Crazy - Factory Ammo vs. Handload Costs

[waspocrew]

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.

I like to reload just as much as the next guy - trust me, I'm pretty well invested in components and equipment, so I'm not getting out of it at all. I'm set up to load for all the cartridges I shoot, but I don't always choose to handload for them.

My 6 CM has been fed a steady diet of Hornady 108 ELDM and Prime 107 SMK factory ammo. When I saw that both of them will reliably shoot well under MOA for 5 shot groups - I called it good, bought a case of each of the matching lot and went shooting. On the other hand, I load exclusively for my 338 RUM, 7 SAUM, and 6.5 Sherman (wildcat) pretty much out of necessity.

I can always make more money in life, but I can't make more time.

 

[Pharmseller]

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.

 

[Harvey_NW]

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.

Not mine. I've done load development on multiple new barrels and never saw a difference besides needing to back the charge down a bit if I was up to pressure at the start. I think most shooters make way too much of a fuss out of the concept because of benchrest folklore.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

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

All the time I used to spend reloading is now used for shooting and scouting. So much more fun.

 

[SloppyJ]

Not mine. I've done load development on multiple new barrels and never saw a difference besides needing to back the charge down a bit if I was up to pressure at the start. I think most shooters make way too much of a fuss out of the concept because of benchrest folklore.

I ran 50 through my last 6cm barrel to get a load to shoot a match with the next weekend. Well about halfway through the match my groups got weird and I had a sticky bolt because velocity sped up. It was very conservative based on the first 50 rounds I shot but my brass was so much different than the book charges it bit me in the ass.

I would much prefer to shoot 100 or so before I take a deep dive at loading 150rds of ammo.

It's not too big of a deal hunting because you're not shooting that much and the distance is far less than a match but the problem is still there.

Don't get me wrong, I'm gathering data from the start but it often changes so much that if I find a load after 25rds, there's 0% chance that will be my load after 100 or 150.

 

[magtech]

Reloads get 5-10 uses of your brass. So youre overinflating brass costs.

But honestly, its not about $:
Its about best precision/fps/customization possible.
AND the love of the game for reloading.

If youre happy buying berger and it shoots how you like then just buy factory and move on. When you reload, its about more that just the $.

 

[TaperPin]

I sure hope when the war in Europe is over and military contracts aren’t sucking up our components, that kids and adults will go back to reloading more.

 

[sickles107]

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

Bingo. I share the same mindset, but recently really starting to think more about opportunity cost of my time vs staying in touch with all facets of what I'm doing.

As much as I would love to knit my own socks and refine my own gasoline, a guy has to draw a line.

I do enjoy reloading, but it definitely takes up time and space. Next 6cm barrel I will be looking very hard at just buying a case of 2k factory rounds.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Was mentioned above but the most expensive component is reusable.

Agree once you factor in time it’s really tough to justify the “cost”. That said most do it because they enjoy it and think they are getting more from the cartridge.

Heck if you factored in equipment and dies you’d be way upside down .

 

[Pharmseller]

Boy howdy, I just can’t see spending $50 for a box of shells.




P

 

[wapitibob]

It’s always been cheaper for me to reload, by far. 7stw

 

[Vern400]

Shooting more, and possibly becoming a better shooter...priceless. 1000 rounds out of the same lot of powder, the same lot of primers, the same lot of bullets? Priceless.

How many competition rifle shooters use factory ammo? The ones that are sponsored with free cartridges?

If straight up money is the factor, reload only if you shoot over 1,000 rounds a year. Expensive stuff not FMJ pop pop ammo.

And where's your calculation for reloading space rent, and return on investment?

Handloading should probably be considered an investment required to become more proficient

 

[Fireflyfishing]

 

[SloppyJ]

Well I actually ordered some Norma Bondstrike for $39/box last night.

I think the thread seems to be misleading. I will for sure be reloading for this rifle. I was comparing price between factory ammo and reloading components to get the first 100 shots down the tube.

 

[Weldor]

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.

I did the same. 6.5 prc was scarce at the time. Bought 2- 200 rd cases for $245 ea plus freight. The golden target has done well on Deer. it is alittle slow but it works. Ended up buying once fired brass from a know manufacturer that sells their test brass. Handloading is fine with me, but there are days when I think how easy to just go shoot and re stock. Not have to fret getting powder or primers and bullets or brass you get the drift.

 

[jfk69]

I did something similar for a new 7mag. Bought Norma whitetail for $30/box, 5 boxes got me free shipping. So it was $150 for 100 Norma brass (which I find to generally be excellent brass) which is pretty consistent with how new brass is priced. Along with 100 break-in shots and some practice time for me. Win-win.

 

[Lawnboi]

Berger 6.5mm 140gr Elite Hunter #26552

Product Information Caliber: 6.5mm Bullet Diameter: 0.264" Bullet Weight: 140 Grains OAL: 1.403" Bullet Style: Elite Hunter Recommended Twist Rate: 1 in 8" or faster G1 BC: 0.606 G7 BC: 0.310 Part Number: 26552 Quantity: 100

www.bluecollarreloading.com

No tax

 

[SloppyJ]

Berger 6.5mm 140gr Elite Hunter #26552

Product Information Caliber: 6.5mm Bullet Diameter: 0.264" Bullet Weight: 140 Grains OAL: 1.403" Bullet Style: Elite Hunter Recommended Twist Rate: 1 in 8" or faster G1 BC: 0.606 G7 BC: 0.310 Part Number: 26552 Quantity: 100

www.bluecollarreloading.com

No tax

Don't forget about shipping.... the problem I've found when sourcing a bunch of stuff is that you have to find the place with the best average prices to avoid paying shipping on multiple orders.

Inactually just found them for $44 in one of my secret spots. But shipping is $20. Case in point.

 

[SloppyJ]

I did the same. 6.5 prc was scarce at the time. Bought 2- 200 rd cases for $245 ea plus freight. The golden target has done well on Deer. it is alittle slow but it works. Ended up buying once fired brass from a know manufacturer that sells their test brass. Handloading is fine with me, but there are days when I think how easy to just go shoot and re stock. Not have to fret getting powder or primers and bullets or brass you get the drift.

Why didn't you reload the norma brass? I run their brass in a few of my rifles and it's been really good. I almost got the target stuff but figured I'd try the bondstrike in case it shoots well. Read some conflicting reports on game with the target rounds. The bondstrike supposedly has a .600+ G1 BC and i like to bang some steel.

 

[Lawnboi]

Don't forget about shipping.... the problem I've found when sourcing a bunch of stuff is that you have to find the place with the best average prices to avoid paying shipping on multiple orders.

Inactually just found them for $44 in one of my secret spots. But shipping is $20. Case in point.

Same can be said for factory though. Precisely why buying reloading supplies in bulk is easier.

The sooner you are able to buy same lot everything for one barrel, the easier things become.

Here’s an example: off blue collar right now


Plus 125 for 1k primers. ~1200 for the barrel.

Berger factory 140 EH for 65 a box, for 1k rounds is 3250 for the barrel.

That’s why I reload.