Old Guy Tip: Reload!

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Legionnaire

Legionnaire

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If the mods will bear with me, I'm putting this in the General Gun Discussion area because I consider it a general "public service announcement."

I didn't get into shooting in any serious way until I was in my early 30s. I grew up in the city and my dad wasn't an outdoorsman. I had few opportunities to shoot as a kid; I enjoyed them when they came around, but they were too rare. It wasn't until I married the daughter of an outdoorsman that my latent interest blossomed. My wife bought me my first firearm, a Mossberg 500 12 gauge combo with vent rib and slug barrels, and I started hunting with my FIL. Fast forward fifteen years and I'd become an enthusiast--in addition to hunting, I had gotten into pistol shooting, concealed carry, and the appropriate related training. I took a couple of long range rifle classes and began to enjoy ringing steel "way out there." None of this was competitive; just fun.

Over time, I bought and sold a number of firearms that--for one reason or another--I didn't enjoy shooting. Too much recoil, not accurate enough for my liking, too expensive to feed, etc. And then I discovered reloading. Eureka!

Call me anal, but I always saved brass--all my rifle brass and most of my pistol brass. My early forays into reloading were intended to "save money." I figured I could reload my rifle and revolver brass at far lower cost than factory ammo ... and I believe that proved true. If you shoot regularly, it doesn't take long to recoup the cost of a single-stage or turret press kit and a few basic dies.

Then I discovered the joys of loading across the power spectrum for my .357 and .44 magnum revolvers. I was able to load from mild to wild, inexpensively. Suddenly my hard-kicking .44s became far more fun to shoot at the range. And I could tailor loads for accuracy to boot!

And then, of course, I started reading about precision shooting, and all that can be done with well built rifles ... and well built ammunition. I will confess that I no longer "reload" to save money. Now I handload for accuracy, to expand the capabilities of any single firearm by varying bullet weights and powder charges (again, from mild to wild), and for the simple joy of building my own ammo. Even though I don't compete, I've bought chronographs, electronic scales, software, lots of books ... you get the idea. I'm way past the "inexpensive" stage. And it's all fun!

So here's the bottom line: YOU should think about reloading/handloading. It is not difficult. It takes care to do it safely, but if you can follow directions, it isn't hard. Buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading and read the introductory chapters. Hang out in the Handloading and Reloading forum. Ask questions.

I wish I had started earlier. I got started shooting late because my dad wasn't a shooter. I got started handloading late because my FIL wasn't a reloader. I wish I still had my first .44 magnum revolver that I sold because I didn't like the recoil; today, I'd just load it down to where it would be fun, and save the full power loads for hunting. Reload. Start soon.
 
Legionnaire said:
I wish I had started earlier. I got started shooting late because my dad wasn't a shooter. I got started handloading late because my FIL wasn't a reloader. I wish I still had my first .44 magnum revolver that I sold because I didn't like the recoil; today, I'd just load it down to where it would be fun, and save the full power loads for hunting. Reload. Start soon.
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I couldn’t agree more, and I’ve been around guns, hunting and shooting my whole life. However, I didn’t get into handloading until I was about 30 (I’m 70 now) and the reason I got into it was probably because I thought I’d enjoy the “mechanics” of it. I did, and still do.

I mean, some people enjoy woodworking, some people enjoy working on old cars, my wife enjoys crocheting, and some people enjoy cooking. To me, all of those things have similar roots – the desire to build something with your hands, mind and tools that both looks good and works well. And the added bonuses are that whatever the person builds, it is probably less expensive and works better than store-bought. Besides, there’s just something great about cleanly taking a head of big game with a rifle, or toppling a 200 meter steel ram with a handgun, using ammunition you built yourself.

Scooter22 said:
I have some guns you can't get factory ammo for.
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Yeah, me too. And the truth is, knowing I'd have to build ammo for them, is one of the reasons I bought those guns in the first place.
"Hello, my name is Jim. I'm a handloadaholic.":D
 
At this point in my life the time I save by not reloading is worth more to me than the money I’d save if I reloaded. I’m busy enough that I’d much rather spend the money on factory ammo than spend the time to reload it myself. With two young kids, two energetic dogs, a job, and a wife who works 70 to 80 hour weeks, I barely have any time to shoot, let alone reload. And if I somehow did manage to have enough time to reload, there’s still other things I’d rather be doing.

Maybe if I were into precision shooting or obscure calibers I’d change my mind.
 
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Reloading is a natural expansion of my firearms hobby. I still purchase shot-shells, but haven't bought center-fire ammo since the last time I found some Winchester 230gr 45 ACP for 3 cents a round more than Winchester wanted for just the brass alone,,
,
I tell the Wife reloading is a bit like cooking,,, Several ingredients,,, Several potential outcomes,,, Things you learn along the way, and a sense of accomplishment when it all comes together,,,
 
Good to post this in GGD. For those interested in getting started, visit the Handloading and Reloading sub-forum which has helpful stickies for buying equipment.
 
Theohazard said:
And if I somehow did manage to have enough time to reload, there’s still other things I’d rather be doing.
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I understand, and it's similar, and yet at the same time not similar to the reasons my wife and I quit IHMSA shooting. We were both into it, she shot "Production Revolver" class, and I shot "Unlimited" class. My wife was a stay-at-home mom at the time, but I was working full time with a lot of overtime thrown in, and we had two young daughters at home.
Anyway, I'd come home from work, eat dinner, then get busy at the reloading bench building 44 Mag ammo for my wife to shoot up in practice down at the county gravel pit the next day. We would follow that routine two or three days every week because there was no way we could afford factory 44 Mag ammo in the quantity my wife was going through it, and factory ammo for my 7mm IHMSA simply wasn't available. Besides, my handloaded ammo was better than factory anyway, and we did want to win at the silhouette match we would head off to come Saturday morning. The nearest match was always at least 100 miles away, sometimes 250 miles away. So the weekend was shot, and we would start all over again on Monday.
It took us two years to figure out that we had allowed silhouette shooting to become a job - it wasn't fun anymore. So we quit. I never was that good at it anyway. On the other hand, Mrs. .308 Norma has a whole shelf full of trophies that are, at least in part due to my prowess in building 44 Mag ammo - at least I tell myself that.:D
 
Going shooting used to pain me, just knowing how much money I was firing down range. So I shot infrequently, and when I did shoot it was less for fun and more for practice. And when I bought ammo (even in bulk), I used to almost dislike shooting it up, because then I knew it was gone.

Now I've been reloading for about a year. I shoot often. I shoot guns I would otherwise probably not have bought. Consequently I'm a better shooter than I once was, with a larger selection on firearms. And I really enjoy my time at the range; safe in the knowledge that I can just go load more. Good day at the range, or bad day at the range, I still feel good that I went shooting. And that what I shot, I loaded myself.
 
I will agree, for expensive or odd calibers, or if you're into precision rifles, reloading makes sense. I reload my .44 Magnum as I can achieve a fairly big savings over store bought ammo AND the my empty casings are easy to keep, no scrounging around picking up brass. I may reload my .357 Magnum as well as, I am getting a decent supply of brass.

For general plinking with 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP, the savings are minimal at best. Since President Trump took office, I have been buying up the poplar calibers from folks on Armslist for pretty cheap. I guess the folks thought Hillary was going to get in and they were going to make a fortune off of ammo.

If someone wishes to reload, go for it, but to suggest that I am not a real gun person because I don't reload all my ammo is ridiculous.
 
I started reloading in my mid-20's back in the 60's. The calibers that I reload for are rooted in history and I like feeling that I've taken part in that. For example I reload .45 Colt (1873), .38 Special (1898), .44 Special (1907) and .357 Mag (1935). I used to reload for the .45 ACP (1905) but I don't reload this caliber now. The history of this country was forged by the use of handloading wether it be by powder, ball and ramrod down the barrel of a long rifle or by current means used today. So if you reload today you're doing what our ancestors did centuries ago, something to be proud of in my opinion.
 
Theohazard said:
At this point in my life the time I save by not reloading is worth more to me than the money I’d save if I reloaded. I’m busy enough that I’d much rather spend the money on factory ammo than spend the time to reload it myself. With two young kids, two energetic dogs, a job, and a wife who works 70 to 80 hour weeks, I barely have any time to shoot, let alone reload. And if I somehow did manage to have enough time to reload, there’s still other things I’d rather be doing.

Maybe if I were into precision shooting or obscure calibers I’d change my mind.
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I'm looking forward to taking up reloading when all my kids are fully self supporting. Until then, I'm like you. :)
 
stchman said:
I will agree, for expensive or odd calibers, or if you're into precision rifles, reloading makes sense. I reload my .44 Magnum as I can achieve a fairly big savings over store bought ammo AND the my empty casings are easy to keep, no scrounging around picking up brass. I may reload my .357 Magnum as well as, I am getting a decent supply of brass.

For general plinking with 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP, the savings are minimal at best. Since President Trump took office, I have been buying up the poplar calibers from folks on Armslist for pretty cheap. I guess the folks thought Hillary was going to get in and they were going to make a fortune off of ammo.

If someone wishes to reload, go for it, but to suggest that I am not a real gun person because I don't reload all my ammo is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

The savings on popular calibers are not much if you’re comparing the price of reloads vs the cheapest ammo you can find. The savings goes up if you want a specific load, or something better than basic ammo.

I’m with you in that folks should do what they enjoy and avoid what they feel is a waste of time.

I will say though that I enjoy reloading, and I like making ammo that is better than what I can buy. I also like that if ammo purchase laws like California’s hit us here in Virginia I can make my own ammo and not have to worry about them.

That said, I’m with you in that picking up cheap ammo isn’t a bad idea. In my case I look at it as buying brass and getting practice rounds “Free”
 
Hokie_PhD said:
The savings on popular calibers are not much if you’re comparing the price of reloads vs the cheapest ammo you can find. The savings goes up if you want a specific load, or something better than basic ammo.

I’m with you in that folks should do what they enjoy and avoid what they feel is a waste of time.

I will say though that I enjoy reloading, and I like making ammo that is better than what I can buy. I also like that if ammo purchase laws like California’s hit us here in Virginia I can make my own ammo and not have to worry about them.

That said, I’m with you in that picking up cheap ammo isn’t a bad idea. In my case I look at it as buying brass and getting practice rounds “Free”
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Do you really think that IF ammo purchase laws like CA come to your state that reloading components will be un-affected? Granted your brass will last, and you can get lead from things like tire and fishing weights, but the powder and primers. After Obama got elected, the reloading shops around me were out of bullets, primers, and powder just like ammo places were out of ammo.

You can say "I will stock up on my reloading components", but I just stock up on ammo, same difference.
 
stchman said:
Do you really think that IF ammo purchase laws like CA come to your state that reloading components will be un-affected? Granted your brass will last, and you can get lead from things like tire and fishing weights, but the powder and primers. After Obama got elected, the reloading shops around me were out of bullets, primers, and powder just like ammo places were out of ammo.

You can say "I will stock up on my reloading components", but I just stock up on ammo, same difference.
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Well I’m doing all I can to get pro 2nd candidates elected.

Ideally we stock up on as much of both as we can. But I can buy the components I like cheaper than cheap ammo which I don’t enjoy shooting. Plus, unless I’m mistaken, I haven’t seen CA limiting shipping of components yet.
 
As others have said reloading is about economy to me. It also helps that my particular interest in firearms brings me to older or weirder designs, being able to reload gives a bunch more confidence that I will be able to feed these future members of the collection. I'm starting with 9mm (yes I know the savings aren't significant right now) because I'm told it is a easy cartridge to learn on but am getting really excited to stretch my legs with some revolver or rifle rounds soon.
 
Legionnaire said:
I didn't get into shooting in any serious way until I was in my early 30s. I grew up in the city and my dad wasn't an outdoorsman. I had few opportunities to shoot as a kid; I enjoyed them when they came around, but they were too rare.
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Same here.
I handload because they just don't make what I want. That is, Fifty A.E. ammunition less than two dollars a piece, at Fifty A.E. power. Mine cost less than fourty cents, are accurate and are good for felling oaks.;)

I also like having actual target ammunition for my rifle. Not really cheaper, but astoundingly better. I am sure that some one makes SWC Fourty Five Auto commercially, but I haven't found it. Are there really Thirty Aught Six Varmint rounds? I know I make them, and have heard stories of their manufacture, but evidently most people use this cartridge for Deer or Elk...

No one will say you are not a "True Believer Gun-Man" if you don't handload (I looked, no one did.), but it is another interesting facet to enjoy. Especially when it's thirty below and windy, or ninety five degrees, one hundred percent humidity and zero wind.

As a single Dad, I can't go out and "Hit the Scene" after the kids are asleep. But, if I'm still awake, I can go down to the dungeon and make use of a few spare minutes. And not sit in front of the T.V.(computer!).

I really enjoy it. I am glad I pursued it, even after I was told it was a waste of time. Hooray for Handloading!
 
Making tailor made or more accurate ammo are rite up there as far as handloading goes. BUT the far and away biggest aspect is to be able to shut out all other things and just make some therapy ammo. I also know I will still be shooting if there is another run of ammo at the stores after a future election or natural disaster. The self reliance part is big in my book as well.;) There are some calibers that are not worth reloading at the present time so I don't, but I still can at a moments notice if need be.
 
Demi-human said:
No one will say you are not a "True Believer Gun-Man" if you don't handload (I looked, no one did.), but it is another interesting facet to enjoy. Especially when it's thirty below and windy, or ninety five degrees, one hundred percent humidity and zero wind ... I really enjoy it. I am glad I pursued it, even after I was told it was a waste of time. Hooray for Handloading!
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Exactly. There are certainly good reasons not to reload, and I won't think less of someone who doesn't. But I wish someone had introduced me to it when I was younger, and I'm glad I didn't put it off longer than I did. My only thought in starting the thread was to encourage others not to miss out on a great aspect of our firearms interest!

Oh, and I'd rather buy my 9mm ammo ...
 
I can make .40 S&W for 1/2 of what it would cost if I bought it by the 1,000. I use lead bullets from a vendor, and am planning on switching to his hi-tek coated offering, with a negligible increase.

I am making hunting rounds for my .30/06, with a load tailored carefully to the whitetail in my area. Costs me less than half of what the lowest grade of spitzer points are available for locally.

I am working on a load for my .30-30. I only save about 30% over Core-Lokt, but I am starting with the same powder and primers from my .30/06, and I already had plenty of brass.

My wife encouraged me to try reloading, as an extension of my firearms hobby, that I can do out in the shed when I (see: she) need some alone time. I reload a different recipe in .30/06, as well as the same .40 S&W, AND .270 WSM and .45ACP for my father. I also just got dies for the 6.8SPC that my father owns, and eventually my 9YO son will hopefully take his first deer with.

I don't reload 5.56x45 or 7.62x39, since I can't make plinking ammo as cheap as I can buy it in bulk. But for everything else, I save money, I have ammo that suits my needs better, and I have something enjoyable to do when I can't get to the range.
 
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