So there's no saving in reloading? :shock:
Gee, I shoulda bought the box of 50 25-20 factory loads for $80 and not worried.
YEAH RIGHT!! Well, maybe where you live!! :roll:
Let's consider how things are in Australia where everything gunwise is freakin' expensive.
This is all or Aussie dollars.......or should we call them pesos?! :x
A box of 20 standard centrefire rifle rounds(
i.e. not .22 Hornet, .222 or .223) costs at least $22 to $25.
If you buy in bulk you could probably get you first 100 rounds for about $80(
if it isn't a magnum or something less common) so it's often not a bad thing to sight in that way and work up a brass supply in much the same manner.
Keep in mind though that if 8x57, 7x57 or a similar capable but anaemically factory loaded cartridge is your choice then those first 100 factory rounds are a waste.
You may as well buy components and start loading straight off.
But lets say $80 for the first 100.
The next 100 however come cheaper.
500grams of powder is about $35 but it'll load about 200 rounds depending on the cartridge so knock that down to $17 per hundred.
Bullets can be between less than $20(
cast) and up(
more than $100 for real premium pills) so lets say $35 per 100 on average & then there's primers for about $5.
So instead of $80 per hundred you pay.........
kerrrching!!! $57!!! :grin:
Ok, so that's only $23 saving but what about if you like shooting magnums or European cartridges??
Mmmm, those savings begin to mount.
Plus after 1000 rounds with factory ammo you've paid $800.
After 100 factory loads and 900 reloads you've paid $593.
That's $200 toward your next gun if you ask me.
Might even buy you a milsurp. :grin:
And if you buy 1000 primers at a time you save and if you buy bulk bullets you save and the same goes with powder.
The same doesn't really apply with factory hunting ammo even though it may with military stuff.
And how about much more accuracy out of your rifle?
And how about loading for it so its set up for the game you hunt?
Yeah, I've fallen victim to the "
let's play" fever too but I reckon I'm still ahead.
But once you've invested the capital all you need is a new set of dies the next time you buy a rifle of a different calibre.
If you're reasonably level headed about it there's still room to play and save if you ask me.
It also tends to placate the wife.
"
See honey I saved another $30 on ammo".......... :wink: :mrgreen:
P.S. .25-20 costs $30 for 100 brass, $5 for 100 primers, $30 100 for bullets and 35 for powder.....enough to charge 400 rounds!!!
So at $205 for 400 rounds instead of $640 for 400 factory loads, and that's when I can get the ammo, I'll be sticking to reloading.
