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Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:30 pm
by Roland
Hi All,
I can purchase Federal or Winchester "white box" 9mm and .45 acp ball ammo at Wally World for about $11/box of 50 or about $0.22/round. Can someone tell me the approximate cost of the same rounds to reload?
I really think I would enjoy reloading (have never done it) after doing quite a bit of lurking and reading in the reloading forum. I have gleened a lot of info, especially from the posts of CWOOD and other resident gurus, about reloading, however, I have not seen anything on the comparative costs. I don't want the start-up costs entered into the equation, as this could vary greatly.
A hearty thanks ahead of time to all who respond.
Take care and stay safe,
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:34 pm
by Beiruty
I guess 9mm cost 12 cent reloaded.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:41 pm
by puma guy
Roland wrote:Hi All,
I can purchase Federal or Winchester "white box" 9mm and .45 acp ball ammo at Wally World for about $11/box of 50 or about $0.22/round. Can someone tell me the approximate cost of the same rounds to reload?
I really think I would enjoy reloading (have never done it) after doing quite a bit of lurking and reading in the reloading forum. I have gleened a lot of info, especially from the posts of CWOOD and other resident gurus, about reloading, however, I have not seen anything on the comparative costs. I don't want the start-up costs entered into the equation, as this could vary greatly.
A hearty thanks ahead of time to all who respond.
Take care and stay safe,
Which Wal Mart? I paid $32 for WWB 100rnd .45 ACP
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:57 pm
by age_ranger
I'm still reloading at about $.06 cents a round for 9mm because I stocked up a while back when it was still dirt cheap for components. Not sure what the going cost is to reload, though. Ammo sure has taken a hike........
Remember these days?

Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:48 pm
by Oldgringo
BEFORE you start reloading, you're gonna' spend $300 (+/-) for equipment and tools and such. That is unless someone gave, or you found, the press, scales, powder measure, dies, bench, etc., etc.
After that, it's a fun thing to do.
Good luck and enjoy your new pastime.

Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:04 pm
by SQLGeek
age_ranger wrote:
Remember these days?

That is just wrong.

Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:28 pm
by Roland
Thanks for the info, gentlemen. Pumaguy, the prices are at all the Walmarts around Tyler/Lindale. That $11 (approx. is without tax) and for a 50 round box and there is no savings when buying the 100 round loose boxed. Oldgringo, yeah, I am fully aware of the 'startup' costs, that is why I said to keep that out of the equation. Ya never know, Santa may bring me a set up......if I'm good and if I am not, there is probably some Obama grant money available for first time reloaders.........

.
I just ordered the latest edition Hornaday reloading manual and am looking closely at the Hornady Lock N Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press with 5 stations. Seems to be a good all around reloader with some nice features.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:07 pm
by stroo
Used to be around 6-7 cents a round. With the increased cost of primers and powders, my cost has gone up to 10-12 cents a round for 45 and 9 mm.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:08 pm
by Roland
Stroo, thank you. Your estimate is right in line with the others. I was just trying to justify the expense of a press to SWMBO. The better press I purchase will certainly extend the time to a break even point, but, I want to get the best I can afford. I have been pretty impressed with what I have seen of the Hornady Lock N Load Auto-Progressive and have found some that are within my budget. Does anyone have opinions about this press or first hand experience? Any others with the same capabilities and quality that may be less expensive?
This is a great forum with a wealth of info........thanks to all for sharing their knowledge!
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:23 pm
by puma guy
Roland wrote:Thanks for the info, gentlemen. Pumaguy, the prices are at all the Walmarts around Tyler/Lindale. That $11 (approx. is without tax) and for a 50 round box and there is no savings when buying the 100 round loose boxed.
Thanks, Roland. They only had the loose box. It was about twice as much as the sticker on the empty slot for Bx/50. I was always under the impression that WalMart had consistent prices at all location in continental US. It may not be the case, though. I was at a Walmart earlier today near where I live and a Marlin 60SS was $207 and I purchased one about two weeks ago in Huntsville for for $204 W/ a cheapo scope.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:35 pm
by Roland
puma guy wrote:Roland wrote:Thanks for the info, gentlemen. Pumaguy, the prices are at all the Walmarts around Tyler/Lindale. That $11 (approx. is without tax) and for a 50 round box and there is no savings when buying the 100 round loose boxed.
Thanks, Roland. They only had the loose box. It was about twice as much as the sticker on the empty slot for Bx/50. I was always under the impression that WalMart had consistent prices at all location in continental US. It may not be the case, though. I was at a Walmart earlier today near where I live and a Marlin 60SS was $207 and I purchased one about two weeks ago in Huntsville for for $204 W/ a cheapo scope.
I know the prices are not consistent between stores.....I found that out when taking an item back to a different store. Re: the ammo, my last purchase of 3 boxes of .45's and 3 boxes of 9 mm (since they have a six box limit

) came to just over $70. When this broken leg gets a little better I'll try to find the receipt and give you an exact amount. I have also noticed a difference in price from shipment to shipment.....I guess it depends on their supplier's price at any given time.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:24 pm
by puma guy
Roland wrote:puma guy wrote:Roland wrote:Thanks for the info, gentlemen. Pumaguy, the prices are at all the Walmarts around Tyler/Lindale. That $11 (approx. is without tax) and for a 50 round box and there is no savings when buying the 100 round loose boxed.
Thanks, Roland. They only had the loose box. It was about twice as much as the sticker on the empty slot for Bx/50. I was always under the impression that WalMart had consistent prices at all location in continental US. It may not be the case, though. I was at a Walmart earlier today near where I live and a Marlin 60SS was $207 and I purchased one about two weeks ago in Huntsville for for $204 W/ a cheapo scope.
I know the prices are not consistent between stores.....I found that out when taking an item back to a different store. Re: the ammo, my last purchase of 3 boxes of .45's and 3 boxes of 9 mm (since they have a six box limit

) came to just over $70. When this broken leg gets a little better I'll try to find the receipt and give you an exact amount. I have also noticed a difference in price from shipment to shipment.....I guess it depends on their supplier's price at any given time.
Don't trouble yourself any. It is strange that stores would have different prices. I was in retail sales years ago in a company with twenty six locations in four states and we were consistent except when meeting a competitor on specific items. WalMart really has no competition in many areas. We had Target, Gemco, FedMart, K-Mart and Gibsons as competition. WalMart was a name no one even knew in Texas. Sorry you're suffering a broken leg. Hope it mends completely and you're up and at'em soon. I was near Tyler/Lindale about two and a half weeks ago and usuually try to check out ammo and gun prices, but I didn't have time. I swung over to Grand Prairie for three days and on my way home stopped at the WalMart and bought the little Marlin 60SS. cause it looked like a good price. They wouldn't sell me any ammo of any kind. I thought that was hilarious. They couldn't interpret the policy to distiguish between calibers vs gun sale. They just know it's policy. "I just work here" syndrome.
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:35 pm
by Roland
Puma, are you on another forum as ml----? If not, this guy has a matching story to yours, buying the Marlin 60SS, not being able to purchase ANY kind of ammo and being walked to the door by a manager who was carrying the rifle. This guy got his at a Walmart on I-10 near the Katy Mills Mall. Sound familiar?
Re: Cost of reloading.........?
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:32 am
by NcongruNt
It depends on what I'm loading, but my best estimate on my inexpensive 9mm is 14 cents/round. This is using recovered brass, Federal primers, Blue Dot powder, and Berry's plated 124grn bullets. You could get it down a little cheaper with 115 grain instead, or buying components in larger quantities.
Now, for more serious savings, I've started loading .380 and my costs are 11.7 cents per round, using recovered brass, Bullseye powder, and Berry's plated 100 grain bullets. That's $5.84/box, which is somewhere between 1/3 and 1/4 the price of everyday commercial .380 plinking ammo.
The real savings come in when loading fancier rounds, such as Gold Dot or Hornady XTP. A box of *25* Hornady XTP rounds runs $20. With a little work to match the ballistics, I can produce that same box for $4.80, making training with carry ammo (XTP is my .380 carry round) completely feasible and financially viable.