Reloading to Save $$

MacD · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:47 am Post subject: Reloading to Save $$

45ACP cases 1000 count $115
45 Colt cases 500 count $125
230 grn. .452 plated bullets 1000 count $134
DC mold .452 $26
DC mold .356 $26
Electric melting pot $75
Sizing kits $50
45 Colt dies $40
45 ACP dies $40
Shell holders $18
Press bushings $30

Total bill with taxes and delivery $864

Price to convince dear wife that reloading does save money, to be determined Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

If you save money by reloading it means you aren't shooting enough. Normally when you reload your own you tend to shoot more. Therefore making it more expensive then buying factory.

So...Good luck with that.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

Yep. Honestly you have to load quite a bit to recoup the initial cost of the equipment. I took a quick look at the savings from loading .38 Special vs. buying them and it takes roughly 270 rounds to recoup the cost of just the dies. But think if it as a hobby in itself and enjoy!

Donut Slayer · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

I reload for the greater accuracy. Although in recent years, factory ammo has gotten a lot better.

Vince · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

MacD wrote:

45ACP cases 1000 count $115
45 Colt cases 500 count $125
230 grn. .452 plated bullets 1000 count $134
DC mold .452 $26
DC mold .356 $26
Electric melting pot $75
Sizing kits $50
45 Colt dies $40
45 ACP dies $40
Shell holders $18
Press bushings $30

Total bill with taxes and delivery $864

Price to convince dear wife that reloading does save money, to be determined Very Happy

Factory Ammunition:
1000 Hornady Critical Defence .45 ammo $20.49/20 = $1024.50 per 1000
500 Winchester .45 Colt Critical Defense ammo $25.99/20 = $649.75 per 500
TOTAL Cost = $1674.75

Handloaded Ammunition:
1000 .45ACP cases - $115 (11.5 cents per case)
500 .45 Colt cases - $125 (25 cents per case)
IMR 800X Powder 1 lb - $17.79: 1000 .45ACP loads @ 7 grains per load = $17.79 (1.779 cents per load)
IMR 800X Powder 1 lb - $17.79: 500 .45 Colt loads @ 9 grains per load = $11.43 (2.287 cents per load)
1000 Winchester LP Primers 1000 - $34.99: 1500 loads = $52.48 (3.498 cents per load)
1000 230 grain boolits - $134 : 1500 loads = $201.00 (13.4 cents per load)
Cost per load .45ACP = 30.17 cents ($301.70 - 1000) $722.80 SAVING
Cost per load .45 Colt = 44.185 cents ($220.92 - 500) $428.83 SAVING

Cases reusable for a minimum of 10 reloads = increase the SAVING a little further

There ya go Mac...I'm sure you can make use of the above figures mate.

Cheers, Vince

Bushmaster · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

Of course Vince failed to add the new gun/caliber so you will have another firearm to work up a load for. And that you will notice that you deliberately shoot up a large number of rounds so you can reload them again.

Then you will need a Chronograph to measure the speed of your reloads. Then you will have to buy specialty dies for that new firearm that you just bought because you finished working up a good load for the last one your bought for the same reason, etc, etc, etc............. Very Happy

dhc4ever · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

Here in the land of oz and the 150%+ markup + gst if you are doing a lot of pistol shooting its worth it.
If you are shooting say service match which is 90 rounds the number of bangs adds up fairly quickly.
All that aside its a good hobby, sometimes satisfying, sometimes frustrating, but it allows you to tailor your hand loads to your specific needs.
The wheels fall off the trolley if accurate factory ammo is dirt cheap and very accurate in your firearms, but you don't mention that to SWMBO.
The hard part is getting it past the minister for war and finances, my call is get it now while you still have money, otherwise she'll turn it into a kitchen or bathroom or some other frippery :).

Bushmaster · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

MacD...You are aware that this is a hobby that is very addictive with no cure, no halfway house and no support from us if you should decide you want to quit reloading your own...

SORRY...[not]

Ominivision1 · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

I agree with dhc4ever, just about every hobby is expensive when you think about it, but like said above, you can tailor your hand loads the way you want.

Gil Martin

I reload because I like doing it and never run out of ammo. I shoot a lot of oddball calibers and factory ammo is either very expensive or non-existent. I think my reloads are more accurate than factory ammo. I just like rolling my own. All the best...
Gil

Elvis · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:13 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

a box of 20 rounds for the .270 goes from $35-$80
.223 $15-40
and Im too darn tight to pay that price.
my reloads are cheap enough as the projectile are bought cheap from trade me or I stop bidding. the AR2206 powder lasts for ages.
primers are stuff all.
and I like to roll my own too.

stovepipe · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

Bushmaster wrote:

If you save money by reloading it means you aren't shooting enough. Normally when you reload your own you tend to shoot more. Therefore making it more expensive then buying factory.

So...Good luck with that.

Says the mathmatician who has me patch the barn roof just before going Slim Pickens in there w/ a 45 Colt SAA blasting at rats. Laughing

Regardless of how much you shoot, if yer plinking or even match load per round cost aint less....yer prolly doing it wrong. Razz

stovepipe · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

MacD wrote:

Total bill with taxes and delivery $864

Price to convince dear wife that reloading does save money, to be determined Very Happy

That's called "dummy math".

Yer a dummy fer bringin' it up and trying to justify yer hobby costs to her...

Kinda like buying her a new bowling ball fer her birthday. Trust me, it don't work! Laughing

MacD · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:47 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

Okay what does SWMBO mean?

Today I took my BIL out to the range for his first shot out of anything bigger than a BB gun. He loved it. Now he wants to start shooting. My SIL is going to join in and I will be hearing it in stereo from my DW and her.

BTW I picked up 300 1X fired 45 auto cases at range. All were nice and shiny with red sealant on the primers. I also found out that both ammo shops here haven't been able to restock 45 colt. Good thing I ordered some cases.

Seven more working days and I can be the newest range rat at the club. The 1000 primers I picked up today won't lass very long.

Donut Slayer · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Reloading to Save $$

SWMBO= She Who Must Be Obeyed (they had to expain it to me too, must be an aussie thing)