As a recent addition to the "I don't have to go to work anymore!" gang. I find myself with a great deal more time to do some of the things that I used to enjoy. Before the weather turned cold, I spent several hours getting my bullet casting set up out of storage and back into action. Until a month ago, I had not cast a bullet since 1992. 1. Because I gave up pistol competition. 2. I could buy cast bullets for less than I thought my time was worth.( Not true anymore--cost of cast has gone way up and my time has come down in value!) Didn't get rid of my equipment, in fact bought more, but didn't use it. A little cold in the unheated garage now so I probably will wait until March or April to continue the renewal of that hobby.


I have also spent a lot more time in the "ManCave" working the handle on the old RockChucker and the Lyman Spar-T. I was looking at a box of 40 S&W that I had loaded and Dated in 1997 and some 38 Spc. that is even older. I never really stopped reloading but it was usually confined to rifle loads for an upcoming season or load development for some new toy. And a couple of years shooting my reloaded rounds in various NRA Hi-Power matches(Before I figured out I was not going to practice enough or get into good enough shape to shoot really well.) I did have a good time but at 25 to 40 bucks a hundred, match bullets and therefore match shooting got kind of spendy! Anyway, with the extra time, I now have, I have been going through the last couple of decades worth of range pickups and sorting brass and then starting to process various batches. Loaded several hundreds of 9mm (haven't loaded a 9mil since the early 80s) and processed a couple more 3 lb. coffee cans full of brass. Ditto some 40 S&W (needed to load some to shoot in my new M&P, my retirement present to me) Tonight I started on the 45 ACP (the tumbler is rumbling as I type). Still have 44spc, 44mag and 45 LC as future projects. After that I will think about the buckets full of rifle brass. I load and shoot over 20 different rifle calibers.

I forgot how much I enjoy reloading, just for the fun of it. I go down and turn on the radio(I listen to the PBS Classical station and sometimes to the Jazz station) turn the light on over the reloading station, set my (non-alcoholic) beverage on the shelf and lose myself in the process at hand.

Life is good. Like I said in the title: "No Problems-No Questions and No Worries" I hope you didn't find my ramblings too boring. GB

Reloading bench therapy... Been doing the same thing myself since I retired.

Larry

Good to hear you're getting back into it & enjoying it. I used to reload & shoot more years ago, then family, bills & work curtailed that until recently. Really been having fun researching data for "gray area" loads & trying different powder/bullet combos in different cartridges.

I recently "treated" myself to a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo that I'm excited to add to the routine. I have a small homemade reloading table that I set up by my desk so I can reload when the garage is too cold/hot.

Have fun & enjoy your retirement!

.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

I did the same with retirement, needed a hobby and took up shooting again.

Then came RELOADING as an additional hobby,

Then came the hobby of CASTING and

it was soon followed the hobby of HI-TEK coating my cast projectiles.

I find all my hobbies very relaxing and rewarding along with being time consuming.

I need to remember to take the time to go shooting the fruits of my labor.

Retirement is GREAT if you treat it right and are able too.

__________________
NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Glad you made it out of the rat race and back to the bench in one piece! Ivan

I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I'm also retired and reloading is a big part of my life. I go to the range at least twice a week.

When I was working, I always used to say that all I would need in retirement was enough money to buy bullets. I was right.

Well retirement can be good. I've been "retired" now since 95..My retirement has turned into a lot of werk reloading casting etc etc. My retirement money would go a bit farther if I would quit buying(in this order) reloading/casting stuff, guns, scopes and did I mention reloading stuff? This hobby has turned into a self sustaining commitment to more stuff. I am trying to put some money together to buy couple of 1894 Marlins in 44 mag..for me and my granddaughter. She(and her mother) are good shooters. Heck I had a friend call last week wanted to sell some "stuff". When I left his place I had 4 guns 23 moulds a new Lyman Mag 20 pot 300 lbs of bullets 14 lbs of assorted powders and a whole assortment of his stuff was added to my stuff. And I bought 4 more guns yesterday..just cause I wanted ONE. Will sell a couple to recoup some money. Grandaughter may get her Marlin sometime... Being retired sure gets expensive. I think I have too much time on my hands...and mommas honey do list keeps getting ever longer....but I can't seem to find the time to get any of that stuff done. Huh...Think I'll just ignore that list a little longer

"This hobby has turned into a self sustaining commitment to more stuff."

perfect!!!

__________________
Dum vivimus Vivamas

Much the same story here. I find the pursuit of hand loading and bullet casting very enjoyable and more than a bit therapeutic. You know, I like .22LR handguns and rifles and have a bunch but don't shoot em a lot. It seems that the .22LR only offers me one half of the experience, you cant reload em!

__________________
Stay safe people!

If I had 20 rifles and all your pistols and weapons, I think I
would be looking for a house closer to the range, first !!

Yes being retired is nice but I don't have as much time off as
I thought, since the little lady still comes up with "Things" that
I need to do or should do................

Hope you can find lead for those bullets that will be coming out
in the Spring of '15. Old hobbies will come back to quality stuff
after a little practice and getting the brain reset to the finer
points that may have drifted away with time.

I will assure you it will be a LOT easier than picking up your golf
clubs that have sat in their bag for ten years with no use !!

Have fun.

Handloading/reloading is good stuff. I remember I used to have the same "problem" with photography. Couldn't decide whether I enjoyed shooting or darkroom work more. Great to really enjoy both.

Nice post - not boring at all. I share a lot of your sentiments, if not exactly the same situation. Enjoy your retirement and the return to loading/casting/etc. Those of us who live in the reasonably-free states still have a lot to be thankful for.

Congratulations on your retirement!

People still ask me, "Don't you get bored with not having a job?"

My reply remains the same..."No, I was bored with the job, that's why I retired."

Yep, retirement is the second best thing to ever happen to me (if my wife asks, it's 3rd!). I no longer fit reloading time into my schedule, mostly the other way around, and I use the labor intensive, time consuming techniques I would try to avoid before my change of employment status. I don't mind inspecting and de-crimping 200 milspec cases at a sitting, and it's OK to load for my Garand on my single stage press and weigh every charge...

Retirement is for doing what you like. You didn't have time for it before but now you find you can get right back into what you love to do. I enjoy the same things and am happy I now haqve all the time in the world for both reloading and shooting. HAPPY RELOADING!!!!!!!

Congrats, Retirement is a good job if you can afford it. I keep thinking one day.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

My retirement consists of going to the range Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Reloading Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Usually take Sunday off so I won't overdo. (Good for NFL and NASCAR too)
I did recently take the Range Officers course and put in my qualifying time. It is a private club and all the RO's are volunteer. Need to work some of that into my week too.

GB,
I'm not surprised how many here have the same sentiments. Since my retirement, I've gotten back into shooting, reloading, buying guns, reloading equipment and just loving it.
You're right. Life is good.
George

retirement is great everyday is Sunday!!!!!

Congrats on retiring! Have been laying in supplies for the eventuality. only 5 minute drive to the range from house.