Ammunition is widely available and well-priced in a lot of instances right now.
I priced out some reloading supplies and the economics don't work out compared to buying new ammo in various common calibers.
1st case in point:
308/7.62x51 NATO
Colorado Brass sells a combo set of 500 once-fired cases and 500 168gr FMJBT 308 rounds for $.43/rd.
That's prior to shipping. And that doesn't include the primer or powder. Assuming the primer is $.04 and the powder is $.03, that's $0.50/rd for the components to assemble a cartridge.
Provisions for time spent and the big startup cost of a complete reloading bench are not included.
Wal-Mart has ZQI 308 ammunition, brass cased, for $9.97 for a box of 20. Pre-assembled, ready to fire.
You might say, HEY! I already have the brass! Ok, then knock $0.125 off the reloaded price. You still need to pay off the price of the reloading bench. That's a long way to go to amortize that expense. And this assumes your time is free.
Case in point 2:
9mm Parabellum
Same supplier.
Powder, $0.02
Primer, $0.04
Bullet, $0.15
Brass case, $0.05 (very dirty lot, needs tumbled, resized, primer removed, etc. Full processing needed)
Assume shipping and taxes are free.
Cost per round: $0.24.
GECO German made 9mm 124gr NATO rounds are $0.24 from many different suppliers. Ready to rock and roll, made to top top top tier specifications.
I can see where reloading starts making sense for benchrest shooters, people who want to make super-accurate ammo and want full control of the process, or people who shoot non-standard calibers that aren't made in such bulk.
I just can't make the economic justification for it RIGHT NOW for people who shoot standard caliber non-exotic rounds at targets for fun.
Last time ammunition got scarce, reloading components got even more scarce. Primers were impossible to find for quite a long time. Bullets were backordered too.
Sure, blow a hole in my argument by saying that you melt down and cast your own. That's fantastic. That involves a lot of work and more startup expenses, and you have a harder time cleaning lead fouling vs. a jacketed round.
Any thoughts?
I priced out some reloading supplies and the economics don't work out compared to buying new ammo in various common calibers.
1st case in point:
308/7.62x51 NATO
Colorado Brass sells a combo set of 500 once-fired cases and 500 168gr FMJBT 308 rounds for $.43/rd.
That's prior to shipping. And that doesn't include the primer or powder. Assuming the primer is $.04 and the powder is $.03, that's $0.50/rd for the components to assemble a cartridge.
Provisions for time spent and the big startup cost of a complete reloading bench are not included.
Wal-Mart has ZQI 308 ammunition, brass cased, for $9.97 for a box of 20. Pre-assembled, ready to fire.
You might say, HEY! I already have the brass! Ok, then knock $0.125 off the reloaded price. You still need to pay off the price of the reloading bench. That's a long way to go to amortize that expense. And this assumes your time is free.
Case in point 2:
9mm Parabellum
Same supplier.
Powder, $0.02
Primer, $0.04
Bullet, $0.15
Brass case, $0.05 (very dirty lot, needs tumbled, resized, primer removed, etc. Full processing needed)
Assume shipping and taxes are free.
Cost per round: $0.24.
GECO German made 9mm 124gr NATO rounds are $0.24 from many different suppliers. Ready to rock and roll, made to top top top tier specifications.
I can see where reloading starts making sense for benchrest shooters, people who want to make super-accurate ammo and want full control of the process, or people who shoot non-standard calibers that aren't made in such bulk.
I just can't make the economic justification for it RIGHT NOW for people who shoot standard caliber non-exotic rounds at targets for fun.
Last time ammunition got scarce, reloading components got even more scarce. Primers were impossible to find for quite a long time. Bullets were backordered too.
Sure, blow a hole in my argument by saying that you melt down and cast your own. That's fantastic. That involves a lot of work and more startup expenses, and you have a harder time cleaning lead fouling vs. a jacketed round.
Any thoughts?