| With ammunition price sky rocketing and the | | | | than having multipurpose dies. |
| availability declining, reloading ammunition can be a | | | | Accessories that you will also incur will be case |
| cost effective and satisfying venture to go into. | | | | tumblers and tumbler media, case trimmers, |
| What are the associated costs to reloading. First, | | | | primer pocket cleaners, calipers, reloading book, |
| you have to ask yourself, if you are reloading to | | | | scales, powder measure, and an area to work in. |
| plink or play at the range, reloading for | | | | You can purchase complete reloading kits with all |
| competition, or reloading for hunting. Each of the | | | | of the following already included in the specific |
| three is unique in how you will load for your rifle. I'll | | | | caliber you want to shoot. Often times this is the |
| tackle this matter by giving you a general formula | | | | most cost-effective way to go. |
| and cross-reference the associated costs of | | | | So, here's what you've been waiting for, the math |
| standard factory ammo. | | | | to justify it all: |
| Reloading press prices will vary from $25 - $1500. | | | | (Cost of equipment) + (Cost of components) = |
| This is your first determining factor. If you are a | | | | Initial Cost |
| new reloader, I would highly recommend | | | | (Initial Cost) / (# of rounds to produce) = initial |
| purchasing a single stage press. Lee makes an | | | | cost per round |
| affordable entry press to learn on. Progressive | | | | 2nd batch (Cost of components) / (# of rounds |
| presses produce more ammunition than single | | | | to produce) = cost per round* |
| stage presses and are much more expensive. | | | | (Price per round of factory ammo) - (Cost per |
| Reloading dies will also vary based on whether | | | | round) = savings |
| you will be shooting a bolt or semi-automatic rifle. | | | | (Initial Cost) / (Savings) = break even point |
| These will range from $20 - $100. You can | | | | Purchasing in bulk quantities is where you will gain |
| choose from competition dies, carbide dies, or | | | | the most advantage. Purchasing 5000 primers |
| just plain standard dies. Some of these will come | | | | instead of 100 or 8lbs of powder with several of |
| in two die or three die sets. More dies usually | | | | your friends and split the hazardous material fee |
| mean more money. It also means that you are | | | | will go a long way to putting more money into |
| not sacrificing the quality of your rounds by | | | | your pocket and longer time at the range. |
| distributing tasks performed to other dies, rather | | | | |