JHZR2
Staff member
I like to shoot, but I like to save money too. Reloading seems to be an option that, at this point in the game (I'm in my mid-30s) would be an opportunity for a decent ROI.
Ive never shot Russian ammo. The steel cases dont really scare/bother me, but the steel bullets do. There is some new Tula "range safe" non-magnetic steel case ammo which seems like it could be the best of both worlds - no investment in brass commodity for the casing, yet no steel in the bullet to be a potential wear item in the barrel. That said, its still made in Russia.
Its not clear to me just how beneficial it would be to reload .223 or 9mm. 1000 rounds can be had pretty cost effectively for US-made stuff. For for .308, .44spl, .38spl/.357, .45ACP, it seems like the opportunity is there. Possibly so for shotgun shells too. But I dont know that for certain. In fact, I know nothing. Thus this post.
So has anyone run the calculations for break-even for reloading? Assuming one buys half decent reloading equipment, but is only really just making ammo for the range/fun shooting, how many and how long will it take to recoup the money?
The way I see it is this:
Brass: You can buy empties, but it would be better to just re-collect what youve got. Regardless, they are only good for so many cycles, so after every so often new ammo or new rounds STILL need to be purchased.
HAZMAT: Used brass needs to be cleaned, right? So there needs to be solvents, cleaners, etc., which only last so long, need to be stored, need to be disposed of, etc.
Dangerous Materials: To be cost effective, one would need to buy decent quantities of propellant and have them on hand. DItto for primers.
The equipment: Assuming you buy something decent, Id assume the investment is in the hundreds to thousand-ish dollar range.
Space: Id assume it is best to have a dedicated workspace so that the process can be started and stopped at will. Id assume its not something that you set up, make a batch, then put it all away. I dunno...
So, what do I have right, and what do I have wrong?
What is your commodity cost for cleaners, powders, primers and bullets for typical calibers?
What does it take to get set up for multiple calibers?
Is the setup for shotgun shells different?
What are some good books/places to read and learn?
Is the new vs used factor relevant here? Is there a good way to determine if used equipment is used up?
Seems like it could be a good idea, but has the opportunity to be a time waster for not a huge amount of savings, at least if mostly shooting commodity calibers.
Thoughts/recommendations??
Thanks!
Ive never shot Russian ammo. The steel cases dont really scare/bother me, but the steel bullets do. There is some new Tula "range safe" non-magnetic steel case ammo which seems like it could be the best of both worlds - no investment in brass commodity for the casing, yet no steel in the bullet to be a potential wear item in the barrel. That said, its still made in Russia.
Its not clear to me just how beneficial it would be to reload .223 or 9mm. 1000 rounds can be had pretty cost effectively for US-made stuff. For for .308, .44spl, .38spl/.357, .45ACP, it seems like the opportunity is there. Possibly so for shotgun shells too. But I dont know that for certain. In fact, I know nothing. Thus this post.
So has anyone run the calculations for break-even for reloading? Assuming one buys half decent reloading equipment, but is only really just making ammo for the range/fun shooting, how many and how long will it take to recoup the money?
The way I see it is this:
Brass: You can buy empties, but it would be better to just re-collect what youve got. Regardless, they are only good for so many cycles, so after every so often new ammo or new rounds STILL need to be purchased.
HAZMAT: Used brass needs to be cleaned, right? So there needs to be solvents, cleaners, etc., which only last so long, need to be stored, need to be disposed of, etc.
Dangerous Materials: To be cost effective, one would need to buy decent quantities of propellant and have them on hand. DItto for primers.
The equipment: Assuming you buy something decent, Id assume the investment is in the hundreds to thousand-ish dollar range.
Space: Id assume it is best to have a dedicated workspace so that the process can be started and stopped at will. Id assume its not something that you set up, make a batch, then put it all away. I dunno...
So, what do I have right, and what do I have wrong?
What is your commodity cost for cleaners, powders, primers and bullets for typical calibers?
What does it take to get set up for multiple calibers?
Is the setup for shotgun shells different?
What are some good books/places to read and learn?
Is the new vs used factor relevant here? Is there a good way to determine if used equipment is used up?
Seems like it could be a good idea, but has the opportunity to be a time waster for not a huge amount of savings, at least if mostly shooting commodity calibers.
Thoughts/recommendations??
Thanks!