Good article on why to reload and "save?money

[Popeye212]

Best article I have seen on this.

https://sierrabulletsblog.com/2017/03/30/reloading-saving-money-or-not/?fbclid=IwAR32LoOSo6jkY76drQnDUZf4v8oD5iIVUqn7kEdMOX44UGov2zx2ARZcf_8

[s3silver]

Good read, but we all know in the end we spend more money because we keep wanting to shoot those precision rounds, which leads to more money spent on components. Then comes loading for other cartridges. It's an ongoing cycle. At least it's enjoyable and self satisfying to roll your own.

[DDRanch]

So who here bought reloading gear and components before they got their Grendel?

[Popeye212]

Read on Facebook where a doctor recommended reloading for stress relief... I'm all in on that one. Grendel and .223 you don't save all that much but on the Grendel you don't have to worry so much about availability. Walked in an Academy today not a Grendel round in sight. Now when I start stuffing my .270 it's a different story. I have always enjoyed rolling my own and the accuracy it produces.

[IescapedCali]

Shhhh! I keep telling my wife this saves us money.

[Sticks]

Long time to pay off an investment in reloading gear shooting Grendel or 5.56. My PRC on the other hand...$1.63 per round delivered for factory food. Reload for $.55. No brainer there. I have already paid off the 200 rounds of virgin brass, and the bushings for my dies in load development alone. I load up that 200, then my dies and some other stuff will be paid for.

[hootie6828]

I started reloading because I shoot alot of fairly expensive pistol rounds, 45acp, 357 and 44 mag. It is very therapeutic for me, and the fact that I can make better ammo for less money is a win win for me.

[FW Conch]

^This^ I reload because of the choices it gives Me. Especially the bullet choice.

[roor]

So who here bought reloading gear and components before they got their Grendel?

The deal on nosler brass and bench rest seater on sale where too good to pass up! I already knew I was going to buy my Howa but I needed my money check first. Between then and having it ready to shoot, I think I had all my reload stuff ready to go. The last thing I bought was the resizer since technically I didn't need it at that point

[41bear]

Just to see if we are really saving money I did the figures on paper for my 6.5 Grendel, including my Lee die set, to see my cost. The first 100 rounds cost me $126.33 but after that my cost dropped to $47.00/100. So the Sierra guy's figures hold up, in my book.

Just what does reloading give you for the hours spent doing it.
1. The pleasure in and of itself.
2. Knowing I gain more accuracy than I can get from factory ammo.
3. A vastly better selection of bullets than offered in factory ammo.
4. A true cost savings of over 50% after the original investment.
5. And last but not least it allows me to spend more time with family and friends doing, and passing on, a sport that I dearly love.

[Sticks]

Just to see if we are really saving money I did the figures on paper for my 6.5 Grendel, including my Lee die set, to see my cost. The first 100 rounds cost me $126.33 but after that my cost dropped to $47.00/100. ....

If you already reload, then all you are really looking at is the dies.

If you want to dip your toes in the water, your startup cost for a mediocre setup is going to be north of $300. Then after 6 months you will want to upgrade because mediocre equipment is giving you mediocre results.

Factory 123 ELD - $.83 per round delivered on average. Reload to duplicate is $.47. You would have to load over 2200 rounds to cover the startup - not including the brass buy in. Most buy factory ammo then reload. American gunner is the cheapest way to get good brass. Lapua is best, but then you will be trying to pay for $.95 per.

[41bear]

If you already reload, then all you are really looking at is the dies.

If you want to dip your toes in the water, your startup cost for a mediocre setup is going to be north of $300. Then after 6 months you will want to upgrade because mediocre equipment is giving you mediocre results.

Factory 123 ELD - $.83 per round delivered on average. Reload to duplicate is $.47. You would have to load over 2200 rounds to cover the startup - not including the brass buy in. Most buy factory ammo then reload. American gunner is the cheapest way to get good brass. Lapua is best, but then you will be trying to pay for $.95 per.

Been reloading for over 60 years so all equipment long since been paid for and regained in shooting/reloading.

BTW using your figures I'll save $360 in the first 1000 or about $800 in the 2200 figure. Plus I'm shooting a much better bullet, faster and more accurate.

.83 * 2200 = $1826.00 versus .47 * 2200 = $1034.00 or $792.00 saved. I'll take that any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Gusmeister]

41bear has me beat by 12 years for reloading. I can't prove it but am under the impression that 30-40 years ago there was a greater cost difference between reloads and factory ammo. Just an impression. Certainly reloading can be cheaper than factory if your time is worth nothing. Maybe the difference is less because I keep trying to build better ammo. I reload "blaster" ammo for cheap but get a lot more joy out of making high quality accurate ammo.

The best part of reloading for me is the mix of science, art and "black magic" making everything come together into a superior round. No matter what is it always a mental challenge. There is always failure and eventually there is success. It is a mental discipline that satisfies my soul.

[41bear]

41bear has me beat by 12 years for reloading. I can't prove it but am under the impression that 30-40 years ago there was a greater cost difference between reloads and factory ammo. Just an impression. Certainly reloading can be cheaper than factory if your time is worth nothing. Maybe the difference is less because I keep trying to build better ammo. I reload "blaster" ammo for cheap but get a lot more joy out of making high quality accurate ammo.

The best part of reloading for me is the mix of science, art and "black magic" making everything come together into a superior round. No matter what is it always a mental challenge. There is always failure and eventually there is success. It is a mental discipline that satisfies my soul.

Well said and I totally agree.