Reloading

Hog On Ice - Reloading

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.