Is it worth it?

I have recently got into reloading, I regret it but it's too late, it gives so many more options especially for 223 but it's also something to deal with. Spent something like $1500 before even firing a shot and that was buying almost everything used.

I recommend at least doing a full price out in excel or something first including things like a chrono. Lots of little cheap things add up, case trimmers etc. Also consider that it'll make you want to buy a 30 cal in 1:8 twist to fire the highest BC stuff. At least you shouldn't need brass.

Less than two boxes a year...buy factory... More than two boxes,reload...you CAN set yourself up for under $500 , realistically you don't need a lot of gear to turn out good ammunition...great ammunition for super tiny groups demands greater care and consistancy..not more $ spent.

would it not be worth consideration if one spent dollars on reloading gear and want to increase accuracy and reloading will do that but and a huge but a big consideration is one needs a damn accurate rifle to go with it - to me a rifle that is not inherently accurate why bother nothing is going to improve it - but if one has a rifle that will will shoot better with carefull handlaods then thats an exciting challenge with hand loading

It costs me half of what it would to buy ammo by reloading for my 270. But My reloading gear is 30 years old and dosnt owe me anything. If you are buying new now it's a lot of reloading to pay it off.

If you are happy with the factory ammo, and only go through a box every two months or less, then probably stick with that. Maybe keep your fired cases and sell them to reduce cost overall.

But if long term you can see yourself shooting more or using more guns, then it's worth thinking about. There are other advantages other than just cost too. You have ammo whenever you want and no risk of the shop not having yours in stock when you need it for example.

There is no way I could afford to shoot as much as I do if buying factory ammo.
I've only brought factory ammo once in the last 30 years and that was 7prc at $120 per 20.
You have to consider a few things are you just going to load for 1 rifle and how many rounds will you use.
The Norma 180 bondstrike in the 300 WSM is bloody good ammo and you would struggle to better it with reloads.
The Lee kits are good value and you can buy cheaper things like Lee trimmer to go in your drill, a simple inside and outside neck champher.
Or find someone local that will show you and let you use his gear or load them for you.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Less than two boxes a year...buy factory... More than two boxes,reload...you CAN set yourself up for under $500 , realistically you don't need a lot of gear to turn out good ammunition...great ammunition for super tiny groups demands greater care and consistancy..not more $ spent.

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100% the list I posted earlier is all you need to start.
Later as required you will need a few bits and bobs.

E.g.
Trimmers. Lee makes good cheap trimmers.
De burring tools, again Lee.
Pocket cleaner. I made mine. Actually not really necessary.
Dippers/scoops. I made mine. If your keen a Lee perfect powder measure.
Tricker. But there are cheaper options.

So far as I can see, you have 3 options.
In no particular order:
1Reload
2 Calculate how much it would take to set yourself up in reloading gear, then take that total around a few shooting shops and ask them how much ammo you could get for the same price, if they're willing to do a really sharp deal.
3 Buy an AED, take it with you when you go to buy ammo, and ask the nice staff at the shop to nuke you with it if you collapse when you hear the price of a packet of ammo. I nearly passed out when I saw the prices for 300 win .

Seriously, reloading is gonna be the way to go unless you're happy feeding your boomstick the cheapest ammo. Even then, there's no guarantee that it will go down in price.

I've fired at least 2000 rounds of handloads in the past year. My reloading gear is worth about 2k all up. If I saved $1 per round it's paid for itself in the last year.

6GT match factory ammo is $4.50 per round. Handloaded it costs me about $2 on average. I've shot at least 1200 rounds. 1200*$2.50 in savings. I've paid for the gear just in savings on 6GT.

Plus it's interesting and you can make things that aren't available

I just like it, it's cathartic and satisfying to produce your own ammunition. Also the austic part of me likes the numbers

Not financially worth it for deer hunting on public land. But it is a lot of fun, so its best not to look at your hobbies in strictly financial terms. If you are trying to improve on sub moa, it is possible but it may be a very frustrating experience. You might get some more velocity though. I tend to just load something up and if it shoots around an inch I just leave it. It becomes a lot more worth it if you have several calibres. You can load heaps of random projectiles like monos etc. If you shoot matches where you blow 80 or so rounds in a day the savings really add up. Or rabbit/wallaby shooting where you go through ammo a bit more. You can do a lot of weird projects like trying to make 300wsm subsonic ammo haha!

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Originally Posted by Oldbloke

100% the list I posted earlier is all you need to start.
Later as required you will need a few bits and bobs.

E.g.
Trimmers. Lee makes good cheap trimmers.
De burring tools, again Lee.
Pocket cleaner. I made mine. Actually not really necessary.
Dippers/scoops. I made mine. If your keen a Lee perfect powder measure.
Tricker. But there are cheaper options.

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$25 for this and $16 for the gauge. $41+post for case trimmer. I've set myself up for about $260+consumables. All I need is a primer and a press, so make it $410 all up. Saving $2.50 a round, so will break even after 200 rounds, including load development.

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Greetings @H.M,
Before you buy anything see if you can find someone to show you the process and gear needed. Handloading is a process oriented pastime. Some people, like me, absolutely love it but others find it mindlessly boring and tend to take shortcuts which can result in crap ammo or worse. Only you can decide where you fit in all this. If you decide to handload you will need a mentor to guide you through the process. You can't rely on the internet for this.
Regards Grandpamac.

First time I saw reloading done opened my eyes to how simple it could be. Mate n I shooting goats on Thier farm. But by midday I had used up most of my 270 ammo and he had finished his 243 stuff. Back to house,out came Lee whackamole set. He banged away for half n hourish...and fourty rounds later we went back up hill n shot more goats...ranges were out to about 300 yards and they were dieing just fine... Made a fella think that is for sure. No scales,just a scoop measure,no trimming,just whack whack,scoop whack and away lol.

It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be

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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @H.M,
Before you buy anything see if you can find someone to show you the process and gear needed. Handloading is a process oriented pastime. Some people, like me, absolutely love it but others find it mindlessly boring and tend to take shortcuts which can result in crap ammo or worse. Only you can decide where you fit in all this. If you decide to handload you will need a mentor to guide you through the process. You can't rely on the internet for this.
Regards Grandpamac.

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This is good info.

I taught myself with no help. First a Lee hammer job for 12g I was given then bought one for my 30.06. (pre-Lee) Never looked back. Back in the day, no internet. Read a couple of articles in magazines and books and away I went. Bought a press and dies and much later cheap scales. Over the years I have slowly upgraded buying additional gear.scales e.t.c. Started with DIY scoops and still use them occasionally. A lot of gear you can DIY if your handy and have time.

BUT, A mentor is the best option. Then you won't make most of the mistakes I made. :LOL:

And as GPM says just a session watching would be a great help.
As mentioned it can be very simplistic or very complicated.

This may help.