reloading break even

[Vlad]

There is also the added benifit of doing wildcats. It was really cool to take a deer this year with a gun that I helped build with ammo I made myself.

[White Horseradish]

I kinda had to reload. I got a .44 special and couldn't find any ammo priced at anything less than ridiculous.

[diskdoctr]

There is also the added benifit of doing wildcats. It was really cool to take a deer this year with a gun that I helped build with ammo I made myself.

That is AWESOME Vlad. Very Cool

[Snowgun]

I used the cool calculator and came up with 13,000 rounds before I broke even. (.45acp).

I used the prices at midway (jacketed bullets), included shipping, and assumed that I got a dillion b550 press with all the attachments for 900 with shipping.

Right now I get my .45acp from this company in texas. I send them the brass, they clean and reload it, ship it back. Including shipping, it runs me 14.50 for FMJ .45acp.

So for me a reloader wouldn't be worth it.

[rugersol]

I used the cool calculator and came up with 13,000 rounds before I broke even. (.45acp).

I used the prices at midway (jacketed bullets), included shipping, and assumed that I got a dillion b550 press with all the attachments for 900 with shipping.

Right now I get my .45acp from this company in texas. I send them the brass, they clean and reload it, ship it back. Including shipping, it runs me 14.50 for FMJ .45acp.

So for me a reloader wouldn't be worth it.

I used the un-cool calculator ...

I got 0.195/rd (100% brass re-use) and 0.275 (100% purchased fired-brass) fer .45acp.

I presume yer $14.50 is per 50rd? ... 0.29/rd, 'course. If that's fer you supplyin' 100% of the brass, then that's almost 0.10/rd ya could save, reloadin' it yerself.

Personally, I find that very remarkable ... my numbers are purdy precise ... I had no clue where yer $14.50 was comin' from ... but, as it is, it's still $100/1,000rd payback.

BTW, this was figuring $20/lbs for powder and $30/1,000 primers ... I suspect the joint in Texas ain't spendin' quite that much on them particular components. Put 'nother way, if ya bought yerself reclaimed powder (http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html) and Wolf ('er the like) primers fer closer to $20/1,000. I wouldn't 'spect doin' either of them'd drastically alter yer payback rate ... $10/1,000 fer the primers ... maybe 'nother $10/1,000 fer the powder ... at best.

Bullets were Montana Gold 230gr FMJ, BTW ... shipping included.

[Snowgun]

I used about 15 for 1 lb of bullseye, 30 for 1000 primers, and 79 for 500 bullets (some special midway had). Then 30 for shipping (I went to checkout).

I forgot the cents per round numbers, but your 10 cent savings (based on my 14.50 per box) still makes it 9000 rounds before I break even.

Since I shoot about 1500 per year in acp, thats about 6 years of reloading for me before I make it back. Not worth my time.

BTW, if anyone want's to do the brass reload program I have going on, PM me. I'll give you the info.

I pack 1500 casings into a USPS priority box (where the shipping is volume, not weight, so only 13 bucks).

These guys clean, reload, and test to spec. They make about a 170 powerfactor for me. FMJ. And then they ship it back. Return shipping is like $60. All in all it's about 14-14.50 per 50 box. And I do minimal work. I've shot about 3000 rounds of theirs so far and haven't had a problem, using all my own old brass.

It's obviously never going to beat reloading yourself, but i'm happy to pay a little more to not have to make the capital cost and do the work, plus I can trust the quality.

[ijosef]

Shucks, I'm planning on reloading 9mm so this is kind of a downer for me. I'll still do it however - I enjoy the process.

I really like reloading shotgun, but the price of shot is ridiculous. The guy that sold me my MEC 600 JR sold me a bag of shot for $10... at Bullseye Shooter's Supply they want $40+ per bag.

[gyrfalcon]

Shucks, I'm planning on reloading 9mm so this is kind of a downer for me. I'll still do it however - I enjoy the process...

If you feel you're a bit mechanically inclined you should consider looking at the Lee Loadmaster. ~$200 it comes with dies, case feeder, shell plate, powder measure, etc. Add $12 for a collator and $16 for factory crimp die and you've got about all you need. Bullet feeder is a few more $$ but not much. For the cost it's pretty impressive if you can get around the adjustments and setup curve... just take your time and be-careful, if you have issues ask for help before your break it, and if you do the replacement parts are pretty cheap.

It can function quite well if it's setup right:




Otherwise the Hornady LnL or Dillon 650 would be good choices too. Big thing is saving or getting 9mm brass for cheap.

[rugersol]

I used about 15 for 1 lb of bullseye, 30 for 1000 primers, and 79 for 500 bullets (some special midway had). Then 30 for shipping (I went to checkout).

The prices ain't bad ... but ya don't pay $30 shipping fer that stuff ... 'less ya buy it 24lbs at time, ya don't buy powder 'n primers 'sept locally ... and 230gr FMJ Montana Gold .45's are $75/500 shipped (if ya buy 'em 2,000 at a time ... which ya would).

still makes it 9000 rounds before I break even.

If ya spent $900 on equipment, ya ... it would. By my count, fer purdy decent equipment, yer lookin' at $234 + whatever ya can git a progressive press fer (presuming it includes a powder-measure) + dies + shellplate. With what Cabela's has got goin' on right now ... that'd be jest 'bout $400 OTD fer the LNL-AP, including yer first shellplate and first set of dies (with the current coupon, it's $100 off $500 at the register, so pick up some case polish 'er powder 'er something, to git it up to that) ... that's $634 total fer a purdy nice set-up. 6,000rd, and it'd be almost "paid off".

Since I shoot about 1500 per year in acp, thats about 6 years of reloading for me before I make it back. Not worth my time.

Most everyone I know, who reloads pistol on a turret/progressive, shoots on the order of 500rd - 1,000rd/mo.

That may seem unrealistic to you ... particularly if yer payin' $290/1,000rd. I can't speak fer anyone else, but back when I was buyin' 100rd Winchester 9mm from Walmart fer $11.xx, 500rd/mo seemed unrealistic.

I can't guarantee you wouldn't be the one guy, that won't actually shoot closer to 4x - 5x as much.

As fer yer time ... ya, reloading ... building a bench ... takin' pictures of it ... all that stuff, takes time. And ya'll probly find yerself not doin' other stuff. Myself, I hardly watch TV anymore. Dropped satellite 'n cable ... ain't had it fer over a year, now. I can't guarantee you ain't got somethin' equally unimportant to give up the time for.

[plblark]

When I looked at it for going Dillon and going convenient, here's what I came up with:
9mm doesn't pay out very fast. Get into .38 Spcl and .357 and it's a bit faster.
Cases: People PAY for these? I just hold carry classes and police up the brass

Here's the numbers I ran:
50 rnds 9mm cheapie from Mal Wart: $9.47 = $0.1894 ea

Primers: $30/1000 = $0.03 ea
Bullets: Montana Gold 124r FMJ 3750 for $293 (Shipped) = $0.078
Powder: $18/1000 = $0.018
Cases: Let's say $0.10 a case

W/cases: $0.217 ea
W/O cases: $0.117 ea

Now let's move on to .38 spcl.

Primers: $30/1000 = $0.03 ea
Bullets: Montana Gold 158 gr FMJ 2950 for $318: $0.107
Powder: $18/500 = $0.036
Cases: Let's say $0.10 a case

W/cases: $0.03+$0.107+$0.036+$0.10 = $0.273 ea
W/O Cases: $0.173 ea
.357 Mag is similar. Now when we compare to Store prices which are ~$18/50 for .38 spcl and more for .357 ...
Store Price: $0.36 ea.

Without Cases you're saving $.0724 ea for 9mm and $0.187 for .38 and .357

Out of 100 rounds, I probably shoot 90 9mm, 9 .38 spcl, and 1 .357 Magnum.

So, for 100 rounds:
store cost: 90*$0.1894+10*0.36 = $20.646 ($0.20646 ea)
Reloading cost: 90*$0.117+10*.173 = $12.26 ($0.1226 ea)
Savings: $8.386 per 100 rounds of ammo = $0.0838 per ea given my shooting habits.

That's my basis for a break even point. Of course, I'm lucky. Tactical Ninja needed a house for his reloading press and I have a garage and now a new set of cabinets and desk to mount it on in my house.

Still, what are we looking at for a press setup?
I looked at Dillon online and they seem EXPENSIVE. I looked at Midway for the accessories because Dillon was SO expensive. I could probably do better at the Gun Stop.

Press Dillon 550 Comes with one tool head and one powder measure, and 9mm conversion kit but w/o dies $419.95
Tumbler and seperator kit (Frankford Arsenal from Midway) $63.99
Extra pickup tubes: $21.95
Spare parts kit $16.95
Primer Flip Tray $17.95
Calipers: $22 (Midway)
Manuals (2) $50 (Midway)
Bullet Puller: $21.99 (Midway)
scale: $50 (Midway)

9mm
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-die set: $36.99 (Midway)

.38 Spcl/.357 MAgnum
Tool head $20.95
Conversion kit $43.95
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-die set: $36.99 (Midway)

So, to do 9mm, .38 spcl, and .357 Magnum I'd spend: $773

To have a toolhead set up for each caliber seperately, I'd need to add:
Die set: $36.99(Midway)
Powder Measure: $73.95 (.38 spcl)
Powder Measure: $73.95 (.357 mag)
Tool head $20.95
Conversion kit $43.95

For $250 more

If I wanted to get real fancy, I'd get:
a tool head holder from Dillon for each of the 3 tool heads $18.95 ea (3)
a tool holder and wrench set $26.95
For $84 more

Break Even:
shared tool head, dies, and powder measure for .38/.357Mag: 9225 rounds
Seperate Tool heads, dies, and Powder measure for .38/.357Mag: 2984 additional rounds
Tool stands and bench wrench set: 1003 Additional Rounds

So, going whole hog, I'd break even at ~13,212 rounds. That's a LOT of rounds: 11,892 9mm, 1191 .38 spcl, 134 .357 magnum: Price in components: $1620, Price of equipment: $1108, Price for Commercial Ammunition: $2728

[rugersol]

To have a toolhead set up for each caliber seperately, I'd need to add:
Die set: $36.99(Midway)
Powder Measure: $73.95 (.38 spcl)
Powder Measure: $73.95 (.357 mag)
Tool head $20.95
Conversion kit $43.95

If I wanted to get real fancy, I'd get:
a tool head holder from Dillon for each of the 3 tool heads $18.95 ea (3)
a tool holder and wrench set $26.95

Ouch!

I jest need 3 bushings fer like $12 ... usually a new shellplate fer like $30 ... dies ... and that's it! Extra powder-measures are nice ... but hardly necessary ... and definitely not per caliber.

Where'd ya git $0.10/9mm case? I usually see $0.05 ... and jest bought 2,000 at $0.04 (to replenish what the brass-gods took )

You only git 500rd 158gr .38spl out of a pound of powder? ... that's 14.0gr/ea?! You better hope Sam don't see this!

[plblark]

The conversion kit and extra powder measure are for lazy people No screwing, adjusting, etc of bushings. Just take the toolhead out, store it, yer done.

As to 9mm brass, IDK, never priced it. Took Gryfalcon's numbers "1000rds Magtech 9mm Brass $143.04" which is $0.14304 and balanced it with hmmm... I thought they'd be $0.05 and just threw the $0.10 number out there. (Looking on Midway it's $136.20 per 1000 = $0.1362 ea) (They also have once fired Rem brass for 9mm at $0.038 ea) Didn't base my numbers on that though as I use pickup brass.

and yer right about the .357. I was being conservative in my assessment for price reasons. Since I don't load for .357Mag yet. care to throw out a general ballpart number of rounds per pound of powder and I'll revise my numbers?

[rugersol]

The conversion kit and extra powder measure are for lazy people No screwing, adjusting, etc of bushings. Just take the toolhead out, store it, yer done.

As to 9mm brass, IDK, never priced it. Took Gryfalcon's numbers "1000rds Magtech 9mm Brass $143.04" which is $0.14304 and balanced it with hmmm... I thought they'd be $0.05 and just threw the $0.10 number out there. (Looking on Midway it's $136.20 per 1000 = $0.1362 ea) (They also have once fired Rem brass for 9mm at $0.038 ea) Didn't base my numbers on that though as I use pickup brass.

and yer right about the .357. I was being conservative in my assessment for price reasons. Since I don't load for .357Mag yet. care to throw out a general ballpart number of rounds per pound of powder and I'll revise my numbers?

How's 1,750rd/pound fer 158gr .38spl, grab ya?

With my powder of choice, 158gr .357 would be closer to 1,000rd. In .357, ya COULD git to 14.0gr/ea ... but I was referrin' to where ya were talkin' 'bout .38spl. But ya switched to .357, now ... so I'm jest tryin' to keep up.

Not sure what ya mean by "screwing, adjusting, etc of bushings" ... on the LNL-AP, ya set the die once ... then it's jest a 1/4 turn 'er so, and the die/bushing pops right out ... I can change a full set 'o dies in 'bout 5 seconds ... shellplate comes out with one hex-key ... takes longer to clean and re-lube the plate, than anythin'.

Hmmm ... once-fired Remington fer $0.038, eh? ... if not fer shippin', I wouldn't mind gittin' in on some of that! As it was, the bags I bought, I got a few bottlenecked ... hmmm ... I don't know ... .32's? .30's maybe? I kept 'em ... was gonna take a pic ... got distracted.

Can't imagine why anyone'd pay fer brand new brass?

[Snowgun]

dammit ahrens, I'm happy in my little "dont need to buy a bunch of reloading gear" world, don't screw this up for me by making it more palatable!

problem is, I would have to get the dope gear, and I just know it would end up costing me more.

plus, I have too many hobbies already! Maybe I could swing it if I was unemployed, but not now. I'd love to do it if I had the time.

[Pat Cannon]

My cheapest round of .38 Special with 158 grain lead bullet is 3.3 grains of Titegroup, which works out to 2,121 rounds/lb.*
Same bullet with 4.6 grains of Titegroup makes IDPA SSR power floor and works out to 1,522 rounds/lb.*
Gratuitous loud flaming .357 load for 125 grain JHP is 22 grains of H110, which works out to 318 rounds/lb.**

So, yeah, how far your powder goes varies, a lot.

------------------------------------------
*Disclaimer: Don't go by me, go by the book. If I remembered wrong or mistyped and you listen to me you'll blow your fool ass up and it'll be your own darn fault.
**Especially this one. Especially if your gun is some off brand, that is, not a Ruger.