Is it much cheaper to reload 9mm?

[Rocdocta]

i am just getting back into pistol shooting but have never reloaded before. So including the start up costs etc is reloading worth it when using LRN ammo?

cheers

Chris

[No1Mk3]

G'day Rocdocta,
If you intend to shoot often, and lots, then it is certainly worth it. My cost is $11 a packet, (22c / rnd) I shoot roughly 3500 rnds / year.

[brett1868]

As above mate, depends on how much you going to shoot. I average 200 rounds a week and reload between 200 & 2000 a week (I load for a few friends). Cost on the large scale works out around 13-15c a round or less. If you're going to shoot a lot >200-300 a week then invest in a Dillon XL650 press, while they cost a bit to set up the return in time saved is massive.

[Oldbloke]

I rekon its worth it for the satisfaction of rolling your own

[Oldbloke]

I rekon its worth it for the satisfaction of rolling your own

[bluerob]

I'm shooting on average about 200 rounds of 9mm per week and find that its worth reloading.

Then you find a reason to load .357 and buy one or 2!

[Baldrick314]

Last time I did the maths I think my reloads were around 14c/ a round and factory was approximately 50c/ a round. Definitely worth reloading. You can get into it on the cheap side with a Lee Pro 1000, should be able to pick up a second hand press for close to $150 or $350 new (last time I priced one).

If you decide it's not for you then you can usually get good resale for your loading gear so I wouldn't be too worried about factoring the cost into the equation

[David Brown]

As above mate, depends on how much you going to shoot. I average 200 rounds a week and reload between 200 & 2000 a week (I load for a few friends). Cost on the large scale works out around 13-15c a round or less. If you're going to shoot a lot >200-300 a week then invest in a Dillon XL650 press, while they cost a bit to set up the return in time saved is massive.

OK, how do you do it that cheap.

I get projectiles at 10c each and primer is about 7-8c each, plus some powder at say 2c a round, that is 19-20c per round.

I do batches of 1000 at a time

[brett1868]

As above mate, depends on how much you going to shoot. I average 200 rounds a week and reload between 200 & 2000 a week (I load for a few friends). Cost on the large scale works out around 13-15c a round or less. If you're going to shoot a lot >200-300 a week then invest in a Dillon XL650 press, while they cost a bit to set up the return in time saved is massive.

OK, how do you do it that cheap.

I get projectiles at 10c each and primer is about 7-8c each, plus some powder at say 2c a round, that is 19-20c per round.

I do batches of 1000 at a time

Admittedly my costs are not readily achievable by the average guy as I own a Pty Ltd Company, hold NSW Police Ammunition Purchase and Sell Permit and buy in bulk at dealer wholesale prices. Powder in 4-8kg lots, Projectiles in 5000-10,000 lots, Primers in 5k-10k lots and once fired used brass in 10kg bags. I pay cash or direct deposit and leverage this to negotiate a discount as the seller doesn't have to pay C/C, PayPal fees or hold an account for me. If you want the best prices then you have to be the best customer by knowing exactly what you want, paying cash up front and being reasonable around lead times.

I reload the below rounds on a regular basis. Pistol rounds and rifle up to .223Rem are done on a Dillon XL650 which is brilliant and I've got a 2nd one due next week. Rifle is done the old fashioned way on a RCBS single stage press though I use a pair of RCBS charge master powder throwers when loading the bigger capacity rounds.
Pistol - 9mm, 357Sig, 357Mag, 38Super, 38Spl, 44Mag, 45ACP, 460S&W Mag
Rifle - 17Hornet, 204Ruger, 223Rem, 22-250Rem, 257WbyMag, 30-30, 303Brit, 308Win, 300WbyMag, 300WinMag, 338LapMag, 375Cheytac, 416Barrett,45-70, 50BMG

[Rakk]

I average 200 rounds a week and reload between 200 & 2000 a week (I load for a few friends).

Before you said friends, I was going to ask how many rooms the stockpile was filling

[David Brown]

I think I need to spend a few days just hanging out with you Brett…….I reckon my little sponge brain could soak up a heap of stuff!

[brett1868]

I think I need to spend a few days just hanging out with you Brett…….I reckon my little sponge brain could soak up a heap of stuff!

Not sure there's much to learn from me apart from 106 ways to kill and skin a project manager or piss away money at the speed of light

[David Brown]

They are skills too. Do not put yourself down

[Hollywood]

I made up a little reloading calculator in Excel, you just enter the cost and package quantity of the consumables and your intended powder charge.

If anyone wants a copy, here's a link to my Dropbox folder where you can download it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qx02amlb5at330p/Reloading%20calculator.xlsx?dl=0

[Carter]

Assuming you shoot a lot, as most pistol shooters do, it's a lot cheaper if you have the time.

I don't think I know of anyone here or at local ranges that competes seriously with factory ammo.