HighRoad

Newbie here who has been following some of the getting started threads.
So, if you:

• Invest $300 to get started
• Reload 9mm and 38+P
• 9mm @ Walmart $20/box of 100
• 38+P @ Walmart $25/box of 50

How many rounds do need to reload to recoup the initial investment of $300?

terry_p

It's not quite that simple as there are a few variables three of which are important:

What bullets will you fire in your handguns? Regular jacketed hollow points or cast lead and what is the cost in your area of them per hundred for each caliber?

What powder will you use? The amounts you use will vary by type of powder and caliber you are shooting. If you look at a common powder for both like power pistol then that part is easily calculated.

What will be the relationship of 9MM vrs 38 Spl +P's that you fire? In other words will you shoot twice as many 9MM's as 38's? An equal amount?

TMD

The ROI on reloading is you get to shoot 4x as much.

HighRoad

Just to get in the ball park, lets say:
Only 38+P
full metal jacket
and common powder

A Patriot

Here's on way to look at it: At $25 per box of 50 .38+P rounds, your $300 will buy 12 boxes. If you invest $300 in reloading equipment and supplies, your 13th box of reloads will be free.

Frozone

9mm

primer $0.04 /round (Maybe 0,03 if you can find em)
powder < $ 0.02 /round
bullet ~ 0.08 /round
total savings per round $ 0.04 - 0.05 = ~20% - 25%

not having to depend on store for supply - priceless

cast your own and it gets better.

$1/pound for lead 120g bullet = $0.02 for the bullet takes you close to 50% savings.

Load 45 Colt and it gets far better. Store bought ~ $0.80 / round but reloads cost are only ~ $0.05 more than 9mm. $0.20 instead of $0.80

Load 300 win mag (or something truly exotic) and the savings are in the >90% range!

HighRoad

Ok - you sold me and I do like buying tools

A Patriot

Excellent choice.

Now, the next step is very important and can not be stressed enough: Make your first tool TWO (minimum) current reloading manuals, then read each of them at least TWICE (minimum) before you ever start on your first round. If you make one of the manuals Lyman's Reloading Handbook, you will be glad when it comes time to load your first cast bullet. Lyman in the lead authority.

Also, SAFETY FIRST.

505Gibbs

Excellent advice!
I would offer that you can't ignore your time involved with reloading especially if your using a single stage press. Yes, it can be fun and interesting and there is an enormous amount of things to buy for reloading but you still have time involved.
That hasn't stopped me from reloading but it is a factor.

terry_p

I recently decided I would like to try and duplicate a Buffalo Bore 38 Spl +P's 158 gr LSWC-HP/GC which by the time I web ordered the ammo from them they cost me $2 a round. This is what I came up with per round for my almost duplicate load:

Bullet cost (Rim Rock Bullets) $ .26

Powder Power Pistol $ .016

Primers $.028

Cases $ 000 as I have several

Total Cost per round $ .30 for a savings of $1.70 per round. At $300 fixed cost you would have you money back in under 200 rounds. This is a very unusual example due to the high cost of the Buffalo Bores.

If you look at a regular lead load then the costs would look like:

Cast bullet 158 gr LSWC (Online order) $.046

Powder Cost $ .014

Primer $ .028

Total Cost $ .088 or $4.38 for a box of 50.

If you use jacketed bullets add 12 cents a round for a cost of $10.40 for a box of 50. If you can buy 38 Spl +P's for $20 a box then your savings is roughly $ 9.60 a box or break even is at 31 1/4 boxes.

After reading and digesting it all what it really means is you will likely shoot roughly 62 boxes for the cost of 32 and not save a dime.

Yurko

The way I look at it is, if you're looking for a ROI, JUST DON'T!
That's not what reloading is all about, and I'm concerned about your safety.

Reloading is about carefully crafting that perfect round that gets you a bullseye, where factory ammo just hits the target be it paper or a tirdy point buck.

Cutting corners is easy when you're in it for the money. Cutting corners will get you or someone near you seriously injured or worse.

Stay safe!

Cowboy T

Gotta disagree a bit there. Reloading *is* about both saving money *and* making better ammo.

Since .38 Special was asked about, here's my experience. I was buying practice ammo for $15/box of 50 ($11 if I got very lucky on cast lead ammo). Now, I make that same box of 50 for $3.25, and my ammo is more accurate. Yes, I cast my own "boolits", BTW.

With something like .45 Colt, the savings are even more dramatic. Practice ammo in my neck of the woods is about $35/box of 50. I make that same box for $5.10. Again, I cast my own projectiles.

I don't factor time into it because it's a fun, relaxing hobby. It's like working on your car. If you like doing it, then it's fun, not work.

rkrcpa

I'm pretty sure the RCBS press I bought 25 years ago has paid for itself many times over. That is not to say it has saved me any money, it just makes it go further.

A Patriot

I would offer that you can't ignore your time involved with reloading especially if your using a single stage press.


I've been reloading for just 15-years. In that time, every round has been produced using a single-stage press. I enjoy the entire process too much to want a turret or progressive press. Also, I weigh each charge. My hobby is casting and reloading and, like Cowboy T, a dollar value has never been factored into my time.

Each of us have our unique reloading requirements and methods, and mine may not work for others.

Airpark

Gosh, is all you guys think about reloading measured in $$$ and cents?

What a shame and disgrace.

I cannot tell you how peaceful and quiet it is out in the reloading room with some good old fashioned Hank Snow, Eddy Arnoldl, Ernest Tubb, etc. country music CD's playing n the background...

NOT TO SAY anything of the lack of the wife chipping her teeth at me with 'Honey Do's.'

Master card or VISA will get you most everything....somethings $$$$ cannot BUY!!

Good Luck,
Bill