3 ms·

Sadly, this cost analysis doesn't even mention time spent, though, given the motivation of the site, that could detract from the message. I realize that some p

by mmt 8y ago

Sadly, this cost analysis doesn't even mention time spent, though, given the motivation of the site, that could detract from the message. I realize that some participants may consider it a part of a hobby, in which case the dollar value of the time may be negative if not zero, I can't imagine this would be everyone (especially of the subset who load their own due to cost). Someone might even value that "lost" leisure time higher than their hourly work earnings.

Merad 8y ago
Time isn’t a very big factor, TBH. Reloading a single cartridge involves 3-4 steps, and there three different types of equipment you can use in reloading. * A single stage press has to be reconfigured for each step, so you run a batch of cartridges through one step at a time. Typically you can do ~50 cartridges an hour. * A turret press is configured to do all of the steps, but only works on one cartridge. Pulling the press lever advances to the next step, so you work on one cartridge at a time, taking it through all the steps to completion. Output of 100-200 cartridges per hour. * A progressive press is basically a turret press that holds multiple cartridges, so each pull of the lever performs each step on a different cartridge and produces a finished cartridge. You easily put out 750-1000 per hour. Even with cheap cartridges like 9mm your reloading component cost is around half the price of of retail ammo. As the cartridge you’re reloading, the savings increase pretty drastically. For example, I used to reload high powered .357 Magnum shells for about $0.20 a piece that would cost upwards of a dollar a piece retail.
- mmt 8y ago
  > Time isn’t a very big factor If that's true, then I'd hope the analysis to mention something like "and an hour or two" in addition to mentioning the dollar cost savings for 1000 rounds. > there three different types of equipment you can use in reloading. Presumably their up-front purchase cost is significantly different. The OC's link didn't mention that, so I'd assume the cheapest option. > Typically you can do ~50 cartridges an hour. This cheapest option means that, according to that site, the savings range from $7.68-$66.50/hr (not counting equipment purchase?). That strikes me as a significant, if not very big, factor, if someone considers this a chore, rather than part of the hobby, since that range of hourly rates is at least the same OOM as what people would value their time at. > easily put out 750-1000 per hour As little as 1 hour per 1k is, I agree, insignificant, even for someone placing a high dollar value on their chore-avoided leisure time. How much more does that equipment cost? Do those time figures include extra time to recover the brass, and any other differences (positive and negative) in handling pre- and post-production? It's easy to focus on only the most time-consuming part of the process, but everything adds up, and, for beginners or other low-volume participants, it can inflate the per-unit time cost.
paulddraper 8y ago
Yeah, it's a hobby, not a career. Listen to an audio book and reload 200 rounds. You're not getting rich.
- mmt 8y ago
  > it's a hobby, not a career. There at least a third option, which is neither: a chore. > You're not getting rich. This is just a matter of degree. The point of the OC was that reloading was motivated by cost rather than ideology. My point is that, even if an activity saves (or makes) cash, if it's a chore, at least some people will be willing to spend the cash to avoid it. Depending on how much an individual values, in dollars, chore-avoided-time that could have been spent on leisure instead, the activity may not save any money at all.
  - paulddraper 8y ago
    It can be both. Landscaping can be both a hobby and a cost-saving mechanism ("chore") for the same person.
    - mmt 8y ago
      Yes, I acknowledged that in my comment: >> I realize that some participants may consider it a part of a hobby My point is that, since it can be a chore [1], not a hobby, time is a relevant part of any discussion of cost, and omitting or dismissing it is inappropriate. [1] or the strawman of a career, I guess

by mmt 8y ago

Merad 8y ago

Time isn’t a very big factor, TBH. Reloading a single cartridge involves 3-4 steps, and there three different types of equipment you can use in reloading. * A single stage press has to be reconfigured for each step, so you run a batch of cartridges through one step at a time. Typically you can do ~50 cartridges an hour. * A turret press is configured to do all of the steps, but only works on one cartridge. Pulling the press lever advances to the next step, so you work on one cartridge at a time, taking it through all the steps to completion. Output of 100-200 cartridges per hour. * A progressive press is basically a turret press that holds multiple cartridges, so each pull of the lever performs each step on a different cartridge and produces a finished cartridge. You easily put out 750-1000 per hour. Even with cheap cartridges like 9mm your reloading component cost is around half the price of of retail ammo. As the cartridge you’re reloading, the savings increase pretty drastically. For example, I used to reload high powered .357 Magnum shells for about $0.20 a piece that would cost upwards of a dollar a piece retail.

mmt 8y ago
> Time isn’t a very big factor If that's true, then I'd hope the analysis to mention something like "and an hour or two" in addition to mentioning the dollar cost savings for 1000 rounds. > there three different types of equipment you can use in reloading. Presumably their up-front purchase cost is significantly different. The OC's link didn't mention that, so I'd assume the cheapest option. > Typically you can do ~50 cartridges an hour. This cheapest option means that, according to that site, the savings range from $7.68-$66.50/hr (not counting equipment purchase?). That strikes me as a significant, if not very big, factor, if someone considers this a chore, rather than part of the hobby, since that range of hourly rates is at least the same OOM as what people would value their time at. > easily put out 750-1000 per hour As little as 1 hour per 1k is, I agree, insignificant, even for someone placing a high dollar value on their chore-avoided leisure time. How much more does that equipment cost? Do those time figures include extra time to recover the brass, and any other differences (positive and negative) in handling pre- and post-production? It's easy to focus on only the most time-consuming part of the process, but everything adds up, and, for beginners or other low-volume participants, it can inflate the per-unit time cost.

paulddraper 8y ago

Yeah, it's a hobby, not a career. Listen to an audio book and reload 200 rounds. You're not getting rich.

mmt 8y ago
> it's a hobby, not a career. There at least a third option, which is neither: a chore. > You're not getting rich. This is just a matter of degree. The point of the OC was that reloading was motivated by cost rather than ideology. My point is that, even if an activity saves (or makes) cash, if it's a chore, at least some people will be willing to spend the cash to avoid it. Depending on how much an individual values, in dollars, chore-avoided-time that could have been spent on leisure instead, the activity may not save any money at all.
- paulddraper 8y ago
  It can be both. Landscaping can be both a hobby and a cost-saving mechanism ("chore") for the same person.
  - mmt 8y ago
    Yes, I acknowledged that in my comment: >> I realize that some participants may consider it a part of a hobby My point is that, since it can be a chore [1], not a hobby, time is a relevant part of any discussion of cost, and omitting or dismissing it is inappropriate. [1] or the strawman of a career, I guess