Is loading your own hunting ammo worth it?

[Crazy Dane]

When I first started loading my own hunting ammo, it was the only way to get premium bullets, better accuracy and better velocity.

I got new rifle in 6.5 CM last week, my first in that caliber and this morning watching it drizzle rain outside I decided to see what it was going to be to get components, dies and tools for loading. After visiting several web sites, comparing entry level dies to better ones, then adding these bullets and those bullets and realizing I don't have any powder that is 6.5 friendly... I came to the conclusion that I could buy close to 500 rounds of factory ammo that has already been proven to shoot MOA or less in my rifle.

I don't think I can justify spending the money on reloading gear and the time spent working up loads.

I think I am going to buy a few options of factory ammo and when I decide which one, order a case or 2.

Anyone else feel this way?

[JCS]

When I first started loading my own hunting ammo, it was the only way to get premium bullets, better accuracy and better velocity.

I got new rifle in 6.5 CM last week, my first in that caliber and this morning watching it drizzle rain outside I decided to see what it was going to be to get components, dies and tools for loading. After visiting several web sites, comparing entry level dies to better ones, then adding these bullets and those bullets and realizing I don't have any powder that is 6.5 friendly... I came to the conclusion that I could buy close to 500 rounds of factory ammo that has already been proven to shoot MOA or less in my rifle.

I don't think I can justify spending the money on reloading gear and the time spent working up loads.

I think I am going to buy a few options of factory ammo and when I decide which one, order a case or 2.

Anyone else feel this way?

Absolutely. Thats just the break even. Doesn’t account for the time which is a lot. Is it really worth 50 hrs to save a few hundred bucks?

[mtnbkr]

I was already reloading when I bought my first deer rifle. Additionally, I bought one in an odd hard-to-find caliber, 6.5x55, so reloading was the only way to get consistent supplies of good ammo.

I ended up shooting all of my deer with my handloads.

That said, had I gone with something more pedestrian like 308win, I probably would have ended up reloading anyway, but I'd at least have the option of off the shelf ammo.

Ergo, I'd say it comes down to your interest in the process. If you just want to shoot a deer, then just go with OOS. If you *like* reloading and such, then go that route. There's really no wrong answer.

Chris

[BobM]

Maybe to work up a less expensive practice load. I bought a 350 Legend rifle a couple years ago for Ohio deer hunting. I checked the zero with the hunting ammo and loaded a mag. A couple boxes will last a while and I have the same model rifle in other calibers to practice with so I don’t plan on loading for it. On the other hand, I used to shoot prairie dogs and the quantity of ammunition I needed in 221 and 223 would have cost a lot more if I had to buy factory

[CCT125US]

Anyone else feel this way?

Yes. Given press time, and access to appropriate testing ranges, it may not be worth it.

I traded into a DD5V5 in 6.5CM because I have the range to shoot. (I can go to 1200). Told myself I would give it time before I went in on reloading for it. Passed up deals on dies, powder, and bullets. 4 years later, putting exactly 60 rounds through it, I'm glad I held off. The rifle now sits on consignment at a local shop.

[Shotgun]

I think I am going to buy a few options of factory ammo and when I decide which one, order a case or 2.

Anyone else feel this way?

It depends. I used to reload shotgun shells, a lot. There was a zen to be obtained from reloading, and I enjoyed it. Reloading was a good escape and got my mind off the troubles of the day and focused on a task. And, after you were finished, you had something to show for your work. Would I reload today to save a little money at my age? Heck no. But, the equipment and supplies are still out in the shop should I ever need some time of mindless work with a bit of classic rock on Pandora -- and if the outside temperature is nice. I seem to read more these days rather than get out in a an un-airconditioned shop in Texas.

Also, maybe not so much for the pistol shooters, but many of the long range rifle shooters are tinkerers and like experimenting with loads. To many of those guys, reloading is part of the fun of their sport. Just a guess, but I would bet those guys are heavy into type A personalities.

[PNWTO]

I don’t, mostly for the points that I’m not a prolific hunter at the moment (time available) and that my Tikkas print the factory loads so well that getting into reloading (time and upfront cost) for what would be marginal gain just doesn’t make sense to myself.

Different story if I wanted to try to take a 1-1.5 MOA rifle to a .75 MOA or better. But, for normal boring PNWTO, who self-limits to 400yds; the cost to potentially shave .1-.2ish off a half-ish MOA rifle just doesn’t seem like a good ROI for my uses.

[Crazy Dane]

I get my reloading fix with my 44s and 357s. There is cost savings there and is more fun than bottle neck cartridges.

[358156hp]

Reloading makes me less reliant on stores. I'm probably really well set up for a long spell of independence. Casting my own bullets is also a major step in this direction.

[okie john]

When I first started loading my own hunting ammo, it was the only way to get premium bullets, better accuracy and better velocity.

I got new rifle in 6.5 CM last week, my first in that caliber and this morning watching it drizzle rain outside I decided to see what it was going to be to get components, dies and tools for loading. After visiting several web sites, comparing entry level dies to better ones, then adding these bullets and those bullets and realizing I don't have any powder that is 6.5 friendly... I came to the conclusion that I could buy close to 500 rounds of factory ammo that has already been proven to shoot MOA or less in my rifle.

I don't think I can justify spending the money on reloading gear and the time spent working up loads.

I think I am going to buy a few options of factory ammo and when I decide which one, order a case or 2.

Anyone else feel this way?

I don’t handload if I can buy cheap, accurate factory ammo at the right performance level. The results of this election could radically affect the math on this.


Okie John