do you reload? if not do you plan to ever start?

[Silvanus]

I did for a while for .38/.357 revolvers, but never for rifles. I only shoot 5.56 and 7.62 NATO as well as some 7.62x39. I can get extremely cheap surplus ammo for the latter and reasonably priced surplus from several different countries for the x51. I recently also found a particular sort of Russian 5.56 that shoots exceptionally well in my AR and is rather well priced so there's no need to reload for me from a financial point of view. I might start reloading just for fun or for high quality match ammo in the future, but right now I really don't have the time for it.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Well then... what a silly screen name you have "hunter" you and your butcher must be on first name basis

Well I do process my own game. I guess I just don't find the process enjoyable like some folks do. Also I don't trust myself enough either. I know myself well enough to know that if I find a task mind numbing, eventually my attention will wane and a mistake will be made. In reloading a small mistake can turn into a large one very quickly.

 

[MCMXI]

Yes, since 1992. Like many here, I find reloading to be an enjoyable extension of shooting. I'd still reload for my rifles even if it was the same price or a little more expensive, but given that my reloads provide superior accuracy at around half the cost (or less) ... well, I call that a bonus.

 

[PT1911]

Nope

Yep, I have the press, the powder hopper, and the dies... now i just have to get the shell holders and components... and there is that little need for a work bench... damn apartments... anyhow... I am well on my way to joining the ranks of reloaders... 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and 38/357 to start... 257 rbts to start with for rifles... then I will widen out a bit to include 9mm, 40 cal, 308, and possibly others... I suppose we will have to see where my gun collection goes and where the reloading press follows.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Even with a single stage if you do it 'chunks' it's pretty easy. I loaded a ton of 45ACP with an RCBS Rockchucker before I got a Dillon progressive. That makes laoding handgun ammo a breeze.

All rifle ammo except 5.56mm I still do in small batches with a single stage press.

 

[Maverick223]

Sure do, some of the stuff I load is downright expensive if you buy factory (most costly is about $5/rnd...I load it the same for 25% of that), other stuff is more accurate because of the well-tailored loads, some ammo is even hard to find at all (so loading is a prerequisite). FWIW, I only load for centerfire rifle cartridges, but might add .45ACP if and when I invest in a pistol caliber carbine (I just don't shoot enough pistol and shotgun cartridges to make it worthwhile).

 

[Norrick]

For the savings, and the accuracy is a bonus. It's hard to shoot sometimes and enjoy it when all you can think about is *BANG* there goes a dollar... *BANG* another dollar....

 

[coloradokevin]

I've been reloading/handloading for a few years now, and I find that it is sort of a liberating experience. First, I can load better-than-factory ammo for a fraction of the price. I also find that it is nice to be able to tailor a load to my needs, and my firearm.

For example, I love shooting my old M-48 Yugo Mauser. However, decent 8mm mauser ammo is really hard to come by around here. So, I now handload for that cartridge, and can produce premium target/hunting ammo that wouldn't otherwise be available, and it is also quite a bit cheaper than factory loads.

I still buy some factory ammo from time-to-time, but I generally prefer to load my own. My duty pistol obviously carries factory ammo, since my department wouldn't be okay with me carrying handloads. I also start any new firearms on a diet of factory ammo, at least until I am sure that everything is working as it should (gun manufacturers don't like handloads, and if something goes wrong on a new gun, I don't want to give them any chance to blame it on my ammo).

 

[coloradokevin]

For the savings, and the accuracy is a bonus. It's hard to shoot sometimes and enjoy it when all you can think about is *BANG* there goes a dollar... *BANG* another dollar....

Your aren't kidding on that point. I've actually found myself thinking that on occasion lately (BANG - cha-ching. BANG - $$). Ammunition prices have certainly outpaced inflation in the past ten years. I guess I should have invested in bullets rather than a house? Oh well, live and learn

 

[NWCP]

If I had the room for a dedicated reloading station I'd like to work up some of my own loads for a few rifles.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Yes, I do reload. I've reload 30 rounds, yes, just think of the huge savings as I've invested many dollars in equipment and am now recouping it all and more on the 30 rounds of 380 ACP! All tongue in cheek there guys. I'm obviously just starting out and am enjoying it.

I do look forward to saving money (maybe) but I really enjoy being involved in the whole process. I was an Army Ordnance (ammunition) officer in my first career so this new hobby is a little of Back to the Future.

Be safe and have fun. I think I'll load some more today. Maybe I'll double my output!

Dan

 

[jpwilly]

Yes, I can shoot a lot more for the same doe or if I'm conservative even save some coin. The best part is being able to use premium bullets for a lot less than factory loads, thats' what it boils down to for me.

 

[waterhouse]

If I had the room for a dedicated reloading station I'd like to work up some of my own loads for a few rifles.

Not sure how much room you have to spare, but my turret press sits on something like this:

It takes up very little space, and was the only feasible way to reload when I was in an apartment.

 

[Maverick223]

Just looked up my favorite .375H&H load, and found that I am loading the exact same bullet (don't know about powder, et al) at less than 1/4 the price. When you are talking $75.00 per box of ten that is significant savings.

 

[Ignition Override]

Last winter began first reloading: .303 Prvi Partizan (neck size only). The goal was to avoid using up my surplus, and be economical. Next it will be for the Garand.

Because it takes me about two hours with the Lee Single Stage to do about fifty rounds, can't justify blasting more than a fraction into the river (versus the range).

With cheap 7.62x39, that is easy to justify for plinking at objects. You can now also buy several (Russian) Tula calibers at Walmart.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have been reloading about 35 years.
I started to reload to save money--that worked for a long time.
When the kids were home we fired approx 1000 rds & 600 shotshells every weeked.
Now I am retired 11 years & reload to kill time.
The Dillions are dusty.
The lee's are running/////////////////

 

[CoastieShep]

Don't yet, but plan on starting as soon as I can afford the initial start up cost. Saving brass, plan on starting to stockpile lead here pretty soon because I also really want to cast my own .38 bullets.

 

[Frankl03]

I run handloads in all my guns except the .22! Most have only shot handloads. I like hand crafting match ammo. I load for pistol and rifle.

I found trimming to be a pain so I send out my 308 and 223 brass to a guy in Texas. For $30 a thousand he trims, swages primer pockets and full length sizes. Great Service.

I load on a lee four turret press.

 

[Still Shooting]

Still Reloading, Too...

My Dad bought me a Pacific press (still functioning), a set of 22 Hornet dies, a box of bullets, and a can of 2400 when I was 16. That was exactly 48 years ago. I've been through the handgun phase, and am back to long guns only for now. I load the following: 22 Hornet, 243 win, 257 bob, 6.5x55 Swede, 270 win, 308, 30 Rem, 303 brit, 351 wsl, and 44 mag.

The savings are great, loading for the old guns is the only way, and the first 5 calibers on my list all shoot 1/2moa or better with "worked-up" loads. There are 3 good reasons; the 4th is that I really enjoy it.

 

[mervalus]

I began reloading after I started shooting seriously two years ago, realizing the high cost of ammo . Brass picked up at the local range makes it easy as far as no brass cost. I process the brass with reusable ceramic pellets getting brass impeccably clean like new.
I surveyed the reloading machine market and came up with Diollon Precision as being the best quality with an impeccable reputation , and a no BS policy on their lifetime machine guarantee . I load 9mm, 45acp, 223, 30-06, 308 and 308. I am retired so time is not an issue in reloading but being able to sell some reloads helps to diffray some cost . Hope this helps to make a decision MERV

 

[millertyme]

I began reloading more than 20 years ago as a pup in my dad's garage under his watchful eye on a RCBS Rockchucker. I got away from reloading most rifle calibers since then and for some time was only focused on reloading for my 44 mag (with the same press), then I sold the pistol so I haven't reloaded, not that I've had the time for a hobby lately. I have been looking at the Lee progressive presses, especially the ones that come set up for a particular caliber. All I really shoot enough of to justify reloading (if that's possible) is my 9mm and my AR. Maybe I'll soon find some time to get back into it, but until then I'll keep my eyes open for a deal on ammo, which I've been fortunate to find every now and then.

 

[tts0lid]

nope. i don't really shoot often enough to justify the time / initial cost...

but i just found a local range that i like so that may change.

 

[p5200]

I've been loading for just a few months now and just got a new .204 so now I'm re loading for three rifles .223 and 25-06 also. I enjoy the challenge of finding the pet load for each rifle.

 

[Ignition Override]

If somebody has a tip where to buy really low-cost (.15/each) 150 or 16*-grain .308 bullets for a 30-06 Garand, please notify.

 

[doubleh]

I started reloading in the early'70s. It hasn't really saved me any money but it has allowed me to shoot much more than if I were buying factory ammo. Of course you save money on each shot compared to factory ammo after you pay back the cost of your equipment. It also lets me shoot more accurate ammo than I can buy. It may not be a lot better than premium factory ammo but the savings really kick in then.

I can't say that I really enjoy the mechanics of reloading but I'm retired and it keeps me from getting bored. I get my kicks from shooting those little groups that are 1/4 to 1/2 the size of the best I can do with factory loadings. That makes the time I spend at the reloading bench worthwhile.

I shoot a lot of pistol ammo with bullets I cast. I can't call casting anything but work but it allows me and my grandsons to shoot much more than we could if we were buying factory loads and that makes the work of casting worthwhile also.