In order to reload 38 special, you will need the following supplies: brass, bullets, gunpowder, and primers. The cost of these supplies will vary depending on where you purchase them and the quantity that you purchase. reloading 38 special can be a very cost effective way to shoot your gun, and can save you money in the long run.
38 Special Reloading Costs – A Breakdown

The cost of reloading 38 Special ammunition can vary depending on the type of brass, bullets, and powder you use. For this article, we will assume that you are using new brass, lead bullets, and a can of powder. With that said, let’s take a look at the cost of reloading 38 Special ammunition.
The first thing you will need is a set of reloading dies. A good quality set of dies will cost around $40. Next, you will need a set of scales. A good quality set of scales will cost around $30. Finally, you will need a set of reloading trays. A good quality set of reloading trays will cost around $15.
The cost of the brass is where things can start to vary. For this article, we will assume that you are using new brass.
How Much It Really Costs To Reload Your Own 38 Special Ammo
Assuming you’re starting from scratch, it will cost you about $200 to reload your own 38 Special ammo. This includes the cost of the reloading press, dies, powder, primers, and bullets. Of course, you can always save money by buying used equipment, or by scrounging for brass cases and lead bullets.
The biggest expense in reloading your own ammo is the reloading press. A quality reloading press can cost anywhere from $100 to $500. The dies (which are specific to the type of cartridge you’re reloading) will cost another $40 to $60. The powder, primers, and bullets will cost about $30. So all told, you’re looking at a minimum investment of about $200.
Of course, the more you shoot, the more it will cost you to reload your own ammo. But even if you’re only shooting a few hundred rounds per year, the savings can add up. And there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of knowing you’re shooting ammo that you made yourself!
The True Cost Of Reloading 38 Special Ammo
The article “The True Cost Of Reloading 38 Special Ammo” does a great job of breaking down the cost of reloading 38 Special ammo. Here is a breakdown of the cost of reloading 38 Special ammo based on the article:
- The cost of the brass is the biggest cost when reloading 38 Special ammo. You can expect to pay around $0.50 per piece of brass.
- The cost of the bullets is the second biggest cost. You can expect to pay around $0.15 per bullet.
- The cost of the powder is the third biggest cost. You can expect to pay around $0.03 per grain of powder.
- The cost of the primers is the fourth biggest cost. You can expect to pay around $0.02 per primer.
- The total cost of reloading 38 Special ammo is around $0.96 per round.
How To Save Money When Reloading 38 Special Ammo
Assuming you are starting with new brass, the first thing you need to do is clean the brass. You can do this in a number of ways, but the cheapest and easiest way is to just use soapy water and an old toothbrush. Once the brass is clean, you need to resize it. This step is important, as it ensures that the brass will fit correctly in the chamber of your gun. You will need to purchase a reloading die set specific to the 38 Special caliber in order to do this.
The next step is to trim the brass. This is important, as it ensures that the brass is the correct length. The correct length for 38 Special brass is 1.155 inches. You can purchase a brass trimmer specific to the 38 Special caliber, or you can use a pair of scissors.
Once the brass is clean, resized, and trimmed, you are ready to start loading your 38 Special ammo. You will need to purchase some lead bullets, as well as some gunpowder. The type of gunpowder you use will depend on the type of 38 Special ammo you want to load. For example, if you want to load target ammunition, you will use a slower burning powder, whereas if you want to load self-defense ammunition, you will use a faster burning powder.
38 Special Reloading – Tips To Save Money
Assuming you are referring to the article 38 Special Reloading – Tips To Save Money:
The main tip the author gives for saving money when reloading 38 special rounds is to invest in a good quality reloading press. A reloading press will allow you to reuse brass casing and bullets, which will save you money in the long run. The author also recommends buying brass in bulk, as this will also help to reduce the cost of your reloads. Finally, the author suggests using a powder measure to ensure that you are using the correct amount of powder for each reload, as this will help to prevent wasted powder.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How much does it cost to reload 38 Special?
To reload 38 Special, you will need to purchase reloading dies, brass, bullets, and primers. The cost of these reloading supplies will vary depending on where you purchase them and the quantity that you purchase. You can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $200 to reload 38 Special.
What equipment do I need to reload 38 Special?
To reload 38 Special, you will need a set of reloading dies, a reloading press, brass, bullets, and primers. You may also want to purchase a case trimmer and a tumbler to clean your brass.
How much brass can I expect to get from reloading 38 Special?
You can expect to get around 50 pieces of brass from reloading 38 Special.
How much lead do I need to reload 38 Special?
You will need around 2 pounds of lead to reload 38 Special.
How much powder do I need to reload 38 Special?
You will need around 1 pound of powder to reload 38 Special.
What type of powder do I need to use for reloading 38 Special?
There are many different types of powder that can be used for reloading 38 Special. Some of the most popular powders for this caliber include Alliant Power Pistol, Hodgdon Titegroup, and Winchester W231.
Conclusion
Based on the information in the article, it appears that reloading 38 special ammunition is not particularly expensive. The cost of the brass, powder, and bullets is relatively low, and the author notes that the process can be done relatively quickly. Overall, it seems that reloading 38 special ammunition is a reasonably priced option for shooters.