If you’ve walked into a gun store or checked an online ammo dealer in the last few years, you’ve seen it. Prices for factory ammunition have soared. And it’s not just the complete cartridges – it’s the powder, primers, brass, and projectiles too. For reloaders, that raises a serious question: is it still worth the time, money, and effort to load your own?
Short answer? It depends. The long answer? Let’s dig in.
Powder Prices Have Nearly Doubled
Take a basic example like an 8-pound keg of Hodgdon Titegroup. Just a few years ago, you could grab one for around $178. Today, that same powder is running upwards of $312. That’s a staggering jump – about an 80% increase. Other powders like Varget, Benchmark, and IMR 4350 have all followed the same trend. If you’re a rifle reloader, chances are you’re feeling the pain even more. Specialized powders like Vihtavuori N140, used for rounds like 7.62x54R, are especially costly now.
Primers: The Real Wallet Buster
While powder prices sting, primers might be the worst offender. A sleeve of 100 large rifle magnum primers used to go for a few bucks. Now? Try $10–12 for just 100 primers. That’s a tenfold increase over the old “buy it cheap and stack it deep” days. A box of 1,000 primers that once cost $30 is now $100 or more in many places. The spike in primer costs alone has made many reloaders rethink their strategy.
Let’s Do the Math on 9mm
Take 9mm as a test case. A box of 50 rounds from a store today might run $14–$15. If you reload, your powder cost per round is around 4 cents (with today’s prices), and your primer cost is 10 cents. That’s already 14 cents per shot, without including the bullet. If you’re buying plated bullets, like those from Berry’s, you might add another 9–10 cents per round. That gets you to 24 cents per round, or $12 for a 50-round box.
That’s a $2–$3 savings over factory ammo. Not bad – but maybe not worth it if you factor in your time.
Casting Bullets Changes Everything
Now here’s where it gets interesting: casting your own bullets. If you have access to free or cheap lead, like wheel weights, you can eliminate the bullet cost entirely. Suddenly, your only real costs are powder and primers. That brings your per-round cost down to about 14 cents. Now you’re looking at $7 for a box of 50. That’s a solid savings, even with today’s inflated prices.
But again, you’re trading money for labor. Melting lead, casting, sizing, lubing, and maybe powder coating bullets takes time and effort. Still, for shooters who enjoy the process, the savings and satisfaction can be worth it.
What About Specialized Loads?
Reloading isn’t just about saving money. Sometimes it’s the only way to get what you want. Competitive shooters often need match-grade loads that aren’t available off the shelf. Maybe you want a specific velocity or bullet weight to meet power factor requirements. Or maybe you’re trying to wring out sub-MOA accuracy from your bolt gun.
In those cases, reloading is less about dollars and more about performance. Factory ammo might get close, but a well-developed handload can still outperform just about anything you can buy.
The Black Powder Niche Still Thrives
Reloading really shines when it comes to obsolete or black powder cartridges. Take something like the .577/450 Martini-Henry or 11mm Mauser. You’re not finding those on a Walmart shelf. Factory-loaded rounds, if available at all, are outrageously expensive. But with reloading gear, custom molds, and some time, you can breathe new life into old rifles. Many shooters build entire loads from scratch, using cut-down shotgun hulls or forming brass from other cases.
It’s not cheap in time, but it’s very cost-effective in the long run, and it lets you keep rare guns in action.
Press Costs and Labor Add Up
Reloading presses range from simple single-stage models to high-output progressive machines. A Dillon 650 or 1050 can crank out hundreds of rounds per hour, but they aren’t cheap. The cost of dies, shell plates, case trimmers, tumblers, and other accessories can creep up fast.
That means your cost savings from reloading need to be offset against how many rounds you’ll realistically load and shoot. If you’re only loading a couple boxes a year, you’re better off buying factory ammo. But if you shoot weekly and go through thousands of rounds, the investment pays off.
Factory Ammo Is Getting Cheaper (Sometimes)
Interestingly, while components have stayed high, some factory ammo prices have dropped. 9mm can sometimes be found for $11–$12 a box, especially if it’s steel-cased or made overseas. That puts pressure on reloaders, especially those not casting their own bullets. If you’re only saving $2 per box, it’s worth asking if your time is better spent elsewhere.
Still, not every caliber sees that dip. Rounds like .300 Blackout, .357 Magnum, or .30-06 remain expensive to buy but fairly affordable to reload.
Reloading as a Hobby, Not Just a Chore
There’s a whole other side to reloading that often gets overlooked: the experience. For many gun owners, reloading isn’t just a means to an end, it’s part of the hobby. Carefully measuring powder charges, tuning seating depth, and watching your groups shrink brings a kind of satisfaction you don’t get from tearing open a factory box. It’s science, craft, and therapy rolled into one.
And when you hit a tight group with rounds you built yourself? That feeling doesn’t have a price tag.
Reloading Rare Calibers Pays Off Big
For those who shoot obscure or antique firearms, reloading isn’t optional – it’s essential. Whether it’s rolling your own .43 Spanish, loading for an old Swiss K31, or building 7.62x54R with match bullets, it’s often the only way to shoot at all. And in those cases, reloading not only saves money, it makes shooting possible.
Even with rising component prices, loading for rare guns is still miles cheaper than trying to buy commercial loads or custom ammo.
So… Is It Still Worth It?
Here’s the final answer: yes, reloading is still worth it – but it depends on how you reload and what you shoot.
If you’re casting your own bullets and using once-fired brass, you can save a lot, especially on pistol calibers like 9mm or .38 Special.
If you’re loading rare calibers or black powder rounds, it’s not just worth it – it’s necessary.
If you’re chasing match accuracy or loading custom competition ammo, reloading is often the only way to hit your performance goals.
If you’re loading standard calibers with all-new components, you’ll save money, but not a huge amount unless you shoot a lot.
A Personal Investment
For those who value every penny, reloading is still a path to savings. But more than that, it’s a path to independence, precision, and pride. When you build ammo that shoots better, costs less, and fits your needs exactly, it feels good. Even if prices stay high, the process still delivers something factory ammo can’t.
In today’s ammo market, reloading isn’t for everyone, but for those who stick with it, it still makes a lot of sense.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.