
I have flirted with the idea that I should be reloading, but I just can't see the point. It might make more sense if I was loading my own precision rifle ammo, but it just doesn't seem to be enough of a savings to me to reload handgun ammo.
A back of the envelope calculation, 1000 rounds of 9mm is about $200.
The cost of the components (rough figures)
$100 1000 Hornady 115gr. FMJ 9mm bullets
$25 1000 small pistol primers
$20 1 Lbs. Powder
So I could save $25 per thousand after paying off the press, table, and finding space in my house for all of this stuff. I have no idea how long it would take to reload a thousand rounds. Getting a better press will increase the cost of the press, but will make the process faster. I don't imagine that I could get more than 500 rounds and hour out of a reasonable home setup. All of this assumes that your labor is free (I guess you could say that if you can do $500 rounds and hour you are paying yourself $12.50 an hour to reload.)
I guess it is better than golf if you are looking for a hobby, but it doesn't really make sense to do this for purposes of economy. If you were shooting some exotic ammo, then maybe the price point would be right.
Joe writes on gun rights and political issues. He is also the host of Boomershoot. I have had the pleasure of meeting Joe on several occasions (but he doesn't know my secret identity) and you would be hard pressed to find a better patriot or nicer guy.
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