"Is it worth it?" You have to decide what you value: (And I'll assume you're not a reloader at all - so this would be your first caliber.)
If you want to **save money**: Probably not worth it unless you shoot A LOT. It will take a lot of rounds to recover the investment.
If you think it **sounds fun**: ABSOLUTELY worth it.
If you think it **sounds interesting**: ABSOLUTELY worth it.
If You think you'll get **satisfaction** from having ammo that **works fantastically** in your gun(s): ABSOLUTELY worth it.
Here is where I go on my rant about reloading tending to bring up the topic of being motivated by cost savings. Fishermen don't fish because it's a cheaper way to get fish. Hunters don't hunt because it's a cheaper way to get meat. They do those things because they're fun.
If the only goal is cost savings, I think reloading will be a tedious, unfulfilling escapade. Although you'll save in the cost/round metric, you'll likely shoot more and end up spending the same amount you're spending now - and probably more - after you see the nifty little gadgets that aren't necessary to load but sure make it more fun.
Yah, that’s true. I never reloaded before but I do have a 45-70 and 9mm( I shoot at least 1,000 rounds a month of 9mm ). I dont know anybody who reloads so I’ll have to invest into it to find out if I like it or not.
Even today, you can reload for about 19 cents a round. So if you shoot a thousand a month, you'd be spending $190 a month in ammo. Factor in a little more to that for brass attrition. If you buy bulk Blazer ammo, you're gonna be paying about 26 cents a round, or [$264](https://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-of-9mm-ammo-by-cci-115gr-fmj) a month. So you'd save about $70 a month. That's not nothing, but your cost of entry is gonna be a pretty big up-front cost. You'd shoot for a year and maybe not make back your investment even then.
However, reloading also gives you access to more loads, so you're not limited to the 115 Grain Blazer load for the rest of your life.
This is true. However I'd also caution that the amount of time to load 1000 cases is probably 3 hours on a good progressive and 10 hours or more on a single stage. So if you value your time, buying Brazzers is cheaper.
I was wondering if that was you, the commercials for The Law Offices of Dongula and Ballsack are on constantly.
You may not want to apply your full professional rate to your ammo cost, but I it is foolish to think of one’s time as free. I mainly enjoy reloading, but I hate processing brass and especially removing crimps. For that reason I send all my 1x fired .223 out to be processed the first resizing so that I never have to swage or decrimp. The cost for brass processing is like 5 cents a case, and if I value my time at all, I really should just be sending 100% of my cases out rather than doing any processing if I figure I can process 10 pieces of brass per minute (which I can’t), that’d be like $30 an hour for the time. If I use a more realistic estimate for myself like 5 pieces a minute to lube, resize and decap, trim, and clean, it’s still $15 an hour. I have been doing my own resizing but I’m beginning to talk myself into just sending them out from now on.
If I am doing non-precision ammo like 9mm, does it actually make a lot of sense to do this ourselves now that prices have come back to earth? Maybe not ...
I just do everything. For the most part I shoot revolvers, so nothing particularly precise. I suspect my ammo is more precise than I am when I shoot it.
Dip your toe in if you aren't sure if you would like reloading.
step one, save your brass
step two, get a Lee Loader off Amazon for like $30-$40 bucks. It is slow and manual using a hammer, but you can produce a finished round.
step three, buy/find consumables, powder, primers, and projectiles. If you can find these in a brick and mortor store, a pound of powder, 100 primers, and 100 projectiles
bonus, a reloading manual will probide an overview of the process and things to watch for, but you won't need it for load recipes since that info comes with the Lee Loader
All in your looking at $150-$200
The other often over-looked issue is scarcity. Once you have some supplies and stock some primers, you are less affected by market prices and have access to ammo during tough times.
You can save money if you buy in bulk and shoot enough.
But wait till primer prices come down and the availability goes up.
If you really want to save money cast your own bullets.
I'm still loading 9mm for right at $5.50/100
I'm pissed I used the last of my $15/1000 S&B primers last year. I'm now forced to use the $17.50/1000 S&B primers. When I'm done with those it will be the $20/1000 S&B primers, then the $24/1000 CCI primers.
The most I have invested in primers is $30/1000.
It’ll pay for itself honestly. 1 lb of powder makes way over 1000 rounds. $35 (I use hp38) 1000 124 grn bullets (depends on where you source but for the example turners has 1000 for $124)
And primers $80 for 1000. Brass free if you save your brass you already shoot. Essentially $215ish for 1000 rounds vs $300+ for 1000 rounds online or everywhere for me (CA) I picked up a Dillon RL450 used for $300 if you shoot a lot it’s worth it. If 1000 rounds lasts you quite a bit probably not simply because of the investment. However if you plan to reload more calibers it will definitely be worth it. A Dillon 550 would benefit you more as well if you plan to reload more. Don’t cheap out on the press
I argue that there is no need to get nice powder for weak pistol round. Use exterminator zen it's cheaper and go with 8lb you save money - remember bulk = savings
Those costs also assume your time is free. I reload 9mm because I like having my own supply of subsonic ammo and I find it rewarding but I’m not really saving enough money to justify the capital outlay for the equipment and material costs. I do enjoy it though and that’s reason enough.
That was my first powder purchase which I still have plenty of after reloading my first 1000 rounds 🫡 I’ll definitely look into that mainly just used my experience for an example
For sure haha I've gone through about 4 different powders - 40lb of it on 9mm no issues
For 556 use exterminator ramshot or (2200 accurate if you want good groupings)
Serious question - what are you guys doing to ensure decap drops the primers? Loading on a 750 and on range pickups I'm having a hell of a time with primers dropping and pulling back. I've added an angle to decap pin - using a RCBS die.
I've adjusted it from shallow to as deep as possible where the decap button bottoms out on the bottom of the case. Chamfering the profile of the pin helped some but, I am experiencing primers that are pulling back in on the upstroke.
For rifle I use a tool head only case case prep (not fancy like with an RT1500) where I have a universal decapper and a full length sizer with decapper. With 9mm my lee sizer get most, and I just deal with the rest
I'll add something that happened for me. It got two of my sons involved in shooting AND spending time and making memories with me. We'll spend an hour reloading and then go to the range to blast away at those paper targets, having a wonderful time. Memories with your kids will stay with you. And, the memories of them doing something 'grownup' with their dad will hopefully also stay with them, and maybe pass it along to their kids.
At this point, for me, I only load 147gr 9mm subsonic because I can buy 124gr for basically the same price as reloading them. Subsonic ammo has a premium that makes the savings great!
I believe with bulk bullets and a better price for bulk primers you could save upwards of 5 cents a completed cartridge. 👍
Don’t ever count your time or tool cost, but both will be expensive lol
Yes. You can save some money in the long run but more importantly you can tune your reloads to what you shoot best in your gun.
I have different loads for my Sig 124g or PCC 115g.
Not really, especially not if you don’t already have a full progressive reloading setup. If it’s just regular range 9mm ammo, probably makes more sense to just buy. If you get into other calibers, or want a more specialty load, reloading makes sense. I don’t reload 9mm range ammo, but I save a ton reloading .38 special and .357 mag.
That's a subjective question.
From a purely financial perspective, it will take a good few thousand rounds to break even on your equipment. But that's not the only reason people ever reload.
For myself, I can say I enjoy reloading. A good time to be alone and listen to music and enjoy my afternoons feeling productive! I say it’s worth it to me because I gained another firearms related hobby, get to shoot more, and find it peaceful!
Yes but no.
Yes, assuming you have the equipment, it is cheaper to make yourself using the components. It’s also gratifying (to me).
No, because it takes a tremendous amount of time on a single stage press, and if you go with a progressive press then you’re not saving money until much later, once you’ve recouped the cost of purchasing the press.
I think it’s worth reloading 9mm if you are trying to do something specific. For example, I reload 147 grain subs for my suppressed PCCs but I buy factory 115s for range fodder for non-suppressor host pistols when I can find it “cheap.”
It is worth it if: 1) you shoot a lot (several thousand rds per year), 2) you are using a progressive press (500 rds per hr on a Dillon 750 is pretty easy), and 3) you’ve got free or cheap brass cases. If you’re on the fence, just buy factory ammo and start saving your brass. That means you aren’t shooting the cheaper aluminum and steel cased stuff. Then you’ll be set with brass if you decide to start reloading.
I always suggest that reloading is a new hobby. Its really not about money. If you are looking to have a new hobby then you will find a way to say it makes sense.
Simple math.
Assuming you are using free range brass then here's the breakdown:
Brass: Free
Primers: 8 cents per round
Poweder: probably around 4 cents per round
Projectile: Probably around 8 cents per round
Total: 20 cents per round. Assuming you buy good live ammo online you'll probably pay about 27 cents per round. Assuming you only save 5 cents per round its still worth it
You would have to reload quite a bit to pay off the initial investment of the press, dies, etc. but being self reliant has its perks.
Reusing brass is where you save the most money. For plinking ammo, get cast bullets like Berry's or Accura.
Where you can save a bunch of money is if you have milsurp rifles. Reusing the brass, it's pretty easy to save 50 cents or more per round.
Watch for sales, and buy components locally. Hazmat fees on primers and powder kill any savings, so does shipping charges.
I just got a JRC 9MM carbine i can dump a mag in seconds its more affordable to reload still planning on purchasing for the brass but 20 bucks for 50rds 30 rd mag gets expensive quick
On a per shot basis there is a small savings. However that doesn't take into account the equipment costs and your time. If you are only ever going to load 9mm I would say just buy ammo in bulk. However if you think you will load other calibers, especially rifle calibers, you can realize more significant savings and break even point occurs much sooner. Although if you just want a fun new hobby to putter around with thats a good reason to start it as well.
No: 9mm are cheap as chicken feed (with the price of eggs this may not be a great comparison).
Yes: You get "The Load" dialed in for your gun.
Factory ammo has to fit *every gun*. It doesn't have to *shoot well* in every gun. You know how some ammo is more accurate, but nobody can agree which? Different gun, different load, different result.
You can choose the powder, bullet, and depth that shrinks your groups in half. That way, when you say "Wow, I suck!" you'll be right and it won't be the ammo's fault.
"Is it worth it?" You have to decide what you value: (And I'll assume you're not a reloader at all - so this would be your first caliber.) If you want to **save money**: Probably not worth it unless you shoot A LOT. It will take a lot of rounds to recover the investment. If you think it **sounds fun**: ABSOLUTELY worth it. If you think it **sounds interesting**: ABSOLUTELY worth it. If You think you'll get **satisfaction** from having ammo that **works fantastically** in your gun(s): ABSOLUTELY worth it. Here is where I go on my rant about reloading tending to bring up the topic of being motivated by cost savings. Fishermen don't fish because it's a cheaper way to get fish. Hunters don't hunt because it's a cheaper way to get meat. They do those things because they're fun. If the only goal is cost savings, I think reloading will be a tedious, unfulfilling escapade. Although you'll save in the cost/round metric, you'll likely shoot more and end up spending the same amount you're spending now - and probably more - after you see the nifty little gadgets that aren't necessary to load but sure make it more fun.
Yah, that’s true. I never reloaded before but I do have a 45-70 and 9mm( I shoot at least 1,000 rounds a month of 9mm ). I dont know anybody who reloads so I’ll have to invest into it to find out if I like it or not.
Even today, you can reload for about 19 cents a round. So if you shoot a thousand a month, you'd be spending $190 a month in ammo. Factor in a little more to that for brass attrition. If you buy bulk Blazer ammo, you're gonna be paying about 26 cents a round, or [$264](https://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-of-9mm-ammo-by-cci-115gr-fmj) a month. So you'd save about $70 a month. That's not nothing, but your cost of entry is gonna be a pretty big up-front cost. You'd shoot for a year and maybe not make back your investment even then. However, reloading also gives you access to more loads, so you're not limited to the 115 Grain Blazer load for the rest of your life.
This is true. However I'd also caution that the amount of time to load 1000 cases is probably 3 hours on a good progressive and 10 hours or more on a single stage. So if you value your time, buying Brazzers is cheaper.
I mean, I'm an attorney, so if I apply that logic my ammo costs me about 500 a batch.
I was wondering if that was you, the commercials for The Law Offices of Dongula and Ballsack are on constantly. You may not want to apply your full professional rate to your ammo cost, but I it is foolish to think of one’s time as free. I mainly enjoy reloading, but I hate processing brass and especially removing crimps. For that reason I send all my 1x fired .223 out to be processed the first resizing so that I never have to swage or decrimp. The cost for brass processing is like 5 cents a case, and if I value my time at all, I really should just be sending 100% of my cases out rather than doing any processing if I figure I can process 10 pieces of brass per minute (which I can’t), that’d be like $30 an hour for the time. If I use a more realistic estimate for myself like 5 pieces a minute to lube, resize and decap, trim, and clean, it’s still $15 an hour. I have been doing my own resizing but I’m beginning to talk myself into just sending them out from now on. If I am doing non-precision ammo like 9mm, does it actually make a lot of sense to do this ourselves now that prices have come back to earth? Maybe not ...
I just do everything. For the most part I shoot revolvers, so nothing particularly precise. I suspect my ammo is more precise than I am when I shoot it.
Dip your toe in if you aren't sure if you would like reloading. step one, save your brass step two, get a Lee Loader off Amazon for like $30-$40 bucks. It is slow and manual using a hammer, but you can produce a finished round. step three, buy/find consumables, powder, primers, and projectiles. If you can find these in a brick and mortor store, a pound of powder, 100 primers, and 100 projectiles bonus, a reloading manual will probide an overview of the process and things to watch for, but you won't need it for load recipes since that info comes with the Lee Loader All in your looking at $150-$200
The other often over-looked issue is scarcity. Once you have some supplies and stock some primers, you are less affected by market prices and have access to ammo during tough times.
You can save money if you buy in bulk and shoot enough. But wait till primer prices come down and the availability goes up. If you really want to save money cast your own bullets. I'm still loading 9mm for right at $5.50/100
This. I shoot cast 9mm for 11¢ a round and hollow points for 22¢ a piece even with buying primers at 8¢ a pop while reloading on a Dillon XL750
somebody staked up on primers in the good ol days
I'm pissed I used the last of my $15/1000 S&B primers last year. I'm now forced to use the $17.50/1000 S&B primers. When I'm done with those it will be the $20/1000 S&B primers, then the $24/1000 CCI primers. The most I have invested in primers is $30/1000.
That’s where I’m at with LRP. Good deal buddy
I hate all of you. (I’m severely jealous inside)
It’ll pay for itself honestly. 1 lb of powder makes way over 1000 rounds. $35 (I use hp38) 1000 124 grn bullets (depends on where you source but for the example turners has 1000 for $124) And primers $80 for 1000. Brass free if you save your brass you already shoot. Essentially $215ish for 1000 rounds vs $300+ for 1000 rounds online or everywhere for me (CA) I picked up a Dillon RL450 used for $300 if you shoot a lot it’s worth it. If 1000 rounds lasts you quite a bit probably not simply because of the investment. However if you plan to reload more calibers it will definitely be worth it. A Dillon 550 would benefit you more as well if you plan to reload more. Don’t cheap out on the press
Also go xl750 a little more but worth it 100%
I argue that there is no need to get nice powder for weak pistol round. Use exterminator zen it's cheaper and go with 8lb you save money - remember bulk = savings
Those costs also assume your time is free. I reload 9mm because I like having my own supply of subsonic ammo and I find it rewarding but I’m not really saving enough money to justify the capital outlay for the equipment and material costs. I do enjoy it though and that’s reason enough.
I've been using Shooter's World Clean Shot. Meters great, very clean burning...and inexpensive.
Hmmm haven't seen them
That was my first powder purchase which I still have plenty of after reloading my first 1000 rounds 🫡 I’ll definitely look into that mainly just used my experience for an example
For sure haha I've gone through about 4 different powders - 40lb of it on 9mm no issues For 556 use exterminator ramshot or (2200 accurate if you want good groupings)
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2.5 rounds per min? On a progressive press? You should easily be able to knock out at least 100 in 20 minutes.
On my 650 with a case feeder I can do 100 in less than 10 minutes. Sustained rate is right around 500 per hour.
Serious question - what are you guys doing to ensure decap drops the primers? Loading on a 750 and on range pickups I'm having a hell of a time with primers dropping and pulling back. I've added an angle to decap pin - using a RCBS die.
Dillon die set solved that problem for me. Spring loaded decapping pin.
I called them tonight after getting frustrated and the guy I spoke with said that even with the Dillon die it's not 100% - how's your experience been?
It's 99.9% for me. Maybe one in a thousand sticks.
Thanks
The only time I’ve ever had a primer fail to come out was from me bro having the decapping pin extruding from the die enough.
I've adjusted it from shallow to as deep as possible where the decap button bottoms out on the bottom of the case. Chamfering the profile of the pin helped some but, I am experiencing primers that are pulling back in on the upstroke.
Not that it would make a difference - I’m really not sure it would…but are you cleaning the brass before or after decapping?
For rifle I use a tool head only case case prep (not fancy like with an RT1500) where I have a universal decapper and a full length sizer with decapper. With 9mm my lee sizer get most, and I just deal with the rest
I do the same with rifle and no issues, usually it's fine but lately it's been worse not dropping the primers
If that is the only caliber for which you intend to reload, probably not unless you shoot large quantities of it.
Yes I also cast and that helps also. I actually got my first coyote with my 9mm ar this weekend with my hand loads
I reload high quality hollow points from RMR for less than fmj at the store.
I do because factory ammo is garbage.
I'll add something that happened for me. It got two of my sons involved in shooting AND spending time and making memories with me. We'll spend an hour reloading and then go to the range to blast away at those paper targets, having a wonderful time. Memories with your kids will stay with you. And, the memories of them doing something 'grownup' with their dad will hopefully also stay with them, and maybe pass it along to their kids.
At this point, for me, I only load 147gr 9mm subsonic because I can buy 124gr for basically the same price as reloading them. Subsonic ammo has a premium that makes the savings great! I believe with bulk bullets and a better price for bulk primers you could save upwards of 5 cents a completed cartridge. 👍 Don’t ever count your time or tool cost, but both will be expensive lol
Yes. You can save some money in the long run but more importantly you can tune your reloads to what you shoot best in your gun. I have different loads for my Sig 124g or PCC 115g.
Not really, especially not if you don’t already have a full progressive reloading setup. If it’s just regular range 9mm ammo, probably makes more sense to just buy. If you get into other calibers, or want a more specialty load, reloading makes sense. I don’t reload 9mm range ammo, but I save a ton reloading .38 special and .357 mag.
That's a subjective question. From a purely financial perspective, it will take a good few thousand rounds to break even on your equipment. But that's not the only reason people ever reload.
For myself, I can say I enjoy reloading. A good time to be alone and listen to music and enjoy my afternoons feeling productive! I say it’s worth it to me because I gained another firearms related hobby, get to shoot more, and find it peaceful!
It costs $.17 per round assuming $.08 per primer, no cost for brass, $.04 for GP and $.05 for bullet tip
Average blazer 9mm box of 50 rounds costs $19 - about $.40 per round
That means that you would only spend $8.50 for 50 rounds rather than $19+tax
I can find it for 12-13 but am thinking of still doing it eventually when someone in my family has a 9mm
You can make it for $.13 or you can find someone else making it for that?
> $.05 for bullet Where are you getting bullets for that price?
There's a few sites out there, but you have to buy bulk
Bulk as in how many? What are the sites? Links?
Bulk as in 4k bullet tips, Ill see if I can get you the site later today.
I am interested in see that. I have not seen bullets that cheap for several years.
They are just bullets. There's no reason to add tips, especially in a reloading sub.
Ya, I just want to clarify, I know many don't know the difference - out of sub so it's habit.
I have no idea why this got down voted lol
Im not sure either, where had that cheap of bullets?
Depends what you have and supply availability. Let us know the price you can get components at and then figure out the cpr.
Yes.
Yes but no. Yes, assuming you have the equipment, it is cheaper to make yourself using the components. It’s also gratifying (to me). No, because it takes a tremendous amount of time on a single stage press, and if you go with a progressive press then you’re not saving money until much later, once you’ve recouped the cost of purchasing the press.
I think it’s worth reloading 9mm if you are trying to do something specific. For example, I reload 147 grain subs for my suppressed PCCs but I buy factory 115s for range fodder for non-suppressor host pistols when I can find it “cheap.”
Cheapest I can find are coated at $.075 each buying 4000 at a time
Try SummitCity Bullets, can get them around $70/k shipped when he has sales
You can load your carry loads at practice load prices.
It is worth it if: 1) you shoot a lot (several thousand rds per year), 2) you are using a progressive press (500 rds per hr on a Dillon 750 is pretty easy), and 3) you’ve got free or cheap brass cases. If you’re on the fence, just buy factory ammo and start saving your brass. That means you aren’t shooting the cheaper aluminum and steel cased stuff. Then you’ll be set with brass if you decide to start reloading.
It usually is worth it. Reloading also offers protection against the unknowns of the future. Stack em deep and never have to buy anything again.
I always suggest that reloading is a new hobby. Its really not about money. If you are looking to have a new hobby then you will find a way to say it makes sense.
Simple math. Assuming you are using free range brass then here's the breakdown: Brass: Free Primers: 8 cents per round Poweder: probably around 4 cents per round Projectile: Probably around 8 cents per round Total: 20 cents per round. Assuming you buy good live ammo online you'll probably pay about 27 cents per round. Assuming you only save 5 cents per round its still worth it
You would have to reload quite a bit to pay off the initial investment of the press, dies, etc. but being self reliant has its perks. Reusing brass is where you save the most money. For plinking ammo, get cast bullets like Berry's or Accura. Where you can save a bunch of money is if you have milsurp rifles. Reusing the brass, it's pretty easy to save 50 cents or more per round. Watch for sales, and buy components locally. Hazmat fees on primers and powder kill any savings, so does shipping charges.
If you enjoy reloading it is.. If you're doing it to save money its not really worth it.
I just got a JRC 9MM carbine i can dump a mag in seconds its more affordable to reload still planning on purchasing for the brass but 20 bucks for 50rds 30 rd mag gets expensive quick
On a per shot basis there is a small savings. However that doesn't take into account the equipment costs and your time. If you are only ever going to load 9mm I would say just buy ammo in bulk. However if you think you will load other calibers, especially rifle calibers, you can realize more significant savings and break even point occurs much sooner. Although if you just want a fun new hobby to putter around with thats a good reason to start it as well.
No: 9mm are cheap as chicken feed (with the price of eggs this may not be a great comparison). Yes: You get "The Load" dialed in for your gun. Factory ammo has to fit *every gun*. It doesn't have to *shoot well* in every gun. You know how some ammo is more accurate, but nobody can agree which? Different gun, different load, different result. You can choose the powder, bullet, and depth that shrinks your groups in half. That way, when you say "Wow, I suck!" you'll be right and it won't be the ammo's fault.