Firearms owners: Do you pack/load your own ammo?

[MikeyPee]

I actually need to start with all the propositions that requires background check for ammo purchase in california. Anyone has a good place to start learning?

Effective in 2018 I believe. :frusty:

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[Rustang]

I reload and it saves a lot depending on the round. I can load a box of 50 of .45 for less than $7 when at the store it costs $25-30 so savings add up fast. It was less than $250 in equipment to get started not including materials. Adding calibers is just a $40 die set too. I pick up brass whenever I can which saves a lot of money too. Lots of forums to help learn, be safe take your time and its a cake walk, ammo is more accurate to. It takes time to load and can be a tidious so if you don't want to deal with that its best to buy. I do it while watching tv and enjoy it.

 

[Firepath]

I'm in Australia and I do.
When I used to shoot handguns a lot, I had a Dillon 550 press. Definately cheaper and more versitile if compition shooting or serious hunting is your thing. I handload for all my hunting rifles including .223, .243, .30-06, .416 ruger and .505 gibbs. I have to to for the .416 and .505 (which I sold a few months ago for mustang parts). Factory ammo is about $400 per box. I could load for about $2 per shell excluding brass.
A .243 for example down here would cost about $20 for a box of 20 factory loads. If I reload (using factory brass I've recovered) it'll cost me 30c for a projectile, 5c for a primer and about 20c for powder. 55c all up but the versitility and quality is far better than factory ammo.
If I was only plinking, having fun at the range, I might not bother reloading but target shooting and serious hunting, yep I do and will continue to do...

I'm also in Australia, shoot handguns and load with a Dillon 550.

I load mainly 9mm for savings. Here I think the cheapest 9mm is ~$20 per 50, and my loads (using Berrys plated) cost about $9.50, reusing brass. I save myself $10 for every 50. A guy at the range does casting and sells coated projectiles for cheaper than the Berrys, so once I run out it should get a little cheaper.

I load 30-30 too, similar savings with 150GN JFP loads (close to factory) and Berrys plated 150GN LFP for a plinking type load. I use the lead in lever-gun metallic silhouette for 50m & 100m targets and the jacketed load for 150m and 200m targets. I think it was costing $20 for 20 factory (more from the range shop) and the JFP are about $11.50 and the LFP are about $7.00.

 

[VinnAY]

Reloading is feasible economically to start with given you go with a single-stage press and you can def get started for a few hundred (or less) and there's absolutely no need to go with a Dillon 550, for instance, or other progressive style press.

I never gauge the costs and I treat it as a hobby, never factor in my time which can be substantial if you want to do that. If 5.56/223 would get down to high quality brass cased being .20/round I could perhaps stop loading it. But being that at last calculation i can load it for .13/rd, it's not worth it. There's a ton of cost savings in component selection, too.

And I don't think of it that you shoot more, I shoot more often, if that makes sense.

If you're not a DIY guy, work with your hands, treat it as a hobby, change your own oil, you'll never be able to rationalize it or make the numbers work to justify it.

 

[Excel]

i reload all my pistol rounds for target shooting with my Dillon 550
9,38,357,40,45...
but for self defense I leave that to the MFGs,HSTs

 

[Vicr]

I started reloading in the early 90's and haven't stopped. My reloads are cheaper, more accurate and custom tailored to my guns which most factory rounds can't offer.

 

[SJulian10mm]

I have a Dillon 550B, reload .38spl, 9mm, 10mm, .45acp & .45LC

 

[64Chevy]

I reload pistol rounds only--have two presses (an RCBS single station and a Dillon multi-station). I've keep track of all of my costs and have paid off all of my equipment, powder, etc. at this point (and I have enough saved brass and materials that any rounds I make, until I have to buy more stuff, are "free").

But as multiple previous posters have said, the big advantage is being able to tune rounds to the gun and/or the situation. Another advantage, if you live in a state where rounds are being restricted, is that those states may not have thought to track/limit bullet or other reloading supply items.

Another point is that you have to enjoy the process, and you have to be hyper-focused (both when reloading, and when shooting reloads). Double fill a case with powder and bad things happen, forget to put powder in and you have a bullet lodged in your barrel (if you don't realize this and fire again, really bad things happen). Lastly, the books I've read on self-defense say you should never use reloads as a defensive round (imagine the plaintiff's attorney saying that you custom built the rounds to be extra-deadly).

 

[Docscurlock]

I have reloaded some, for some calibers its worth the effort and expense, for others, not. I always carry factory HP loads when I pack.

 

[Aubrey]

I load for Fullbore (Palma Rifle) and F Class and buy pistol ammo.

 

[Hadelson]

Reload for NRA Across the Course, Mid Range and Long Range.

 

[Strokerswild]

No.

The only way I'd consider it is if I were doing some serious match/competitive shooting.

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