One of the questions I get rather often is in regards to reloading. Is it worth it? How much does it cost? Do you blow up your guns? Can you make ammo for me for free? Well, sit back, grab yourself a tasty beverage, and read on to find out! This will be Part I, since there is no way to put it all in one posting and still keep your attention (let alone mine)
What is reloading?
Reloading (also known as handloading) is the process of essentially assembling your own ammunition using either new or used cartridge casings (also known as brass), gun powder (definitely new), projectiles (hopefully new), and primers (also new) at home.
Why I reload
Some of my earliest and fondest memories from my childhood are from reloading with my dad. I remember sorting brass with him, and being entranced that he was actually making his own ammunition in a room in our basement. As I got older I started actually realizing why he did so, and once I moved away from home I started reloading on my own.
One of the main reasons I reload is part of who I am. I am very self sufficient and hands on. I mean shit, I did build my own 1911 out of boredom afterall. Here is a logical list of reasons of why you would take up reloading:
One of the main reasons I reload is part of who I am. I am very self sufficient and hands on. I mean shit, I did build my own 1911 out of boredom afterall. Here is a logical list of reasons of why you would take up reloading:
- Reloading gives you the ability to craft ammunition that is more accurate than factory available loadings. You are able to tailor a specific load to your specific rifle.
- If you shoot an odd, or wildcat caliber, you are able to make your own ammunition for much cheaper than buying factory ammunition.
- By reloading you are able to use a variety of different projectiles that are not available in factory loadings.
- In the long run you can save an immense amount of money by loading your own ammo.
Why you maybe shouldn't reload
For as many good reasons there are to reload, there are plenty of reasons not to do so. In the spirit of being fair, here are some reasons I can think of as to why you should not undertake reloading:
- Time: Reloading is somewhat time consuming, all depending on what you are loading for, and how committed you are to it. If you have 14 kids, 3 jobs, and no time for anything other than work, kids, eating, and sleeping, reloading is definitely not for you.
- If you are a low volume shooter (as in you fire a box of ammo a year siting in your deer rifle), reloading would not be an economical solution for you. The equipment costs can vary depending on how dedicated you want to get.
- Setting up a proper space for reloading can take up a bit of room. If you live in a shoebox (or your car), this may not workout for you.
- If you are distracted easily, reloading can be downright dangerous to your well being. Accidentally stuffing a 7mm Remington Magnum case with 74 grains of Bullseye could at the least severely maim you, if not kill you. People have lost eyes, hands, and even their lives from reloading mistakes, so you definitely need to take into consideration your attention to detail and level of focus. If you do decide to reload, make sure you are not distracted while doing so. If not, you may end up with a cool nickname like "Stumpy".
- Patience: When you reload you have to have patience and be willing to experiment with several different variations before you find one that will work out good for you. Everyone loves to ask "What load should I use for XXX?", but variations such as barrel length, and weapon manufacturer can yield drastic variances.
Saving Money by Reloading
One of the main reasons to reload, is in the long run you will save money. I say the long run, because depending on the set up you use, it can range from less than $200 up to the sky.
For comparative purposes, I will list what I have into my two drastically different reloading setups, and what it costs for me to load on them.
To reload for my .338 Lapua I utilize a single stage reloading press. A single stage press performs one operation at a time. This can be Resizing, bullet seating and crimping just to name a few. In Part II I will go more in depth into this. For all intensive purposes, single stage reloaders are the cheapest presses that you can get.
When I reload for my .45's I utilize a progressive press. A progressive press is somewhat automated, performing multiple operations with each pull of the handle. With mine after five pulls of the handle it produces a fully loaded round of ammunition. Progressive presses tend to be more expensive, and complicated in general. In Part II I will go into depth on this.
For comparative purposes, I will list what I have into my two drastically different reloading setups, and what it costs for me to load on them.
To reload for my .338 Lapua I utilize a single stage reloading press. A single stage press performs one operation at a time. This can be Resizing, bullet seating and crimping just to name a few. In Part II I will go more in depth into this. For all intensive purposes, single stage reloaders are the cheapest presses that you can get.
When I reload for my .45's I utilize a progressive press. A progressive press is somewhat automated, performing multiple operations with each pull of the handle. With mine after five pulls of the handle it produces a fully loaded round of ammunition. Progressive presses tend to be more expensive, and complicated in general. In Part II I will go into depth on this.
Reloading .338 Lapua Magnum
If you own a .338 Lapua Magnum, you know that it is expensive to feed. Really expensive. As in a box of ten rounds of factory .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition runs $58.99 ($5.90 per round). With that as a baseline, we will break down the cost of my equipment and components I use to reload for it.
Equipment Used:
To date I have shot 528 rounds out of my .338 Lapua Magnum, creating a total of $670.56 in consumables, with an equipment cost of $364, for a grand total of $1,034.56. If you amortize the equipment cost thus far ($364 into 528 rounds) my current cost per round is $2.72.
If I were to have been shooting factory ammunition (which neither my wallet, nor ass could afford), it would have cost me $3,114.67. Reloading has saved me $2,080.11. Easy to see how it pays off with a caliber such as this.
Equipment Used:
- Reloading Press: $199
- Reloading Dies: $150
- Case Holder: $5
- Loading Block: $10
- Total Equipment Cost: $364
- Powder: $21.99 per pound,$.30 per charge
- Primers: $31.99 per thousand, $.03 per round
- Projectiles: $68.99 per hundred, $.69 per round
- Brass: $249 per hundred, $2.49 each, amortized over 10 loadings $.25 per loading
- Total cost to load one round of ammunition: $1.27
To date I have shot 528 rounds out of my .338 Lapua Magnum, creating a total of $670.56 in consumables, with an equipment cost of $364, for a grand total of $1,034.56. If you amortize the equipment cost thus far ($364 into 528 rounds) my current cost per round is $2.72.
If I were to have been shooting factory ammunition (which neither my wallet, nor ass could afford), it would have cost me $3,114.67. Reloading has saved me $2,080.11. Easy to see how it pays off with a caliber such as this.
Reloading .45 Auto
If you shoot a high volume of pistol ammunition, reloading for it really pays off. .45 Auto ammunition goes for $18.99 per 50 locally ( $.38 per round). Here are my equipment costs and a breakdown of components.
Equipment Cost:
Consumables:
To date, on the safe side, I have reloaded 25,000 rounds of .45 Auto (this is an estimate based off of how many primers I have purchased). The total cost for me to reload 25,000 rounds of ammunition is $3,250 in consumables, with $886 in equipment. Amortizing the equipment cost ($886 into 25,000 rounds) my current ammunition cost is $.165 per round.
If I were to have been buying factory ammunition, this would have cost me $9,500. Reloading for the .45 Auto has saved me $6,250.
In Part II we will discuss the different equipment out there, what you need to start up on the cheap, and what I recommend. Stay Tuned!
EZ
Equipment Cost:
- Reloading Press (including bullet and case feeders):$800
- Reloading Dies: $31
- Shell Plate: $25
- Casefeeder Plate: $30
- Total Equipment Cost: $886
Consumables:
- Powder: $15.99 per pound, $.01 per charge
- Primers: $24 per thousand, $.024 per round
- Projectiles: $96 per thousand, $.096 per round
- Brass: Who in their right mind buys pistol brass???? (range pickup, free)
- Total cost to load one round of ammunition: $.13 per round
To date, on the safe side, I have reloaded 25,000 rounds of .45 Auto (this is an estimate based off of how many primers I have purchased). The total cost for me to reload 25,000 rounds of ammunition is $3,250 in consumables, with $886 in equipment. Amortizing the equipment cost ($886 into 25,000 rounds) my current ammunition cost is $.165 per round.
If I were to have been buying factory ammunition, this would have cost me $9,500. Reloading for the .45 Auto has saved me $6,250.
In Part II we will discuss the different equipment out there, what you need to start up on the cheap, and what I recommend. Stay Tuned!
EZ
