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Reloading - Is it still really worth it?

I have all the components, but have not yet started reloading as my primary rifles shoot 1/2" moa or better with factory ammo that I have/already had. I do however have a cousin that reloads a lot and here is the benefit: 2 300 Wbys, a 340 Wby, a 223, 243, 6mmBR and six very diff .308s all shoot around 1" to sub inch to even .5 MOA or so w/factory ammo. With his handloads, the Wbys, several of the .308s, 243 and the 223 are all capable of and have shown sub .25"+/- groups (several in the .1 - .2" range) Of note, the 6BR is a sub .1" with handloads. And none of us are pro shooters.
 
I have multiple rifles in the same cartridges, die sets for each, sorted bullets, brass and primers all set aside for each rifle.
If I didn't handload for each, I wouldn't be able to afford to shoot with the cost of ammo here.
I never started out handloading to save money…I wanted precision loads, but now it has come to a point where it is scrimping and saving every penny, working a day job and a night job just to pay for the extras like reloading.
We haven't had a pay rise in Australia for a decade, but the costs of living keep steadily rising each and every year.
I can no longer afford to pay my FFL, it's just money I won't recuperate and is out of reach now.
Covid has crippled the population, and is just another tightening of the noose.

Cheers.
 
Some components can be had, just ordered some Barnes TTSX from Midway. I have my name on the list to be notified when IMR 4350 comes in. As far as loaded ammo in hunting calibers, forget it. Cabelas, Bass Pro, Academy, local gun shops- nothing to be had.
At least I have enough components to keep my .270. 30/06 , and .340 Wby fed for a while.
 
Mark37082 said:
First of all I am not trying induce depression or deter people from starting to jump into the world of hand loading. I just am trying or shed some light on the real costs of this wonderful hobby I finally picked up a couple of years ago. For the competition shooter or the individual looking for consistent top notch accuracy out of their rifle, it will always make sense regardless of the costs. However, with the current cost of components, it is shocking to add up the cost of a hand loaded cartridge.
I just ran a quick component estimate for a round of 7RM using the cost of recent component purchases. I am approaching $3.00 per round in raw materials without factoring in the equipment/tool expense or time commitment. I realize that the cost of premium factory ammo is often times more expensive, but the wow factor of current reloading cost has me looking at the amount of times I visit the range and how many rounds of what rifle I will be firing.
In the end it reinforces the buy cheap and stack deep approach to reloading. Panic buying due to the FOMO syndrome is not a smart move.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
Click to expand...
I can't help but assume that your brass is the largest cost. As you fire it in can be amortized, and costs go down accordingly.
But yes, I tend to agree, given the climate, I would not want to be entering the reloading game right now, then again, I would not want to have to buy factory ammo neither.
I came into this crunch stocked up better than most, but i just bought 4 - 8lb jugs of RL16 from Midway for 384 per. Did I need it, only time will tell, did I want it, apparently?
 
I got into reloading to: create more consistent ammo, enjoy the process, learn and experiment, and be able to shoot more for with the money I had. Thankfully I planned way ahead on primers, and have done ok on powders/bullets etc. I am an opportunistic shopper and have kept from being backed into any corners where I "Had to have it for any price". I just picked up 2 boxes of 143 ELD-x for $39.99 each. I picked up lots of brass early on and am currenly loading 6.5 creedmoor for $.74 per round, 7mm RM for $1.17 per round. both with ELD-X bullets and including brass wear. Maybe its just my part of the world, but I have not run out of components while trading some, and scavenging consistently for reasonable prices. I have not paid over $55 for a pound of powder, a box of bullets, or a brick of primers. However, I can understand for some people shoot much more than me and have had to pay through the nose over the past year, and that sucks. In the end reloading should continue to pencil out, as long as you don't count your time ;) which for me is enjoyable time anyways.
 
It does seem to be getting better in recent weeks with component supplies. In my case I just need to go about this in a smarter way. Bought a new rifle with limited appropriate components on hand. Paid through the nose for a brick of primers due to being down to a hand full of LRM. Keep buying different bullets to determine what the rifle likes the best. Trying multiple powders in one lb. increments when I can find them. It is not wise to buy one lb. at a time when shipping and hazmat comes close to the cost of the powder. Oh well, at least I am the stage of recognizing my issues…. It is sad that this new rifle likes Nosler AB's the most. I only have ten left.
 

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