Not wanting to hijack OS OK's thread about costs, but I was wondering, how many really count the costs for reloading and casting?
I don't. I didn't start to "save money" either, I was mainly curious ("I wonder if I could reuse these?" as I emptied a cylinder in 1968). Of course I don't buy components willy-nilly, just poking the "buy it now" button, I still shop, but money/costs are not my main objective. It would be really difficult for me to compare costs as the prices of my components/supplies vary greatly and have been purchased over the years (I have powder from 1990, primers from '02, brass from '69, lead from 1998 to 2009, some components were on sale when I bought them, some purchased locally and some had hazmat fees attached). I reload because I like to. I like trying different components, different methods and qualifying/recording results. I like nearly every aspect of reloading (except maybe bending over and picking up brass) and I have much more time for reloading than I have for shooting. I also cast my own bullets; taking grungy wheel weights and scrap lead, melting and cleaning and finally casting, lubing and sizing my "perfect" bullets. Great satisfaction.
So, how many members put money/costs high on their reasons for reloading and casting?