At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

[1917]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

Start up cost can vary greatly. Picked up press at yard sale along with the one inherted, second hand powder scale then a good used electronic lab grade scale. Good used Harrell's powder measure. Just reading and knowing which equipment does what and which is recommended helps a lot. Total to date is about $400.

To answer your question is it worth justifying the money? With reloading I can afford to shoot more and shoot regularly. Think now have come closer to shooting what my rifle is capable. Like going from a moa shooter to consistent .5 moa shooter is a blast. Yeah, it's worth it.

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

No matter what the range is, that you are shooting. Reloading has the advantage in cost. Just shoot enough to justify the cost.
Shooting Factory Ammo Twice a month, three boxes of any caliber, will make reloading worth the fiscal cost.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .308Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Right now I am shooting FGMM 175's @ $35 per box, and I really like them. Currently I'm shooting 2x per month at about 60 rounds per shoot. So the current monthly feed bill is around $220ish with taxes.

If I did go the reloading route, I'm the kind of person to get the best equipment I can afford, and suffer the financial setbacks once, and be done with it. I made the mistake of not doing that once, and it bit me in the hind quarters.... never again!

With that being said, first, what would a top shelf setup like that cost? Secondly, is it worth justifying the money now to do so, or should I just continue the way I am for now?

Thanks for your help,
Chris </div></div>

Here's a reprint of a couple of a post I made about a month or so back:

First:

<span style="font-style: italic">Let's look at some real world figures for a 308 winny:

My baseline is 1000 rounds Factory fresh vs Reloads. I'm using 1000 rounds because my reloads average 10 reloadings, and I'm trying to normalize the initial cost of the brass:

First Factory: I use HSM Ammo when I do buy factory. Their load consists of a Sierra 155 Gr Palma Match. It costs me $22.35 per box of 20. So for 1000 rounds I would need to buy 50 boxes.

50 x $22.35 = $1117.50

Now my Reloads for 1000 rounds:

Lapua Brass $60.99 per 100
Sierra 155 Grain Palma Match #2156 $319.90 per 1000
Primers $ 32.00 per 1000 For Federal 210M primers
Powder $145.00 per 1000 shots @ 47 grains per shot of Varget.

Total cost of 1000 reloads = $557.89

But if I buy factory HSM I could sell my once fired brass for maybe $.20 each, so that's $200.00 per 1000 I could recoup back.

So the new totals are:

Factory HSM per 1000 = $1117.50 less $200.00 = $917.50
Reloads per 1000 = $557.89

Net "savings" per 1000 308 Win Rounds = $359.61

If you consider that a "good" reloading setup will cost in the neighborhood of around $800.00 (that includes everything for a 308 including match dies). Then in less than 2225 rounds of shooting you have "paid" for your reloading kit. After that it is all gravy.

Note: I keep at least 200 rounds of factory 308 ammo on hand at all times, even though I reload. I'm a just in case sort of guy.

One could buy cheaper components, and cheaper reloading stuff like Lee, and beat those figures all to hell. So YMMV.</span>

 

[kennyfisher4413]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

.308 shooter... I am also going through the same dilema you are..but ive decided that once i get back from the sandbox im going to pull the trigger. I spent the last week reading threads talking to a few guys. And I too like to get everything that I think I could possibly need all at once and get the quality I can afford. Here is a set up I priced mainly off of midwayusa and lymans website. This is just a basic starting point for me I will upgrade as needed or if i just want something new..
Lyman crusher 2 kit $414
•Crusher II Press
•Universal Trimmer with Expanded Pilot Multi-pack
•Pro 500 Scale
•#55 Powder Measure
•Universal Priming Arm
•Primer Tray
•Auto Primer Feed
•Extra Decapping Pins
•49th Edition Reloading Handbook
•Primer Catcher
•Deburring Tool
•Powder Funnel
•Case Lube Kit
•7/8" x 14 Adapter (mounts #55 powder measure in press
Lyman powder dribbler $14
Annealing system $65
Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit $64
10lbs Lyman corn cob media $21
Lyman Primer Pocket Uniformer L&S $40
Lyman VLD Chamfer Tool $12
Lyman Flash Hole Deburrer/ uniformer $15
Lyman Universal inside/outside deburing tool $17
Lyman Powder measure stand $30
RCBS Competition Full Length Die Set, 308 Win $94
RCBS Full Length Die Set, 308 Win $32
Lee universal Shell holders $21
LEE red box auto prime shell holders $20
Lee Auto Primer $20
Frankford Arsenal Case lube $8
Calipers $30
2- MTM Flip top Ammo Box 100 rd $14
2-MTM Flip top Ammo Box 50 rd $8
MTM Ammo Can $18
2-Frankford Arsenal Reloading trays $10
$967

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It seems we've neglected his second question. The answer to your $$$ question is that you can get a good reloading setup for less than your monthly ammo bill is now. </div></div>

I would say it this way:

After 2.5 months, at the rate you are currently shooting, you will have paid for all of the reloading equiptment, and from this point forward you will be paying $0.25-to-$0.35 for every dollar that you would have spend on ammo like FGMM.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

for me the point that it became worth it was the day i bought my bolt rifle. i knew then that looking forward i would be better off reloading. locally its hard to find off the shelf ammo at the walmart. i have never priced ammo at Dick's sporting goods store, but i cant imagine its cheap. looking at prices online i felt the same. i was alway afraid to shoot handloads because of i didnt want to void the warranty on the firearm. dont they still have that disclaimer on them? this rifle will most likely never shoot factory ammo. its just cheaper. i think i said it would be $.75 a round for 168g SMKs loaded with 40g of 4895 in lake city match brass. that savings will pay for the $300-$400 worth of equitment plus having the ability to tailor the best load for my rifle makes it the way to go in my novice eyes

 

[stan462]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

I am sure more and more people will get started on reloading especially the way the economy is going. I was at the gun shop last week and saw a box of 416 rigby for $279.99. Me, I have a 50 Cal BMG, 338 Lapua $100 per box, 325 WSM $ 55 per box, S&W 460 $ 65 per box, and a full auto 6.8 SPC $ 29 per box just to name a few. As you can see, I must reload in order to shoot.

 

[Cartman]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Sometimes, the savings angle is overplayed, especially when you find you keep upgrading your equipment or component purchases and your wife rolls her eyes everytime you tell her how much money you're saving!
</div></div>

What we say around here is "we're going to go broke saving all this money".

 

[Cartman]

Re: At What Time Is ReLoading The Only Way To Go???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gnfiter3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gnfiter3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No one is telling this guy about the attention to detail loading takes. Complicated, just a bit, with a progressive press. My Dillon isn't as mindless as the Lee 1000 I load pistol on. Start single, get a feel for it, then, by all means, Go Progressive!

IMHO! </div></div>

Because that is way overblown. If you can drive a car, you can reload ammo. It's nowhere near as hard as people will scare you into thinking before you ever pull the handle. </div></div>

The largest % of drivers having accidents are the new ones. The next are the old ones, who still think they have it, and know it, all. </div></div>

Great line; a lot of wisdom in there.