Do you reload?

[kbm6893]

I started the summer after Newtown, so 9 years now. Single stage press and no plans to ever change that.

I wouldn’t advise people to start right now. Scrambling to find primers and when I do they’re $140 a brick. You’d have to be out of your mind to invest in the equipment when components are so hard to find right now and 3-4 times the price when you can. I hope things improve but I’m not optimistic.

 

[scooter123]

I started reloading in 2007 and learned a lesson from Sandy Hook, stock up on critical components. At 67 years old I expect that my heirs will have to sort out what to do about my stock of handgun and rifle primers. Currently I have 3 AR-15's that I selected the components for and put together, two in 223 Wylde and one in 300 Blackout. Ammunition for the 223's has been hand made since day one and that isn't going to change. As for the 300 Blackout, I did once purchase a box of ammo in that caliber, it's buried somewhere in my spares, everything shot has been home brew.

In 2018 I started out shooting Trap and in 2021 took up shooting 4 Gun Skeet. Currently I have 6 shotshell reloading presses lined up on my shotshell bench. The extras are single stage 28 gauge and 410 presses sitting next to progressive presses for those two bores. BTW, I practice mainly with 410 because it's 2 dollars a box cheaper than 12 gauge to load. Another plus for 410 is it requires more precision and the recoil is so light that I have no damage concerns for my shoulder.

 

[max503]

When I was a kid my older brother made a comment that all the serious shooters were reloaders. I took that to heart and started reloading as soon as I got out on my own. It has never been a matter of cost, to me.

 

[kamloops67]

Been reloading maybe 10 years or so , was playing cowboy a lot so started reloading to feed that habit
Now most of my favourite handguns shoot big and expensive bullets I shoot 100-200 rounds per week , I couldn’t afford to shoot without reloading
Used to cast bullets too but it became too much so now I buy my bullets for $95/500 (240gr .430) getting pricey !
I have been thinking about getting the magna casting system ,with the star sizer. friend had it .you could turn out a lot of lead with one of those

 

[H Richard]

When I started reloading I could make 38's for about 2.5 cents each. 45's maybe 3 cents. My 7 TCU Silhouette bullets cost me about a little over .20 each. I'd never have been able to shoot what I wanted without loading.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I was an active reloader for years-I had my M-57 for 10 years before I fired a factory round. Then I took up Civil War then RevWar reenacting, I was shooting a lot, but didn't have to worry about accuracy. In recent years shooting only 22RF-easier on the ears and budget, and I became a proficient handgun shooter when I practiced Bullseye with a 22. If and when the component shortages ease up I will start reloading again.

 

[Hairtrigger]

Reloading let’s me shoot more
Also let’s me shoot odd stuff like 22-454 and 25 rem

 

[Yaworski]

I bought a press almost 30 years ago intending to start reloading. Never did. Why I didn't is a long story.

 

[tlawler]

I’m a novice compared to some of you guys. I got into it about five years ago and luckily that predated the crazy prices and rarity of components. I still have some of the primers I bought back in the beginning for $20 a brick, though I’m a little more circumspect in their application now. I find reloading to be a relaxing and satisfying endeavor. It has allowed me to introduce my kids to the shooting sports and still be able to pay for their educations.

 

[gnappi]

No vote. I reload for some 40 years and rarely buy factory ammo and then only for carry. Many hand load their own carry ammo also.

Even shooting / training a modest 150-200 rounds a week, factory ammo is not an option. This is especially the case since I only shoot .40, 10mm, .357 Sig, 9x25, .45 and .45 Colt. Not calibers found in the big box stores.

 

[BloodyThumb]

Every time the slide locks back.


I used to back when I was shooting IPSC and then IDPA. A friend and I split a Dillon 1050 and setup. We loaded massive amounts of 45acp back then.

I stopped when I got married and into LE for various reasons, but would like to restart soon.

 

[gwpercle]

Yes ... I reload and cast bullets .
It's my Hobby and I enjoy doing it .

I didn't see this option on the survey ... So I didn't take the survey .

What is with qption #1 ... Yes , unless factory is the only way to get some brass .
That doesn't make sense ... I only reload empty brass ... it doesn't matter if I buy loaded ammo and fire it , buy empty new or once fired brass ...
#1 should be Yes ... I just enjoy reloading !
Gary

 

[gwpercle]

I bought a press almost 30 years ago intending to start reloading. Never did. Why I didn't is a long story.

Better Late Than Never !

It can be a fun and interesting hobby .

Gary

 

[desi2358]

I have been reloading since I bought my first cartridge handgun in 1976. Before that I was shooting muzzle loaders (reload every shot LOL) and 22 rifles mainly with some shotgun use during hunting season (and I didn't reload shotgun shells until years later).

Reloading allowed me to shoot a lot more than I could spending the same amount on factory ammo to start with. As my interests expanded into collecting the old military guns I was fascinated by it often allowed me to be able to shoot even the odder ones which were hard to find ammo for.

I still buy factory stuff if the price is right, never hurts to have a reserve put back. I also buy any old military surplus I find that's a good price, even questionable stuff has provided me with good bullets for reloading when age or condition made them not shootable. I was really happy during the 80's and 90's when tons of surplus ammo poured into the country at bargain prices. Miss those days and the great bargains. Bought a lot of surplus ammo, still have a stash of some calibers. But if and when it runs out or even my supply simply gets too low I have die sets and reloadable brass so I can continue to shoot the old guns.

 

[Green Frog]

I do a quick analysis of whether the cost of factory ammo is negated by my gun time required to reload. If “ready rolled” ammo is a good enough buy, I shoot that… if not, I reload. Of course I have been known to buy factory ammo to ultimately get odd brass, but that’s pretty much the exception since I haven’t added a new caliber since the 327 FM arrived.

Froggie

 

[edgarspencer]

My dad and I began reloading back in the 50s, when we spent a lot of time chuck hunting the local dairy farms. He was shooting his favorite, .257 Roberts, and I was shooting a .22 Hornet. That hornet was stolen and I replaced it with another BRNO hornet, not realizing at the time it had been re-chambered to K-Hornet. That turned out to be one of my better mistakes, and I love the K, which I reload for.
I went through phases, and collected many esoteric metric calibers, and English guns; all of which meant reloading.
My dad was an avid Parker shotgun collector, and that has long been my passion also. Many of my Parker's predate 2 3/4" chambers, and several are high grade Damascus barreled guns, so I load and reload lots (LOTS) of 2 1/2", low pressure loads in 12,16, 20 and 28ga. I really enjoy Sporting Clays, but mostly for the enjoyment of shooting vintage guns, and am not into the hi-tech stuff that score driven people shoot. I long ago learned there's no joy in shooting, or hunting, with an ugly gun.
My latest project caliber is 32-44 S&W target ammo, and am back to reforming cases. As many have said, I enjoy the quiet time at the loading bench.

 

[glenwolde]

I started reloading in 1980 with an RCBS JR. I was shooting a lot of .38/.357 and it saved money. After the first couple of years I settled on cast lead bullets. As my shooting picked up I got a Dillon RL 450. Then an RCBS Green Machine (that one was finicky). Then I converted the 450 to a 550 frame and sold the Green Machine. I still use the manual primer feed from the 450 though.

As the years went by I added a caliber here and there but not many. First was .45 ACP for a Model 25. Then .44 Special for a Model 24. Then eventually .380, 9mm, and .41 Magnum. I cast bullets for a while but the time required was too much for the benefit. But I kept most of my molds and eventually replaced the equipment as I ran into it, just in case I need it one day, or I have more time.

Doubt I would have bought the .41 if I didn't reload. The sources for mid-range .41 loads are few and far between. A lot of those guns have fallen by the wayside, sold off to help fund a growing family. But never all of them. As time went by the gun-count went back up but not as large as many of you as I am a shooter and not a collector. You can only shoot so many.

I dearly love the .38 Special and it's cousin the .357.

The greatest advantage for me in reloading is a consistent supply of ammo. Plus it even saves you a little money! I have been shooting the same .38 load for nigh on 40 years now. You can't do that with factory ammo. I have enough trouble being a consistent marksman without throwing in ammo variability.

I do try new things now and then. Especially when powder is in short supply. Turns out WST is a great powder for .38 also. As is 700X if you can deal with the metering problems.

I have been pretty lucky with most cartridges and found very accurate lead bullet loads with little effort. The exception to that is the 9mm. I'm still working on that one and have made progress. I think I know what to try next. I've been successful with jacketed bullets in 9mm, but cast lead is another thing.

 

[GypsmJim]

I bought an O3A3 from a KMart store in about 1970. A local dealer sold WWII surplus ammo and I bought a box to try out. It was boxer primed USA. Then I bought a Lee Loader, a box of 100 primers and a can of powder.

A year later I bought a Security Six and the dealer threw in a box of 38 wadcutters. Bought another Lee Loader, a box of pistol primers and a can of Bullseye.

Four years later I got some printer's lead and started casting.

50 years later I now have 5 presses, BRICKS of primers and dies for 26 calibers and gauges. From humble beginnings and having found a new hobby, those 2 original boxes of loaded ammo were the only ones I ever bought.

Get a new gun? Order dies, brass and a bullet mold online and THAT will make the first fodder.

 

[rockquarry]

I've been handloading since 1965 and enjoy it at least as much as shooting. If it or bullet casting ever becomes a chore or I no longer look forward to extensive load development, I'll quit. I suppose you can save money by handloading, but there's so much more to it than that.

 

[MarkAlt]

Those beautiful young ladys of "the Blue Press" certainly had me thinking about reloading, but I never did it.

I started shooting in the early 60's but it was almost exclusively rimfire. By the 70's and 80's, I was ripping through many bricks a week. Took about ten years off from shooting because, well, life just happened. The last 20 or so, I've gotten back into the hobby but have so many others too. And, of course, not enough time or money for all of the things that interest me these days.

My best friend was a big reloader and tried endlessly to get me hooked. He even wanted to give me a press and dies to get started but it never appealed to me. Almost 60 years later, rimfire is still the strongest attraction to shooting and collecting.

I applaud those that push the envelope, try new things, scope the data and roll their own. It just wasn't in the cards for me.

Whatever we send downrange, I hope we all keep enjoying the fun and camaraderie of the shooting sports. There are enough avenues for everyone to explore and have a lifetime of enjoyment.