Why You Reload...

Why Do You Reload? (Please select only ONE option per sections 1, 2 and 3)

  • 1a) Mainly reload handgun to save money

    Votes: 162 65.1%

  • 1b) Mainly reload handgun to make better ammo

    Votes: 78 31.3%

  • 1c) Do not reload handgun

    Votes: 15 6.0%

  • 2a) Mainly reload rifle to save money

    Votes: 71 28.5%

  • 2b) Mainly reload rifle to make better ammo

    Votes: 133 53.4%

  • 2c) Do not reload rifle

    Votes: 35 14.1%

  • 3a) Mainly reload shotgun to save money

    Votes: 29 11.6%

  • 3b) Mainly reload shotgun to make better ammo

    Votes: 23 9.2%

  • 3c) Do not reload shotgun

    Votes: 149 59.8%
  • Total voters
    249
  • Poll closed .
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C

coalman

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Mar 23, 2012
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We reload for different reasons. I often see these reasons as the reasons we choose the press we choose and the components we use. So, concerning our choices, it's not a universal "better than" deal, it's an individual "better for me" deal.

See poll. Just curious. Please only select one option per section (1, 2 or 3). Thanks.
 
I reload pistol ammo both to save money, and I shoot a couple of esoteric calibers..

I reload rifle ammo to tailor the load to the rifle..

shotgun ammo is strictly economics, although with lead at $38. a bag, right now it ain't real economical...
 
I started reloading because Cowboy .45 Colt rounds off the shelf were hitting $1 a round in some stores at the peak of the ammo shortage, and $0.60 was still too much to stomach.

The press has already paid for itself, if not the Blackhawk that I just picked up. (In .45 of course!)
 
My primary purpose for reloading is to manufacture loads that are not commercially available. Sometimes it saves money, but that's not the purpose. I shoot quite a few less popular cartridges for which few (if any) factory loads are available, but the handloading combinations are nearly endless, like a 200 gr. Accubond at 3,150 FPS for 8mm Rem Mag.
 
I started reloading to save money but now I reload to save money, have a supply, what I shoot can't be bought, if it could be bought I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it, & I believe I enjoy it more then shooting. I actually injoy setting up the press the most.

I load almost everything I shoot. The only thing I don't reload that I own is 12 gauge, 7.62x39, 22LR but (I don't shoot these) & 17HMR(I wish I'd got a Fire Ball).
 
Hi ya, you forgot one i reload because i just plane like too.. Get to go off alone and not think about anything else for a little while. I tell the wife that i have to be alone and have to focus. Quite me time! :)

Oh, i shoot 357 MAG and 44 MAG so i do save alot over factory loads too lol

Tony
 
Saving money is something to work toward, I think I started for that and probably more likely, I like doing stuff myself. Realistically it's not so much saving money as allow you to shoot more, but then again since it's cheaper you can afford to shoot more, so I guess it is about being cheaper.
 
Well lets see. I could spend $18 - $20 for a box of 50 357 mag rounds or I could reload them my self for $3.52 and that includes the price of the lead,Powder, primers and the Brass casings.
Its a no brainier. if your not reloading your just giving money away.
Notice I did not say saving any money. I have spent way more reloading my own than if I had not.
But I shoot way more than I could otherwise.
I see many range guys shoot their 50 and leave. I shoot another 200 then grab their old brass.:)
 
You left out hobby as an option.
And as with any hobby the enjoyment of the reloading process may be the most important benefit of all. For me, saving money and building better ammo takes a back seat to doing something I enjoy. I think you have to actually like reloading to do it for 20 years.
 
Reload for enjoyment, savings, better, more consistent ammo, and for the collapse of society...which, given the current state of things and the current administration, is more likely than not. Pray that we find new Christian leadership instead of the instrument of Satan that leads us to the right and left continuously!
 
I reload all 3 for savings and fine tuning the ammo and also for the enjoyment. As an added bonus I get to enjoy more recoil therapy!!
 
30 some years ago I got into reloading to save money but I enjoyed it so it is now a hobby unto itself.

When I buy a new firearm with a cartridge I don't have, the next purchase is always a set of dies and components.

Generally, what I load is not easily available in stores. If I reload, I don't have to hunt for them. In pre-internet days, it was difficult to find ammunition that was not mainstream products. Not as much an issue in today's internet age, but I already reload and enjoy it.

Also, I load a couple wildcats and one obsolete cartridge. None of those are available commercially so to enjoy those firearms I must reload.

I will experiment with new processes (we tumbling is an example) or different loadings (brass .410 shot shells is an example) for grins and giggles. This adds to the reloading enjoyment.
 
I reload to save money. I calculated that the gear would pay for itself in a year, and if I didn't think the savings were worth the effort, I could go back to buying factory ammo. Haven't bought a single factory round, since. It turned out to be sorta enjoyable, in an OCD kinda way. The biggest hassle was trying to figure out exactly what stuff I needed to start with. Now, it seems so simple.
 
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I started reloading to save money. However, I've realized that I don't save a thing because I shoot more, buy in larger quantities to add to my stockpile and lower per round costs, and to ride through shortages.

When .380 disappeared from the shelves a few years ago I didn't worry; I had plenty. Looks like a .40 S&W famine starting now; there's over 1000 rounds loaded on the shelf and components for thousands more. No problem.

Shooting more exotic handgun calibers (like .500 S&W), the cost savings is substantial.
I was in Bass Pro today; cheapest rounds for that beast were $55.00 per 20. I've seen premium stuff approaching $60 for 12 rounds. Loading full power rounds with a premium bullet still leaves the cost under $1/round (not counting brass). Of course, I did have to buy a new press (RL550B) to handle this caliber. :)

Steve
 
No better than I can shoot a handgun it would be a fallacy to reload handgun ammo for much better accuracy.
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Ha, That ends up being closer to the truth than I care to admit. I still take care loading the ammo though, want to make sure that I have best chance for success. Even a a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.
 
Yep I reload because it is cheaper than going to a therapist and when in the zone I will forget all those annoying little things that really do not in the scheme of things really matter. Keeps my mind and hands busy and out of things that I have no business being into in the first place. Plus I REALLLLY like to reload.:D
 
JL, I don't shoot a shotgun so therefore there is no need to reload them. It might be interesting to see the breakdown between rifle and shotgun shooters here.

I reload as others have said because I started a long time ago and really find it relaxing, fun, and educational. I also like to build loads for .357 mag to use in my Marlin as the rifle can utilize different loads than the typical pistol.
 
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