Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading - The Firearms Forum

CJ7365 · 08-28-2009, 08:09 PM

I started reloading back in March, for my S&W M&P15 .223/5.56, I started for the fun of it along with saving a few bucks. Because I have the reloading equipment now, I figure I would go ahead and start reloading 40 S&W.

Using the on line cost calculator http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

It cost me about 18 cents a round for .223, which over time will be cost effective.

Well, I plugged the numbers in for 40 S&W and it came out to 33 cents a round

I just bought a 50 round box 180g of Federal at Wal Mart for $13.57 thats about 28 cents a round.

Has pistol bullets always been twice the price of rifle bullets????

Lotsdragon · 08-28-2009, 08:24 PM

Wow .33? that seems awfully high. According to that calc. it costs me .105 cents a round for .357 mags.......

Alpo · 08-28-2009, 09:55 PM

I think you plugged in wrong numbers.

Primers ought to be 3 or 4 cents. Bullets around a dime, unless you are using "super killer-diller bullets", and they might go 15 cents. Powder for a 40 should be less than a penny. That's 15 cents. Are you figuring in the cost of the cases? If so, did you do that for the 223s?

Basically, the primer cost is the same, the bullet cost is very close and the powder cost for the pistol should be about a third as much. I don't see how you can end up with a round costing twice as much.

woolleyworm · 08-29-2009, 01:23 AM

I have been at $8.50 per 50 for the last year, using Clays and Rainier plated bullets............ something is off in your calcs. I'm certain that from the other posts, you'll find your ooppps and be reloading your own .40's too !!

LDBennett · 08-29-2009, 07:15 AM

There are many inexpensive ammos on the market place from who knows where. Most use un-reloadable berdan primed cases, made of anything but brass. Some work fine and some DON"T. If all you want is for your gun to go bang, they work fine. But if you are after making custom ammo that is as accurate as your gun then reloaded ammo has the ability to do that. Reloading gives you control over the product.

When figuring the costs remember that the case is reusable. It is not unheard of to get more than 20 reloads out of a case and maybe more if you don't load them hot. I have brass I still reload today that was bought new in 1987 (the headstamp validates that!). That's 20+ years and still going strong. I rarely have to throw out pistol cases because they are worn out.

Unless you are buying really bad ammo there is no way you can beat the cost of reloading, assuming you are using "normal" bullets and not "super killer-diller bullets".

LDBennett

CJ7365 · 08-29-2009, 10:08 AM

I did take a second look at my numbers and got some prices from Grafs, not figuring in hazmat fee and buying the cheapest FMJ "Amscor" I did get my price down to about .26 cent a round.

I guess I could go down more by buying my supplies locally, when they get them, and combining my purchases with other caliber supplies.

Thanks for all the input

Alpo · 08-29-2009, 10:44 AM

Would you mind posting your numbers?

55 grain ??-brand 223 @ ?? per + ?? primer @ ?? per + ?? grains ?? powder @ ?? per pound = 18 cents a round.

180 grain ??-brand 401 bullet @ ?? per + ?? primer @ ?? per + ?? grains ?? powder @ ?? per pound = 33 cents a round

I just went to grafs and was SHOCKED to find that cheap-ass Armscor bullets were 14 cents. WOW

08-28-2009, 08:09 PM	#1
CJ7365 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: El Paso TEXAS Posts: 65	Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading I started reloading back in March, for my S&W M&P15 .223/5.56, I started for the fun of it along with saving a few bucks. Because I have the reloading equipment now, I figure I would go ahead and start reloading 40 S&W. Using the on line cost calculator http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp It cost me about 18 cents a round for .223, which over time will be cost effective. Well, I plugged the numbers in for 40 S&W and it came out to 33 cents a round I just bought a 50 round box 180g of Federal at Wal Mart for $13.57 thats about 28 cents a round. Has pistol bullets always been twice the price of rifle bullets???? __________________ Rob http://www.olskool4x4.com -->

08-28-2009, 08:24 PM	#2
Lotsdragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Potosi, Mo Posts: 813	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading Wow .33? that seems awfully high. According to that calc. it costs me .105 cents a round for .357 mags....... __________________ "First comes smiles,then lies.Last is gunfire" Roland Deschain

08-28-2009, 09:55 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading I think you plugged in wrong numbers. Primers ought to be 3 or 4 cents. Bullets around a dime, unless you are using "super killer-diller bullets", and they might go 15 cents. Powder for a 40 should be less than a penny. That's 15 cents. Are you figuring in the cost of the cases? If so, did you do that for the 223s? Basically, the primer cost is the same, the bullet cost is very close and the powder cost for the pistol should be about a third as much. I don't see how you can end up with a round costing twice as much. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-29-2009, 01:23 AM	#4
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading I have been at $8.50 per 50 for the last year, using Clays and Rainier plated bullets............ something is off in your calcs. I'm certain that from the other posts, you'll find your ooppps and be reloading your own .40's too !! __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

08-29-2009, 07:15 AM	#5
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading There are many inexpensive ammos on the market place from who knows where. Most use un-reloadable berdan primed cases, made of anything but brass. Some work fine and some DON"T. If all you want is for your gun to go bang, they work fine. But if you are after making custom ammo that is as accurate as your gun then reloaded ammo has the ability to do that. Reloading gives you control over the product. When figuring the costs remember that the case is reusable. It is not unheard of to get more than 20 reloads out of a case and maybe more if you don't load them hot. I have brass I still reload today that was bought new in 1987 (the headstamp validates that!). That's 20+ years and still going strong. I rarely have to throw out pistol cases because they are worn out. Unless you are buying really bad ammo there is no way you can beat the cost of reloading, assuming you are using "normal" bullets and not "super killer-diller bullets". LDBennett

08-29-2009, 10:08 AM	#6
CJ7365 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: El Paso TEXAS Posts: 65	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading I did take a second look at my numbers and got some prices from Grafs, not figuring in hazmat fee and buying the cheapest FMJ "Amscor" I did get my price down to about .26 cent a round. I guess I could go down more by buying my supplies locally, when they get them, and combining my purchases with other caliber supplies. Thanks for all the input __________________ Rob http://www.olskool4x4.com

08-29-2009, 10:44 AM	#7
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Taking a second look at Pistol Reloading Would you mind posting your numbers? 55 grain ??-brand 223 @ ?? per + ?? primer @ ?? per + ?? grains ?? powder @ ?? per pound = 18 cents a round. 180 grain ??-brand 401 bullet @ ?? per + ?? primer @ ?? per + ?? grains ?? powder @ ?? per pound = 33 cents a round I just went to grafs and was SHOCKED to find that cheap-ass Armscor bullets were 14 cents. WOW __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.