Cost per round for Reloading

[robert8904]

Most of us have some inventory of powder and components. I figure the costs by averaging the price paid for the whole inventory. Since I buy components as they are used up to maintain a set inventory level, my cost per round is only going up slowly. Conversely. as prices moderate. my cost per round will also only decrease slowly. So, paying high prices now is buffered by components bought much cheaper in the past.

Right now, a 308 round costs me

Primer .04
168 SMK bullet .34
powder .18
brass, various brands,
Avg. .70, 10 reloads ea. .07

total per round today .63

 

[BlueWater]

What would you say is the cost to produce 20 rounds of rifle ammo.

In my case, for 6.5mm Creedmoor, it's ~$0.85/rd, strictly from a components standpoint. Or, $17/20ct.

But that excludes a lot of costs that need to occur in order to allow my reloading. Such as my labor costs (my time commitment), and the tool/gauge costs, and the fuel costs to and from my buddy's place (where the presses and gauges are located).

Component costs:

• case (Lapua) -- $0.05/rd, assuming cases reload 20x (with my actual acquisition costs for cases).
• primer (CCI 450) -- $0.05/rd (with my actual acquisition costs for primers)
• powder (various) -- $0.35/rd (with my actual acquisition costs for powders)
• bullet (Nosler RDF, Hornady ELD-M) -- $0.40/rd (with my actual acquisition costs for bullets)
• = $0.85/rd, for the components
• + my time to do the reloading
• + my equipment acquisition (could amortize the gear expense over time as a per-unit cost per round) -- about $800, but I'm sharing time on a buddy's press and some gauges.

For grins -- Assuming I could make 10,000 rounds on the equipment before failure of the equipment (~$0.13/rd across 10,000 rounds), and assuming I wanted to "make" $10/hr to cover my labor for such reloading (~$0.50/rd), I suppose I could calculate the total per-round cost to be somewhere around $1.48/rd ($0.85 + $0.13 + $0.50 = $1.48/rd). I'm sure I'm missing a few expenses, here and there; I'm sure much of the reloading equipment will last much longer than 10,000 rounds; and I'm sure folks will question the $10/hr labor rate. But it's about as close as I'll ever get to an estimate for what it costs to load a round of 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, given my setup.

So ...

• Components-only cost: $0.85/rd, or $17/20ct.
• All-inclusive cost: $1.48/rd, or $29.60/20ct.

Given that a 20ct box price for ammo is ~$30-40/bx (retail), I suppose for the moment I'm saving money by reloading. I figure that's mostly in the benefit of more-accurate, more-precise, less-variable ammunition as compared to production boxed ammo, stuff that's actually tailored to my own specific rifle.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get out(Rabbit Hole)!

 

[6fatrat]

My 200 yard practice loads in a 223 practice upper
69 sierra 2nds .10
old primers .03
odds/ends powder .05
range brass .00

total .18 cents
for rapid fire sitting and rapid fire prone on a reduced 300 yd center practice only shoots sub moa


308 fullbore loads

155gr Berger hybrids .58
CCI 450's old price .06
8208 old price .17
sub total .81

Lapua palma brass anneal neck every 2nd firing stiil going strong, some with 12+ shots.
Steve Bair

 

[K22]

I initially started reloading in the late 60's - early 70's-time frame to save money. I was an avid pistol guy, competitive shooting and hunting. In those days, you could save a lot of money reloading if you shot a lot which I did.

For rifle, the quality of factory ammo was marginal at best in those days, especially for precision hunting like varmint hunting. For the average deer hunter, factory ammo was good enough. However, for varmint hunters, there was a real precision advantage to reloading which is the main reason I got into rifle reloading in the early 70's even though I didn't shoot rifle nearly as much as I shot pistol.

Today, for how long I don't know, the shortage and cost of reloading components along with the much higher quality of factory ammo has changed the equation somewhat. But a new problem has risen, the availability of a steady supply of the specific factory ammo that shoots well in your rifle. That's why I will continue to reload until I can't obtain any more components I need. However, eventually I may have to shoot factory if I want to continue to hunt and shoot.

 

[jelenko]

My 223 200/300 yard rounds for 'cross the course' are 50 cents/round.

Powder: 12 cents - assuming buying 8 lb of powder for a delivered price of $270.
Primers: 10 cents - as delivered
Brass: 13 cents - assumes I have to buy new [Starline], get 8 reloads and pay 10 cents per case to have them processed.
Bullet - 15 cents - assumes Rocky Mountain Reloading 69 gr bullets as delivered.

For prone slow, they are about 25 cents more per round because I use Berger 80.5.

 

[GLShooter]

Bullet price is a biggy. The brass is paid for on the first firing IMHO and that first time may well be a wash. After that brass us free in my calculations. If you amortized it over ten firings the first batch only costs you 1/10 th not the full amount.

I load 9MM for $170/1000 vs. $250 for factory.

Greg

 

[CJ6]

Cartridge 6mm 284
Primers 1.7 cents
Powder 14 cents
Bullet 19 cents
Brass 67 cents (Price when bought new Lapua 6.5x284)

 

[JSH]

Lol, seems like quite a few want to price stuff in order to justify hand loading.
Price paid for a component and replacement cost, both need to be looked at closely.
OP mentioned just the price of brass, bullet, powder and primer compared to store bought. Don’t forget the packaging it has to be included , along with time someone got paid along the line some where.
@ $2 a round for all brand new fresh quality ammo, is not really out of line today. WOW I can’t believe I just said that!

For those of us that have adequate amounts of supply on hand. We justify this by saying we “save” money.
I shot nothing but cast bullets for close to 20 years. I convinced myself I was saving money and shooting for cheap, yeah right. Molds, lube, alloy, culling, casting, my time……….I enjoy it and wouldn’t change it. But I dang sure didn’t save anything.

The thousands of dollars wrapped up in a few years can be astonishing. Especially if you chase accuracy, even more so trying to make a mediocre rifle shoot bug holes.

Hand loading allows me to shoot more of what I want. I don’t have to explain to anyone anymore, got rid of that problem, lol.

The new people convinced that loading for their pray and spray master blaster is cheaper are in for a lesson. Most buy a progressive press, with zero idea of its workings. Churn out a few buckets full of ammo that doesn’t function or won’t chamber.

 

[marchx]

The most important variable is cost of brass and predicted number of reloads. I think that assuming 20 reloads out of a piece of brass is too generous.

 

[mac86951]

Agreed with others, it's not about cost per round for ultimate accuracy; to the OP, cost per round depends; and equipment costs have to be factored in if you are thinking cost justification. Spread the cost of equipment over the rounds you load, and don't forget to include your time too.

A loaded 338 Lapua certainly costs more per round than 5.56x45; but a single stage press setup vs a setup for high volume loading cost differently. I don't see many 5.56 guys loading 1000 rounds on a single stage. Yes it's do able, but most upgrade equipment.

That said, sourcing components is a big variable. Is the question, what is the cost per round now; or what i paid for my components? Which cartridge? I'm still casting for 38-special, that's like ultimate bullet recycling, right?

Key component sourcing skills still apply, buy in bulk, buy on sale, buy used from friends / estate sales. For center-fire rifle, i don't think you can get under $0.15 per bullet now, new; but many of us will sell partials at less than that. Accuracy? Well,.it goes bang and will hit most targets. Similar story for powder, a huge cost savings going Mil-Surp; but to what purpose? Primers are the killer now. It's going to cost; however, even at the horrendous price of 0.10-0.15 each, it's still less than the bullet and usually the powder too.

I guess what I'm saying is:. Loading for accuracy, $0.85/round+. Most of us are probably between $1-2/round.
Loading for cost effectiveness? Can be done less, highly variable. 223 Can be 0.25/round, hard to get lower.

 

[JSH]

The most important variable is cost of brass and predicted number of reloads. I think and assuming 20 reloads out of a piece of brass is too generous.

^^^^^^^^
If you get 20 out of brass and don’t anneal, have a hard time swallowing that also. So what did we spend on that machine in order to do away with our propane torch?
Who ever wants to say your time isn’t worth something, is not past 45-50 yet.

 

[Bc'z]

Here’s my costs as of today with all components having been purchased in the last year or so. Likely more next time I have to get buy components.

View attachment 1335757

Thats a solid look at today's shooting costs
I'm sure glad my costs are cheaper as I haven't bought components at current pricing.
Cost for 1 round of my 6.5cm, 260rem
primer $.03
Powder $.19
Bullet $.40
Brass $.10 Peterson should see 10 hits. $.72 a loaded round.
6.5-284 costs go up a little for extra powder and brass life and initial cost per case same with 30-06.
6×45 ,223 runs about $.35 a round.
This is using components already on hand, I am looking at trying different powders for a new cartridge, but can currently work off what I have in stock for the next couple years.
Setting up for new cartridge $300 for dies, $100 for brass, $600-1000 bullets puts it at a even $1000 start up cost to make ammo to fire in a $4500 rifle. Lol

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Years ago I made an Excel spreadsheet similar to the free "Reloading Assistant" app as shown below. I track reloading costs for everything I shoot.

There's a different spreadsheet somewhere that has inputs for the press, dies, etc and actually calculates the payoff rate etc if you were starting as a new loader. I broke even on my equipment a long time ago (compared to buying factory ammo). When I start loading a new cartridge, I would only factor in the cost of the new dies etc.

This is a screenshot from the Reloading Assistant app showing the actual COMPONENT cost today for MY 6.5x47 Lapua ammunition. $15.35 for a box of 20 rounds.

6.5x47 Lapua
123 Lapua Scenar
Lapua brass
CCI 450
37.5gr Varget

 

[BlueWater]

The most important variable is cost of brass and predicted number of reloads. I think that assuming 20 reloads out of a piece of brass is too generous.

Sure. Some get a greater number, most fewer. Myself, I figure 20rds is probably closer than a 10rd estimate, given my starting with Lapua brass and mild "working" of the brass I do. But, who knows until a given batch goes through to expiry. It's all but certain to vary from batch to batch, dependent also upon what caliber and loads a person does.

It's only a rough estimate. Probably not any more off-base than a different rough estimate.

 

[Someone online]

Cost comparisons need to be made between similar quality factory ammo. If you loaded high precision ammo, you need to compare the cost to high precision ammo. Similarly, if you made plinking ammo, compare to plinking factory ammo prices.
There are reloaders on both camps. See which camp you are on. I think for precision reloads, component only cost will usually be lower than factory.
Then there's also the factor of getting the exact ammo you want, from case, bullet, powder, primer, you get exactly what you want, which MAY not be available from the factory. In this case, there is no cost comparison.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

The most important variable is cost of brass and predicted number of reloads. I think that assuming 20 reloads out of a piece of brass is too generous.

Nope. The biggest cost by far is the projectile. It's not even close.

Factoring in only 10x vs 20x reloads of Lapua brass only increases the cost per unit by a few cents. In my 6.5x47 Lapua example above, the difference is an extra $0.07 per unit (double the cost for brass)

20x reloads = $0.77 per loaded round
10x reloads = $0.84 per loaded round

But the extra brass cost of only 10x reloads is still less than the cost of the 37.5gr powder, a relatively small powder charge in this example.

 

[mikeinct]

Reload to save money ? Nope, I'm sure I send that $$$ downrange in extra shots for practice. I still need more trigger time. Add to that the wear & tear on my barrels. Addin that cost per shot. So I reload to shoot more & shoot ammo tailored to my needs. LRBR , hunting, low recoil plinking stuff to enjoy range time w the little ones & my wife. mikeinct

 

[AccelR8]

This is a timely topic-Thinking it's time to unlimber the old AR15 carbines, I recently did an analysis comparing buying new, inexpensive brass cased 5.56 ammo, for example Frontier or American Eagle M193 clone ammo vs. reloading similar rounds at today's current pricing. I still have Varget from 2020 and primers and bullets from even earlier but a fair comparison is using current replacement cost. The only caveat is I don't use the cheapest 55 gr fmj I can find, I use Hornady which are the best quality 55 fmj I have found. Some of the others are very inconsistent. The Hornadys are still priced low, if not as low as others but I would like to try for some degree of accuracy not just dump mags at 25 yards.

Bottom line is a difference of .26 per round new vs. reloaded (assuming the reloaded brass is free).

 

[marchx]

Nope. The biggest cost by far is the projectile. It's not even close.

Factoring in only 10x vs 20x reloads of Lapua brass only increases the cost per unit by a few cents. In my 6.5x47 Lapua example above, the difference is an extra $0.07 per unit (double the cost for brass)

20x reloads = $0.77 per loaded round
10x reloads = $0.84 per loaded round

But the extra brass cost of only 10x reloads is still less than the cost of the 37.5gr powder, a relatively small powder charge in this example.

I didn't say "biggest cost". I said "variable". Btw, i don't disagree with you.