[tightgroup tiger]

Do any of you ever get tired of reloading your own ammo?

I been doing it since I was 12 yrs old and am now 54. Sometimes the thoughts of having to load a high volume of pistol shells gets to much for me to want to deal with.

I have 1500 9mm shells that need a ride on the "red merrygo round" right now and have been sitting for over a month because I just can't get into it.

Maybe it's time I take a break from shooting for a while.

Do any of you ever feel this way?

[swiftak]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I usually only reload a hundred at a time. I'm 55 and been reloading for 40 years I guess. But sometimes just changing over the "blue merrygo round" to a different caliber is enough to stop me.

[tightgroup tiger]

I don't want to get into the habit of buying factory loads because it negates the whole purpose of reloading and why I do it to start with.

I hate to let this LNL machine sit idle and buy the LGS's $10.99 a box stuff when I can load it for $6. something and I certainly don't need any more brass.

I think a break may be good for me.

[steveno]

I have been reloading for close to 50 years and I'm finding that it is becoming more of a chore and not as much fun. I don't shoot enough to justify a progressive press and since I live in an apartment I don't really have the room to set one up anyway. I have my press set up on one of the reloading stands and use the coffee table to set things on. I only time I load from start to finish is if I only have less than 150 rounds to do. anything more than that I size and prime at one time and finish loading at another day. once in a while I will buy a box of ammo just because I don't feel like setting up to load. the cost savings is the only reason I reload anymore and with the cost of components getting as high as they are I'm not sure if I'm saving that much in some calibers.

[wanderinwalker]

I broke out the merry go-round the other week, set it up to run some .357 cases and still haven`t set the powder measure or opened the box of bullets. So I understand what you`re saying.

Sometimes a break is good. I like to get out and fish and ride my bicycle instead of shoot sometimes. And if I buy a box or 2 of factory here and there to time me over a shooting trip, no biggie. Though I don`t exactly need any more brass either, especially in 9mm.

So I am all for taking a break!

[Thompsoncustom]

Well if you have the money you could always go this route
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dElp-y-jAjE

I don't even want to know how much that cost tho....

[flashhole]

I'm 58 and have gone through the same cycles. It helps if you can find someone to teach to reload. Your personal interest and enthusiasm remains high and someone else is benefitting in the process. I reload primarily for rifles so the tedium (is that a word?) is not as bad as bulk quantities of handgun ammo.

[jim243]

I have 1500 9mm shells that need a ride on the "red merrygo round" right now and have been sitting for over a month because I just can't get into it.

You don't have to, that's what's nice about reloading. Do it when you feel like it or need a few rounds. Loading 1,500 rounds of anything is a chore unless on a progressive press, but 50, 100 or 200 rounds at a time will get them all loaded over time. I find that I can set up my press and load 50 at a time and leave the press set-up and come back when the mood hits me to reload some more, no need to kill yourself trying to do it all at once, it also keeps my component cost down. One week triming and priming, one week loading. If I tired of 9mm the the rifle cases come out, you would be supprised at how much ammo you can accumulate by doing it this way.

And yes, after 400 rounds of 9mm I did not want to see a 9mm case for a long long time. In two weeks I will be using up 150 of them, ask me in two weeks if I feel like loading 9mm then. (LOL)

Stay safe and by ALL means have fun, otherwise it's just work.
Jim

[mizer67]

High volume handgun broke me of my single stage.

Buy a high end Dillon.

1,500 rounds is <2 hours at the bench.

[tightgroup tiger]

Loading 1,500 rounds of anything is a chore unless on a progressive press,

The red merry go round I was referring to in my OP is my Hornady LNL-AP. Even with it, reloading for me these days seem's almost like work.

I loaded 150 rounds on it 2 days ago and even with that small batch, my mind was somewhere else.

I'll just take a break for a while, it'll pass, it usually does. I'm probably just in a mood.

[rikman]

Yup...breaks taken here too...some steps not fun...like case prep.

[Jeff H]

I spent time during he winter reloading enough for the summer so I don't have to while the weather is good.

1500 rounds of 9mm are way easier to do in Jan than May.

[J_McLeod]

I've been so busy at work I haven't been able to load or shoot since March. I want to go shoot, but can't take the 40 or .357 or AR out until I load more because I shoot all the stocks as fast as I was loading them over the winter.

[swiftak]

Ok, I confess. I have bought some pistol ammo lately. Just because I haven't felt like reloading.

[Bud0505]

When I reach the point that I don't want to reload I usually breakout the .22s and take them to the range. Satisfies my shooting needs and I don't have to police, clean and sort brass.

[tightgroup tiger]

When I reach the point that I don't want to reload I usually breakout the .22s and take them to the range.

My buddy has been trying get me into that. He and his friend have Browning Buckmark 22 pistols that they have been shooting lately.

They try to hit a baloon at 100 yds with it and succeed in doing it. That may have to be my new project to find one of these and be able to shoot all day long for for about $10.00.

Just don't tell my wife. (She wouldn't care anyways, we've been married for 33 yrs now and nothing I do will surprise her anymore).

Thanks, I think I'll try that.

[mdi]

If reloading becomes drudgery or a chore, it's time to stop. When you're doing something you don't really want to do, mistakes come much too easily...

I knew a guy that tired of reloading so he took his brass and bullets to his local gunshop/reloading supply and either had someone load for him to his specifications for a fee, or "traded" for loaded ammo.

I reloaded my first .38 Specials with a Lee Loader in '69 or '70 and been going at it since, off and on (divorces can cut into all hobbies). I still enjoy reloading and sometimes I don't know if I reload to shoot or shoot to reload...

[LAH]

Do any of you ever feel this way?

Never.:)

[rick300]

I've only reloaded for three years or so and I don't feel it is a chore, but I do feel presure as I want to concentrate on every step of every round.

I use a Lee classic cast so I set up for a caliber on a day I'm doing chores. I mow the front lawn then load a box (50) I load handgun only for now. Mow the back and load a box on my break. etc. etc.

By the time my chores are done I've got enough for the month. I never sit at my bench for more than 15 to 20 minutes. Maybe I've got a little A.D.D. but this works for me. Rick

[gahunter12]

I have only been loading for a year, but love every minute of it. I know what you mean by getting burn out. I have got burn out with fishing tournaments. I have spent all my free time from age 17 to last year (age 34) fishing tournaments around the southeast, and working fishing shows for sponsors. I have been married for 7yrs and have two kids ages 6, & 4. I was tired of not being home, having to fish a tournament for points when I wanted to hunt or go shoot. My wife has grown to love shooting over the last year and I have found that I get to spend more time with my family at home, and at the range with my wife.

[FROGO207]

I also will spend the winter evening nights reloading so that I can spend the summer shooting without bother to reload. I have at least a 5 gal bucket of brass in the chamberings that I shoot a lot and try to keep a 3 gal bucket of the not so often used brass. I go through it all in the fall/early winter, cleaning and sizing etc. Then I will reload one cal until I have what I want and swap to another until I am finished. Now the pain in the rear ones, those are the .22 Hornet and the 25 ACP. I will usually reload a gallon can or so of each once a year to keep me in ammo. I am not retired yet and work a 40-50 hr week so reloading is relaxing for me still.:)

[ChefJeff1]

Take a break. Don't let it be a chore or you might get too casual and make a mistake.

Wait for a nice rainy day and then let'er rip.

Sometimes, I just don't have the patience to load.

[beatledog7]

If it feels like work, you need a break. Carelessness could set in next.

[tightgroup tiger]

That's what I'm afraid of. If my head's not in it I need to walk away from for a while.

[dbarnhart]

I never get tired of reloading. I am trying something different though: I'm revisiting some of my 'good enough' loads to see if I can improve them. For instance, the combination of my light .45acp loads and the cat boolit lube I'm using are pretty smokey. So I've decided to test combinations of two different lubes and four powder loads to se the affect on smoke.

Then I'll load up about 2K rounds of the best combination.

[JLDickmon]

When I reach the point that I don't want to reload I usually breakout the .22s and take them to the range. Satisfies my shooting needs and I don't have to police, clean and sort brass.
same here..
I loaded up on .22 ammo & reloading supplies when Brady 1 passed.. thought I had enough to last a lifetime..

well, not quite.. back buying powder and primers.. few cases here and there..

but I still have five bricks of .22 to burn through...

I am buying shotgun ammo by the case when it goes on sale..
shot is like $35./bag here... makes the membership at the skeet club not so attractive, although I still shoot a round of clays when they set that course up once a month..

[SleazyRider]

Take on a student, gratis. Whenever something your were once passionate about---motorcycles, cars, flying, painting, guitar, et cetera---becomes routine, it's time to take on an enthusiastic student. I'd give my eye teeth to have somebody teach me the rudiments of reloading, and I'm sure I'm not alone. (Ditto for shooting clays.)

[Gtimothy]

My presses are all set up and I have over 350 .223 cases, 500 9mm, 100 .45ACP and a couple hundred .38 spcl cases that are cleaned, deprimed and ready to go! Just don't have the motivation to spend hours in the hot garage!

I need to get my wife involved since she goes through bullets like "Grease through a Goose" But her reply is it's MY job! And since when is it MY job to clean her guns after a trip to the range?

I think I deserve a new gun!!!!:evil:

[Certaindeaf]

Buy a LEE whackamole and load up 20. You'll then be merilly happy watching ol' red go 'round.

[Crashbox]

I've only been reloading for about 2-1/2 years now (I'm 52) and this winter season I did very little reloading with either my LnL AP or single-stage. Last night I decided to load some work-ups for my .357 with the MBC "Zinger" bullets I bought recently and looked in my log book, it was January since I last reloaded. Granted, I had over 1000 rounds of reloads in stock prior to the winter season so I didn't really find a need to crank 'em out, but with the investment sitting there relatively idle it does cause puzzling thoughts.

But there's NO WAY I'll actually cease reloading until I'm picking rutabagas with a step ladder!

[JimStC]

tightgroup tiger,
I have developed the same hesitancy/lack of motivation to load my own after doing so for a long time. My solution was to find a custom reloading shop that uses my components and my load data. My cost of being lazy or perhaps fishing too much, is around .15 per round for the shop's labor.
I am 59 years old, btw
Jim

[kingmt]

I don't have time to reload daily. I normaly only load what I need.

I started on a SS with a beam scale & burnt out fast on handloading. I quite for years. The kids found my press & really wanted me to do it with them again. After a 100 or less I decided to get a progressive, scale/despensor, & other tools to help make things easier. It doesn't seem like a chore anymore. Even if I only want 10 I still rather load the on the progressive.

[gamestalker]

I've been loading on single stages for at least 3 decades and still haven't found it to be a task, but rather a relaxing hobby. My Son's like to drop off 250 - 500 9mm or .40 jacketed bullets to me with out warning. I can sit down and load all in one sitting with joy.

But I also keep my brass ready to go at all times. I trim all my brass, even my 9mm and .40 S&W brass all gets trimmed, tumbled and sorted long before I need it for loading. So when I need several hundred, all I have to do is prime, powder, and seat. Wham bam, ready to shoot canned spam!

GS

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

I'm on the road most of the year, so I, don't get burned out to much from reloading. Here is my sugestion. Wipe down the gun's, load what need's to be finished, then oil, and clean every thing. Cover the press, pack up everything. By stuff you will still use, most likely it will outlast you, and put it away. Then just walk away. Do something else, write a book, learn to fly, or take some classes. Then, if or when the urge hit's you, your stuff is there, and you will be ready to play again. If the desier does'nt come back you can sell your stuff, and maybe make a profiet. For 95% of us this is a hobbie, or even a life stile, not a need.

[Matno]

I haven't reloaded much, but I can see how it would get old fast. Trying to work up an ideal load for a particular gun is fun. Beyond that, you start to wonder if the extra few bucks is worth it...

I don't recommend "distracted reloading", but with a progressive press, having something to do while reloading helps a ton. I like listening to lectures or books on tape. Even watching a movie can work, if you can pay attention to 2 things at once.

I got burned out on fly tying years ago and never got into it again. 6 kids and 21 years of post-high-school education may have had something to do with it...

[BYJO4]

I can certainly understand how reloading can become a job rather than fun. When I retired 5 years ago, I started shooting 300 to 500 rounds weekly and have continued to do so ever since. After using a single stage press for over 35 years, I found it to slow for that volume and decided to go to a progressive which solved the problem for me. I reload my brass as I shoot it and I don't mind spending 20 to 30 minutes when I get back from the range reloading. There are times when I take one of my 22s to the range if I don't feel like loading that day.

[cfullgraf]

I reload my brass as I shoot it and I don't mind spending 20 to 30 minutes when I get back from the range reloading.

Yes. "Small" batches that take little time make the reloading process less of a drudgery and one keeps up with inventory. Small investments in time done more frequently than one big mega loading session.

I resize, prep and clean cases shortly after shooting and store cases for a future reloading session. All the processes I dislike, trimming for one, are done in small doses making them palatable.

For me, by separating the resizing/prep from the actual loading, I find the reloading phase has less issues and operates slicker than greased lightning.

For some folks that get a progressive, they just can't seem to warm up to the idea of breaking up the progressive's process. That is fine if it rings their bell.

The point I am heading towards is to think outside the box and keep the fun in the reloading process.

[JEB]

i dont really get tired of reloading so much as i do sorting brass. on more than one occasion i have sat down and sorted several thousand pieces of assorted pistol brass. that was a chore. i load on a single stage so when i know i have to load 100+ rounds i know im going to be there for a while and honestly, i dont really look forward to it. i think i am going to have to upgrade my press in the near future...

[Arkansas Paul]

Do any of you ever get tired of reloading your own ammo?


I haven't yet, but I've only been doing it for a little over 2 years now. Even though I'm not really tired of it, I don't always feel like doing it. There are days I'd rather hit the golf course or go to the lake and wet a line. Nothing wrong with that. Then there are days, I can spend hours in the cave, cranking out rounds or casting bullets.

Take a little break. The want to will likely come back I'm thinking.

[kelbro]

I have been reloading for 35 yrs. Yes, it gets old from time to time. Especially in the summer when it's 110 or better in my garage. I try to do most of my loading in the winter but that's our best fishing season. I travel internationally for work so my reloading opportunity time is limited.

Take a break from it. Shoot 22s. Load when you feel like it. Shooting is supposed to be fun. Don't make it into a chore.

[1SOW]

I'm 65, retired and shoot about 275 9mm rds/week. Yes, I sometimes get tired of "needing" to reload. I do try to stay about 1000-1500 rds ahead of my use, but I've been losing ground lately. I'm using a turret press and have though about a full progressive; but it's a little late in the game for that move for me.

Get involved in "organized" shooting of some sort and that gives the "reason" to keep at it. I really like USPSA and steel shooting, so I stay with it----mostly. The games are great fun, and shooters are good people. That keeps me moving.

[Rule3]

Yep, I get tired of it. Plus it's pretty much summer here, Hot and Humid so the range isn't much fun. I have gone back to shooting revolvers. I shoot less and do not have to pick up brass.

I can go shoot 100 rounds of any revolver caliber and it takes longer than 300 rounds of semi auto.

[splattergun]

tightgroup tiger,
I have developed the same hesitancy/lack of motivation to load my own after doing so for a long time. My solution was to find a custom reloading shop that uses my components and my load data. My cost of being lazy or perhaps fishing too much, is around .15 per round for the shop's labor.
I am 59 years old, btw
Jim
fishing too much? No sabe, senor.

[Certaindeaf]

You know those shooting video games? I'm just waiting for a reloading game and I'll be all set!






















































That there was a joke.

[LAH]

I'm 65, retired and shoot about 275 9mm rds/week. Yes, I sometimes get tired of "needing" to reload. I do try to stay about 1000-1500 rds ahead of my use, but I've been losing ground lately. I'm using a turret press and have though about a full progressive; but it's a little late in the game for that move for me.

Get involved in "organized" shooting of some sort and that gives the "reason" to keep at it. I really like USPSA and steel shooting, so I stay with it----mostly. The games are great fun, and shooters are good people. That keeps me moving.

Consider a progressive. The time saved is great. You can use that time to live an even fuller life.:)

[Salmoneye]

Took a 15 year break...

Back into it now, but my fishing is suffering...

:D

[Arkansas Paul]

Certaindeaf, that may have been a joke, but it sounds like a dandy idea to me. :)

[Crashbox]

Certaindeaf, that may have been a joke, but it sounds like a dandy idea to me.

+1, that would be a LOT of fun. You could really add some interesting complexity to the game as well, my mind is running wild with ideas...!

[Arkansas Paul]

You could really add some interesting complexity to the game as well, my mind is running wild with ideas...!


Yeah, we could try out our above max loads and see if they really blow the gun up. :banghead:

[RevGeo]

I'm 58 and have been loading since I was 12, when my dad started teaching me. I still have a lot of gear and related stuff, but nowadays I usually only reload when the hunting seasons roll around. For recreational shooting I usually just shoot my old single-shot .22 or my S&W .357.
I worked up loads for all my rifles and my pistol years ago so I don't experiment as much as I used to. Sometimes I work up loads for friends who don't reload and that can be a lot of fun, since I get to shoot their guns at their cost.
I still enjoy the theoretical discussions on forums like this. Considering all we're doing is sizing a case, replacing a primer, pouring powder in and seating a bullet on top there sure is a lot to talk about, isn't there?

[FM12]

Not nearly as much fun as it was 30 years ago.

My reloading room is in such disarray I hate to start. Need a whole day to clean up and organize. Just too lazy i guess. Or too sorry.

Iwill If I need to go shooting tho. Too broke to buy store brands.:fire:

[blarby]

Well tiger, maybe its the huge lots and monotony that are getting to you.

Do you shoot 1500 9mm a week ?

Mebbe an exercise in precision will help break you out of your funk.

Try and find an average of how many rounds you fire of "x" calibers per week.

Then, instead of pounding out 2000k of them at a time, just load as many as you shoot per week but focus very intently on making them as perfect as you can Weigh each powder charge, check OAL on each shell...heck, maybe weigh your components and try and form perfect "lots" of individually perfect shells.

Its only as boring and monotonous as you make it....maybe a little spicy variety in your process will help bring the magic back.

Just a thought.

[Certaindeaf]

I used to pop caps like nobodies business. It ain't nothing but a thing one way or another.

[tightgroup tiger]

Do you shoot 1500 9mm a week ?

I don't come close to that. I shoot about a 100 a week of 9mm and 50 or so of 357mag, and 327 Fed Mag.

As a lot of posters have said, I to, keep all my brass cleaned ahead of time and ready to go. I have 2) 3# coffee cans of 9mm shells deprimed and cleaned and ready to go but they are going to sit for a while.

I am thinking about the 22lr thing and the more I think about it the more appealing it is getting to me. I never gave that much thought until reading the replies to my post and their are some high quality, highly accurate 22 pistols out there to chose from.

This is really sound advise and I will now have the fun task of picking out a new gun.

We never get tired of that.

I'll get over it, it is probably a passing depression.
I certainly not getting rid of my reloading equipment.

I think maybe the sun is shining to bright or something like that. If we would get a week long rain I'll bet the 9mm brass will be all loaded up and ready to go and I will be glad to have the equipment to do it on.

Thanks guys, your the best!

[kingmt]

Getting a new press is as fun as getting a new gun. I would like to have one of the Ruger 22LR as well tho.

If it has become that much of a chore but you fell guilty buying factory then it may be time to go to a progressive. You can fill that coffee can of brass in no time & still enjoy the sun.

Enjoy the new gun.

[griff383]

I too found myself in the same boat as you not all that long ago. I had lots on my plate and the last thing I wanted to do was worry about feeding my toys. I even found myself using anything on the shelves (previously reloaded stuff that wasnt in my normal rotation) just to free up the brass and shoot without reloading. My 22's started seeing alot of use and then the storm calmed down a bit. I found a way to get alot done without the same old boring routine.

I took an inventory and organized all my supplies, then decided what would be priority and grouped all the components together. When I would get bored around the house I would get the press (LNL) all set up to load, fill 3 or 4 primer tubes, set the powder dispenser, get the brass and bullets in dishes next to the press, and then load a few to check bullets, die settings, charge, ect. Then I would walk away until the next day or loading session, when I would get bored again all I had to do was sit down double check the settings quick and load away. Doing a few hundred rounds was quick and easy, sometimes I would set up after loading so that I could sit down and do it again and other times I would walk away saving set up for another time.

I just got done doing 500 rounds today and it didnt seem tedious in any way, also Im all set to get another 300 done when the mood strikes. It has changed things up enough that I dont dread it anymore and Im sure I will return to my old habbits when I have more free time.

Hope this helps break things up a bit in the future but in the meantime it sounds like your distracted with a new toy purchase.

[Shinbone]

Yup. Sometimes it helps to just re-organize, relax, do inventory. I've been reloading for about 30 years and at times I really have to push myself to get to the reloading bench. My daughters remind me, "It's a hobby, Dad. You don't HAVE TO do it; at least not when you don't feel like it."

[YankeeFlyr]

I just finished 500 "put-away" rounds of 30-06 for the M1. I hand-weighed every charge.




On a beam scale.




With a trickler.

Know what ya mean...if I don't see the bench for another 3 months it'll be fine. :scrutiny:

[MachIVshooter]

Burnout happens. Over the last two week's evenings, I did 300 .380, 500 10mm, 600 .223 and 1,100 .308............on an RCBS Rockchucker SS. I probably won't hit the bench again for a month.

[LAH]

I just finished 500 "put-away" rounds of 30-06 for the M1. I hand-weighed every charge.




On a beam scale.




With a trickler.

Know what ya mean...if I don't see the bench for another 3 months it'll be fine.

I'm coming to Essex this weekend. Want I should bring you a powder measure?:banghead:

Just kidding. I do however run IMR 4064 through my RCBS measure. Sure saves time. You gotta be worn out.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h244/Creekerpics/Loading%20Room%20101/Loading%20Equipment/Picture388-1.jpg

Run Data 85 also
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h244/Creekerpics/Loading%20Room%20101/Loading%20Equipment/DSC02892.jpg

Even though a Dillon measure
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h244/Creekerpics/Loading%20Room%20101/Loading%20Equipment/Picture566.jpg

[Bowfishrp]

A case feeder really helped me. Ran my LNL AP without one for years and it worked fine but the case feeder made things a lot easier after it was setup. I dont know if its just because its new but now I am wanting to load every bullet in the house into a case! I figure the new will wear off that too at some point.