I am now spending more on reloading than I ever did on ammo...am I certified?

[peppercorn]

I realized after my last range session that I was shooting .44 Mag like I used to shoot .38 special. That puts me in the neighborhood of about 200 to 400 rounds per week!

I was on holiday and shooting with my brother in law over the Fourth of July and at the end of the session I had amassed nearly 400 empty .44 mag cases. He looked at my stuffed one gallon zip lock and just shook his head.
On our way to Idaho for said vacation I stopped by Oregon Trail bullets and took them up on their 'buy 5000 and get a thousand free' deal.
My wife just shook her head.
And just today I put yet another order in for more powder, brass and primers.

I won't get into the numbers but I will say that thanks to you fellas I have spent more in a few short months on components alone than I spent on ammo over the last two years.

I have also had a ton of fun, shot more .44 mag than I ever dreamed possible and made a friend or two along the way.

I am curious if any of you have had similar experiences or am I in need of a trip to the funny farm?

 

[jrhoney]

Welcome to the club!

 

[2hawk]

The most expensive money-saving hobby there is...

Why was it when I saw the thread title I knew it was you?

Count your blessings!
You are experiencing reloading Nirvana- not only do you have the time, skills and energy, but you can also support the habit. Your shooting is no doubt getting better with all the practice, your guns are working better as they smooth out from all the use, and I can only imagine how much stronger your arm is from working the handle on that Dillon!

All kidding aside, reloading really opens up new dimensions in shooting (told you it would), and it's gratifying to see you making the most of your resources. Good on ya!

Of course, to non-shooting, non-reloading folks, you are definitely around the bend!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No one ever claimed they save money by reloading. You will however shoot a lot more for the same cost as you have already learned. Some do think they will save money but that just never happens!

Welcome to this addiction called reloading, it's a fun ride...

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Now you can start casting your own bullets and save even more.

 

[Moonman]

Yep, You're there, you never SAVE MONEY by reloading, but you sure do shoot a bunch more.

Just wait until you discover THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CASTING.

 

[MichiganScott]

I bought a Lee Loader to load .30 Carbine cartridges in 1972. Figured I could save a lot of money that way. I bought my RCBS Rockchucker in 1974 so I could save money on .30-06 hunting cartridges.

Today, I have a 8x12 room dedicated to hand loading my ammunition. It currently contains 27 die sets, two presses, 5000+ jacketed bullets, etc. Saved a bunch of money over the years..................

 

[Moonman]

MichiganScott learned, That you save money by reloading and invest the savings into

MORE RELOADING EQUIPMENT, that way you SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY.

 

[blujax01]

Awesome, ain't it?

 

[M29since14]

Certified for what?

Yeah, you're "normal," or as normal as people like us can be. Moonman is correct - very few people "save" money by taking up handloading.

 

[AABEN]

If you get it to casting your own. Buy the dies that you can put the gas check on your bullets!! this helps from leading up as fast. I use the 38/357 die #C358-158 SWC it is 158gr For the 44 it is C429-240 it is 240gr. I use wheel weights for most of my lead with a little tin in it.You can buy lead from Midway USA. I get my lead from where they sale new tires. Good luck

 

[novalty]

Found reloading to be as much of a hobby as shooting. Started out with handgun 45acp and 9mm luger, this year I got my father to buy me a set of dies for 38/357 so I can load for him. This summer I sacrificed my handgun component money to add a couple rifle rounds. Just purchased a .223 dies and 25-35 WCF dies, and a case trimmer. Now just a pile more components to buy.

 

[rburg]

5000+ jacketed bullets, etc.

Why are you so low on bullets? I see a real hole in your supplies. You need to work harder on that.

 

[mikld]

My latest reloading "aquisition" ran about $6,000.00, so I can save money on ammo! Reciently retired/moved and needed a place to reload so I poured a slab, and had a custom made reloading shed put up behind the house. Large door, high ceiling, windows, two heavy duty benches built in, nice place to hang out. Ran power to it and now I can really get started saving money on ammo

 

[Moonman]

mikld,

Reloading is still cheaper and MORE FUN than those folks with BOATS FOR FUN.

 

[venomballistics]

whacha whining about ... your having fun aren't ya

 

[MichiganScott]

Why are you so low on bullets? I see a real hole in your supplies. You need to work harder on that.

Wife's between jobs.

 

[CBH44]

I don't know about "certified" but you're certainly bonafide and probably going to be vilified.

 

[sixpointfive]

You need to cast your own bullets. I load for about $3.00 per box. Casting is easy and cheap. You can get wheel weights from tire stores.

 

[shovelwrench]

You can cut bullet cost in half just by using most anyone but Oregon Trail. Don't get me wrong they're great bullets, just their prices really skyrocketed in the past few years. I use a couple good casters that are less then half of what Oregon Trails are without any loss in accuracy, and a lot less loss in the wallet!!

Besides that, SHOOT EM IF YA GOT EM!!!!!!!!!