Someone asked the time-honored "Should I reload? Can I really save money?" questions.
This was a comment thread that I was in - I think it answers a couple of questions and I'm going to make it a sticky here.
I reload .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .30-06 and .270 Winchester and have been reloading on a single stage press for about a year now.
For context - the comment that I was replying to stated that he could buy cheap .45 ACP for $18/50 rounds. I replied that I can reload better ammo for $7/50 rounds and can produce 100 rounds an hour.
I bought 1000 pieces of .45 ACP brass for $60 when I started. I reclaim about 95% of my brass when I shoot. Some days I grab other people's brass (after asking if they reload) and come out ahead. .45 ACP is a low pressure round, so you can reload the brass 50+ times. I'm set for brass for a long time.You are faster then all of the people I've talked to about single stage presses. You can do match quality ammo at $7 for 50? Cheaper then I thought. I assume that's reusing brass. I tried saving brass for my brother to reload. Lasted 1 box of ammo, and I chucked them all. Felt like a puppy chasing tennis balls.
Me? I value my time more then I value money. I'd much rather spend the $11 and spend an hour playing basement hockey with my 8yo son. I mean really, it's $11.
Sure it's only $11.
But if you shoot 100 rounds once a month that's a savings of $264 a year. That would pay for a single stage reloading setup right there.
If you shoot 150 rounds twice a month (about what I shoot) that's a savings of $792 a year. That's a new pistol right there.
Of course you are trading time for money. You do that every day. Do you grow your own food or buy it at the store? Do you change your own oil or go to Jiffy Lube?
Reloading is just another time vs. money trade-off.
I enjoy reloading. I get to play with the variables and find a load that works in my gun. And works better than the $18 stuff.
Reloading is not for everyone, but don't try and talk people out of it just because you think your time is more valuable.
Good for you if you think it's a better use of your time to play with your kids - I agree with you. But you could knock out 50 rounds after they go to bed once or twice a week...