My Dad was a handloader and cast his own bullets. I literally grew up with it and when I found out that that there were some shooters that actually
don't reload I was surprised. I just thought handloading was a necessary part of shooting.
Anyway when I got out on my own I had a few guns, not many and no handguns at all. I started shooting "backyard" trap using a handthrower to launch clays and so I began to reload shot shells. I did not have much disposable income and so I used a Lee shotshell loader and hulls picked up off the ground. That gear made it possible for me to shoot, I didn't have the money to buy ammo and even when I did, it was inexpensive shells from KMART, they were at the time $2.99/box of 25. We was poor as they say.
I did this for a number of years and then started shooting handguns. For years I used only factory ammo but it was ok since my actual consumption was not very great. Then I started shooting weekly at my clubs pistol night and this is what got me handloading centerfire ammo. I always knew that I would handload but really didn't have the actual need so I couldn't see spending the money for the stuff on the bench. I found that my ammo consumption and that of my wife and son and the fact that my clubs indoor range (for winter shooting) required lead, plated or coated bullets, this was the factor that forced me into handloading.
I do all of my handloading in my unheated garage. Very cold in the winter and hot in the summer. When it's nice out I will make a lot of ammo so that I'm not suffering in the cold or heat. For me a "lot of ammo" is 5-10k rounds. Sometimes I feel like doing this other times I don't. But I always have plenty of ammo to shoot and I don't have to go on an extended shopping trip to find some. I seem to alternate my interests between shooting sports and fishing. So at times I building up my fishing tackle supplies and at other times it's shooting supplies. Variety is the spice of life.
When I was shooting only factory, I was always looking for ammo deals. Once I started handloading my own I went cold turkey with factory and my ammo consumption rates skyrocketed overnight. Last week I decided to clean up my ammo cabinet and realized that I have almost 2000 rounds of 9mm factory, 1400 45 acp and 700 38 Special. I will shoot it eventually but I have developed loads that work very well in my guns so I t will be for the brass that I shoot that stuff.
One last thought, I really don't understand why guys buy especially the low end equipment and then when they upgrade sell off that stuff. A one hundred dollar entry level Lee press isn't worth that much on the used market but could be very handy some day to the handloader and having it stored in a box to my way of thinking is like money in the bank. Unless it gets flooded in the a hurricane it should last a century. Handloading is not for everyone though and as others have said, we should enjoy our hobbies and if this activity is a chore for you then you need not stay with it to please any of us. Like others have said, I too have read all of your threads and have thought to myself that you seem to be making this way more difficult than it needs to be. Again not an insult, if you were my neighbor we would be friends I'm sure. But if that was the case, you would be slaving at the bench because I would be dragging your behind to the range at least once a week and you would need a constant supply of ammo.
Don't believe me ask my brother.
