So, I got out of the reloading thing today.

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aarondhgraham

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Way back in time when Dinosaurs ruled the earth,,,
My grandfather gave me an old S&W .38 pre-model 10 revolver.

He also gave me a Lee Loader and all the stuff I needed for it.

Even though ammo was cheap enough back then,,,
It was still cheaper to reload my own.

Grandpa took me to he local army surplus store and showed me what to buy,,,
I really had no idea what I was doing but I followed his instructions,,,
I reloaded that same 100 rounds of brass countless times,,,
And never blew myself up.

I would pedal my bike to the "creek" and shoot up a bunch of tin cans,,,
Then come home, get my stuff out of the closet,,,
Turn on the TV and reload all my empties.

Anyways, fast forward to the early 2000's and I got back into shooting,,,
I bought the same Lee Loaders (Whack-a-Mole loaders) as I had before.

Then discovered that I had absolutely no interest in reloading.

So the stuff just sat in a box for the next 15 or so years.

So last night I gathered up all the equipment and boxed it all up,,,
Today I gave it to a poor-but-honest college boy I work with.

So he got three Lee Loaders, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, & .44 Magnum,,,
Several hundred once fired brass for those three cartridges,,,
A Lee Auto-Prime, three cartridge specific manuals,,,
A inertial bullet puller and a few other things.

IMG_0224.JPG

Ya shoulda seen the look on his face,,,
It was very satisfying.

Now all I have to do is remember where I stashed several hundred bullets and primers,,,
They are lost somewhere in the jungles of my storage rooms.

Aarond

.
 
My first loads were using those lee loaders and a mallet. Loaded .243 and 30-30. Didn’t take long till I bought a rockchucker kit. And now I have a bedroom that is a dedicated gun room. Ol lady calls it my man cave.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I wonder if you would have had better equipment if you would have not decided to quit. If I had to use a wack-a-mole to load ammo with I would probably quit to.
Click to expand...

I got a whack-a-mole setup in with a box of casting equipment. Tried that once and was glad that was not my first experience reloading. The difference between whack-a-mole and and single stage press is like the difference between crawling versus walking.
 
And then the Dillon square deal b. Then the 550. And on and on. And I still have those whack a moles. Actually found them the other night while going thru stuff. I guess ppl still use those? I forgot I even had them.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I wonder if you would have had better equipment if you would have not decided to quit. If I had to use a wack-a-mole to load ammo with I would probably quit to.
Click to expand...

I enjoy my whack a mole lee loaders. I started reloading in 45-70 with the Lee loader kits! It was actually quite satisfying to sit there and load those up and shoot them. Now I have an 8' bench with shelves loaded to the brim with reloading gear and equipment. But it all started with a simple Lee Loader kit. Every now and then I will break it out to make me appreciate even my single stage press.

I think reloading with the whack a mole system for one gun and one cartridge is worth it especially for a somewhat expensive type round as the 45-70 and not being a necked down cartridge helps too!
 
If you find a couple boxes of primers you could get a nice bottle of your favorite spirit for sure. Toast the memory or something...
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I wonder if you would have had better equipment if you would have not decided to quit. If I had to use a wack-a-mole to load ammo with I would probably quit to.
Click to expand...
Kids and their toys...
I've been using wack a mole for 30 years, a very satisfying hobby after going to the range...of course...those of you that have to shoot 200 rds to hit the target, I can see the needs for faster reloading...me...just a few rds and the center is gone, half hour after i get home I'm reloaded...:neener:
 
Paul R Zartman said:
Kids and their toys...
I've been using wack a mole for 30 years, a very satisfying hobby after going to the range...of course...those of you that have to shoot 200 rds to hit the target, I can see the needs for faster reloading...me...just a few rds and the center is gone, half hour after i get home I'm reloaded...:neener:
Click to expand...

That's nice. It gives you more time to yell at the kids to get off your lawn.:):)
 
aarondhgraham said:
Ya shoulda seen the look on his face,,,
It was very satisfying.

Now all I have to do is remember where I stashed several hundred bullets and primers,,,
They are lost somewhere in the jungles of my storage rooms.
Click to expand...
Make an effort to find the components and PIF them to the new loader. You will both be rewarded. :)
 
For reloading to pay, one must shoot a certain number of rounds a year. Or have several calibers. Or simply have a desire to reload. Or some combination thereof.

I don't load for many handguns anymore. I do load for a number of rifles, for accuracy and such.

Giving stuff away when not needed to someone who needs and desires that function is delightful. A very Christian outlook and I doubt if anyone else would disparage it.
 
Where were you when I started reloading two years ago?;)

But in all seriousness, good for you and your good deed. Hopefully the lucky recipient will enjoy it enough to stick with it.

Either way, your good deed will come back to you!

chris
 
I have good equipment that rarely gets used. I don’t hate reloading I would just rather be doing many different things that all need to be done before loading.....including buying loaded ammo.

I got into it again for a bit to try and get my 44 mag rifle to shoot. I got it to shoot but then realized I would have to load to get enjoyment out of it.

Pretty sure I’m going to sell that rifle.

I have read numerous books in the subject and I am interested by it. Read Metallic Cartridge Reloading, ABCs of Reloading, and the entire Nosler manual cover to cover. Loved every bit of it. When it comes to actually doing it though.....only if I have no other choice.

Still have loaded several thousand rounds though. Mostly 38 special, 44 Magnum and 303 British but really a bit of everything.

It isn’t for everyone.
 
That was darn generous and the young fellow will remember your generosity. I have a ton of reloading gear and enjoy using it but it's not for everyone. While I don't use them all the time, I like the old Lee whack-a-mole kits. They let me keep shooting way back when and they are still fun. I would love to find one for 41 magnum just because.

I do pick up reloading gear, especially single stage presses, at swap meets and garage sales when I can. I've been able to help several young people get started reloading (and keep shooting) when their budgets are tight. I remember well enough what that was like. The shooting and reloading hobby have given me huge pleasure over the decades and I like being able to help others get started.

Jeff
 
I got a partner press kit in high school. Still use it for bullet seating occasionally. Never used (nor seen) a whack a mole kit
 
Well that's a unique post! Reloading is not for everyone, and good on the OP for hopefully getting a youngster started in the hobby.

As for the addiction, yeah, I started with a single stage and worked my way through the Dillon stages. I still use them, though my high volume competition days are far behind me. I do get a kick out of grabbing the old tong tool and reloading a few dozen .44 Specials in front of the fireplace on occasion. I'm awfully glad it's an option rather than a requirement, though!
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I wonder if you would have had better equipment if you would have not decided to quit. If I had to use a wack-a-mole to load ammo with I would probably quit to.
Click to expand...

Actually, I very much enjoy doing things the old school way,,,
When I do leather work I hand stitch every seam,,,
Rather than use a sewing machine.

When I do woodwork I don't use that many power tools,,,
I get great satisfaction from good work done by hand.

Also I had good memories of me whackin' dat mole as a young teenager,,,
Shoot 50 rounds then come home and replenish the ammo stash,,,
It was a satisfying ritual that I enjoyed quite a bit.

Honestly, I think the reason I didn't get any further into reloading,,,
Was because financially, I had no need to reload.

Joe is in his final year of a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering,,,
He already reloads for his Creedmore using a Lee Breech Lock Hand Press.

His hobby is turning ball point and fountain pens from exotic woods,,,
I think he enjoys the manual style of doing things as much as I do.

I'm confident the gear went to a good and appreciative home.

Oh, thanks for the kind words.

Aarond

.
 
I found that stash of primers and bullets,,,

200915-Primers.jpg

2,600 primers,,,
About half small pistol and half large pistol.

Plus several hundred .38 special bullets,,,
160 grain semi-wadcutters I think,,,
One small box of .38 JHP,,,
One box of 9mm JHP.

They are old but have been stored in Tupperware,,,
My friend Joe is going to be very happy.

Aarond

.
 
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