44-40 Reloading economics question

[M113A3]

I am considering reloading because I want to shoot 44-40 which is about .75 per round for factory ammo. I did a quick calculation for the following:

New brass
New bullets (I do not want to cast my own)
Powder
Primers
Case Lube

I am not including the start up cost of the press and other hardware needed as I consider that an investment just like the gun I want.

My rough estimate it would cost about .47 per round for the first 500 and about .25 per round for the reload. I am posting here because I wanted to ask those of you that reload 44-40 to see what your cost is.

I am sure I am not factoring in all the costs...

Thanks in advance.

[jimbobborg]

I bought 1000 200gr bullets from Badman Bullets for $98, shipping included.
1000 Winchester primers was $25 at the last gun show.
Brass can be used and reused, so you have to spread that cost over multiple loads
Powders are a variable, you use more or less depending on the powder and loads
I use a spray on case lube, a bottle is about $10.  I've been using the same bottle for 5 years now, and I've loaded over 10,000 rounds and I still have some left.

[Good Troy]

I don't save money reloading.  I just get to shoot more for the same amount of money...

[Coal Creek Griff]

I don't save money reloading.  I just get to shoot more for the same amount of money...

That is absolutely true.  You may plan to save money, but it just doesn't happen.  It's well worth it, though.  Be careful--reloading can be a lot of fun in its own right.  I have been known to buy new guns primarily to have a new caliber to reload for.  So much for saving money, but it is certainly a lot of fun that can be simple or complicated as you chose.

I have gotten many reloads with the same 44-40 brass, with slight attrition for damaged cases, lost brass and eventually splits to the case mouth.  Good brass lasts a very long time if you take care of it.

CC Griff

[jimbobborg]

I'm throwing this in here, too.  The last time I went into a gun shop that had 44-40 ammunition in it, the box of 50 was selling for $65.  Yes, that's over $1 per round.

[Good Troy]

Code Select Expand

Yes, that's over $1 per round

Yep.  When it comes to 44-40, and some of the other harder to find cartridge, reloading is pretty much required. 
One of the local Academy Sports had it for around $75!

I was very fortunate.  I traded a highwall for a Winchester "73 (Uberti copy) in 44-40.
In the trade, I got over 600 rounds of nickel plated brass, and at least 500 rounds was already loaded!!
The nickel plate was a bonus, as it helps me distinguish it from my 45 LC which is pretty much all brass.

[August]

My sense is that every press I've purchase has been amortized in a few months of shooting and reloading.  Even my 650 paid for itself in half a year.  If you like to shoot alot, you pretty much have to reload -- unless you're Rockefeller.

[M113A3]

Thanks for the replies 

Do my cost est. sync with all y'alls experience?

[bowiemaker]

Your numbers are about what I get reloading .45s so it should be pretty close.

[w44wcf]

M113A3,

The easy way of figuring would be to price per 1,000 rounds since 1 lb of powder and a brick of primers will cover that.
100 pcs of brass should last for at least 10 reloadings.

...Brass $50 (100)...... = .05 ea
.Bullets $130.00(1000) =.13 ea.  (I would prefer http://www.cowboybullets.com/44-cal-200-grain_p_21.html )
Powder $30.00 (1 lb)...= .03 ea.
Primers $40.00 (1000) = .04 ea.
..........................total = .25 ea.  

or for the first 500 - .36 ea
& for the next 500 - .13 ea  (bullet only since the cost of the brass, powder & primers were covered in he 1st 500)

You may to be able to do a bit better than $30 / lb for powder and $40 / 1000 primers

I added close to .02 ea for the shipping cost for the bullets.  (111.10/m + $19 to ship - it would likely be less but I just rounded it up.)              

I do cast most of my own bullets but have tried and like Desperado bullets since they are softer (20/1) and thus are less likely to produce throat leading as compared to the typical harder cast bullets made by other suppliers.

I would consider the cost for case lube which is not that expensive as part of your initial investment of the reloading equipment.

Have fun!
w44wcf    

[rickk]

cast bullets will definitely cut the cost a whole lot more... plus you will be less affected by component shortages.

[Trailrider]

I don't know for sure. I bought about 1000 rounds of Winchester .44-40 brass years ago. I have scaled back my CAS shooting due to time and business factors keeping me busy. But at last count, I have reloaded the brass about 20-22 times, with very little loss. (Main reason for brass loss was the Rossi M92 I was using was catching the mouth of the brass on the sharp corner of the extractor cutout on the rear of the barrel breech, causing "pitcher mouthing" of the mouth of the case. I solved that by careful use of a file and stone. Some of the cases were salvagable. The only other loss of brass was due to...losing some in tall grass! For bullets I use commercially cast 213.5 gr. bullets.  For powder, I use 8.0 gr. Hodgdon's UNIVERSAL.

[M113A3]

Wow guys thanks for all the additional comments and the detailed replies!

[longinosoap]

Using Titegroup calls for 5 grains-6.2 grains.

5 grains=1400 loads/pound @ $22/pound=.0157/each
Primers @ .04/each
I cast my own bullets with reclaimed lead. So far my cost is gas to pick it up(proverbial knocking on the wood)
Several years ago I bought a pair of pistols for $650 that came with 900 pieces of brass. Sold the pistols 3 years ago for $750. Kept the brass. Still using it.

So I guess my cost is under .10 per round, except I shoot black powder in 44-40. The only way to go!

[Montana Slim]

I cast my own bullets, make my own lube & use genuine BP, my cost per round is about $0.10,  excluding cartridge cases...which I've been using for about 20 years.

Slim