I'm looking into getting into reloading. My main reasoning is that I have a K31 and that ammo is expensive so reloading makes sense. What I'd really like to know is if it is economical to reload 9mm plinking ammo. The cheapest I have seen lately is $11 for 50 from indpendence. So can plinking ammo for cheaper than I can buy it if I already have the press and associated equipment?
Considering how often the question of "which .22lr is best?" gets asked, I figured I'd put my answer in the sig line. CZech 'em out.
The science of "knockdown power": Thar be dragons!
Whatever happened to deck guns?
Absolutely.
Brass is pretty much free if you scrounge range brass. The bullets are as cheap as any, although expect to buy 1000 to 4000 at a time to save money, it uses small powder charges. The possibilities are endless when you reload. Jacketed, plated, cast, cast your own, lots & lots of fun.
Don't buy a gazillion dollar set up to start, and you will reap the rewards fairly soon.
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The Socialists told us long ago that since they could not beat us with force, that they would destroy us slowly from within. So far it is working pretty well. - Think 2010
Same story every day, reloading is only worth it if you have the time and inclination to reload. Nothing more nothing less. With Wally World running about 200.00 or so per K of 9mm with tax for the Blazer brass...
The raw materials would run in the neighborhood of 100 bucks if you buy in bulk, and that is where the savings add up. Plus if you can shoot lead bullets that will decrease the costs even more! I suggest you invest in a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. Read it cover to cover and then take notes....then decide if this is for you.
here is a breakdown I did for 1000 rounds of 9mm:
Berrys 115gr rn - $70.00
1 lb Unique $15.20
1000 WSP primers $27.50
1000 new brass $160.00
I figured reload the brass 10 times
cost per round is $0.127
The way things are right now I don't think you will find 9mm for much less than $0.20/rd
the above does not use the full pound of powder
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Location - Mt. WhereinthehellamI? Utah
If you have the time, reloading is a good hobby to enjoy, I've been loading for two or three years now and enjoy it enough that I purchased a LocknLoad AP to make the bench time more efficient for high volume shooting.
Also, buying certain Hornady products by year's end will land you some free bullets from Hornady. This was a driving force in this purchase for me. From 171.30 to 297.30 per Hornady's redemption form in front of me. That is a very significant rebate on a ~$400 purchase, over 68% including the shipping costs charged.
You can get 1, 5 or 10 boxes of bullets of your choice.
And that includes several presses to choose from offered in the free bullets program if you lack one.
Last edited by jeepmor; November 30th, 2008 at 07:48 PM. Reason: grammar
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
Oh, I am certain I would enjoy reloading. I already do. I have a friend who has a small apartment and so he keeps his reloading setup in mine. I will be moving soon so I will have to get my own.
I know enough about reloading to get started, just wanted to make sure 9mm was economical. Thanks for your help everybody.
Last edited by retgarr; November 29th, 2008 at 08:05 PM.
Considering how often the question of "which .22lr is best?" gets asked, I figured I'd put my answer in the sig line. CZech 'em out.
The science of "knockdown power": Thar be dragons!
Whatever happened to deck guns?
Man, I bought 7K of once fired brass for 160 bucks delivered this summer. Buying new brass for magnum revolver, but not for an auto loader as they chuck the brass all over! You will never get them all back.
I bought my last 1000 rds of 9mm from a reloader, for 80 bucks less then walmart. I'm sure he is turning a profit, and able to do it for almost half the price. But he probably buys by the pallet.
Last edited by WhoUtink; November 30th, 2008 at 11:32 AM.
Reloading is about using better ammo, not the price. Mind you, loading cast bullets is relatively inexpensive. 3.5 grains of Bullseye with a 121 grain Truncated Cone bullet works well out of my Inglis BHP.
I reload 9mm for practice shooting. I'm running about 14-16 cents/rd buying in moderate quantities. That will go down to 10-12 cents/rd when I buy replacement supplies in bigger quantities, via mail order.
Lately, on sale, I can get Remington UMC 9mm ammo at 16 cents/rd ($8 per 50rd box) when I buy a case. So I'm not saving much. However, I do enjoy it, and my most recent range trip had me getting better groups with my reloads than the UMC. Chance or inherently better ammo? I'm not sure yet - a couple more trips will help me figure that out.
Basically, 9mm ammo is the ONE cartridge where factory ammo is not significantly more expensive than reloads. However, if you shoot any other handgun caliber, the difference is far greater. I also shoot .357mag and can reload it for 12-16 cents/rd, while factory ammo is running 40 cents/rd. I haven't shot factory .357 ammo in about a year.
My 9mm reloads cost me $.0993 right now or $4.97 / 50 and $99.32 / 1000. $0.0096 of 231 powder,$0.0231 primer and $0.067 Bullet. I don't count the brass because after reloading it so may times its paid for itself, and how do you count the extra brass picked up that is left behind by someone else.
Like I have said time and time again, reloading only works if you have the time and inclination. People can find excuses to pooh pooh any idea! Just cause that is their view point! But, if you want want tailor you ammo to your gun and to lessen the costs of shooting x number of rounds! Buying stuff in qty is what pays off so to speak!
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