Why you finally started reloading (or why you never will)

[Alan]

I did the math and realized I'd have to reload 10,000 rounds just to break even on equipment costs. For my shooting volume, buying factory ammo is actually cheaper when you factor in time. Reloading makes sense for high-volume shooters or precision reloader but not everyone needs to do it. Know your situation..

 

[CoyoteHunter]

Alan, I never really intended to save money when I started loading, it was mainly to make accurate ammo.

Think of it this way, if you wanted to save money on your next set of tires, then buy recapped instead of quality factory tires.

I bought all my bullets from shooting supply house in Tenn., free shipping on all bullets with a total of $100 or more and no sales tax. I bought all my primers 5,000 at a time. My powder I bought in 8 lb. keg's.

I also sold lots of Weatherby brass that I had picked up over the years and made enough money to get a 8 lb keg for free.

My reloading press was just $45 (Lyman Orange Crusher) and it's now being used by my son.

If you are loading for big game rifles, then it will save you money to reload. I never loaded for .45 or 9mm, but I did for 10mm, 38 spl and 44 mag.

 

[VancMike]

I think I've mentioned this before, but many years ago I bought a Win 71. That's the only rifle ever chambered in .348 Win and at the time, only Winchester was making ammo for it. I found some older Remington shells, but it was obvious that I better start learning how to reload. Bought a Hornady "starter kit," began loading for other calibers....eventually 12 or 13, I'd guess.

It got worse: why buy bullets when you can make your own "for free!" A Lee electric pot, Lee, RCBS and NEI bullet molds. In those days, wheel weights were free for the asking. To this day, I have various cans of (mostly) .358" wadcutter and semi-wadcutter GC. It'll all make a heck of a garage sale someday.

 

[Unshaven2897]

Like @CoyoteHunter it was not so much to save money. Making some variations in rounds taught me A LOT and gave me the ability to make some loads specific for a given purpose.

Big caliber rounds are really expensive. A few boxes of 45-70 or Casual stuff will make me cry a few tears.

 

[VancMike]

Yes, saved a lot on 45-70, .348, .260 Rem, .222 Rem, 22 Hornet. Not so much on '06, 30-30, .223.
And it sure is fun tuning reloaded to something that is very accurate. And there's great satisfaction building something from scratch.

 

[Unshaven2897]

Oh, one more thing: it's fun. Especially when the snow is blowing and the chores are done.

 

[CoyoteHunter]

Oh, one more thing: it's fun. Especially when the snow is blowing and the chores are done.

For me, I never loaded any ammo past the month of Sept., (all loading was done in the summer) I was into waterfowl hunting until Nov., then it was all out for them yotes after that.

I really like hunting in the snow and real foggy days, whether it be for waterfowl or coyotes, that's when I was the happiest.