Do you reload?

[Dave Lively]

I started reloading 35 years ago. Money was more of an issue back then, I had a 10mm obsession and ammo in that caliber was both scarce and expensive, and I enjoyed trying to squeeze the last little bit of accuracy out of bolt hunting rifles. So reloading ammo for 10mm and my bolt action rifles made a lot of sense. And at the time I enjoyed reloading. Since I have always bought ammo I shoot a lot of in bulk a single stage RCBS press made more sense than a progressive one.

But about 15 years ago reloading started to seem like a tedious chore so I quit and have been shooting nothing but factory. I have sold off or given away most of the components I had but still have the press and other basic equipment. I have been thinking about selling that too but have held off in case I change my mind and start reloading for certain low volume calibers like 44 which are expensive and sometimes hard to find loaded to the power levels I like. Or in case I decide to start trying to increase the accuracy of the one remaining centerfire bolt action rifle I own.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I've been reloading since 1968. I'm still hooked and I enjoy it as an end unto itself.

I sure get to do a lot more shooting with the hobby now that I'm retired. I also cast many of my bullets and only shoot jacketed bullets for hunting, long range match shooting or for self-defense.

Of course, I was lucky having spent two careers under arms and having the army and the PD supply me with more ammo than I could sometimes shoot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I started reloading soon after I started shooting. I was shooting 3X or more a week and ammo costs were starting to eat into my budget. At the time I was able to recoop the cost of equipment in a short 2 1/2 months. The rest was history.

I did slow down and stop over the past 3 years but only because of severe health problems. For the past 2 months I have been back with a vengeance lol.

I'm sure you will enjoy loading again, go for it...

 

[Buford57]

I buy factory ammo when I get a smoking deal (e.g.. $15/50 .38 Super, $10 .35 Whelen and .280). I used to wildcat but now stick to rounds for which commercial brass is available. During the most recent drought I decapped and flared (belled) 500 9mm cases but waited to prime them so as to use the primers where they were most needed. For now the SP primers are allocated to .38/.357 until the supply increases and the price eases. I pick up 9mm range ammo when what passes for a deal comes along.

I used to enjoy reloading more than I do now. Like yardwork, auto maintenance and painting. As my brother put it, I still enjoy it, but it hurts longer afterward.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I reload all metallic cartridges that I shoot except 22LR and WMR. I have been reloading probably forty years or so and like the ability to load mild loads that are easy in arthritic hands and wrists.

 

[SMSgt]

I started reloading about 1975 with my "World's Greatest" Herter's Model 3 reloading kit and still use it. Rarely do I shoot factory ammo outside of my carry ammo or .22s. Reload a couple of wildcat cartridges that cannot be bought commercially.

 

[dsf]

I started in 1972. For a Savage 340 in 222 Remington and an Italian Type 1938 Carbine in 6.5 Carcano. I still use the same load in most of my 222 rifles - 19.8 grains of IMR 4198 with a Sierra 52 grain BTHP. Shoots well in every rifle from 788 to singe shot Cooper.

I think I reload for about 90 cartridges, from 25 ACP to 416 Rigby. I've bought some guns just because I wanted to reload for it, or because someone gave me brass.

Reloading is an expensive way to save money.

 

[austintexas]

1962

I've been reloading since 1962, started in Lybia where there were no retail gunshops. I've got my original Rock Chucker. Been thru a star progressive, moved to Dillions. I have 3 Square Deals bought and sold a 550 and a 650. Reload rifle ammo on the Rock Chucker and pistol on the Square Deals. Only commercial I buy is .22, .22 mag and .17.
SWCA 892

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Started in 1979, I am up to 117 cartridges. 32 to 50 AE in handgun. 22 Hornet to 450 3 1/4 Nitro Express in rifles. 410, 28, 20, & 12 in Shotguns.

Favorites include 22 Hornet, 22 BR, 6x284Win, and 338 Lapua.

Most common loaded, 45 Colt, 308, 223, & 45-70

Strangest, 8mm x 56R Hungarian & just starting 8mm (7.9)x 52mmR Siamese.

Ivan

 

[Hairtrigger]

I started reloading for shotshell in 1979 as I was too young to buy ammunition but my local shop would sell me components for the shot shell reloading

A few years later I got into varmint rifles and at that time it was rare to see premium ammunition. Reloading for varmint rifles was an easy way to increase the accuracy
Now I reload as I find it relaxing

 

[Cdog]

I’m after better, not cheaper ammo. As I’ve stated many times love of less popular calibers is what finally gave me the nudge I needed to buy in.

I had a custom 98 Mauser chambered in .257 Roberts, soon a Ruger 77 RL followed. I also had a Blackhawk chambered in.41 Mag. It was followed up by a Model 57.

Accuracy was what I was chasing, but costs difference and availability was an obvious benefit of loading for these early firearms in my life.

I’ve had the ability to own weapons that I would have otherwise passed on. .45 Win Mag, 7X61 S&H, .358 and .375 Winchester, .32 Win Special, even the common .454 Casull. I can load a Casull for pennies more than other .45 calibers I shoot.

The latest rounds l loaded were 100 grain.257 Roberts using Accurate 4064. I have some 90 grain copper alloy Hornady on the way. After nearly 40 years, I’m still tinkering with the one that started it all.

 

[Rlg#17]

Yes, been doing it since the 60’s. Started out with a Rockchucker, now still have it along with two Dillon progressive’s. Most common handgun/rifle calibers. A few that need to be reloaded. .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin.

The wife and I wouldn’t be able to shoot as much as we do (usually daily) if we didn’t reload. It’s been painful to pay for components the last couple of years, but it’s what we do

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[max]

I started in 74 with a Lee Loader for 38 Special. I moved on to a RCBS Jr and now have a Dillon 550. I think reloading is great therapy. I had a high stress job and it relaxed me.

I load 38 through 45 Colt. When 9mm was cheap, I shot a lot of Blazer aluminum and other factory rounds. Last Winter, I loaded a thousand rounds of it because I had the components. I have probably loaded more .45acp than any other. It is the only one I keep track of and I am now at just over 54,000.

 

[Jimk45]

reloading

Been reloading for over 40 years. Started with lee Champion, upgraded to a Rock Chucker, then added a Dillon 550 and a Progressive 12 ga. I loaded for all the WWII rifles both US and Foreign. These days I am slowing down, getting old! Only load for 38, 9mm and 45acp. Have about 4000 primers left, when they are gone I plan to sell my last press, a Hornady Lock N Load. When it is time, I will post it here in the classifieds.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

NOT every cartridge is brass.........I load lotsa shotgun shells too.

 

[raljr1]

My wife bought me a complete set of reloading equipment nearly 30 years ago...finally broke it out of the carton about 4 years ago...have reloaded several thousand rounds since...now I just need to shoot more

Robert
SWCA #2906

 

[mikld]

I actually started reloading in 1969, but took a 6 year layoff in mid '70s. I now reload for 12 calibers and cast a lot of bullets (I have 4 guns that have not seen a jacketed bullet as long as they have been in m possession, a couple 30 years). I have purchased factory ammo on three occasions in the last 18 years because I had no components/dies for a new cartridge. I won't own a gun I cannot reload for...

 

[twodog max]

The only ammo I buy is 22 rimfire and shotshells. I used to load shotgun but shoot those so little these days it is not worth the trouble.
All the many other rounds I shoot are all loaded by me. I cast and lube bullets for handgun and 45 caliber rifles.

 

[dsf]

A LGS had changed hand 2 or 3 times over the years and every time a Tanfoglio 90 stayed with the new owner. I wasn't too keen on the gun but when the latest new owner bought the place I made a smart aleck remark about the gun no one would buy. "Make me an offer" is what he said and "$99.00" is what I said.

"It's a 41 AE" said another guy in the store "I bet you reload ...."

 

[Tex1001]

Got a Blackhawk 44 magnum back in '67. Everyone said I was crazy because we couldn't find magnum/special ammo anywhere. That started my lifelong obsession at age 18. I (And my children) now never have to buy another factory cartridge.
About 8 years ago I got a Savage 1899 REAL cheap. I thought that it was a 308 (I misread, it was a 303 savage). I thought that it was a wall hanger until I found Prvi Partisan made new, virgin cases. I now have a great medium range hunting/plinking rifle.
I load .22 cal Hornady 55gr. soft points in sabots for it at around 3800 FPS.
Yowsa!