reloading break even

[LarryFlew]

Considering the cost of a progressive press etc without extra frills at what point does it really make sense to start reloading. IE. I used to reload shotgun when I was into trap shooting because I was doing 12 boxes a week in summer but probably would not have been worth it for a box or two a week.

Thinking cheapest LNL, DIllon or ?? in progressive and would only be doing 9mm.

[gyrfalcon]

With 9mm you would have to do a lot of volume to break even... then you have something called your personal time which you should probably calculate into the cost.

Midway Prices:

1000rds Magtech 9mm Brass $143.04
1000 Rainier 9mm 115 Grain Plated $79.99
1000 CCI #500 Primers $28.15
1lb Blue Dot Powder $15.11
_____________________________________
$266.29 w/Brass -- Cost per 50rd Box = $13.31
$123.25 w/o Brass -- Cost per 50rd Case = $6.16

[Spike]

Reloading mostly .45 ACP with a Lee Turret, I calculated my ROI at around 3,000 to 4,000 rounds. I did not include my time as I do it as a hobby.

- Spike

[MrVvrroomm]

You'll never save money reloading, you'll only shoot more. It's pretty tough to justify the upfront cost just to reload 9mm.

[Shipyard]

the wifey and i shoot gobs of 45 ACP and 44 mag. i broke even in 4 months with a dillon progressive and all the bells and whistles. i also load some 38 special on a single stage but only self defense type +P stuff to make it worth my while.

i recently gave up ALL my 9mm reloading stuff. it isn't worth my time.

[Belgiboy]

I calculated the cost of a box of reloaded shotgun shells to a bit over $4, probably more now since the price of lead shot keeps shooting up. Walmart still has boxes of Federal for about $5. Considering that my MEC setup cost me over $600, I will have a hard time getting my money back out of that. It allows me to produce super soft shooting target loads and that is why I got it in the first place, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

[1911fan]

I calculated the cost of a box of reloaded shotgun shells to a bit over $4, probably more now since the price of lead shot keeps shooting up. Walmart still has boxes of Federal for about $5. Considering that my MEC setup cost me over $600, I will have a hard time getting my money back out of that. It allows me to produce super soft shooting target loads and that is why I got it in the first place, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

To be fair, you need to compare apple to apples, example, if you are making up a match to say AA winchester superlights, do not compare the prices against federal loss leader game loads. Also give back to yourself the cost of the hulls as they will be reloaded if they are good hulls.

I find without charging for cases, be they hulls or brass, My reloading saves me at least half against the price of new. Often I can drive the price well below half, depending on loads.

[LarryFlew]

You'll never save money reloading, you'll only shoot more. It's pretty tough to justify the upfront cost just to reload 9mm.

Since I'm recently semi retired the time issue isn't as bad and it should allow me more shooting time. Still on the fence for how much that will work out.

[rugersol]

There's money to be saved.

How much ya spend is gonna dictate how long it takes to make it up. Right now, there's a $75 off $400 coupon if ya git/got a Cabela's visa. ... and if ya git a Hornady LNL-AP, Hornady'll send ya 500 free XTP's.

How well ya retain/score brass, and whether ya shoot cast, moly, plated, or jacketed bullets'll dictate how fast ya can pay it back.

'Course, ya'll pay it back quicker, the more ya shoot.

A progressive, all else bein' equal, will allow ya to shoot more. At which, the less ya spend on a progressive (and 500 bullets), the quicker ya'll break even.

[usnret]

With 9mm you would have to do a lot of volume to break even... then you have something called your personal time which you should probably calculate into the cost.

Midway Prices:

1000rds Magtech 9mm Brass $143.04
1000 Rainier 9mm 115 Grain Plated $79.99
1000 CCI #500 Primers $28.15
1lb Blue Dot Powder $15.11
_____________________________________
$266.29 w/Brass -- Cost per 50rd Box = $13.31
$123.25 w/o Brass -- Cost per 50rd Case = $6.16

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.

[1911fan]

With 9mm you would have to do a lot of volume to break even... then you have something called your personal time which you should probably calculate into the cost.

Midway Prices:

1000rds Magtech 9mm Brass $143.04
1000 Rainier 9mm 115 Grain Plated $79.99
1000 CCI #500 Primers $28.15
1lb Blue Dot Powder $15.11
_____________________________________
$266.29 w/Brass -- Cost per 50rd Box = $13.31
$123.25 w/o Brass -- Cost per 50rd Case = $6.16

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.

Perhaps, but Gunstop's prices are pretty close to midways, and thus can reasonably be used as a accurate guide to real world pricing. It beats pulling number out of his azalea.

[Seismic Sam]

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.

It is the case that the payback on 9mm will be extremely long if it's even possible, particularly with a progressive setup, but there are two other things to consider:

1. Buy cheaper equipment, like a single stage press. It just depends on how valuable your time is. If you're retired, it keeps you busy and feeling productive, which can have a major impact on your health. (Little-known ugly fact: Any actuary can tell you that the average life expectancy for an older man who is forcibly seperated from his job just is 18 MONTHS.)

2. Shoot expensive calibers, and you break even in 5 boxes of ammo, if that's what's important to you. 500 Smith ammo is $2.50 a round, and 338 Ultramag ammo is $4.00 a round. Takes slightly longer for 50AE, 10mm, 45 Super, 357 SIG, or 9x23 Winchester, but at today's inflated prices it's still very doable.

[Rodentman]

I never thought of breaking even, never tried to calculate. I enjoy reloading. Just started doing .44 Russian since there's not much else to do in the snowstorm....



You COULD buy all your supplies here, and REALLY go broke...

[bensdad]

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.

[LarryFlew]

Still have the reloading bench from shotgun days so that's a BIG savings.