Progressive press worth it?

[Rez Exelon]

Unless you're using a Berry's plated hollow point you're not getting a hollow point for 12 cents. Its just not happening in the current economy and the prices .

A good Sierra ( the cheapest is the sportsmaster is .49 cents ), Hornady (XTP .23 cents) , Speer hollow point (gold dots .46 cents a piece) , etc can't be had for 12 cents . primers are a dime now, and a 4 grain charge of ww231 is 0.02 cents so you're math just went out the window at current prices. with a round of 9mm costing costing 0.35 cents for the cheapest load and 0.61 cents for the most expensive load assuming you already own the brass. That price range is $17.50 to $30.50 dollars a box depending on what you want. to load I can buy loaded 9mm defense ammunition for as low as $19 a box and can get it for $29 a box or more depending on the manufacturer and bullet. People tend to ignore the hazmat cost and shipping to get those components to your door too when those get factored in the price is a wash .


I just did the 5.56 math earlier , and I proved its 2 cents cheaper to buy than load. If things ever calm down a little we may see reloading compoents get cheaper again but Inflation also set in so I doubt we will get to to see primers or powder as cheap as they were pre 2020 .

I mean, sure if you want to pay those component prices compared to knowing where to look.

 

[Russ661]

Speaking of Lee progressive presses, I bought a Pro 1000 from Midway in 1982 to load 45acp. I still have it and still use it but like me it is getting old and worn out. It is finicky and requires pretty much constant maintenance but when I get it going good I can pump out somewhere around 100 rounds an hour. It can be frustrating at times and some parts are no longer available but when it is working well it is a zen experience for me, very relaxing, which makes it worth while for me.

 

[Fr Mulcahy]

Unless you're using a Berry's plated hollow point you're not getting a hollow point for 12 cents. Its just not happening in the current economy and the prices .

A good Sierra ( the cheapest is the sportsmaster is .49 cents ), Hornady (XTP .23 cents) , Speer hollow point (gold dots .46 cents a piece) , etc can't be had for 12 cents . primers are a dime now, and a 4 grain charge of ww231 is 0.02 cents so you're math just went out the window at current prices. with a round of 9mm costing costing 0.35 cents for the cheapest load and 0.61 cents for the most expensive load assuming you already own the brass. That price range is $17.50 to $30.50 dollars a box depending on what you want. to load I can buy loaded 9mm defense ammunition for as low as $19 a box and can get it for $29 a box or more depending on the manufacturer and bullet. People tend to ignore the hazmat cost and shipping to get those components to your door too when those get factored in the price is a wash .


I just did the 5.56 math earlier , and I proved its 2 cents cheaper to buy than load. If things ever calm down a little we may see reloading compoents get cheaper again but Inflation also set in so I doubt we will get to to see primers or powder as cheap as they were pre 2020 .

Just an FYI: https://www.rozedist.com/mm5/mercha...RZD&Product_Code=R125-A&Category_Code=ZBJ-9MM

 

[WoodsCraft]

Just an FYI: https://www.rozedist.com/mm5/mercha...RZD&Product_Code=R125-A&Category_Code=ZBJ-9MM

Range bullets for 14 cents a pop ... about one step above a berry's If I am loading defensive ammo its going to be something I know has been tested. Do as you will but I'd want to see testing on those first .

 

[Fr Mulcahy]

Range bullets for 14 cents a pop ... about one step above a berry's If I am loading defensive ammo its going to be something I know has been tested. Do as you will but I'd want to see testing on those first .

Hmm. We use them at national matches and they do well in terms of accuracy. That's all that we're interested in.