[Mrs. Armoredman]

Why do you re-load?

1. Gas prices are to high and the store is to far away?

2. shipping costs to high and hazmat fee are out the roof?

3. cost of ammo to high and you don't like waiting in a long line?

4. because you like it alot

[nambu1]

It is relaxing to me. I will go in the garage, turn on the TV and watch the history and reload a couple boxes of ammo.

[Mt Shooter]

It does give me some time alone where I can hide out if you will. But at my currant rate of consumption of ammunition (300 a week) its the only way to shoot the way that we do.

[PotatoJudge]

I can make anything I feel like, and can afford to make a lot of it.

[scrat]

because i can. is it primitive is it cost wise time wise. you can ask all the questions you want. the bottom line is/. Because i can. If there was ever a time where i needed to make powder to get back to the bare basics of shooting. I can. cast, make powder (black) make caps.

[NotSoFast]

I chose "Cost of ammo too high" but I would be a multiple chooser. I also reload becauseI like it. It is relaxing and challenging. And, it gives me more reasons to shoot more. :D

[sharps59]

because my son won't the dog died and the cat can't and my ex dose everything else:banghead:

[XD-40 Shooter]

Because its fun, gives me a great sense of pride, and I can shoot 3x more ammo for the same cost as factory ammo. In other words, 50 rounds of factory 40 S&W ammo would cost the same money as 150 rounds of my reloads.:)

[philbo]

I started reloading again after a long hiatus because of the cost of ammo. Now I reload because I find it more relaxing than watching TV, and with the presses set up in an empty bedroom I can reload in the air conditioning whenever I want with no thought as to time or weather.

[Sgt.Dusk]

I chose option 3
One reason is the cost of ammo
and other is that I reload much more accurate and better ammo myself.
With reloading you can make a powder/bullet/primer recipe that fits your gun and you the best

[.38 Special]

I like the .44 Special. One of my Specials likes a 246 grain lead round nose, 11 BHN, sized .433". Another likes the authentic square-grooved Keith bullet, 18 BHN, sized .431". And yet another isn't very particular about the type of bullet, but without LBT Soft lube it leads like crazy.

I suppose I could find a custom caster to make those bullets to my specifications -- at what cost I can't imagine -- and a custom loader to make ammunition with those bullets.

Or I could do what I already do, which is make the bullets out of scrap metal, heat treat to suit my needs, and load them with the brass, powder, and primers that work best for me.

Which is a long way of saying "You forgot to add a 'it's the only practical way to meet my particular ammunition needs' option." :)

[Chris Rhines]

I reload because I have to. I shoot thousands of rounds a year in competition, and I can't afford to buy that much factory ammo.

Maximum accuracy and better recoil characteristics are bonuses.

- Chris

[ArchAngelCD]

I get to shoot a lot more for the money spent.

[lgbloader]

I like doing it. Tonight, I loaded about 300 rounds of 357 Mag on one of my progressive presses listening to 105.1 FM, L.A.'s local country station and I really like the alone time. You can actually block out this entire planet and concentrate on what the going's on is inside The Cave. Deer seasons around the corner and I have to start loading up the practice ammo for my main rifle, nicknamed Lester and the newest member to my safe, a purdy 257 Weatherby Mag.

I absolutely love this time of year. Great Surf, Great shooting, Great MMA, plus FALL is right around the corner... and I get to handload pondering all of this. We are blessed.

Cheers...

[jeepmor]

It's down time that is actually productive for me. I'd like to say it saves me money, but really it's just another hobby. A hobby I quite enjoy for it forces me to relax, take my time and be methodical.

So many other things I do require a faster pace to actually make it worth my time when I consider my income level. I do enjoy home improvement and construction, and considering what I've seen pass for "good" work, I usually like to do things myself at the cost of more time on my part. Sorry for the segway, but this being a hobby and all.....

Yes, I did initially convince myself I was doing it to save money. Then I got more guns, more dies, more powders, primers, bullets, and so forth. It affords me the ability to enjoy my firearms hobby more while not actually making a bunch of noise doing it. I don't regret all the time I've spent at the reloading bench. I wish I could say this for all my personal endeavours.

[Win75]

I chose "Cost of ammo too high" but I would be a multiple chooser. I also reload becauseI like it. It is relaxing and challenging. And, it gives me more reasons to shoot more.


+1. I agree with NotSoFast

[DMZ]

I enjoy developing custom loads for specific guns and applications.

[onebigelf]

Because I trust me more than some wage-laborer in a factory somewhere. Factories check representative rounds in a lot. I know a lot of people say "factory ammo ONLY" for self defense. I trust my own stuff more than that. I check and primp each case. I weigh each charge. I weigh each projectile and reject anything outside of very narrow tolerances to the "blaster" bucket for fun shooting. I gauge each loaded round. I factory crimp. What factory round goes through all of that on every single round?

John

[Walkalong]

I started reloading 20 plus years ago because it allowed me to shoot a lot more for the same money. I am sure I spent just as much, maybe more.

It also intigued me to make my own ammo. I just had to do it.

It allows one to taylor a load to a firearm. It gives you many more choices in ammo.

It is relaxing and fun. I enjoy the reloading part, not just the shooting. I would reload my plinking ammo even if I could buy it for about the same money. :)

[Floppy_D]

Any of the above. I love it, it's fun, I cast my bullets out of free/close to free lead, and I get to shoot a lot on a small amount of change. I don't know what store-bought ammo costs outside of 22lr.

[ZeSpectre]

I thought I was going to reload because of the cost of ammo for cowboy action shooting. However now that I'm doing it I've discovered that it's a perfect "transition" from work to home. I get home, go down to the shop, and do one operation (decap/resize or bell, or primer/powder/load) on 50-100 pieces of brass and I'm mentally distanced from work and ready to greet my wife with a big hug and a smile.

[KeithET]

I voted "Because I like it". This is not entirely accurate though. Its the primary reason now but when I first started reloading I did so because ammo costs were to high. That was 25+ years ago. Seems like no matter what, ammo costs are always to high. They just keep getting higher. After all this time I still like reloading and will continue even if ammo costs come down to reality (not likely). Reloading is one of the most relaxing things I do and get something valuable out of.

KeithET

[RPCVYemen]

I started because I bought a 45 LC Blackhawk and factory ammo cost too much.
Then I found it very, very relaxing.
It also allows me to ignore "popular caliber" limitations on my daydreams. I can explore strange or unusual calibers (at least in my head).


Mike

[aerod1]

For grins and giggles!!:D:p:)

[Mrs. Armoredman]

It sounds like y'all agree about the cost of ammo sky rocketing. Plus y'all enjoy it and it's relaxing. Armoredman likes to reload and it relaxes him too. Even more y'all trust your reloads to factory ammo. I don't blame you at all. Thank you guys for answering this poll. I have always wondered if reloading was not only cost effective but relaxing.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I use the best fired cases to reload with premium bullets, the time spent is worth it. I load for practice and hunting/SD ammo.
checked the price of the 'premium' handgun cartridges lately?:what: