There’s not a lot of things I consider myself an expert on. But, one thing I genuinely do think of myself as an expert on is reloading ammunition. I’ve done it all from .22 Hornet to .50-140, using every brand of press, jacketed and lead bullets, cast my own bullets, reformed my own brass, etc, etc.
I am also a tightwad with a streak of money nerd. Is reloading cost effective? Well, when you reload the cost of your ammo goes down so you wind up shooting more…so, in that regard it’s mostly a wash. But, on terms of shooting the same amount of ammo, it’s a different story. What I mean is, if you buy a box of .300 Win. Mag and then you reload that box of .300 Win. Mag. one is going to be a buttload cheaper than the other. Cheap enough to make it worth it? Let’s find out.
Let’s go with one of the belted mags……300 Win, 7mm Rem, .338 Win, .257 Weatherby….whatever. They all track around $2-$4 a round. Let’s buy 20 pieces of new brass, 100 premium bullets, a brick of primers, and a pound of powder.
I’m just gonna run over to GunBroker and get some prices….
- Federal .300 Win Mag 165 gr. Nosler Partition, 20 rounds for about $40
- Nosler Partitions, .30 165 gr, 100 bullets is about $45
- New brass from Winchester is about $30/50
- And we’ll use a load of 70 grains of IMR 4350 (There are 7000 grains of powder per pound, so under “Qty” one pound would be ‘7000’)
Factory ammo is $2. We can reload it for $1.39. But, once we fire it off and re-use the brass our cost per round drops to $0.79.
What if you reload something really spendy like .338 Lapua.
- Federal Premium 250 gr. Sierra MK 20 rounds for about $90
- Hornady brass at $3 each
- Sierra 250 MK at $40/50
- 76 grains of powder
Factory ammo is $4.50. We can reload it for $4.16. But, once we fire it off and re-use the brass our cost per round drops to $1.16.
If you buy a good reloading kit, like RCBS RockChucker kit, thats about $400. You would have to reload 120 rounds of .338 Lapua for it to pay for itself. Or reload 329~ rounds of .300 Win Mag.
Seems like a good deal, right? It is…until you get into economies of scale. Federal cranks out a bazillion rounds of 5.56 every year for the military. As a result, they’ve got the whole thing dialed in…they’ve got their costs down, their equipment amortized, production streamlined…as a result they can make 5.56 so cheap that you almost don’t want to waste your time reloading. Let’s check out some 55 gr. FMJ Federal ammo:
- Federal 820 rounds for about $350 (From Midway)
- Hornady brass at $0.29 each
- 55 gr. FMJ at $.0.13
- 25 grains of powder
Admittedly, almost no one uses new commercial brass to load .223 since fired brass is available at virtually no cost. But, for consistency….
You’re at $0.56 per round for your first loading…thats actually more than what factory ammo costs. However, once you fire that off and reload it, you drop down by sixteen cents per round. Put another way, you paid Midway $350 but once you fire it off that ammo can be reloaded at around $227.
When you get into stuff like 9mm and .223 the savings really become negligible when you factor in your time and whatnot. However, when ammo isn’t available at any price, then the advantages become readily apparent.
If you want to play “what if”, I’ll give you a copy of the spreadsheet. Anything in green is a variable that you can tinker with. Crunch some numbers. You’ll see that if you’re a guy who shoots oddball calibers (Weatherby, Ultramag, Lapua, etc.) you can save some serious coin. Explore your options – what if you get a really good deal on powder? What if you use inexpensive cast bullets? What if you use cheap once-fired brass?
If you find this info useful….
Non-reloaders, please take this to heart:
“…when you reload the cost of your ammo goes down so you wind up shooting more…so, in that regard it’s mostly a wash….”-CZ
Truer words were never spoken.
I am somewhat anal about numbers and have kept strict records since my decision to take up reloading decades ago. I have kept a tally of every round and every component + equipment purchase. I have reloaded 111,559 rounds including shotgun and many specialty (tracer, AP, API, wood and silver {for vampires and werewolves donchano}, plastic, marbles, brass and zinc {cuz whynot}, flechette, less lethal, experimental, etc). The cost per round to date (and i still have a good bit of components in hand) is 4.63 cents. Mostly 9 and 556 tho when times are calm, i tend to just pick up those calibers otc as i agree with CZ that sometimes it just isnt worth your time + theres all that free brass after the shooting stops. I also cast a lot of my own (costs there also included in totals) in subsonic rounds.
I shoot mostly 9mm in USPSA, but I still find reloading a great thing. The long term effects are worth it. I have gone thru times where I saved little, and other years where I saved a lot. I got a Dillon, the greatest thing ever, as well as a water filled tumbler, the 2nd greatest thing ever. The production rate is very high, almost 400 rounds an hour, so you put in less time, so you don’t feel stupid during times when ammo is cheap. But you always have the advantage of stocking up cheaply and when you do it way in advance, you can always be very consistent and use the same bullets and powder, which is always a plus. Because components are cheaper than finished rounds, you can keep more stocked up without breaking the bank. You can also tune the load for the gun or power factor you want to shoot. Lastly, it is a great hobby. I would NOT do it much if I had a single stage press, it just takes too much time. But single stage presses may be fine for rifle ammo, which is usually lower volume shooting. I think I have about 8 five gallon buckets full of brass right now. It never goes bad, so may as well take all you can get. It becomes a great hobby in it’s own right.
I’ve been reloading and casting bullets since the early ’80’s and as noted by others above sometimes you save a great deal and sometimes not so much. One advantage that was touched upon was the experimental loading. I was loading heavy bullets in 9mm (133gr to 158gr) long before the 147gr load was so accepted. I started loading because my first handgun a .38 S&W Enfield revolver, cost me 40.00 Cdn and ammo was 17.00 Cdn a box I exceeded the price of the gun in three boxes.(60 rounds). I’ve been loading ever since. TTFN
So CDR, do you have a dedicated reloading room? What’s best – garage? Detached structure somewhere?
I’ve a setup in my basement. An 8′ bench I built that has my bullet luber/sizer, a Redding turret press, and the big Dillon 1050. Along one wall is a couple hundred .30 cal cans full of bullets, brass, ammo, etc. I reload for about…hmmm….eight or nine calibers. Best is whatever works for you.
One other thing i forgot to mention.
Virtually all my handloads are ‘blaster/plinker’ grade ammo. Whatever powder laying around is what gets used (mostly Bullseye, AA2, and IMR4895 and whatever common bullets i got cheap or wheelweights+potluck for the cast stuff).
I was SHOCKED to learn that my blaster grade whatevers are measurably more accurate in both pistol and rifle. i first noticed it in a pistol,then tested some hi$ factory ammo renowned for accuracy and my groups were 1/3 the size with my blaster loads. Also tested blind by 2 others who didnt know which they were shooting.
While i am not that person, i know that someone who handloads with great care can achieve much much better accuracy ammo than the hi$ factory stuff at MUCH less cost.
The MOST important aspect of reloading is: The day of having to “roll your own” is always lurking, just waiting for the right time. The shutdown ammo sales. If you have an IQ greater than celery you should know to stock your ammo deep when times are cheap. Today ammo isn’t “cheap” as compared to six months ago. But still available. You pay your money and take your chances……………..
Like you, I’ve been reloading for a bit. Currently at 16 calibers.
I’ve never factored in my time, since it’s for me. Same as I don’t charge myself a hundred bucks an hour to do a brake job on my car or fix a clogged drain.
I find it relaxing and it brings a smile to my mug when I can tinker with a load and drop group sizes from 1” to less than 1/2 inch.
Thanks for the handy chart.
I have been reloading since the 1980s, like Jim I use Dillon machines, I have two. One dedicated for rifle and one for pistol. I have reloaded about 15 calibers, definitely more when I was a competitive shooter, when shooting about 200 rounds per evening, plus the match on the weekend. Like CZ mentioned, once you have the brass, and buy the primers/powder on sale or combine to offset the HAZ-MAT fee, you can reload a lot cheaper. I definitely plan to restart the Dillon on 9mm as I just got some FMJ bullets in. Really, reloading is a no-brainer. It gives you so many options, allows you to shoot when ammo is scarce. Always save the brass, even if you don’t have that caliber yet (one does not know the future). Most reloaders have thousands and thousands of brass of folks who did not want it. Buy primers on sale, I usually do the 5,000 round packs, and powder on sale, or when Brownells or others have the no HAZ-MAT fee sale.
In calculating cost we have to decide how to amortize the fixed costs of reloading gear and consider our time.
Space in the home is also a consideration. If you have a big old barn in back of the house it’s not an issue, however for someone with an average to small place already overflowing with survivalist shit, a gal and kids there are definitely competing demands.
One point I heartily argue is when someone says “I reload so I will always have ammo.” Having a bunch of factory ammo isn’t better or worse than a comparable amount of reloading gear. Reloading does have flexibility cuz you could say reload .308 or ‘06 but it’s not like it means you are immune to complicated fragile supply lines for primers, powder and bullets. Also modern manufactured bullets in a military ammo can are pretty hearty while a jug of powder, a box of primers, etc are fairly fragile and require some complicated processes to make into ammo.
It’s having a case of chili vs ten pounds of beef, a bag of beans, etc all.
Reloading isn’t for getting cheap ammo, per se.
It’s, as the name implies, for RE-loading that once-fired brass the second time for 20-40% of the cost of new rounds. My .45LC cowboy loads got up to $1@; reloading brass (that lasts 8-20x) drops the cost down to 40 cents a round or less, 7-19 more times.
So
A) I’m never paying $1/round after the first time
B) I’m shooting for 40 cents/round the next dozen or so times
C) I’m shooting long after guys trying to buy rounds find that they’re unobtanium for YEARS.
Then we can talk about what can be saved by dialing in a custom .308 if one fills a tag instead of getting skunked, or a custom bigger round that saves an African safari for a once-in-a-lifetime hunt; or home-brew a heavier-than-factory-common AR round that stops a bad guy DRT instead of letting him get to me or mine.
Buy the first box (or case) of rounds because it’s easy.
Reload them the next 10-20 times because it’s smart.
Seems that your equation is missing the value of time for the person doing the reloading. Your formula assumes that your time input has zero value. If you’re an attorney who bills himself out at $300/hr, I’d argue that its cheaper to purchase factory ammo than reload.
Nope, I didn’t forget it…I just didnt factor it in. The value of your time is subjective. The value of the reloading materials was objective. Your time, for example, may be worth more than my time….so I can not reasonably put a value on it. I think everyone understands going in that their time is something that only they can put a value on and determine if reloading is worth it to them.
Additionally, while a $300/hour attorney might be better of simply buying, that precludes the notion that there is something available to buy. When .357 ammo is not available at any price, then even with $300 an hour factored in you might come out ahead.
I don’t factor time into the mix even though if you were to hire me for my profession it would cost a pretty penny. I’ve been reloading since I was 14 and frankly for me a good 70s sound track and my Lee hand press and I’m kicked back chillin and popping out 357 Mag rounds.
I set my phone up next to the powder measure and play Forgotten Weapons videos on YouTube while I reload. It’s a really relaxing process…I can get wrapped up in my work, have some gun-related background noise…its really pleasant ‘ me time’.
My mistake, I thought the intent of the article was to demonstrate economics, not validate a hobby.
Its funny how these posts take on a life and direction of their own sometimes
Sure is. I enjoyed it- helped light a fire under my arse to get more serious about reloading. Years ago I partnered up with a buddy to start reloading. Been saving brass ever since. Stocked up on primers, dies, powder, and bullets. He had the press but has since flaked out. If I could only find a Lee press and more spare time I’d be setup pretty good.
Keep up the good work- Thank You for this site.
Lee is great for starting out when you’re not sure if you want to stick with reloading and don’t wanna spend a lot of money up front. But, most people, when they decide to stick with reloading wind up upgrading to the RCBS stuff and I encourage people to just go ahead and start off with the RCBS gear. Lee, Hornady, Lyman, etc. are all OK but when you need a part of accessory you’ll find the RCBS in every gun shop and WalMart.
I never quite get to the point of keeping exact costs, although I’m always tempted. Save my reloading for after summer when I’m busy 14-16/7 and have a tough time wrestling up time to shoot. It’s after that white crap falls from the sky and after a few more weeks when that jack schitt assshole shows up for a stay of about 4-5 months. Then I get into the reloading. Cause I can only read so many books and take so many naps and still sleep at night…. Then I gotta have something to do to alleviate that jack schitt influence…. Drinking is a viable alternative but reloading is cheaper and the vision a bit more clear….
Huh. Odd coincidence.
The local BiMart just got 9mm in.
It comes in those Winchester plastic ammo cans. $110/can. 500 rounds of 115 fmj, brass case, so…. reloadable.
Limit 2. Hard to pass up.
All of that is true…Until you factor in your time. Reloading can be a hobby, but most of us have lots of hobbies, and little time.
So, is the time spent reloading worth anything at all? Even if you are retired, your time has value. You may not pay yourself in dollars or bitcoin, but any time spent reloading is time that cannot be spent doing other things which may be higher or lower in value to you.
I can reload, and still recall the pleasure and surprise the first time I fired one of my reloads (.45ACP, 7.2 unique, 230 gr FMJ – yes, it was overpressure but my Colt fired it well – until the front site came off…Then I started reading the book a little closer and replaced the recoil spring.
But right now, there are other ways I spend my time. Fortunately the equipment and supplies last a good long time. When my need for ammo supersedes my desire to do something else, I can get the gear out and reload. Until then? We’ll see.
I have been re-loading since the ’70s. The newbie is gonna have to bite the bullet on initial cost.
My equipment has been paid for since way back.
I no longer process rifle brass; too much time and labor involved.
I use Beaver River Brass Processing. They de-prime, size, chamfer, swage the primer pocket for 6cts. per piece. Even counting the USPS cost of shipping it is still 10cts. per piece. My time is worth more.
I use an electronic scale and dispenser for consistency. My RCBS presses are set up for seating and crimping. All that is left to do is case check the rounds.
As for .45, I use my Dillon press and just drive on.
Time is what you think it is. I’ve played beer league hockey for decades (and pay for the privilege) not because it is cost effective, but simply because i enjoy it. You people worried about your time costs need to get off the internet (there goes that 300/hr!) and get a second paying job.
The article is analyzing the economics of reloading, not the enjoyment of a hobby and how you spend your free time. CZ lays out a very clever and thorough formula breaking down all of the cost inputs. Im simply pointing out that his formula is missing the cost input of time. Some people put a value on their time, others don’t.
I don’t make a claim that operating my hobby farm makes my food cheaper- I do it because I enjoy it and it provides a measure of security during scarcity. It would be more economical for me to spend my farming hours at work earning more money and buying my food.
The original post does not fully address the economics of reloading if it ignores the cost of time. I guess critical thinking can be challenging for some.
Purely from a preparedness standpoint, it’s hard to not consider the ability to reload ammunition a positive.
A simple, single-stage press reloading “kit” with popular caliber dies, a simple beam scale, powder meaasure, etc. can be had quite cheaply used; the knowledge and skill that is developed to use it has value, and the necessary supplies, carefully purchased and properly stored, last for decades.
There’s also value in having 2- or 4-gang bullet moulds in popular bullet calibers and designs, and a casting pot. There may come a time when bullets aren’t available, but scrap lead and hardening alloys may be.
If you’re buying gardening tools to grow food with, why would the tools and knowledge for assembling ammunition not also be a worthwhile procurement?
During the dead of winter in the Midwest I enjoy pounding out finished rounds in my reloading den. As CZ points out so aptly the real savings come when you reload oddball rifle calibers ( I have rifles in .300 WSM and .350 Remington mag ) and magnum pistol rounds. But it’s also cool to pick up brass at the public range and think hey great deal, so just the cost of shooting here gets me the extra bonus of free brass to cut costs even more, and add to the survival larder. Also I get my like minded buddies to come over and we reload all together like an assembly line. After that effort of course knock a couple back down sit there all pleaded with ourselves. I’ll take that over bowling night ( take it easy, I like bowling also ).
I’ve been considering getting into reloading for a while now. What has been holding me back is the outlay to buy the items needed verses the ROI. Thanks for breaking it all down. Now all I have to do is come up with some cash.