Breaking Even?

3851 Views 125 Replies 38 Participants Last post by RetiredRod, 3 d ago

TearlessTom

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

I have recently added .45 ACP to my collection of firearms and had forgotten how much I really enjoy shooting the 1911. I have also recently retired so I have a little more time on my hands so I was considering the possibilities of reloading. If I venture into reloading I will probable load .45 ACP and 300 Blackout rounds.

I have had a minimal of experience many years ago with my father as a teenager. I know I have a lot of studying and catching up to do.

I know the economy has been rough on all of us and reloading cost has gone up as well.

So My question is: Roughly, At current cost of basic or what you would think needed reloading equipment and supplies. Approximately how many rounds would be needed to be loaded to break even on the cost of equipment and supplies? I known prices vary a lot. I'm just trying to get a rough idea of feasibility?
Thanks.

Reactions: 2

101 - 120 of 126 Posts

longarm

· #101 · 15 d ago

Nitro.45 said:
😁 A hilarious visual just came to mind.....someone that will remain "unnamed" with a tipped over bucket of varnish, rags stuck all over the place and a brush glued to his forehead!!
I'll give you two guesses, and no, its NOT Gramps!

Reactions: 1

flechero

· #102 · 15 d ago

Twofinger said:
I asked a guy at the range who I know reloads a lot. Said Probably anyone saying pistol caliber can be done cheaper is either doing ton of volume (thousands per month) or using pre pandemic stock.

Your source is, well..... let's just say not reliable or just impatient. If all you load is 9mm and you don't shoot much- it's still cheaper but the breakeven in dollars isn't there is you are 80 or over. However, you can load better ammo, be insulated against the market and have an enjoyable hobby that saves you money instead of costing you money each time, like golf or fishing.

Shop smart and be willing to wait a week or so to find a decent deal on projos and you can absolutely find decent deals on all but primers. (call it $0.07 each) But even at today's prices you are still 25-40% or more under the cheapest store bought ammo. You can load for $8-$9/box.

Pick a different caliber and you are way ahead of the game.

Reactions: 3

Srgunner

· #103 · 15 d ago

Loading XTP hollow points is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying defensive ammo. Well, any hollow point for that matter.

Reactions: 2

fj40

· #104 · 15 d ago

Nitro.45 said:
Ha! I win, I win

Reactions: 3

Tearless Tom

· #105 · 14 d ago

fj40 said:

I hope that is not an actual photo...

Reactions: 2

longarm

· #106 · 14 d ago

flechero said:
Shop smart and

Reactions: 1

fj40

· #107 · 14 d ago

flechero said:
Shop smart and be willing to wait a week or so to find a decent deal on projos and you can absolutely find decent deals on all but primers. (call it $0.07 each) But even at today's prices you are still 25-40% or more under the cheapest store bought ammo. You can load for $8-$9/box.

Pick a different caliber and you are way ahead of the game.

This is very good advice. I try to wait for sales on components before I buy. Sales tend to be around the holidays so it is somewhat predictable.
Don't wait until you're almost out to replenish and have enough where you don't have to buy when the price is high.

I think we'll see primer prices coming down some more. Just need to be patient and prepared ( have funds to buy) when you find a deal.

Nitro.45

· #108 · 14 d ago

fj40 said:

That right there….dammittt….that’s funny….good jab! 😆

Reactions: 4

Nitro.45

· #109 · 14 d ago

Twofinger said:
I asked a guy at the range who I know reloads a lot. Said Probably anyone saying pistol caliber can be done cheaper is either doing ton of volume (thousands per month) or using pre pandemic stock

That’s just simply not true, as mentioned.
Let’s use a common cartridge, 45 ACP. Todays common pricing, readily available and established reloaders already have the brass. 12 cents per projectile, 8 cents per primer, 3.5 cents for powder. That’s 23.5 per round X 50. Total is $11.75. That’s even less than 9mm FMJ in the store. Have your buddy show you one place where you can buy 45 FMJ off the shelf for that! He can’t and that’s not even as good as you can do. Bulk component pricing will get you easily under $10. Pretty quick payback on your twitment at that rate. Shall we talk about 357 or 44 mag now?? That’s where the massive saving comes in…🙂

Reactions: 2

Tearless Tom

· #110 · 7 d ago

3

I think I have it pretty much together. Bolted to the wall, added some diagonal braces. And more importantly after more reading and you tube watching and listening. ( I am a visual learner) I turned out my 1st batch of Ammo. Heading back to start another after grabbing a bite. Took my time. Really have to pay attention to the powder filling portion of the process. Very easy to make a mistake. I dumped out more than a couple to re-measure. But until I am more confident I weighed every load on the digital scale and double checked them on the balance scale. I also measured each round COL.

So at the moment Speed is not the goal but rather consistency and forming good habits. I plan on taking them out tomorrow and testing them out. They sure are purty. 😁😁😁

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Grandpas50AE

· #111 · 7 d ago

Tearless Tom - wise approach to build good habits early on.

Reactions: 2

flechero

· #112 · 7 d ago

@Tearless Tom I'm interested in how you like Silhouette in 45acp. It's my absolute favorite for 9mm and it checks every box for me in 9mm... just haven't tried it in 45acp yet.

Reactions: 1

longarm

· #113 · 7 d ago

Win572, #7 and Silhouette are all decent in 45auto and 9mm.

Tearless Tom

· #114 · 6 d ago

flechero said:
@Tearless Tom I'm interested in how you like Silhouette in 45acp. It's my absolute favorite for 9mm and it checks every box for me in 9mm... just haven't tried it in 45acp yet.

This is my 1st attempt at reloading so my 1st batch. I made up 4 loads. Hope to try them out tomorrow. I think I will be happy with it. I've heard nothing bad about it and while looking at some load books tonight I noticed that it covers in some areas for both regular light loads all the way to +P.

Nitro.45

· #115 · 6 d ago

Good job Tom,
Many, many of us started out exactly the same way. Step by step understanding will prove its value down the road! Welcome to the addiction!😆

Reactions: 2

flechero

· #116 · 6 d ago

Tearless Tom said:
This is my 1st attempt at reloading so my 1st batch. I made up 4 loads. Hope to try them out tomorrow. I think I will be happy with it. I've heard nothing bad about it and while looking at some load books tonight I noticed that it covers in some areas for both regular light loads all the way to +P.

It's that way in 9mm too... mild to wild. Even goes into 38 Super. My range loads are 124's @ 1050. Soft, clean accurate and inexpensive.

Looking forward to your feedback

Tearless Tom

· #117 · 4 d ago

flechero said:
It's that way in 9mm too... mild to wild. Even goes into 38 Super. My range loads are 124's @ 1050. Soft, clean accurate and inexpensive.

Looking forward to your feedback

Well made it to the range. On the bright side it was a educational experience on many levels.
Positives are:
I learned a lot I think
I picked up more brass than I shot
They all went bang and nothing blew up and no misfires.

However on the negative side, a buddy of mine had given me a spring kit he had since he has gotten away from .45 caliber due to arthritis in wrist. Even though I was very happy with how mine shoot I can't help myself from tinkering so I installed the kit to give it a better trigger which it did. The kit was marked as having an 18 lb recoil spring but I feel sure it was much heavier than that as I had multiple failure to eject, failure to feed, and stove pipes. The loads I had made were all on the light side of the scale.
A mistake I know I did make was misunderstanding the set up for the crimping dye so I know I had them over crimped as well which I am sure contributed to the ejection problems.

So I have ordered a couple of new recoil springs so I will know exactly what weight they are (I think my friend had gotten the weight of the springs mixed up) , and plan on reloading the loads I had with the correct amount of crimp this time now that I understand how to correctly set the dye up. I think I will have a better outcome. As for the rounds they shot well and were accurate.

Hopefully I can give a better report by the end of the week.

See less See more

Srgunner

· #118 · 4 d ago

Put the original recoil spring back in and run it.....

Reactions: 1

flechero

· #119 · 4 d ago

Tearless Tom said:
I learned a lot I think
I picked up more brass than I shot
They all went bang and nothing blew up and no misfires.

All good things!!

Tearless Tom said:
As for the rounds they shot well and were accurate.

Great!

It's always beneficial to take a known working gun to test handloads... remember the old adage- one variable at a time!

Good luck on round two!

Reactions: 1

Tearless Tom

· #120 · 4 d ago

Srgunner said:
Put the original recoil spring back in and run it.....

Sorry failed to mention the springs I ordered are lighter. I don't know what the OEM spring weight is either and they don't publish it I ordered a 15#, 16#, 17#, I am assuming the OEM is a 17# or 18#. I'm guessing the spring kit was at least a 20-22#. So if my OEM is heavier than the 17 I will know that it is an 18 for future reference. And If I develop some lighter loads for target practice , or heavier I will have the approximate springs and not have to pay the repeat shipping.

101 - 120 of 126 Posts