I really don't follow factory loads much but, after reading the comments I decided I might just look around. Schells, Wal-Mart & Cabela's have 30-.06 & .270 150 grain core-lokts for 16.99. Then I got to lookin at what I call the exotics. Holy-moly!!!!! I reload. I can get approximately 135 rounds of .270 & 06 from a pound of powder. So, that equates to about o.oo for brass, .01 for primers and about 11.5 cents for powder per round. These components were bought a few years ago at lower prices. I still use my RCBS Rock Chucker and accessories that came with the kit in 1983. For you young guys, think about reloading. The equipment is warranted for life and over time it'll pay for itself.

I've been doing the same math, and I've decided to call it 50 cents a round. Good bullets are around a quarter, after all, and brass doesn't last forever -- that and it seemed like a nice number. Still, that's 30 cents off the cheap stuff and $1.30 under a comparable load, per shot!

Paul and Looney, I started reloading last year and I think I reload my 223 rounds for 27 cents a piece with 55gr. or 60 gr. vmax and the 243 and 308 rounds are soemthing like 32 cents a round. My handgun loads (45 acp, and 10MM) is where I see the greatest savings, and I don't load lead bullets.

I started a post that goes over the very basics of reloading, read here if you are interested in starting up. Once you get started and your buddies catch wind of it, you will keep yourself busy and I personally like the challenge to try and get that super accurate load......

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub...rid#Post1578461

ooooops...I did forget to add the cost of bullets to that cost per round. Years ago I picked up 06 and 270 Sierra bullets on sale for 12.00 a box per 100. So that adds .12 to factor in. As far as brass is concerned, a guy can pick up brass from guys who don't reload. One thing about reloading is a person becomes more aware of what goes on ballistically, internal and external. One thing that I will NOT do is reload for someone else. However, I have let guys do thier own with my set up after they read the manuals, buy thier own dies and with me looking over thier shoulder. It don't take too long before they start looking getting thier stuff.

continuing on my cheapness, I have shells from my grandpa and uncle that date well back into the 70's, they fire just fine. I almost wonder if there is any sort of market for old box shells, I have more than I'd ever shoot through

My math actually came out to .39. Like I said, 50 cents.

While $7.80 a box is cheaper than $10.00, it doesn't have that "ten bucks" ring to it, and then again there is just something about roasting a 'yote for four bits.

Picks, I looked at that link you posted. Looks like you sure took some time to put that together. Quite comprehensive, I'd say. Nice lookin set up ya got there. I've got my set up in a room that I built in my barn. Like you, I don't get in no hurry when I'm re-loading. You are right....workin a load can become obsessive. How do YOU determine your bullet seating depth/lenght. I use a wooden dowel.

I measured the commercial round that was shooting the best and it was 2.250" increased them in length until I got just a small amt of marking after chambering. Not scientific I know. I need to get a chamber guage.....I think it will help a lot with the 243 rounds......

Picks....lemme try to explain how I do it. I take a bullet and gently put it in the chamber to where it is touching the lands. Then I take a wooden dowel and run it in the muzzle til it touchs the bullet. I then mark the dowel with a very sharp pencil. Then I'll start setting a dummy round in the bullet seater, longer then factory over all lenght. I then put the dowel back down the muzzle until that pencil marks just moves inward ever so slightly and the dummy chambers easily. I'm not a fan of "free-boring" so my round is still touching the lands with absolute minimal contact. I do chamber every round I load. Once I have that depth I do not use that bullet seater for anything else. Ya know, maybe there should be an exclusive forum topic for reloading.

I know there are gauges out there for measuring chambers, and I have yet to get one. I think if more people start reloading, there will be more and more questions asked about it. There are a number of members who reload. I am a 1 year veteran of reloading, I know squat when it comes to this topic...........