Is Reloading 9mm Ammo Really Worth It Anymore?

S

Shynloco

New member
Ok guys here's the deal. I've been reloading rifle ammo for a few years now and continue to do so. But, I recently gave two of my sons' a couple of my 9mm S & W's that I used as Duty Weapons in the past. But after retiring, I lost my inclination to even shoot the darn things. So they sat in my safe until my adult son's asked if they could shoot them. I did them one better and gave them a few. I then started reloading them which I found was a pain in the ars. And in fact, I was at Cabelas a few weeks ago and saw Herters 9mm on sale for like around $10 for 50. Since they only shoot to plink and nothing serious, I've kinda decided that reloading them isn't worth my time, effort or money. What say you?
Thx!
 
i reload just because its an addiction and it is also releases stress for me. it just depends on how much you get your supplies for and how much you value your time. if they plan on shooting 1000 rounds a year then it might be but if its only going to be shot a few times a year i wouldnt worry about it.
 
Excellent thought! My feelings exactly. And I know of the addiction of which you speak, but mine is for long guns. Can't ever get enough of that!
 
mine is too mainly for long guns but i do load for 2 pistols 45acp and 380acp. i shoot my rifles much more. and rifles is also less work.
 
I have only reloaded for my .357 revolver, and for some reason feel a little aprehensive about reloding for my 9mm or new 380. Those two seem to be more affordable also, so I just buy them.(I have not much interest for steel cased ammo besides for the AK)
 
im pretty cheap and i can load up 50rounds for about 5.50 bucks. the cheapest 380 ammo around my area is 14ish. so if i can load 150 rounds for what it cost for 1 box i will do it.
 
I am going to have to say yes simply because as far as I am concerned, shooting my reloads have always been more satisfying than shooting factory loads. I have lots of 9mm brass too so not too painful to load for at all. I can even get FMJ 115 grain bullets for $8 a hundred so counting the powder and primer it a pretty cheap load.

Sometimes, like for my .32 ACP guns, I can load way cheaper than the factory stuff cost so that's why I load for them. Reloading = shooting more and that's what I like. Besides, I will never be a millionaire so saving a few bucks by reloading just makes sense to me. Even something as cheap as the 9mm.
 
Originally Posted By: markleyim pretty cheap and i can load up 50rounds for about 5.50 bucks. the cheapest 380 ammo around my area is 14ish. so if i can load 150 rounds for what it cost for 1 box i will do it.

Yup. I can re-load for the 9mm about 1/3 of what I can buy them new. I actually have gotten rid of all my factory ammo for every gun that I have, except for shotguns.
 
Originally Posted By: UtahShooterOriginally Posted By: markleyim pretty cheap and i can load up 50rounds for about 5.50 bucks. the cheapest 380 ammo around my area is 14ish. so if i can load 150 rounds for what it cost for 1 box i will do it.

Yup. I can re-load for the 9mm about 1/3 of what I can buy them new. I actually have gotten rid of all my factory ammo for every gun that I have, except for shotguns.



Do factories load ammo?
unsure.gif


Seriously, I load all center fire cartridges for pistol and
rifle, and almost all of my shotgun ammo. I still buy
steel shot for waterfowl. Mostly because there isn't much
savings there, and it is my source of 10 ga. and 12 ga. 3"
hulls. About the only factory ammo I buy is .22 rimfire,
ammo to prove to a manufacturer that a firearms issue is
not related to hand loads, or shotgun ammo for hulls.

As for the original question, since I buy bullets in
quantities that make the UPS guys grunt, I can load
practice ammo for my wife's 9mm, for around $5. I teach
at a range, so brass is for the price of bending down and
picking it up, for practice ammo. Even with top of the line
component hand loads, for SD, the cost runs about 50% of
factory ammo, when compared to premium SD ammo. And I load
them on my single stage, with a powder scale accurate to
+/- .02 gr. My hand loads are better than factory.
thumbup1.gif


And as others have stated, I find hand loading marvelously
therapeutic. I must be stressed, as I started counting
rounds recently and came to a very big number. It has
been a long winter.

Squeeze
 
You know guys, after reading everyone's comments, I kinda think I just may have a bias against handgun reloading only because I REALLY enjoy reloading and shooting all my long guns. And I appreciate the cost factor consideration by you guys, but I have something like 500 9mm bullets of 124 gr bullets that I bought in bulk. And powder is no big deal because I'm only loading 5.2 gr of Winchester Auto Comp that seems to do the trick. But thanks to all for your thoughts nonetheless.
 
Shynloco, I've gotten somewhat like you since I retired and dropped out of handgun competitions...Even my stable of handguns has been steadily shrinking over the last few years..

Since I still have to qualify each Spring for my Retired LEO Concealed Carry Certification, and it only requires 250 rounds, I tend to buy rather than reload for the 9mm that I use..even though I have a bunch of components sitting in the cabinets

I have enough .40 built up that I can shoot for the next year and 10mm is about the only thing that I still get turned on with reloading/shooting, since I've gotten into the long guns..especially my ARs...
 
Actually I feel the same way about light field loads for shotguns. But since I've been doing this along time I guess I won't run out and buy any ammo.
 
I have never been able to justify loading for the 9mm. I did load for a .40 for a while and hated it. I'd rather use the time spent loading 9mm's for dry fire excersizes or (magazine)reloading drills. I'm not particularly fond of "hunting" down the brass after a live fire excersize either.
 
Originally Posted By: ackleymanReloads are MUCH more accurate compared to factory loads in my 9mm and 380!

Since you apparently are having fun and success reloading for your 9mm, I'm kinda of curious what powder you are using as well as the bullets. About 2 months ago, bought a 1 lb container of Winchester Auto Comp and bought some Berry 124 Gr Hp & RN bullets that were relatively cheap. These bullets aren't exactly match grade and so far I'm unimpressed, not to mention the desire is pretty much gone to even mess with the stuff. If it were for my sons, I'd probably give all the handgun reloading stuff away. But like I said, I'm kinda curious how you load to get that better than factory accuracy results. Thx!
 
And by the way guys,
I'm very pleased to read I'm not the only one thats has the BLAH's for this kinda reloading. I kinda doubt even Viagra would help this condition.
 
Originally Posted By: ShynlocoAnd by the way guys,
I'm very pleased to read I'm not the only one thats has the BLAH's for this kinda reloading. I kinda doubt even Viagra would help this condition.

I think that Viagra is best to be used when you are shooting really stiff loads.






Sorry. I couldn't resist.
 
Originally Posted By: RustydustOriginally Posted By: ShynlocoAnd by the way guys,
I'm very pleased to read I'm not the only one thats has the BLAH's for this kinda reloading. I kinda doubt even Viagra would help this condition.

I think that Viagra is best to be used when you are shooting really stiff loads.






Sorry. I couldn't resist.

LMAO!!!! Now that's funny right thar!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have never been able to save money by reloading. I just generally shoot more for the same money.

If you don't have a good progressive press I could certainly understand why loading 9mm is a pain. If you do have a progressive press and its still a pain, there is no help for your frustration.

My eyesight is not what it used to be so handguns with iron sights are frustrating to some degree. If you add a red dot sight to your 9mm, they suddenly become more fun when you can reliably hit what your shooting at. I have gone through a lot of Unique in my 9mm, 38 SPL, and 45 ACPs.

I enjoy reloading almost as much as shooting.

P.S. Does Viagra increase your velocity? It doesn't seem to flow well through my powder measure.
 
Quote:Reloads are MUCH more accurate compared to factory loads in my 9mm I'll agree with that statement...Mine are more accurate as well... I just don't shoot my handguns as much as I used to and for what little I do shoot in my 9mms, the personal reward for the effort just doesn't get me excited anymore...

I can take one of my 10mms to the range, go through a hundred rounds and have the brass reloaded the next day and feel good about it..
 
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