reloading break even

[gyrfalcon]

Don't forget the Hazmat charges and the shipping costs that are added to the cost if you are ordering this stuff. It really adds to the cost.
For that small of an amount you are better off buying the supplies locally at say the Gunstop.

Yeah I didn't include shipping/hazmat, taxes or getting a clearance deal on anything... I was just trying to get a ballpark on 9mm component prices if you wanted to reload 1000rds. If you buy bulk volume and get a high end Dillon or Camdex the game completely changes.

[PhilaBOR]

Shortly after January 20th, 2009, the break-even issue became essentially irrelevant, because there was no factory ammo at ANY cost. That could happen again, which does factor into a decision to buy reloading equipment...

I seem to remember primers were about as scarce as ammo. Stockpile primers? Stockpile ammo? Breakeven is still a consideration IMHO.

[rugersol]

I figured $0.12 - $0.17 per 115gr FMJ/plated round reloaded (100% case re-use to 100% purchased fired brass).

At an average of $0.145/rd, if ya wanted to break even after let's say 10,000rd, and let's say yer equipment ran $500 ... ya'd've spent $1,450 on components ... and comparable factory ammo'd hafta be at least $19.50/100rd.

Lookin' up on Cabela's, they're sayin' $27/100 fer Winchester 9mm 115gr FMJ. At that, ya'd break even after 4,000rd ($580 fer components).

I may be overly optimistic, but I 'spect prices on components to continue to drop. I doubt we'll ever see 1,000 Federal primers fer $17, again ... but I also don't think we're done recoverin' from the "Osama Syndrome". As component prices drop, expect to see factory ammo prices drop. There may be fluctuations in the difference ... but overall, I'd 'spect the $100/1,000rd payback rate to be fairly consistent (much higher, as chamberings are less popular than 9mm).

When I got my first .41, I looked at a box of factory, and it was like $50/50rd ... and I'm purdy sure that was FMJ ... ****in' crazy! Never have bought a box of .41 ... bought dies, shellholder, 'n brand new brass ... paid off my entire initial investment by the 3rd "box".

[Shipyard]

i save an average of $250 a case reloading 44 mag. $0.12 - $0.20 a round vs. $0.60 - $1.10 a round factory adds up QUICK!! don't take long to pay it back and it keeps my hand cannon very happy!

[Belgiboy]

You guys are skipping quite a few of the start-up costs. Knotty pine boards for the walls (who wants to reload in a regular old "room"). 6 2x4 boards. One sheet of 3/4 or 1 in. plywood. Lots of shelves. More shelves. Another T.V. Many big-ole buckets for brass. The list goes on.

In all honesty, when you're reloading you're NOT spending money on cheap liquor, cigars and strumpets... that's gotta count for something

[LarryFlew]

With all this info (thanks to all) I think I would look at something like the Dillon square deal since they are pretty cheap and progressive. I would never go beyond the 9 and possibly but unlikely 45 so not being able to do rifle is not a big deal. More opinions on that idea??

[westberg]

You guys are skipping quite a few of the start-up costs. Knotty pine boards for the walls (who wants to reload in a regular old "room"). 6 2x4 boards. One sheet of 3/4 or 1 in. plywood. Lots of shelves. More shelves. Another T.V. Many big-ole buckets for brass. The list goes on.

In all honesty, when you're reloading you're NOT spending money on cheap liquor, cigars and strumpets... that's gotta count for something

I see Beigiboy you haven't been to hammAR's, JoeH or my reloading rooms, although we avoid the cheap liquor......

[usnret]

With all this info (thanks to all) I think I would look at something like the Dillon square deal since they are pretty cheap and progressive. I would never go beyond the 9 and possibly but unlikely 45 so not being able to do rifle is not a big deal. More opinions on that idea??

Personally I would not get the Square Deal B. I think that you would be much happier with the 550B. It takes standard dies, is more versatile, and can load like 125 calibers.
With the Square Deal B you need to use the special dies that are made for it and it alone.
Just my 2 cents.

[Belgiboy]

You guys are skipping quite a few of the start-up costs. Knotty pine boards for the walls (who wants to reload in a regular old "room"). 6 2x4 boards. One sheet of 3/4 or 1 in. plywood. Lots of shelves. More shelves. Another T.V. Many big-ole buckets for brass. The list goes on.

In all honesty, when you're reloading you're NOT spending money on cheap liquor, cigars and strumpets... that's gotta count for something

I see Beigiboy you haven't been to hammAR's, JoeH or my reloading rooms, although we avoid the cheap liquor......

I've been to your reloading room, you weren't there and neither was the liquor or the cigars

[LarryFlew]

Personally I would not get the Square Deal B. I think that you would be much happier with the 550B. It takes standard dies, is more versatile, and can load like 125 calibers.
With the Square Deal B you need to use the special dies that are made for it and it alone.
Just my 2 cents.

catch is I can get the SD set up for 9 for much less than $300 and don't plan on doing much beyond 9 or 45

[goalie]

Personally I would not get the Square Deal B. I think that you would be much happier with the 550B. It takes standard dies, is more versatile, and can load like 125 calibers.
With the Square Deal B you need to use the special dies that are made for it and it alone.
Just my 2 cents.

catch is I can get the SD set up for 9 for much less than $300 and don't plan on doing much beyond 9 or 45

I reloaded 10-15k rounds of 9mm on a SDB without issues. It is just fine if you are never going to reload rifle, or you reload your rifle on a single-stage.

As for breaking even, I shot enough 44mag before deer season just this year to more than save what my RCBS single stage kit cost me 20 years ago when you compare my reload costs to shooting the same amount of factory rounds appropriate for deer hunting.

My Dillon 550 was "paid off" rather quickly with .223 and 9mm savings.

[TH3180]

Here you go, this does all the math for you.
http://10xshooters.com/calculators/Hand ... ulator.htm

For me I reload to save money. I also reload because it is fun. I like reloading almost as much as I like shooting. I know it will take a long time to pay off my press and what not, but it will be a lot of fun doing it.

[Pat Cannon]

Did you check out this thread of wisdom?

[Shipyard]

In all honesty, when you're reloading you're NOT spending money on cheap liquor, cigars and strumpets... that's gotta count for something

i love your optimism...

[FJ540]

You guys haven't mentioned the real kicker to rolling your own ammo - you get to make it so it works specifically for your gun.

I've never found a store that sells "Jim's 4.25" 1911".45 ammo, but I can do it every round if I make it myself.