how long have you been reloading

[6GUNSONLY]

Since 1975. Started with a Lee Loader for my .243, then got a Lyman setup. RCBS Rockchucker purchased in '86, still use it. Added a used Dillon 450/550 last year, still learning on it but liking it a lot. Have never loaded shotshells. Not sure where that old Lyman press went...

Reloading has always been as fascinating to me as shooting/hunting/gun collecting itself, and made it possible to shoot a lot more at lower cost.

Also cast bullets and derive great satisfaction from a successful hunt with bullets I cast and ammo I loaded myself.

 

[VonFatman]

If anyone were to wonder...

Where to come for knowledge and help with his or her reloading....THIS would be the place! WOW...lots of years of experience!!

Bob

 

[josephthreedogs]

I've been loading for a few years, this is my present pistol loading room. I do my rifle loading in a different room. I shoot a lot of competition and will normaly shoot over 40,000 rounds a year of combined rifle, shotgun,pistol, ammo. Re-loading doesn't save any money, it just allowes you to shoot more for the same price.

 

[NKJ nut]

I started in 1972.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Technically I started casting first, but once I made up a few hundred wadcutters, I reloaded them with a tong tool. This was in 1983.

When Dillon introduced the 550 I bought one and with minor (free) upgrades, I still use it.

 

[lafayne]

I started my formal apprenticeship about 1958 by working with my friend, Harmon who cast bullets commercially, shot benchrest and had his own range. I bought a Pak Tool reloader about 1961 and started loading for a .357 and .243. I still have it and use it as a priming tool. About 1962, Harmon arranged for me to buy a SAECO Lubri-sizer and a Lyman 55 measure.

I progressed to the RCBS presses and then to the Dillon. I still have all of the stuff and still use most of it only I have lots more dies for lots more calibers now. Gotta love those old Vickerman bullet seaters.

I am soon to be 70 years old and still shoot a lot - just not quite as well.
Still fun though. Now I have a grandson to take on as an apprentice.

To answer your question - about 48 years.

 

[thomashoward]

since about 1980 reloading for handguns to start .I built up some skills and now we reload .25 MOA varmint loads precisely measured off the lands and are shooting squeaks over 500 yards.
we've come a fer piece

 

[dennis40x]

When God said let there be light and 10th Marines fired the first illumination round.

Seriously my first manual was the Speer 7.9 edition a very limited printing before those weak knees lawyer types emasculated it and issued the 8th edition. Commonly referred to as the sissy manual the 8th had its true believers like that Keith fellow that wore long johns with lace. Even Askins was intimidated by the information in the 7.9 Speer editions and used the 8th.

I think those fellows that tested the data for the Speer 7.9 manual were involved in the development of the Army’s 175mm gun. Now that was a rip snorting piece that would make your tennis balls rattle when fired. Almost made us Marines feel less man like with our lowly 05’s (105mm). I had to check my combat boots to make certain they weren’t pink with envy. Since we the Marines like to get in close to fight we made due with the 05’s. Them NVA fellows started out ranging us with them there 122mm field pieces. That’s when I really got into Handloading. Since the 05 only used a charge seven we decided to in insert an additional powder bag for a super 8 charge. That did it them there NVA fellows was impressed. They stopped shooting at us with the 122mm field pieces and stated using them there less manly rockets.

Let tell you that the shell casing with the super 8 charge extracted easy after I tapped the breach block operating handle with a sledge hammer. The prime tube in the shell casing appeared to be OK if not it would have shown pressure signs.

There was a problem with the barrel thou we found land segments torn out of the barrel forward of the piece. Looking at the Gun Book it was determined that the piece had been used on Okinawa and also used in Korea. The barrel was ready to be replaced any how.

I really wanted to see how that new barrel would shoot. One small problem I was doing crater analysis to determine the direction them there rockets was a coming from. Fell in the crater compound fractured one of my arms. Now that may sound funny to some but you could bury a 2 ½ ton truck in one of those craters. It was time to go home. The next week them there NVA folks snuggled up the hill paid a visit. The super 8 charge must have been nettlesome to them as it wasn’t a social call.

To make a long story short that’s how I got into Handloading.

 

[Skip Sackett]

dennis,
Amusing but I think you need help!

 

[dennis40x]

We all need help.

dennis,
Amusing but I think you need help!

We all need help. Some more than others!!

 

[John R]

I started reloading when I was 14 years old, so that's about 43 years.
I started on shotgun shells, but soon advanced to pistol and rifle ammo.

 

[jrd1976]

I've been reloading for 33 years and started with the small RCBS press, which I soon upgraded to an RCBS Rockchucker. About 1990 I added a Dillon 550, which has loaded over 50,000 rounds.

 

[JMD]

I started to reload in 1968, using one of the original Lee Loaders. At that time I had recently gotten out of the service and returned to college. My then very limited budget didn’t allow me to fire my newly acquired .41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk, nearly as much as I wished, and I quickly realized that reloading was my best option.

Since that time I have updated my equipment substantially, but as I no longer fire the volume of rounds per year that I once did, I mostly use the Rock Chucker press that I purchased in 1971.

I currently reload for 29 different cartridges/calibers.

 

[Freischütz]

Started shotshell reloading in 1960. Added metallic cartridges and bullet casting in 1970.

 

[pds]

I started when I was 14 (1961). My first gun was a Rem nylon 66 22lr. But my Dad bought me a Rem 870 20ga for my 14th birthday so I started my reloading on it and have been doing it ever since. Its a great hobby that I really enjoy not to mention the cost savings.

 

[myanof]

In 1985 a friend of mine who was a Special Agent for U.S. Customs was transferred to Milan Italy, so he gave me his reloading stuff, and a gazillion 38 cases that were issued and fired over the years. I began loading 38s and .357s. I advanced to 44s, 45 ACP, and 30-06. I mostly load 45 ACPs these days, and in this market I am sure glad I have this ability or I couldn't afford to shoot anymore.

 

[4inch357]

Think I started in '84 - 25 years - If you count the shotgun shells I reloaded on my friend's father's press when I was a teen add another ten years or so.

 

[sparky9]

Since about last March/April. I think it was just before the panic began. We left work at lunch one day (with the boss's blessing) and spent the rest of the day collecting a Lee press, a hand primer, shell holders, dies for 38-357 and 9mm, 1000 primers, brass, bullets and powder.
A good day at work.
There's way more science involved than I ever expected, but it's way cheaper and way more fun testing certain loads.
Be patient and have fun!

 

[tug700]

1976, for shotgun, rifle and handgun. RCBS rockchucker the whole time. Not a speed demon but it is infallible. MEC for shotgun.

 

[CW3PA]

I've been reloading since 1972 with a Lee loader & a hammer. It worked OK for my Browning High Power. Then I got one for .44 mag. since I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk. I now use a RCBS Rockchucker that I got at a gun show in San Antonio in 1979. Slow but dependable.
I now load for .38/.357, .44 Mag., .45 acp, .45 S&W, .45Colt & .30-06.