Crazy - Factory Ammo vs. Handload Costs

[SloppyJ]

This will be a first for me. I picked up a new 6.5PRC barrel so I was looking at components and getting started. I want to shoot the 140 Berger EH bullet and use Lapua brass.

Well hey, Berger uses lapua brass, I wonder what the cost difference would be if I just buy their stuff to get 100 pieces of brass to get going?

I can find 20rd boxes of the factory Berger loads for $55. 100rds is $280. We will leave shipping out of it although it would skew the numbers to the factory ammo being even cheaper.

Here's my breakdown on the handloads
100ct Lapua Brass - $180
100ct Berger 140 Elite Hunters - $60
Primers - 10cents each - $10
Powder - We'll say $50/lb or roughly 40 cents per load - $40
Total - $290

Thought this was an interesting math problem and this doesn't factor in my time to reload either which seems to be more precious as the days go by.

Anyway, I figured some of yall would find some entertainment in this. I could use some Peterson and save $40 but I'd happily pay that $40 (or much more) for my time.

 

[Taudisio]

Start with 100 rounds of Berger ammo, then the second 100 (third, fourth, fifth also), brass is free. There is your $$$

 

[Taudisio]

$440 plus your original $280 is $720 for 500 rounds. That’s $1400 in factory rounds. Almost half price

 

[SloppyJ]

$440 plus your original $280 is $720 for 500 rounds. That’s $1400 in factory rounds. Almost half price

Yeah that's the plan. Not going to steadily feed it factory but only buy enough to get the brass.

 

[waspocrew]

The difference between factory and handloading was obviously much better a few years back. I handload a lot, so I tend to purchase in 8lbs of powder, 500 ct projectiles, etc which does get the cost down a little more compared to singles of powder and 100 ct boxes.

I am with you regarding time though - figuring the cost of time to handload makes factory ammo (especially when it shoots very well) much more appealing.

 

[Maverick1]

This will be a first for me. I picked up a new 6.5PRC barrel so I was looking at components and getting started. I want to shoot the 140 Berger EH bullet and use Lapua brass.

Well hey, Berger uses lapua brass, I wonder what the cost difference would be if I just buy their stuff to get 100 pieces of brass to get going?

I can find 20rd boxes of the factory Berger loads for $55. 100rds is $280. We will leave shipping out of it although it would skew the numbers to the factory ammo being even cheaper.

Here's my breakdown on the handloads
100ct Lapua Brass - $180
100ct Berger 140 Elite Hunters - $60
Primers - 10cents each - $10
Powder - We'll say $50/lb or roughly 40 cents per load - $40
Total - $290

Thought this was an interesting math problem and this doesn't factor in my time to reload either which seems to be more precious as the days go by.

Anyway, I figured some of yall would find some entertainment in this. I could use some Peterson and save $40 but I'd happily pay that $40 (or much more) for my time.

I went to the range yesterday evening to check zero on two firearms. It was fairly busy with multiple people shooting. In the one hour I was there, between setting up, pulling the trigger, and making a few elevation adjustments on the dials, I fired a total of 26 rounds. While I’m an infrequent range-goer, especially compared to some, I wonder how frequently (and how long) does one shoot at the range to get through the several hundred rounds it takes to make hand loading economical? The answer is likely “it depends” - on many factors. For some, the 500 rounds listed above might be an ordinary day or week. For others it might be multiple years worth of shooting.

 

[Taudisio]

I went to the range yesterday evening to check zero on two firearms. It was fairly busy with multiple people shooting. In the one hour I was there, between setting up, pulling the trigger, and making a few elevation adjustments on the dials, I fired a total of 26 rounds. While I’m an infrequent range-goer, especially compared to some, I wonder how frequently (and how long) does one shoot at the range to get through the several hundred rounds it takes to make hand loading economical? The answer is likely “it depends” - on many factors. For some, the 500 rounds listed above might be an ordinary day or week. For others it might be multiple years worth of shooting.

I’m over 850 rounds through a rifle I finished building April 20th this year. Probably not your typical shooter though.

 

[Shadow Illude]

Definitely a good way to get brass. But, for me, Berger factory ammo was a bust. 6.5 Creed 140 Hybrid SRP, grouped great at 100 yards but fell apart at range. High ES/SD. Pulled a box and weighed charges, that was an eye opener I’ll never forget. Literally one grain variation in powder charge out of a single box. This was around 2016/17 ish so the Berger factory ammo was fairly new. Hopefully it has gotten better.

 

[SloppyJ]

I went to the range yesterday evening to check zero on two firearms. It was fairly busy with multiple people shooting. In the one hour I was there, between setting up, pulling the trigger, and making a few elevation adjustments on the dials, I fired a total of 26 rounds. While I’m an infrequent range-goer, especially compared to some, I wonder how frequently (and how long) does one shoot at the range to get through the several hundred rounds it takes to make hand loading economical? The answer is likely “it depends” - on many factors. For some, the 500 rounds listed above might be an ordinary day or week. For others it might be multiple years worth of shooting.

Every match I go shoot is good for 125 to 150rds between zero check, confirming dope, and the match. I've been doing one every month during the summer. I'm shooting a 6 creed so factor in a new barrel or two every year at a minimum too.

Headed to a S2H class next spring and I'll bring 1k rounds of .223 with me.

Now I have quite a few guns that get about 100 to 150rds on them to break them in and perfect a load. After that it's pretty slow going for those rifles.

I like to to tinker with new bullets and loads so I go through quite a bit. Since I started reloading, I shoot MUCH more than I did before and I'm a much better shot for it. What really opened it up for me was finding a local 1200yd range and local PRS matches. But now I'm extremely confident making shots I'd never dreamt of before.

 

[SloppyJ]

Definitely a good way to get brass. But, for me, Berger factory ammo was a bust. 6.5 Creed 140 Hybrid SRP, grouped great at 100 yards but fell apart at range. High ES/SD. Pulled a box and weighed charges, that was an eye opener I’ll never forget. Literally one grain variation in powder charge out of a single box. This was around 2016/17 ish so the Berger factory ammo was fairly new. Hopefully it has gotten better.

Good to know. I'm hoping they shoot okay but I'm really doing it for the brass and barrel break in. I'd be pissed if they were off a full grain between them.

 

[TheCoyote]

I still change my own oil and butcher my own elk.
Why let someone else have all the fun?

 

[SloppyJ]

I still change my own oil and butcher my own elk.
Why let someone else have all the fun?

I do the same but when I can spend more time with my family and save money I'll do that every time.

 

[Pharmseller]

I look at time spent reloading as battery recharge time. You gotta have “me” time, regardless.

Also, I build loads that are custom to the rifle. Can’t buy what I make.

Also, if I need a box or two I just make a box or two.




P

 

[Lawnboi]

I don’t enjoy reloading, but it still cheaper for a guy who has more time than money… eventually. Tooling up is expensive.

Where it really pays, is being able to buy a barrels worth of the same components. I can’t afford 1500+ rounds of factory same lot ammo. But I can 1500 bullets and powder. This makes for consistency through the barrel and less time messing around.

But then you need to have the knowledge, skill and equipment to make the same brass the 10th firing as the 2nd.

Then i look at 223, guys are spending 26 a box for Hornady 73eldm. I can make that for next to nothing. Smart shoppers are also getting things significantly cheaper than your list indicates as well.

 

[mlevimadden]

I did this with my current 6.5 PRC build. I bought a case of the norma golden target ammo for $350, which was the same price as just buying 200 pieces of ADG or Lapua brass. The norma brass probably is a step below Lapua or ADG, but it gave me 200 practice rounds to get the barrel worn in and now I have 200 pieces of once-fired brass from the rifle that should last me for the rest of the barrel's life.

 

[SloppyJ]

I don’t enjoy reloading, but it still cheaper for a guy who has more time than money… eventually. Tooling up is expensive.

Where it really pays, is being able to buy a barrels worth of the same components. I can’t afford 1500+ rounds of factory same lot ammo. But I can 1500 bullets and powder. This makes for consistency through the barrel and less time messing around.

But then you need to have the knowledge, skill and equipment to make the same brass the 10th firing as the 2nd.

Then i look at 223, guys are spending 26 a box for Hornady 73eldm. I can make that for next to nothing. Smart shoppers are also getting things significantly cheaper than your list indicates as well.

I'd love to know where you're getting things cheaper. N560, LR or LRM primers, 140 EHs and the lapua brass.

 

[SloppyJ]

I look at time spent reloading as battery recharge time. You gotta have “me” time, regardless.

Also, I build loads that are custom to the rifle. Can’t buy what I make.

Also, if I need a box or two I just make a box or two.




P

I completely agree with that once I've broken in the barrel, found a load, and have brass fireformed. For the first 100 or so it's a bit like pissing in the wind though IME.

 

[TxLite]

Start with 100 rounds of Berger ammo, then the second 100 (third, fourth, fifth also), brass is free. There is your $$$

This is the answer. Your time loading 100 rounds is worth more than the $10 in savings. Then when you reload that brass you’ll be saving a bigger chunk that is more worth it.

 

[Lawnboi]

I'd love to know where you're getting things cheaper. N560, LR or LRM primers, 140 EHs and the lapua brass.

There’s places now they are cheaper than what you listed but only slightly.

I have most I need now, so I can be smarter about how I shop…. But

I had 1k Remington 9 1/2s in my 15% off fleet farm bucket that I put back. Those would have been 65 bucks.

I just bought multiple 8lbers of powder from scheels for 15% off, plus 10% flyer code, plus 5% back. Sub 300 for a 400 everywhere else 8lb jug. Same with brass.

Berger 140s would be the hang up but luckily I qualify for some discounts.

Stuff can be had now for decent prices.

 

[buffybr]

... I am with you regarding time though - figuring the cost of time to handload makes factory ammo (especially when it shoots very well) much more appealing.

How much is your time worth sitting in front of your computer or phone and looking at the internet?

I started reloading my rifle ammo in 1967 when I bought my 1st centerfire rifle, a .30-06. Then pistol and 12 ga shotshells in the early '70s, along with casting lead bullets for my pistols. In the late '80s I was competing in registered ATA Trap shooting and started making my own lead shot. That continued through the '90s as I was loading and shooting all 4 shotgun gauges for NSSA Skeet shooting competitions.

I no longer compete, but I still shoot pistols, rifles, and Skeet every week, and this past week I made 450 lbs of # 8 1/2 shot that should last me for the next 2 or 3 years.

My rifle reloads aren't benchrest competition accuracy (neither am I), but I do get 3-shot moa accuracy out of most of my rifles up to my .375 RUM, which has satisfied all all of my hunting needs.