[msredneck]

From my point of view, one of the most challenging things to overcome being a new shooter is the extensive amount of ammo needed both for practice and on "game day"...While IDPA matches you may only shoot 70 - 80 rds of ammo...USPSA matches might be 200 +. On top of that, It's usually very difficult to retrieve ones brass that is on the ground when a match is going on...bad for my brass stash

Given the price of ammo these this is a big ouch.....

So it doesn't take very long before one has to start thinking about major reloading....and I'm not talking Lee single stage like I have....we are talking Dillion 650 territory....Most likely a Dillion Square Deal B in 9mm for me


To save $ on game day I've contemplated shooting steel case ammo like Wolf...It is cheaper, but I've always been of the opinion that the steel case (Blended) ammo would eventually damage my pistols extractor...so I've resisted the temptation to shoot it...

So what is a realistic amount of ammo expenditure per month.....

If I'm buying commercial ammo...Monarch Red Box or Winchester White Box is about $13 for 50

so if I figure 200 rds for a match once a month and 300 rds a week practice that's 1400 rds or 28 boxes $364 per month?....Say What..... :whaaa:

Are my estimates out of whack? How does a mere mortal afford it?

 

[Beladran]

its not that bad really. not every week you will be blowing that kinda ammo either. I dont reload 9mm because i can get it cheaper than its worth for me to gear up for loading it($10 per 50) I get my 45 brass for free because I make a raid on my local law enforcements range and pick up the brass.

 

[GunOneDown]

dry fire practice alot. practice only once a week and only shoot 100 or so rounds. technique practice is important as well as live fire. or you could get another job and change your priorities.
set up targets in yard and walk around practicing burning no powder. .02 savin money.

 

[bubbat]

Get a .22 conversion and practice with that, would be a lot cheaper as far as ammo goes.

 

[Cliff Cargill]

Dry firing is the essential element of learning the competition shooting sports. I dry fire daily. You don't need to burn through all that ammo, I assure you. It's all about technique, and the most expensive investment of all: time.

 

[msredneck]

Good tips, I've often wondered if shooting a conversion 22 would give the same feel.

Have not seen any Glock conversion 22 LR's LOL

Beladran I need some $10 per 50 9mm...

best I can find is $13 per 50... I DON"T shoot 300 rds a week normally...I don't really know how one could afford to do so....(and stay married)....so in your opinion 9mm is still not cost effective to reload?

 

[Cliff Cargill]

Yes, 9mm is cost effective to reload. Buy a Dillon 550, primers by the sleeve, bullets by the case, and powder by the 8lb. keg. Save every piece of brass you shoot (stay away from steel cases).

In the long run, you'll come out ahead.

 

[bigsig]

+1 cliff I use the Rl550B , but do not have 9mm dies yet have loaded most other pistol calibers though.

 

[Will_M]

I load on a 550 as well. I paid a little over $500 for the whole set-up. In three months (around 3500 rds loaded) the press had already paid for itself in the ammo savings. I shoot .40, so I'm going to save a lot more per round than you guys shooting 9mm, but the concept is the same.

Heck, if you get a 550 or 650, I feel pretty confident that there are dies available to reload every caliber you own on that one press.