Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/9/2012 8:37:43 AM EDT
|
I stopped by the local WalMart the other day and happened to notice that their Win White Box 45acp was selling for $37.97 a box of 100. That was a shock as I haven't bought commercial ammo in some 8 years. I've said before that I wait for great bulk buy opportunities and then buy heavily. That's how I can reload for dirt cheap. Here are two real life examples of my savings. I have components and loaded ammo totaling 8,100rds of 230grn 45acp left on hand at this time and my records show that they cost me right at $6.23 per hundred rds. Based upon the WWB prices, that means I have $3,214.08 (including tax) worth of 45acp which only cost me $504.63 (including tax) for a savings of $2,709.45. That's enough savings by itself to more than pay for my entire reloading setup! I also have 13,400rds worth of components and loaded M193, 55grn AR ammo that cost me $8.11 per 100rds for a total cost of $1,086.74. The cheapest brass cased, boxer primed M193 ammo I can find is priced at $30.50 per 100rds so that means I've got $4,087 worth of ammo that cost me $1,086.74 for another $3,000.26 savings. So, just those 2 calibers alone total over $5,700 in savings over commercial ammo costs. Yes, the components were bought years ago and today's prices would be higher but those savings also don't count the additional thousands of dollars saved in ammo costs for the rounds I've already shot in those two calibers either. So, I ask you, Is reloading worth it? HELL YES!!! |
|
Good points.
Yesterday I was loading 223 with funshow 55 gr FMJBT's I paid $10 per 500. Tac I paid $10 a pound. And it's a fun hobby. The Arfcom saying goes, "buy it cheap and stack it deep". The trick is to know when todays price is "cheap". Go back a few years, remember paying $10 per k for primers? |
|
I last bought bulk when:
-Small pistol primers were $68 per 5,000 picked up at the gunshow, and -147 grain FMJ pistol bullets were as low as $41 per 1000. This was around 2005. Had 2 kids & just getting back into reloading; hope the old stock of supplies holds out for a while! |
|
Quoted: Good points. 55 gr FMJBT's I paid $10 per 500. Tac I paid $10 a pound. The Arfcom saying goes, "buy it cheap and stack it deep". The trick is to know when todays price is "cheap". Go back a few years, remember paying $10 per k for primers?  Back when I was shooting PPC I used to buy cases of primers dirt cheap from a retired officer who sold supplies for PPC shooters, I can't remember now how much I paid for them, but they were in boxes marked "Not for retail sale", they were for use by commercial reloaders only, plain white boxes, I think I was buying them for $5 or $6 per hundred. I also got Star HBWC bullets in boxes for Star reloaders, the bullets were in plastic tubes meant to be used in Star loaders, I think there were 3200 bullets per box, very cheap, it was part of the deal that you returned the plastic tubes so they could be reused. A lot of the time I was going through a case, or sometimes more per month, I had to practice A LOT! |
|
Yep, 150grn Winchester 30-06 SP are $18.97 a box at Walmart here. I duplicate that load using Win cases, Win primers, Win 760 powder, and Hornday #3031, 150grn SP bullets for 31¢ per round. That's a whopping $6.20 per box or less than 1/3 the price of the Winchester ammo and that's using all 1st quality components purchased within the last 30 days (the cases were once fired [I watched them] and collected for free). However, it's easy to find '06 and 308 brass at our range just before hunting season. |
|
Quoted:
I really need to set down and figure out my savings but I am quite sure I am saving money as my 9MM 124g rounds are at $10.00 per hundred and my .308 and 30.06 are running approx $40 per hundred Match ammo or premium hunting rounds and obscure calibers are where the enormous savings are when reloading. Federal Gold Medal Match ammo for .308 usually runs about $1.50 a shot (or $150 per hundred to keep the math simple), reloading drops that price to $30-40 per hundred. That's a whole lot more shooting for the money. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I really need to set down and figure out my savings but I am quite sure I am saving money as my 9MM 124g rounds are at $10.00 per hundred and my .308 and 30.06 are running approx $40 per hundred Match ammo or premium hunting rounds and obscure calibers are where the enormous savings are when reloading. Federal Gold Medal Match ammo for .308 usually runs about $1.50 a shot (or $150 per hundred to keep the math simple), reloading drops that price to $30-40 per hundred. That's a whole lot more shooting for the money. Tweaking budget loads so they perform like premium factory ammo makes it worth every penny. |
| Although the cost is a big factor, I reload more to customize my ammo for accuracy and performance out of my guns. I'm not sure how much I would save if I factored in the cost of all the reloading equipment I have. Buying reloading equipment and components can get addicting. |
|
Ok, for those of you who reload, would you be willing to sell to one of us who don't for twice your cost ? You would make 100% markup, and we would be able to buy a lot cheaper than retail.
I'm stuck in a position now where I have to decide to spend a fortune on reloading equipment or a fortune on ammo..... Would be nice to buy reloaded ammo at 1999 prices and everyone makes out................ -Coop |
|
Quoted:
Ok, for those of you who reload, would you be willing to sell to one of us who don't for twice your cost ? You would make 100% markup, and we would be able to buy a lot cheaper than retail. I'm stuck in a position now where I have to decide to spend a fortune on reloading equipment or a fortune on ammo..... Would be nice to buy reloaded ammo at 1999 prices and everyone makes out................ -Coop It's illegal to manufacture ammunition for sale without the proper FFL. You really don't want to use someone else's reload for your guns. Loads are developed for specific guns. Plus I wouldn't trust 99% of reloaders, nor would I expect them to trust my loads. |
|
Quoted:
Not really getting the FFL for ammo thing, but I would trust most of the arfcom community.............  Not really anything to get, you cannot sell reloads with out a type 6 or 7 FFL http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/manufacturers.html#ammo-reloading |
|
Quoted:
My bad. Just never filled out an FFL form in my 40 years of buying ammo.... My point is there no one here licensed who would like to sell? Yes, but now you are on the verge of a COC violation. Buying, selling, trading are not allowed in threads. Much easier to shoot me an IM. 
|
|
Reloading as a cost savings is great. I can shoot my 45 for $44/1K casting and loading my own.
But the hobby part of it is what is the best. I'm never bored and always having something new to try out. Besides, there is nothing better than making and rolling your own. 
And when your done this 
|
|
Comparing yesterday's component prices to today's ammo prices and posting huge savings is sort of misleading. I know what you paid years ago is much less but it would have been the same if you stock piled ammo at yesterday's prices, and concluded a savings.
I bought surplus 308 (loaded ammo) in 2005 at 10 cents each, shipping included. Now you can't buy fired brass for that. Sort of misleading for new reloaders who didn't stockpile components years ago at much more reasonable prices. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade or anything but I read where one person would have liked to buy reloads at double the cost to us. That's getting into the range of what factory ammo is going for in my experience, buying the components at today's prices. I would just hate to read where someone started reloading thinking that they could reload ammo at 80% off retail or something like that when that is not the case. I can get maybe 50% off or so and that's worth it to me but it might not be to others who have less time on their hands. |
|
Quoted:
Comparing yesterday's component prices to today's ammo prices and posting huge savings is sort of misleading. I know what you paid years ago is much less but it would have been the same if you stock piled ammo at yesterday's prices, and concluded a savings. I bought surplus 308 (loaded ammo) in 2005 at 10 cents each, shipping included. Now you can't buy fired brass for that. Sort of misleading for new reloaders who didn't stockpile components years ago at much more reasonable prices. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade or anything but I read where one person would have liked to buy reloads at double the cost to us. That's getting into the range of what factory ammo is going for in my experience, buying the components at today's prices. I would just hate to read where someone started reloading thinking that they could reload ammo at 80% off retail or something like that when that is not the case. I can get maybe 50% off or so and that's worth it to me but it might not be to others who have less time on their hands. My latest "plinking" reloads, at today's prices- once-fired range pickup .223 - FREE 55gr. FMJ pulls - $54.99/1000 from Scharch Wolf SRM primers - $15.50 from Powder Valley 24.5 grains WC844 powder - $84/8 lbs. from Hitech That works out to 10.7 cents per round 
I'd say a new reloader could do just fine for themselves, even at today's prices, when I can load brass-cased, reasonably accurate (~ 2 MOA) .223 for $107/1000 rounds |
|
Like many here I have a stash accumulated over the last 20 years, and get a little teary eyed when I see the price tags on some of the stuff. Those days are gone, but for the patient and observant there are other ways to get stuff "cheap" even today. Watch for auctions. This past weekend I attended an auction of the contents of an entire gunshop. An accumulation of 50 years of stuff was sold off. Reloading components were sold by the box lots. I score about 7K primers for $60. Watch for estate sales. Sadly, some guys who were active shooters during the 70's and 80's are passing away, and leaving behind piles of stuff. It is an opportunity, and many times the family has no interest in the shooting stuff - especially things other than guns. Keep your eyes open, deals are out there. |
|
Quoted: Comparing yesterday's component prices to today's ammo prices and posting huge savings is sort of misleading. I know what you paid years ago is much less but it would have been the same if you stock piled ammo at yesterday's prices, and concluded a savings. That's true, however, I've found that components generally run close to 1/3 of the current price for commercial ammo so what I'm saying is that you can buy considerably more components to stock up for the same money than you can by loaded ammo. In addition, larger quantity purchases are the way to ensure the lowest price. Our club has put together bullets so large that we solicit bids from the manufactures. And, because you can buy in effect 3 times as much at a time, you can stockpile enough for future use and/or for lean times. Thus, you ensure a steady supply at the lowest possible price because you can buy when components are relatively cheap and avoid the need to buy when they are in short supply. For example, during the ammo shortage I didn't even slow down on shooting because I had plenty of components to tide me over. In fact, I still have enough components to last me a couple of years. |
|
Quoted: I really need to set down and figure out my savings but I am quite sure I am saving money as my 9MM 124g rounds are at $10.00 per hundred and my .308 and 30.06 are running approx $40 per hundred The only thing I reload so far is 9mm 125gr lead round nose, at a cost of $9.50 per hundred, so your number sounds good too. I went to Wal-Mart one day and saw they had raised the price of Federal 9mm FMJ from $8.47 for $9.47 per fifty. It made me so mad that I went and spent $1000 on equipment, and another $2000 on components. At this point I could detonate every 9mm I own with my reloads and still be ahead. |
|
My brother-in-law asked me about reloading some .30-30 rounds for him. I told him to buy the bullets and I'd teach him how to load'em using my equipment.
He got a box of 150 grain round nose bullets for $27/100 at Bass Pro (!), I have .30-30 cases out my ears as well as primer and powder. What he ended up getting was .30-30 ammo for about .29/round, which is a hell of lot cheaper than $18 for 20 rounds. I think he's either gonna buy his own set-up or will be using my gear a helluva lot more often, especially since my sister caught on to the cost savings! |
|
2nd example of savings at current costs:
Primed virgin LC 5.56 brass - $115/1000 at Pat's Pulled 62 grain Fusions - $114/1000 at RMR 25.5 grains Ramshot TAC - $125/8 lbs. at Powder Valley I've got "premium" hunting/SD/SHTF/barrier ammo for $301/1000 - them's M193 prices, not $0.60, $0.70, or more per round...
And I even used virgin LC brass! |
|
3rd and 4th examples using today's prices. 30-06 and 308 surplus ball ammo goes for 75¢ a round ($15 box) currently and inexpensive 150grn soft point hunting ammo goes for 95¢ a round ($19 box). 147grn Ball 30-06 or 308 Handloads: Brass: Greek 30-06 and WCC 308 free range pickup from our range - 0¢/rd Bullet: Surplus M80 ball, 147grn FMJBT - $133.75/K = 13.4¢/rd Powder: Win 748 - $150/Keg = 12.6¢/rd Primer: Win LR - $27/K = 2.7¢/rd Total: 28.7¢/rd vs 75¢/rd 150grn Soft Point 30-06 or 308 Hunting Handloads: Brass: Win and R-P free range pickup from our range - 0¢/rd Bullet: Hornady #3031, 150grn SP - $20.99/100 = 21.0¢/rd Powder: Win 760 - $150/Keg = 15.0¢/rd Primer: Win LR - $27/K = 2.7¢/rd Total: 38.7¢/rd vs 95¢ rd |
|
I figure my costs as follows:
308: Brass: New IVI Brass 300 per 1000 / 5 loadings per case = 6 cents per round brass cost Bullets: Pulled 175 SMK or MK 319 Mod 0 = 14 cents per bullet Powder: to conservatively estimate - 50 grains of 8208 XBR @ $150 per keg = 13 cents per round Primer: Tulammo 7.62 = 2 cents each TOTAL: 35 cents per round. Accuracy 1-2 MOA+. Comparable ammo price = $1 per round. 5.56 Brass: New LC Brass 110 per 1000 (Midway sale) / 5 loadings per case = 2.2 cents per round brass cost or Once-Fired Military = 40 per 1000 / 4 loadings = 1 cent per round brass cost Bullets: Speer/Federal 64 grain bonded bullet - 9 cents per bullet / Hornady 75 grain HPBT - 14 cents per / Hornady 55 grain FMJ - 7 cents per Powder: 25-27 grains TAC = 7 cents per round Primer: Wolf KVM223 = 2 cents each TOTAL: 17 - 25.2 cents per round. Accuracy 1-1.5 MOA. Comparable ammo price = .30-.75 per round. 9mm Brass: Range Pickups - FREE Bullets: Pulled 95 grain HP - 6.5 cents from RMR bullets Powder: <5 grains Titegroup - 1 cent per round Primer: Winchester SRM - 2.5 cents each TOTAL: 10 cents per round. Accuracy: Combat Acceptable. Comparable price .25-.35 per round. Total Investment in Reloading Equipment: Prefer not say. Pretty embarrassing actually. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok, for those of you who reload, would you be willing to sell to one of us who don't for twice your cost ? You would make 100% markup, and we would be able to buy a lot cheaper than retail. I'm stuck in a position now where I have to decide to spend a fortune on reloading equipment or a fortune on ammo..... Would be nice to buy reloaded ammo at 1999 prices and everyone makes out................ -Coop It's illegal to manufacture ammunition for sale without the proper FFL. You really don't want to use someone else's reload for your guns. Loads are developed for specific guns. Plus I wouldn't trust 99% of reloaders, nor would I expect them to trust my loads. What if one was to buy all the component's and have a commercial reloader load it ? |
Armory Sponsor