I was searching for pricing on bullets, primers, and powder, and it seems that the cost is more than I expected. How much do you guys save by reloading?

You have to shop wisely. I can give you some numbers for what it cost me to reload 9mm and 45acp.

 

9mm-- 4000ct 115gr FMJ =$290 free shipping or $.0725/rd

1000 primers = $36 purchased local or .036/rd

1lb W231 =approx $25 puchased local yeilds 1500 rds or $.017/rd

So one rd cost $.125 X 50rd box = $6.275 and I get about 1% reject rate which I cull out and recycle.

 

Lead 200gr SWC for 45acp cost $65/1000 same approx powder and primer cost.

 

Now how much do you shoot? You save approx $5/box. If your reloading equipment cost $500 (about right) you break even when you shoot 100 boxes or 5000rds of ammo. I probably will go through 15000 rds of 9mm this year so it makes sense to me. And you also need cases and need a source for those(beg, buy, scrounge). Then factor in your time. I produce very good quality reloads at about 300-400 rds/hr.

 

Now your involvement and interest in producing ammo is another issue.

Would you mind sharing your sources for the products you purchased?

Depends on the caliber.

 

Let's take 45ACP as an example. Generally it's around $20+ for 50 rounds so over $400 for 1000 rounds.

 

Brass = free

Primers approx $39 per 1000

Powder is about $19 per lb (1lb = 7000 gr) and you use about 5.3 grains of Win 231 per cartridge (as per TBtrout), so 5300 grains used for 1000 rounds (so about $14.50 for powder)

Lead bullets = $66 per 1000 (jacketed bullets are more $$)

 

Base cost is then 39+14.5+66 = $$119.50 for 1000 rounds

 

Significant savings on 45ACP. I expect that I will achieve the same or better savings for 380ACP as that factory ammo is as expensive as 45ACP and uses much less powder and the bullets are quite a bit lighter (less mass = less money).

 

I have not done the numbers yet for 40S&W, I am certain that savings would be less.

 

I would not bother reloading 9mm unless you are attempting to get high power factor for USPSA, or are shooting match grade stuff as factory ammo has come down in cost significantly.

 

There are hidden costs not mentioned above (press, dies, tumbler, tumbler media, time, etc) but you get the idea.

Would you mind sharing your sources for the products you purchased?

 

Montana Gold bullets

Dunklebergers or any place for CCI primers and W231 powder.

 

I avoid hazmat fees on the prim and pow.

 

If your online go to chat... I wait for ya.

Geez Frank, I was typing up my response same time as you I guess...

 

Darda's cast bullets - Matt6669 did a group buy

 

Primers were at Bullet Hole

 

Powder was from Salomon's in Farmingdale, NJ

Geez Frank, I was typing up my response same time as you I guess...

 

Darda's cast bullets - Matt6669 did a group buy

 

Primers were at Bullet Hole

 

Powder was from Salomon's in Farmingdale, NJ

 

Yeah Dan, I go through so much 9mm I need to reload it. $19/ lb is a good price for powder. Bullets are where the $ is...

Solomon had all powders for under $20 a lb. Need to go back today to get some more.

You save nothing. You shoot more!

You save nothing. You shoot more!

 

+1 on what Shane said and you can customize a recipe for your gun to increase accuracy or shoot softer, etc.