Is reloading much cheaper??

Hi all
Sorry for the rather obvious and I’m sure often asked question but is it much cheaper??
I’ve a 6.5CM which after shooting a bit to find it’s favourite ammo is only fired (infrequently)in anger at beasties.
Recently bought a 30-30 which is a heck of a lot of fun to shoot and half the price of the creedmore factory ammo, but that said want to shoot it more often. So my question is as indicated, is reloading that much cheaper (fine tuning accuracy aside, don’t think I could shoot better than the factory ammo allows me)
Cheers
FP

Yes but no.......................yes it can be cheaper in that you can load more ammo for the same $100 bucks vs buying factory but since you are reloading you tend to shoot more because its cheaper.

I have always reloaded and only rarely if ever brought factory ammo but recently brought a 308 and just been using factory ammo rather than load anything for it apart from specialist subsonic stuff.

You will be able to make cheaper ammo, but you will end up buying more rifles and shooting more.
You also need to be shooting quite a few rounds to spread the cost of the equipment over.

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Originally Posted by Cigar

You will be able to make cheaper ammo, but you will end up buying more rifles and shooting more.
You also need to be shooting quite a few rounds to spread the cost of the equipment over.

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What he said is exactly my situation

It can be but then you will likely spend more in the long run.

For you loading lead projectile loads for that .30-30 fun gun might make for cheap plinking if can buy bulk hard cast lead projectiles.

It's a hobby and short of loading cheap target rounds you can tailor hunting loads with premium projectiles.

Beware, it's a slippery slope.

yes and no, its am extension of the hobby, theoretically you save more as you spend less money per a round, but you end up shooting more, plus you end up buying new reloading equipment as it becomes a hobby in itself, and then youve got to ask the real question, how much is your time worth?

Mate was paying $86 for 20 rds 308 Win Superformance 150gn SST.

At $100 for 100 projectiles in May, $86 for 500gm AR2206H and $0.21c replacement cost of primers per each it worked out from memory around $37 to reload 20 of his once fired brass. Component prices have increased but so has ammo. Just run the numbers.

Of course this does not count the investment cost of a well equipped reloading bench. For a 30-30 however and any mainstream calibre at sub 150m ranges, I'd just use a Lee Loader to load hunting rds. Lee Loader, box of pills, can of powder, couple of hundy primers and you'll bring meat home for years. If your any good lol. Minute-of-deer, or pig, or goat, is not hard to achieve with a Lee Loader. And lots of fun.

Or just make friends with someone already in the game...

From my study, reloading is cheap than buy from shop, but cost your time & efforts. For those professional shooter, reloading is a fun just like I do all my fishing rigs, one cm longer or shorter could make difference ( assumptions by results). I like 6.5mm, as well 8mm, if there could be enough people like those, there are many ammo factories in east Europe, say we have 100 buyers, then we can manage from there.

Ah - Shooting is a hobby - the more toys, the better. IF you think it is cheaper, you will shoot more, and enjoy more.

Yes - get the reloading gear. I did some years ago, and had great fun buying cheap 270 projectiles(by the many hundred), powder by the 4kg container (cause it cheaper), primers by the thousand.

Now, my shooting is totally free, and i still have enough compenentary to see off a couple of 1,000 rounds a year for the foreseeable future.

Oh - I did seem to end up with many more guns as well, but hey, I didnt need to buy much ammunition.

I've got a 6.5x55 which is basically the same as what you've got. Provided I didn't buy too much gear (didn't happen) my break even mark was around 800 rounds. I allowed $4 per round for factory ammo and reloaded is $2 per round.

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Originally Posted by Magnetite

I've got a 6.5x55 which is basically the same as what you've got. Provided I didn't buy too much gear (didn't happen) my break even mark was around 900 rounds. I allowed $4 per round for factory ammo and reloaded is $2 per round.

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$1800 buys a lot of reloading gear....

Like everyone else says, its cheaper per shot but you do shoot more. If you stayed with the basics and a simple press you would save money but you often end up down the rabbit hole.

Prior to taking up reloading I would shoot 2-300 rounds a year, now the addiction had taken hold its 5-6000....

The cheapest option is finding a mate who has the gear already..

The best value reloads I ever did were in .223. Bulk 55gr Rem SPs, W748 powder I was given by an old clubmate, free brass c/- a "Govt Dept"... You could blaze away without damaging the wallet. Were prob about 15c each then which is about 8yrs ago. My current .284 comp gun is over $3 every time I pull the trigger if you include barrel depreciation. Burned off 100 just on the weekend.

My reloading costs for .308
Case amortization (assume 10 reloads) $0.16
Barrel replacement (assume 5000 shots) $0.20
Powder (approx varies a little with load) $0.40
Primer $0.10
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Subtotal $0.86

Projectile cost $0.50 or $1.00 depending on type.

So my average load is either $1.36 or $1.86 per round, tuned to my rifle.

Is that cheaper that bought ammunition? Probably, but I've never bought factory ammo.

I don't include amortize the cost of reloading gear as I load 2500 - 4500 rounds per year.
The loading gear has paid for itself (I hope).

I actually get over 10 uses per case and over 5000 rounds per barrel.
Primer, powder, projectiles and cases are bought in large lots to reduce the price.

It’s cheaper if you have a mate that is so far down the rabbit hole that they do it for you.

The best way to think of it is that it is the same as the question ‘is meat cheaper when you hunt it yourself’.

Yes (If you shoot numerous deer with a cheap .303 from the bush at the back of the neighbours farm.)

No (If you have to make multiple trips with upwards of $3k of hunting kit onto public land that takes 2 hrs to drive to and you maybe get a skinny yearling once or twice a year.

In either scenario you loathe buying from the supermarket.


Same with reloading.

You can be up and running with a Lee hammer kit for under $150 iirc, cheap reloads but limited options.
Or
>$1000 gets you properly into the process but you need to reload about 2000 rounds minimum to make your money back on the investment in gear.

In either scenario you loathe buying factory.

The Lee Loader is only limited for full length resizing. Buy a set of scales and you've got a damn cheap reloading option. You may want a different option if you're a target shooter, but I'm not. It only costs you extra "because you shoot more" if you actually shoot more! ;) I'm not a target shooter, so my use won't go up at all. I'm getting back into reloading after a 30-ish year hiatus because it's fun to shoot something with ammo you've loaded yourself.

Plus; with ammo being so short I will have a continuous supply. Not being a hoarder, just have enough powder, projectiles etc to see me right for hunting for quite some time. I recently had to get 303 ammo from Whanganui because there was none in Taranaki. I would've had to go through the pain in the arse mail order palaver if I hadn't been going down there anyway.

I haven't been able to get Buffalo 223 ammo since well before Xmas. However I now have a few boxes of 55 Game King projectiles that will see me right. So it's all horses for courses, everyone has a different situation. Cheers! :)

You can spend as much or as little as you want but like all things you get what you pay for, is it cheaper for me to reload? Hell no, I would have to load 1000's of rounds before I started to get even close because I bought good gear and I'm only using my reloads for hunting.

What price do you put on a hobby or sport?

For me pros; great accurate ammo = can be confident in hitting your target which means meat on the table, you can load different weighted projectiles where you may struggle to buy the factory ammo you want in the shop, you can load a fresh batch just before heading out, provided you have the right dies you can load what calibre you want depending on what riffle you decide to take and what terrain you decide to go and hunt, and it's a joy to use good gear for example A&D scales, 21st centry handpriming tool, Mitutoyo callipers, Redding press and Redding compitition dies just to name a few and last of all its a great hobby and satisfying knowing your home loads provided the meat on the dinner table.

Everyones situation is different and you can reload good ammo with less expensive gear, you may be into hunting or target shooting.

If you are a hunter and you want the cheapest option then buy a box or two of factory ammo, find one your riffle likes and then buy a few boxes so you have enough to last.

If money is no option and you want a cool hobby that will give you satisfaction and be able to load the projectiles of your choice then get into reloading.

It's probably the equivilent to your Mrs doing the sewing, ENJOY!

:thumbsup:

It's been well summed up above, it can be and for some it is but for most of us (pretty safe assumption) it turns into a passion and rewarding hobby.

From my personal experience, you'll probably spend at least the same amount but you'll shoot more, learn more and if you decide it's not for you, you won't have any trouble selling the gear or components.

Thanks heaps for all your input folks and I’ve taken onboard the warnings that it can induce an enthusiastic trigger finger!
Think I’ll have to start looking at gear, the crazy thing is I actually did do it once for about 40 bullets after a very kind workmate gifted me his gear but it was over 25 yrs ago and my memory is shot but I seem to recall a hand held held screw type thing that maybe seated both primers and the bullet… can’t remember using scales either maybe just a measuring cup thing..can that be right?
Time to do some research!,

yes you possibly used a lee whackamole type set up.....
Ive been reloading for 30 years...very very seldom buy facctory loads anymore...only buy components if price is akin to stealing or they are something I really want that isnt normally around....
you buy once then laugh for years.
simple reloads will be cheaper per round than factory and will USUALLY give you similar accuracy and preformance....
or you can fine tune for super accurate..and use lots on paper getting it right
30/30 you will be able to reload for VERY VERY cheaply.....some cast projectiles and some powder n prrimers,freezer will stay full....

I think i spent about $2000 on top reloading gear - was fortunate that i could. Co-ax press redding comp dies wilson trimmer mitutoyo. now got a sinclair primer seater … it does save time and effort if you can use good quality gear and saves ammo if your first load goes well and you dont feel the need to experiment. It seems to last forever so divide the cost out over the rest of your life. Upgrading bits wasres money.


The biggest benefit of reloading for me has been the ability to use the same load same bullets same trajectory same terminal performance and everything for many years. Continuity of supply for factory ammo is just not good.

Shot my first SIKA 8pter years ago with my own rollie. Very satisfying. The ability to roll out specific loads for rifles and see them perform gives real satisfaction. Recently learnt art of loading 44 mag. Quite revealing from usual bottle neck . Then you enter voodoo land when you run Vapour trails from Matakohe. A quality pill from a dude making a world class product in the backwoods. Truly amazing. Equally so from Tokoroa. Roberts pills were "borrowed" and are being used up the Coast. Some very dead boars. Seems as if Greg Duley is getting back into reloading with Hornady? Reloading is an "investment". LOL. Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink. ANNEAL every time.

The initial cost to get started is expensive but eventually it'll pay itself off and your loaded ammo will be very cheap compared to store bought ammo. And your reloaded ammo can be much more accurate than store bought ammo, mine is. If you get into casting the cost per round gets even lower. Regardless of the cost of reloading it is a fun hobby.

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

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Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

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Buy a seperate decapping die. They are cheap

Die purchased. Range on Monday.

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Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

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Lee make a universal decapper that will let you deprime without expanding the case neck.
I use the basic Hornady dies and leave the expander in and have used the same press and scales for the past 35 years and they still make accurate ammo.
I also brought a Hornady powder thrower about 20 years ago which is awesome.
One day i may buy some flash electric scales maybe.

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

In my opinion, reloading is like any other hobby, you can spend a little or a lot. If you only shoot a few boxes a year it's probably not worth it. I initially got started in reloading because I bought a 22-250 varmint rifle to shoot rabbits in Central Otago. I bought good quality Redding gear that should last a lifetime and giving the fact you could go thru 100-200 rounds each trip, it wouldn't take long to pay off. I also enjoy reloading and get huge satisfaction producing my own ammunition which is,I hope is more accurate, load development is always interesting, learning what makes your rifle shoot the best, and of course the more shooting you do the better you get and the more confidence you have in your ability to pull off a clean successful shot. If you can, find an experienced reloader to show you the ropes and maybe try reloading some ammunition yourself to see if it's for you before you spend your hard earned cash. I'm sure there will be a good bloke/forum member local to you willing to help you out. I just dived in head first myself, spent a small fortune and have thoroughly enjoyed reloading and it has enhanced my enjoyment of our chosen sport, I'm sure many will agree.
Cheers Brett

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Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

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I dont....unless using the whackamole reloader...... sometimes folks make a problem where none exists..... or rather ,some folks like to make life /ammunition differently to others folks...weather or not the difference is a good thing matters not..if it makes them happy all is good...if they manage to squeaze a tiny bit better tighter group by doing so...... for my normal shooting distances,that 1" group is more than good enough.

As has been said by everyone above :thumbsup:
I started loading to duplicate a 243 ‘recipe’ that came with a new rifle
Then I bought a Lee whackamole for the 303…..
Now I’m loading 7-8 different calibres for myself and my son
Lee single stage press, Lee hand press and about 6 different Lyman 310 sets
Yes, it’s cheaper, yes you shoot a lot more ( or at least I do )
Besides, its relaxing, in a precise sort of way.
Beware, it can become addictive. :D

All I can say is "don't do it". You start off with a simple, relatively inexpensive kit, then, before you know it, the bench is covered in thousands of dollars worth of stuff, and then you have to try and justify to the wife how the shiny new toy you just bought is actually saving you money....

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Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

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Universal decapper.

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Originally Posted by Frogfeatures

As has been said by everyone above :thumbsup:
I started loading to duplicate a 243 ‘recipe’ that came with a new rifle
Then I bought a Lee whackamole for the 303…..
Now I’m loading 7-8 different calibres for myself and my son
Lee single stage press, Lee hand press and about 6 different Lyman 310 sets
Yes, it’s cheaper, yes you shoot a lot more ( or at least I do )
Besides, its relaxing, in a precise sort of way.
Beware, it can become addictive. :D

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Do many folk use the Lyman 310 tool? I am slowly putting some sets together - always looking for individual dies, tongs handles or full sets. Also havecsurplus bits to swap or trade etc. PM me if you have/want something

Only those of us with OCD or WTF, or something :thumbsup:

Greetings All,
I really believe that whether you are destined to be a handloader is dertermined at conception. If we are handloaders then there is no point in fighting it as it is our destiny. Please note the use of the word "We" in that sentance. For those that are not handloaders the endless repetition and attention to detail (possibly obsessive) will drive them nuts. Such people deserve our sympathy and support which should be freely given.
In answer to the OP question. The cost per round will be lower for a handloaded cartridge provided that just the cost of components are included. Any savings are eaten up by the cost of equipment testing and whatever we as handloaders do to satisfy our curiosity and need for knowledge. There is no way to change any of this, fortunately.
Regards Grandpamac.

I just started reloading again after more than 10 years of just buying Factory ammo .
Reloading basic ammo on basic reloading equipment is cheaper than buying Factory ammo without doubt, buttttt.........

Be careful of the gradual slide into wanting to use better components ( projectiles/ cases/ primers) etc.
If you are going to just load using standard/common/budget components then it is a money saver and you will still be able to find a load that will 95% of the time outshoot factory ammo .
If you go down the premium component road ,then watch the money go out the door .

If have the dosh buy good quality gear. It pays in the long run if you are committed to reloading.