Reloading ammunition is an activity worth engaging in for many reasons. It teaches you a lot when it comes to the components of a cartridge, the different levels of performance a round can achieve, and much more. There can also be a cost-saving dependent on the particular cartridge. And, of course, it can keep your ammunition supply well stocked, which gets you out on the range more often. But there are some specific benefits that reloading can provide to someone with a preparedness mindset that isn’t as often discussed. So, let’s break it down.
When prepping for any type of long-term emergency event, you have to keep in mind that your supplies are definite and will eventually run out without acquiring more. But one thing that never runs out is a learned skill. Skills will become some of the most valuable assets one can have in any post-disaster environment. And reloading ammunition is a skill. One that must be practiced and studied prior to a zero-hour event. By learning to reload ammunition, you can provide your group or community with the ability to keep ammunition stocks well supplied. You can also teach others how to reload in order to expand or accelerate production if need be. The ability to reload ammunition might not be as valuable as some skills like a doctor or a mechanic might bring to the table, but it is a skill that will have value and will give you a way to provide those services to those who need them in that environment, which gives you leverage and protection as well.
Obviously, a huge benefit to reloading is the ability to keep yourself well supplied during any type of shortage or scarcity as long as you have a good stock of components beforehand. Often, the equation for saving money on common cartridges doesn’t add up once you factor in your time. For example, a 9mm Luger is at around $0.29 per round right now for factory ball ammo. Depending on when you stocked up, you might be able to reload that round for $0.20 or less. But once you add in the cost of your reloading equipment and your time (which is often valued at an hourly rate), you might find that it costs you more than $0.29 per round to reload. That being said, if there is no ammunition to purchase, then that math doesn’t matter anymore, as you are still producing while there is nothing else available anyway. Being able to reload can keep you and your group training, hunting, or defending yourselves for a long time into the future if you have kept a good stock of reloading components and equipment on hand.
Now, for my seasoned reloaders out there, this benefit is probably one of the most valuable when it comes to reloading ammunition for preppers. Choosing the correct powder charge, primer, and bullet construction can allow you to dial in your cartridges for consistent performance. You will generally never be as accurate with factory ammunition as you can be with hand loads. Every firearm has slight variations that resonate with particular ammunition types for better or worse. This can vary from two of the exact same firearms from the same manufacturer. Reloading allows you to create a customized cartridge specifically designed for your firearm of choice, which creates a series of benefits: increased accuracy, increased reliability, and increased terminal ballistics. All of those things are incredibly important when we’re talking about survival. Giving yourself the best possible chance of hitting your target reliably and with the desired terminal effect could make the difference between life and death. And you just can’t achieve that level of capability with factory ammunition choices.
I highly suggest anyone who considers themselves a prepared citizen consider learning how to reload ammunition. From books like the Lyman Reloading Handbook to inexpensive starter kits like the Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit, there are a lot of options for getting started without breaking the bank. Plus, there are a ton of video resources out there as well, which can really help explain the intricacies of reloading. I’ve been reloading for over ten years now, and it has taught me a lot. There are inherent risks with reloading, such as voiding manufacturer warranties on your firearms or making a catastrophic mistake, which is why learning it now is imperative. Waiting until after the fact will make for a much riskier endeavor. However, if I can do it, then just about anyone can learn how to safely reload and develop a valuable preparedness skill.
--Magic Prepper