[Denis S]

I was all ready to switch to 9mm to shoot more for less and what do I see? 500 RNL 115 grainers selling for $28.99 while 500 45ACP 200 grain SWCutters are going for $32.99. Only $4 savings??? And I don't think I'd even be able to make the power factor in IDPA shooting lead 9mm. And plated bullets are out of my price range all together.

So I'm back to 45ACP. The only thing is 45ACP cases are getting rarer than hens teeth.. Everyone is picking up theirs.

 

[MarshallDodge]

It costs me about the same to reload lead 45's as it does to load jacketed 9mm's.

 

[TraderJack]

My good friend switched from .40 to 9mm over the winter because of component prices. He has been bragging for a couple of months about all the $$$ he is saving.

I just ordered 1K rnds from Natchez and just out of curiosity, was quoted a similar price difference that Denis quoted, on 9 and 40 components from them. I'm considering calling him to ask about that huge savings he keeps talking about?:shades:

 

[Bud White]

prices have shot up in the last 3 months the last 1500 45 bullets i ordered cost me 70$ shipped now its almost 60 for 500 230 grains

 

[redmonster13]

It isnt just bullets that are getting expensive either, powder and primers seem to be creeping up as well.

 

[RetiredRod]

I ordered some 9mm, 125gr LRN's from Powder Valley yesterday for $48 per K. Your $29 per 500 can probably be beat by doing some shopping.

BTW, what PF do you need in IDPA for 9mm? I shoot NRA Action Pistol with a PF of 120,000 and load my lead 125's to about 1050fps.

 

[Denis S]

I ordered some 9mm, 125gr LRN's from Powder Valley yesterday for $48 per K. Your $29 per 500 can probably be beat by doing some shopping.

BTW, what PF do you need in IDPA for 9mm? I shoot NRA Action Pistol with a PF of 120,000 and load my lead 125's to about 1050fps.

...$48 per K... was that shipped or shipping's extra? The other thing is, if you have to shop around for these prices, I suspect they won't be around for long.
I was probably naive to expect the 9's to cost way less than 45's.

For IDPA, 9mm should be loaded to 125,000.

+1 on the powder and primers, I think very soon I'll be casting my own mini balls, mixing my own blackpowder and shooting a 44 Walker in Stock Service Revolver division. The only thing is, I'd be pretty much screwed on my reload times.

 

[RetiredRod]

...$48 per K... was that shipped or shipping's extra?

I was probably naive to expect the 9's to cost way less than 45's.

For IDPA, 9mm should be loaded to 125,000.

The $48/K is without shipping charges or sales tax (if applicable) added. You know with the USPS Flat Rate box you can ship about 3K 9mm's for about $9. In general, currently, I've found lead 9mm's to cost about 60% of lead 45's. Of course, since lead is basically priced by weight, 147gr 9's and 155gr 45's may cost close to the same; while 115gr 9's and 230gr 45's may be two-to-one in cost.

With Powder Valley, I order from them and pick up at a semi-annual gun show in Tulsa that they (and I) attend. No shipping & no sales tax.

Loading either 115gr or 122/125 gr lead bullets to a PF of 125,000+ shouldn't be a problem. Even with the 115gr bullet that's slightly under 1100fps.

 

[Denis S]

OK, thanks

well, I won't be throwing out my 9mm brass yet.