While there is an up front cost, there is always a payback where you come out ahead. In the case of Star, the quality is such, it will last for whatever length of time you use it. You could also resell it later when you reduced the cost and earned some savings from its use.
As Art noted, it all depends on how many rounds you load over time, as well as componet cost. Also why you reload..
While there may be a source for $ 13.00 9mm, it certainly is not permanenet, and I speculate not factory target ammunition. It will eventually go up, but so do the components. Besides reloading cost savings, there is the satisfaction of producing your own ammo to your own specs.
As Art noted, he found a combination that provides very accurate results that he likes. I reload .45, .38, 45lc, & 9mm.on my Star. I believe my loads, will hold there own with most if not all factory stuff I have shot. My guns like my loads and function well and are very accurate. Certainly the guns and loads shoot better than I can shoot them.
