AusVarmint

I have recently got into reloading so I thought I might put in the costs that I have been able to reload at. This could be handy info for people looking at getting into reloading. I would have found this information handy when I was looking at getting into reloading myself. Do we do stickys?

These costs of course is only the materials & not including the value of your own time.

1LB of Reloader 15 $53.00
200 Remington 9.5 large rifle primers $15.00
200 VMAX projectiles $80.00
Total $ 148.00

This is for 200 rounds which is 10 boxes of ammo. I am able to get 200 rounds out of 1LB of powder minimum, 39.5Gr/round. So easily under $15/box.

In Perth the Premium ammo for the .243 is $42/box of 20. Remington Accutip, Hornady Custom, Winchester Ballistic Silvertip.Etc
Regular ammo is $28/box, Winchester SuperX, Federal Powershock, Highland AX (never again)

Saving per box Premium $27
Saving per box Standard $13

Set of Reloading dies $150
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit $565
Ultrasonic case cleaner $150
Total $865

So I think my break even point is 28 packets of ammo if reloading equivalant premium rounds, which I am well on the way to doing.

Feel free to add your own experience, there are more savings to be had if you buy in bulk as always.

Dont forget cost of shells too mate. Depending on loads you might only get 6 from a shell or if your loading back you may get a dozen. You will be up for new shells every so often as well...

Brad Y wrote:Dont forget cost of shells too mate. Depending on loads you might only get 6 from a shell or if your loading back you may get a dozen. You will be up for new shells every so often as well...

Oh yeah, I didnt mention the shells. What I have been doing so far is keeping the factory brass after I have "emptied" hehe, then just reloading those. I have bought the premium ammo in the past but not anymore, reloads from now on. I have found the right receipe for my Savage to get < MOA with the 58Gr VMAX & 80Gr what ever I got off my mate pills. Thats handy info, I was wondering how many times you can reuse brass, I am up to twice fired & all loaded up ready to go. I am loading them up midrange so hopefully I will get "upto" 12 uses of my brass.

The brass I got off my mate was splitting the neck when full case resized, so I pulled the lot & binned the brass & started fresh with factory brass & reloading that. Good results so far, every time I was expecting a bang, I got a bang & now I have "good enough for me" accuracy I am going with that.

What can you expect to pay for new brass? I suppose there will be bottom shelf & top shelf brass aswell as there is with ammo. Will you get more reloads by neck sizing only as opposed to Full Length resizing? I am FL resizing at the moment & havent had to trim as yet, just as well as I havent got a case trimmer.

palla wrote:What can you expect to pay for new brass?

This will give you an indication of prices
http://www.shooters.com.au/categories.asp?cID=3875

Well thats more food for thought, once again, varying prices on new brass.

Whats the difference in the brass? will the exxy brass last longer or are they built to a tighter spec?

Prices range from 0.64c/round if you buy 1000 Winchesters or 0.68c/round if you buy 500 & up to $1.60/round for Lapua & $1.47/round for Norma brass.

Is this the place most people get their brass from? Do people buy brass or just reload the factory ones like I am doing atm.

That being said, anyone want to go halves in 1000 .243 Winchester brass?