Have to be a rich cowboy to carry the 45...

[GunnyGene]

That's almost exactly what it costs me to feed my .41mag NMBH & Henry BBSC. So I don't shoot them much. The fact is that all ammo is rapidly reaching the point of being un-affordable, even .22lr. Decent 9mm JHP is over $1/rnd.

[Vaquero]

That's almost exactly what it costs me to feed my .41mag NMBH & Henry BBSC. So I don't shoot them much. The fact is that all ammo is rapidly reaching the point of being un-affordable, even .22lr. Decent 9mm JHP is over $1/rnd.

Gene, 41 mag. has always been relatively expensive compared to most common revolver calibers.
Was the cal. that finally pushed me over the edge, and into the reloading game.
I'm so glad now, as I have dies and components for every cf cal. I own, plus a couple more.

RP

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I cast my own and load my own........Don't have to be rich to carry a 45 or 44.

[RanchRoper]

I know I put those darn cartridge guns and ammo someplace…

[Travlin]

It is difficult for me to understand why a person that likes to shoot any kind of handgun or rifle more than three or four times a year, would not want to load his or her own ammo and maybe even cast their own bullets. I bought my first real handgun , a Colt Trooper 357 in 1968. Soon I sent to Herters for a press, powder scale and dies. I still have the Colt and still use the Herter's press and have added many calibers since then. Looking at the handgun ammo prices makes me very glad that I don't have to pay for factory ammo.

[BigAl52]

Got an email from Powder Valley this am for 45 Colt ammo on sale at 57.99
https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product ... al+308+FMJ

[fortyshooter]

Got an email from Powder Valley this am for 45 Colt ammo on sale at 57.99
https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product ... al+308+FMJ

Glad to see the price coming down for folks that don't load for it. That is some good ammo for shelf stuff ! I started right off with 45 Colt when I got into reloading back in 2014.

[North Country Gal]

It is difficult for me to understand why a person that likes to shoot any kind of handgun or rifle more than three or four times a year, would not want to load his or her own ammo and maybe even cast their own bullets. I bought my first real handgun , a Colt Trooper 357 in 1968. Soon I sent to Herters for a press, powder scale and dies. I still have the Colt and still use the Herter's press and have added many calibers since then. Looking at the handgun ammo prices makes me very glad that I don't have to pay for factory ammo.

Travlin, that makes good sense, of course, but there are reasons why it is impractical for some people to take up reloading or, in my case, continue reloading. Yes, I used to reload and reload for almost everything I shot, but I eventually gave it up simply because I no longer had time for it given all my other interests and, as we all know, you need to take your time when reloading to do it right and, above all, do it, safely. Got to a point where my reloading was actually cutting into my shooting time so I made a decision to prioritize shooting and get out of reloading. To that end, I dropped guns in cartridges that were too expensive or too hard to find as far as factory ammo.

Yes, I miss some of those cartridges and guns, no doubt about it. These days I shoot mostly air guns and rimfire. Works great for me, because I no longer hunt, just target shoot. I still do a little centerfire shooting, but it's mostly with easy to find and relatively affordable cartridges such as 9m and 223.

Nevertheless, I still get out and shoot a little with some guns in cartridges that I just can't let go for old time's sake, such as 22 Hornet, 45 Colt and 44 mag to name a few. Not much, mind you, but just enough to appreciate those guns and cartridges.

Yeah, I highly recommend reloading for anyone who can fit it into their lifestyle and do it, right. Pretty much a no-brainer, then.

[Travlin]

Thank you for sharing another point of view on the subject. You are right in the fact that one has to pay very close attention when making ammo. I enjoy the time spent in doing so but I know that others might find it a burden.

[Vaquero]

I like my time reloading, especially on the days when the weather is cold or wet.
I don't know if I load to shoot, or
Shoot to load...

RP