Reloading- break even point?

[sticky]

Now that ammo supplies are returning to pre Obama levels, I am considering investing in a single stage press kit and reloading my own ammo. I've spoken with a co-worker that reloads, and he claims that I could reload 9mm for almost half the cost of retail.  The last box of 9mm ammo I bought cost just under .18 a round.  I won't be loading thousands of rounds per week, but more like a couple hundred.  Pricing the different components, I don't see how I can beat the cheaper retail ammo.  Does anybody have any data on when reloading becomes worthwhile?

I realize that 9mm is a mass ammo market and may be tough to beat, but certainly rifle ammo would be cheaper in the long run, yes?

[GoldTip]

I've reloaded 9mm ammo and it certainly seems to burn cleaner and be more reliable.  I can say this it is probably half or less the cost to reload 50 9mm rounds than it is to buy them.  But if you figure in the time it takes to reload those bullets and what your times is worth, it's not even close to being a break even situation.  And thats WITH owning all the stuff to do it.  I don't relaod any longer my plinking ammo for my 9mm, 38 special or my 45.  The ammo I carry in any of those guns simply for protection is all handloaded, but I can practice with factory loads much cheaper and use good handloads for my personal protection in those guns and spend the rest of my free time reloading for my rifles.  My Dad's 44mag, my wifes 357mag, my 454 casull only see handloads. 

[shoot-em-dead]

I would never be able to shoot as much as I do without reloading. It is well worth the money.

[JackOfAllTrades]

If you're an avid shooter, the cost of equipment will come back in less than a couple years. If you're a competitor, you'll recoup in one year.

If you're a pure recreationalist that shoots every couple weeks, once you start reloading, you'll break even with what you spent before, but you'll shoot a whole lot more and be able to create specific concoctions suited for your needs.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Smaller calibers are cheaper to reload. 9mm comes down to being dirt cheap.. Like $.10ea if you get range pick up brass for free and buy bullets in bulk or pour your own lead. I pour my own lead and make 45acp at $.06ea. Even buying bullets, you can make 40s&w at $.11ea.

-Steve

[sticky]

Thanks for the great info.  I think I am the type of person that would enjoy the time spent reloading, especially when I am able to test different loads & bullets, etc.  My reloading friend says he goes with RCBS all the way, another uses Hornady hardware, and another uses Dillon exclusively.  Lee seems to have reasonably priced equipment.  Any problems with any of these brands?

[CAMPMEAT]

I want to start too. My buddy has been doing it for 40 years. He just bought the Hornady Deluxe kit ( I think that's the one ). He uses Lee dies. I think that's what I'm going to get.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Lee, Lyman and Hornady have some lower end presses. Stay away from the smaller ones.

That said, I have DILLON, RCBS, LEE, LYMAN stuff in my gun room. Dillon press and RCBS press.  Lyman dies are the worst of the bunch. I have no problem with any of the rest. If you're going to do some precision reloading for long range rifle shooting, then go with RCBS custom or Redding.

I always suggest to a new reloader that he/she should start with a single stage press until they've out grown it with skill and experience before jumping to a progressive press.

-Steve

[Alchase]

This is just my perspective, and my not be correct for others, I found that reloading was more of a hobby then a cost savings for myself. If you shoot a couple hundred rounds a week, you might brake even. But just like all my other shooting/hunting I always want the new, better, more efficient, more expencive toy. So I was always playing catch up, lol
I can buy 0.40 cal. target rounds for $25.00 - $29.00 per hundred box

[JackOfAllTrades]

I can buy 0.40 cal. target rounds for $25.00 - $29.00 per hundred box

So a 40s&w shooter would save $19/box of 100. If you shot 100rds/every two weeks, then it'll take a guy xx amount of weeks to recoup the value of equipment.

But the hobby itself is valuable. A reloader learns so much more than loading ammo. You'll spend time pouring over ballistic charts and learn more about BC and trajectory and such that the reloader ends up knowing much more about what to expect from his bullets/cartridges/rifle/handgun when hunting, or competing.

-Steve

[SquirrelHunter]

I bought a reloading kit by LEE from Cabelas, i think it was 99bucks or so, by the time i got all the dies and powder and bullets it was around $175, I just use all the brass from my store bought rounds, so Im making my rouns for about .80cents a round. I shoot a Mossberg 4x4 .338 winmag 200gr ballistic slivertip with 66.3gr. reloading saves me $1.70 a round as apposed to buying from the store at $2.50 a pop. So for me i broke even quick, at about 100 rounds or so (typical days shooting), well worth the time to reload.

[CAMPMEAT]

OK, guys. This is what I'd be reloading, 22-250, 223, and 308. Probably never handgun because I shoot more varmints than people. I'm not in it for tackdrivin' 1/16 groups. Any suggestions since I'm leaving for the big town of Spokane tomorrow ? Would I waste my money because I want it for more of a hobby than sniping ?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Would I waste my money because I want it for more of a hobby than sniping ?

No.  It's a great hobby.  And you never know how it will develope into something else unless you try.

-Steve

[Special T]

I think it makes the most $$ difference for rifles and less common calibers... I don't reload or intend to because I have an '06 and 22lr and shot guns.... I have a buddy that reloads 223 for his AR.. saves some money but increased his accuracy a bunch...  

[grundy53]

 i'm getting into it for the hobby aspect more then the money savings although thats nice too!. Got my Kit in last week and ordered what i think is the rest of the tools and the materials hope to get started next week. 

[Schwag173]

I once heard an old guy say that "reloading won't save you any money but you'll shoot a lot more."  This has been my experience and I would also add that my rifle/ammo combinations are MUCH more accurate because I can cook up the exact recipe each of them likes.