Poll: Level of involvement in reloading.

USSR said:

Not really talking about the "No" part. Although the "maybe later" part of that option indicates that a couple guys are at least thinking about it. 20% of the reloaders responding are fairly new. I thought maybe there would be quite a few due to the present situation regarding ammo availability. That most guys that reload don't cast their own bullets doesn't surprise me either. Seems to be a much more practical thing for handgun shooters than rifle shooters.

Don

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I have a feeling there will be a lot of reloading equipment either NIB or hardly used once ammo becomes available again. It happened last time and I'm thinking it will happen again. It's too bad I don't need anything but for projectiles.

I started reloading/casting under my grandfathers guidance about 1968 and on my own about 1974. I can cast/size for any caliber now save for the 500 S&W but I find it easier to call Brad at MB and order a pile O bullets at the present cost. I can actually work a weekend on overtime every so often and it pays for my components for a good while. I do cast the low volume stuff I use for the fun of it however. Not quite ready to make a shot tower either so I buy my shot also. When this all calms down I will be getting some Lee high capacity buckshot molds though. My single ball 00 mold is too slow I find.

My older brother started reloading back in the late 1960s to feed his Ruger Blackhawk (I was still a little kid). My best friend and I used to "borrow" some of his Unique or 2400 to, uh .... burn stuff. So I guess that was my first contact with reloading.

Fast forward to 2010, I started reloading for 9mm, 38/357, 45ACP, and 30 Carbine. For the classic mix of reasons (cost, fun, ability to customize) - and also because my brother had told me reloading would help develop my understanding of firearms and their operation. He's right! He keeps nudging me to get a chrony, but for my purposes (plinking and informal competitions), it's really not vital. And I'm still very happy that I met my goal of acquiring my basic set-up for less than 50% of the cost of new by buying used gear. My stuff paid for itself very quickly.

So I'm pretty new, especially compared to the distinguished reloading veterans around here (hey, where IS rcmodel, anyway?). One thing is fun to note: on THR, the bulk of my time and my "first checked" forum quickly became this one after I caught the disease, er, started on the hobby. And not for the first time, I'd like to salute THR and the reloading vets here for their great insights and useful info - first hobby/activity I've ever had where interaction with an online community has played such a large role.

Don't cast, don't really plan to start any time soon. Good cast bullets are still fairly cheap and available, from multiple sources, and I can't devote more time to reloading than I already do.

Random closing thoughts ...... I've never been a consumer in a market where the vendors are as responsive and quick to give you something for free as in reloading - it's pretty amazing. Very few problems so far, but all issues seem to be resolved quickly and usually for no cost. And some day I'd like to have the time, the real estate, the opportunity, and the sense of adventure to experiment like Clark ..... til then I'm thrilled with reloading and, like many here have observed, it's become an integral part of the fun of shooting.

Newbie - 4 years loading. I will start casting when supplies become available. Moulds are non-existant in popular calibers.

When I was 15, I taught myself how to run ball for my Navy Arms 1851 Colt navy .36 percussion revolver. On an old cast-iron wood burning range in barn, little 10# pot, old bent spoon. and Lyman dbl. cavity 375 round ball mould. Fast forward 44 years..and over 100 moulds later..load cast in .22 Hornet to .577 Snider.

Started reloading in the early 70's.
Gave up on lead bullets years ago---spent too much time cleaning lead out of 41, 44, etc.
Save a lot of money for a long time--now it is just a hobby.
Retired 14 years---gives me something to do.

Started casting .375 and .440 rb in the mid 70's. It's how we fed our hobby, Dad and me. Tap a cap came in and I could make percussion caps from drink cans and roll caps, Goex is all we needed. I still use Goex only, and have never used that "other" stuff. The old Lee loader w/ mallet introduced me to metallic cartridge reloading of .38's and the beauty of junk yard wheel weights. Then came the RCBS Rockchucker that I still use today. Almost 40 years later I reload for everything I shoot, less 7.62 X 54R or .22. I still get wheelweights. I keep at least 700# of casting lead at all times. I don't remember the last commercial rounds I have bought except the 7.62 X 39's and 54's and .22's.

Been reloading since i was a boy, my father grandfather and uncles were waterfowlers and i used to watch them reload the 4gauges and 8gauges, and they set me off reloading for a .410 at 9 years then as i grew up went on to reload 16gauge then 12s, then from about 15 years i reloaded for various rifle calibers.
Currently reload for the following /
.22250
.2506
7mm rem mag
30/30 win
20ga
16ga
12ga
10ga
8ga

How about "dabbled with a couple calibers on a friend's equipment, still interested but lack time/ funds"?

Started shooting when I was about 8 years old under my grandfather's tutelage. When I came home from Nam in '72 I developed an interest in reloading simply seeking accuracy as I had an interest in sniper rifles.

I never got into casting my own bullets mostly due to time restraints and I traveled extensively for work. I always just found it simpler (easier) to buy my cast bullets. Once in Cleveland (ended up here in '90) to settle down I had the old National Bullet Company locally making over the counter buying easy. Literally a few blocks from my work.

Finally with about 6 weeks to go till I retire (but whose counting) casting bullets is something I plan to start playing around with. It was always in the back section of my mind as a someday. Finally in my life everyday will be the weekend. Finally plenty of leisure time to devote to my shooting.

Ron

I guess I fit into the old farts category. I started reloading in 1960, I reloaded 12 G shotgun (the shells were paper back then), and 243, for my Remington Mod 600 rifle

I started reloading about a year ago to save money. We are a 1-income family and $$$ is tight. I load cast bullets almost exclusively and am happy to buy bullets from MBC or the local guy (Harrison Cast Bullets at Recobs here Madison/Prairie du Sac).

I may look into casting my own soon. I have a great source of lead and a mentor to whack me on the knuckles every time I make a mistake.

I began reloading in 1974 and still find it a relaxing hobby. However, I have never been interested is casting my own bullets.

I have 4 presses and have been loading since 1968. Does that make me involved?

Been reloading & casting since early 50's

I voted long time reloader and caster because it fit the best but I didn't feel seven years as long time. I started reloading seven years ago and haven't bought factory ammo since except rimfire and shotgun. I started casting for my 1911 six years ago. My 1911 has never seen any bullets except my own cast. I feel like I'm pretty involved.

I first pulled the handle on a reloading press sometime in 1965... I was ten years old and helped my older friend load 44 mag, 270 Win and 244 Rem. I bought my first press in 1969 and have been at it ever since .... picked up casting in the mid '70s ... still at both ...

I'm kinda new... I've got about 2000 rounds of 40 S&W under my belt and less than 100 rounds of 308 Win..

I figured up the other night that I was about $0.25 per round into my 40 s&w but I've had to account for initial brass cost and this was with Berry's plated bullets.. When I reload these and don't have to figure in the brass, I'll be down in the $0.19 cent per round range.. I also added in the cost of the hazmat fee where I bought online, these are my true cost.. I hope that my LGS will help me knock a few more pennies off as things calm down...

For me, there is something about the repetitive motion of snatching that handle down and getting in a zone paying close attention to what I'm doing that takes my mind off other worries.. I work with a Hornady LNL single stage so it takes me some time to produce rounds, but I feel really good about the rounds I produce and their quality. It has been a very enjoyable hobby for me and I appreciate the help I've gotten from THE HIGH ROAD that got me started in the right direction....

I been reloading and casting since late 60s,,

Longtime reloader - Added bullet casting this month.
I got lucky & found furnace, molds, etc in stock at http://www.titanreloading.com
I went back last week to order another mold & they're sold out of everything.

Still playing with powders & charge levels.
I could be at this for months before I find a go-to powder & charge level.
DARN! Another reason to back to the range.

Reloading and casting for about two years. I can't remember the last time a factory bullet left my handguns.

I been reloading and casting since late 60s... the first box of bullets I bought for reloading my .38 spl. was a box of 9mm. The store didn't have any .38s, and told my the .355 9mm would work since they were only a few thousandths off. I still have that box of 9mms, never having owned one.

kerf