What are the benefits?

[Kurt]

So what are the actual benefits of loading you own ammo? Is it cheaper, better loads? what?

[Cariboo]

Originally Posted by Kurt

So what are the actual benefits of loading you own ammo? Is it cheaper, better loads? what?

It can be cheaper depending on the cartridge. Factory ammo for my 338-06 runs at ~$80.00 per box of 20. I can reload the same 210 grain Partition bullet at home for about $20.00. For a common cartridge like the 30-06 figure out you will cut your shooting costs by 30%-50%. The more obscure the round the more money saving is possible. Be aware though that few hand-loaders actually save money as you end up shooting more often. The more you shoot the better shot you will become. This is a good thing as the number one reason a hunt will go sideways is a hunter that can't hit what he is shooting at.

The best thing about hand-loading is that you can build loads for your rifle that can be more accurate than what you can buy across the counter. Also, and just as important, is that you can build loads that are not available in factory form. You want a 180 grain Partition load for your .300 Savage? With reloading gear you can have all you want.

Another benefit is that it is a great hobby in it's own right. It is a great way to spend a few hours especially if you enjoy "tinkering" and are attracted to bright shiney objects.

[toxic111]

^^^ What 'Boo said ^^^

[brotherjack]

Yes and yes. It is significantly cheaper on a per-round basis (often half price or better), plus you can tune the load to the rifle for better accuracy than you are likely to get from factory loads. Additionally, you can load up totally custom stuff you can't buy - like my 110 grain RedDot powered plinker loads I use in my 308 that cost me about $0.17 a round to load (and surprisingly enough, shoot about 1.5" groups at 100 yards).

[Gun Dog]

Choice is a big reason. Around here your choices are Federal Power Shock or Winchester Super X or none if the cartridge isn't common.

[Downwindtracker]

What Boo said,plus for some cartridges the pressures of factory ammo are kept low.It could be for weaker actions (1892 Mauser 7x57 ,early Springfield 30-06,1895 Winchester lever 30-06)or possibe misuse a .323 8x57JS in a .318 8x57J. If you have a modern 30-06,8x57,7x57,6.5x55, bolt action you can load them to .270 presures .In the case of the 8x57, it turns it from a 32Special(30/30) into 30-06.

It also give you more options in cartridges,I had a 30-06 recambered 308Norma,which was a better fit in the mag box than the 1/8" longer 300WM.The cost for reloaded ammo was even slightly less then 300WM,however factory 308Norma is the same price as Weatherby.

[BarryL]

Dont do it. You think shooting costs you 1/5th the price but you'll shoot 10 times as much. You start loading more accurate rounds by tailoring them to your rifle but the one hole group is unachievable because you just keep moving the target out further. Now you need higher end components, custom barrels and actions and bench rest gear. Soon your shooting 5 shot groups at 1000 yards that you used to be happy with 3 shots at 100 yards.
Go with crack and hookers, it will be cheaper.