Today I sat down to figure out how much I spent to reload 1,000 rounds of 223. The total cost was $213.50. this included the cost for the bullets, primers and powder. The brass was given to me which I have been lucky over the years to have a free source for once fired 223, 40 & 45.
Now currently the average price for a box of 20 is around $9 at most places. ( Note thanks to Shoney for adding valuable input to this thread and catching the $ sign in front of the 20. )So if I had bought 50 boxes I would have spent $450. So I was able to save $236.50 which is just over a 50% savings.
However to that total savings I have to subtract $29 for a RCBS Swagging outfit, $8 for a shell holder. So adjusting that amount I still have a pretty good savings.
But what about the other stuff? Yeah if I had just started out I would have to include a Lee Cast Single Stage for $90, Dillon 650 equipped for the 223 at around $600 ( Mine is a few years old) RCBS Trimmer $90, RCBS Primer tool $54 and the list can go on. Lets not forget the new Hornaday LN and the equipment I am starting to add for that. When it comes down to it I have more than a few thousands dollars invested into my equipment for reloading.
By now I would guess my total start up cost would be less than a few dollars per 1,000 of rounds loaded. But if I had to go out and get everything I have at one shot it would be next to cost prohibited.
Lets talk about supplies such as powder, bullets and primers than that total can skyrocket pretty fast. I have over 12 pounds of powder, 15,000 primers and more than a few thousands bullets.
They say you shoot more when you reload I tend to agree. However when I think back to my pre reloading days I shot just as much but mainly used re-manufactured ammunition to save money. I tired to figure out if I was ahead or at least at the break even point when it comes to just the money.
To tell the truth I could find the answer.
Now currently the average price for a box of 20 is around $9 at most places. ( Note thanks to Shoney for adding valuable input to this thread and catching the $ sign in front of the 20. )So if I had bought 50 boxes I would have spent $450. So I was able to save $236.50 which is just over a 50% savings.
However to that total savings I have to subtract $29 for a RCBS Swagging outfit, $8 for a shell holder. So adjusting that amount I still have a pretty good savings.
But what about the other stuff? Yeah if I had just started out I would have to include a Lee Cast Single Stage for $90, Dillon 650 equipped for the 223 at around $600 ( Mine is a few years old) RCBS Trimmer $90, RCBS Primer tool $54 and the list can go on. Lets not forget the new Hornaday LN and the equipment I am starting to add for that. When it comes down to it I have more than a few thousands dollars invested into my equipment for reloading.
By now I would guess my total start up cost would be less than a few dollars per 1,000 of rounds loaded. But if I had to go out and get everything I have at one shot it would be next to cost prohibited.
Lets talk about supplies such as powder, bullets and primers than that total can skyrocket pretty fast. I have over 12 pounds of powder, 15,000 primers and more than a few thousands bullets.
They say you shoot more when you reload I tend to agree. However when I think back to my pre reloading days I shot just as much but mainly used re-manufactured ammunition to save money. I tired to figure out if I was ahead or at least at the break even point when it comes to just the money.
To tell the truth I could find the answer.
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