Roll Your Own

Is Reloading Your Own Ammo Still Worth the Effort?

by Richard Baimbridge

Like roll-your-own tobacco, reloading ammunition is something of a lost artform that requires a level of skill and patience few people seem to possess these days. But when you watch someone who’s good at it, there’s a sense of mystique and awe at the precision – it is, you might say, a kind of meditation.

In the past, it was also highly cost-effective. A box of reloaded ammunition was often less than half the cost of factory-made cartridges – with the added benefit of being more accurate and customized according to the shooter’s own personal preferences. Furthermore, during times of panic buying and ammo shortages for whatever reason, the reloader held the advantage of not being reliant on the supply system. It provided a sense of autonomy that goes hand-in-hand with hunting and gun-ownership, in general.

But more recently, with the costs of some essential raw materials often doubling, many wonder if reloading is still worthwhile? So, we decided to break down the numbers, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you decide if rolling your own is still cost-effective today.

Initial Investment: Basic Equipment Costs

At minimum, reloading equipment includes a press, dies for each caliber, a powder measure, a scale, and case cleaning supplies. Other essential tools include case trimmers, deburring tools, and calipers for measuring overall length.

Prices for a good entry-level setup are generally around $600 for single-stage presses and can easily go up to $1200 or more for turret or progressive presses. Frequent shooters who reload thousands of rounds annually often find the investment worthwhile. However, these costs need to be factored in when determining overall cost-effectiveness, as they may take several years to recoup.

Raw Material Costs: Powder, Primers, Bullets, and Brass

The actual materials for reloading—powder, primers, bullets, and brass—are where your ongoing costs lie, and the prices of these components have fluctuated greatly in recent years. Brass accounts for around 60% of reloading costs, so the overall cost can be significantly reduced if you reuse your own brass, or buy in bulk from a shooting range. You can also buy used brass casings online on sites like Brass Buyers where a box of 500 .223/5.56 washed and polished casings sells for $45, or just under 10 cents each.

Powder: Prices for gunpowder vary radically by type and quantity, but on average, a pound of powder costs about $40 to $50. A pound typically yields several hundred rounds, depending on the caliber and load.

Primers: Primers have been one of the most volatile and costly components in recent years. Currently, prices are between $75 to $100 for a box of 1,000 primers, roughly double the pre-pandemic rate.

Bullets: Bullet prices vary widely depending on caliber, material, and brand. For example, common handgun bullets can range from 10 to 20 cents each, while precision rifle bullets can cost 30 to 50 cents each or more.

Brass: Brass cases can be reused several times with proper care, and this is where reloading often saves the most money over time. Buying once-fired brass can further reduce costs, but each case will need periodic trimming and maintenance.

The Ultimate Reloader website has a handy online chart that automatically calculates reloading costs. Gavin Gear, head of Ultimate Reloader, hosts a popular YouTube channel and website that’s a great resource for all things related to ammo reloading. The guys at Backfire also did an interesting cost analysis based on repeat use of brass casings versus first-time reload costs, showing a significantly higher level of savings from reloading, assuming you reuse your brass multiple times. (see Chart 2 below) 

Reloaded vs. Factory Ammo Costs

So, let’s compare some typical prices:

Handgun Ammo (9mm): Factory 9mm ammo averages around 25 to 35 cents per round for bulk purchases. Reloading 9mm may bring the cost down to 15 to 20 cents per round, depending on component prices. While savings on 9mm aren't significant, reloaders may still appreciate control over load customization, bullet selection, and consistent supply.

Rifle Ammo (.308 Winchester): Factory .308 Winchester can cost around $1.50 per round. Reloading can bring this cost down to about 70 cents, offering significant savings over time. High-volume shooters in calibers like.308, 300 Win Mag and 6.5 Creedmoor often see the most substantial savings. But the more rare and hard-to-find the caliber is, the more significant the savings – as well as the end to the frustration of ureliable gun store inventories.

Factors Impacting Cost-Effectiveness

Things to consider when deciding whether reloading is worth the time and effort:

• Frequency of Shooting: How often do you shoot? It can often take years to recoup the cost of your investment. So if you only buy a few boxes of ammo per year, it’s probably not right for you.
  

• Component Availability and Pricing: Ammo component costs are getting higher, with primers being particularly volatile. Stockpiling components during sales can help, but maintaining a consistent supply can be challenging.
  

• Caliber Selection: Common calibers like 9mm or .223 may offer smaller savings margins, while more specialty or precision rounds can save a considerable amount per round.
  

• Customization Needs: For precision shooters, reloading offers the ability to fine-tune loads for specific firearms, which can be more valuable than pure cost savings.

The Verdict: Is Reloading Still Worth It?

For frequent shooters who reuse brass casings, reloading is still a very cost-effective choice, but it also isn't the slam dunk it once was. While component costs are high, reloading can still save money over factory ammo in the long-run, especially for those shooting less-common calibers.

If you shoot infrequently or only use more popular calibers, you may find that sticking with factory ammunition and buying in bulk is easier and more cost-effective, especially considering start-up costs.

For others, however, reloading isn’t just about saving money—it's a part of the shooting experience. A way of establishing self-sufficiency in times of uncertainty, of getting to know guns and ammo on a deeper, more intimate level – and of putting your mind where your passion is. And what could be more satisfying than that?

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