Is reloading a profitable hobby? What is the best equipment for it?
Friday, February 19th, 2010 at
7:45 am
I’m interested in reloading, and I have some questions if it’s a worth while investment. Also, what is the difference in presses? Cases… ect.
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Tagged with: Best • equipment • hobby • Profitable • reloading
Filed under: Worth While Investment FAQ
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Profitable? Well, you can’t actually profit from it, as you can’t manufacture ammo to SELL, without special liscensing.
Can it make doing a lot of shootin’ much easier to afford?
That it can do. After your initial investment, that is. Unfortunately that initial investment could cover the cost of a lot of ammo. Maybe a couple of guns as well.
Then there is the hours and hours of careful measuring, re-measuring, re-sizing, weighing charge after charge, priming, seating, more measuring,….
This, unless you are only loading a couple dozen rounds for your sniper rifle, gets real old,
real quick.
It’s a lot of work for a savings of 30% or so.
Some folks love it.
Some folks swear by it.
More folks swear AT it though.
That’s why there’s so much used reloading equiptment at gun shows.
First of all, if by “profitable”, you are asking if you can make money selling your reloaded ammo, be aware you will need a Federal Firearms License to do so.
I’ll try to keep this simple and short.
There are two types of reloaders, single stage and progressive.
There are four steps to reloading. Deprime and resize the case, dump powder in the case, seat the bullet in the case, crimp the case. Each of these steps requires a different “die” (the device that performs the step)
A single stage reloader means you are doing each step as a separate operation, changing the die in the reloader to do so.
A progressive reloader has a platform that holds all three (or four) of the dies. A rotating plate moves the case to each die and a pull of the reloading press handle performs the operation.
I have been reloading since 1980. I use a Dillon 550B progressive reloader. I can crank out about 50 rounds every 10 minutes if I want.
You can save quite a bit of money reloading your own ammo, my press paid for itself in less than a year.
I can load 50 rounds of 45acp for about five to six dollars. That same box of ammo costs about $25.00 in the store.
Get yourself a good reloading manual for the caliber(s) you want to load for.
It looks confusing and complicated when you first start, but actually it is a simple process.
Have fun. . .
You cannot sell ammo personally. It also depends on what you’re reloading. If it’s shotgun shells for skeet, you’re wasting your time. You can get a box of 71/2 or 8 shot for less than five bucks in some places. If you’re reloading heavy rifle cartridges (I’ve got a .45-70) and you shoot a lot, it may be worth your time.
Wow that there is one can of worms!
How do you mean worth it, that’s both yes and no.
Is deer hunting worth it, have you ever set down and added it all to gather, the time, the weapon, the clothes, the tree stand, ect ect ect.
You could cut corners, you don’t have to have a Nikon or Leupold scope, you could use a compass and save from buying that GPS.
You hunt because it’s a passion, it’s not to get free meat or cheap meat!
Reloading has two faces, 1 you set out to beat that $10.00 to $15.00 plain Jane ammo, well you can depending on how much you are willing cut quality of components you could cut it by 30%
But that does exclude your time and equipment investment.
2 it about the quality, the smallest group, custom fitting the ammo to the gun.
I got two single stage presses one a RCBS Rock Chucker for my rifles and a Lyman Turret for my pistols reloading.
I don’t load 50 rounds every 10 minuets, 1 round at a time as long as it takes.
But in the end I no where that round will hit, and if it don’t I know it was not the ammo.
On the days I cant go hunting, I reload and cast pistol bullets.
It’s striving for the smallest group, it’s a hobby that help me relax and unwind.
I don’t reload like most people, I don’t nock there way it just was not what I was looking for.
I find that I am caught in the middle between normal reloading and bench rest reloading.
Most is in the components you buy and how you prepare your cases.
Note = we all adherer to SAAMI Standards, or I hope we all do.
Most reloads resize their case and trim to length and tumble then reload it.
Where as I resize my case trim to length, neck shave ( match neck wall thickness by shaving NOT reaming) Match flash holes size and deburr then cut all primer packets to uniformed depth then tumble and reload.
It sounds like a lot of work because it is, but it’s a one time process from then on that case when reloaded only gets neck sized (as opposed to full body sized) the length don’t get trimmed but once every 8 to 10 shots on neck sizing.
What matters to me is I see results, that what I wont, for no mass produced premium ammo will ever shoot with mine.
When I reload I don’t scrimp on anything, I use premium components that have proven them selves to me.
I use only Bench Rest Primers for my rifles CCI BR4 and CCI BR2 it cost me just 1 cent more to use them and to me that is a penny well spent.
I use only IMR or Alliant powder because it proved its self to me at the range.
I only use Nosler, Barnes or Sierra for hunting for the very same reason.
There are both cheaper components and more expensive components available but this combination of components have achieved what I am wonting.
I am not brand name specific on my reloading tools, I do have more RCBS then any other because of I like the way they perform and the lifetime warranty is nice also.
But I have Lyman, Forster, redding and lee also because I fell they did it better or easer in one way then the other.
For me it was all trial and error.
I don’t load Hot loads, I load for maximum accuracy and that is seldom a barn burner.
My 25-06 for example with a 85grain Ballistic tip running just a tad over 3000 fps loaded for my Sons bull barrel Encore, cuts a pretty consistent .350 hole on five shots prone off harris bipods and a heal bag at 100 yards, and if you consider the 25 cal projectile is .257 that good in my book.
That box of ammo cost me out of packet $8.56 per box of 20.
Federal Premium with 85 grain Ballistic Tip is $23.50 per box of 20.
That tax included in the prices a savings of $14.95 a box of 20.
On pistol 357 Magnum ammo using my own cast bullets about $2.75 a box of 50
If you buy 24 boxes to get the discount on 357 Magnum cast $12.50 a box of 50
Remember you reuse the brass so all your paying for is bullet, powder and primer.
When I reload I compete with who can make the best bullet more economical, not who can make the cheap bullet cheapest the over seas market will win hands down.
As for if reloading is for you depends on how much you shoot and if your in the market for a hobby that is interesting.
But to me it beats watching TV.
I attached a link that might help
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handloading
Nah. Maybe if you invested a few hundred K…. but no. It does save you alot of money thats for sure. I tried to find someplace that broke down the saving to a per round but couldnt. My guess is it could be as much a a dime per round. That adds up pretty fast!
I never shoot ammo that someone else loaded, unless I know and trust them or it’s factory. I have seen a few “banana barrels” and do not want to experience that myself.
Reloading is a great hobby, and you must have an inclination to meticulous detail. Do it for yourself….there is not much of a market unless you own a range and have free brass and a place to sell your wares.
You really do see a lot of savings when you reload. It’s not very significant at first becuase things like primers and powder can be expensive, but when I added how much I was spending by making one box of reloaded shells vs. what I was spending just buying them from the store I was saving about $2.00 a box. Which adds up to a lot. The reloading equipment really pays for itself in the long run. As far as reloaders Mec’s are very nice. I really can’t comment on any other brand because I’ve ony ever had a Mec. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort it really does save you money in the long run.
By reloading you can taylor your ammo to the gun. You will have to determine the weight and type of bullet to use and the depth to seat the bullet, the amount of powder to use as well as the type of powder, the brand of primer, and the brand of case for your most accurate round. Using a realoders manual and learning what you can about the caliber you want to reload, you will be able to produce very accurate ammo for your particular need.
If you would prefer to reload for plinking and want to save a buck you can start out with a single stage press. Reloading a lighter load can help you develop good shooting technique on a gun that would make your arm sore after one box of factory ammo.
If you want the most accurate round you can make, a single stage press is best. If you want to produce a lot of ammo quickly get a progressive.
Profitable? No. Rewarding? Yes! Stick with RCBS and Lee Precision for presses and dies. Lyman makes a great electronic powder dispencer/scale. Speer, Sierra, Hornady, and Nosler bullets with Remington or Winchester brass are good combinations. Sierra and Hornady reloading manuals are usually pretty consistent in giving me good starting loads to work from. The hard part is trying different components to find the perfect load for your firearm. And then some of us are never satisfied and always looking for even smaller groups. Its fun just to see how small your one-hole-groups can be if you experiment a little.
Good luck and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS so as not to put yourself or others in harm’s way.
Bound’s hubby here:
I can proudly say I have not only been reloading since I was 18 … I have only purchased 4 boxes of centerfire ammo in the past 31 years! Yes, I reload … and I am proud of it … it is an addiction I do not plan to break.
Do not even consider loading to re-sell. Between the licensing and the liability insurance, you will be losing all the way around!
I reload for many reasons … I can reload my ammunition for rifle competition more accurately and for less than what it would cost, and I can load lots of pistol ammo at great savings; therefore, I can shoot more!
I reload the following cartridges:
Rifle – .308 Winchester (Match & hunting loads), .30-06 Springfield (Match & hunting loads), .223 Remington (Match loads), .270 Winchester (Hunting loads), .45-70 Government (Black powder Match loads), .40-65 Winchester (Black powder Match loads) and .30 Carbine (General use loads).
Pistol – .38 Special (Match & general use loads), 9mm Luger (General use loads), .357 Magnum (Hunting loads), .41 Magnum (Hunting & General use loads ), .45 ACP (Match & general use loads).
Shotgun – 12 guage trap loads.
When I reload shotgun shells, there is very little significant savings, I generally save 25% of the cost of a box of shells … reloading shotgun shells is more a matter of convenience than anything else.
I see my greatest savings when I reload rifle and pistol shells. As a preface, for high power rifle ammo, I buy my powder and match bullets in bulk at Camp Perry during the Nationals … I save money! For pistol shells and black powder cartridges, I cast my own bullets.
When I reload pistol shells, I use a Dillon 550B, and can produce several hundred shells an hour. When I reload rifle shells, I use an older single stage RCBS Reloader Special press.
My reloads cost me, as follows (all prices for a box of 50 shells):
.38 wadcutters for about $0.60
.38 semi-wadcutters or round noses for about $0.95.
.357s with jacketed bullets … about $2.00
9mm Luger with jacketed round nose bullets … about $2.25
.41 Magnum (lead bullet) standard velocity … $1.50
.41 Magnum (lead bullet) high velocity … $2.00
.41 Magnum (jacketed bullet) high velocity … $3.00
.45 ACP Match (lead bullet) … $3.50
.45 ACP Service load (FMJ) … $6.00
Rifle Cartridges for matches (100 count):
.223 Remington … about $14.00 (Factory cost … $40)
.308 Winchester … about $18.00 (Factory cost … $75.00)
.30-06 Springfield … about $20.00 (Factory cost … $80.00)
I do not figure the cost of dies or the reloading equipment into my costs … for me, that is the price of a hobby.
What I do find, is that I can afford to shoot, and compete, more often.
Good luck!
Actually $130
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sounds like a good way to save some money, could you maybe use a drywall screw to pull out berdan primers or drill it out ???–I’m talking about .223–if using normal decapper in a die works for 762 then there is no reason to slow down and drill screw each primer by hand then
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You cannot sell ammo personally. It also depends on what you're reloading. If it's shotgun shells for skeet, you're wasting your time. You can get a box of 71/2 or 8 shot for less than five bucks in some places. If you're reloading heavy rifle cartridges (I've got a .45-70) and you shoot a lot, it may be worth your time.
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