Cost Benefit Analysis

[doubled]

being new to reloading and precision shooting this site has given me allot over the past 8 months. I've been looking at Ken Lights BC 1000 annealing machine and have a question for some of your long time re-loaders.

Over the years, and with the cost of brass, have you realized a true cost benefit for investing in a machine to anneal the cases to elongate their life vs. disposal and repurchase after X loads? Based on my reading and searches it would seem the BC 1000 would have a good ROI after a while but don't have the time and materials to substantiate that assumption.

I've put about 1000 rounds down the tube in 7 months and figure that rate of shooting will remain consistent or slightly elevate as I get confident enough to get involved in matches, etc...

 

[memo43]

Re: Cost Benefit Analysis

I have used the Ken light machine and was impressed with how fast and accurate it is.
I would go the alternate route of just purchaseing a torch at wally world. Especially if you are just starting off. This way you can spend your money on companents and at the same time set aside for the Ken light in a few years.
just my 2 cents

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Cost Benefit Analysis

Depending on what you shoot. Service Rifle, F-class, Long Range, etc. Annealing is also about controling neck tension. I shoot with F-Class shooters who anneal after loading twice, every other loading.

 

[doubled]

Re: Cost Benefit Analysis

Thanks guys.

I'm shooting mostly 500-1000 yards, would like to get into some of the matches as i get better and would be a worthy competitor. I'm trying to balance out the cost of brass vs. the machine since it seems I can get anywhere from 3-5 shots of brass-life without annealing and 5-15 shots of brass life with annealing (based on internet searches, not real-life experience)

Pushing .308 loads at about 2650 FPS so they are not super hot... Mostly winchester brass now and will end up buying Lapua as I replace what I have now and over time. I don't mind spending the money on the machine especially if it really does "pay for itself" which is the part I am trying to figure out mathematically.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Cost Benefit Analysis

I think you also have to look at the amount of brass prep you do. If you turn necks or perform other time-intensive operations on your brass (case head squaring, sorting, etc.), you will have to do that a lot less often, which is a big time savings.

It is also going to depend on the brass... after neck splits, loose primer pockets are next, and that varies by brand of brass with Federal FC being the worst culprit.