"Cheap" ammo anymore... ?
- Thread starter mrsilv04
- Start date
- Status
Not only has there been a run in the USA, but China is still modernizing, and has a tremendous hunger for copper, zinc, tin, lead, and all manner of other metals.
I was thinking of this today while driving down La Cienega Blvd. I was thinking of how much copper is in those wires alone. If you ever go to China, look at those crowds. I have been there. They all want cars, air conditioners, computers, nice homes, and such.
Demand is driving up the price.
I was thinking of this today while driving down La Cienega Blvd. I was thinking of how much copper is in those wires alone. If you ever go to China, look at those crowds. I have been there. They all want cars, air conditioners, computers, nice homes, and such.
Demand is driving up the price.
Nope no more cheap ammo. That's why you really need to learn to load your own. I have been reloading all my bullets for 25 years now except for shotgun and personal defense ammo.
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
Nope no more cheap ammo. That's why you really need to learn to load your own. I have been reloading all my bullets for 25 years now except for shotgun and personal defense ammo.
Nope. Just had a neighbor tell me last night that reloading supplies are just as scarce and nearly as expensive as well, and once you factor your time in... investing in reloading equipment would be a waste of time and effort right now.
His point was, I could invest in everything... but then if you can't get something like primers... then it doesn't matter.
I'm just going to give it some time.
Nope no more cheap ammo. That's why you really need to learn to load your own. I have been reloading all my bullets for 25 years now except for shotgun and personal defense ammo.
Nope. Just had a neighbor tell me last night that reloading supplies are just as scarce and nearly as expensive as well, and once you factor your time in... investing in reloading equipment would be a waste of time and effort right now.
His point was, I could invest in everything... but then if you can't get something like primers... then it doesn't matter.
I'm just going to give it some time.
I have been reloading for countless years. Use a progressive press and cast my own bullets. You can make compound bullets and the cost is less. You will not end up saving any money because you will shoot a lot more but it does give you more range time.
I use wheel weights with some Linotype in the mix and have a 20 pound electric pot.
If you have a good supply of brass that is a + cost wise.
For factory ammo you can still find some on various web sites - some at a fair price considering that ammo and shooting supplies have went up.
Some gun shops reload and you can get some pointers.
Dillon makes some great reloading equipment.
I use wheel weights with some Linotype in the mix and have a 20 pound electric pot.
If you have a good supply of brass that is a + cost wise.
For factory ammo you can still find some on various web sites - some at a fair price considering that ammo and shooting supplies have went up.
Some gun shops reload and you can get some pointers.
Dillon makes some great reloading equipment.
I've have yet to get into casting. Too much effort, it seems to me (YMMV). It might not make much sense to reload 9mm, as I suspect WWB isn't much more than materials costs (assuming you reload FMJ at home). 38spl and others, there can be a significant cost savings, even if you don't cast.
I think you can get into reloading around the $100 mark, give or take. I do revolver, and don't shoot that much, so a simple setup might be:
-Reloading block, $5 or so, can make from scrap wood.
-small press. I have the Lee small press, 90045 which is under $40. I also have their hand press which is similar price.
-scale. I bought a used RCBS for $25, I think the Lee scale is about that new.
-dies. Bought mine used for $20, I think they are around that new.
-primer pocket cleaner. $3?
-something to seat primers. $10?
-A powder throw is strong recommended, but you can make powder scoops out out of scrap brass cases.
-a brass tumbler is nice, and I hope to have one someday--but for revolvers, the brass can be kept cleaner as it's not hitting dirt.
Ok, call it $200. For me, 38spl runs about 33c/rnd, and I figure I'm reloading at about 14c/rnd (10c per hard cast bullet, 2.6c/primer, maybe 1c of powder). At 19c/rnd savings I had to reload less than 1,100 rounds to break even.
Plus, I do enjoy reloading, to some extent. It also helps keep me from shooting too much (geez, do I have to reload *again*?).
I think you can get into reloading around the $100 mark, give or take. I do revolver, and don't shoot that much, so a simple setup might be:
-Reloading block, $5 or so, can make from scrap wood.
-small press. I have the Lee small press, 90045 which is under $40. I also have their hand press which is similar price.
-scale. I bought a used RCBS for $25, I think the Lee scale is about that new.
-dies. Bought mine used for $20, I think they are around that new.
-primer pocket cleaner. $3?
-something to seat primers. $10?
-A powder throw is strong recommended, but you can make powder scoops out out of scrap brass cases.
-a brass tumbler is nice, and I hope to have one someday--but for revolvers, the brass can be kept cleaner as it's not hitting dirt.
Ok, call it $200. For me, 38spl runs about 33c/rnd, and I figure I'm reloading at about 14c/rnd (10c per hard cast bullet, 2.6c/primer, maybe 1c of powder). At 19c/rnd savings I had to reload less than 1,100 rounds to break even.
Plus, I do enjoy reloading, to some extent. It also helps keep me from shooting too much (geez, do I have to reload *again*?).
Originally Posted By: supton
I've have yet to get into casting. Too much effort, it seems to me (YMMV). It might not make much sense to reload 9mm, as I suspect WWB isn't much more than materials costs (assuming you reload FMJ at home). 38spl and others, there can be a significant cost savings, even if you don't cast.
I think you can get into reloading around the $100 mark, give or take. I do revolver, and don't shoot that much, so a simple setup might be:
-Reloading block, $5 or so, can make from scrap wood.
-small press. I have the Lee small press, 90045 which is under $40. I also have their hand press which is similar price.
-scale. I bought a used RCBS for $25, I think the Lee scale is about that new.
-dies. Bought mine used for $20, I think they are around that new.
-primer pocket cleaner. $3?
-something to seat primers. $10?
-A powder throw is strong recommended, but you can make powder scoops out out of scrap brass cases.
-a brass tumbler is nice, and I hope to have one someday--but for revolvers, the brass can be kept cleaner as it's not hitting dirt.
Ok, call it $200. For me, 38spl runs about 33c/rnd, and I figure I'm reloading at about 14c/rnd (10c per hard cast bullet, 2.6c/primer, maybe 1c of powder). At 19c/rnd savings I had to reload less than 1,100 rounds to break even.
Plus, I do enjoy reloading, to some extent. It also helps keep me from shooting too much (geez, do I have to reload *again*?).
Thanks for that breakdown, it helped to illustrate the big picture. My neighbor reloads, I might get the opportunity to do some reloading using his equipment... so that I could get a feel for it without the up-front investment in the equipment. I know that his son just bought a .40, so I'm assuming that he'll have all of the necessary equipment soon. :^)
Right now, I'm at an average of 38 cents a round for 40 S&W, all of it bought in 2013. My goal is to keep that under an average of 40 cents/round.
Any time that I can pick up a box of 50 rounds for under $20 a box (such as WWB, Remington, or Blazer Brass), I buy it. I know it seems silly to buy it when I don't need it yet, but what happens when you need it later and can't get it? (and that's what leads to our current trend of panic buying...)
I know, I picked a bad time to get in, but I can't change that now.
My neighbor has told me to keep all of my brass, I assume that he's going to teach me to reload using it.
I've have yet to get into casting. Too much effort, it seems to me (YMMV). It might not make much sense to reload 9mm, as I suspect WWB isn't much more than materials costs (assuming you reload FMJ at home). 38spl and others, there can be a significant cost savings, even if you don't cast.
I think you can get into reloading around the $100 mark, give or take. I do revolver, and don't shoot that much, so a simple setup might be:
-Reloading block, $5 or so, can make from scrap wood.
-small press. I have the Lee small press, 90045 which is under $40. I also have their hand press which is similar price.
-scale. I bought a used RCBS for $25, I think the Lee scale is about that new.
-dies. Bought mine used for $20, I think they are around that new.
-primer pocket cleaner. $3?
-something to seat primers. $10?
-A powder throw is strong recommended, but you can make powder scoops out out of scrap brass cases.
-a brass tumbler is nice, and I hope to have one someday--but for revolvers, the brass can be kept cleaner as it's not hitting dirt.
Ok, call it $200. For me, 38spl runs about 33c/rnd, and I figure I'm reloading at about 14c/rnd (10c per hard cast bullet, 2.6c/primer, maybe 1c of powder). At 19c/rnd savings I had to reload less than 1,100 rounds to break even.
Plus, I do enjoy reloading, to some extent. It also helps keep me from shooting too much (geez, do I have to reload *again*?).
Thanks for that breakdown, it helped to illustrate the big picture. My neighbor reloads, I might get the opportunity to do some reloading using his equipment... so that I could get a feel for it without the up-front investment in the equipment. I know that his son just bought a .40, so I'm assuming that he'll have all of the necessary equipment soon. :^)
Right now, I'm at an average of 38 cents a round for 40 S&W, all of it bought in 2013. My goal is to keep that under an average of 40 cents/round.
Any time that I can pick up a box of 50 rounds for under $20 a box (such as WWB, Remington, or Blazer Brass), I buy it. I know it seems silly to buy it when I don't need it yet, but what happens when you need it later and can't get it? (and that's what leads to our current trend of panic buying...)
I know, I picked a bad time to get in, but I can't change that now.
My neighbor has told me to keep all of my brass, I assume that he's going to teach me to reload using it.
Whether you reload it or not, keep your brass. You might be able to trade it off someday. I like to put it back into the same box; that way, I know how many times it's been reloaded (box has a piece of paper which I write down that info, plus load info).. Not a real issue for low pressure pistol rounds, but I believe it's a necessity for high pressure rifle rounds (which I don't reload), so, might as well get into the habit. [Brass that I pick up from the range goes into a different box, and is understood to be of indeterminate age.]
Lots of video's (and webpages) that go over how to reload. There is a book, The ABC's of Reloading, which is good and goes over all the steps, for rifle, pistol and shotgun. In fact, you can review most (if not all) of the equipment on youtube prior to buying--see how it's used, etc.
Just remember: you don't need to keep 22lr brass, as it's not reloadable (none of the rimfires are). Also, if you look down into the brass and see two small holes (as opposed to just one in the center), it is Beridan primed, and not (easily) reloadable. Some imported surplus ammo is Berdan (as opposed to Boxer) primed, and I believe the aluminum cased Blazer stuff is likewise Berdan primed. Everything else can be reloaded.
Lots of video's (and webpages) that go over how to reload. There is a book, The ABC's of Reloading, which is good and goes over all the steps, for rifle, pistol and shotgun. In fact, you can review most (if not all) of the equipment on youtube prior to buying--see how it's used, etc.
Just remember: you don't need to keep 22lr brass, as it's not reloadable (none of the rimfires are). Also, if you look down into the brass and see two small holes (as opposed to just one in the center), it is Beridan primed, and not (easily) reloadable. Some imported surplus ammo is Berdan (as opposed to Boxer) primed, and I believe the aluminum cased Blazer stuff is likewise Berdan primed. Everything else can be reloaded.
a tip i would give even when measuring every 10 or 20 to make sure power measure is still dispensing the correct amount is that when you have all of your brass loaded is to visually look into the cases to make sure they look alike, especessaly pistol loads as they have very little powder in them compared to high power brass
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
Nope no more cheap ammo. That's why you really need to learn to load your own. I have been reloading all my bullets for 25 years now except for shotgun and personal defense ammo.
Nope. Just had a neighbor tell me last night that reloading supplies are just as scarce and nearly as expensive as well, and once you factor your time in... investing in reloading equipment would be a waste of time and effort right now.
His point was, I could invest in everything... but then if you can't get something like primers... then it doesn't matter.
I'm just going to give it some time.
No way is reloading a waste. I can load a box of .38 specials for around $7 even at today's component prices. Even if I didn't save any money I would still likely reload. It opens up an entirely new hobby that I realy enjoy. There's a whole lot more satisfaction after a great shot when you loaded it yourself.
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
Nope no more cheap ammo. That's why you really need to learn to load your own. I have been reloading all my bullets for 25 years now except for shotgun and personal defense ammo.
Nope. Just had a neighbor tell me last night that reloading supplies are just as scarce and nearly as expensive as well, and once you factor your time in... investing in reloading equipment would be a waste of time and effort right now.
His point was, I could invest in everything... but then if you can't get something like primers... then it doesn't matter.
I'm just going to give it some time.
No way is reloading a waste. I can load a box of .38 specials for around $7 even at today's component prices. Even if I didn't save any money I would still likely reload. It opens up an entirely new hobby that I realy enjoy. There's a whole lot more satisfaction after a great shot when you loaded it yourself.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
