I have been saying this forever. People say the time is free, but I could work overtime or a part time job instead of loading and my ammo, so that has to be factored in.My time is worth money too. I'm retired, but work part time. In the same amount of time I spend loading ammo I can work and earn more than enough to just buy it. Before retiring I often picked up a 2nd part time job to earn extra money too.
I bought all of my loading gear 2nd hand from a guy who no longer shot or loaded so I don't have a ton of money invested in gear. But even at that I don't figure I'm saving much money by handloading.
It isn't worth my time to fool with common rounds like 223 or 9mm even at todays prices. Yes, loaded ammo has gone up in price, but so has the price of components.
I do load for centerfire rifle cartridges other than 223 however. I do it because I can get a bit better accuracy and often a little more speed than factory loads. And can load a more expensive premium bullet for about the same cost as cheap factory loads. I do it to get a better end product, not to save money.
At the time I bought all of my gear I had just bought a 338/06 and factory loads simply weren't a practical option. If someone just wants to own an oddball cartridge then it handloading is often the only real option. But those odd ball rounds are uncommon for a reason. Something far more common does the same job.
That is also one of the reason I got a progressive press. It has saved me a TON of time. 100rnds used to take me close to 1hr on my single stage, not including brass prep. Now its down to about 15min.
I have to disagree on the idea of not loading common rounds, mainly rifle. 223, 308, 30-06 are not crazy expensive. This is mainly due to the fact that, once tuned, budget rounds can become close to match ammo. and if you compare match ammo to hand load you will save a LOT.
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