Hello from California

[maxxer2]

Once you start reloading you realize what the true cost is.

Have you always been a high volume shooter?

If you have a Range where you can shoot for free. When I did I shot three times a week. If I have to pay for range time then its once or twice a month.

I do shoot a lot because I want to be good at what I'll potentially use for self-defense/ccw and right now I SUCK. I used to shoot a lot of 12ga buckshots because I wanted to get used to the recoil and grouping. I then started shooting birdshots for clays.

Now I'm mostly focused on .40 s&w (40c/round) for both auto (beretta) and revolver (610 so 10mm/.40). I'm getting a 327 federal magnum Ruger so I've been buying a lot of 327 federal magnum rounds (over $1/round), and 32 s&w long (about 60c/round) and preparing to load 32 h&r magnum myself. The cheapest 9mm is still about 22c/round.

Range fee is about $20-$33 (including bridge toll) for me and then add 300-400 rounds each session, you can see how it adds up quickly...

 

[maxxer2]

Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina.

One of my favorite areas is The Triangle in NC especially in the fall; it's beautiful. We don't have those colors in CA.

 

[Timothy2700]

Greetings from yet another CA refugee in Tennessee. Where the neighbors are friendly….both where I live and of course on this forum.

 

[collectordude]

Welcome fellow comrade from California.

 

[SSGRock]

California

Welcome from Georgia.

 

[grice]

I know I'm in CA (aka, Communist Area) but as you know life isn't perfect. I'm envious of everyone who can just buy any handgun from forum/gunbroker/online without first checking whether it's in the roster.

Anyways, I'm actually a new gun owner (picked up my first firearm, Mossberg 88, end of 2024) and since then bought several new handguns including a new S&W 610.

Unfortunately, I had to send the 610 in to S&W last week (one day after the 10 day wait period) due to light strikes (15 rounds out of 100 10mm, and about 3 rounds out of 100 .40).

I've realized that I do prefer revolvers so I bought 2 more revolvers and some reloading equipment.

Looking forward to learning from old-timers here.

Thanks for reading,
Ed

Welcome, unfortunately I’m
From commiefornia too but looking to get out asap, you’ll
Learn a lot here I know I have,
I’m also a revolver nut. 2 29’s, 3 model 25s , a 19 and modrl 10 and quite a few long guns. Enjoy your stay!

 

[Shotguncoach]

Welcome from next door...

 

[dobegrant]

Welcome from Arizona

 

[schutz5]

Hey Ed, fellow kommiefornia subject, you are getting into the sport in a big way!
Smart to reload.

Best to ya

 

[Brooks]

Drive over to Reno to buy your ammo. You save 11% right off the bat.
When returning to California tell them at the border stop "I don't have any produce, gas powered lawn mowers or ammunition."

 

[collectordude]

Drive over to Reno to buy your ammo. You save 11% right off the bat.
When returning to California tell them at the border stop "I don't have any produce, gas powered lawn mowers or ammunition."

Get your wife to buy the ammo and gift it to you. It’s then legal to take into California that way.

 

[Brooks]

Get your wife to buy the ammo and gift it to you. It’s then legal to take into California that way.

You mean "get your pardner to buy the ammo and gift it to you"

 

[CALREB]

Welcome aboard, another FORMER CA turned escapee here.

Sometimes hard to convince new shooters if you want to become a good shot buy yourself a couple nice guns, you will only buy them once for a while anyway. Then spend the rest of your money on ammo. A good 22 like a Ruger or Smith and Wesson revolver (older one if possible) can teach a lot of fundamentals especially if the trigger is the same as your larger caliber guns. Dont know much about the shooting ranges in N Cal other than the police ranges. Do know a good revolver smith up there if you need one. Good luck.

 

[maxxer2]

Welcome aboard, another FORMER CA turned escapee here.

Sometimes hard to convince new shooters if you want to become a good shot buy yourself a couple nice guns, you will only buy them once for a while anyway. Then spend the rest of your money on ammo. A good 22 like a Ruger or Smith and Wesson revolver (older one if possible) can teach a lot of fundamentals especially if the trigger is the same as your larger caliber guns. Dont know much about the shooting ranges in N Cal other than the police ranges. Do know a good revolver smith up there if you need one. Good luck.

Yeah I always believed in improving skill instead of dwelling on actual items (guns) because any material thing can be replaced. I'd love the information on the revolver smith just in case I need one. Thanks

 

[maxxer2]

Drive over to Reno to buy your ammo. You save 11% right off the bat.
When returning to California tell them at the border stop "I don't have any produce, gas powered lawn mowers or ammunition."

Nod and nod to the two replies below this on "gifting". I however have FFL03+COE so I just buy online. My revolver rounds are 44 special and 32 calibers in addition to 40s&w/10mm so most are hard to find in stores unless the out of state stores are very different from those in CA.

 

[Okie Red]

Welcome from NW Oklahoma.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

Welcome from down south in Mississippi.

 

[rwsmith]

And a...

And a Hound Dawg Howdy to you from SC!

 

[SWFan27]

Welcome to the Forum. I too live in the People's Republic of California, so I feel your pain. Old revolvers from the 1980's and late 1970's have been banned by Emperor Newsome. It has to be 50 years or older to have a chance at being a Curio Relic and getting shipped into the state. I am getting closer to moving to Nevada every day.

 

[SWFan27]

Welcome aboard, another FORMER CA turned escapee here.

Sometimes hard to convince new shooters if you want to become a good shot buy yourself a couple nice guns, you will only buy them once for a while anyway. Then spend the rest of your money on ammo. A good 22 like a Ruger or Smith and Wesson revolver (older one if possible) can teach a lot of fundamentals especially if the trigger is the same as your larger caliber guns. Dont know much about the shooting ranges in N Cal other than the police ranges. Do know a good revolver smith up there if you need one. Good luck.

The S&W 617-6 that I bought in June is one of the best and wisest purchases I have ever made. I go to the range a lot more now but usually spend more time shooting my 22LR than anything else.

For a guy who owns a 686+, 66 and a 19, the 617 was a perfect choice and worth every penny.