OK, been scratching my little head...playing with the math and I just dont see a reason to reload the stuff I shoot most of the time....Im talking 45acp, 9mm, 223, 308 and 7.62x39.
Not includeing the cost of the press and dies, I mean just brass, bulletts, primers and powder I keep comeing within a penny or two of surpluss, wolf or simaler type ammo...in the case of the 9mm Wal-mart $11 for 100 is cheaper than reloading.
I figure I must be missing something....cause lots of you reload for some reasons....Im figureing brass is good for about 5 shoots before it needs to be tossed....and in terms of componets figure I would need brass and all to start.
Now on the big stuff like the 45/70, 454, and 44mag the cost saveings are there...but I dont shoot these all that much.
so can you all explain why Im as messed up as Bill Clinton at a celabcy confrence
I think once you made the initial investment you would still see savings on the rounds you mentioned.
You would have the ability to load them light and use lead bullets for plinking or load hot with jacketed bullets. I use to load the .45 acp by the thousands and it saved a lot of money over factory loads.
I think you'd also see accuracy improve immediately especially in the .308. Using the fire formed cases out of your gun and neck sizing only turned my 6.5 Swede into a real tack driver. I dont know how many times the brass has been reloaded for my guns but its more than 5 times.
And the biggest reason is because its just plain fun!
My handloads are much more accurate than any mil surplus I have ever shot. Mil surplus is fine for plinking but when I'm shooting for score I like all the accuracy I can get.
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All of the above I agree with especially the accuracy. Hand loads can be tailored to a specific gun. Since all guns are different, even between the same steel lots, same craftsman, etc... So the benefits really show up when you compare hand load cost vs. Match quality rounds.
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Overall, you might save a few cents a round on handguns with all the cheap ol' ammo out there. But, the ammo isn't all that accurate. It's fine for very close distance self protection but, after 25 yards it can make the difference if you are still standing or not when it's all over.
The same holds true for the cheaper .223 and 7.62 x 39 ammo out there. But, again, get it out to distance and the commercial and mil surp isn't as accurate as I would like it.
I also load for the pure enjoyement. I had never had a job where I could see a finished product, something I could say I produced, etc. With reloading I find that.
However, you can have a bad day like the one I posted, with pic, 'Good and bad day at the range' thread.
And, to think, I went strictly by the Speer reloading manual too, dang!
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Yep been haveing fun...but man Ive spent $$ like a drunken sailor on shore leave....this saveings thing is kinda like enron $$ its there on paper I save $$ per round but have to reload and shoot 1000 rounds to see the saveings (not includeing equiptmeent)...but in for a penny in for a pound besides wifee poo has not blown too many head gaskets YET
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in the cals. you mentioned, unles you are looking for more consistant loads or groups your right. but take a look at the cost of ruger 480 and how much you save by reloading and you may get your answer.
I used to reload all my shotgun shells but with the cost of 12ga down to what it is now I just swing through wall-mart and pick up a 200 pk. (sad but they can sell it cheaper than I can buy it at the gun shop)
I do reload for my 308 and my 223, for better groups and better bullet selection.
my competions shooting requires all lead no jackets on the 45acp so there again i reload because nobody makes it, same with the 135 grn bullet in the 308 ( recomended load for the savage striker) and the 40grn v-max in the 223.
It really isn't a cost saveings thing anymore untill you get into other cals. that are costly to shoot. for me its a way to step out for a while and let the world go by with out me for a bit. when you get into it, you can spen hours just relaoding and even have to have the wife or kids ask you If your gona eat dinner befor bed time or not. he he he he
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Ordering 45 colt/454 cas and 45/70 dies tuesday (payday).....I did a spreed sheet....I save $$ even on the 9mm....about $4 per hundred $10 per hundred for the 45acp.....(Local place sells Cast lead bullets they make on site realy cheap and no shiping cost...so only $18 per 500 for 45acp).... but since I spent X ammount for brass, 1000 primers, powder the saveings are based more on 1000 rounds of ammo....except I only shoot about 100-200 rounds per month...so the actual saveigns will be seen in 6months....but Im basicly useing the $$ I spent on smokeing (teacher said to reward your self)....so prety much most of it is $$ that would have went up in smoke......I just find it funny to say Im saveing $$ by reloading when Ive spent so much to get going
Lips, if they have a range around your neck of the woods, check them out for good used brass. I pick up used brass from a local range for .01 cent each (no more than .03 cents each for large rifle).
Often I get someone next to me at the range that doesn't want their brass so I get their permission to pick their really good stuff up for free.
Also, there are a handfull of places in the wild here where people have made make-shift ranges and I scour them from time to time.
The only brass I have ever bought was a good handful of 30.06.
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"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
It is possible to load cheaper than factory ammo in any caliber. 7.62x39mm and .223 make it a real challenge, of course. However, 9mm, .45 ACP, and .308 are no-brainers.
Some people claim that you do not save money; instead, you shoot more for the same money. In my case, I both shoot more AND save money.
I suppose that some reloaders waste big money on doo-dads and such. I never have; my equipment cost is still well under $200, not including dies. I don't need a $100+ case trimmer when I find hundreds of once fired cases every weekend at the range!
I have to agree with Dale. There are larger issues at stake as well. My 9mm loads will outshine Winchester USA any time, any place, and with any pistol.
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i agree! my equipment is not fancy...single stage press thats over 50 years old i bet...and i buy lee case trimmers for each caliber,maybe 7 bucks each. the biggest cost to me is match grade bullets ,i usually shoot 200 gr bullets in my 30 calibers rifles but here lately i been getting some 190's at the gun shows that have comparable accuracy at a cheaper price!
9mm, 40 s&w,45acp,44mag, 6.5x55,7mm08, 30-06, 12ga, and 10mm coming soon. it is cheaper to reload or i wouldnt be doing it. i dont exactly enjoy cranking on the handle of the press for hours on end.
hey lefty, what load ya use on ur 6.5x55? im using 140gr bullets with 40gr of winchester 760. dont know about velocity but with open sights it keps a inch and a half group at 100 yrds. i want to scope my swede to really see what it will do but dang its purty the way it is i hate to screw it up! lol
have to work up a new load soon- the swedes in the shop being rebarreled. 140 gr hornandy's with imr 4895 powder. my dad uses imr4320 with sierra 140grainers in his with excellent results. id probably use that but 4895 works with all 3 rifle cals- and works good in the garand so thats what i use.
ya know, ive heard of alot of people using the imr powders...i may try some if i ever run out of win760. ive really had great results with it in my swede and my mosin and my garand also!
Do you Reload??????? 
