Hi everyone, sorry if this is a silly question.  But how much (per round) is it costing everyone to reload 9mm (if you're even reloading 9mm).  I know 9mm is fairly inexpensive to begin with, I'm currently paying 22 cens/round for factory 115gr ammo.  Just curious to see how much the breakdown is to reload.

Thanks!

I reload 9mm, but not 115grn.  I use 147 grn CMJ bullets from MG, and Vit N320 powder, both of which are on the more expensive side and it costs me right around $9.00 per 50 rounds.  As soon as my MGs run out, I'll be switching to either moly or lead cast for costs savings.  This should lower the cost to right around $6.00.  It really depends on the components you use.  Right now, it actually costs me less to load .45 ACP since I use lead cast bullets.  Using a cheaper powder like TG would also lower the cost a bit, but there are downsides to consider.  Primer prices are fairly consistent.  I still save by reloading as I'm pretty sure factory 147s cost more than 115s unless they're on sale.

Here is what I am doing at this time:
Bullets: 115gr ~ $115/1k (Winchester/Remington/Montana Gold Bullet, JHP or FMJ, no lead) - $0.12/round
Primers: $30/1k - $0.03/round
Powder: $21/lb. (1200-1400 rounds per lb.) $0.02/round
Brass: $40/1k (mixed headstamp, once fired) or $120/1k - $0.04/round used or $0.12/round new

Total is $0.21 used or $0.29 new per round

This is for the first time you use the brass and assuming you don't get free brass. But every time you reload AFTER the first loading you pay only $0.17/round assuming you reuse the used brass. Depending on the quality of the brass and a few other things I have reused brass 4 or 5 times. So assuming I reuse used brass 4 times my total cost is an average of $0.18/round or $9/50 rounds. Your cost goes way down if you buy bullets by the case of 4000. Your cost per round is then $0.08/round. And if you can reuse your brass 5 times it also brings the cost way down. Another big savings is if you are next to someone shooting new 9mm ammo at the range and they are not saving the brass. I always offer to clean up their brass for them if they allow me to keep it. You get free once fired brass with the same headstamp usually. And now that you are reloading your own there is no reason why you have to load to full power and you can save a little powder per round and get up to 1400 rounds per pound of powder. You can literally bring your cost down to $0.12 or $0.13 per round or $6/50 rounds or $6.50/50 rounds by buying smart and getting free brass.

The thing is that no one factors in the cost of the reloading equipment and the time it takes to reload. If you factor in these things you have to reload a lot to make it worthwhile financially. But then if you decide to buy a .40 cal or a .45 ACP or a .357 Sig or .357 Magnum you can save a tremendous amount as the cost of commercial ammo is in the $25/50 round range and the cost for reloading components is not much more than 9mm. So for reloading only 9mm unless you shoot A LOT it would take you quite a few rounds to break even before you start saving money. But if you have larger calibers as well you will save even more per round by reloading.

With all that said I reload for other reasons besides cost savings. I reload so I can "Tune" a load to my gun to get the maximum accuracy out of it. And/or so I can reduce recoil making it more enjoyable to shoot more and for longer periods of time if I wish. Plus for me it is fun to try different loads, different powders, different bullets and weights, etc. For me it is just another aspect of the hobby that I include besides the shooting part.

Sources for components and prices:

1. Bullet prices per Montana Gold Bullet and Powder Valley per 1000. I tried to include shipping costs in the prices for bullets.
2. Primers are what I paid at the last gun show from Young Guns for Federal Small Pistol Primers not including tax.
3. Powder is Hodgens Titegroup I bought from OGC Tactical not including tax.
4. Brass prices are from Powder Valley for used brass and Starline for new brass.

Thanks for the references. I got close to 600 brass 9mm and maybe 200 .223. Now I know where to get some good pricing on bullets. Unless anyone wants to half some bullets and buy bulk.

Thanks for the references. I got close to 600 brass 9mm and maybe 200 .223. Now I know where to get some good pricing on bullets. Unless anyone wants to half some bullets and buy bulk.

I just ordered 10k 9mm 124 gr JHP from Precision Delta, but it is back ordered.  I plan to call them on Monday to see how far backordered they are.  The bullets come in boxes of 1k so you are welcome to get a box or two from me if you do not mind waiting, may be a couple of months.  Price per 1k (since I am buying 10k) is $82.00 shipped with no usury.  PM me if you are interested.

Brass prices are from Powder Valley for used brass and Starline for new brass.

Check out www.firstclassbulletsandbrass.com.  $18.99 per 500 with discounts for multiple purchases.  AND, the brass is completely processed and blinged out.  It could blind you . . . LOL.  I purchased 9mm, 38 spl, and 357 mag brass from them a few months ago and I can tell you that the pictures of the brass on the website are accurate.  Don't know what kind of polish they use, but it is shinier than brass out of the SS tumbler.  It appears to glow.

Their bullet prices are higher since the lots are not in bulk.  But, may work if you do not want to commit to a large purchase and find out that the bullet is not too accurate from your gun.  YMMV

Check out www.firstclassbulletsandbrass.com.  $18.99 per 500 with discounts for multiple purchases.  AND, the brass is completely processed and blinged out.  It could blind you . . . LOL.  I purchased 9mm, 38 spl, and 357 mag brass from them a few months ago and I can tell you that the pictures of the brass on the website are accurate.  Don't know what kind of polish they use, but it is shinier than brass out of the SS tumbler.  It appears to glow.

Their bullet prices are higher since the lots are not in bulk.  But, may work if you do not want to commit to a large purchase and find out that the bullet is not too accurate from your gun.  YMMV

Thanks for the link to this company. Prices are VERY good and will help lower the cost of reloading for everyone. I bookmarked their site. Unfortunately the website is down at the moment but I look forward to seeing where I spend more money! 

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the info! This really helps, especially you Inspector, there is a tremendous amount of info here.

I've been saving my once fired brass whenever I shoot just in case I may think about reloading in the future,  got about 1000 of it.  I'm currently a low to mid quantity shooter (about 300 rounds a week) and while 9mm isn't that terribly expensive I do hate waiting around for the gun stores to have a sale and also fighting traffic to sometimes pre-order then fighting it again to pick up the order. 

Can anyone recommend a decent single stage press that will allow me to reload 9mm and still give me a chance expand and load other types of ammunition in the future?


Happy Easter everyone!

I picked up a lee single stage press from on here. Get action. New they sell for around $400 I believe. Single stage is like basic action. I saw a repeating press at the gun show for cheap. Should have picked that up when I had the chance.

see how far backordered they are.

I am told 2 weeks!   

Woot. I'll take a thousand.

Woot. I'll take a thousand.

I'll PM you when it comes in.   

I find it's not worth the time and effort to reload jacketed 9mm, so I use lead for plinking and practice loads, which I think costs me about $7 for 50.  With all the prep time included, I could load about 200 per hour, so figure I save $16/hour reloading which I figure is just over break even for me.  Even plinking 5.56 rifle ammo is just slightly better than break even for cost and time.

I save alot more money for larger rifle calibers, and match ammo.

Can anyone recommend a decent single stage press that will allow me to reload 9mm and still give me a chance expand and load other types of ammunition in the future?


Happy Easter everyone!

I've had the Lee and now I have an RCBS. Either one will do fine work for you. It is the "Other" stuff you need to buy with the press like a scale and deburring tool and caliper, etc. that will set your wallet back a bit.

Hi everyone, sorry if this is a silly question.  But how much (per round) is it costing everyone to reload 9mm (if you're even reloading 9mm).  I know 9mm is fairly inexpensive to begin with, I'm currently paying 22 cens/round for factory 115gr ammo.  Just curious to see how much the breakdown is to reload.

Thanks!

Is your cost with brass or aluminum casings?

Is your cost with brass or aluminum casings?

Cost is with brass cases

Cost is with brass cases

Actually this is how I get most of my brass for reloading I buy cheap ammo for plinking and practice and just shoot it up

The problem comes when you have a caliber that you can't buy cheaply such as :57

I don't reload 9 anymore.   I figured that it was costing me about 18-20 cents / round w/o brass.  I just pickup OGC's deals.  The couple 3 cents a round saved is not worth it IMHO

I don't reload 9 anymore.   I figured that it was costing me about 18-20 cents / round w/o brass.  I just pickup OGC's deals.  The couple 3 cents a round saved is not worth it IMHO

+1.  Cheap 9mm ammo is a good reason to go with that caliber. I'm thinking that buying more ammo in lieu of the reloading equipment might be a better use of time (more time at range) and resources.

That said, making .45 or rifle ammo reloads and selling them might be good for making money to pay for the cheap 9mm ammo. 

Just my opinion, but to the OP, if you're shooting 300 rounds a week consistently, reloading even for 9mm would cost a fair amount less than shooting factory ammo.  Unless my math really sucks, (which it does at times), I've calculated that I save about $3 per 50 rounds(147grn).  Shooting 300 rounds a week, that'll save you about $18 per session.  Multiply that by 4 if you shoot every week, and that's $72 a month.  It wouldn't take very long (maybe a year or so) for you to get back the money you put into reloading equipment (not counting bullets, primers, powder), and that's if you went with a progressive press instead of a single stage.  Single stages can be had for a lot less, but if you can afford it, you may want to look into a progressive.  I'm not sure how long it takes to load 300 rounds on a single, but I know it takes me less than an hour, (taking my time) to load 300 on a progressive (I use a Dillon 550B).    That leaves a whole lot of time for the other stuff I need to get done. 
A lot of experienced people will say to start on a single stage, but a good progressive press, and good safety habits, can be just as safe while being a lot more efficient, especially for pistol cartridges.  If you're on Oahu, you may want to take a ride out to WGS and talk to Joe and see what advice he has.  I picked up my Dillon 550B from him, he's a great guy to deal with.  I'd definitely recommend reloading, especially with your round count and the fact that you're considering getting into other higher priced calibers.