In addition to self-reliance and increased accuracy, one of the main reasons to reload is money. The amount of money you save will vary according to the bullets that you use and the caliber that you shoot.

In general, fifty to sixty percent of the cost of a round is the brass case. Therefore, the way to save the most money possible is by reloading your spent casings. Brass casings and shotgun shells can be reused time and time again until they begin to show signs of deteriorating.

It is possible to save a considerable amount of money by purchasing your reloading supplies in bulk, such as primers, bullets, wads, pellets and powder. Primers are usually found in 1000-count packs. Bullets are generally available in packs of 250, 500 or 1000. Smokeless powders are available in most places in 1 to 15 pound containers.

However, you should also factor in your time and the situation. If stores are open and prices are normal, you can get a box of 50 Blazer 9mm ammo for about $12 to $13. That works out to around $0.24 to $0.26 per round. You would be hard pressed to load your own for less, especially costing the time cost. However, in emergency conditions, the ammo is much more valuable and your time is well spent on reloading.

The average reloader will pay anywhere from $700 to $1000 to get started. Brass, primers, bullets and powder cost less if you buy in bulk, which will get you to the point of return on your investment sooner.

To figure your own costs, see the Appendix of this guide. A line by line chart is there to help you figure your cost per round based on all the elements you’ll need to reload. This will help you make a smart choice for both your wallet and your peace of mind.