Thinking of Home loading

[soapywatson]

Hello all,


I had a free hour or so at work and started doing some “fag-packet maths” around reloading my .243. I’ve worked the cost per reload out at approximately £1.30 per round (excluding the cost of tooling and my time), which is just under half of what I currently pay per shot when buying from an RFD. With the likelihood of lead-free becoming the norm going forward, I think the cost saving could be even greater when using lead-free ammo.


So my question is: is it worth home-loading? If so, what tools are essential, which aren’t worth the hassle, and what tools would you recommend?


I’m currently looking at a kit from Lee Precision, which appears to include everything required:
LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT


With my understanding of the FAC, and my ticket stating I can hold 80 rounds of .243, would I need to apply for a variation to hold, say, 100 rounds if I’m home-loading? Most bullets seem to come in boxes of 50 or 100. Would I be able to buy a box of 100 bullets but only be allowed to load and hold 80 rounds at any one time?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike1979]

Im going to be reloading myself shortly and the only reason Im doing it is for the accuracy as I dont think the maths works unless you are shooting 1000s of rounds.

With the round count on your ticket thats loaded rounds so no issue you having 1000 primers, 1kg of powder and 500 bullet heads as long as you have no more then 80 loaded rounds of any type.

 

[soapywatson]

Thanks for the clarification on the amount of rounds, I did think it would be fine but rather double check. might have to rework my maths but my rough calculations were coming in at per shot:
primer - £0.18
Powder - £0.26
Bullet head - £0.80
totaling £1.24

and current Hornady v-max is around £45 /20- so per shot £2.25

then for the break even of the tools lets say £250 divided by the £1.24 which comes to 201.61 rounds to be created before the tool are essentially free...

 

[tackb]

, i love the beginners optimism about cost savings when the truth is it's an expensive rabbit hole !

 

[Mike1979]

Thanks for the clarification on the amount of rounds, I did think it would be fine but rather double check. might have to rework my maths but my rough calculations were coming in at per shot:
primer - £0.18
Powder - £0.26
Bullet head - £0.80
totaling £1.24

and current Hornady v-max is around £45 /20- so per shot £2.25

then for the break even of the tools lets say £250 divided by the £1.24 which comes to 201.61 rounds to be created before the tool are essentially free...

Cost will go up if you need to allow for brass and also tumbler etc. You will also "waste" a load of money in developing a load as you have to shoot it to see if its accurate. My view is that its a bloody rabbit hole ... only reason I am doing it as my rifle is a custom build and it seems wrong to use factory ammo in it even though its more then sufficient for killing what I need to ..madness

 

[Fn5]

I mean, i enjoy the process and the fact that i can make match grade .308win ammo for under £1.90 per round (£1.90 being the upper end depending on what brands gear i use and suppliers prices going up or down)
Only another 500 rounds to be made and i will finally start "saving" money

Im going to be reloading myself shortly and the only reason Im doing it is for the accuracy as I dont think the maths works unless you are shooting 1000s of rounds.

With the round count on your ticket thats loaded rounds so no issue you having 1000 primers, 1kg of powder and 500 bullet heads as long as you have no more then 80 loaded rounds of any type.

I've been informed that a primed case counts too, would be worth checking that...

 

[ashray]

i think your prices are optimistic, powder now £120+ a kilo. primers 12+ per 100,cases you probably have, bullets <they are not HEADS> £45+ 100 cup and core. £2+ each monolithic. 243 takes any thing from 30grs to 45grs depending on the powder used<435 rounds approx 1 kilo powder> yes slightly cheapper than factory but your time and cost of reloading wont add up to much in the way of savings and WILL LEAD to much frustration and any questions you have you will get 10 different answers<remember reloading manuals are only accurate in the test barrel with the exact components the factory use !> good luck.

 

[Razzdogg]

The chances of you being happy with £250 worth of reloading gear in the long run is so very slim, as with any hobby you start browsing the next best thing so if money is the only factor id say tread carefully

One benefit would be the ability to fine tune your loads though so a useful skill regardless

 

[Liveonce]

, i love the beginners optimism about cost savings when the truth is it's an expensive rabbit hole !

it does not have to be an expensive rabbit hole, to make ammunition unless looking to compete in F class or such competition.

 

[Mike1979]

I mean, i enjoy the process and the fact that i can make match grade .308win ammo for under £1.90 per round (£1.90 being the upper end depending on what brands gear i use and suppliers prices going up or down)
Only another 500 rounds to be made and i will finally start "saving" money

I've been informed that a primed case counts too, would be worth checking that...

Interesting point, thanks

 

[VSS]

I dabbled in reloading at one time, also with an eye on trying to save money.
Yes, it did save money, but it was a lot of faff and I didn't actually find the whole load development process very interesting.

So, if you're considering starting reloading, I think you've got to really want to do it for its own sake, almost as a hobby in its own right. Any ammunition cost savings should be considered a bonus.

 

[Muir]

Buy a Lee Classic loader. Makes accurate ammo and you won't be out alot if you dont like it -Muir

 

[Liveonce]

I've been informed that a primed case counts too, would be worth checking that...

They don’t.

 

[Sampo]

You self load, you end up shooting a lot more. Been down this lane before but then again, who doens't want to shoot more.

 

[bluesako]

48p

 

[SimpleSimon]

They don’t.

Is the right answer

 

[Smellydog]

I sold all my gear years ago and started again but via a very modest set up. It wasn't to bad to set up this time around.
I never recommend reloading anymore for economic reasons. Independence is the main reason.
Plus one gets the ability to horse trade and buy bargains from unwanted bullets primers and powder at reduced cost.

If one must simply have the best and a one trick pony you'll pay!

 

[wabbit warren]

i always used factory ammo (Hornady Superformance 53gn vmax) and was impressed with them
i decided to load my own using the once fired cases and replicate the round the best i could using 53gn vmax heads
a friend recommended using vitt 133 powder and cci primers
i used the overall length from the factory round
i normally load 40 at a time
what I've gained is a far more accurate round (1/2 moa) after a lot of range work with varying loads i settled on 24.30gn of powder
but cost wise i don't even think about it
all i can say is i fly fish and the flies i use i tie myself, and now the bullets i use i load myself
i feel its a hobby within a hobby and get a buzz out of both knowing my hard work has gone into the end result of both

 

[wytonpjs]

I went down the route of reloading early on in my deer stalking "career" and frankly, it's a Godsend for me. Having started 10 years ago, I truly believe I have optimised my capital costs but its the ability to go out to the garage and quickly churn out another 20, 30, or more rounds in as many minutes. Yes, you need to work up your loads so you'll fire quite a number initially but having done that initially with Lead and then again with Copper, my loads don't change. I have set loads for my .243, .270 and .308 that I doubt I'll ever change in the remainder of my stalking life. I too started with the Lee kit but the only thing remaining is the press and the primer! Buy those, a set of their carbide dies for the calibres you are going to load and an S/H auto-trickler and bar minor things like funnels, your'e set! I periodically range shoot to demonstrate marksmanship and check zero - ranges eat rounds so if you are into target shooting, its certainly a no-brainer. As other say, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction too to be able to do the process as part of the stalking experience.

If you have a rifle that likes factory and don't shoot many deer, then stay with factory but do choose a readily available round and make sure you keep a buffer stock.

 

[MTheaded but happy]

Buy secondhand , buy smart and buy once .