Is reloading worth the hassle

[Rake Aboot]

Ey up

Was out zeroing today with the Tika m595 .222. With the mod on I am now down to two hole groups at 90 mtrs (6 shot groups)

Plenty accurate for my needs for sure. So why should I reload ? I`ve been considering it for a bit,, how much would I save given that I pay £19 for a box of Sako 55gr gameheads.

Would it improve the accuracy that much ?

Sorry if any of the above sounds thick, but I know nowt about reloading,

 

[flyingfisherman]

i can only speak for myself but reloading gives me a lot of satisfaction along with the benefits of 'cheaper' ammo and something which shoots better than factory. I think if i were only shooting a dozen deer a year and not using the rifle for other applications then it would make less sense.

 

[British Shooting Services]

i can only speak for myself but reloading gives me a lot of satisfaction along with the benefits of 'cheaper' ammo and something which shoots better than factory. I think if i were only shooting a dozen deer a year and not using the rifle for other applications then it would make less sense.

+1

 

[cockerdog]

It's a good price for factory loads, I bought a load of rws for my .222 at £ 15/20 as old stock, it wasn't worth reloading when they were at that price.
Once they are used up I guess I will reload .222 again I reload the rest .ie..243, .270, 30-06 and it is worth the hassle for the saving.

 

[dodgyrog]

Reloading is a hobby in itself and it's very satisfying to do it right. Getting it right needs some skill and a coach is beneficial.
I've just reloaded 50 .308 rounds for use on Short Siberia - 200 yards - using my own cast boolits. Now that's where the saving starts and I'm making (not assembling) my rounds.
Best group so far was from my 30-06 AI with a 190 grain cast boolit achieving 1 MOA.

 

[stag1933]

It depends on your own circumstances and the amount you shoot.
I re-load the .222 for an impoverished friend on low wages.

Bullet heads/projectiles are £15 per hundred.
Powder charge about 12 pence per load.
Primer about 3 pence making the total price per shot about 31 pence compared with your factory cartridges at 95 pence each.
There is nothing matter with your factory cartridge but my friend gets more shooting at much less cost to himself.

HWH.

 

[Hornet 6]

There is very little to no saving when home loading, you just shoot more

Neil.

 

[swarovski]

What makes you think it's hassle,I enjoy reloading,making and testing,if you are happy with your factory stuff there is no need,try testing your factory stuff at 400yds and see how inconsistent they are,I won't brag but my ammo can shoot very small groups at that range,I wouldn't go back to factory now,atb swaro

 

[6.5/284matt]

Ey up

Was out zeroing today with the Tika m595 .222. With the mod on I am now down to two hole groups at 90 mtrs (6 shot groups)

Plenty accurate for my needs for sure. So why should I reload ? I`ve been considering it for a bit,, how much would I save given that I pay £19 for a box of Sako 55gr gameheads.

Would it improve the accuracy that much ?

Sorry if any of the above sounds thick, but I know nowt about reloading,

I would never reload to save money. I reload for accuracy, it just so happens you save money along the way. If your getting a 2 hole group and saving a few £ is not a big issue I'd stick to what your using because all you'll be trying to do is replicate what you've already got.

Cheers. Matt.

 

[247sniper]

From my experience, I had a similar thing where factory ammo in my .22 Hornet shot awsomley well at 100 yards, UNTIL one day i bought a new batch of the same make of ammo and OMG it was like over a inch at 100 yards.....

I have also noticed that factory ammo that works at 100 yards might not work at 200,300+ yards consistently.

It will save you money but a night out on the ale would soon spend your savings . The big advantage is that you can tweak a load to your requirements, for example, you could load a 50+ grain soft point for small deer, you could load a high BC V-MAX bullet or the likes for long range varminting way out there or s very light.super fast explosive bullet for foxing at closer ranges at night. Or like me I load just the one bullet that covers all my needs very well.

The options are there for you and it can be fun to do, with great rewards and great satisfaction when you get it right.

Hope this has been of some help to you.


Steve.

 

[timbrayford]

I originally started reloading because I had bought some defective factory ammo made by a leading manufacturer.
I haven't got the foggiest idea when or if all the kit has paid for itself or what each round truly costs, but they are consistently good and I can make them up for specific tasks.
I have found reloading to be a fascinating shooting related hobby that I can pursue after dark and when the weather is bad. atb Tim

 

[Simjim33]

Ey up

Was out zeroing today with the Tika m595 .222. With the mod on I am now down to two hole groups at 90 mtrs (6 shot groups)

Plenty accurate for my needs for sure. So why should I reload ? I`ve been considering it for a bit,, how much would I save given that I pay £19 for a box of Sako 55gr gameheads.

Would it improve the accuracy that much ?

Sorry if any of the above sounds thick, but I know nowt about reloading,

Thers only hassle with reloading if You listen/believe the rubbish that the bench rest crowd continue to spout. You can make very, very good ammo safely and cheaply with inexpensive kit.

 

[shootingduckdog]

I started reoading 2 years ago. I am sure that even after 1500 rounds it is unlikely that I have saved any money!! The main reason for this was because I was buying brass too (the most expensive part). The main problem is that it is a hobby in its own right and you end up buying more and more kit you probably dont need all of. The other issue is that it can take several attempts at getting the right load and if that involoves buying bullets at £25ish per box and powders at £40 per tub you can spend hundreds getting the one load you want. This is offset if you have mates reloading and can sample some of their stuff.
For me I can say I get NO extra satisfaction shooting something with a bullet I have reloaded but thats cos its all about the stalk etc for me. I do enjoy prepping cases etc when I cant get out shooting tho

 

[bobjs]

I started when i used to shoot at bisley every 3 weekend of the month, and with both 308 and 6mm br it was hard on the pocket,

then i get back into hunting and wanted to keep the loading kit for the 6mm br, then i fell in love with the 20 tactical ( wildcat round IE: you can't get factory ammo for it here in the UK Yet that is)

save money: I think so, and apart from that i can sod off into the garage/loading room out of the wifes hair and sit with sky TV on and load away until my hearts content.

speed is nothing accuracy is all that matters.

regards

bob.

 

[Wingy]

I used to shoot .243 & .308 once a month at club range days but it just got too expensive. I've only shot a few rounds this last couple of years while stalking & check zeroing. I always saved my brass and have been buying bits of loading equipment whenever I could afford it. I made my first 100 rounds of .243 and shot them at club range this month there is some development work to do but all 100 rounds would have hit the 4" kill zone on a deer & this was at 200 yds so not bad for my first attempt
Wingy

 

[Hunting Solutions]

I would expect nothing less from a sniper Martin!

 

[PointBlank]

I ask the same question because I can get factory federal powershocks touching at 100m in my 6.5x55 for £25 a box and as generally I only shoot when I have got a deer in the crosshairs or occasionally to check zero it would never be justified on a cost saving basis.

Maybe it's something to take up if I need another hobby but otherwise I'll keep buying factory.

 

[biker1]

Its worth it to me saves me having to watch eastenders celebrity big brother and all that crap my better half likes.

 

[ziggy]

tony sums it up well

 

[VssF]

I've been wondering the same. When you have to purchase all the reloading gear and consider the time spent. But like stated it can be a hobby. When I finally get my rifle ill try a few different rounds and decide from there.

Good luck in your decision.
Sean.