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Mid 2021 Update on reloading?

DaveTN

DaveTN

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I had kicked around the idea of reloading before, but I didn't need another hobby and there just wasn't much difference in pricing.

Now if I can get ammo; the cost is ridiculous. Does the same hold true now for reloading components? Can you get primers and powder? How's the price compare on those items to 2019?

I still don't need another hobby and don't want to jump into it if I can't get components, or the cost of them equals the crazy cost of ammo right now.
 
Components are coming back, but you have to keep your eyes open and be patient.

Also, keep cost in perspective… let's use hunting rifle ammunition for example

$100 for 1000 primers is high, but still only adds about 6-7 cents per round over what it used to be.

$10-15 more per pound of powder is still only about 5-15 cents per round more than it used to be (depending upon charge weight).

$10-15more per box of 100 bullets is still only 10-15 cents more per round than it used to be.

So current component pricing is adding an additional 25-45 cents more per round ($5-9 per box), and I can still hand load 223 for 35 cents per round for soft points, and about 70 cents to $1.50 per round for 30-06, 308, or 270 depending on the load. But at the same time ammo prices currently range from $1.50 (for the cheap stuff) to $3.50 per round, and availability is even slimmer for some of it.

If you only shoot a box or three of factory ammo per year, then your hobby has probably gone up to $100-150 per year from about $60-75. It still doesn't justify the expense for equipment and components to reload… unless you just want to do it, which IS a good reason. Just buy a few extra boxes of ammo for stock when it comes back in at reasonable prices, and then replace it as you use it.
 
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There are still some places selling components for 2019 prices. They will be remembered in future purchases. Components are still able to be acquired but it is challenging. Now would be a tough time to start to accumulate all that is needed to start reloading. I am in the boro and can try help you get started if you decide to head down the rabbit hole.
 
Self sufficiency is a very big deal. You can choose to add a hobby and go about acquiring the requisite components.

I can add 1.2 grains of powder to a particular load and bring the zero into cloverleaf territory. Can't do that with factory ammo which may be in the 4 inch circle range.

As for components....You can eke out a few here and there and eventually you will see that one of the wholesalers has 5,000 item sleeves of primers for something in the 7 cent each range. Well, some will buy a few...some will buy many....but soon, all will be happy or nearly so. Then that sleeve will be in the 5 cent each range and you are thinking, 1,000 or 2,000? and you should recall this shortage and get the entire 5,000. Because if YOU don't. I might.
 
I have a friend who has his original box of Remington 30-30 ammo probably 40 years old. He still has almost a full box left. He only uses them to shoot deer. He's killed about 5. He's got plenty. I shoot at least 1000 rounds yearly. It's all relative. If you like to shoot more than a few times, you should probably reload. A family can go in together and share the initial cost. Usually one will emerge as the guy or gal that enjoys it and will load for everybody. Overtime, you will save enough to pay for the cost of equipment and never run out of your favorite ammo again. Just pull out your recipe and load some more.
 
Midsouth has some 9mm die sets for sale and the price is pre-covid.

If I did not already have a back-up set I'd scarf that up.

little bit of looking and VOILA!!! Midsouth has 121 different sets of RCBS dies. Prices look mebbe 5 bucks higher across the board. 22-250, 224 SB.

Hmm. More research....

Presses are available, price is roughly $20.00 over pre-covid. All makes, most models.

No primers.

6 powders, not a single 1 would use and I do not like the IMR pricing at all.

Bullets--I do not like what I see as prices. Only semi-deal was 6,000 224 55 gr FMJ for 9 cents each. They need to get to 7 each, Plenty of choices but can't see paying the asking price.

So I'm gonna mark this date as mebbe the beginning of the end.
 
DaveB said:
Midsouth has some 9mm die sets for sale and the price is pre-covid.

If I did not already have a back-up set I'd scarf that up.

little bit of looking and VOILA!!! Midsouth has 121 different sets of RCBS dies. Prices look mebbe 5 bucks higher across the board. 22-250, 224 SB.

Hmm. More research....

Presses are available, price is roughly $20.00 over pre-covid. All makes, most models.

No primers.

6 powders, not a single 1 would use and I do not like the IMR pricing at all.

Bullets--I do not like what I see as prices. Only semi-deal was 6,000 224 55 gr FMJ for 9 cents each. They need to get to 7 each, Plenty of choices but can't see paying the asking price.

So I'm gonna mark this date as mebbe the beginning of the end.
Click to expand...
I learn quick, so when shortages started to appear a few administrations ago, I made sure to stock up when available. While I am decently stocked, I have purchased a bunch of stuff at near pre-CCP virus prices this year and last, powder and some brass and bullets from Midsouth other stuff from individuals. I would still recommend someone get into reloading, maybe not to save money, as that has never materialized for me, but for availability. With the quantity of loaded components, I have at least three or four combat loads for each of my weapons, and with reloading supplies I have on-hand, I am set for life for hunting.
 

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