With Ammunition Costs On the Rise, Some Shooters Turn to Reloading

reloading bench
With Ammunition Costs On the Rise, Some Shooters Turn to Reloading
ShooterSurvey.com
ShooterSurvey.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. –-(Ammoland.com)- With soaring ammunition costs and shortages of cartridges on store shelves making headlines in recent months, many shooters are wondering how they are going to find or afford enough rounds to keep enjoying their sport as much as they always have.

For some, the answer—at least a partial one—has been found in reloading their own ammunition.

A recent ShooterSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com poll found that approximately one-in-four respondents—just over 26 percent—said they reload.

Of those who participate in the activity, the top reason cited was to save money, followed closely by wanting to improve accuracy.

The chief motivations for reloading are:

  • To save money 86%
  • To improve accuracy 72%
  • To obtain rounds difficult to find in stores 34%
  • To reduce waste 28%
  • Other 11%

Of those who chose other, the majority wrote in that they reload for fun, relaxation and enjoyment. Respondents could check more than one reason.

“Some people view reloading as a niche activity though these results show, with as many as a quarter of avid shooters assembling their own rounds, it is a popular activity,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

Among the types of ammunition reloaded, rifle leads the way with 79 percent of reloaders putting together those rounds, followed by 60 percent who assemble handgun cartridges and 28 percent loading shotshells. Some people who reload do so with multiple types of ammunition.

To help continually improve, protect and advance angling and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com:
Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at https://facebook.com/huntersurvey and https://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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Dan

If you can reload, do so! Soon these things will be worth their weight in gold.

Jeffrey

As soon as the newtown tragedy heppened the store shelves emptied ! Mein Furher Obama may have raised the prices a little but now it all has tobdo with the fears of ammo bans and the BIGGEST REASON IS ” HOARDING” I talked to a rep at Midway about an order I placed and we were chatting about the lack of availability of most items and she tolr me the got a shipment of small pistol primers in and they sold out in 3 minutes !! Lead too, you cant find ANYTHING !!:When it does come in people buy it… Read more »

Jack Bissette

Mr Stone is partially correct. The government did manipulate the cost of ammo over (4) years ago. CZAR OBAMA signed a executive order halting most of our domestic brass, lead and copper production. Box of 9mm ammo while Mr Bush was in office was $5.25. Within three months of CZAR OBAMA being elected and signing the executive order ….$13.00 for the same box. The wars had nothing to do with it……the wars were already in decline. That’s total government manipulation. Mr Stones other points are right on. We all need to remember those companies that have artificially elevated their prices… Read more »

D. Murphy

I reload my handgun ammunition, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP, and have been for years. I find it relaxing, and improves accuracy. The way things are now, I also find I have ammo when ever I want to shoot.

Jim Stone

Used to be true. Have you priced lead, and powder recently. People have taken to hoarding that also.50% of our ammo problem is profiteering and hoarding by individuals. Not government manipulation.The only advantage to reloading now is you get to “tune” your ammo.