#317- Inflation vs. Gunpowder: The Truth About Reloading Costs
In this episode of the Guns Podcast, hosts Brent Wheat and Roy Huntington tackle the age-old question: Is reloading ammunition still a good idea in today's economy? The conversation kicks off with a relic from the past — a can of Unique powder with a price tag from the 1970s — sparking a deep dive into inflation, purchasing power, and the comparative costs of components over the last 50 years. You might be surprised to learn how many labor hours are required to buy supplies today compared to decades ago.
Beyond the dollars and cents, Roy and Brent explore the intangible benefits of reloading. From chasing sub-MOA accuracy and tailoring loads for specific firearms to the simple therapeutic joy of crafting something with your hands, they discuss why "saving money" shouldn't be the only motivation.
Whether you are a seasoned handloader or considering buying your first single-stage press, this episode offers a balanced perspective on the value of rolling your own. Tune in for a candid discussion on the math, myths, and mechanics of reloading.
Key Takeaways
• When adjusted for inflation and wages, the cost of reloading components is relatively comparable to the 1970s. • Reloading equipment like presses pays for itself over time due to extreme longevity. • The primary value of reloading often shifts from saving money to achieving better accuracy and customization. • Beginners should start with affordable kits like the Lee Loader to test the waters before heavy investment. • Reloading allows for creating niche loads, such as low-recoil rounds for vintage lever-action rifles. • If you treat reloading purely as a mercenary money-saving venture, you might miss the enjoyment of the hobby. • Overall, reloading is often a financial 'wash' when factoring in time, but offers independence from supply chain shortages.
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1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,000 You know. Is reloading still a good idea? 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:03,600 It does. 3 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,400 Does reloading cost more than it ever did? 4 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:08,960 And I think there'll be some surprising answers there. 5 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,640 Yeah. And and should you. 6 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:12,360 So yeah. 7 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:15,360 Let's do it. 8 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:29,000 Hi there. 9 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,120 And welcome to the Guns Podcast, U.S., brought to you by guns magazine.com 10 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:36,360 and sponsored by Tango Down. 11 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:46,200 Tango down. 12 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:47,280 It's been a trusted leader 13 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,400 in firearms parts and accessories for more than two decades. 14 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,640 Whether you're upgrading your everyday carry or finishing out 15 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:56,680 your next rifle bill, Tango Down has you covered. 16 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,320 Their product line continues to grow, with new releases coming in 2026. 17 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:05,120 Visit Tango Down icon to explore the full lineup 18 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,560 and sign up for email updates so you don't miss what's next? 19 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,680 Tango down! Combat gear without peer. 20 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,040 I'm your host, Brant Wheat, and I'd like to thank you 21 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,040 for joining us here on one of the world's biggest gun talk programs. 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:25,080 As we chat, discuss and discuss all the interesting stuff 23 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:26,200 about the world of shooting. 24 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,200 And I'm joined, of course, by my co-host, Roy Huntington. 25 00:01:29,320 --> 00:01:30,840 Good morning Roy. 26 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:32,280 Good morning. 27 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:34,240 And I am ready to go on desktop. 28 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,360 You are you're you're fired up. 29 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,360 Well, today we're going to talk about something that 30 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,480 it started as just a little conversation between Roy and I, 31 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:44,880 which is how a lot of our shows end up starting. 32 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,880 But Roy found a relic. 33 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,360 The other day, and, there I gave you the slow pitch softball. 34 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:56,360 Roy, tell us about this relic you found and what was unique about it. 35 00:01:58,480 --> 00:01:58,800 Well, 36 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,040 actually, I was doing a video about reloading, 37 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,040 and there was a can of unique powder behind me. 38 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,040 Something that I got in a garage sale or something. 39 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,160 So it was probably from the 70s, early 70s, 40 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,600 and the price tag was still on it, and it was like 795 41 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,600 or 895 and, 42 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:22,280 and a reader commented on and a reviewer commented, he said, yeah, sure. 43 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:23,000 Go ahead. 44 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:27,120 Just, you know, make us all envious because you have a pound unique for $8. 45 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:28,480 Yeah. So yeah. 46 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:30,920 So it caused me to do a little bit of research. 47 00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:33,920 And so that's why I thought today would be interesting is a 48 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,680 you know, is reloading still a good idea? 49 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:37,280 It does. 50 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,040 Does reloading costs more than it ever did. 51 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,240 And I think there'll be some surprising answers there. 52 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,280 And and should you. 53 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,040 So yeah. Let's do it. 54 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:50,880 So so you did the, the math on the internet and basically 55 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:54,280 that pound of unique in $2,025 is about, 56 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,720 you know, what what a pound of unique runs. 57 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:02,560 Well, you know, I did the call it $8 and 1973. 58 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,600 What is that? In 2025? 59 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:08,320 Now $2,026. 60 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:12,960 And it was like $70, you know, $665. 61 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,160 And so and it made me think because in retrospect, 62 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:20,120 if I was going to spend $8 or something, I mean, 63 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,680 because it was rare that I had more than 3 or 4 or $5 in my pocket. 64 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,520 I mean, that was a chunk of change, you know? 65 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,200 And I was thinking, well, okay. 66 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,360 Then I made, dollar 67 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,920 45 an hour at the time, 68 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:37,920 you know, in a job which was minimum wage. 69 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,880 And so if I wanted to buy that powder that would have been what? 70 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:42,760 I can't do the math. 71 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,520 Five hours of work, right? 72 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,520 I mean, that's almost a whole day of work to buy a pound of gunpowder. 73 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,160 And so then I translated that in today's world. 74 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:55,360 I mean, the minimum wage or average 75 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,760 wage now is close to $20 and so. 76 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,520 Well, then if you work for three hours or for four hours, 77 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:04,760 you could buy a pound, a unique powder. 78 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,320 So it's the same. Yeah. 79 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:11,720 And you know, that that really struck me because I, I like everybody else. 80 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:17,400 Well man, powder and bullets and dyes and everything so much more expensive now. 81 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,480 Well, I mean, relative to, like you said, 82 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,480 how many hours you need to work to buy it. 83 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:25,840 And of course, not everything is 84 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:29,040 1 to 1 and all that, but overall, yeah. 85 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,200 And I did a little bit of my checking after you. 86 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:32,240 You told me that. 87 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,520 And it's, it pretty much works out that stuff is relatively the same. 88 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:41,280 So I think, to answer question number one, is the cost about the same 89 00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:42,240 as it's always been? 90 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,520 Yeah. In in today's wages. 91 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:46,480 So then we got to get down to that question. 92 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,680 That really is kind of the heart 93 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,600 of what this episode is, which is, is reloading really worth it. 94 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:55,560 And, you know, back in the day is they say, well, yeah, 95 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:57,800 I used to save a lot of money by reloading. 96 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:03,680 Well, did you actually and can you today and it's not a black and white question. 97 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:06,640 You know, what do you take into account? 98 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,640 And as you, Tom McHale and I discussed one time, 99 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,800 do you have to take your own labor into account? 100 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:17,640 But the so the question is very multifaceted and not black and white, but, 101 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:19,200 I'll throw it to you. 102 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,200 Roy is reloading. Really worth it? 103 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,920 And let's just say in dollars and cents right now. Yes. 104 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:32,320 And and the reason I say that is there's the the reloading market 105 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:37,800 was, was sort of artificially kept affordable for years. 106 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:43,440 I mean, just a few years ago, unique was still $20 a pound, you know, 107 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:47,800 and it wasn't because of this collision of culture with wars and 108 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:52,760 and a lack of, manufacturing ability and whatnot that drove the prices up. 109 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:55,760 A lot of powders that we use are 110 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,480 from overseas Australia and, and, other countries. 111 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:03,240 And so there's import taxes and, you know, 112 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,480 transportation costs more, shipping costs more. 113 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:11,000 And so it's kind of caught up to probably what the real value of it should be now. 114 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,080 And so we're looking back at, well, hey, I mean, 115 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,080 five years ago I bought a pound of unique powder for $20. 116 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,520 Now it's $65, you know, when you can find it. 117 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,960 And I know the gut knee jerk reaction is that's too much money. 118 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,440 But that's like saying, you know, if like right now, gasoline 119 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,440 here in Missouri is about two, ten a gallon. 120 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:32,000 You know, 121 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,800 I know it's it's like it's cheap. 122 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:37,360 Yeah. 123 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,520 Because, you know, whatever, six months from now could be $4 a gallon, 124 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,000 which may or may not be maybe what it's supposed to cost. 125 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,800 And so, yeah, we get fooled into that, you know, we think, oh, well, that's not 126 00:06:48,840 --> 00:06:49,480 you know, 127 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:53,040 if McDonald's is having a 99 cent hamburger sale, but next week 128 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:54,440 they go back to the normal price. 129 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:58,800 We think we're getting screwed, you know, when in actuality that's an arm price. 130 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:02,840 I looked at components. 131 00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:06,200 I still have some component boxes from the 70s and early 80s. 132 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:08,520 Like, here is a box of bullets that I bought, 133 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,320 and I paid X amount of dollars for. 134 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:14,000 So I did the math 135 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,160 and they were actually more expensive. That 136 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:19,520 other was 137 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:21,760 my 500 count, 240 grain 138 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:25,040 led, semi wide cutter cast bullets that I used to buy. 139 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:29,320 And a box was actually about 25% more than I. 140 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,360 What I would be able to buy that same box today 141 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,440 and and component price. I'm sorry. 142 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:39,840 Like reloading equipment prices are amazingly affordable. 143 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,600 I mean, in the in the early 70s, a rock chucker 144 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,600 reloading press was $65. 145 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,360 Well, if we do the math on that, 146 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:52,960 I mean, that's like 7 or $800. Wow. 147 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,960 So and I remember 148 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:59,520 coming up with that money to buy my first press 149 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,640 in 1970, 71 or 2. 150 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:03,600 Yeah. 151 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:05,800 That was a huge expenditure for me. 152 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:07,680 And my dad thought I was insane. 153 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:08,080 Yeah. 154 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:11,480 You know, I mean, because I can understand that now, and, 155 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:13,320 and and other 156 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,440 the powder measures were X amount of money, but the components 157 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:21,000 now are so cheap, you can buy a Li single stage 158 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,000 entry level press for $50. 159 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:26,800 I mean, think about that. 160 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,600 You know, you can buy a progressive press for basically $200. 161 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:36,080 I mean, these are still $35 to maybe $50. 162 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:43,120 Well, I mean, they were 15 to $20.50 years ago. 163 00:08:44,560 --> 00:08:47,520 So, so things are cheaper now than they used to be. 164 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:48,600 They really are. 165 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:50,760 And so people it's like what. Yeah. 166 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,640 Oh I used to pay a penny apiece for primers. Right. 167 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:57,040 I used to pay $0.24 a gallon for gasoline in 1968. 168 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:00,920 About a penny 169 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,920 apiece for primer in those days 170 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,040 would maybe be $0.10 apiece today, right? 171 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:07,680 Yeah. 172 00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:08,520 Well, guess what? 173 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,680 When you do the math, that's exactly how much they cost today, 174 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:14,840 you know? So. 175 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,320 So I think we older guys tend to do that. 176 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,720 You know, we look and we say well, well I was good. 177 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:20,680 I paid this one. 178 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:21,560 Yeah. You're right. 179 00:09:21,560 --> 00:09:24,160 And it has no bearing on today. 180 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:28,200 You know I, I wrote up something about a Python catalog 181 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,080 or I showed one of the new pythons in a video. 182 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:32,640 They're 1500 bucks. 183 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:37,360 And of course, the comments were like, well, you know, I remember my first Python 184 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:41,160 I bought in 1971, and it was $165 185 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:44,400 while I did the math right. 186 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,560 And anyone can Google it up. 187 00:09:46,560 --> 00:09:52,040 What is, $168 in 1973 or 71 worth today? 188 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:53,760 Well guess what? 189 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,720 It was almost exactly $1,500. 190 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:57,400 Yeah. 191 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,680 You know, so so they don't cost more. 192 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:02,520 The the number is higher, 193 00:10:03,560 --> 00:10:04,880 but in 194 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:08,760 reality it doesn't cost more, if that makes sense. 195 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:10,040 Yeah. 196 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:13,040 So so let's zoom in on this this, 197 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:15,960 the economy of reloading. 198 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:20,200 And again, you know, it's not a it's not a black and white answer 199 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:22,120 to you. Right? 200 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:25,680 When you're reloading a box of ammo, you can find components 201 00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:29,040 to where here's factory ammo, basically the same thing 202 00:10:29,560 --> 00:10:33,680 in, you know, the the ammo I reloaded was cheaper because I cast my own bullets. 203 00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:36,360 I found cheaper powder, but it's basically the same. 204 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,040 So I don't think there's anybody that would dispute that other 205 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,960 than the commodity rounds have gotten so inexpensive, it's hard 206 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:46,720 to beat those using top quality, factory. 207 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:50,040 But when you're when you're looking at the economy of reloading, 208 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,880 do you include, things like the cost of your equipment? 209 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:59,440 Because in a strict, dollars and cents accounting, 210 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:03,880 you know, the hundreds or thousands you paid for all the gear, the, 211 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:05,680 reloading dies and all that. 212 00:11:05,680 --> 00:11:07,440 What's your whole take when somebody says, 213 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:11,400 can I save money by buying this, this, this and reloading? 214 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,200 Three 5758 grain. 215 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,680 I think if you're being a mercenary about it 216 00:11:17,680 --> 00:11:20,680 and if you're only getting into reloading to save your money, 217 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,760 then you need to amortize the cost of the equipment. 218 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:24,760 Right? 219 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,760 I got into reloading because I thought it was interesting and fun. 220 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:28,640 And you? 221 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,960 I happened to save money too. 222 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:32,880 I mean, I agree with you. It's you. 223 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,040 You almost can't reload a box of 59mm 224 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,040 for $10, you know, so. 225 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:42,880 So the commodity ammo like that, I mean, I agree, you know, 226 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:46,800 I just, I, I still can't throw empty nine millimeter brass away. 227 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,800 I donate it to people. I know. Right. 228 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,520 But I think with rare exceptions 229 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,520 and depending on your components, 230 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:00,600 it's between a half and two thirds as expensive as a factory load. 231 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:03,280 Especially when you're talking with the bigger bore stuff. 232 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:07,960 45 Colt, 45 ACP, you know, 357 Magnum, even 38 special. 233 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,760 I load a lot of 32 Magnum wide cutters. 234 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:17,400 I do it very affordably, but as far as amortizing your equipment, 235 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:21,720 I mean, you will earn that back relatively fast, depending on how much you shoot. 236 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:23,400 Think about this for a minute. 237 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:26,080 I still use the loading press that I bought in 238 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,360 19, I don't know, 70 or 71. 239 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,800 The Rcb's Rock chucker press. 240 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:33,840 I still use that. 241 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:36,720 So you know, has that pay for itself or. 242 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:39,840 Yeah, like maybe 100 times over, you know. 243 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,920 Yeah. Or more. 244 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:43,800 So I think 245 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:44,840 you shop smart. 246 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:48,440 It's like I bought a 5 pound container of powder not too long ago. 247 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:49,280 It was a lot of money. 248 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,320 It was like $350 or something like that. 249 00:12:52,680 --> 00:12:55,120 It was still cheaper than buying it by the pound. 250 00:12:55,120 --> 00:13:00,000 But I haven't allowed 38 special in 32 Magnum with it. 251 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:04,240 Well, it's it's thousands of rounds are in that 252 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,960 5 pound bag or box of powder and 253 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,200 so while your initial 254 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,560 expense sounds holy cow, that's a lot of money. 255 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:17,520 Actually it's not you know, when you break it down, 256 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,040 like I like to use berries, bullets and berries. 257 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:21,880 Bullets are extremely affordable. 258 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,640 They're easy to load. They're clean. 259 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:28,920 They're available, you know, so, I mean, all this stuff, like anything, 260 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:33,320 if you're going to buy, bananas, you don't buy one, you know? 261 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,480 I mean, you buy a bunch of bananas and you'll get a better deal. 262 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,360 And so reloading components are the same way. 263 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:42,600 Now, I will say this, though, if you're brand new to reloading, 264 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:46,400 you know, get yourself a little loader, get yourself a, you know, a 265 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,600 single stage press from Lee or one, you know, one of the real affordable kits. 266 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,000 You know, 267 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:55,440 get a pound of some powder that's useful for some of what you're loading. 268 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:59,520 You know, get yourself 500 primers or something and and buy some 269 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:00,960 bullets and then try it out. 270 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:02,720 And if you like 271 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,720 it, well, now you know that you can make an investment. 272 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:11,640 And so, so both enjoy your hobby and you will definitely save money. 273 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:14,000 You will always save money. 274 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:14,400 You know, if 275 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:17,480 even just give it a little bit of thought, it may not be a huge amount of money. 276 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:21,120 It's 10 or 15 or 20% say, but that's still saving money. 277 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:25,320 And for me, I know there are the mercenary people. 278 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:28,880 It's like, well, I can't reloaded that for the same for cheaper 279 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,880 than what I can buy for it, I got it, I understand that, 280 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,280 but but just the other day I reloaded about 200. 281 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,960 Mild 30, 30 loads, you know, 282 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,440 and I don't even know if I saved money because I didn't 283 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:46,480 pay any attention to how much the components cost or anything. 284 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,960 I just did it because it was fun and it gave me 285 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:53,400 something, a load that I wanted to use, you know? 286 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,240 And so I don't know, 287 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:59,400 you know, you don't make money if you fly radio controlled airplanes, you know. 288 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,800 Yeah, it costs you to do that. 289 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:02,080 Yeah. 290 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:07,160 So virtually, virtually any hobby and that that's kind of the perspective 291 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:11,040 I wanted to, to bring out because I represent probably 292 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,520 the complete opposite use case of Roy when it comes to reloading. 293 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:19,120 I came to reloading only a few years ago, and now I don't do a lot of it. 294 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,320 All my gear is virtually brand new. 295 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:25,320 I reload pretty much all rifle cartridges. 296 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,480 I reload because a I'm chasing primarily, 297 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:31,760 accuracy. 298 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:37,240 And in the case of, you know, the six Creedmoor or some of these others, 299 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:42,000 it's hard to get even get the cartridges from manufacturers. 300 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:46,280 And if I've got to do a review, I'm kind of up against it. 301 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:47,560 I have to have the ammo. 302 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:50,160 So the best way to do it is reload myself. 303 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:55,240 So and then you get into the question of, am I enjoying myself? 304 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:56,640 Am I having fun? 305 00:15:56,640 --> 00:16:00,680 My time does have value, but if that's what I'm looking at of 306 00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:06,040 you know, my time is worth 3.5 cents for every loaded round. 307 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,760 I don't think that's a good measure of a hobby. 308 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:15,280 So to me, I probably save money strictly 309 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,600 if you don't count the cost of of amortizing all of my equipment. But 310 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:25,080 when you look at availability, convenience and the ability to chase accuracy, 311 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,120 I think it comes out net positive for me. 312 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:32,320 But in terms of dollars and cents, I don't know that it would yet. 313 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,720 I don't know that I broke even on recovering the cost of all my gear. 314 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,720 So that to me is, 315 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,560 way down on the list of positives, 316 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:43,560 for reloading. 317 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:47,040 I do it because it it helps me in my shooting. 318 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,200 Not necessarily because it's putting a little bit more money in my pocket. 319 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:53,960 Yes. To all of that. 320 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:58,320 You know, I think the thing to do is if you're just getting into it 321 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,480 to save money, you may have to reevaluate it. 322 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,600 You know, I agree. 323 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,920 But for instance, I have this single shot, 30, 30, chip, a little Sharpe's, 324 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,120 but when you shoot it with a standard 3030 load, even though 325 00:17:11,120 --> 00:17:14,320 it's not a big, you know, serious cartridge, it's still kicks. 326 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,240 You're pretty good because it's a lightweight little rifle. 327 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:21,120 And so I load a 150 berries around those bullet 328 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:24,960 at about 1300 feet per second, 13 to 1400 feet per second. 329 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,120 So still got a little thump. 330 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:29,520 You know, it clangs the target really nicely. 331 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:32,400 But it's extremely fun to shoot. 332 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,880 And the cases lasts forever. 333 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:39,040 Well, unless I was a freeloader, I probably couldn't do that. 334 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,040 I mean, there are some low recoil, you know, loads out there, 335 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,200 but they're expensive. 336 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,800 I was at a gun show about two weeks ago. 337 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,520 I was appalled at how much factory ammunition costs. 338 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,880 You know, you're. Still talking about it. 339 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:54,480 I know, 340 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:58,640 but I mean, yeah, there's commodity $10, nine millimeter, that kind of stuff. 341 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,560 But that's about the only commodity there is out there. 342 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:07,040 I mean, a a box of premium hunting cartridges for the art. 343 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:11,640 66.5 Creedmoor, you know, Remington, federal, Winchester, you name it. 344 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:15,000 I mean, they're like $60, 345 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,320 you know, I mean, can you get them a little cheaper? 346 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,960 Maybe sometimes you're like a white label something, but. 347 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:23,240 And I got it. 348 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:26,200 If you're a hunter and you shoot once a year, 349 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,560 that one bullet you shoot, you're going to get a deer. 350 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,440 So if you buy a box of 20, that's 20 deer, 351 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,360 you know, okay, that's probably a good investment. 352 00:18:34,360 --> 00:18:38,040 But if you want to go to the ranges this gives me this weekend and sight 353 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,600 and a rifle and you plan on shooting 20 or 30 or 40 rounds. 354 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:46,840 So if you're paying $50 a box, you just burned up 200 rounds of ammunition. 355 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:51,200 Well, that's way more than it cost for a basic 356 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,080 reloading kit from Lee precision, for instance, you know. 357 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:55,360 Yeah. 358 00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:58,520 So that's all I think you have to be positive. 359 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:00,960 Don't be that negative Nelly guy or girl. 360 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:01,840 Yeah. 361 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,560 Actually, that I just accidentally said something interesting. 362 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:09,680 I spoke with a couple women lately who have gotten into reloading 363 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:15,000 and basically it was there were two, two ladies, a very young gal, in her late 364 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:19,240 20s, who just took up shooting, and then an older lady who was in her 60s. 365 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,440 She said, you know, I watched my husband do this for the last 40 years, 366 00:19:23,120 --> 00:19:26,120 and I'm kind of tired and knitting. 367 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:29,560 And so I thought, I'm going to I'm going to try this. 368 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:32,520 Well, and it's like her new favorite thing, 369 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:36,040 you know, as she says, it's it's so interesting. 370 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:39,040 She likes to tumble the brass because it comes out shiny. 371 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:40,560 You know, 372 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:44,240 she wears rubber gloves, though, when she handles the lead bullets, you know. 373 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:44,920 Right. 374 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:48,760 But she says so because you go from nothing to something 375 00:19:49,360 --> 00:19:53,040 that's assembled, you know, you've you've actually done actual work 376 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:57,360 and made something, you know, rather than just kind of nothing, 377 00:19:57,480 --> 00:19:58,120 you know, 378 00:19:58,120 --> 00:20:01,760 and then the other gal that it because it was first she did it to save money. 379 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:06,200 But then she as her shooting sophistication level 380 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:10,040 got higher, she realized the versatility that reloading gave her. 381 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:12,400 You know, that if. 382 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:15,560 Yeah, if she wanted a lighter weight bullet at a lighter velocity, 383 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:19,120 she could do that, you know, without having to shop every gun store 384 00:20:19,120 --> 00:20:22,160 and trying to find just that load from somebody. So. 385 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:24,000 Well, 386 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,000 you know, I was sitting here, I've got a kind of a standard, 387 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,320 answer to the question, because, 388 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,320 again, doing what we've done, people ask it quite a bit. 389 00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:37,800 And, I'm going to ask you, is that that new reload or new shooter? 390 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:38,480 Maybe. 391 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:42,240 And but I'd be interested on hearing the Roy Huntington response. 392 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:43,640 And that is okay. 393 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:46,640 You've just asked me, you know, is it worthwhile to reload? 394 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:49,640 And I would say that overall it's a wash. 395 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:53,400 Sometimes you save money, sometimes you might actually spend a little bit 396 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:56,520 more money, and then you throw in all the support equipment 397 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:58,320 and the time you've got invested. 398 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:01,840 It's kind of a wash overall, but if you're focused 399 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:06,520 on saving pennies, then you're focused on the wrong thing. 400 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:08,280 When it comes to shooting. 401 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:09,720 So your thoughts right? 402 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:11,800 I agree completely. 403 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:12,600 If somebody says, hey, 404 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:16,080 I want to get into reloading, the first thing I ask him is, why? 405 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:21,440 And if they say, well, I want to save money, I have that conversation with him. 406 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,280 Well, you're probably not going to save a lot of money, 407 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:26,280 especially because you're going to invest something upfront. 408 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:29,440 But if they say, well, you know, 409 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,320 I mean, I've read these articles about guys 410 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:34,280 and they reload because they can tailor loads for different guns. 411 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:36,240 And, you know, and I say, well, yes, then you should. 412 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:37,360 And here's why. Yeah. 413 00:21:37,360 --> 00:21:43,040 You know, the other thing I ask people is, do you like to work with your hands? 414 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:45,320 Do you do crafts? Do you work in your shop? 415 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:47,400 Do you work on your car? 416 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,320 Do you do things like that? 417 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,040 If they say yes, then I usually say, well, 418 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:55,840 then I think you'll enjoy reloading because it's it's very tactile. 419 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:58,960 And as that lady said, she likes the fact she goes 420 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:02,040 from nothing to something that she's done herself. 421 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,120 And I think if you are a craftsman, 422 00:22:05,120 --> 00:22:08,160 a model builder of, you know, a machinist, 423 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:11,400 these are all people who are freeloaders, too, usually, by the way. 424 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:13,400 And there's a reason for that. 425 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,520 But if if what you like to do is like 426 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:19,880 I read and I watch movies 427 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:25,040 and I go for walks with the dog, you know, 428 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,160 I don't know that you're going to like, reloading. 429 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,080 I would encourage you to, because it's fun 430 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,080 and you may develop some new skills that you'll enjoy. 431 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:36,440 But but I hope that makes sense. 432 00:22:36,440 --> 00:22:40,240 I mean, I think the people get caught up in the initial investment, 433 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,480 and I think you need to not I mean, because really think about it, 434 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,720 people will spend $150 to go out to dinner, right? 435 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:52,920 Well, 2 or 3 of those get you into reloading. 436 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:56,560 Yeah. And you never have to buy that again. 437 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:59,280 Yep. So, yeah, I just don't get 438 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:03,160 caught up in the nickel and dime of it all, so I just recommended it. 439 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:04,680 I find it fulfilling and fun. 440 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:07,320 Totally agreed. 441 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:11,880 And, you know, I got to address this, though sometimes it's a matter 442 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:16,800 of trying to justify those expenses either to yourself or to a loved one. 443 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,000 Well, I'm honey, I'm saving all kinds of money here. 444 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,760 We've all said it. 445 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,280 Of course they've done it to us. 446 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,760 Well, I had to, but look at how much I saved on those shoes. 447 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:29,520 Okay, I get it. We all play the game. 448 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:35,000 So I guess my point is, yeah, you're going to do that and maybe to yourself. 449 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,280 But don't get don't get wrapped around the axle as they say. 450 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:42,480 Do it for all the right reasons not to save those pennies and nickels. 451 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:43,800 Yeah. 452 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,680 And I'm a strong advocate of look, look in your gun 453 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:49,680 safe or your gun closet or your gun, whatever. 454 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:51,640 If you've got a dozen guns, are there. 455 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:52,360 Look at that. 456 00:23:52,360 --> 00:23:55,200 Maybe two that you don't even really use. 457 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,200 You know, you maybe you haven't shot them in five years. 458 00:23:58,440 --> 00:23:59,520 Right? Well, 459 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:01,600 get rid of them 460 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:05,400 and put that money to work, you know, and and use that money 461 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:08,720 as an investment in a fun hobby, you know? So. 462 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:10,320 So yeah. There you go. 463 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,800 So don't let the money scare you away. Yeah. 464 00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:14,280 Take a bite at a time. 465 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,280 You know, maybe buy your first pound of powder 466 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:20,320 and then, you know, your next paycheck. 467 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,800 Then you buy some primers and your next paycheck, 468 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:26,400 you buy some bullets, and, you know, that's all. 469 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:30,840 It's like anything, if you if you enjoy it, I promise you it'll be fun. 470 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:32,880 Exactly. 471 00:24:32,880 --> 00:24:35,840 Well, one thing we we haven't talked about, do you think 472 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:39,920 we're going to get banned because we've we've covered that in a couple of, 473 00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:43,200 episodes here of late. 474 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:45,000 One of the things that YouTube says 475 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:48,000 you're not supposed to talk about is manufacturing ammo. 476 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:51,440 And I don't I don't understand it. 477 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:55,560 And I think what they intend is like how to make like counter 478 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:57,080 anti-personnel rounds or something. 479 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:02,520 But we're treading on thin ice here, so I, I, I hope this doesn't get banned 480 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:05,600 out of the gate because we're still on double secret probation, so. 481 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:09,600 Well, you know, dumpster reloading stuff and not got any. 482 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:14,040 Well I have I yeah, I have you know and that's where they talk about that 483 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:18,120 I've done I hear people being banned because they're showing how to reload a 38 484 00:25:18,120 --> 00:25:19,080 special or something. 485 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:21,720 We've certainly done videos like that. 486 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:25,680 And then I, I as a matter of fact, I think we had the got hit one time 487 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:29,160 because Hodgdon Powder was, was a sponsor. 488 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:29,760 Yeah. 489 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,760 And it was I don't even remember what the topic was. 490 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:37,360 It was I think it was something unrelated, but yeah, they we got Bing for that 491 00:25:37,360 --> 00:25:38,920 because we were encouraging 492 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:41,960 buying or selling ammunition or something, you know, and it's like, what. 493 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,160 You know, 494 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,400 so I don't I mean, all we did was talk about a hobby today. 495 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:49,800 We didn't tell anybody how to reload anything. 496 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:51,280 Exactly. 497 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:53,120 So we didn't even really encourage it. 498 00:25:53,120 --> 00:25:55,520 We just said, no, investigate and do it. 499 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:57,240 Do what you feel. 500 00:25:57,240 --> 00:25:59,080 Yep. There. What you feel. So. 501 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:01,560 All right, here I say something though. Okay. 502 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,480 So you're probably just going to say it is, is that 503 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:07,480 if you have more specific questions, I'm not sure you will be able to cover them. 504 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:09,840 But if you do have more specific questions, 505 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:12,600 make sure you post them in the comments and I promise I'll get back to you. 506 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,720 Weak minds think alike, because that's exactly where I was going 507 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:21,240 with that reach out editor at guns podcast.us. 508 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:23,440 Or of course, you can leave a comment on YouTube. 509 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:25,320 And as we said last week, 510 00:26:25,320 --> 00:26:28,960 be a decent person about it if you were going to get fired up. 511 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:30,520 But most of them are. 512 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,400 So we we do follow those. 513 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:36,840 And Roy makes it a darn near full time job to follow those comments. 514 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:38,360 So we certainly appreciate that. 515 00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:42,480 So of course, do not forget our great sponsor Tango Down. 516 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:46,400 Visit Tango down.com to explore the full lineup 517 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,720 and sign up for email updates so you don't miss what's next? 518 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:53,880 Tango down combat gear without here is. 519 00:26:56,360 --> 00:26:59,280 They've got a lot of great products out there, so check them out. 520 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:04,240 And on behalf of our sponsor, our sponsor, I already said that 521 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:07,320 on behalf of our co-host, Roy Huntington. 522 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:10,960 As always, I'd like to remind you, reload some, 523 00:27:10,960 --> 00:27:13,360 and then now get out there and get shooting.