Considering a switch from reloading to factory ammo

[Glassaholic]

Wasn't quite sure where to post this question so thought I'd start here. A little background, I've been reloading for over a quarter century now and quite frankly I'm getting tired of it - not that I don't enjoy putting together my own loads, testing them out and trying to squeeze the utmost of accuracy and performance out of them, but that I simply just don't have the time anymore to invest in it like I used to and I've kind of lost the joy in it. A few years ago I switched all my 308 rifles to 6.5 Creedmoor and since doing so I've only shot factory ammo (Prime and Hornady) to build up my brass base and have been so impressed with the accuracy that I wonder how much I'll gain when I start reloading, yes, with reloading we can squeeze some more fps and choose the exact bullets we want, load to just off the lands and so forth, but it's not like it was when I began reloading in the early 90's and most factory ammo was crap. There's some pretty impressive stuff out there and because I reload I probably haven't paid attention to some of the really good stuff. Another reason to reload was cost, back in the day if you wanted match ammo you were going to pay the price, but these days it seems match ammo is much easier to come by at lower and lower prices.

So my question is this, has anyone else done this? And if so, are you glad you did so or do you regret doing so and why?

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've been doing a mixture of factory match ammo in .308 Win and reloading for other rifles. However I found that at least a couple factory loaded rounds for the 6mm Creedmoor shoot really well. Then it comes down to cost per round and available time. I can load a accurate 6mm CM round for 54 cents whereas a factory loaded round is something like $1.35.

 

[JLP83]

What is your time worth? That’s the only thing you need to ask yourself.

 

[blbennett1288]

I have never reloaded and only shot Factory ammo through my rifles. Through my experience, with multiple actions and barrels, the question at hand is finding which factory ammo your barrel likes. I have tried Prime, Hornady, Federal, Berger, Copper Creek, each with varying success in different rifles. Soon, I will be trying some reloads from McCourt with my once fired Brass.

Cost of reloading 6.5CM is $0.58-0.60, once you have the brass. Quality brass (Lapua/Alpha/etc) is anywhere from $0.8-$1. Quality factory ammo is about $1.35-$1.50/round. The margins are pretty close, so in my opinion it comes down to is reloading worth squeezing the last bit of efficiencies out of the load or is it good enough?

I have found factory ammo, in most applications, to be good enough as long as SD's are single digits and ES's are below 30.

 

[Kickin45]

If your sticking with great ammo like Prime or Hornadys most recent Creedmoor loads, as stated above, what’s your time worth to you?
I buy high grade ammo and don’t reload.

 

[mercracing]

I did the same thing. I’ve made the switch and love all the free time I have. I shoot Prime and FGMM our of my 260 and ELDM and FGMM out of my 224. The only thing I’ll reload for is my 338LM. I can shoot 1/4-1/2moa with factory stuff and that’s good enough for me.

 

[Sethshaun]

I have been thinking the same thing. Streamline and optimize.
Plus I can gain tons of space getting rid of all those plastic boxes full of brass. Maybe reload for one or two favorites when I am in the mood.

If it doesn’t give you joy get rid of it.

 

[patriot07]

I think the biggest question is how far you're shooting. Most folks with a 6.5 CM can find a factory option (or several) that shoot accurately at 100 yards. But if you're going to be reaching way out there, then the speed variance in a factory load is probably going to eat your lunch. My Tikka CTR shot really, really well with Hornady 140 ELDM, but the speed was all over the place. 50 ES & 20 SD. Totally fine at 300-400 yards and in, but if you're going to be out at 800-1,200 yards, that's not going to cut it. Some people have good speed consistency from factory ammo, but that's the exception and not the rule.

But I agree with the general concept that factory ammo and factory rifle quality is good enough to suffice for most shooters, so you just need to decide if you're part of that group or if you need the extra quality/performance that reloading provides.

 

[BullzeyeNJ]

I started using factory match grade ammo in my 223 bolt gun rifles the past year. For me, the cost and accuracy of the ammo was worth it over reloading for this caliber. I still reload for my ar15 223 rifles though on a Dillon progressive 650 press because I need mass quantities of ammo for that platform.

That’s another consideration too. You could reload your 6.5 creed on a progressive press and get the work done in much less time. Crank out 500-600 rounds in about an hour. With the machine set up right you will get consistent, repeatable results.

 

[DetroitRearView]

Bill

Many SH members received some almost all of of my loading tools recently, wilson trimmer, AMP, RCBS Chargemaster, AREA 419 goodies; et al.

My wif and I are going into full retirement and have four married adult children, eight grandchildren across the Country from East to West and a nice Camaro to enjoy the drives with my beautiful wife.

I love to shoot and am a hunting fanatic - so for me it was about time. I shoot .22 rimfire, 454 Casull, 44 mag, .308, 6.5cm, 300N and 338L. I took all of the $$ from my loading equipment, components and a few optics to purchase a ton of factory ammunition. All of my centerfire ammo is 1/2 moa or better. I have over $10K in factory ammo stashed and I don’t even think about cost per 25 rd magazine on my HK.

Life is short and between family, friends, writing, motorcycling, traveling, hunting and shooting I know it was the right decision for me.

I have rolled my own for over 40 years and will miss it to some degree but not nearly enough to minimize my other pursuits.

 

[Steel head]

I still reload myself but I’m quite happy FGMM shoots really well for me.

 

[chevy_man]

I enjoy sitting down and having an hour to myself here and there. I just stockpile ammo through the winter so I can enjoy the summer.

If it's not fun then don't do it. I'll buy 1000rd boxes for the AR's, but I really enjoy getting that last little bit out of my bolt guns.

 

[pmclaine]

I cant make ammo that shoots as good as FGMM 175 but reloading ensures that during panic periods I have better ammo than M80 ball.

I buy FGMM 175 in case lots whenever its on sale much easier than reloading and much cheaper if i cost my time.

Still though I would not shoot as much if I wasnt reloading.

 

[wade2big]

I think the biggest question is how far you're shooting. Most folks with a 6.5 CM can find a factory option (or several) that shoot accurately at 100 yards. But if you're going to be reaching way out there, then the speed variance in a factory load is probably going to eat your lunch. My Tikka CTR shot really, really well with Hornady 140 ELDM, but the speed was all over the place. 50 ES & 20 SD. Totally fine at 300-400 yards and in, but if you're going to be out at 800-1,200 yards, that's not going to cut it. Some people have good speed consistency from factory ammo, but that's the exception and not the rule.

But I agree with the general concept that factory ammo and factory rifle quality is good enough to suffice for most shooters, so you just need to decide if you're part of that group or if you need the extra quality/performance that reloading provides.

I see this quite a bit where guys say factory ammo isnt good past 500 yards. This is completely untrue. I can take my tikka with 140 grain american gunner 2650 fps and wear out a 12” plate at 825 yards. I dont really shoot past that so maybe at 1000 yards it makes more of a difference.

I wont deny the fact that fine tuning loads to a specific rifle will decrease error but as the distance stretches out the extreme spread of the ammunition makes a far less impact on whether there is a hit or miss compared to that little puff of wind.

 

[Crang]

I built a clone of my main 6.5 in .223. I buy the 223 ammo and handload for the 6.5. You can often find the Hornady steel case match ammo for the same price as it cost me to load for the 6.5. If I feel like burning a couple hundred rounds its with the 223 that didnt cost me a day at the bench or any more $ than loading for the 6.5 would have.

 

[AIAW]

I haven't touched a round of factory ammunition outside of handgun, 22LR and 5.56 in at least a decade or more. Not that I don't have anything against factory ammo, I'm just a firm believer in maximizing the potential of the platform through customization; while doing so I remove that particular variable to a degree. If I go out and have a shitty session, I know that most likely it was me versus the ammunition... something a bit more cumbersome, but not impossible, to do with factory ammo (pehaps it was that one box, etc).

I also believe that most importantly it's application. If you can maintain sub-MOA with factory and you are comfortable with your hit ratio then there is no reason for you to personally pursue reloading. How a different barrel is going to react when it's that time, who knows though. I know guys that will burn 25 percent life out of a barrel chasing "benchrest typical" accuracy out of a tactical rifle only to end up back at the load they had 60 rounds into testing. Whether or not that load they picked could be replicated in a factory offering? Only one way to discover that.

 

[Glassaholic]

I have never reloaded and only shot Factory ammo through my rifles. Through my experience, with multiple actions and barrels, the question at hand is finding which factory ammo your barrel likes. I have tried Prime, Hornady, Federal, Berger, Copper Creek, each with varying success in different rifles. Soon, I will be trying some reloads from McCourt with my once fired Brass.

Thanks blb, that's a good point, sometimes you have to find the "right" factory ammo that your rifle/barrel likes. You bring up an interesting point, some people/companies will load for you. Who is "McCourt"? Are there other's out there who will take your brass (and maybe bullets to?) and you give them the formula and they will resize and load for you? Tell me more.

I think the biggest question is how far you're shooting. ...50 ES & 20 SD. Totally fine at 300-400 yards and in, but if you're going to be out at 800-1,200 yards, that's not going to cut it. Some people have good speed consistency from factory ammo, but that's the exception and not the rule.

Another good point patriot, sometimes I do see numbers beyond what I'd like from factory, that's probably my biggest concern. I do not compete, but I do like to shoot out to 1000y and hone my long range skills.

I'd be curious, is anyone actually competing (PRS/NRL) with factory ammo and doing well?

Bill

Many SH members received some almost all of of my loading tools recently, wilson trimmer, AMP, RCBS Chargemaster, AREA 419 goodies; et al.

My wif and I are going into full retirement and have four married adult children, eight grandchildren across the Country from East to West and a nice Camaro to enjoy the drives with my beautiful wife.

I love to shoot and am a hunting fanatic - so for me it was about time. I shoot .22 rimfire, 454 Casull, 44 mag, .308, 6.5cm, 300N and 338L. I took all of the $$ from my loading equipment, components and a few optics to purchase a ton of factory ammunition. All of my centerfire ammo is 1/2 moa or better. I have over $10K in factory ammo stashed and I don’t even think about cost per 25 rd magazine on my HK.

Life is short and between family, friends, writing, motorcycling, traveling, hunting and shooting I know it was the right decision for me.

I have rolled my own for over 40 years and will miss it to some degree but not nearly enough to minimize my other pursuits.

Detroit, I think your response resonates the most with what my goal is - to have more time with family and doing the things I love. I love shooting, but with everything else I love to do I find it difficult to find time to reload and do it right, so I think I would love shooting even more if I didn't have to fine tune loads and tweak this and tweak that, I'd rather someone else do that for me, or just stick with factory. I've wondered how much I could sell all my gear for and it sounds like you did pretty well though it sounds like you had quite a bit more than I have. I have components for 30 cal, 7mm, 6.5mm, .223, .40/10mm, .357/.38 - all fairly popular in the community and probably easy to offload. Powder and primers would have to go locally but that shouldn't be too big an issue.

Right now I also shoot 7mm SAUM and 300 Blackout, I have not been able to find factory loads at a decent price for the SAUM so was looking to rebarrel in 6.5 PRC which doesn't have the oomph that the 7 has but it's not bad either and more that capable of taking Elk (which is the largest game I hunt) and Hornady is making some decently priced Match loads for it as well, heck even their 300 PRC is less than half the price of 300 Norma Magnum loads and makes me think of getting a big gun in 300 PRC but that's a talk for another day. I was shocked to see how much most 300BLK ammo was and was thinking maybe I'll keep some gear for that or maybe consider what bullzeye recommended with a progressive press for the "bulk" ammo, but is that a whole other time consumer just waiting to happen and maybe I need to quit cold turkey...


Thank you everyone who've responded so far, you've given me a lot to chew on. A lot of you have made the comment "if there's no more joy in it, then stop doing it" and I think that's one of the biggest things. And it's not that I don't enjoy reloading, I always have and still do; however, the time it takes me to do it robs me of the joy in other things in life I like - and that's what has caused me to consider this path.

 

[pmclaine]

A lot of you have made the comment "if there's no more joy in it, then stop doing it" and I think that's one of the biggest things. And it's not that I don't enjoy reloading, I always have and still do; however, the time it takes me to do it robs me of the joy in other things in life I like - and that's what has caused me to consider this path.

First dibs on one of your Dillon Super 1050 tool heads and anything you can sell me to set up for 9mm.

 

[Rob01]

I use factory ammo in my Creedmoors in matches and have done pretty well with them. Have also used .308 factory for matches.

Anyone who says factory won't shoot past 500 yards has never shot it past 500 yards. Factory ammo has come a long way over the years. As mentioned yes you can get the last little bit of accuracy with handloading but many would be surprised at how well factory ammo can do now.

 

[Glassaholic]

First dibs on one of your Dillon Super 1050 tool heads and anything you can sell me to set up for 9mm.

That's hilarious, but if I had a 1050 I probably wouldn't be bothered by this. I've been reloading with a turret press - manually, was always nervous going to progressives because I feared inconsistency - part of the issue with trying to squeeze the most out of every round, chasing that "perfect" load can make one crazy

Maybe someone wants to trade me their progressive for some components What a sec, I think my nephew has a Dillon he's never used... hmmm

 

[Glassaholic]

So does anyone have a list of companies who will take your once fired brass and work up a load for you, or take your formula and bang out a 1000 rounds or what have you? I think Frank has mentioned more than once that he will build up a load for a rifle/barrel and once he has the right formula he sends it off to Copper Creek, but last I checked they were pretty pricey.

 

[patriot07]

I use factory ammo in my Creedmoors in matches and have done pretty well with them. Have also used .308 factory for matches.

Anyone who says factory won't shoot past 500 yards has never shot it past 500 yards. Factory ammo has come a long way over the years. As mentioned yes you can get the last little bit of accuracy with handloading but many would be surprised at how well factory ammo can do now.

Not so much overall accuracy but speed consistency. I've shot 140 ELDM out to 800 yards a bunch and my reloads out to 1,100 a bunch as well. No doubt that I have less vertical spread with reloads and if the targets are small enough then it absolutely matters. But if it's more of a positional thing and the targets are bigger, then it's much less of a factor.

 

[patriot07]

I see this quite a bit where guys say factory ammo isnt good past 500 yards. This is completely untrue. I can take my tikka with 140 grain american gunner 2650 fps and wear out a 12” plate at 825 yards. I dont really shoot past that so maybe at 1000 yards it makes more of a difference.

I wont deny the fact that fine tuning loads to a specific rifle will decrease error but as the distance stretches out the extreme spread of the ammunition makes a far less impact on whether there is a hit or miss compared to that little puff of wind.

To be clear, you're talking about a 1.5 MOA plate. I agree if the targets aren't tiny and the distance isn't that far, it's not a huge deal. But if you move to sub-MOA targets at 600+ yards, it 100% becomes a factor. I've shot a bunch of reloads and a bunch of factory ammo at those distances.

On the flip side, there are certain guns that happen to get reall low ES/SD with a certain type of factory ammo. If you luck into that, then there is almost zero benefit to reloading except cost (and I'm not convinced it really saves that much money unless the volume is huge).

 

[wade2big]

To be clear, you're talking about a 1.5 MOA plate. I agree if the targets aren't tiny and the distance isn't that far, it's not a huge deal. But if you move to sub-MOA targets at 600+ yards, it 100% becomes a factor. I've shot a bunch of reloads and a bunch of factory ammo at those distances.

On the flip side, there are certain guns that happen to get reall low ES/SD with a certain type of factory ammo. If you luck into that, then there is almost zero benefit to reloading except cost (and I'm not convinced it really saves that much money unless the volume is huge).

I didnt realize we were talking bagging up on a bench trying to walk in a hit on a 5” plate at 1000 yards. A pro shooter with a solid base with a 1/2” rifle shooting ammo with single digit spreads would waste a lot of ammo shooting at that plate as a 1/4 mph wind error would push the bullet right off the plate if no other errors were factored in.

I agree with everything else you said and usually do.

Edit to add:
Like i said earlier my experience is based on less than 900.

 

[Sheldon N]

Maybe someone wants to trade me their progressive for some components What a sec, I think my nephew has a Dillon he's never used... hmmm

Now you're talking!

 

[Rob01]

Not so much overall accuracy but speed consistency. I've shot 140 ELDM out to 800 yards a bunch and my reloads out to 1,100 a bunch as well. No doubt that I have less vertical spread with reloads and if the targets are small enough then it absolutely matters. But if it's more of a positional thing and the targets are bigger, then it's much less of a factor.

Having shot the 140 and 147 ELD factory ammo to over 1250 yards at matches on normal sized targets for that range in the 1.5-2 moa range I can say the spread was never an issue. My ES are around 30fps in the factory ammo. Wind is more of an issue. Have also shot bowling pins at 1000 yards at a match with that ammo. Hit it twice in a row. You can be very competitive with factory ammo in PRS or nrl matches.

 

[Supersubes]

So does anyone have a list of companies who will take your once fired brass and work up a load for you, or take your formula and bang out a 1000 rounds or what have you? I think Frank has mentioned more than once that he will build up a load for a rifle/barrel and once he has the right formula he sends it off to Copper Creek, but last I checked they were pretty pricey.

I don’t know what your reloading methods are(neck turning, sorting, cleaning, etc), but consider simplifying your method. No sorting, no crazy routines, just size, prime, charge, seat. Use a modest load that you can shoot year-round. This will undoubtedly be better quality ammo than factory, with a significant reduction in time invested.

 

[hlee]

Like many here, I can reload for about $0.60 per cartridge- given once fire brass. I shot a couple of cases of Hornady match ammo through my comp gun before starting to reload for it. Hornady match runs for about $1.30 per cartridge. I keep a stash of fully prepped brass around, as well as brass in various stages of prep. I can bang out 100 rounds for a match, with a hand primer a charge master and my single stage press, in a couple of hours. As I work from home most days, and usually have at least one “meeting that should have been a email,” the question of “how much is your time worth” doesn’t resonate with me. I can pull the handle on the press and get what I need from the meeting simultaneously. My hand loads are less expensive to make and have a bit better consistency than hornady’s offerings. I don’t enjoy reloading, so if I could get factory ammo that was as consistent as my hand loads while being as inexpensive, I’d dump my setup in a heart beat. I’ve contemplated Hornady steel match ammo, but the cost around here is not that much less than brass cased ammo, and I can at least sell brass.

 

[acudaowner]

While i will always say you have the right to do which ever you want reload or buy personally i need to learn how to reload and find somehow the space to be able to reload i see how much ammo i am going through each week and know from how often that same ammo is not for sale as much as i would want nor , at the price i want to pay to get it that reloading is looking more and more like my only option , if i want to keep shooting that or get adopted into a family with unlimited money and as much as that sounds like the better option in my mind its not likely to happen in this life , darn it would be nicer hook up with a uber rich older lady lol .Do not need a fancy house nor an expensive watch , give me a pile of ammo and a sunny day, not too windy day and I am a happy happy man .

 

[mercracing]

To be clear, you're talking about a 1.5 MOA plate. I agree if the targets aren't tiny and the distance isn't that far, it's not a huge deal. But if you move to sub-MOA targets at 600+ yards, it 100% becomes a factor. I've shot a bunch of reloads and a bunch of factory ammo at those distances.

On the flip side, there are certain guns that happen to get reall low ES/SD with a certain type of factory ammo. If you luck into that, then there is almost zero benefit to reloading except cost (and I'm not convinced it really saves that much money unless the volume is huge).

I’ve shot factory ammo in NRL/BW/PRS shoots past 1k and done fine. It’s not the ammo that holds me back, it’s because I don’t get in a good position. Most targets for comps is 1-1.5moa and that’s no problem.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

This all makes perfect sense to me. I've been handloading since the early '90's and I'm not getting any younger (73 next month). It does not take a Rhodes scholar to recognize that the timer has a limit and that it gets significantly closer with each sunset. Couple this with respectable average local winds, 50+ miles to the range, and a lot of time being stolen away to deal with health issues (three 90 mile-each way-trips for Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab each week), and handloading (especially load testing) is eating deeply into whatever time there is remaining.

Don't get me wrong, it's all fun. I get a rifle set up, I find its load, I make a reasonable stock of it, and then I move on to the next gun.

But one also gets snagged by those factory loads that just won't be ignored. Once, it was FGMM, and now others.

I've found a couple of 223(5.56) loads that compare closely to my better handloads, like Hornady 75 HPBT-Match, Steel Match, and IMI 77. My 223/5.56 loads are intended as generics for my 24" Savage and Stag rifles, and they are probably going to work OK in my 16" 1:7" uppers (the 77 does nicely).

I also like the way IMI 7.62x51 168 Semi-Auto Match shoots in my 24" Savage, and am in the process of developing a Mexican Match 168gr clone of it from IMI 150 FMJBT (42.5gr IMR-4064). Very quick and easy process to produce, it's ready for testing (so it's not a final recipe...). The leftover 150 FMJBT bullets go into my 30-06 M2 Ball loads nicely enough.

This is not an approach for the accuracy junkie. Some minor relaxation of ultimate accuracy goals is essential. But what's lost is not a big margin, and the tradeoff in time makes it well worth the attempt.

It takes a lot of concentration and extra effort to eke out the full measure of accuracy from the higher quality stuff, and that's reasonable. But sometimes it's also overkill, and the compromise approach has real value to folks like myself who don't need BR grade accuracy all the time.

This approach began when about all of my competitive shooting shifted to far more frequent club matches. My intended goals have been to produce ammo that can be competitive in such circles. My rifles are either completely stock factory (Stag Model 6 Super Varminter - 5.56), or cosmetically improved Savage Heavy Barrel 24" rifles with factory barrelled 223/308 actions. They have better stocks, Choate Tactical with Choate LOP extenders and Hawkeye Adjustable Cheek Rests.

It makes sense to find good loads for them, but probably doesn't to dive down the rabbit hole trying to find ultimate loads. For my needs, a 1MOA rifle is desirable, and sometimes mine do a bit better.

Greg

 

[cornhusker86]

I'll use factory loads of different brands and bullet weights to test a new gun for accuracy potential and preferences. Also use factory ammo in my carry guns.

 

[patriot07]

Having shot the 140 and 147 ELD factory ammo to over 1250 yards at matches on normal sized targets for that range in the 1.5-2 moa range I can say the spread was never an issue. My ES are around 30fps in the factory ammo. Wind is more of an issue. Have also shot bowling pins at 1000 yards at a match with that ammo. Hit it twice in a row. You can be very competitive with factory ammo in PRS or nrl matches.

Yeah I can imagine at 1.5-2 MOA, the velocity isn't that important as long as it's decent stuff like Hornady ELDM. Our matches have some 3/4 and 1/2-MOA targets in the 800-yard range and that would get real difficult IMHO.

Nice work on the bowling pins - that's no small feat!

 

[TonyTheTiger]

While i will always say you have the right to do which ever you want reload or buy personally i need to learn how to reload and find somehow the space to be able to reload i see how much ammo i am going through each week and know from how often that same ammo is not for sale as much as i would want nor , at the price i want to pay to get it that reloading is looking more and more like my only option , if i want to keep shooting that or get adopted into a family with unlimited money and as much as that sounds like the better option in my mind its not likely to happen in this life , darn it would be nicer hook up with a uber rich older lady lol .Do not need a fancy house nor an expensive watch , give me a pile of ammo and a sunny day, not too windy day and I am a happy happy man .

What does this mean? Any interpreters nearby?

 

[Rob01]

Thanks. Matches I shoot have targets in that range too closer in like that. 3" 650 targets in Kyl etc. Can hit them with factory ammo.

Some rifles don't shot some lots good but with my rifles I have found most lots shoot very well. Factory ammo will not lose you a match.

 

[hlee]

What does this mean? Any interpreters nearby?

“I shoot a lot and it isn’t cheap. I’m not made of money and reloading is less expensive. Sometimes ammo is not on store shelves. I need a sugar momma. I like to shoot.”

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Well, if you guys need a place to dump all that extra brass that you won't be reloading, just let me know. I haven't become board with it yet. I find it quite satisfying shooting a round that I built, and it hits exactly where you were aiming...even though I haven't saved a penny yet.

 

[Glassaholic]

It takes a lot of concentration and extra effort to eke out the full measure of accuracy from the higher quality stuff, and that's reasonable. But sometimes it's also overkill, and the compromise approach has real value to folks like myself who don't need BR grade accuracy all the time.

I think this sums up my pursuit, too much time trying to eke out the best. When I think about what compromises I could make to shorten the time to reload I feel like I'm delving back into the territory of factory ammo again and then it becomes a question of time vs. cost. Yes, it is cheaper to reload, especially with brass that can go 5x or 10x + without issues; however, my time is at a premium and has been for a while and with 4 teenagers at home I don't see that getting any better any time soon

 

[Sheldon N]

I think this sums up my pursuit, too much time trying to eke out the best. When I think about what compromises I could make to shorten the time to reload I feel like I'm delving back into the territory of factory ammo again and then it becomes a question of time vs. cost. Yes, it is cheaper to reload, especially with brass that can go 5x or 10x + without issues; however, my time is at a premium and has been for a while and with 4 teenagers at home I don't see that getting any better any time soon

How many rounds a year are you shooting? How many of those rounds need to be perfect (ie for matches or shooting out past 1200 yards) vs just for fun shooting or practice?

I like to approach these problems with a rough sense of total costs involved and total time involved.

 

[kthomas]

For a long time I shot factory 6.5 creedmoor ammo. Shot a few national PRS matches with it, a bunch of local club PRS matches, a bunch of training courses, including an ELR one with factory ammo.

Have always had good luck with the 140 grain Hornady match ammo. It never held me back in PRS matches, even on the longer stages (1200+ yards). Hell, I took factory ammo out past a mile a few times in that ELR training, and got multiple first and second round hits. Even took it out to 2,200 with success.

I've since started reloading, and my SD/ES and group sizes have definitely have been optimized, but I can't say I was ever really handicapped by the great 6.5 creedmoor factory match ammo.

 

[Clark]

I bought a 280AI reamer and Nosler 280AI brass in 2018... I did not form my own from surplus LC 30-06 brass.
Until it is fire formed, the brass is not concentric at my house. The factory brass was already concentric.
That cost me 75 cents a round extra.
I can't stop being cheap, but if I really made sense about the value of my time, I would pay someone to take my vacations for me.

 

[RTH1800]

I have been reloading since the 60's. Never shot factory ammo other than shotgun or rimfire of course. When I started with the .204 some years back I was amazed at the accuracy of Hornady factory ammo. I have fired several thousand rounds now and still not loading for it.
I have a number of wildcat rifles that I must reload for and do of course. I do find that I am thinning out the rifles and reloading supplies as time moves on. I plan on continuing to do so. I guess I am cutting back or phasing out but will always do some loading. Also, in todays world you need to be able to get by with what you have as supplies can dry up overnight.

 

[nexusfire]

I found some factory 6.5 creedmoor that shoots almost as well as my hand loads so I probably with not be reloading much of that any more. Reloading 223 is just a pain in the ass. Down to reloading the 6 dasher.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Here's what happens when you reload...
it usually cost less than half of factory reloads.
You wont really save money, you'll just shoot twice as much as you did before for the same price. At the very least.
Then,once you realize that you can shoot what you brought with you because you are already set up to reload, you'll no longer have any inhibitions about shooting ALL of your ammo at one sitting...especially with the Dillon because you know that you reload 500+ rounds per hour.

This is exactly my experience. I still tell my wife I'm saving money though.

There's also more than just cost or time to consider though. For instance the two 223 loads I shoot the most are a 55gr fmj at 2500fps and a 75gr ELD at about 2900fps. Neither load exists on a shelf somewhere, and my cost is 19 and 34 cents per round respectively.

 

[hlee]

This is an important consideration. My dad inherited a 300 weatherby mag that he wanted me to reload for. He's got more rifles than he can shoot and the recoil from that one is sufficient that it won't get shot. I'm strongly considering loading up some 150 gr round nose bullets to around 1400 fps with trailboss. Should be a hoot to shoot and soft recoil too.

 

[lash]

Here's what happens when you reload...
it usually cost less than half of factory reloads.
You wont really save money, you'll just shoot twice as much as you did before for the same price. At the very least.
Then,once you realize that you can shoot what you brought with you because you are already set up to reload, you'll no longer have any inhibitions about shooting ALL of your ammo at one sitting...especially with the Dillon because you know that you reload 500+ rounds per hour.
If you start tailoring your loads or your long guns, you probably wont buy factory ammo any more. You'll shoot more rifle because you know that you can reload more of it when you shoot yourself dry.
Its a viscous cycle that never ends once you get into it. Instead of buying factory ammo, you'll start buying bullets and cases in bulk as well as powder.

Okay. Point made and taken. And...?..,

Buy some factory and add it to your rotation. Buy enough of each to at least get a real idea of it. Buy quality, there’s a lot of good match ammo for decent prices. Go and shoot.

The decision will make itself. Either you find that factory is good enough/great or you find that you want to stick with loading (but maybe faster). You’ll know.

And you’ll be shooting.

 

[Glassaholic]

I have been reloading since the 60's. Never shot factory ammo other than shotgun or rimfire of course. When I started with the .204 some years back I was amazed at the accuracy of Hornady factory ammo. I have fired several thousand rounds now and still not loading for it.
I have a number of wildcat rifles that I must reload for and do of course. I do find that I am thinning out the rifles and reloading supplies as time moves on. I plan on continuing to do so. I guess I am cutting back or phasing out but will always do some loading. Also, in todays world you need to be able to get by with what you have as supplies can dry up overnight.

Maybe that's a good approach, don't just dump it all but thin it out, like you mentioned, the right people get in office and supplies will get thin very quick unless I build up a massive stockpile of factory ammo.

 

[Primus]

You are always leaving performance on the table. The best pills are generally stupid expensive as loaded rounds or not availible. Want to shoot some 121gr Warner copper solids in that 6.5? Hope you reload. Brass prep isint that bad if you have the right tools and aren't to anal. You also aren't getting the velocity potential you would with reloading. Warner 121s over RL26 is something you can't get in a factory load and will smoke anything else out there.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

When I first started reloading, I loved it. I loved tinkering with a load to see how good it could get. I even dipped my toes in the wildcat pool for a while.

That was a few years back.

Today, I have kids that are in every activity this side of the Rio Grande and my time is much more valuable.

Shot my last two matches with Prime ammo. Let's just say it wasn't the ammo holding me back.

Dollar for dollar, it is cheaper to reload. I know this. But my time is becoming much more valuable the older I get and I see myself buying more factory ammo because of it.

There are lots of good ammo manufacturers now so it's a matter of finding which one will shoot well in your rifle.

 

[Glassaholic]

When I first started reloading, I loved it. I loved tinkering with a load to see how good it could get. I even dipped my toes in the wildcat pool for a while.

That was a few years back.

Today, I have kids that are in every activity this side of the Rio Grande and my time is much more valuable.

Shot my last two matches with Prime ammo. Let's just say it wasn't the ammo holding me back.

Dollar for dollar, it is cheaper to reload. I know this. But my time is becoming much more valuable the older I get and I see myself buying more factory ammo because of it.

There are lots of good ammo manufacturers now so it's a matter of finding which one will shoot well in your rifle.

That pretty much sums it up for me.