what got you into reloading?

[340PDOperator]

I got into reloading to lessen my dependency on factory ammo and to lower cost. I shoot a 50rd box of .45, .380, .38 sp or 9mm for around $6-$8.

I've found myself enjoying my range sessions more and not stressing over how many rounds I'm shooting.


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[30-40 Kraig]

It's a Family tradition, and addictive.

 

[scooter123]

For me it was the Ruger Gunsite in 308. Like the OP I didn't find the expected accuracy shooing American Eagle 150 grain FMJ. I also thought the near dollar per round cost of ammunition was exorbitant.

Purchased an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, a set of Dillon Dies, some primers and powder and started loading the 308. That was a bit of an eye opener. First eye opener was the cost of match grade bullets, they are not cheap. Turns out that my hand loads cost about the same as those American Eagle FMJ's. However, my hand loads do shoot group sizes about half the size of those FMJ's. Second eye opener was that case prep for bottle neck rifle loads is a lot of work and rather critical for accuracy. So, I'll have weekends where my only reloading activity is case prep. On the plus side trimming cases can be a bit like meditation when you aren't trying to rush the process.

After setting up for the 308 loading for handguns was a natural followup and this is an area where I actually see a distinct cost benefit compared to commercial ammo.

 

[KnightTime]

As a young kid growing up in major city, my best friends father loaded ammo by the bucket for his cohorts in his Italian heritage group. I was intrigued and by age ten had earned his trust, and he taught me the craft and to not talk to other kids about his hobby. The .38 special ruled the majority of press time since it was the 60's, but case prep and bullet casting was my new favorite source of pocket change. It sure beat mowing lawns and washing cars!

 

[340PDOperator]

Actually come to think of it, I started reloading to shoot 300 AAC blackout without going bankrupt. I can make a cartridge for less than $0.40. Factory rounds are north of $1!


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[TIMETRIPPER]

My father took up reloading in the early 1960s. He employed me as a case lubricator to keep me from annoying him with too many questions. I was prolly 7 or 8 when he started up. If I did a good job lubing and cleaning up the cases I was allowed to seat a couple bullets. Still have and use all of his reloading equipment and have added a few more items of my own.
John

 

[rwsmith]

Me too.

But the more I shot and read, the more the whole ballistic process intrigued me.

That goes for me too.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

My uncle came to visit when I was about 18,we built a workbench,went to gunshop bought a Lyman Orange Rock Crusher single stage press and all the other essentials, back when you could buy everything you needed even powder. He taught me a lot about life and reloading. The first loads were for my Model 700 ADL 22-250. I still use this setup and workbench today as I bought the house off my mother.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

Here's recept from 1990.

 

[RV4driver]

Shooting trap. A lot of trap. But then I'm kind of a gear head, and I thought the presses were interesting.
Now it's shotgun, pistol, rifle, and have 5 presses. I do need a couple more though.

 

[Harkrader]

So many people say reloading does not save money, but I disagree.
I got a Lee Loader decades ago and it paid for itself in less than a year.
I then got a Dillon 500 and it paid for itself in a year and a half.
I did not reload for precision, but for volume. I always buy quality bullets but use whatever brass I have without differentiating.
I loaded for IDPA, Cowboy Action Shooting, backpacking and general plinking, in 9mm; .40S&W; .38 Special; .357 Magnum; .44 Special; .44 Magnum; .45ACP; .45 Colt; .45-70 Gummint; and, when I'm feeling like self flagellating, .357Sig.

I stopped making cost comparisons many years ago. During this ongoing ammo shortage I never wanted for anything other than premium rounds.

With three children who have fallen from .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO grace and now all shoot those ugly black rifles, I'll have to start .223/5.56, soon. *sigh*

 

[chief38]

Initially I got into it because the local indoor Range I was a member of at that time only allowed lead bullets to be shot and I had just purchased a new Colt 1911 that I wanted to shoot. There was no Factory made 230 grain lead ball ammo made and so I had to roll my own. The rest is history.

 

[Jellybean]

The unacceptable quality of mass produced ammunition.

The limited choice of factory ammunition based on which part of the market they choose to satisfy.

Their use of puppet magazine writers to create a market based on mostly fictional writings.

And the money they think their junk is worth.

 

[chasman52]

Reloading is the best way to keep ammo on hand

Still yet , I have a hard time finding 9mm at wally world all the time. I just don't want to run out again, besides it is a lot less expensive per round

 

[S&WIowegan]

I started reloading soon after I got into guns and shooting. Even though ammo prices back then seem cheap, they weren't at the time. Also, this was pre-internet retailing and ammo availability was spotty in Des Moines. I soon got into IPSC shooting and handloading became a necessity. We tailored ammo to the gun and compensator. Ammo for .38 Super was particularly poor and the rest is history.