oberon
Member
^^^^^^^^^^^^This.
what got you into reloading?
- Thread starter BigBill
- Start date
^^^^^^^^^^^^This.
bedbugbilly
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I shot black powder for 50 years - everything from musket, round ball and full size artillery to single actions revolvers - mostly 1851 Navies. A few years back, I disposed of my long gun collection - made the mistake of buying a 1910 Colt Army Special in 38 spl. and then a 1920's S & W M & P Target. I got hooked on the 38 special - which made it necessary to buy more revolvers. 
The price of store bought 38s was getting to high. I have cast bullets for 50 years. Just seemed like a natural progression to make in to reloading. Now, I reload a variety of pistol ammo - 38s, 9mms, .380s, etc. I enjoy casting the bullets and the follow through to completed cartridge. It all has turned in to a new hobby for me to take up time in retirement. Now, I'm always looking for "new projects" and new calibers to try.
Some guys play golf, some play pickle ball, some spend too much time sitting on a bar stool . . . . my "sin" is casting, reloading and shooting - enjoy all three equally!
The price of store bought 38s was getting to high. I have cast bullets for 50 years. Just seemed like a natural progression to make in to reloading. Now, I reload a variety of pistol ammo - 38s, 9mms, .380s, etc. I enjoy casting the bullets and the follow through to completed cartridge. It all has turned in to a new hobby for me to take up time in retirement. Now, I'm always looking for "new projects" and new calibers to try.
Some guys play golf, some play pickle ball, some spend too much time sitting on a bar stool . . . . my "sin" is casting, reloading and shooting - enjoy all three equally!
Long time ago, my second handgun was a Ruger Redhawk. I wanted some mild .44 special loads to make shooting enjoyable.
Purchased a Lyman T Mag, dies and an RCBS little dandy powder measure that was set for one charge of Unique. My dealer/gunsmith set the dies for one 240 SWC bullet and I was off to the races.
Purchased a Lyman T Mag, dies and an RCBS little dandy powder measure that was set for one charge of Unique. My dealer/gunsmith set the dies for one 240 SWC bullet and I was off to the races.
I started working in a gun shop and then began doing reloads for customers and some police departments.
I then began accumulating equipment for myself and started reloading at home. Haven't stopped yet.
I then began accumulating equipment for myself and started reloading at home. Haven't stopped yet.
Why? Lack of money.
Similar story. Young, newly married, flat broke and wanted to shoot. Got the wife's ok to spend $25 for a used Rockchucker press with a beam scale and some .38/.357 dies. The guy even threw in some powder and bullets.
I'm still using that press today.
I don't think you can wear out a rockchucker.
Rick_A
Member
I'm just cheap and don't throw things away.
In the first place....
When I first started it was curiosity and desire to learn more about guns and ammo that made me get into reloading. Ammo was affordable and I was in better financial status, but here was a whole new world to investigate.
When I first started it was curiosity and desire to learn more about guns and ammo that made me get into reloading. Ammo was affordable and I was in better financial status, but here was a whole new world to investigate.
Twoboxer
Member
Shortly after returning to shooting after an over 40-year hiatus, I quickly realized I really did love it and would shoot a lot. My shooting buddy told me I should reload, and I said no! Definitely not! Work? When I can buy the stuff?
But the more I shot and read, the more the whole ballistic process intrigued me. Also the savings in reloading told me I wouldn't be wasting too much money if I started with, say, a Lee Classic Turret kit . . . even if I quit shortly after.
Two years later and reloading for 3 pistol and 2 (soon to be 3) rifle calibers on a single stage and a progressive, I just love it! It seems reloading - certainly for rifle - gives shooting additional purpose for me. The two hobbies definitely support and feed each other . . . if you have the time and shoot enough
But the more I shot and read, the more the whole ballistic process intrigued me. Also the savings in reloading told me I wouldn't be wasting too much money if I started with, say, a Lee Classic Turret kit . . . even if I quit shortly after.
Two years later and reloading for 3 pistol and 2 (soon to be 3) rifle calibers on a single stage and a progressive, I just love it! It seems reloading - certainly for rifle - gives shooting additional purpose for me. The two hobbies definitely support and feed each other . . . if you have the time and shoot enough
What got me into reloading? Now lets see.
Hunter's Pistol Silhouette in the 70's.
$$$$$ Savings
Being able to work up more accurate loads.
I enjoy it with moderation.
Hunter's Pistol Silhouette in the 70's.
$$$$$ Savings
Being able to work up more accurate loads.
I enjoy it with moderation.
Frank46
US Veteran
I had a sportered 1917 enfield in 30-06. And a 1891 argentine mauser. Cases for the '06 were easy to find at the range, many of the shooters were working through their stashes of WWII '06 ammo and most if not all of them did not reload. Was not unusual to come home with a gallon freezer bag of '06 cases. for the 7.65x43 situation was a little different. Local gun shop had tons of surplus ammo. 100rds 7.65 cost you ten bucks. When I had the money would walk down there and get a couple hundred about once a week. I had ammo cans full of the stuff.
Frank
Frank
geddylee10002000
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My Dad around 1965. Still have his Lyman 310 tong tool with dies for 30-06 and 357 mag. Added a bunch since then!
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I started reloading handgun ammo first. I started reloading because I couldn't afford to buy all the ammo I wanted to shoot. By reloading I was shooting 3X as much for the same money. I recovered the cost of equipment in less than 3 months.
I started reloading rifle ammo because I wanted match grade ammo without paying match grade prices.
I started reloading rifle ammo because I wanted match grade ammo without paying match grade prices.
Like most everyone else, it was cost driven.
I have reloaded for almost twenty years. I reload for everything I shoot. I even built my own arrows when I competed in 3D archery competitions back in the early 90s. To me, it is a hobby and I take great pleasure when I shoot small tight groups and understand the bullets that made those holes were assembled by me.
The spousal unit watches reality shows and I vacate to the garage for some "me" time. Gives me a chance to unwind and relax. Plus when I am finished I get this great urge to go shoot it all up. It is a vicious circle.
Two of the guys that I shoot with work so many hours they do not have time for reloading. They are two of those guys who go to Academy Sports at 7:30am and wait to buy new ammo. When we go to shoot, they collect their new once fired brass and donate it to me. It is a win-win situation for me. I haven't had to buy any .45 ACP brass in over five years. God love those young men.
I have reloaded for almost twenty years. I reload for everything I shoot. I even built my own arrows when I competed in 3D archery competitions back in the early 90s. To me, it is a hobby and I take great pleasure when I shoot small tight groups and understand the bullets that made those holes were assembled by me.
The spousal unit watches reality shows and I vacate to the garage for some "me" time. Gives me a chance to unwind and relax. Plus when I am finished I get this great urge to go shoot it all up. It is a vicious circle.
Two of the guys that I shoot with work so many hours they do not have time for reloading. They are two of those guys who go to Academy Sports at 7:30am and wait to buy new ammo. When we go to shoot, they collect their new once fired brass and donate it to me. It is a win-win situation for me. I haven't had to buy any .45 ACP brass in over five years. God love those young men.
MichiganScott
Member
I was a poor college student back in the early seventies and wanted to shoot more than I could afford. I bought a Lee Loader and soon graduated to a RockChucker. I haven't saved any money in years. Although I could afford to shoot factory ammunition today if I could find it, but choose not to. Reloading my own is just too much fun.
I can load match grade .223 ammunition cheaper than I can buy blasting ammo, and I can load ammunition not currently available commercially. Try to buy cat sneeze level .375 H&H ammunition or monometal bullets loaded into more than a handful of the most modern cartridges.
I can load match grade .223 ammunition cheaper than I can buy blasting ammo, and I can load ammunition not currently available commercially. Try to buy cat sneeze level .375 H&H ammunition or monometal bullets loaded into more than a handful of the most modern cartridges.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
The want to shoot "oddball" calibers such as .41 Magnum,45 Colt and 44spl.All three of those are at or over $1/rd,Spending $50 in 20 minutes on Ammo got old QUICK!
9mmsubgun-m11
Member
3 very hungry little subguns got me started with the process. Started loading subsonic ammo for suppressed UZI and it escalated from there.
mr-mom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I started reloading many years ago. The primary draws for me were the fact that I like to tinker, and the challenge of learning something new has always peaked my interest. The fact that reloading allows me to shoot more for the same $$ didn't hurt any.
Dave
SWCA #2778
Dave
SWCA #2778
fredj338
Member
I got started because I had more time than money 35yrs ago. I still save a min of 50% off any factory ammo, any caliber. I have less time today, but I also have better gear, allowing me to spend less time to save on my ammo cost.
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