Do you re-load?

[djh1765]

I have re-loaded for myself and my family for some 40 years. I re-load 11 different calibers.

No telling how much money I have saved over the years.

DO YOU RE-LOAD?

 

[greenmachine]

Yes, I do reload my own ammunition. But only for my own use. I reload something North of 30 different calibers but respectfully decline when asked to reload for friends or fellow shooters. That may sound callous but that's just me. It's a personal thing. I'm happy to discuss loads and experiences with different calibers but it ends there.

 

[arjay]

30 years,10 calibers,2 gauges.If I take someone shooting (typically family) and they have no guns of their own,they're shooting my reloads.

 

[Jellybean]

About 34 years. I've reloaded anything for anyone that asked...except the guy that asked me to load his .50 BMG ammo. I'm still kicking myself over that one.

 

[427mach1]

Started reloading in 1977 or 78. I load 4 handgun calibers and 3 rifle. I generally don't like anyone shooting my reloads due to liability.

 

[JonF]

Absolutely !
We are retired and have CPL's (see my signature).
We visit the range about every 10 days or so to keep in tune.
I reload our 38spl's in order to afford that pace.
My costs are about 13cents a round instead of the
nearly $1.00 per round for factory loads.

I enjoy it and think of reloading as an additional
hobby and relaxing "time out" from other stuff.

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[shawn mccarver]

I used to reload, but as I never cast my own bullets, I never really found any substantial savings, but most everyone who reloads claims a huge savings. (Sort of like how seemingly everyone except me seems to make a profit selling their used car.)

Figure the cost of components, and especially with semi-autos with unsupported chambers making reloading sort of like Russian Roulette, requiring more frequent replacement of brass cases, it is especially less likely to be cost effective these days, provided you are paying for everything, including the lead and alloy used for casting. Used wheel weights "ain't what they used to be."

 

[Bkreutz]

I have re-loaded for myself and my family for some 40 years. I re-load 11 different calibers.

No telling how much money I have saved over the years.

DO YOU RE-LOAD?

I hand load. Re-load is when I replace the empty mag with a full one. (I do that too). (just kidding, I get this semantics game/argument any time I talk about reloading/handloading with competitive pistol shooters)

 

[kwselke]

I'm not sure if hand loading saved me any money, but I know I would have shot a lot less if I had not taken up reloading. Also my bolt action rifles probably would not be as accurate using factory fodder.

 

[djh1765]

You can't count your inatial brass cost in every re-load. Once you have loaded them one time then the savings starts to show up.

Re-loading cost has increased but not like the cost and avalibility of Factory Ammo.

Powder, primers and bullets. The more you buy at a time the more you save.

 

[Rpg]

I started reloading when I was 12 - 20 gauge lee loader. (50+ years ago).

Now, all I reload regularly are handgun ammo: mostly one load in 45acp and a couple in 38 special.

My son shot his first deer in 1992 ( when he was 14) with 270 win ammo I'd reloaded when I was 14 - 27 years earlier.

I shot a deer last year with some of that same, now 50 year old 270 reloaded ammo.

 

[SMSgt]

On-off-on again since '75. It's a hobby unto itself.

 

[Duster340]

I started reloading when I was 12 - 20 gauge lee loader. (50+ years ago).

Now, all I reload regularly are handgun ammo: mostly one load in 45acp and a couple in 38 special.

My son shot his first deer in 1992 ( when he was 14) with 270 win ammo I'd reloaded when I was 14 - 27 years earlier.

I shot a deer last year with some of that same, now 50 year old 270 reloaded ammo.

I too started reloading 12ga shell with an old Lee loader back in the 70's. Slow going, 1 at a time. But as kid I loved it. Not to mention the satisfaction of harvesting game with my own hand loads. Stopped in the late 80's when shotshells were cheap and easy to buy. However I just started loading handgun rounds this year, .40 & .44 mag. Initially to save money and not be reliant on LGS for ammo. Though an unanticipated side-benefit is how relaxing and enjoyable I find hand loading. For me it's a great way to decompress after long days/nights in the office. Aaannnd...I am shooting more now than I have in years! Wishing I would have gotten back into it sooner!

Pat

 

[manyguns]

I have been a hand loader for about 20 years. I am somewhere around 100k loaded. I could not imagine how one would compete in any of the pistol/3 gun sports without a progressive loader. I have gotten through the current ammo shortage with in hand component inventory. The ability to control power factor & find the load the gun likes is very important.

 

[Rule3]

DO YOU RE-LOAD?

Is this a trick question??

 

[djh1765]

How could this be a trick question?
I was just wondering how many members re-loaded their own ammo.
Rule3,
Do you re-load your ammo?

djh

 

[erle]

ReLoading for 54 Yrs

Began reloading 54 years ago. Started with Lee Handloader for 12 ga. & Lyman "nutcracker" for .222 Rem. Killed a lot of doves & wiped out a lot of groundhog reloading that way.

Now reload 6 rifle calibers, 7 pistol calibers. Have 6 Mec shotgun reloaders for 12, 20 & 410, since I reload both regular & 3 in. shells in each caliber. Saves a lot of time by having a reloader always set up & not having to change anything back & forth.

Can't say that I have saved any money by reloading. I'm sure I have if I figured it up over the years. However, I can say it has made me a better shooter because I have shot a heck of a lot more than I would have had I not reloaded. Besides, it has been a great way to spend time with children & grandchildren. Since I'm retired now I take them with me to the shooting range quite often.

 

[jj2am44]

Over 36 years. 5 handgun and 2 rifle calibers. Soon, to add a 3rd rifle.

 

[kcode]

Started around 1983, only do my handguns, .380 up to .45acp. Considering to start .223 R or 5.56. Only reload for personal use, well I did give the brother in law a box of 230 gr .45acp because he begged for them after I reworked his 1911.