Reloading vs Factory Ammo - what's best? For many hunters and shooters, the question of whether to reload ammunition or stick with factory-loaded rounds is one that sparks debate. On the surface, factory ammo offers convenience and reliability—simply buy, load, and shoot. But for those willing to put in the time and effort, reloading ammunition offers the potential for cost savings and the ability to fine-tune your load to your exact specifications.

With the volatility of ammo prices, reloading has become an appealing option for budget-conscious shooters looking to stretch their dollar while adding performance. But is reloading truly worth the investment in time, and equipment? But how does the performance of reloaded ammo compare to the factory stuff? In this article, we’ll dive into the benefits and trade-offs of each approach—exploring cost savings, performance consistency, and whether the rewards of reloading make it a worthwhile endeavor for your hunting/shooting needs.

When it comes to factory-loaded ammunition, the Hornady Precision Hunter is a popular choice for hunters and long-range shooters using the 6.5 PRC cartridge. This ammo is known for its accuracy, consistency, and use of the ELD-X bullet, which is designed for reliable expansion and deep penetration. However, that level of performance comes with a price tag. As of recent market prices, Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 PRC typically costs between $40 to $50 per box of 20 rounds, depending on the retailer. For frequent shooters, that can add up quickly, especially if you're putting hundreds of rounds downrange over the course of a season or preparing for a big hunt. While factory ammo offers convenience and the guarantee of uniformity, its cost can make it an expensive long-term choice—especially if you're regularly practicing or shooting at long distances.

1. Convenience: Factory ammo is ready to go right out of the box. No setup or special equipment required—just purchase, load, and shoot.

2. Reliability: Factory ammunition is produced under strict quality control standards, ensuring consistent performance with every round. This means you can count on reliable ignition, consistent powder charges, and uniform bullet seating.

3. Consistency: High-quality factory ammo, like Hornady Precision Hunter, provides consistent velocity, accuracy, and bullet performance, which is especially important for long-range shooting or hunting.

4. No Time Investment: Reloading requires significant time and effort to properly prep brass, measure powder charges, and seat bullets. Factory ammo allows you to skip all this and start shooting immediately.

5. Lower Initial Cost: For shooters who don’t want to invest in reloading equipment (press, dies, scales, etc.), factory ammo is a lower initial expense, requiring no upfront investment in gear.

6. Availability: Factory ammunition is widely available from retailers, meaning you don’t have to worry about sourcing individual components or components being out of stock, which can happen in the reloading market.

7. Variety of Options: Factory ammo manufacturers offer a wide range of bullet types and loads, making it easy to find ammunition for different purposes—whether it’s hunting, target shooting, or match competitions.

8. No Special Expertise Needed: Reloading requires knowledge of ballistics, powder types, and bullet seating techniques to ensure safety and performance. Factory ammo eliminates the need for this expertise, making it a better option for less experienced shooters.

1. Cost Savings: Reloading can significantly reduce the cost per round, especially if you’re shooting regularly. By reusing brass and buying components in bulk, you can cut costs by up to 50% or more compared to buying factory-loaded ammo.

2. Customization and Precision : Reloading allows you to tailor your ammo to your specific rifle and shooting needs. You can fine-tune bullet weight, powder charge, and seating depth for maximized accuracy and consistent performance, often achieving better results than factory loads.

3. Better Accuracy: Custom-loaded ammo can often outperform factory rounds in terms of precision. By experimenting with different components, you can find the perfect load for your rifle, improving your groups and overall shooting performance, especially at long ranges.

4. Consistency: Reloading ensures you have control over every step of the process, from selecting the components to charging the case. This leads to consistent performance from round to round, which is crucial for competitive shooting or precision hunting.

5. Control Over Bullet Choice : Reloading gives you the ability to choose from a wide range of bullet types—whether it’s target, varmint, match, or hunting bullets—ensuring you can load the perfect round for the job at hand.

6. Environmental Benefits : By reusing spent brass, you’re reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable shooting practice.

7. Increased Availability of Ammo: Reloading allows you to maintain a steady supply of ammo, even when factory ammo is scarce or back-ordered.

8. Learning and Enjoyment : Reloading is a rewarding hobby that teaches you more about ballistics, your firearm, and the ammunition you’re shooting.

9. Less Dependency on Manufacturers: When you reload, you’re not at the mercy of ammunition manufacturers, whether it’s for availability or price.

Learn more about the equipment you'll need to begin reloading here.

Reloading your own ammo can offer significant cost savings compared to factory-loaded rounds, but it comes with its own set of considerations. For a 6.5 PRC, the cost of reloaded ammo depends on several factors, including the price of components (brass, powder, bullets, primers), the quantity you're reloading, and the quality of the components you choose. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you might expect to pay when reloading 6.5 PRC:

• Brass: If you’re reusing fired brass, this cost can be minimal. However, for once-fired or new brass, expect to pay around $1.00 to $2.00 per casing (depending on brand and quality).

• Bullets: For 6.5mm projectiles, you might pay anywhere from $0.50 to $1.50 per bullet, depending on the type (target, hunting, match grade). Premium projectiles like Hornady ELD-X or Nosler AccuBond can be on the higher end. So, for 20 rounds, you might spend $10 to $30 on bullets.

• Powder: A pound of rifle powder typically costs between $30 and $40 depending. For each 6.5 PRC load, you might use around 50 grains of powder per round.

• Primers: Primers are relatively inexpensive, typically costing around $0.03 to $0.10 per primer.

Example Breakdown Per Round (Using New Brass):

• Primers $.10

• Powder $.50

• Bullet: $.52

• Brass: $1.22

First Firing Cost: $2.34 per round

Example Breakdown Per Round (Using Existing Brass

• Primers $.10

• Powder $.50

• Bullet: $.52

• Brass: $0

Second Firing Cost: $1.12 per round  

When you compare the reloading cost of around $50 for 20 rounds of 6.5 PRC versus the cost of Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 PRC factory ammo at around $49.99 - $59.99 per box of 20 rounds, you can immediately see the potential for savings—especially if you reload in bulk. Over time, the savings can add up, particularly if you shoot a lot.. However, it’s important to factor in the initial investment in reloading equipment (press, dies, scales, etc.), which can run anywhere from $150 to $900 +, depending on the setup.

Factory-loaded ammo, like Hornady Precision Hunter in 6.5 PRC, is designed to deliver reliable performance out of the box. Manufacturers put factory ammo through rigorous quality control to ensure consistent bullet seating, powder charge, and primer ignition. For most hunters and shooters, this consistency is more than enough to guarantee excellent performance in the field or at the range. Factory ammunition offers a great balance of accuracy and reliability, especially with premium loads designed for specific uses like long-range shooting or hunting.

For example, the Hornady Precision Hunter ammo features the ELD-X bullet, known for its exceptional accuracy, high ballistic coefficient, and consistent terminal performance on game. This makes it an excellent choice for precision shooting and hunting, offering predictable and repeatable results at longer distances. However, while factory ammo delivers strong performance for most shooters, its consistency can be impacted by environmental factors or firearm variation—meaning it may not always be the best fit for those seeking the utmost precision or tuning capabilities for specific shooting conditions.

Custom reloaded ammo, on the other hand, offers a level of personalization and tuning that factory ammo simply can't match. Reloading allows you to select the exact components that match your shooting style, rifle, and specific needs. You can experiment with different powder charges, bullet types, and seating depths to achieve the optimal performance for your rifle. This means you can fine-tune your reloads for maximum accuracy, whether you’re trying to achieve sub-MOA groups at the range or fine-tuning your hunting rounds for a particular species or shooting distance.

One of the primary advantages of reloaded ammo is the ability to tailor the load to your rifle. Every rifle is different, and slight variations in chamber dimensions, barrel length, and rifling can lead to differing preferences for powder loads and bullet weights. Reloading allows you to create a round that is matched to your firearm, which can lead to better accuracy and performance compared to factory loads, especially when shooting at longer ranges or when precision is critical. In fact, many competitive shooters and long-range hunters prefer custom reloads for this reason, as the consistency and fine-tuned performance can give them an edge in the field or at the competition.

While reloaded ammo offers the advantage of precision tuning, factory ammo still holds a significant edge in terms of convenience and performance out of the box. For hunters or shooters who don’t have the time, equipment, or desire to dive into reloading, factory ammunition provides consistent accuracy with minimal effort. Factory loads are a great choice for most practical shooting applications, providing solid performance with little preparation required.

However, for those who want the best possible performance from their rifle, especially in competitive settings or high-stakes hunting scenarios, custom reloaded ammo gives shooters the ability to experiment and perfect their loads. If you’re willing to put in the effort and time, reloads can push your rifle’s performance to its maximum potential, offering the ultimate precision tailored to your specific needs.

In the video below I display how my custom 6.5 PRC with factory ammunition vs custom handloaded ammunition.

I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS TEST! 

If you have any questions about the 6.5 PRC caliber you can learn more here.