Charles L. Cotton wrote:I don't know why you folks seem to believe that the savings from reloading is not significant. It's huge! The comparisons below are using actual price for Winchester White Box ammo from Wal-Mart at the lowest possible price, i.e. largest quantity. Component prices are directly from the vendors listed. This TPC Podcast episode aired on April 5th, so prices for both commercial ammo and components could have changed. If so, then both will likely trend in the same direction.
If one doesn't shoot much, then reloading will not make financial sense as it would take too long to recoup the cost of the equipment. However, as you can see it won't take long if you shoot even a few thousand rounds a year. I never include brass in my calculations because it is so easy to get on the range and used brass is dirt cheap if you have to buy it. The only time I buy new brass is if I have a special use in mine like self-defense ammo. (I haven't loaded my own self-defense ammo in years.)
Chas.
TFC Podcast wrote:Real-world comparison of factory to reloaded ammo:
a. 45ACP 1,000 rounds:b. 40 S&W 1,000 rounds:
- i. Components:
ii. Cost Comparison excluding brass:
- 1. 230 Gr. FMJ – Precision Delta $124/1,000
2. 230 Gr. Coated cast bullets – BayouBullets.net $100.50/1,000 rds;
3. Primers – Winchester Large Pistol – PowderValley.net $28/1,000 rds;
4. Powder – Winchester 231 - $19.90/lb - $15/1,000 rds.
- 1. Factory Winchester White Box - $379.70/1,000 rds;
2. Home-loaded ammo:3. That’s a savings of $212.70 for jacketed bullets and $236.2 for cast;
- a. Using jacketed bullets - $167/1,000 rds;
b. Using coated cast bullets - $143.5/1,000 rds;
4. If using new brass, add $164.50, but why?c. 9mm Luger 1,000 rounds:
- i. Components:
ii. Cost Comparison excluding brass:
- 1. 165 Gr. FMJ – Precision Delta - $115/1,000 rds;
2. 165 Gr. Coated cast bullets – BayouBullets.net - $85/1,000 rds
3. Primers Winchester Small Pistol – PowderValley.net $28/1,000
4. Powder – Winchester 231 - $19.90/lb - $15/1,000 rds;
- 1. Factory Winchester White Box - $279.85/1,000 rds;
2. Home-loaded ammo:3. That’s a savings of $121.85 for jacketed bullets and $151.85 for cast;
- a. Using jacketed bullets - $158/1,000 rds.
b. Using coated cast bullets - $128
4. If using new brass, add $154.50
- i. Components:
ii. Cost Comparison excluding brass:
- 1. 115 Gr. FMJ – Precision Delta - $83/1,000 rds;
2. 115 Gr. Coated cast bullets – BayouBullets.net - $63.25/1,000 rds;
3. Primers Winchester Small Pistol – PowderValley.net $28/1,000
4. Powder – Winchester 231 - $19.90/lb - $15/1,000 rds;
- 1. Factory Winchester White Box - $238.85’
2. Home-loaded ammo:3. That’s a savings of $112.85 for jacketed bullets and $132.60 for cast;
- a. Using jacketed bullets - $126/1,000;
b. Using coated cast bullets - $106.25/1,000;
4. If using new brass, add $130.50
Thanks Charles, this is what I was looking for. Trying to put all of the numbers together, I had neglected to take into consideration used brass, and was looking only at defensive ammo components. I was pricing everything new, and along with equipment costs, it seemed to be not as big a savings. Like I said, I am just in the planning stages, and still don't have the equipment, or any experience yet. As I move forward I hope to tap into the expertise from folks here.