Are the days of saving money with handloading

[Ironworker]

Are the days of saving money with handloading over
Over $100 bucks for primers? Cabelas had H1000 in stock a couple of three days ago. Shipped to store for $53 bucks for 1lb. Berger bullets are $70+ bucks for a 100 7mm 184gr Hybrid.

 

[dnellans]

I mean - have you looked at the price of loaded ammo? “Saving money” is all relative…

 

[brokeasajoke]

Depends on the market of components and loaded. Just for giggles I can do 9mm for about $10 a box or just under 10 and I can buy it for $13.99 if I watch for sales. That's assuming brass is free, $35ib powder and $10 per 100 primers. That being said I can't just go out and buy any bullet I want loaded up ready to go, so what's that worth?

 

[Rset]

Are the days of saving money with handloading over
Over $100 bucks for primers? Cabelas had H1000 in stock a couple of three days ago. Shipped to store for $53 bucks for 1lb. Berger bullets are $70+ bucks for a 100 7mm 184gr Hybrid.

Saving money by hand loading has always been tied to what your time is worth. The shooter who values his time at $15 an hour and the shooter who values his at $300+ have a different perspective.
The precision and satisfaction you can get by loading your own is priceless. Unless you want to hire someone to do your load development and do your loading. But, then why bother. Might as well have them pull the trigger too.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I don't reload to save money, but I do shop around.
What's the cost of 7mm loaded ammo?

 

[Adam in WI]

If you shoot magnums or less common rounds, you'll save money. 9mm and 223 I'm not too sure about. Loading those just gives you more control over quality and bullet selection.

 

[Downhill]

Definitely headed towards a rich mans game. I used to be able to shoot a match cheaper than a round of golf, not so anymore.

 

[Gargoyle]

Since 2000, I have saved an untold fortune by rolling my own. I bought in bulk, like during the "Trump Slump" when the fear of 2A worries wanned during Trump's presidency in 2018-19. The last 8lb jugs of powder I bought were $130 for Varget and H1000. Primers were $22.95. 300 WM brass from Grafs I got 400 for $.13 a piece right before the COVID scam hit. I say all this not to brag, but to illustrate how one continues to save in this hobby by "buying cheap and stacking deep."

 

[rr2030]

For the most part, I hand load for two reasons: First, I tailor the loads to my firearms, be it rifle, pistol, or shotgun. Secondly, I enjoy the time spent either mindlessly cranking out 1000 rounds of .45ACP on the Dillon, or working up a long range load for a rifle. Thats me, I can't speak for others.

I agree, for me it's more economical to purchase 9mm on sale, aluminum cases and all, than to reload them. FWIW; I only shoot 9mm practicing with my CCW or qualifying with said pistol.

That being said, I don't think I have loaded or shot 30% of the rounds this past 2 years compared to what I have been shooting most of my life.

 

[justinp61]

For me reloading is a hobby that feeds another hobby, shooting. Pretty well all of my components were purchased before the madness started, so I don't have a fortune tied up.

 

[Sleepyhollow]

I reload to shoot and shoot to reload. My reloading room is my escape from my full time business as a general contractor. It really never was about "saving money" to me. It was about the most accurate ammo I could produce. And it's a mighty big rabbit hole if your willing to chase it. Lol

 

[Straightshooter1]

Are the days of saving money with handloading over
Over $100 bucks for primers? Cabelas had H1000 in stock a couple of three days ago. Shipped to store for $53 bucks for 1lb. Berger bullets are $70+ bucks for a 100 7mm 184gr Hybrid.

Loading your own costs about 1/2 what you might pay for equivalent factory ammo (once you've past the break even point for the cost of reloading equipment).

The problem is, though one saves 1/2 of what retail prices are, one ends up firing 3 or 4 times more rounds . . . . . because it's "cheaper" per round.

 

[acloco]

There are, as others have said, many reasons to reload.

Primarily, has always been, to save money, first and foremost.

THEN, we found out how ACCURATE, our handloads were.

Then, addiction set in. Then, obsession. Then, passion. Then LOVE.


.....and so, this is how dating began. Love, hate, like, LOVE.....and....the story continues.

 

[CJ6]

I started because at the age of 9 I couldn't buy loaded ammo, but I could trade squirrel tails for components at the local Sporting Goods store. Still using powder-primers from the 70's-80's. The only things I've bought in the last 7-8 years are bullets and an 8# of LT-32. So loading is still CHEAP vs buying loaded.

 

[jcm800]

Most of the stuff I load is oddball or specalized, you couldn’t buy it loaded if you wanted to. I guess if all I owned was a 9mm / 223 I'd probably just buy it.

FWIW they can turn off the ammo /component spigot at any time. Legislation, Internet sales, CC / shipping restrictions. It's already started.

 

[deadidarren]

Are the days of saving money with handloading over
Over $100 bucks for primers? Cabelas had H1000 in stock a couple of three days ago. Shipped to store for $53 bucks for 1lb. Berger bullets are $70+ bucks for a 100 7mm 184gr Hybrid.

With me saving has absolutely nothing to do with it only reason I'm a handloader is to ring out the accuracy that I require .

 

[Rocketvapor]

Wife and I are both retired.
Now that both of us have more free time I'm loading for both (she helps).
Practice rounds plus a 60 round match a month keeps me busy.
At least I don't shoot big expensive calibers.

 

[Murray Brook]

I have never reloaded to save money. I do it because it is a hobby that I like and I can wring out the best of accuracy in my guns feeding my other passion--shooting .

 

[GLO123]

I never started loading ammo to save money. I load to get my guns to shoot better. I load for another hobby for me. When you figure in labor costs, nobody has ever saved money loading ammo. Your time is worth money. Load ammo for the sport and fun.

 

[miningshawn]

^^^ exactly