Economic Reason to Reload

[zac07]

My pistol rounds run about $8/100 but i recently bought a 7mm Wsm and the local gun store wants $52/20 thats about $2.60/rd. I figure I can reload then for about $.40-.50 per round.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by rockerz71

Where/how do you get the free lead?

Try checking with local service stations and auto mechanics.

Melted wheel weights are supposed to be one of the best sources.

[jonny4523]

Originally Posted by John4538

I'll play too but you may not like it. This is for pistols only-I cast my own bullets and get free lead. Only cost is powder and primers as all brass is scrounged. Cost per 100 ranges from $3.00 to $3.50 depending on powder and charge weight. this is for 45's, 38's, 40's, makes little differnce with free bullets.

Yeah, I'm curious about the free lead thing too. What kind of molds do you use?

[jonny4523]

Also, what kind of lube do you use? If I could cast my own and get free lead, I'd split my costs in half.

[rockerz71]

also check out bullet swaging if you dont know what that is, it sounds cool

[ForTehNguyen]

if like to get into reloading but mom said she wouldnt like it if i was making ammo, plus theres no space in the garage and I dont know how much I would shoot the rifle. 9mm is still cheap in this area, would take forever to pay off a setup reloading 9mm, $16.14/100 rounds for WWB. But reloading 5.56 for my AR would have a significant savings

[fredj338]

I've been handloading now for 31 years. There are those that will tell you that you don't save money, you just shoot more. That is just pure BS. As long as you are not buying brass, you are saving a min. of 1/2 of factory ammo costs if you buy your components in bulk (4# powder, 5K primers & 1K bullets min.). Depending on what & how much you shoot & how much you spend on equip. you can pay for the equip. anywhere from 3mos.-3yrs. Yes, even you 9mm shooters will save. Are you kidding, 1/2 price ammo whenever you want it, w/o driving or standing in line to get it, where is the downside?

Casting your own bullets is the ulitmate in cheap shooting. It's another branch of your shooting hobby that can be very enjoyable. I have cast alot in the past but until recently, just been buying them from small casting outfits. You can reload anywhere but casting needs to be done in a garage or outside. Wheelwts. make great bullets but are getting hard to find cheap or free in many locations. Many of the ww are now being made from zinc, which is not usefull for bullets & messes up your alloy, toss those. If you can buy lead or ww for less than $1/#, then you can still make bullets for 1/2 of what you can buy them. Then again, your time investment goes way up to. Lee makes the best affordable cating stuff.

[EricCartmann]

You can actaully get started in reloading for very cheap; about $120 is all it takes. Save your old brass cases, and add the bullet, primer, and powder of your choice and you will be set.

You also don't need a lot of space, as a portable hand press will do the job quite nicely.

Here is an economical list I found on the web and I have myself:

- Lee Hand Press $23
- Lee Die Set for your specific caliber $30
- Lee Case Lube $3
- Lee Powder Funnel $3
- Lee Case trimmer and locker stud (the locker stud is so you can use it with an electric screwdriver or drill) $5
- Lee Case length gauge for your specific caliber $4
- Lee Case Chamfer Tool (one size fits all) $3
- Lee Primer Pocket cleaner $3
- Lee auto prime $13
- Lee Shell holder for the auto prime (specific to the caliber) $3
- Reloading Tray for your specific caliber (to hold shells) $6
- Home Depot Calipers ($25)

A scale is not at first because the Lee Powder dipper, which comes with the Lee Die set, fills the correct volume and will get it to within +/- 0.2 grains. A scale will eventually be needed if you plan to experiement with different powders and charge. The Lee Dies set also has a spec sheet included to tell you the recommend charge for each powder and the spec of the cartridge so you get your case and overall legnth to the proper dimensions.

Check out this website:
I Make Projects - How To Reload Rifle Ammunition

[EricCartmann]

If you plan to stay in this sport for the long haul, 10 years or more, reloading is the only way to go.

However, I come from the school that believes you really don't save money reloading. I have found the more you reload, the more equipment and components you buy.

As of right now, I can make cheap plinking .223 rounds for about 18 cents a round. This price includes projectiles, powder, primers, shipping, and HAZMAT, but NO BRASS. But it does not end there....

Then I found out I need a progressive press with case feeder to speed up the process. This will set me back about $700. Now I am also thinking about a Giruad Trimmer ($400), and then there are the components themselves, which you always have to buy in bulk when you see them on sale . As the years go by, you will find that you need to buy more equipment and more components.

AR15Barrels.com (Randall) has a set up where he has 14 presses, and 6 of them are Dillons! My buddy has a setup with 4 Dillon 650XL's. His set up alone is worth about $7000 or so complete. I would hate to know how much AR15Barrels setup costed

I reload because I enjoy this hobby. I don't do it to save money, if I really wanted to save money I'll just shoot less.

Here are the set up's I was talking about.

[jonny4523]

Originally Posted by fredj338

Many of the ww are now being made from zinc, which is not usefull for bullets & messes up your alloy, toss those.

Is there a significant difference in the way they look? How would you usually tell the difference if they look similar?