Has anyone done the math on reloading the 40 S&W ???

[krod47nw]

I was considering reloading for my Glock 23.  Has anyone done the math to figure out how much cheaper it is than factory ammo.  I am buying factory ammo for about $12-$13 for 50 rnds.  I would only reload for this one to save money as I don't forsee much of an increase in accuracy.

Kevin

[INresponse]

Kind of apples and oranges, but I reloaded my last batch of 9mm for less than 10 cents per round using Barrys Mfg plated hollow points.

OK, a quick bit of research for low dollar but reliable parts........

Berrys .40 155 grain plated flat points  $108.00/1000 = 10.8 cents per round

Winchester 231 powder, $120.00/8 pounds, @ 6 grains estimate per round = 9333 rounds total, works out to 1.2 cents per round

Primers about 3 or 4 cents per round (if you can find them)

total is you have your own empty brass is about 15 cents or 16 cents per round for good plinking ammo.  About $7.50 or $8.00 a box of 50.

[securitysix]

One of the easiest ways to save money reloading pistol ammo is to use lead instead of jacketed bullets.  Unfortunately, doing so in a Glock will cause a kaboom unless you swap the polyagonally rifled barrel with a traditionally rifled barrel. 

If you could use lead bullets, you could get 155 gr. lead bullets for $67/1000 from Tennessee Valley Bullet Company.  The same guys sell 175 and 180 grain bullets for $78/1000 and 200 grain bullets for $80/1000.  Since lead bullets are a no-no without the aforementioned barrel swap, Berry's or some other plated bullet is probably the way to go, and INresponse has already done the math on those, so I won't bother rehashing it.

[LaOtto222]

Bullets are your single most expensive component. If you are buying them at $20/100 that is 10 bucks a box just for the bullets. If you can get them at 10 bucks you are looking at $5/box. IMHO - You will need to factor in your reloading tools. If you do enough shooting, yes it is cheaper to reload. If you do not do a lot of shooting, then no your better off sticking with factory. What I am saying is if you shoot 200 - 300 rounds a year buy factory. It will take too long to recoup your investment. If you are shooting 2000 rounds a year; reload. 

[INresponse]

LaOtto222 is correct in suggesting not buying reloading equipment if you are only going to reload a few hundred rounds per year.  With that said, my shooting freqency jumped up considerably once I started reloading my own bullets.  That lead to buying more supplies and shooting more bullets.  A win-win situation.  At least until the family life took over, now I shoot a few hundred rounds a year.    

[krod47nw]

I should have told you that I am set up to reload, but not this cartridge.  I would need dies, that's about it.


Kevin

[Dand]

Since I load for quite a few calibers so had the equipment, already had the primers and powder, loading the 40 was a reasonable option. I can pick up brass at our range after the police practice which saves me $ there too. And at local prices, I do save $. My Walther will take lead bullets too.

[LaOtto222]

Kevin - If you are already set up for reloading and all you need are the dies - what are you waiting for? I suggest  a carbide sizing die be included in your set. You already know what it takes and where the expense is. If you are not sure look into a few of your manuals for likely powder and see if you have it on hand, if not, see what you can get it, order your bullets and I hope you already have primers. They are getting a little easier to get, but still kind of scarce. I placed an order for small pistol primers and small rifle primers back in May. I just called them this AM about another order (my bullets came in) so I asked them if they knew where I stood in line, they could not or would not give me answer. I just wanted to know if I was 500K down the list or 50K to get an idea how long I am going to wait. I want to get them where I placed the order, they are about as cheap as they get, with hazmat fees on 5K it works out to just a little over $30/K. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[mdi]

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

Try this