Thread: Is reloading much cheaper??

The Lee Loader is only limited for full length resizing. Buy a set of scales and you've got a damn cheap reloading option. You may want a different option if you're a target shooter, but I'm not. It only costs you extra "because you shoot more" if you actually shoot more! I'm not a target shooter, so my use won't go up at all. I'm getting back into reloading after a 30-ish year hiatus because it's fun to shoot something with ammo you've loaded yourself.

Plus; with ammo being so short I will have a continuous supply. Not being a hoarder, just have enough powder, projectiles etc to see me right for hunting for quite some time. I recently had to get 303 ammo from Whanganui because there was none in Taranaki. I would've had to go through the pain in the arse mail order palaver if I hadn't been going down there anyway.

I haven't been able to get Buffalo 223 ammo since well before Xmas. However I now have a few boxes of 55 Game King projectiles that will see me right. So it's all horses for courses, everyone has a different situation. Cheers!

You can spend as much or as little as you want but like all things you get what you pay for, is it cheaper for me to reload? Hell no, I would have to load 1000's of rounds before I started to get even close because I bought good gear and I'm only using my reloads for hunting.

What price do you put on a hobby or sport?

For me pros; great accurate ammo = can be confident in hitting your target which means meat on the table, you can load different weighted projectiles where you may struggle to buy the factory ammo you want in the shop, you can load a fresh batch just before heading out, provided you have the right dies you can load what calibre you want depending on what riffle you decide to take and what terrain you decide to go and hunt, and it's a joy to use good gear for example A&D scales, 21st centry handpriming tool, Mitutoyo callipers, Redding press and Redding compitition dies just to name a few and last of all its a great hobby and satisfying knowing your home loads provided the meat on the dinner table.

Everyones situation is different and you can reload good ammo with less expensive gear, you may be into hunting or target shooting.

If you are a hunter and you want the cheapest option then buy a box or two of factory ammo, find one your riffle likes and then buy a few boxes so you have enough to last.

If money is no option and you want a cool hobby that will give you satisfaction and be able to load the projectiles of your choice then get into reloading.

It's probably the equivilent to your Mrs doing the sewing, ENJOY!

It's been well summed up above, it can be and for some it is but for most of us (pretty safe assumption) it turns into a passion and rewarding hobby.

From my personal experience, you'll probably spend at least the same amount but you'll shoot more, learn more and if you decide it's not for you, you won't have any trouble selling the gear or components.

Thanks heaps for all your input folks and I’ve taken onboard the warnings that it can induce an enthusiastic trigger finger!
Think I’ll have to start looking at gear, the crazy thing is I actually did do it once for about 40 bullets after a very kind workmate gifted me his gear but it was over 25 yrs ago and my memory is shot but I seem to recall a hand held held screw type thing that maybe seated both primers and the bullet… can’t remember using scales either maybe just a measuring cup thing..can that be right?
Time to do some research!,

yes you possibly used a lee whackamole type set up.....
Ive been reloading for 30 years...very very seldom buy facctory loads anymore...only buy components if price is akin to stealing or they are something I really want that isnt normally around....
you buy once then laugh for years.
simple reloads will be cheaper per round than factory and will USUALLY give you similar accuracy and preformance....
or you can fine tune for super accurate..and use lots on paper getting it right
30/30 you will be able to reload for VERY VERY cheaply.....some cast projectiles and some powder n prrimers,freezer will stay full....

I think i spent about $2000 on top reloading gear - was fortunate that i could. Co-ax press redding comp dies wilson trimmer mitutoyo. now got a sinclair primer seater … it does save time and effort if you can use good quality gear and saves ammo if your first load goes well and you dont feel the need to experiment. It seems to last forever so divide the cost out over the rest of your life. Upgrading bits wasres money.


The biggest benefit of reloading for me has been the ability to use the same load same bullets same trajectory same terminal performance and everything for many years. Continuity of supply for factory ammo is just not good.

Shot my first SIKA 8pter years ago with my own rollie. Very satisfying. The ability to roll out specific loads for rifles and see them perform gives real satisfaction. Recently learnt art of loading 44 mag. Quite revealing from usual bottle neck . Then you enter voodoo land when you run Vapour trails from Matakohe. A quality pill from a dude making a world class product in the backwoods. Truly amazing. Equally so from Tokoroa. Roberts pills were "borrowed" and are being used up the Coast. Some very dead boars. Seems as if Greg Duley is getting back into reloading with Hornady? Reloading is an "investment". LOL. Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink. ANNEAL every time.

The initial cost to get started is expensive but eventually it'll pay itself off and your loaded ammo will be very cheap compared to store bought ammo. And your reloaded ammo can be much more accurate than store bought ammo, mine is. If you get into casting the cost per round gets even lower. Regardless of the cost of reloading it is a fun hobby.

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

Buy a seperate decapping die. They are cheap

Die purchased. Range on Monday.

Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

Lee make a universal decapper that will let you deprime without expanding the case neck.
I use the basic Hornady dies and leave the expander in and have used the same press and scales for the past 35 years and they still make accurate ammo.
I also brought a Hornady powder thrower about 20 years ago which is awesome.
One day i may buy some flash electric scales maybe.

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

In my opinion, reloading is like any other hobby, you can spend a little or a lot. If you only shoot a few boxes a year it's probably not worth it. I initially got started in reloading because I bought a 22-250 varmint rifle to shoot rabbits in Central Otago. I bought good quality Redding gear that should last a lifetime and giving the fact you could go thru 100-200 rounds each trip, it wouldn't take long to pay off. I also enjoy reloading and get huge satisfaction producing my own ammunition which is,I hope is more accurate, load development is always interesting, learning what makes your rifle shoot the best, and of course the more shooting you do the better you get and the more confidence you have in your ability to pull off a clean successful shot. If you can, find an experienced reloader to show you the ropes and maybe try reloading some ammunition yourself to see if it's for you before you spend your hard earned cash. I'm sure there will be a good bloke/forum member local to you willing to help you out. I just dived in head first myself, spent a small fortune and have thoroughly enjoyed reloading and it has enhanced my enjoyment of our chosen sport, I'm sure many will agree.
Cheers Brett

Originally Posted by RugerM77

@TeRei, " Remember to throw away your expander then your groups will shrink " This might be a silly question, but how do you remove primers with no expander button?

I dont....unless using the whackamole reloader...... sometimes folks make a problem where none exists..... or rather ,some folks like to make life /ammunition differently to others folks...weather or not the difference is a good thing matters not..if it makes them happy all is good...if they manage to squeaze a tiny bit better tighter group by doing so...... for my normal shooting distances,that 1" group is more than good enough.

As has been said by everyone above
I started loading to duplicate a 243 ‘recipe’ that came with a new rifle
Then I bought a Lee whackamole for the 303…..
Now I’m loading 7-8 different calibres for myself and my son
Lee single stage press, Lee hand press and about 6 different Lyman 310 sets
Yes, it’s cheaper, yes you shoot a lot more ( or at least I do )
Besides, its relaxing, in a precise sort of way.
Beware, it can become addictive.