Is It Worth It To Handload?

GMCGUY · 07-04-2007, 06:57 PM

Hey guys Im a pretty big shooter and have always bought ammo, how hard is it to handload, how big are the benifits and what are the prices once going to produce ammo versus buying it? Everyone Ive talked to said you can get much more accuracy and it can be cheaper, but I dont know. Ive looked at cabelas and the reloading kits and 3-5 hundred bucks to make your own bullets isnt bad, but is it worth it? Thanks in advance.

Chris · 07-04-2007, 08:52 PM

It totally depends on the round you intend to reload. Do you have any special loads, absolutely. If you enjoy reloading and find it relaxing, then absolutely.

lefty o · 07-04-2007, 09:45 PM

first of all, you will not save money by reloading. you will however be able to shoot more for the same money. many actually enjoy reloading, myself however i do it so i can shoot more.

Johnny_Revolver · 07-05-2007, 04:41 AM

Chris and Lefty have it nailed. If you shoot .223 or .308 by the bucket full out of a semi auto, then you can by ready made cheaper I`d say.

If like me, you want to shoot top shelf projectiles with a fair degree of accuracy, then rolling your own pays off. It can also be fun.

I find ( in my country atleast ) I can hand load for my .357 mag way WAY cheaper than buying off the shelf. A jug of powder lasts me ages.

But for my rifles, primarily I handload for accuracy. It will keep you off the streets too.

ludwig1138 · 07-05-2007, 07:55 AM

You can reduce your costs but will not "save". I load 40 S&W and shoot 200-300 a week. My cost of ammo is greatly reduced from any retail price. True cost reduction will result from buying components in bulk. 4000 bullets in bulk are $236.00 vs $758.00 if bought in boxes of 100 at a time. Buying primers and powder is best a local purchase as the Hazmat fee for shipping will negate any mail order price savings.

Your time will be a significant factor in your decision to start reloading. If using a single stage press to load large quantities of ammo, the time involved must be weighed against your other activities. If you use a progressive press, that factor is significantly less. However a progressive press imho not the way to learn reloading techniques.

I've have found that the more ammo available, the more I will shoot up.

Also you may become a "brass rat". Looking at what other people are shooting at the range, and if they don't reload, collecting their brass.

You may also find yourself staring with satisfaction at your shelf with 2500 rounds of 40 S&W JHP loaded but wondering how you will carry it if the SHTF.

toolman · 07-05-2007, 11:25 AM

Reloading is especially good for guys like me who shoot mostly older military guns. I like to hunt with either 7.62x54R or 8x57 but most ammo available is either fmj, prohibitively expensive, or otherwise unsuitable for hunting. I can load premium hunting ammo for a lot less than buying it off the shelf. It can also teach you a lot about ballistics.

time of flight · 07-05-2007, 06:50 PM

I reload because I WANNA GO FAST and i like the degree of accuracy that i can obtain through doing so it's a past time that my pop & father taught me and something that my kids will learn to.you can save a bit of money if you are doing a lot of shooting.
When i was roo shooting for a living i would reload 100 rounds every day so buying in bulk is a must. do it mate it's a great hobby and very much worth while

.22guy · 07-05-2007, 07:43 PM

I agree that it can be a fun hobby. Get a reloading manual (you can get one for not too much money) and read about it and see what you think. Also, maybe get a friend or range member to show you a little bit about it and see if it appeals to you.

billy · 07-05-2007, 08:51 PM

the thing that got me reloading was twofold.
1 backordered ammo makes me crazy!
2 i shoot a lot of .308 and this is the only way i can afford it.
as someone else mentioned, its kind of soothing. i like doing it.
i have and am learning a lot.

GMCGUY · 07-05-2007, 09:00 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, greatly appreciated. I dont belong to any ranges or clubs here, but my boss has a nice reloading set so I think im gonna take him up on his offer of teaching me. I really dont shoot a ton, but I think I would enjoy making my own ammo rather than buying it. Right now my reload candidates (at least i think they might be, you guys would know) are a .204, a .243, a 30-30, a 25-35 and a .348. In the near future a .308 (or two) and a .270 will be added to the mix so I think i have a few candidates for reloading.

Midas · 07-05-2007, 09:01 PM

I agree with what Chris said.

toolman · 07-05-2007, 09:17 PM

Buy every manual you can afford. Lee also has a C.D. that contains five different load manuals plus ballistics charts, costs calculators, inventory charts, etc. It is usually pretty cheap but the more manuals you can get, the better. Here's a good link to the disk.
MidwayUSA - Lee "The Shooter Program" Software CD-ROM

rfc357 · 07-07-2007, 11:49 AM

Short answer: yes.

I started reloading to get cheap .38 Special ammo. I still load cheap .38 Special, but the real advantage to me has become super-accurate rifle ammo. I load .30-06, .308, and .223 ammo that consistently produces 1-hole groups at 100 yards. I have shot commercial match ammo that will do as well, but it's really expensive.

Read a loading manual. Then read it again. The bullet-makers' manuals are the best, with Sierra being the best of those, in my opinion. Manuals from people who do not make bullets may be cheaper, but lack information. Be careful, pay attention, and produce good and safe ammunition. It is not difficult.

gandog56 · 07-07-2007, 11:49 PM

Actually my cheap 38 special ammo is also one of my most accurate loads I produce. But for a main manual I like Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, as he doesn't seem to push any special powders or bullets. Face it, a Speer Manual is going to push Speer Bullets, a Nosler manual is going to push Nosler bullets. Hogdgen has a decent manual as they list powders other than their own, even though they bought out Winchester Powder and IMR.

burd1959 · 07-08-2007, 07:35 AM

is reloading worth it yes is it cheaper yes if you watch for sales and pick up brass at range even if its something you dont have because you can allways trade it the book is a must dont get to hot it will hurt you and its so sweet when your hand loads out shoot factory loads 10 to 1

jerry · 07-08-2007, 07:58 AM

Iv'e found I can go broke saving money. I do this with a smile on my face because I load what works for me and my guns. I like to typically down load tinkering with published loads. I don't see the value in beating myself and equipment up for a hole in a piece of paper. Most of my hunting is done with .22 rimfire and or shotgun, so that falls into a different category albeit I load shotgun shells too. I have not seen one speck of bad advice from above. It's an enjoyable hobby.

billy · 07-09-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCGUY

Thanks for the replies guys, greatly appreciated. I dont belong to any ranges or clubs here, but my boss has a nice reloading set so I think im gonna take him up on his offer of teaching me. I really dont shoot a ton, but I think I would enjoy making my own ammo rather than buying it. Right now my reload candidates (at least i think they might be, you guys would know) are a .204, a .243, a 30-30, a 25-35 and a .348. In the near future a .308 (or two) and a .270 will be added to the mix so I think i have a few candidates for reloading.

JUMP on the opportunity to have someone show you the ropes!
i wish someone had offered to show me.
i had to figure it out (with the help of places like G&G) myself.

Oz n Bolivia · 07-09-2007, 11:53 AM

In my situation it is worth it. I shoot about 75to 100 rounds a month. Reloading supplies are hard to get but 38 Special. are just as hard to get and very costly. Relaoding is something I enjoy and is calming for me.

Oz

gandog56 · 07-16-2007, 05:23 PM

Try this page to figure out reloading costs.

Handloading Cost Calculator

billy · 07-16-2007, 06:25 PM

wow that is useful. that should be a sticky.
i dont know if we would be stealing it though

07-04-2007, 06:57 PM	#1
GMCGUY Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Trader Rating: (0)	Is It Worth It To Handload? Hey guys Im a pretty big shooter and have always bought ammo, how hard is it to handload, how big are the benifits and what are the prices once going to produce ammo versus buying it? Everyone Ive talked to said you can get much more accuracy and it can be cheaper, but I dont know. Ive looked at cabelas and the reloading kits and 3-5 hundred bucks to make your own bullets isnt bad, but is it worth it? Thanks in advance.

07-04-2007, 08:52 PM	#2
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,128 Trader Rating: (0)	It totally depends on the round you intend to reload. Do you have any special loads, absolutely. If you enjoy reloading and find it relaxing, then absolutely. __________________ Rules \| Contributing Members I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. --Thomas Jefferson No one has the right to deny my personal safety Need a reminder, why this site is so great?

07-05-2007, 04:41 AM	#4
Johnny_Revolver Gun Liker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,200 Trader Rating: (0)	Chris and Lefty have it nailed. If you shoot .223 or .308 by the bucket full out of a semi auto, then you can by ready made cheaper I`d say. If like me, you want to shoot top shelf projectiles with a fair degree of accuracy, then rolling your own pays off. It can also be fun. I find ( in my country atleast ) I can hand load for my .357 mag way WAY cheaper than buying off the shelf. A jug of powder lasts me ages. But for my rifles, primarily I handload for accuracy. It will keep you off the streets too. __________________ It`s a good life, provided you don`t weaken.

07-05-2007, 11:25 AM	#6
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,354 Trader Rating: (0)	Reloading is especially good for guys like me who shoot mostly older military guns. I like to hunt with either 7.62x54R or 8x57 but most ammo available is either fmj, prohibitively expensive, or otherwise unsuitable for hunting. I can load premium hunting ammo for a lot less than buying it off the shelf. It can also teach you a lot about ballistics. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

07-05-2007, 08:51 PM	#9
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,865 Trader Rating: (0)	the thing that got me reloading was twofold. 1 backordered ammo makes me crazy! 2 i shoot a lot of .308 and this is the only way i can afford it. as someone else mentioned, its kind of soothing. i like doing it. i have and am learning a lot. __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya!

07-04-2007, 09:45 PM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,691 Trader Rating: (0)	first of all, you will not save money by reloading. you will however be able to shoot more for the same money. many actually enjoy reloading, myself however i do it so i can shoot more.

07-05-2007, 07:55 AM	#5
ludwig1138 Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 35 Trader Rating: (0)	You can reduce your costs but will not "save". I load 40 S&W and shoot 200-300 a week. My cost of ammo is greatly reduced from any retail price. True cost reduction will result from buying components in bulk. 4000 bullets in bulk are $236.00 vs $758.00 if bought in boxes of 100 at a time. Buying primers and powder is best a local purchase as the Hazmat fee for shipping will negate any mail order price savings. Your time will be a significant factor in your decision to start reloading. If using a single stage press to load large quantities of ammo, the time involved must be weighed against your other activities. If you use a progressive press, that factor is significantly less. However a progressive press imho not the way to learn reloading techniques. I've have found that the more ammo available, the more I will shoot up. Also you may become a "brass rat". Looking at what other people are shooting at the range, and if they don't reload, collecting their brass. You may also find yourself staring with satisfaction at your shelf with 2500 rounds of 40 S&W JHP loaded but wondering how you will carry it if the SHTF.

07-05-2007, 06:50 PM	#7
time of flight Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: varmint central NSW Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0)	I reload because I WANNA GO FAST and i like the degree of accuracy that i can obtain through doing so it's a past time that my pop & father taught me and something that my kids will learn to.you can save a bit of money if you are doing a lot of shooting. When i was roo shooting for a living i would reload 100 rounds every day so buying in bulk is a must. do it mate it's a great hobby and very much worth while

07-05-2007, 07:43 PM	#8
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,066 Trader Rating: (0)	I agree that it can be a fun hobby. Get a reloading manual (you can get one for not too much money) and read about it and see what you think. Also, maybe get a friend or range member to show you a little bit about it and see if it appeals to you.

07-05-2007, 09:00 PM	#10
GMCGUY Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the replies guys, greatly appreciated. I dont belong to any ranges or clubs here, but my boss has a nice reloading set so I think im gonna take him up on his offer of teaching me. I really dont shoot a ton, but I think I would enjoy making my own ammo rather than buying it. Right now my reload candidates (at least i think they might be, you guys would know) are a .204, a .243, a 30-30, a 25-35 and a .348. In the near future a .308 (or two) and a .270 will be added to the mix so I think i have a few candidates for reloading.

07-05-2007, 09:01 PM	#11
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,703 Trader Rating: (0)	I agree with what Chris said. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

07-05-2007, 09:17 PM	#12
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,354 Trader Rating: (0)	Buy every manual you can afford. Lee also has a C.D. that contains five different load manuals plus ballistics charts, costs calculators, inventory charts, etc. It is usually pretty cheap but the more manuals you can get, the better. Here's a good link to the disk. MidwayUSA - Lee "The Shooter Program" Software CD-ROM __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

07-07-2007, 11:49 AM	#13
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741 Trader Rating: (0)	Short answer: yes. I started reloading to get cheap .38 Special ammo. I still load cheap .38 Special, but the real advantage to me has become super-accurate rifle ammo. I load .30-06, .308, and .223 ammo that consistently produces 1-hole groups at 100 yards. I have shot commercial match ammo that will do as well, but it's really expensive. Read a loading manual. Then read it again. The bullet-makers' manuals are the best, with Sierra being the best of those, in my opinion. Manuals from people who do not make bullets may be cheaper, but lack information. Be careful, pay attention, and produce good and safe ammunition. It is not difficult.

07-07-2007, 11:49 PM	#14
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 3,348 Trader Rating: (0)	Actually my cheap 38 special ammo is also one of my most accurate loads I produce. But for a main manual I like Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, as he doesn't seem to push any special powders or bullets. Face it, a Speer Manual is going to push Speer Bullets, a Nosler manual is going to push Nosler bullets. Hogdgen has a decent manual as they list powders other than their own, even though they bought out Winchester Powder and IMR.

07-08-2007, 07:35 AM	#15
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 606 Trader Rating: (0)	is reloading worth it yes is it cheaper yes if you watch for sales and pick up brass at range even if its something you dont have because you can allways trade it the book is a must dont get to hot it will hurt you and its so sweet when your hand loads out shoot factory loads 10 to 1

07-08-2007, 07:58 AM	#16
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Iv'e found I can go broke saving money. I do this with a smile on my face because I load what works for me and my guns. I like to typically down load tinkering with published loads. I don't see the value in beating myself and equipment up for a hole in a piece of paper. Most of my hunting is done with .22 rimfire and or shotgun, so that falls into a different category albeit I load shotgun shells too. I have not seen one speck of bad advice from above. It's an enjoyable hobby. Last edited by jerry; 07-08-2007 at 08:01 AM.

07-09-2007, 11:53 AM	#18
Oz n Bolivia Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Paz, Bolivia Posts: 112 Trader Rating: (0)	In my situation it is worth it. I shoot about 75to 100 rounds a month. Reloading supplies are hard to get but 38 Special. are just as hard to get and very costly. Relaoding is something I enjoy and is calming for me. Oz __________________ Education gives us a data base of knowledge, what and how we use that data base is wisdom.

07-16-2007, 05:23 PM	#19
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 3,348 Trader Rating: (0)	Try this page to figure out reloading costs. Handloading Cost Calculator

07-16-2007, 06:25 PM	#20
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,865 Trader Rating: (0)	wow that is useful. that should be a sticky. i dont know if we would be stealing it though __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya!