Beans
Member
I started reloading in 1970, the prior 10 years before that USMC provide all the ammo I wanted or needed,
how long have you been reloading
- Thread starter DRE
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rburg
Member
Do I get to count sitting on my daddy's lap when I was a toddler? I helped any way I could (that he would let me.) At first it was just turning primers the same way, or lining up empty cases and bullets. Lets just call it early 1950s. By the late 1950s I was reloading as we shot a .32 in the basement, using OO buck and about 1 gr of Bullseye for propellant. You do what you need to do to keep shooting.
There have been hard times (poor), then children (poorer still), but the avid shooter learns to scrounge as best he can.
I'm a changed man. There are some calibers I have that I just feel no reason to reload these days. Shotgun shells are one of them. If I shot more of them, I might feel different. Handgun shot shells were my most disgusting failure. We won't go there.
There have been hard times (poor), then children (poorer still), but the avid shooter learns to scrounge as best he can.
I'm a changed man. There are some calibers I have that I just feel no reason to reload these days. Shotgun shells are one of them. If I shot more of them, I might feel different. Handgun shot shells were my most disgusting failure. We won't go there.
Since found out I could manufacture more accurate ammo myself than I could buy, about 1980. Now I buy no factory ammo other than 22 RF. Load for 14 different calibers, plus 12 Ga. I utilize an old Texan 7 hole turret press for all rifle and low volume handgun, and Dillon 550 for .38, .357, & .45acp. A Mec 9000G for my 12 Ga.
acl864
Member
Started around 1981 loading 38 Special and 357 Mag. I was 17 and my Dad bought me a used Rockchucker and all the accesories. I'm still using the Rockchucker today. Took a long time off then set everything back up a little over a year ago and remembered how much I enjoyed loading. Now I've added 380 ACP, 9x18 Mak, 25-06, 30-30 Win and 270 Win to the calibers I can load. Also bought a chrono to test my loads. Still load mostly 38/357 and I'm hoping to start casting my own bullets soon.
I've been reloading for about 20 years.I bought a new RCBS Rockchucker at the time and it's never let me down.I've never felt the need to move up to a progressive.I reload about 12 handgun calibers and maybe 15 rifle.Current primer, bullet and powder shortages are a pain but luckily I put a quantity away so my reserves are decent.It's a great hobby and one that I've enjoyed a lot over the years.
rfo1
rfo1
James57
Member
My uncle started me into reloading in 57 or 58, I can't remember for sure now. I bought my first reloading equipment in 62 when I got out of the Navy. A Lee Loader in 30-06 for my first new rifle, a then just released Model 700 with a 20" barrel. With this set up and an extremely good set of eyes, I could cut holes at 100 yards with a rest. Believe it or not, I could see .30 caliber holes at 100 yards back then if the background was clear. I still have the old press my uncle used back then, a C-H "C" press and it still will load excellent ammo. I have his load manual, a Speer, and his RCBS .308 Winchester dies, and his Redding powder measure(which still throws most charges right on the button). My cousin, who was not a reloader, gave some of his equipment to me when his dad died. I was only making a $1.52 in 62' so could not afford much in the way of equipment but have acquired a ton of it since. Good memories. James
BruceM
Member
Started in 1979 with a RockChucker and haven't looked back. Never graduated to a progressive because, for me, handloading is a therapy and not another task to be done so I can continue shooting and I don't use ammo in bulk quantities.
Bruce
Bruce
oldRoger
US Veteran
Started in 1957 with tong (Lyman 310, which seems to be lost) and a single cavity Lyman 358156 mould, 3.2grs of Bullseye.
What happened to the tongs & dies, and the old powder measure? I found the mould and old scales.
What happened to the tongs & dies, and the old powder measure? I found the mould and old scales.
EMT Edu
Member
I saw a 1911 that I "needed" early this year. Found one like it and bought it... then couldn't find any 45 acp. My brother has been reloading for some time, he helped me find the components and got me started. Might make me the newest on the list. It's a lot more fun to shoot at pennies a round compared to retail.
Wickahoney
US Veteran
I started reloading in 1962 with original RCBS Rockchucker amd a Speer #7 Book. I own RCBS and Redding. I've never owned a single piece of Lee reloading equipment and don't suspect I ever will.
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josephthreedogs
US Veteran
I can remember when the percussian cap was a new product, but never thought it would catch on.
ambassador
Member
johnjohn
Member
I'm basicly a tightwad and got into it in 1994.
Centenniel
Member
A friend got me set up to handload in the early 1980s. I'm still at it, loading handgun and rifle ammo. I really enjoy loading my own ammo for sport shooting and hunting.
Quite a few of you were reloading before I was even born. What a wealth of information you all must be. I can't wait to get started and hopefully 40 years from now, someone will ask this question again and I can say I started back in 2009
oldRoger
US Veteran
Beware, some of us may have been doing it wrong for 50 years resulting in many ingrained bad habits !
campfire
Member
I started in the first week of January this year with a Dillon Square Deal which is set up for 357 magnum. I find it very relaxing spending a bit of time out in the shed, just me and the dog, making up the next batch of rounds for my weekly trip to the range. I can’t afford to pay the prices for new over the counter ammo or range reloads; there is something very satisfying about making your own rounds anyway. Wish I discovered the hobby a long time ago.
Campfire
Campfire
Chuck Jones
Member
Started reloading in about 84-85 on an early Dillon (450?), still have the Dillon upgraded twice to a 550.
/c
/c
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