[Jeff Higgins]

Reloading can certainly be a wonderful way to save money on ammunition. The problem is, I have never met anyone who sticks with it on that premise alone. If it remains no more than an added chore so one can go shooting, most folks are soon back to just buying ammunition.

The guys who stick with it have an interest that runs deeper than that. It has to be either interesting in and of itself, or done with the goal of producing reloads in a combination that cannot be purchased commercially, or done to produce ammunition in a caliber that may not be readily available or is very expensive if it is. In other words, there has to be some motivation other than cost. Everyone I know who has stuck with reloading actually spends more on their shooting than they did before.

Your .45 Colt is a great example of what I call a "reloaders' caliber". It is certainly available commercially, but the variety of loads are far less than comparable wheel gun calibers and the cost is far higher. That, and no commercial loads reach the full potential of this caliber. It really only achieves its best performance when reloaded. That said, however, one must still have an ulterior motive for seeking that performance that goes above and beyond just saving money, or one will soon lose interest.

Your more common calibers, like your 9mm's, .45 ACP, and whatnot are so well covered commercially, with such a wide variety of loads from premium high-end stuff to cheap plinking ammo, that there isn't much to be gained there through reloading. Unless, of course, you need something unusual, for a specific purpose like Tim. Otherwise, your margins gained through reloading just are not worth the effort - the cost of cheap plinking ammo in these calibers is down very close to what one can reload them for.

So, in other words, don't get into this to "save money". You won't. You will spend more (and shoot more) if the bug really bites. If not, it will simply be a chore that may even see you shooting less, just so you don't have to reload. Think long and hard about the "why". Do you want another engrossing hobby? If you stick with it, it can certainly become one. If you have neither the time nor interest to take one on, just stick to buying ammo.