Pistol reloading

[jaytee]

Been gone for a while but have a question. I know you can save money and get better performance by loading your own rifle ammo, can the same be done for pistol ammo in .40 S&W and 9mm? I've got all the equipment except dies and I'll need to buy some powder, primers, cases and bullets. Just wondering if its worth the expense or not? Being retired now I've got plenty of time to dedicate to this. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[DukeDuke]

It's worth the effort only if you shoot often and you would have to buy all the components in bulk in order to save money. You can definitely load some better ammo.

 

[Lapua40X]

Back when I was shooting a lot of pistol ammo my reloading was part of a team activity.
Our reloading objective was two fold. Load something real cheep (like cast bullets) for the many hours of trigger time we needed to become develop and refine muscle memory and a competitive edge, and load some real good that were superior to anything short of match ammo that we could get commercially. Even then, we used commercial match ammo for competition.
Do a little math and see what the numbers tell you. If you can pick up the brass gratis and buy bullets in bulk you should be able to save a little bit.

 

[broncman]

I progressive a lot of pistol ammo. Most I can not buy for what I can load it for. Loads such as 45 Long Colt and even 38 Special and 357 mag save a lot of money by reloading. 9mm is getting close if
you do not have the brass.

I did buy a case of IMI 9 mm hollow points from Wideners for $219. Can't buy new brass, and jacketed holow points for that....

But being able to load your own could mean the difference between having ammo or not during hard times!

 

[joshb]

I reload a lot of 40 and 45 ACP. Like Broncman said, 9mm is too close to mess with in my book. I use Berry's plated bullets by the 500 lot. I'm also retired. After being very picky with the rifle ammo, reloading pistol ammo is a vacation. Go for it. Get the carbide dies, too. If you are just starting fresh, consider the prices of a bulk pack of 40 ammo vs the components. Might be better to start there and reload your empties. I scrounged my local range for years. I separated lots of 5gallon buckets full of odd brass. I had so many empty 40s, I bought a gun for them. Since my kid likes free ammo, he got a 40 too. 😆 Twisted logic, I know.

 

[284driver]

I have some carbide pistol die sets for sell if you decide you need dies.

 

[Phil3]

I am considering pistol/revolver reloading as well. I will probably do it. Setting aside shipping and Hazmat fees, I can save $.05 to $0.10 a shot, depending on cartridge, number of times a case can be reused, bullet and powder choices. I checked for 9mm and 45 ACP. I will probably reload for 45 Colt or 44 Mag, and also 38 Special and 357 Mag. The Excel spreadsheet I created uses real prices from varied sources (w/shipping and Hazmat which I did not include this last time around), as well as equipment payback time in months vs purchased ammo (in one or multiple calibers added together). With my level of anticipated shooting, I will probably pay for the Dillon 550b press and accessories (about $800) in 2 years. Or around 450 rounds a month at $0.075 savings per round.

If anyone wants my ammo reloading calculator, please advise. Happy to send.

Phil

 

[bheadboy]

I have been reloading pistol ammo since 1944. you can not beat the price even today if you shop bullet carefully,

Cast in 40 and 45 are the way to go for real savings as retired. you have .-03 in a primer, .02/3 in powder and nothing in the bullet except the cost of scrap lead and a little labor. 9mm I shoot cast but the cost for jacked is to close what you can buy loaded in bulk, depends on accuracy you get and want.

I have shot ipsc with cast 45 and done well, bulleye with cast 38 and 45, also, there is nothing wrong with cast bullets to plink compete, and just shoot, FOR THE CARRY BUY THE GOOD GDHP OR EQUILIVENT AND RELOAD THEM

consider 7000 grains of powder per lb and 5-7 gr per load depending on what you use works out to .03 per shot.

cases last forever.

YOU MUST HAVE RIFLED BBL PISTOL, POLY WILL NOT HANDLY CAST

etc.

Bob

 

[fastarget]

I am considering pistol/revolver reloading as well. I will probably do it. Setting aside shipping and Hazmat fees, I can save $.05 to $0.10 a shot, depending on cartridge, number of times a case can be reused, bullet and powder choices. I checked for 9mm and 45 ACP. I will probably reload for 45 Colt or 44 Mag, and also 38 Special and 357 Mag. The Excel spreadsheet I created uses real prices from varied sources (w/shipping and Hazmat which I did not include this last time around), as well as equipment payback time in months vs purchased ammo (in one or multiple calibers added together). With my level of anticipated shooting, I will probably pay for the Dillon 550b press and accessories (about $800) in 2 years. Or around 450 rounds a month at $0.075 savings per round.

If anyone wants my ammo reloading calculator, please advise. Happy to send.

Phil

Phil, look into the 650 instead, the auto indexing is well worth it, and you never have to wonder about a double charge after a moment of distraction.
We have loaded multiple calibers over the last ten years with no issue, upward of 50k.
Zero Bullets for fmf, berrys, and also look at the polymer coated S&S castings for lower costs. Enjoy

 

[fastarget]

I am considering pistol/revolver reloading as well. I will probably do it. Setting aside shipping and Hazmat fees, I can save $.05 to $0.10 a shot, depending on cartridge, number of times a case can be reused, bullet and powder choices. I checked for 9mm and 45 ACP. I will probably reload for 45 Colt or 44 Mag, and also 38 Special and 357 Mag. The Excel spreadsheet I created uses real prices from varied sources (w/shipping and Hazmat which I did not include this last time around), as well as equipment payback time in months vs purchased ammo (in one or multiple calibers added together). With my level of anticipated shooting, I will probably pay for the Dillon 550b press and accessories (about $800) in 2 years. Or around 450 rounds a month at $0.075 savings per round.

If anyone wants my ammo reloading calculator, please advise. Happy to send.

Phil

Phil, look into the 650 instead, the auto indexing is well worth it, and you never have to wonder about a double charge after a moment of distraction.
We have loaded multiple calibers over the last ten years with no issue, upward of 50k.
Zero Bullets for fmj, berrys, and also look at the polymer coated S&S castings for lower costs. Enjoy