Talking to a dude about reloads...

[Magog]

He told me it is not economical to reload in Washington state because we are forced to keep only 5 lbs of powder and buying at that small quantity is a waste of time.

[PigBat]

Makes no sense to me. Five pounds of powder is 35,000 grains weight. That's roughly 1,000 CF rifle cartridges, or 5,000 pistol cartridges.
Dunno about you, but it takes me quite a while to load and shoot up that much ammo, so I can't see the "waste of time" factor.
Even if you were restricted to a pound at a time it wouldn't be a "waste of time"; for years, I used to buy powder in the 1lb cans, because I couldn't afford more than that.

Maybe it's a "waste of time" for a professional competitive shooter who burns through 15k rounds/month, but that's hardly applicable across the broad spectrum of shooters.

[larryp]

Sounds like he was just making excuses to you for why he doesn't get around to it.

[medalguy]

I think I'd check into the laws myself and not depend on a gun counter commando to give me the real scoop. Just sayin'.

[woodstock]

I rarely buy more than 1lb of powder at a time. The savings for buying in bulk is only about $2 per pound on average anyway and if you are trying to work up a load for a particular weapon, you don't want to buy any more than is needed till you figure out which powder is going to work the best. $2 per pound savings means less than a penny per round cost difference. Reloading is not just about saving money anyway, it is also about knowing that you have worked up the best or most accurate load for each particular gun and it is also a hobby, just like shooting. Sure, there are some savings involved eventually but, that isn't the whole reason for reloading IMO.

If your going to not do something cause it isn't cost effective, then sell your guns and get a slingshot. Much more cost effective for punching holes in paper or knocking cans off the fence post.

[AABEAR]

I do a lot of reloading and I have 4 different powder that I use. I get it in 8lb kegs and 4lb cans. I have went throw 16lb in ACC 4350 in 4 years will need a new 8lb keg by this fall.I am only 71 love to shoot

[myg30]

The best thing is once you get started reloading and shoot the rounds you made yourself, there is no turning back. You'll be hooked !!

GO FOR IT !!!!!

[maxvauderk]

The .223, 7.62X39, 9mm, & .45 cals may sometimes be able to be purchased more economically than you may be able to reload for. Everything else I believe you can save money doing yourself, as well as have the ability to produce the best custom ammo for your arms, and shooting needs. I was talking to a guy out west who got .223 down to something like 7 cents a round using dogtown bullets, and surp brass! I cant see that being beat.

[Txhillbilly]

I usually have 60-80lbs of powder on hand at any given time.Buying it in 8lb containers is the best way to have the same lot#'s when loading precision rounds.
I also usually buy 500/1000 bullets of the same lot#'s. I don't reload to mainly save money,I do it to have the best shooting ammo for each of my guns.

[RAatw]

I have never heard of such a thing. He may be confused with black powder but to the best of my knowledge there is no limit on the amount of smokeless you can own.FRJ

[catch 22]

If it's true....glad I live in Tx., I don't even know it we have a law against powder quantity. I probably have 30-40 lbs. I do agree with Txhillbilly, I handload to get the most out of my guns and ammo, If I could buy better than I can load, I'd just do that.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

some regs are state-by-state according to the insurance industry lobbying mainly. here in NC over 10 lbs of BLACK powder must be stored in a secure area outside the home.
black will explode you know - smokeless will produce a large flash and burn.