Reloading 9mm, maybe it is time.....

[AggieMM]

Well, with the ammo prices continuing to go up, maybe it is time for me to byte the "bullet" and start reloading.

Here is a financial view of reloading vs buying WWB (9mm), and how long it will take to achieve ROI (Return on Investment):

Reloading 9mm vs WWB

How does that look, am I forgetting anything?

Ryan

[phddan]

Looks to me like you skipped the scale and cleaner/media.

At those figures, it would only take 19,684 (rounded up) rounds to break even.
But you would be getting custom ammo to suit your weapon/shooting style, and the satisfaction of rolling your own. Plus you can deduct the brass after the first reloading since you reuse it.

And you wil need a puller, eventually.

Most reloaders don't count the initial investment. I know, that's not how its done in the corporate world, but for the hobbyist/enthusist they don't. You get the best reloading equipment you can afford, and Dillion is one of the best, and you start reloading for your specific needs.

Allmost all the reloaders I know, thought they were going to save money, but ended up shooting more ammo.

Dan

[longtooth]

looks good to me & my head inventory is still right on.
I am loading .45ACP right now & Have had the components for a good while. This will be the last dime a shot .45s I load.

[Mike1951]

I've always drawn the line at reloading 9mm.

It has been cheaper to buy 9mm practice ammo.

But lately, I find myself picking up 9mm brass.

I haven't bought my dies yet, but I'm getting closer.

[135boomer]

I've been reloading 9mm for about 20 years. I guess I just thought I should because I reload everything else I shoot. I don't load much of it because I hardly ever shoot a 9.

[age_ranger]

I recently started reloading and while I don't have a superfast monster reloader, I'm content with putting out a whopping 120 rounds per hour on my turret press. That figure varies with mistakes and my mood, but I find it very relaxing. Here's my cost breakdown:

Lee Classic 4 turret press $79
Lee 9mm delux 4 die set $25
RCBS 750 digital scale $95
LEE powder disk kit $30
Lyman tumbler $49
Lyman media for tumbler $11
Kinetic bullet puller $12
deburring tool $8
Dial Calipers (had already) -0-
-----------------------------------

Total $309


So far I figure I'm at about $.10 per round and I can load them as wild or mild as I want. Wife likes them a bit more tame than I do, so it works out well. My latest bullet purchase pus me at about $70/1000.

[stroo]

Your numbers look about right except I don't include anything for brass since I buy a few boxes new each year and reuse the brass. As far as the capitol cost, I only include the dies because I figure I have recovered all the rest of the capitol costs reloading 44 special and 45 acp.

Having said that, I primarily reload 9 mm because I find reloading to be relaxing.

[stroo]

My capitol costs are also a lot lower than yours since I buy most of my stuff from Lee. Lee is about a third the cost and with the volume I do holds up very well.

[AggieMM]

Thanks for the replies. One of my "traits" is that I have to justify to myself that something is a good idea before I do it. Looking at the numbers helps me justify it.

Ryan

[age_ranger]

Still being pretty new to reloading, I get alot of satisfaction reloading my own ammo. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to mark the cases so I know how many times I've reloaded them??

[phddan]

The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to mark the cases so I know how many times I've reloaded them??

A lot of reloaders just keep the boxes, bags, or buckets of shells marked with cheap stick on labels.

Dan

[jbirds1210]

I started my reloading adventure a few days ago......went out and shot my first loads yesterday. I have shot THOUSANDS of my Dad's reloads, but never got the satisfaction like shooting my own.

I am set up to load 9mm.

My Dad gifted me a Dillon press and most of the goodies that go with it Nothing fancy at all.....just an old Dillon 500. It should be fine for my needs and I will add to it as I see a need.

Jason

[stroo]

BTW, if I included the cost of my time, reloading anything wouldn't come close to being profitable. However, since I enjoy it a lot, I don't think the cost of my time is particularly relevant.

[nuparadigm]

I guess I'll have to start the 'ol 9mm factory again. I've been doing .45 ACP exclusively for several years now, but I've got an SDB already set-up for 9mm that's been sitting around doing literally nothing. Add into it about 4,000 rounds of brass that's also just been sitting around .... and I've got a project to keep me busy for a while.

[para driver]

I have an OLD Dillon 550B, like 1985 vintage.. still running strong after maybe 100,000 reloads of mostly 45ACP... 3-400 rounds an hour is nice and easy once you get the rythm..

look into the LEE taper crimp dies for autoloader cartridges like 45acp and 9mm