When it starts to work.

[pmhayden]

Just a note to share some success. I’ve been casting more, mostly pistol, in retirement. I’ve upgraded my press to a combination of RCBS Rockchucker and a Harrell’s turret press. I use the RC press for case reforming and resizing. The Harrell’s is used for priming, flair, seating and crimp. In addition, I have purchased two Harrell’s powder meters, one for rifle and one for pistol. This transition has taken a long time and many mistakes. That loading has finally come together in stages - starting with casting. The powder meters make the biggest difference in efficiency. I still weigh a few charges but not every one.

I’m not the best caster, and I don’t really worry about alloy composition. I use a lot of range lead and keep my load under 1000 ft./s. And I’m not the best reloader. My components are range scrap, and range pick up brass. But I feel good that I finally reached the point that I can cast and load all of my own now, and turn out a box of shells with reasonable efficiency, and each bullet is substantially the same as the next.

So my question is whether there is a point in your reloading career when you realized that it started to come together, and you no longer felt like it was work, but rather a pleasure? I hate it when hobbies become jobs.

The photo is a 225 gn Lyman 452374. The manual says to seat it a little longer. But this is magazine length. 4.6 gn Clean Shot (D032).

 

[venomballistics]

I don't believe I've ever had any time on the struggle bus. Certainly not in the beginning.
Along the way, I've had equipment failures, new equipment, cartridges that presented issues, and certain brands of brass that caused problems.
We just adapt to the new, cull the unusable, and adjust for the finicky

 

[rockquarry]

I've been handloading since the mid-'60s. It's never been a chore; rather something to look forward to. Load development has always been the most enjoyable and fascinating part of the hobby. My equipment is all old but of good quality.

If you don't enjoy handloading in itself and your loads aren't well-developed for your gun(s), I can't see how you could make good quality, accurate ammunition. However, it will go bang and you can hit the target every time as long as the target is close. Today, that seems to be adequate for many, but they miss out on most of what handloading is about.

Casting is another hobby entirely. It's not something you learn to do overnight by watching second-rate YouTube videos. It's time consuming to do it right, but so rewarding when you make conventionally sized and lubed bullets that will shoot more accurately than any jacketed, plated, painted, coated, etc. bullets that you buy. The latter are often not the ideal diameter for your gun(s) and the alloy mix isn't right for your load, but they will shoot, just not very well.

 

[pmhayden]

If you don't enjoy handloading in itself and your loads aren't well-developed for your gun(s), I can't see how you could make good quality, accurate ammunition. However, it will go bang and you can hit the target every time as long as the target is close. Today, that seems to be adequate for many, but they miss out on most of what handloading is about..

I think retirement gives me the freedom and time to become proficient at casting, reloading and shooting. And a few other things that got lost along the way. And the garage is finally clean.

 

[cadmike]

I’ve never thought of it as a chore. I’ve always been fascinated by the process. I was taught to load on an rcbs single stage. But when I acquired my first Dillon 550, there was no one to show me how to set it up and use it. I did it the old fashioned way, by reading the paper instructions that came with the press! That may seem stressful for some, but I was like a kid with an erector set. As OP describes, my methods and tools have improved with time and experience.

 

[Krogen]

Interesting topic . . . . I recall a bit of a struggle when I first started. That was way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It was in the pre-youtube era when forums were unheard of and we had usenet if we were computer geeks. Primarily it was books and buddies to learn from. Sounds a bit like walking 20 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways, doesn't it?

It came together fairly quickly, but ever since I haven't stopped learning. Even now this dog learns new tricks. I enjoy experimenting with new loads and new guns. That doesn't get old! What does get old is mass production for a match or varmint hunt. Sitting in front of a Dillon and cranking out that old standby load is rather dull. You might say that's a chore, but I'll not have it any other way!

OP mentioned casting. I've dabbled in it, but decided that for now it's not for me. I buy (gasp!) my cast bullets. Casting does seem like a chore and I didn't get to the point where it all came together. Maybe someday . . . .

 

[jake1945]

I've been handloading since 1968. I started with a RCBS Rockchucker for 367 mag. Now, I reload .223, 30-06, 44 mag, 9mm, 389acp. 45acp, 45 colt and 367 mag. I use a Lee 4 hole turret press, RCBS 505 scale and assorted accessories. I used to cast my own pistol bullets using wheel weights and Lyman moulds. The furnace was also Lyman 10 pound capacity with bottom pour. I sized/lubricated my bullets using Lyman equipment. I since have quit doing that. I use a Frankfort Arsenal wet media brass cleaner which makes brass look like new inside and out.
I never found reloading a chore, but I usually only reload 100-200 rounds per session.

 

[rockquarry]

Interesting topic . . . . I recall a bit of a struggle when I first started. That was way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It was in the pre-youtube era when forums were unheard of and we had usenet if we were computer geeks. Primarily it was books and buddies to learn from. Sounds a bit like walking 20 miles to school in the snow uphill both ways, doesn't it?

It came together fairly quickly, but ever since I haven't stopped learning. Even now this dog learns new tricks. I enjoy experimenting with new loads and new guns. That doesn't get old! What does get old is mass production for a match or varmint hunt. Sitting in front of a Dillon and cranking out that old standby load is rather dull. You might say that's a chore, but I'll not have it any other way!

OP mentioned casting. I've dabbled in it, but decided that for now it's not for me. I buy (gasp!) my cast bullets. Casting does seem like a chore and I didn't get to the point where it all came together. Maybe someday . . . .

"Getting to the point where it all comes together" took me quite a while, measured in quite a few years. But the things you can do when you get the basics figured out makes it all worthwhile. You'll never go back to commercial cast bullets again.

The powdercoating shortcut is okay for some, those with a strong background in all that's related to cast bullet work. However, to begin powdercoating without the prerequisites and having lubed and sized using conventional equipment leaves one's cast bullet education pretty limited in most respects, a definite handicap if all you know is powdercoating.

Casting is another fascinating part of handloading, but it does require a lot of time, particularly in the trial-and-error basic learning phase. Some just can't or don't want to devote that much time to casting and that's understandable. But again, like handloading, if it's a chore, don't do it. Your results won't be good.

 

[glenwolde]

I can't say I ever struggled getting the results of my reloading to work. Of course I started with the magical .38 Special, where pretty much anything you load it with will work well.

My problem came a little later. After the first 1,000 rounds or so it became rote. I was making mistakes because it was sooooo boring I'd lose focus. The mistakes weren't serious ones that would cause harm. I'd just have to redo things. I started completing one box at a time just so I wouldn't fall asleep. It was slow.

Enter the Dillon RL450. I liked this much better. There was a lot more to watch which, rather than be a problem, was actually more entertaining and held my focus better than the endless repetition of a single stage. It'll also crank out a month's worth of ammo in a couple of hours, or less.

Then I took up bullet casting. Interesting and I liked the results but it was quite time consuming. I gave it up and just bought my bullets. I didn't think the cost savings justified the time spent. It also occurred to me I was spending a lot more time casting and reloading than I was shooting. At that point in my life I just didn't have the time for casting.

I do have all the equipment to cast. I might take it back up one of these days.

I can't say I really enjoy reloading. It's interesting, which is not the same as fun. It's mostly a means to an end. Less expensive ammo. Also I like shooting .41 Magnum and you pretty much have to reload if you're going to shoot one of those much. I think my Dillon is fully amortized now after 40 years.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Started reloading ammo in 1972, started bullet casting in 1973. No internet, just a few manuals to guide me through the learning curves. Some frustrations along the way but it has never been a chore for me. I enjoy the reloading every bit as much as I enjoy shooting.

 

[oink]

Looks like they need more grease in the groove.

 

[Tex1001]

We just adapt to the new, cull the unusable, and adjust for the finicky

I'm stealing this.

ETA:
I started to reload in 1969. Casting in 1970.
I had a great old guy as a mentor (RIP).
It's been a great ride. I've learned a lot, saved precious little
money and had a lot of peace of mind.
Also, none of my shooting friends reload.
They consider me either wizard or warlock.

 

[gwpercle]

I always enjoyed the "hobby" ...
Turning all that dirty scrap lead (construction site - roof flashing etc.) , recovered bullets and broken wheel weights ... into beautiful shiney silver profectiles ... (that cost money in the gunshop) to me was just an amazing transformation .
After making the bullets ... you just have to load them and go shooting ...
Plenty of powder in 1967 and Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook ... not hard to come up with a good load .
Why one time I even wrote Elmer Keith , when he worked for Guns & Ammo , and got his pet load for 41 magnum "police" load with his 220 gr. SWC (#410032) 7.5 grs. Unique ...still a good load !

Shooting , reloading and even casting those gleaming orbs of destruction has always been fun and fascinating ... not anything near work !

Gary

 

[pmhayden]

Looks like they need more grease in the groove.

Nah. Tumble lubed with JPW or MinWax, diluted with ms, @ <825 ft/sec, they are fine.

When I started casting I used too much lube, my bullets gummed up the dies. These are correct. Johnson’s Paste Wax, diluted, works well under 1000 ft/sec.

I’ve learned that I can’t fight the tools. And I can’t force materials to work past their specs. Range scrap from pistol bullets, lubed with floor wax, isn’t going to make 3000 ft./s projectiles. But < 1000 ft/sec, it works fine for paper targets.

 

[AJ]

I have been reloading since 1973, sometimes it does seem a chore. Most of the time I turn on the tunes and relax while reloading.