Re: Reloading worth it?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1SMALLJOHNSON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have run numbers for 9mm, .45, .223, .308 and 12 gauge. When you take into account shipping costs (Hazmat fees, drop ship fees, regular shipping)... or paying retail for reloading components at a local mom-n-pop, the numbers don't add up. Makes no economic sense to reload.
</div></div>
Compared to Federal American Eagle, my reloads are far far cheaper for 45 ACP and a bit more accurate. As a matter of a fact, I got my Dillon 650 XL for Christmas and I am darned close to paying it off, which includes the dies. The break-even point is about 5,500 rounds. For pistol, that is really not a lot.
BUT... yes, you have to be smart and buy the primers and powder at the same time to reduce the HAZMAT fee and you have to consolidate vendors to reduce shipping, but it can be done and done for cheaper. Also, I am using LSWC as opposed to the hardball, which is a jacketed bullet and more expensive.
There aren't a lot of manufacturers who do LSWC. All I can say is that I am saving money and if you say you are running the numbers, I would like to see them.
I get (including shipping and taxes)...
$.088 for the bullet
$.008675 for the powder
$.031 for the primer
For brass, I am calling that free because I am using the old American Eagle brass and I pick up stuff at the range (something I don't do with rifle brass).
This comes to $.128 per loaded round. I dare you to find a source for 45 ACP even close to that. American Eagle is $.40-ish a round if you buy by the case. The savings is dramatic... but you have to be shooting thousands of rounds in a year, which I do easily.
For those who are low volume shooters, of course, reloading makes no sense. But that is kind of a given.