9mm worth it to load?
- Thread starter nemesiss45
- Start date
9mm is NOT worth my time. I understand I can load it slightly cheaper but my time is more valuable than factory loaded 9mm. I spend my precious time loading the calibers where I can make real savings like 44 spl/mag and rifle rounds. As a single, full custody father, my time is extremely precious.
Before reloading i would buy Blazer ammo. Were i live, on sale, it would cost 10.99. I think reg. price is 12.99.
once my machine is loaded up i can make 100 rounds in eight minutes. (4 min. a box) That's a steady but careful pace, watching each charge as it go's by.
The cost for me is 5.50 a box and that price can even be cut. I also reload for the reason that i always have ammo on hand, self satisfaction and experimentation. Which gives me another reason to shoot.
"9mm worth it to load" Of course it is.
once my machine is loaded up i can make 100 rounds in eight minutes. (4 min. a box) That's a steady but careful pace, watching each charge as it go's by.
The cost for me is 5.50 a box and that price can even be cut. I also reload for the reason that i always have ammo on hand, self satisfaction and experimentation. Which gives me another reason to shoot.
"9mm worth it to load" Of course it is.
I load match grade HP ammo for less than the marginal "practice ammo" costs retail. At about $120/K. Some loads are down to about $100/K and a few are close to $180/K, but those are Hornady XTPs with nickle cases.
At 20k/year minimum, I am saving a few thousand dollars a year on 9mm. My 650 is knocking on the door of 1M rounds loaded, so it is well amortized by now.
At 20k/year minimum, I am saving a few thousand dollars a year on 9mm. My 650 is knocking on the door of 1M rounds loaded, so it is well amortized by now.
Hey MarkCO, thats great news that your 650 is still kicking. looks like mine has a nice long life a head of it. I'll never come close to what you have loaded...lol.
I also reload many rifle and pistol calibers so it was a no brainier to add 9mm.
I enjoy being self efficient for every caliber i own.
I also reload many rifle and pistol calibers so it was a no brainier to add 9mm.
I enjoy being self efficient for every caliber i own.
.
I agree and I like the MG also. I'd go so far as to say I can load just as good as standard grade factory ammo. I use a single stage press and micrometer, often sorting brass by head stamp AND length if i want to load up a box of high quality self defense ammo. Most of the time though it's mixed brass and MG bullets for practice.
I think it's safe to say that you can on average load for around $7.50-$10.00 per 50. The cheapest factory ammo I'd shoot is still $13 a box.
And the benefits of having the ability to roll your own if the factory well runs dry?....priceless.
I like both the MG 115 tmj and HP Fmj
I also load some heeled Zero 147hp's that allow me to skip the belling die.
My standard practice load is a 115gr MG tmj over 6.7gr of HS-6. OAL 1.13
Last edited:
This thread is specifically about the economics of reloading 9mm. I really don't know. I have been reloading for over 30 years and I never really thought about the cost of reloading or whether it saves me money or not.
I have had many people ask me over the years, "Is it really cheaper to reload ?" And I don't have an answer for that because it was never something I considered. I have a number of reasons for reloading, but cost really was never one of them.
I have had many people ask me over the years, "Is it really cheaper to reload ?" And I don't have an answer for that because it was never something I considered. I have a number of reasons for reloading, but cost really was never one of them.
When i started to reload i was the opposite. I was just looking at cost. But now I'm the same as you. This became a hobby for me. Cost is not much a factor anymore. Having good quality tools to make reloading a pleasure and Reloading accurate rifle ammo is now my goal.
Am i i saving money? At this point, no. BUT, I'm shooting more than i ever have in my whole life, and having a lot of fun.
Average Joe
New member
I don't reload to save money, I reload because its FUN !