Some powder costs are so high it's better to buy factory

04 November 2023, 22:10

I've been reloading for 10 years. Load for two calibers, and 556. This is for the 556. I saw an 8lb tub of AR Comp Alliant powder for $479. Add $30 for hazmat, and another 20 for shipping. That's $529 to my door. There's 7,000 grains in a lb. Divide that by 24gn which is what I load. That's 291.6 rounds I can load if I don't spill any. 291.6 x 8lbs is 2,333 rnds. Divide $529 by 2,333, that's .22 cents a round. The bullets I load are $45 a box for a 100. That's .45 cents a bullet. CCI small rifle primers are $85 and up, plus hazmat and shipping. Lets just call it an even 100 and that's conservative. S.10 cents per primer. Not counting brass If I had to buy it, but I have my own already, the total to load my own is $.77 a round, plus my time! Folks, I'm preaching to the choir probably but, today's component prices aren't even worth reloading. These websites many of us frequent are looking for suckers. I'd b e better off buying a factory round at this point and doing something else with my time. Don't be a sucker haha. Let those things sit on the shelf!

05 November 2023, 02:16

rcraig

And it won't be getting any cheaper.

05 November 2023, 03:25

Lamar

if I seen $479 for a jug of powder in any store that is the last time they'd see my ass going out their door.

05 November 2023, 04:35

rcraig

quote:
Originally posted by Lamar:
if I seen $479 for a jug of powder in any store that is the last time they'd see my ass going out their door.

Well, I'd say a lot of stores will be seeing your ass going out their door.

05 November 2023, 06:20

sambarman338

So how dear are factory loads?

Over here they are a good bit more than 77 cents each, even in $US.

Components are probably dearer than yours, too, but reloading still makes sense if you've already got the equipment. Amortising the cost of the equipment might be reason not to start but once you've got it you really need to keep at it to justify the money already spent.

The only real reason I can see for not reloading then is the inability to find primers. Though I've got enough for a fair while, none of the shops I've been to lately have had any to sell.

05 November 2023, 16:07

slivers

Find a different powder than AR-Comp. There are many choices out there that are lower cost per pound. Hodgdon Benchmark comes to mind, and it's not nearly as expensive as Alliant powders are,,,, and it's a popular propellant for .223/5.56mm. Getting stuck on 1 powder in todays day and age is just asinine. And, avoid the shipping and hazmat by GOING TO A SHOP THAT SELLS RELOADING SUPPLIES!!! instead of ordering on-line!

05 November 2023, 16:40

richj

Here unfortunately the shops that sell reloading supplies are also the shops that get $35 a box for 9mm. When you do find a shop it's 200 primers and 1 can of powder.

Hazmat and shipping is cheaper than gas and tolls.

A lot of powder is imported. Maybe some of the ball powders are local.

05 November 2023, 17:40

slivers

quote:
Originally posted by richj:
Here unfortunately the shops that sell reloading supplies are also the shops that get $35 a box for 9mm. When you do find a shop it's 200 primers and 1 can of powder.

Hazmat and shipping is cheaper than gas and tolls.

A lot of powder is imported. Maybe some of the ball powders are local.

Everyone knows the East and west coasts are crazy! Out here, in 'middle America', common sense still prevails. Was in a 'favorite' shop for a few minutes yesterday and there was H1000, H4350, and Benchmark , in 8# jugs, priced @ $319 and an 8 pounder of BLC-2 for $285. Primers can still be a challenge at times. There were many other 'flavors' of Winchester and Hodgdon powders on their shelves. Those I mentioned were the only ones I paid any attention to, as I didn't stop in there looking for anything in particular. Seems to be plenty of SR, SP and LP primers available, and not priced out of line for today. Most all "Ball" and "Spherical" powders are made in FL at the at the Saint Marks River plant. And reg gas was $3.19 this morning when I went out. Got a phone? Make a few calls to see what might be on the shelves before driving around. Federal AE 9mm was $20.50/ box of 50. No doubt about it, where you live in this country determines your 'cost of living', and everything else. If you live way out in the sticks, travel may be an issue. Combine shopping trips. Only thing I might mention about shipping is, order a bunch! You can either ship 50# or 70# (don remember which it is) for one hazmat fee. Ya' can't mix propellants and primers in the same hazmat shipment.

05 November 2023, 22:27

p dog shooter

quote:
So how dear are factory loads?

Over here they are a good bit more than 77 cents each, even in $US

If one is buying low end ammo some times it pays to buy factory.

With high end ammo, one can reload for a lot less.

One needs to be-able to do math to figure it out.

07 November 2023, 05:15

Lamar

the only powder I've seen for 60$ a pound was on Gunbroker and it included shipping.

I thought close to 40 a pound was highway robbery and left it sit.

now I feel bad for dumping off all those jugs of red-dot and Clays for 200 bucks each and only making $40 profit.

oh well,, maybe the next time.

07 November 2023, 05:57

sambarman338

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
So how dear are factory loads?

Over here they are a good bit more than 77 cents each, even in $US

If one is buying low end ammo some times it pays to buy factory.

With high end ammo, one can reload for a lot less.

One needs to be-able to do math to figure it out.

Thanks PDS,
Googling the calibre now shows me a lot of 1000-round offers here that would fit NGARick's scenario. Since I've got no centrefire smaller than 6.5, I'm a bit outside of that world.

Also, maybe I thought 556 was some new elephant calibre

07 November 2023, 17:44

vines

when i first started loading primers were less than 1 penny a pc. now they are $0.12 - $0.14 a pc. 4350 was $12.00 - $14.00 per pound

08 November 2023, 04:00

Gundog 64

Midway just had some Federal 215M primers for sale, a 5K flat with shipping and HazMat was $782.00. They sold out fast.

08 November 2023, 23:53

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by NGARick:
I've been reloading for 10 years. Load for two calibers, and 556. This is for the 556. I saw an 8lb tub of AR Comp Alliant powder for $479. Add $30 for hazmat, and another 20 for shipping. That's $529 to my door. There's 7,000 grains in a lb. Divide that by 24gn which is what I load. That's 291.6 rounds I can load if I don't spill any. 291.6 x 8lbs is 2,333 rnds. Divide $529 by 2,333, that's .22 cents a round. The bullets I load are $45 a box for a 100. That's .45 cents a bullet. CCI small rifle primers are $85 and up, plus hazmat and shipping. Lets just call it an even 100 and that's conservative. S.10 cents per primer. Not counting brass If I had to buy it, but I have my own already, the total to load my own is $.77 a round, plus my time! Folks, I'm preaching to the choir probably but, today's component prices aren't even worth reloading. These websites many of us frequent are looking for suckers. I'd b e better off buying a factory round at this point and doing something else with my time. Don't be a sucker haha. Let those things sit on the shelf!

I just priced a 1000 rnd. case win 55g FMJ 5.56 for a measly $780.00 I passed. Try pricing Varget/ I use 25.5g with anything 55g

09 November 2023, 00:24

slivers

https://www.sgammo.com/catalog...-sale/223-556mm-ammo

09 November 2023, 00:43

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by slivers:
https://www.sgammo.com/catalog...-sale/223-556mm-ammo

Fair pricing? now ship it to Alaska?

09 November 2023, 02:04

slivers

quote:
Originally posted by tsturm:
quote:
Originally posted by slivers:
https://www.sgammo.com/catalog...-sale/223-556mm-ammo

Fair pricing? now ship it to Alaska?

You will have to ask them!

10 November 2023, 20:50

NGARick

quote:
Originally posted by slivers:
Find a different powder than AR-Comp. There are many choices out there that are lower cost per pound. Hodgdon Benchmark comes to mind, and it's not nearly as expensive as Alliant powders are,,,, and it's a popular propellant for .223/5.56mm. Getting stuck on 1 powder in todays day and age is just asinine. And, avoid the shipping and hazmat by GOING TO A SHOP THAT SELLS RELOADING SUPPLIES!!! instead of ordering on-line!

You're right about not getting stuck on one powder. And I do have a different powder that is the primary one that I use and not AR Comp. I have almost 7 lbs left of a 8lb tub I bought. But I'm just trying to make a point that even with all our reloading tools, if one had no components and had to aquire the 4 essentials, it wouldn't be worth their time. I load a defensive bullet for all my AR's, but even 62 green tip is going for .65 a round right now. If you want to shoot a defensive bullet in an AR, and having to buy all the components you're going to be looking at about .90 or more per round. Might as well just buy factory. Because my sticks shoot well under a min with my loads. But the $1 a round defensive ammo will give you great accuracy too for the price today.

10 November 2023, 20:52

NGARick

quote:
Originally posted by slivers:
Find a different powder than AR-Comp. There are many choices out there that are lower cost per pound. Hodgdon Benchmark comes to mind, and it's not nearly as expensive as Alliant powders are,,,, and it's a popular propellant for .223/5.56mm. Getting stuck on 1 powder in todays day and age is just asinine. And, avoid the shipping and hazmat by GOING TO A SHOP THAT SELLS RELOADING
SUPPLIES!!! instead of ordering on-line!

I use XBR 8208, H335, and Alliant. I have plenty of the first two.

10 November 2023, 20:52

NGARick

quote:
Originally posted by sambarman338:
So how dear are factory loads?

Over here they are a good bit more than 77 cents each, even in $US.

Components are probably dearer than yours, too, but reloading still makes sense if you've already got the equipment. Amortising the cost of the equipment might be reason not to start but once you've got it you really need to keep at it to justify the money already spent.

The only real reason I can see for not reloading then is the inability to find primers. Though I've got enough for a fair while, none of the shops I've been to lately have had any to sell.

Good defensive rounds are $1.10 per. But if you had to buy all the components your cost would be about almost the same, and then your time.

10 November 2023, 20:56

NGARick

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
So how dear are factory loads?

Over here they are a good bit more than 77 cents each, even in $US

If one is buying low end ammo some times it pays to buy factory.

I shoot berger bullets. If one went out today and bought all 4 components being quality components, you'd spend about a $1 per round. Todays manufacturers produce a very good round for that money. It's a moot point to relaod for defensive purposes right now. All my guns shoot well under a minute because I've tailored each round of course, but the higher end factory will shoot under a minute too.
With high end ammo, one can reload for a lot less.

One needs to be-able to do math to figure it out.

10 November 2023, 20:57

NGARick

quote:
Originally posted by Gundog 64:
Midway just had some Federal 215M primers for sale, a 5K flat with shipping and HazMat was $782.00. They sold out fast.

WOW! $782 for 5k primers?1?! That's .15 a primer!!! NUTS!!!!

10 November 2023, 20:59

NGARick

I use XBR 8208, H335, and Alliant. I have plenty of the first two and is what I typically use. But when loading a quality components with todays prices, if you have to buy all 4 you're going to spend a $1 a round before you size the first case. So..

quote:
Originally posted by tsturm:
quote:
Originally posted by NGARick:
I've been reloading for 10 years. Load for two calibers, and 556. This is for the 556. I saw an 8lb tub of AR Comp Alliant powder for $479. Add $30 for hazmat, and another 20 for shipping. That's $529 to my door. There's 7,000 grains in a lb. Divide that by 24gn which is what I load. That's 291.6 rounds I can load if I don't spill any. 291.6 x 8lbs is 2,333 rnds. Divide $529 by 2,333, that's .22 cents a round. The bullets I load are $45 a box for a 100. That's .45 cents a bullet. CCI small rifle primers are $85 and up, plus hazmat and shipping. Lets just call it an even 100 and that's conservative. S.10 cents per primer. Not counting brass If I had to buy it, but I have my own already, the total to load my own is $.77 a round, plus my time! Folks, I'm preaching to the choir probably but, today's component prices aren't even worth reloading. These websites many of us frequent are looking for suckers. I'd b e better off buying a factory round at this point and doing something else with my time. Don't be a sucker haha. Let those things sit on the shelf!

I just priced a 1000 rnd. case win 55g FMJ 5.56 for a measly $780.00 I passed. Try pricing Varget/ I use 25.5g with anything 55g