How much shooting does one need to do before reloading starts saving you any money? Or does it really save any money, is it mostly just hobbying? This would be for shot shells, both 12 and 410 gauge. I plan on trying to shoot a couple boxes or so of each every couple weekends with my son this spring/summer/fall (we finally got a place to throw some pigeons!).

I know that the 12 ga shells are fairly inexpensive, but his 410's are anywhere from $7-8 a box.

Thanks for any info!

Jeff

 

I've been reloading (.45 ACP and .38 Spl) for a number of years (I'm a bullseye competitor). It definitely saves money. A box of commercial match-grade .45 can run $25 to $30 and I may use 4 boxes in a match. I can reload the same box for around $4.00. Startup cost is kind've high depending on the reloader you buy, but after that you'll definitely save.

 

if your just going to shoot every other weekend and only shooting a couple boxes of shells each your looking at maybe $20 a trip ...so thats like 480.00 a year ...a cheap shotgun reloader is around $100 to $125 .......but LEE makes a reloader called a LOAD ALL for $35.00 but they dont make one for the 410 which depending on your sons age and size I would get him a 20 guage. you will have a little more $ in your shot,primers,and powder but if you have just started shooting and get hooked on it those 2 boxes will turn into 6 or 8 real quick so you might want to invest in a reloader

 

Thanks for the advice! I can definitely see moving him up to a 20 ga. in a couple of years. I didn't realize that centerfire ammo could be reloaded that cheap, I was thinking 10-12 cents / round. That just added fuel to my contemplation of a .22-250 or .243 purchase in the future. "But honey - I'll be saving money!!" Sure is an addictive sport, isn't it?

Any idea on reload cost/shell for shotguns? I still remember when I thought ... "an 8-gun cabinet will be PLENTY big enough for what I would ever need ..."

Thanks!

Jeff

 

There are a couple of caveats to what I said about the cost of reloading. First, rifle ammunition is going to be more expensive (more powder, brass costs more, etc.). More significantly, nearly all centerfire rifle ammo uses a jacketed bullet, and these cost quite a bit more than the cast lead bullets I use for my bullseye pistol loads. I buy them in bulk and they're only maybe a nickel apiece - jacketed bullets might be 5 times that expensive or more.

 

I have frequently heard the opinion that a 410 can be a poor gun to learn with - its small pattern makes it more difficult to hit clay birds, and can easily discourage youngsters who are just getting into the sport. However, it depends on the kid involved. Sometimes the "difficulty factor" just makes them more determined.

My brother's kids (5 so far) can shoot any of his guns whenever they feel they are ready. His middle daughter shot his 12ga when she was just 6. She's about 13 now, and favors his Marlin 22, but doesn't hesitate to shoot anything he has, including his Bushmaster.

 

Hi Jeff

http://reloadingbench.com/hand.html

I believe if you read this link & the many links pointing to reloading in our Gun & Bow links Sticky up top. You will begin to see that todays handloader in general, has become a Handloader for accurecy as well as saving money.

With a box of Federal Gold Metal .308 costing a buck apiece I can still load a round ( With New Brass ) that will out shoot it, for well under 50 cents ea. When you shoot to win, or to gain 100 yards of distance for big Game hunting it's a win win hands down winner. Only Handloading can put all your Guns favorite components together in 1 cartridge.

It has been only in the last 10 years or less you could have a custom bullet to hunt with, if you bought your Ammo. Now some Mfrs are teaming up to give the Factory ammo buyer a larger choice, still small compared to the Reloader. Yet for true accuracy you must cut the outside primer pocket true and flat + the burr that gets stuck inside the primer pocket from being pushed through, not drilled thrugh they can be removed leaving a perfect V shape to ignite your powder. Floating bullet seaters for both rifle & pistol make sure the bullet flies true from the case.

The biggest advantage is developing a custom load for your Gun that shoots better than anything you can buy. I have never lied to a gun buyer, the gun is the cheapest part of the deal if you shoot.

In the last 32 years I have shot Thousands of rounds & I have never bought a gun save a .22Rf that I did not also bring home Loading Dies, Powder & Primers + 3 Boxes of Factory ammo as a test. Also as a warning I would never use Hand loads in a self defence gun or a new gun just in case I found a cracked part or parts.

Because the Gun industery can not know if you will be as careful as a longtime Handloader they jump to the ammo & not the gun if it comes up damaged right off. Courts & Lawyers are qucik to point out that you had created a Mankiller load, if you shot in self defence making you look like the badguy. That's ok get some Federal Hydra Shoks to carry, we can't load them & they are the #1 stopper, even Law Enforcement loves them.

Shotgun loading, I have done some Bird hunting & some 00 Buck on the Iron man course, learning Shotgun fighting courses. I never felt I would save enough $ to make it worth while, buying all that new equipment to load for the Shotguns. Maybe if I got into Sporting clays, it would look more inviting.

 

in regards to the post about the 410 being a not so good gun to start with .....how can you agree or disagree with that ....if a youth or adult either one has the intrest in firearms i dont really think it will matter which one they should shoot first .....granted i can see if you put a H&R 10 guage in the hands of a 65 pound kid he will probably end up with a broken jaw, a tooth or two knocked out and a dislocated shoulder... but if he has an interest he will eventually try it again.....on the other hand you could give another kid a .22 rifle to shoot and he may never shoot again. it is just one of those things if you like shooting... you like it, if you don't you don't. there really is no in between i have never heard of someone saying " oh shooting is ok" . it's either "yes i shoot alot" or "no i don't own a gun". So is a 410. a bad gun to start with I don't know my first shotgun was a 410. and i still have it. and there was an incident were I had a muzzleloader blow up in my face and I still shoot them......it depends on the person not the gun

 

here is what i have found about reloading shotshells. I can get a case of 12g 2 3/4" #8 (for dove, quail, target shooting) for about $30...thats 250 rounds. If I were to buy quality hulls, powder, shot, etc...my breakeven I calculated was about 3 CASES per year. so, if you plan on shooting 750+ rounds then you can save a few bucks by reloading.

FYI...my breakeven for reloading steel (for waterfowl) is a little over one case. so i reload steel but not lead.

 

Let's get something straight right up front.
You will not save any money by reloading. You will just shoot more...

www.trapshooters.com has a shotshell cost calculator.

Reloading is an extension of my hobby. I get a great deal of satisfaction from breaking clays, taking game and shooting little bitty groups with ammo I produced myself.

If you are a good scrounger you can cast handgun bullets from wheel weights. By shopping for powder and primer deals I load home cast 9mm for $3.50/100. I can only do that assuming my time is worthless. Seems I watch very little television these days. I am always at the gun bench in my shop.

Reloading is an adiction. Try it! You'll like it!

Maxi-Ball

 

If you are looking for reloading tools be sure to check out the flea markets, gun shops, pawn shops and e-bay for used equipment.

Let shooters you are aquainted with know you are looking. Sometimes guys are anxious to get rid of an abandoned press or dies for a gun they used to own. Start gathering loading manuals also.

 

Outstanding. Thanks a lot for all of the info and suggestions! I guess for now we'll just go along like we are, and maybe when we start looking at centerfires, I might think about it a bit more.

I guess it's kind of like homebrewing beer - yes, you CAN save money on beer by doing it, but I think the biggest advantage is like Marturo said - you can develop a custom load (or beer! ).

This forum sure has answered a lot of questions for me. Thanks to all the moderators and those taking time to post for other's benefit!

 

Hey Not Mrwizard............I'm from indiana too how about sharing some of that homemade brew.........we can do what hoosiers do best drink beer and talk about guns.........LOL

 

That's what happens to most of it - seems like I get a lot of visits from friends shortly after I make a batch! Supposed to be in the low 50's here in northern Indiana this weekend, hopefully I'll be able to get out and punch some paper. First time we've seen those temps since ... November??

 

I just got back in from throwing the ball for the Golden. We lost the ball & started Rabbit huntin unarmed of course, in Snow half way to my knees. What's going on, I thought I had moved South?

This is some crazy weather & I have RSO Duty on Monday. That is if I can get up the hill to the range. I can't rember missing RSO Duty ever, then in 1 Winter I have missed twice already, not counting Monday.

Have Fun Shootin, I know your warm weather is short, like the Snow & 20s, are for me I can't wait until Spring, Shootin Fever is a terrible thing to suffer.