Reloading setup
- Thread starter Freddy
- Start date
Plant.One
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: skinney I just got the gist you were possibly thinking of getting into it for the cost savings benefit, nothing more. IF that's the case, easy answer is look elsewhere.
tbh - its times like this when the overall cost savings benefit CAN pay for itself in relatively short time.
with the elevated prices on stuff - especailly loaded ammo - if you can scratch components together at pricing that allows you to handload for 50% of market rate (which isnt impossible, just difficult) - it doesnt take a whole lot of shooting to "pay" for the equipment investment. especailly with high demand ammo or ammo that is several $ per squeeze.
if you can only save $0.50/round - a $60 set of dies "pays for itself" after only 6 boxes of ammo.
do that with a caliber that lets you save $1 a round.. and now its only 3 boxes and that set of dies is paid for itself.
perfect example - 6.5 creed that the OP asked about
midway has 156gr Speer FMJ's for $0.21 per (in stock - get em quick!)\
they also have barnes 120gr match burners for $0.34
if you pay $300 for a box of LRM primers thats $0.30 per round
$65 for a pound of H or I 4350 is roughly $0.39 per round
mixed once fired brass can be had for $0.53 per... (yes in stock right now)
so total cost even if you dont have any brass on hand and used the barnes... $1.56 per round. and $1.03/rd if you did. or $0.82/round if you managed to score some of those speers...
"normal/before" pricing for typical creedmoor is $1.25-$1.50/round
the cheapest Creedmoor on ammoseek right now is almost $4 a squeeze.
you can "pay for" a lot of equipment when you're shooting for $3 per round less than market rate is. even at normal rate for loaded ammo, paying jacked up prices for reloading components... you're still saving $0.45-$0.70 per round.
doesnt take a whole lotta trigger pulls to pay some equipment off at those kinda "savings"
tbh - its times like this when the overall cost savings benefit CAN pay for itself in relatively short time.
with the elevated prices on stuff - especailly loaded ammo - if you can scratch components together at pricing that allows you to handload for 50% of market rate (which isnt impossible, just difficult) - it doesnt take a whole lot of shooting to "pay" for the equipment investment. especailly with high demand ammo or ammo that is several $ per squeeze.
if you can only save $0.50/round - a $60 set of dies "pays for itself" after only 6 boxes of ammo.
do that with a caliber that lets you save $1 a round.. and now its only 3 boxes and that set of dies is paid for itself.
perfect example - 6.5 creed that the OP asked about
midway has 156gr Speer FMJ's for $0.21 per (in stock - get em quick!)\
they also have barnes 120gr match burners for $0.34
if you pay $300 for a box of LRM primers thats $0.30 per round
$65 for a pound of H or I 4350 is roughly $0.39 per round
mixed once fired brass can be had for $0.53 per... (yes in stock right now)
so total cost even if you dont have any brass on hand and used the barnes... $1.56 per round. and $1.03/rd if you did. or $0.82/round if you managed to score some of those speers...
"normal/before" pricing for typical creedmoor is $1.25-$1.50/round
the cheapest Creedmoor on ammoseek right now is almost $4 a squeeze.
you can "pay for" a lot of equipment when you're shooting for $3 per round less than market rate is. even at normal rate for loaded ammo, paying jacked up prices for reloading components... you're still saving $0.45-$0.70 per round.
doesnt take a whole lotta trigger pulls to pay some equipment off at those kinda "savings"
skinney
Director
Originally Posted By: Plant.One
doesnt take a whole lotta trigger pulls to pay some equipment off at those kinda "savings"
More often than not, it's going to take more than 100-200 trigger pulls per the initial OPs post, to get your reloading equipment at a break even point.
I understand your math, but logically thinking right now, for 100-200 rounds per year, does it make sense to try and find every available component at a higher cost, with minimal allocation and availability not only to retailers but to individuals as well?
Sure, absolutely if your me, I would... It's kinda dumb IMHO to have more than one 3-7K dollar custom and not fine tune it with custom loads. BUT, is that what we're talking about here?
Like I said earlier, I'm not trying to talk the OP out of it, it's the way to go, if you can find components, have the time, and funding... Unfortunately most don't.
doesnt take a whole lotta trigger pulls to pay some equipment off at those kinda "savings"
More often than not, it's going to take more than 100-200 trigger pulls per the initial OPs post, to get your reloading equipment at a break even point.
I understand your math, but logically thinking right now, for 100-200 rounds per year, does it make sense to try and find every available component at a higher cost, with minimal allocation and availability not only to retailers but to individuals as well?
Sure, absolutely if your me, I would... It's kinda dumb IMHO to have more than one 3-7K dollar custom and not fine tune it with custom loads. BUT, is that what we're talking about here?
Like I said earlier, I'm not trying to talk the OP out of it, it's the way to go, if you can find components, have the time, and funding... Unfortunately most don't.
Zastava223rem
Member
Originally Posted By: RustydustAn RCBS jr would be a fine choice in a press. Look for a good used one on ebay or Craigslist. Plenty of good YouTube videos that can tell you how to get started and what you need. When I started loading back in 1973 you had to learn as you went along. Not so much that way now days. Much easier.
You will not regret getting quality reloading gear to start off with.
Great advice right here. Picked up a used but nice RCBS JR3 about 12 years ago for $50 when I started loading, used it until about 2 years ago when I felt the need for a Rock Chucker IV. Turned around and sold the old press to recoup some money for $60. It loaded many rounds including at least six or seven thousand rounds of .223 and 5.56 loads
You will not regret getting quality reloading gear to start off with.
Great advice right here. Picked up a used but nice RCBS JR3 about 12 years ago for $50 when I started loading, used it until about 2 years ago when I felt the need for a Rock Chucker IV. Turned around and sold the old press to recoup some money for $60. It loaded many rounds including at least six or seven thousand rounds of .223 and 5.56 loads
yep watch craigslist I got a rockchucker with extra priming tubes for 45.00 and bought a dillion beam scale for 50.For years I loaded on a lee anniversary reloading kit.Not a bad deal and everything you need to get started.https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/lee-50th-anniversary-reloading-press-kit
Plant.One
Well-known member
good luck finding any press in serviceable condition for $45 right now. maybe a year ago.. but today? LOL
unless you know someone anyway like friend of the family or some such - a rock chucker selling for that rate online would be scooped up about 12 seconds after it was listed and resold by one of the a-wipes gouging for triple that (or more) because they're otherwise all but unobtanium right now for under $275 new or $150+ used (fleabay). theres one with a missing handle on there right now bid >$120
im not saying dont try - just dont get your hopes up.
unless you know someone anyway like friend of the family or some such - a rock chucker selling for that rate online would be scooped up about 12 seconds after it was listed and resold by one of the a-wipes gouging for triple that (or more) because they're otherwise all but unobtanium right now for under $275 new or $150+ used (fleabay). theres one with a missing handle on there right now bid >$120
im not saying dont try - just dont get your hopes up.