Your cart is empty
It’s a conversation every serious shooter ends up having, either with their buddies at the range or with themselves while staring at the price of a reloading press. When it comes to keeping your ammo stash full without draining your wallet, which route makes more sense: reloading your own or buying in bulk?
The answer isn’t black and white. It depends on what you shoot, how often you shoot, and how much time you’re willing to put in. This breakdown tackles the numbers, the labor, and the practical side of the bulk ammo vs reloading debate, so you can make the smartest move for your setup.
Let’s start with the basics. Reloading isn’t just dumping powder into brass and calling it a day. It’s a process, one that requires equipment, space, and a willingness to get things right. You’ll need:
Add it all up, and the entry-level cost of reloading runs anywhere from $300 to $600. Higher-end setups for volume reloaders can push well past $1,000. Then there's the learning curve. Precision is everything. One bad primer seat or overcharged case can ruin your day or your gun.
But if you enjoy the process and like tinkering, reloading has its appeal. It’s hands-on, detail-oriented, and can be oddly satisfying when done right.
Now let’s talk money, because that's what this is really about.
With reloading, your cost per round can drop, especially if you’re reusing brass and buying components in bulk. For example, a reloaded 9MM round might run you around $0.18 to $0.22, depending on component prices. Compare that to factory-loaded bulk ammo, which might average $0.26 to $0.35 per round (as of this writing), and you’re looking at some potential savings.
But don’t stop there. Buying in volume often brings its own discounts. If you’re purchasing 1,000 rounds of factory ammo at once, your per-round price drops considerably compared to picking up 50-round boxes. That’s why so many shooters see bulk ammo as one of the most cost-effective ammo options available.
The catch? The savings from reloading only pay off after you’ve recovered the upfront equipment costs. That could take thousands of rounds—and that’s assuming you already have brass on hand and aren’t paying inflated prices for primers or powder.
Here’s the part most shooters underestimate: the value of their own time.
Let’s say you’ve got a progressive press and you’re dialed in. You might be able to churn out 300 to 500 rounds per hour. Not bad. But that’s assuming you’ve already sorted your brass, cleaned your components, and set everything up. Single-stage presses? You’re looking at 50 to 100 rounds per hour if you’re focused.
Now think about what those hours are worth to you. For some folks, time at the reloading bench is relaxing. For others, it’s work. Bulk buying, on the other hand, is easy. You click, you wait, and you shoot. No powder spills, no primer flips, no case trimming.
When you weigh the time investment into the cost of reloading, bulk ammo vs reloading starts to tilt more in favor of convenience, especially if you're not chasing sub-MOA performance or rare cartridges.
Reloading shines in specific scenarios. If you’re a precision rifle shooter dialing in your pet loads for accuracy at 1,000 yards, reloading isn’t just smarter; it’s practically required. The same goes if you’re shooting wildcat cartridges or something obscure that’s not easy to find on shelves.
On the flip side, if you're blowing through a few hundred rounds of 9MM or .223 every weekend, bulk ammo makes more sense. It’s reliable, affordable, and ready to go when you are. And when bought from the right place, it's one of the most cost-effective ammo options out there.
Some folks find the sweet spot by doing both. Maybe you reload your hunting rounds or long-range rifle ammo for tight control and consistency, but you bulk buy handgun rounds for everyday training. That hybrid approach lets you enjoy the savings and precision of reloading without turning your hobby into a second job.
If you’re new to reloading, start small. Try loading one caliber, see how you like the process, and keep buying bulk for the rest. There’s no need to choose one path and stick to it forever.
It depends on your priorities. If your main concern is cost per round and you’re okay with investing time and money upfront, reloading can pay off over time, particularly for specific use cases or custom performance.
But if what you want is consistency, convenience, and solid savings without the learning curve, bulk ammo is tough to beat. The value’s already built in. You don’t need a workbench or a box of tools. You just need a shipping address.
At Ammo2burn, we keep bulk prices competitive and straightforward, so you get more range time without emptying your wallet. If you’re trying to decide whether to reload or stock up, reach out to our team. We’ll help you compare your options and get you set up with what makes the most sense for your goals.
Not always. Once you factor in equipment costs and time, bulk buying is often more cost-effective, especially for common calibers.
Usually thousands. It depends on your setup costs and component prices. If you shoot a lot, you’ll reach the break-even point faster.
Yes, especially for precision rifle shooters. Custom handloads can be tailored to a specific barrel for tighter groups.
There can be if done incorrectly. That’s why it’s important to follow load data closely and stay organized.
Absolutely. We stock high-quality brands in large quantities so you can shoot more and spend less.
It can be, but only if you're shooting massive volumes or enjoy the process. For most handgun shooters, bulk buying is simpler and just as affordable.
Are you 18 years of age or older?
