To reload, or not to reload?

[Bertgamble2001]

That is the question.

I have not yet dipped my toe into the reloading waters, and I plan on purchasing a manual tomorrow and beginning my reading. The question that I don't think the manual will answer is how much more economical is it to reload?

I am not interested in doing it for the fun, although I might find it to be a rewarding experience. I am primarily looking to shoot more rounds for my money. Since I plan on this being a long term hobby, I am not concerned with the initial start up costs of the reloading equipment, or my break even point. I know that my start up investment will be a few hundred dollars, and that is acceptable.

I just bought 2k rounds of Blazer .45 ACP and it cost $774 with shipping. That works out to 38.7 cents a round. A good deal, since the same ammo would cost me $954.80 or 47.7 cents a round if I purchased local.

I see that I can get 2k Tulammo for 597.83 or 29.9 cents a round, but I do not know if this is acceptable amunition. What are your thought?

I spoke to a person at the gun store and he tried to convince me not to think about reloading, saying that it is more expensive than buying it. I asked if he sold reloading equipment, and he said he does not. I think that may have skewed his opinion.

Do you guys who reload .45 ACP have an average amount that you spend per round that you could share with me? Since I will already have 2k pieces of brass, it would be a shame to have them go to waste after they go bang.

Also, is reloading something that is easily picked up by reading the instructions, or is it important to have some one on one instruction?

If any of you live near Williams Ca, and would be willing to spend a few minutes showing what reloading is about, I will bring the pizza and soft drinks.

Thank you for your opinions.

Bert Gamble

[Alpo]

Buying in bulk, which is really the only way to do it. You can get large pistol primers for around 30 dollars a thousand. A pound of Unique (the Unique load for 45 ball is 6.8 grains. A thousand rounds is 6,800 grains, and there are 7000 grains in a pound, so basically a pound of Unique is a thousand rounds) costs 18 dollars. That's 48 bucks total. Berry 230 grain ball is 40 bucks for 250, so that's 160 for a thousand. Two hundred and eight dollars for 1000 rounds, $416 for 2K.

[Alpo]

People will say that you save money by reloading. Most of us that reload know that is not true. We don't save money, we just have more ammo.

[Bertgamble2001]

I knew I joined this forum for a reason. That is exactly the type of info that I needed. Especially how many grains in a pound of powder. That was what was my real sticking point on figuring out cost.

Thank you very much, and I know I will have more questions once I start reading.

[polishshooter]

.45 ACP is one of the easiest and most economical rounds to reload!

I started my reloading with it mainly BECAUSE of the economics! My THIRD year in IPSC, 1984, I shot 50,000 rounds PLUS in One Year! (1000/week practice, and 50-150 per weekend in match ammo)

Buying RETAIL is only an option if you are independently wealth.

BACK then, I bought once fired military brass for $50/1000. I paid $22/1000 for 200 gr SWC H&G #68 dry lubed bullets, and picked them up by the 10k from the caster every 10 weeks since I had to go near him for a staff meeting, and it was convenient, AND I saved shipping! When I ran o in between, I paid $35-$40/1000 for Vance's grease lubed bullets (which were better than my standard load)

At the time, factory ammo was about 1/2 to 3/4 what it is now, and it was a no-brainer. My reloads were costing me about 5-8 CENTS apiece not counting brass.

I STILL have about 3000 rounds of the bullets left, and about 500 of the ORIGINAL 1000 military cases left, along with maybe another 300 cases of mixed factory stuff. Some of my "practice" cases have been reloaded 20-30 times, and still going strong. And I still have about 150 of the ORIGINAL brass that has not been reloaded yet, I guess I am saving that for my "match" ammo should I ever start up again...:p I probably only lost no more than 30-50 cases due to cracks, wear, damage etc.,, but most of THEM were the result of me screwing them up in the press or the process! The "Missing Cases" are because even on your hands and knees you can count on an average of 5% loss with an autoloader. (but then again, a lot of my practice cases are "found" cases that other guys lost! so that is a wash:p)

I kinda keep up with the costs that it would cost me NOW to shoot that much, and generally the prices have doubled for what I was paying. For example I now see the SAME Vance's 200 gr H&G #68 Lead SWCs at shows for $39.99 for 500. Once fired military brass is no longer available for a nickel each, granted, but you will STILL get 20+ loads from ANY of them.

Powder that I used is about double what I paid, as is primers. So figure AFTER your investment in your reloading equipment, which is a one time expense of about $200-$500 depending what you want to spend, if the cost is DOUBLE what mine was, you will be spending about 10-16 cents per round, AND getting a load that you are SURE will work 100% of the time, TAILORED to your weapon.

$100-$160 per 1000 rounds STILL is a HELLUVA deal compared to your price for 1000 retail. Buy all your setup, even if you do not go progressive press ($250-$600) (for a pistol AT LEAST get a Turret press! $100-$200) and you will have saved money over that $700 price for 2k rounds, the FIRST 2k rounds you load! THEN everything else is downhill from there!

Now as for time, when I started with my $10 "Lee Loader":p it took me about an hour to load 20 rounds, with a Single stage it will take you a couple of hours to batch load 50-100 rounds, with changing dies and all, with a turret you should hit MAYBE 100 rds/hr (I use a turret now since I don't compete, and that is what it takes me), with a good progressive set up right with a good powder measure on a powder through expander die, it will probably take you longer to inspect and load the press with the cases, powder, and primers than to load 100 rounds!:p I would shoot 300 rounds practice every other day, and load the 300 practice rounds in between each off night, and maybe 1-2 hours to load the 300 practice rounds each night with my Pacific Pro-7 progressive press, with Lee Carbide dies, and a Lee auto disc automatic measure/dispenser. My match ammo took me about twice the time, because I primed each case with a hand primer, and was anal about handling each case and bullet.

But the .45 ACP is low pressure, forgiving, and a REALLY easy round to load!

Give it a try!

[polishshooter]

And that reminds me! I just checked and I have only about a hundred loaded rounds left in my bin that holds about 500 rounds, so with my 6 or 7 loaded mags I have laying around I have less than 150 rounds loaded! Time to clamp the turret press back to the bench and crank out some MORE:p

[woolleyworm]

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=87353

link to what you can find on the secondary market, also a link for reasons why people reload:

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=86685

7000 gn per pound and for the same 2000 rounds that I would handload, I would average about $370-$380 with plated bullets and about $420 with jacketed bullets. Even less with lead.

Hope that gives ya some good reading and insight!

[312shooter]

I can throw numbers out there, but I won't. Satisfaction is what keeps my head into reloading, not to mention a good laugh at your factory ammo shooting buds because they juuuuust can't afford to stay at the range nearly as long as you! Thats just the icing on the reloaders cake, (especially after picking up all THEIR BRASS):D

[polishshooter]

312 I hear you!

When I shot IPSC we always practiced with the rule that whoever LOST the last timed practice round picked up all the brass.

I had my practice ammo marked with a Sharpie and knew what practice brass of mine was decent and what wasn't...


So as a "C" class shooter shooting regularly with at least one "B" and one "A" I picked up a LOT of brass:p:D

But is is AMAZING how many times I was stuck on my hands and knees my mixed "tired" mostly FOUND :p:RP or other commercial "ratty" cases ended up in THEIR piles when a LOT of their decent military cases ended up in MINE!:p:D

[gdmoody]

Here is a link to a place where you can figure out the cost of each round. You plug in the costs for each component and the calculator will give you the cost per round or 50 rounds or 1000 rounds:

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

[carver]

Bertgamble2001, you will get a lot of information here, these folks are very knowledgeable. I myself have been reloading pistol ammo for well over 30 years, and I only reload to save money. Not real sure about how much I save, but I sure do have a lot of bullets! Here is a place for you to caculate exactly what you are spending on reloading. Check it out!
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[hunter29180]

i think what all this means is YES it costs less per shot and so you will save $$..the problem is you WILL spend the same or more $$ all because you WILL shoot 3-4 times as much as before and EXPONETILY expand your shooting pleasure!!! and that last is PRICELESS!!

[Jay]

One additional caveat in favor of reloading..... here in Indiana, the winters can be a bit on the fresh side. I do most of my reloading when the winter weather restricts my outdoor activities. When I head for the range towards spring, I have thousands of rounds of various calibers to shoot up.... win-win

[the yooper]

i reload for a hobby for me and my boy/ acc/cost savings!! we only reload hi dollar amo example . 340 wby mag store price 60 to80 $ a box i can reload the same bullet powder and primer in MY brass 20 to30 $ and more acc..
long winters up hear in the UP [upper michigan] so its a good winter hobby for us and passing on some skills. to my boy.
and you can inprove your acc.
i load 340wby mag 300wby mag 270 win 44 amg [308 win 223win for acc only allso buy in bulk] 40 9mm allso buy in bulk
hope this helps you . its win win win for us.:D

[Gene Seward]

I thought for years that I wanted to, but was afraid I would blow something up. LOL I started about 4 years ago, and love every minute that I am at my bench. You need to do it for relaxation if for no other reason. BTW, my accuracy is WAAAAAAY better with my reloads. Good Luck.

[TheGunClinger]

Well, everybody has already given the many reasons why one would re-load. I concur with all the above. Its fun, relaxing, cheaper in the long run, can stay at the range longer then the guy with his box of 50 while I have a full ammo can. I love shooting my Desert Eagle .50 A&E but with new rounds costing about $60.00 for a box of twenty I wouldnt be able to shoot my usual 60-80 rounds very often. I can make them for about .40 cents each which saves me a bundle but really annoys the guy in the lane to my right. (You'd have to be there to understand:D) Some rounds I dont bother with re-loads as I dont shoot them much (.380). I buy new and save the brass as I do have the dies and components just not the ambition. Loading is not for everybody but I bet you will love it once you start cranking out quality ammo.

BTW, Welcome to the forum Bert!

EDIT: Another reason for having the capability of making your own ammo is that if the SHTF someday, all that will be worth anything will be gold, toilet paper and BULLETS!

[Claudius Valarium]

I agree with all of the above, but especially with TheGunClinger. It's relaxing. A chance to get to the ManCave bench and have some quiet, down time.

[American Leader]

I love reloading as much as I love shooting. And as far as cost, it depends a little on purchasing components for the right price. I buy quantity when I get a special price and stock up for future usage. If I pay low retail component prices my cost for 9mm/.105, .357/.13, .45ACP/.125 and 44Mag./.18 per round. Reloading rifle .223/.202, .22-250/.272, .30-06/.412 per round. Right now I am able to purchase components wholesale and these prices are reduced by 30%. And what Gunclinger and Cladius say about fun and ManCave quiet is so very true! I not only love and think it is fun, but it is very theraputic! Good luck Bertgamble2001, and if you need a little help getting started or have questions, the guy's on this forum know their stuff.

[nes4ever69]

my lead 9mm rounds cost me about $.04 per round, my 500 magnum lead rounds cost me $.27, jacketed 500 magnum cost me using barnes xpb bullets, $1.39 per round. and my lead 44 magnum cost me about $.14 per round.

[10 Spot Terminator]

Point to ponder here newbie ,,,

You dont have to buy all your start up equipment new or even your brass for that matter. Lots of forums such as this one have a buy, sell, trade thread on them . There is always evil-bay too for your press, powder measure and scale etc., etc.,... Try to find out from your local range or reloading outlet who some of the local reloading gurus are and I will bet most of them will be willing to help and maybe give you some direction as well. We are a breed apart and darn proud of it willing to share what we know and what to try and avoid . Great hobby, gives you stuff to do in the winter, puts a grin on your chin when you run accross that "sweetheart load" that makes all your buds envious :rolleyes:

10 SPOT

[Bertgamble2001]

I have ordered a hornaday Lock-n-Load from Cabelas along with most of the other stuff I will need. I am hopefull that it will be waiting for me at the house when i get back from work in the middle of April. All I should need to pick up is powder and primers. (And of course someone to show me how to use it all). (Going to be spending some time on the phone with Wolleyworm when I get ready to start)

I should have enough brass cause I bought 2+k rounds before I decided to reload. I also seem to leave the range with more casings than I came with.

I also ordered 5K plated bullets, so that should keep me for a few months. With only being home to shoot every other month, things last longer.

[RustyFN]

If you buy components in bulk you should be able to load for at least 50% of what factory ammo cost. I would recommend buying a pound or two of different powders and a few small quantities of bullets and find what your gun likes before you buy in bulk. When buying in bulk don't be afraid to buy on-line at places like Powder Valley, Graf & Sons and Wideners. They will ship powder and primers together and a max hazmat fee will cover 50,000 primers, or 48 pounds of powder or 48 pounds of powder and primers mixed. I go in with a couple of friends and we max out an order and that saves a lot of money. My go to powder for 45 auto is WST. I would recommend trying it to see if you like it.

[Bertgamble2001]

Too late to not buy in bulk. I bought 5000 Berry's plated bullets from Powder Valley and they are waiting on my wife to pick them up at the post office. I sure hope they fire in my gun or I am screwed big time. They are 230 grain round nose so I think they will be okay. I will be shooting them through a XD 45 and a Kimber Custom CDP II.

I was going to start out with HP38 powder, but will also give your suggestion of WST a try. Any others with ideas on powder are welcome to chime in.

[Alpo]

Absolutely they will work. I run Berry's bullets through 4 Colts, 2 Springfields and a Kimber 1911, a Ballerina Molester and 4 different generations of S&W 45 ACP revolvers. Never any problems.

[RustyFN]

Too late to not buy in bulk. I bought 5000 Berry's plated bullets from Powder Valley and they are waiting on my wife to pick them up at the post office. I sure hope they fire in my gun or I am screwed big time. They are 230 grain round nose so I think they will be okay. I will be shooting them through a XD 45 and a Kimber Custom CDP II.

I was going to start out with HP38 powder, but will also give your suggestion of WST a try. Any others with ideas on powder are welcome to chime in.

Berry's bullets should be fine. I have shot a lot of them in 9mm. When loading use mid range jacketed data for best results.