Reloading Vs. Buying Ammo: What’s Cheaper?
This article explores the common question: Can reloading save you money? The answer isn’t always a simple yes or no. While many shooters see long-term savings, others reload for different reasons — like improved performance, consistency, availability of ammo and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. We’ll break down the real costs, benefits beyond the budget, and why many view reloading as more than just a way to cut expenses.
Can I Save Money Reloading Ammo?
New handloaders will need to invest in the right equipment. Picking up the essentials of a reloading kit, dies, calipers, manual, powder funnel, etc. will set you back around $500 – which could buy a lot of ammo off the shelf. That said, your new press, powder measure, dies, shell holder, etc. will last you a lifetime of reloading, and can be considered a one-time cost. Just like buying a good quality firearm, good reloading gear is a buy once, cry once situation.
From there, your cost-per-round calculation of reloaded vs store-bought ammo varies dramatically based on what cartridge you’re shooting, which components you select, and how many rounds you plan on shooting.
For a full breakdown of starter costs for reloading, click here.
Once you factor in startup costs, you’ll save money reloading shooting…
- Unavailable/Hard-To-Find Cartridges: Niche, hard-to-find, boutique, or old-school some cartridges must be handloaded, as there is little or no factory ammo available. If you can rarely find the cartridge you’re looking for on shelf, or only find the ammo occasionally at an eyewatering price, you fall into this camp
- Bigger Rifle Cartridges: You can only shoot so many boxes of 300 Winchester Short Mag before your wallet cries uncle. Even with premium components, you’ll save anywhere from $0.50 to $1.00+ per round reloading larger rifle cartridges such as 300 Win. Mag, 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler, 338 Lapua, and others compared to buying high end factory ammo
- Premium Components: With the cost of brass, powder, primers and bullets rising, (like everything else these days) it’s harder to save money reloading common ball/FMJ-type ammo loaded with standard grade powders, brass or primers. You can start saving money however if you shoot premium components such as name brand bullets, high-end, better-quality brass, or match-grade primers
- Common Cartridges – In Volume: You won’t save money reloading your first 100 rounds of 9mm Luger, 223 Rem/5.56 NATO, or your first 50 .308 Winchester reloads, but even with a small savings of a few cents per round, you will eventually start saving money the more you shoot
- Specific-Use Ammo: Maybe your rifle only likes a specific grain weight and type of bullet, or maybe the handgun discipline you’re shooting this summer requires a specific power factor. Perhaps you’re shooting PRS or NRL Hunter and you need to shoot 100-500 rounds per week of the highest quality ammo possible. Costs can quickly become prohibitive on buying factory ammo
Is Reloading Ammo Actually Cheaper?
It comes down to what you are shooting, what kind of ammo you need, how often you’re at the range, and what your budget is. Many reloaders get into the hobby to save money, and end up spending far more than they would’ve spent on factory ammo…because they’re shooting far more than they were before. Others start reloading to save cash, but end up reloading to make better quality ammo and because they enjoy the process – with savings as a side bonus.
Whatever your reason for reloading, if you’re looking to take the plunge, RCBS is here to help. Call our tech team for product recommendations, gear needs, or questions anytime.
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