Do I need to reload?

[kickemall]

I've always shot factory ammo and have been perfectly happy with the results. But with the recent (covid 19) and not so recent (Obama) runs on ammo I'm having trouble keeping enough on hand. Throw in that I live in California so I can't online shop and have to use more expensive non lead ammo just getting ammo is becoming a tremendous pain and causing me to limit my shooting. Will I run into the same problems getting the ammo components I need? I really, and I mean REALLY, don't need another hobby, don't want to go down the research rabbit hole or spend a ton of time testing different loads. I have no idea what it costs or takes to get started as until now I've never even considered it. Is it possible to reload without a ton of time spent doing it with no prior knowledge? My three main rifles I'd reload for are a .223, 6.5 creedmoor and a .300 wm.

 

[DangerRanger]

You don’t *need* to but it would make acquisition easier.

Unfortunately it’s not covid or Obama that caused ammo shortages, it’s us. That means it’s not going to stop, when the opportunity arises the shooting community will do this again.

You need to either create a situation where you can produce your own and not worry about it, or you need to be proactive and not lazy when things level out. As soon as “normal” comes back you need to stack up so that you don’t give a single care when panic hits again. If you can’t do that, I would address reloading.

It’s not difficult and it can be done in reasonable time but it’s not something you need to be rushing to do, that’s dangerous and nothing good will come of it.

 

[rayporter]

to me it sounds like reloading is not for you but buying a bunch of factory ammo will set you back a lot of bucks.

other things to ponder= will that rifle always like that ammo or will that ammo always be available?
and then what it you buy a new rifle ----even if it is the same caliber but especially if you get another caliber you have to stock pile again.

 

[elkguide]

I'm quite sure that in California you will have the same red tape hassle obtaining components as you do ammunition. So that takes you down to choice. If you are all ready pressed for time, then no, don't start reloading. I don't have time but it is very relaxing and I do it for the enjoyment. To get started it will make the first 500 - 1000 rounds expensive but once you are rolling it is less expensive, if you don't count your time. Years ago when I first started reloading, I could easily surpass factory ammo in consistent accuracy. Today there are many choices of quality factory ammo available that is extremely consistent and accurate.

 

[rayporter]

how many shooters actually do the math on reloading?

for a small 6 mm BR

powder will cost about a dime per shot
bullets [ factory light wt] will cost about a quarter each
primers about a nickel each
brass will cost a buck each but you get 10 to 20 shots from it so lets say a dime per shot

total=50 cents per shot for this example.

but lots of us buy in bulk and find bargains all the time to cut this back. and for large calibers about the only thing that changes is the powder charge cost. lets say double the cost of powder for 30-06 but everything else is about the same unless you are buying premium bullets.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

Being able to reload is freedom.

I’ve been shooting non-lead for years. It seemed I was never able to find the same factory loads twice, so each new box meant I had to re-zero the rifle. I ended up with a ton of partial boxes of ammo. A few years back, I purchased 200 rounds of 308 and 30-Nosler with the intent of never buying factory ammo for either rifle again. I think each piece of brass should be able to be reloaded 5-10 times, which will be more rounds down each barrel of the hunting rifles than what I think their life expectancy will be.

 

[cnelk]

I was where you are several years ago. I stumbled upon a complete reloading setup for hardly nothing. I jumped in and never looked back.

For my large belted magnum rifle, factory ammo costs me $80-$100/box. I can reload them for less than $1 a shot. Easy decision

Then I moved to my common calibers and did the same. Now I’m reloading a total of 8 different calibers.

It’s fun, easy and nice to see the fruits of your labor when you put meat in the freezer from a home brewed recipe.

Kinda like tying flies, catching fish on a home tied fly. Fun stuff.

 

[rootacres]

You don't need to reload. With that said, without going down the rabbit hole, you should be able to take the specs of your favorite factory load and closely duplicate it without a ton of time spent. Or when things level out make a concentrated effort to stock up.

I live in IL, as a state we are going down a similar path as CA, I do feel that politically it is going to become more restrictive and the 2A oppositions will continue to cause fear purchasing. It is then our responsibility to be ready. I took up reloading to mass produce pistol ammunition for competition and have now branched into intermediate range rifle reloads for hunting. The 223 ammo I buy 1k at a time so I never run out, I don't reload. If you have some out of state shooting friends they may be able to help you there. As things get worse its our right to prepare through legal channels. A consistent effort to stock up could make all your problems/worries go away.

 

[Muley Buck]

Reloading/Handloading = Money, time and space.

Buying Ammo in bulk = Money

 

[2five7]

In your case, I'd just buy a couple hundred rounds for each hunting rifle, and a couple thousand for your plinkers, when it becomes available and the prices normalize. The rabbit hole that is hand loading is long, expensive, and very time consuming.

 

[Rob5589]

@elkguide, Just to clarify, components have no restrictions, currently.

@kickemall, depends on how much you shoot and how much money you are willing to spend. Non lead is definitely expensive to buy loaded.
I'd look for used gear. You don't have to get top of the line or get "precision shooter" deep into it. You can easily match or exceed factory loads with a basic set up and attention to detail.

 

[Muley Buck]

@elkguide, Just to clarify, components have no restrictions, currently.

Yes. I hope that we can continue to fly under the radar. Though, I'm sure some day there will be a reckoning. God forbid.

 

[Ratamahatta]

Buy cheap, stack deep with all aspects.

 

[JFK]

OP, I was/am in a similar position as you. Live in Ca and just and saw the writing on the wall that they are trying to regulate guns out of existence here. I recently got all the stuff together and started reloading, and like you,I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head. I have a small bench setup in a spare bedroom. All in, I probably had about $750 into the setup before I even made my first round. You can buy a lot of factory ammo for that price with no time commitment and no bench in your house taking up space. You don’t need to go crazy chasing benchrest accuracy but it is a commitment to learn how to make safe, accurate ammo. There aren’t any hoops with buying components, no FFL transfers, can buy everything at stores or online right to your door. Is it worth it? I dunno. I have enough components to reload for the next few years without buying any more. It takes the headache out of finding the ammo you want at stores that are out of stock more often than not. Accuracy of my hand loads is far and away better than any factory ammo I ever shot. I don’t shoot nearly as much as I’d like to, but wouldn’t load plinking ammo even if I had the time. I do small batches for range trips and hunting. It’s pretty satisfying getting a load dialed in for your rifle and then taking it in the field. If you value those types of processes then you’ll like it. If you just want ammo for your rifle then I’d track down a bunch at a store and stock up.

 

[cmahoney]

Not for those cartridges


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[Stalker69]

I reload, and that is why I decided to start shooting black powder cartridges, 45-110 . It is the only way I can afford to do it. The majority of the cartridges, you would have to shoot a lot to “ save money”. But it is a fun “ hobby” once you get set up.

 

[Jamesmar10]

I have went back and forth to both. The biggest thing is time and space. I have found that there are some really solid factory rounds out there. Costly but effective. If you like tinkering and have time to do so you may find reloading to be a ball.

 

[hodgeman]

You won't save any money reloading. You will get to shoot more.

Reloading for .223 is a waste of time- the ROI is very long. Reloading for 6.5 is good. Reloading for 300WM is a very good deal. If you ever get a .375 or .416 it's like printing money.

The advantage is that once you buy the basic gear, you can start loading for other cartridges relatively inexpensively, dies and shell holders, maybe a case gauge and you're off to the races. Reloading gear also has a very long useful life, so think in terms of decades.

 

[kickemall]

Great replies and I truly appreciate all the info.