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There are only two reasons to reload. First is to customize ammo for accuracy from a specific gun, possibly one that has limited commercial ammo available, the other is to reload a $h1T load of ammo for competitions. You don't save money reloading, you just shoot a lot more for the same cost! :)
Topher. here is the post with my .223 costs
http://www.oodmag.com/community/show...eloads-tonight
So far, I have about $400.00 in my equipment, found most online on Kijiji and used Ottawa. Took about 6 months to start loading, but you can buy the LEE kit at BP or Lebarons for around the same price I have invested. I save even more money as I pick brass of the crown land ranges in my area. It was about saving saving money at first, but now the technical aspect is creeping into my thoughts.
above and beyond what others have mentioned, I find it to be another avenue to enjoy the hunting/shooting sports. Its an activity you can enjoy after legal shooting hours, or when the weather isn't cooperating with you, rather than sitting in front of the tv (or crossing things off your honey do list)
Everyone has good point's ! That being said my rifle reloading equip which I have thousand's into will never pay for itself for the amount I reload. I ENJOY it and find it as a hobby. That and the satisfaction of knowing on a sunday night when I need ammo for a Monday hunt that my buddy just called me on, I can go down and crank out a box if need be.
Father of a friend of mine is well into his 70's. He is still pretty spry and like to hunt. These days he is not as mobile but still has a need to keep the deer out of his fields. In an hour my friend and I put together a 'light' load of 125 Gr bullets for his old 30-06. Less recoil and certainly good for anything he is going to shoot out to 100 yds.
There are some good posts on this one and I can't say I disagree with what has been passed along. It is a personal choice based upon one's own needs/wants. I gave this example only to show that it brings versatility that you would otherwise not have. I load three different calibers for myself, but I have 10 different sizes of dies. So, like Exo says, you can turn out a box of ammo on short notice.
I reload my .223 but after I finish with my powder I have on hand, I will look for a factory ammo that does the job just as well. Its just not worth it for me, takes too long and there is always a chance I can screw it up plus the risk of keeping powder in the house compared to what I actually use is something that ways on my mind too. I don't think reloading is for me.
I spent about $150 on equipment roughly 45 years ago. This included two sets of dies, 270 and 357. Since then I have added another 15-20 sets of dies and a few other goodies, many used. I did buy a number of new 243 brass, but the rest was either "found" or picked up used at gun shows or from friends.
Once you have basic 30 caliber equipment, you can switch to another 30 caliber for just the cost of dies, which can often be found used for $20.
Lead handgun bullets are a lot cheaper than jacketed rifle slugs and can also be used for plinking loads up to 1600fps with no problems. You can also work up loads of varying weights (small game versus deer) that both shoot to the same point of aim at 100 yds. Those handgun slugs can be bought for 30, 35, and 44 caliber rifles. Many gunshops also sell 25 and 270 lead slugs as well.
Many boxes of jacketed bullets on my shelves have the original price tags in the $20/hundred range. Its only the Partition bullets that are costing me the big bucks....
Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
That powder, or more accuarately "solid propellant" poses much less risk than that 20lb tank of propane bolted to your BBQ.
Yup ! Usually goe's sideway's ????Quote:
Originally Posted by topher
Unless you're going to be actually target shooting a lot (3-4 boxes of ammo a year isnt a lot) then the cost benefit will take many years to overcome.
Consider that for $300, I can buy more factory loaded hunting ammo then a lot of guy use in two decades of hunting (if not longer).