Well, I read through all this, to catch up, and I've got a couple comments, which don't apply to most people...
To answer the OP question, is reloading too expensive, I have to ask, "compared to what???"
Many people have mentioned the "cost" of their time, in relation to the cost of reloading, and I've been thinking a bit about that.
What is the "cost" of your time? Or, as more commonly phrased, what is your time worth??
After some reflection, I think its zero. Unless you're retired, or in some other situation where you don't have to work to get money, then your time isn't worth squat. Your
work is. If your time was worth money, then you're losing money when you eat, sleep go to the bathroom, spend time with your spouse, or spend time looking for a spouse, and nearly every other thing we do in our lives.
Count your beans any way you want, I'll do mine my way, and my way isn't fixated on the $ value as much as the practical value.
I began reloading in the early 70s, and what I learned early on was that I didn't "save" money, what I got was being able to shoot 2 or 3 times more for the same amount of cash outlay.
Also, I got ammunition that NO ONE ELSE in the world had. Ammo that was tailored to MY guns and MY needs. And, I discovered that, for me, it wasn't a chore, it was something I liked doing.
Over the past half century I've made it a point to ALWAYS get reloading dies for every reloadable cartridge I had a gun for. (also got some I didn't have a gun for at the time,
cause, you know, someday I might, and they keep..)
I'm set up to reload for over 30 different rifle and handgun cartridges. Some of them are things for which no commercially produced ammo exists. Have I "broken even" on the cost of my tools? don't know, don't care, why does that matter??
Anytime any one asks an "is it worth it" question, the answer is completely relative to the person asking it, their individual situation and priorities determine that, for them, not my, or anyone else's opinion.
Will you save money reloading?? I didn't. But what I did get was a LOT more shooting experience, which made me a better shot, and I enjoy it. isn't that the real point??