Reloading - Beginner getting worried

[User702]

I'm rapidly running out of decent-ish quality factory ammunition and, whilst I don't shoot a lot, I'd like to make sure that I have a decent amount of benchmark ammunition to hand for quality shoots. However, the long list of kit mentioned in the thread here -> http://full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6544 got me pondering a few things the other night, primarily what the initial cost of a basic reloading setup would be and therefore what the payback time would be of reloading.

I have not been through the list and costed up each individual bit of kit, but a rough guess would be between 200 and 300 notes by my reckoning, plus the cost of bullet heads, powder and primers. If this is not too far out from most people's initial setup costs, How long, roughly, would it take to make back that in making an average .308win target load? For comparison, I'm currently being lazy and using HPS 155grn for longer range shooting, so that's my benchmark and is, near as dammit, a pound a shot.

In case you need to ask, it's all part of justifying the cost of the setup to my wife. "It will be cheaper to reload" works right up until the point I have to explain that the upfront cost is a fair wedge.

James

[tackb]

tell your wife the bare minimum , less if possible!

[mag41uk]

Its not actually cheaper as you end up shooting more!
Try and work out how many rounds a year you are shooting.
If you are only shooting 50 rounds a time 4 times a year just use HPS ammo.
If you are going to field firing ranges each month and doing 300 plus rounds a time then reload.
I noticed on saturday that the NRA appear to be charging £175 a 100 for Lapua 305/155gn ammmo!
Tony

[User702]

I do that anyway!

I also use my own version of maths to explain shooting-related purchases to her, but in this case, it's a bit more obvious than random small components and bits. It's likely to be a cluttered bench of "stuff" that I will disappear away to for several hours at a time. She doesn't like clutter, so will likely pay more attention to it than something locked in a cabinet out of the way.

[rox]

How long, roughly, would it take to make back that in making an average .308win target load? For comparison, I'm currently being lazy and using HPS 155grn for longer range shooting, so that's my benchmark and is, near as dammit, a pound a shot.

Here's a component price guide for a similar round to HPS factory. These are based broadly on retail prices, so you may be able to improve on them by shopping around and buying in bulk:

£ 0.26 Bullet (Sierra 2155 @ £260/1000)
£ 0.04 Primer (Federal 210 @ £40/1000)
£ 0.16 Powder (46gr TR140 @ £55/Kg)
£ 0.01 Case (e.g. Once-fired RWS/RUAG/HPS/Lapua @ 10p; use 10 times)
£ 0.00 Head (You don't need any 'heads'!)

£ 0.47 Total


The payback time obviously depends on how quickly you get through them (the more you shoot the quicker the payback, and the sooner you start the better - there's no time to lose ).

..

[tackb]

blame nick?

[Alpha1]

You might be able to pick up some second hand kit to help keep cost down

[User702]

I always blame Nick, but it is an easy thing to do.

Rox, thanks for the rough figures. From the looks of that, once I have a load developed, I'll be saving about 50p a shot which would make me break even in roughly about 600 shots. That would be probably between 18 months and two years depending on comps and me getting my arse out of bed early at the weekends.

*drums fingers on desk*

So, I have about 200 once fired clean Norma brass, 200 once fired Lapua brass that still need to be cleaned. That just means I need to find a bench and work on the rest of the kit. Hmmmmmm. Garage or office?

[rox]

which would make me break even in roughly about 600 shots. That would be probably between 18 months

If I was your other half I'd be convinced. In fact, I'd be upset if you wasted any more family money on factory ammo!

I have some dies that were originally given to me to get me started. You are welcome to them if they are of any use (as long as you also pass them on to a new reloader if you grow out of them). Also a powder funnel.

If you get yourself a Lee hand press, hand priming tool, beam balance, trickler, loading tray, wax or graphite lube, calipers and comparator, then you should be in a position to neck size your first batch (assuming your brass was fired in your rifle and is not too long). You can save up for lube pad & lube plus a trimmer (such as the Lee trimmer that fits in a power drill) ready for when you need to FL size. All of this should be well within budget to get you going, and then you can keep your eyes peeled for an 'O' press for your bench. Maybe other forummers have some of these items that aren't bring used. (Just remembered - I have a Lee trimmer which I never use).

Garage or office?

Wherever you are most comfortable and least likely to be disturbed.

..

[User702]

Wherever you are most comfortable and least likely to be disturbed.

Hmmm, that would be Brecon then, not generally around the house!

Thanks very much for the offer, but I will have to sort out somewhere to do the reloading first. I think the office would be a reasonable sell, but the only stumbling block would be the chance of occasional primer explosions.