment and the time spent. But not all wives are like that.
If you and your family can handle the investment of time, space and money, go for it. But consider all things first.
Thanks
Great video...
One thing that should be factored in as well is time.
Time=valuable=money
Hours picking up brass, picking up lead (if you choose), smelting, cleaning, time spent reloading each bullet...etc .
That all adds up.
but it's fun
Do you factor you time watching tv.Reloading is enjoyable
I'm not doing a cost comparison on watching tv.
This video is titled. "IS RELOADING CHEAPER"
I think in order to accurately answer that, you have to factor in the time spent.
I can change the oil and filter in my car, cheaper than I can if I take it to an oil change business.
But the time and energy spent, getting the supplies, finding the tools, jacking up the car, changing the oil/filter, cleaning up myself and disposing of the oil properly...isn't worth the $20 I might save and the easy hour I do save by spending 15 minutes at a quick lube
Reloading for most is as much a hobby as shooting. You are correct time is not factored in. If you enjoy shooting enough to the point your watching reloading videos you likely will not look at reloading as a task but as a hobby.
The Title was based on the question I got most when friends saw I was reloading.( Is it cheaper? ) My answer yes.
PS I Change my own Oil as well ...love my cars as much as my guns !!!
You are just plain and simply LAZY.Do you shoot your own gun or watch someone shoot it for you.
Are there links to where you got your materials and stuff?
Probably should add in the cost of a good chronograph to complete the reloading process
Depending on the state or city you live in it may be difficult to find supplies. Places like NY and DC there could even be regulations prohibiting it but I'm not sure so you might want to check that out first.
The supplies can be ordered if nothing is is driving range for you it will just cost more due to the hazmat fee.
For me I can go to the mom and pop hardware store down the road and get powder and primers.
Best of luck!!!!
@2:15 he gives the fixed cost for the 9mm setup.
As of June 29, 2020 that setup will cost you $351.18. Still a great price to get started.
You can buy a Hornady progressive on sale with 500 free bullets for not much more money than that LEE in the video and it's as good or better than a Dillon.
Im making 100 rounds of .45 acp using cast bullets, for around 5 bucks ($20 per 1000 primers $25 per lb which is good for 1200 rounds)
I think its smart to have all the stuff to reload, in case of an ammo shortage/ban or a disaster. That being said 1000 rounds of 124gr 9mm jhp of somthing like perfecta is $170-180$, way way cheaper , its low quality but goes bang.
i have a habd press- nothing so elaborate. You said it right- is it cheaper Hell no with the initial investment of everything about 2000 to get started. BUT you get crappy factory loads. with reloading your imagination is your only guide. And sometimes yes its cheaper for custom loads. like defense bullets now are 49.95 a box my cost about 20.00. so in the long run you save. plus mike is right its fun and relaxing- i do primers watching tv.
Man I did not by any of that to start with I'm using a Lee Challenger single stage press I don't use a push through sizing die for my bullets and I hand cast all of my own except for personal defense rounds and Hornady FTX for deer hunting and xtp for personal defense everything else is literally hand cast by myself and I've gotten good enough that I get pretty uniform results and I don't need a push through sizing die my problem is I have to change the dive through every single stage of the reloading game but I do shitload of bullets at once instead of just a few here and there, the only extra thing I had to buy besides my press and my to die sets was a taper crimp die for my 45acp which was only 12 bucks which pales in comparison to the quantity custom grade series dies for 3030 and 45acp that I bought both of those were 50 plus 215 for the 50th Anniversary Lee press kit so about two hundred eighty bucks plus a couple canisters of leverevolution Hodgdon / Hornady powder 30 bucks a piece plus a canister of titegroup at 25 and CFE pistol powder at 23 one box of Hornady xtp 185 grain hollow point at 25 bucks and a box of 160 grain Hornady FTX for deer hunting at $30 turn off the other $443 for the initial start up cost Plus I think it was $15 for each lead mold that I have so basically $503 because I have four molds but I hand cast all of my ammo now and I get free brass from Friends for going and cleaning up their personal shooting ranges fortunately most of them don't reload plus I get a lot of free lead that way also I get a ton of wheel weights for very cheap at my local tire shop sometimes I can talk them into just letting me clean up around their shop or you know do some sweeping or whatever and they normally let me take a couple 5 gallon buckets full with all that I'm only paying depends on what I'm loading on how much power I actually use and for target loads I only load low charges in the casing and I spend about 12 to 17 cents per round which it hasn't paid for itself on the initial setup just yet but it will overtime and it has enabled me to shoot three to almost four times as much as I would buying Factory ammo and it just isn't as accurate as what I can achieve with my hand loads oh plus I forgot I spent $6 on some Harbor Freight white powder coat paint and the black and I mix two-part white one part black to make gray light gray colors for the 170 grain 3030 s and then I do the 150s and white and for my 200 grain semi wad-cutters and 45acp there Gray and 185 grain ones are white and my 230 grain round ball 45acp vs are a darker color gray just easier to distinguish what's want that way plus with Powder Coating it creates a polymer jacket on the bullet which isn't as good as copper or you know other jacketing materials that the factory loaded ammo companies use but it does cut down on leading when using your own hand cast ammo a shitload so you spend a lot of time cleaning that way so in the short answer no is not an immediate amount of savings, long answer no it's not going to save your ass any money because if you like to shoot a lot like I do you're spending all the money saving on more powder, casings if you have to pay for them, and lead also tin if you have to buy it and you cast your own ammo, which is a whole nother animal that is just as fun as reloading your own ammo in the long run if you reload conservatively only do like Lowe's and managed to find a free source of brass and lea5d you can keep your costs way way down but if you're like me and you like to shoot a lot it's not going to save you any damn money ever You're just going to be able to shoot a whole lot more and be able to custom tune a load to your particular pistol instead of just having to go with The Limited accuracy the factory loaded ammo comes with
Its a sunk cost like sky equipment sports equipment or fly tieing. You learn and you are self sufficient.and when the zombies come you are good to go.
Nice vid and nice setup. Where'd ya buy your blue, red, and yellow plastic bins from?
I picked them up at Menards its the 24 part's bin storage rack set 44.99 Menards® SKU: 2452100
+NodaSheep do you let Menard's search your truck when you leave? I have seen those signs. I might put up a fight there.
I got a bunch at Aldi's a while back. Keep your eyes open, they are out there and don't have to be expensive.
When you voluntarily enter a place with that signage you have given them permission, putting up a fight would be stupid. If you don't like the policy simply stay out.
I agree if it is your second drop off as you should have spoken with your Dispatcher after the first one.
Thats why I shoot flintlock. You reload and no primer needed so it saves money.
Start up cost can be cut.... cast your own bullets from range scrape, make your own brass tumbler (I made one from an old treadmill, cost less than $25 and I can tumble over 2,000 cases at a time.) Get some other reloaders to bulk order consumables with you so you can all get the benefit of bulk pricing.
Most people wont take it to that extreme, though in a SHTF situation, that's what we all will be doing.
I never clean brass. Haven't had an issue yet.
Handy Dandy Dalton I use a sonic cleaner. works great but it's not shiny.
I built my cleaner and damn they are Clean and shiny primer pockets and all inside and out. And fast.
Use a cheap ice cream maker Dawn and Lemi shine. No Media and the clean up and shine
I'm just getting into shooting; 1st 1k rounds of 9mm I got from Cabelas on sale for $363, 2nd 1k I bought from my local gun store for $275 all in. 115 grain, FMJ, Remington. Nova Scotia, Canada.
What brand table is that?
To be honest I would be scared to use this ammo as a conceal carry ammo, I would only keep it for the range! Good job!
I agree talking to certain lawyers some legal advice I heard it's not a good idea to use reloads as a self-defense I heard the the DEA we have a field day in court over this
What your after is that the brass cost at $0.05 is if you can reuse your brass 5 times your cost is $0.01 a loading.
First I don't cost average my equipment unless your costing the equipment over 20-40 years. So if you use $300. Over 10 years that's $30.00 a year over 30 years that's $10.00 a year. So equipment is super cheap over a life time. The high cost is when you buy bullet swagger dies at 60 years of age your $1600. Cost is $160. Over 10 years and $80. Over 20 years.
I always heard that reloading for self-protection is a no no I heard prosecutors really hammering in court for example you reloaded them extra to kill among other things I heard they hammer in court for it
NodaSheep I'm been planning on getting myself a Lee Precision Pro 1000 press in .223. Do you recommend dry tumble or wet tumble? Thanks. BTW, great video on the Lee Pro 1000 press.
+chevy6299 ... Can you specifically tell me what brand or items to look for...I am sorta new at this but am looking for other ways to tumble brighter.Thank You in advance
I have a frankford arsenal dry vibratory tumbler that does a great job. If you stick to the corn cob media, you don't have the hassle of having to wipe down residue like you do with crushed walnut media.
darkside59 i know its a little late but wet tumbler for sure with stainless steel media
Good stuff. Just one criticism, that's a caliper, not a micrometer.
I was thinking the same thing but I thought I misheard him cause it made no sense.
Just said the same thing aloud to myself
No shit. He seems like he's a fuckin dick too. Sorry to inconvenience him for him deciding to make the world's most simple video...
And when you hold up a loaded round, it's a "round", not a bullet.
Is cost a real issue. Reloading match grade ammo for f class or other long range shooting is part of the pleasure and satisfaction of shooting. My ammo is also made just for a particular rifle. A 1 inch moa group at long distance with your own loads feels good. Yes 50 percent of my shots could be in the 1/2" moa circle is even more satisfaction. 9 shots in the 1/2" moa circle and one just out is a total bummer. But satisfying. Hehehe
cost of setting up reloading station in 2024 is minimum 1000 only for one caliber like 9mm.
When u shoot the more expensive calibers (10mm 357 sig ect) the it is cheaper, i did 1000 rounds of 10mm for around $150
100 are the same bullet as .40. just the brass is longer
I reload about 5300 rounds every year. 9, 38, 45, 223, 6.5 creedmoor and 308
There's winchester white or brown box for cheap. But there's $0.05 9mm reloads too! To think thats $2.50 for a brick of 50!
In my own experience, The BEST you can expect in the SHORT term is : You can make The TOP of the line Ammo for about the same cost as the cheapest junk you can buy Pre-made. The LONG term expectation is a bit different. Once you have recouped the Start-up cost of all the Reloading equipment - ($250 - $1000) AND you've been doing it for (possibly) years and have made Thousands of rounds, then the BEST you can say is - Maybe yes - However the major factor at that point is YOUR Time investment! What MOST of these reloading videos do NOT say, is that it frequently takes an entire week of ALL your spare time to hand load 1000 rounds of anything! And Yes - newer reloading equipment DOES cut that down a bit - And THAT'S why it was invented ! Because YES, it takes a LOT of your free time, NOT drinking beer playing video games, or actually talking to your wife and kids. Anytime you see someone say it's fun - You know that they are either lying, or justifying all that time they spent. It's "Fun" being out on the range, it's NOT fun, doing the exact same repetitive motion JOB over and over again! One of the reasons we have Unions in many jobs! So take it with that grain of salt...
Yes - Reloading is FUN, but it's the Shooting the bullets that you MADE part, not the actual JOB of Reloading that is FUN...
I run a Dillon 550 and I love it. Simple and works like butter. I actually used to work at a reloading shop in vegas called Extreme Reloading. I still load mainly 9mm and 223.
Lee has a much nicer press than the 1000 for about $275, not much more for what looks like a much better built machine, although I had great results with my 1000
Cheaper why yes Ive saved enough money to buy more components. Cheaper no because you generally shoot up what you save. However its fun and gives you something to do on cold winter nights. Greetings from Alberta Canada.
Ive got the same workbench! :D MENARDS!!!!
a lil worried about reloading for my Glock 19 wiith the unsupported chamber don't want to have the dreaded it Glock kaboom
jack T its easy all you have to do is pay attention. Go slow till you get the hang of it. Make 15 or so then go test them out, before you make a bunch. I reload for the glock 17,21,43,42 and 26 never had an issue. Just don't use cast bullets , due to the glock rifling.
Dont make it super hot
I hear this dumb argument all the time. Some people don't shoot off the shelf guns. I reload .303 Savage, .22 HiPower, 7.7 and 6.5 Japanese, 25-35, 32-40, .257 Roberts, 8x50, 7.65 mauser and all manner of hard to get stuff. Try buying 32-40 or 25-35 ammo. You will be lucky to find the brass. I used to make Japanese brass and French brass from cheaper American made brass. You young guys are spoiled with the tons of cheap, imported ammo. Definitely cheaper for most of the guns I shoot.
Shieeeeet.. I started out with a Lee single stage Challenger kit and cast lead for 45ACP. The moment I started reloading, my "volume of fire" went up at least 500%. I started being able to shoot A LOT more per $ spent. Suddenly, my physical stamina was the limiting factor in how much I shot per session, not my bank account. No doubt about it reloading is the way of the gun nut.
burgundypoint o
Totally agree. Now I run out of "focus" way before I run out of ammo.
You can make handgun ammo for 5 cents a round. And save lots of money
so am i correct in saying youre saving more the bigger the bullet/caliber youre reloading ?
nicougrikify Pelletier kindof. I shoot 45 acp at roughly 40 cents a round purchased. And if i can reload at roughly 15-20 cents a round i will have my press paid for in about a thousand rounds or so. Likewise 44 mag costs around 70 cents a round but you can reload them for around 25-30 cents apice. Making 44 mag reloads at 250$ per 1000 vs buying them at 700$ per thousand. I think reloading is the clear winner here.
Why load an expensive hollow point bullet for target shooting? Cheap X-Treme plated or even coated cast will shoot just as well.
Rainier bullets are cheap, hell they do not even deform when you shoot them. You could more than likely go pick them back up, resize them and reload them again...lol... they really suck.
People load expensive hollow point self defense ammo for target shooting because CCW experts and trainers will tell you to shoot and practice with the rounds you will use in your carry gun for self defense. I agree with them. This ensures no surprises for you and your gun when you need it to function in a self defense situation.
$24.99 for that cheap ammo is not a good comparative , it can be found for $9.99
normally, but could you get it now?
paying hazmat for mail order is no problem with a volume purchase. get a bunch of range buddies to make a larger order. I'm using powder I bought years ago at 8 bucks a lb. I pick up empty brass cases for free hell it's just free for the asking if the guys shooting it don't want it. ranges on weekends are full of noobs who will let you take theirs free. week days not so much.
Yes, that is an option, if everyone wants to order at the same time. What happens when you run out of powder or primers right before hunting season? You will be sucking up the HAZMAT fee yourself my friend.
***** I don't run out. Categories I purchased last a decade.
WOW! I wish I could purchase that much at once!
+Mike Simpson you see deals you buy huge. Look for deals on surplus pulled powder and bullets. Thousand round bags of pulled tracers, surplus Israeli bullets ect. The deals are always changing so I don't really know what's out there now.
Bad ass
you are forgetting the time you spent and the electricity you used (to clean the case). But if you think this is relaxing and fun, then you should add a discount on the "fun" part. Also you need to account for ware... but I doubt anyone thinks in terms of amortization.
Is it legal to carry your own reloaded bullets in your carry gun? And what liabilities does that set you up for, if any?
Yes , it is legal. Just be aware if you have a shooting incident, the prosecution might go after you because they might say you were trying to make rounds that were more lethal than store bought ammo. For that reason alone, I only carry with factory ammo
Being "more lethal"... ??? That's like being "more pregnant", right...??? : )
Reloading is not cheap but brings me joy and its a hobbie 👍🏻
Since 2013 the prices of all this stuff has gone up, while the price of ammo has gone down.
Tula is $132 for 1,000 rds of steel case.
Blazer is $179 for 1,000rds brass case. (Which you could shoot first, then reload)
You didn't figure in your time. How much are you paid an hour?
You didn't figure in your shop. How much is the square footage worth?
You're actually losing money.
The only time it saves money is when the ammo is expensive. A good rule is; if a box of 50 rds costs more than you make an hour it's cheaper to reload it, or switch calibers.
Also it makes sense if you are producing ammo that simply can't be bought, like 45acp 200gr with a velocity of 1,400fps.
Valid point. However, if you were going to earn $0 in that particular hour.... Let alone if you consider reloading a hobby.
normally, but could you get it now?
Making my own right now.
@@cameronturner7475 I like your point about ammo that cant' be bought.....like 9mm presently. I'll reload mine now.
I remember when you couldn't get ammo. Reloaders could still shoot the rest of us couldn't! Reloading is 1/2 the hobby in my book. How are the lee 1000s treating you?
I had the older version 1000 for 45acp, the primer feed took some adjustments and intuition and I had to just give a quick tap every few rounds but it worked amazing and I only had 1 squib which was my fault
You HAVE to watch the powder drop like a hawk obviously, just requires attention but runs amazingly well
thanks, I want to reload 300 rum
any1 else had the idea yet to reload for your buddys and there buddys and make a lil money off of it yet?
battfieldsniper1 The reason more people don’t do that is because selling ammunition requires a special license. The feds are not very forgiving to people who sell ammo without the proper licenses.
And there is the whole "my gun blew up shooting your ammo" thing
Great video man. Sub'd
holy moly i see 9mm brass 20 per thousand
I just wanted to add that you don't have to shoot a thousand rounds each month to save on reloading. I use a single stage press which is much lower cost than the progressives. Also I have a question. I'm seeing set ups for 9mm, .40 S & W and .38 special. Are those completely different presses for each caliber? If so and you aren't loading tens of thousands of rounds for each in a year wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a different progressive set up where instead of the complete set up for each, after the initial investment in the press you only need to purchase different size dies and additional shell holding plates. It seems like that would be a really big savings over buying a complete press for each.
Thanks ... great video.
I agree, multiple progressives presses would be expensive. Maybe..
he acquired one from an uncle, or found a used one for sale that he could just not pass up.
My father in law reloads on a progressive. It is nice. However I am thinking of maybe a single stage for myself. Something I can afford to get into... and still be able to purchase some accessories.
24,99 for a box of 50 ? Here in Germany I payed 208 € for 1000 rd best quality Geco 9 mm Para !
normally, but could you get it now?
That's expencive for 9mm. cast your bullets with range scrap. Watch Johnny reloading bench how I make 9mm for less than 6 cents a round. Hell I buy 9mm 124 grain for 36 bucks for 500 if I'm out of my cast bullets
You see the point is you are saying how good it is from tye point of living in a free state people like me who live it commifornia this is gold to stop doing background checks for ammo
K,