CaptHank
Member
My wife just walked by and asked why my bench isn't as neat as that.
That's what happens when you have worked in a chemical laboratory for 31 years. Everything labeled and everything in its place. My garage is the same way.
Anyone else hate reloading?
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That's what happens when you have worked in a chemical laboratory for 31 years. Everything labeled and everything in its place. My garage is the same way.
LightninST
Member
Then that would be Nein
maxxhavoc
Member
I don't like NEEDING to do it, but sometimes I WANT to do it. If I am in the mood, it is very enjoyable.
Sometimes I stop reloading for years at a time. Once, I quit for almost 3 years, then picked it up again with a passion. (the sad part is that I had loaded enough ammo to last those 3 years without needing to reload or buy....might have been why I burned out in the first place.
Kinda like cleaning guns. I don't usually enjoy cleaning them after a range trip, but will sometimes take one out of the back of the safe to clean and oil just for the heck of it.
Sometimes I stop reloading for years at a time. Once, I quit for almost 3 years, then picked it up again with a passion. (the sad part is that I had loaded enough ammo to last those 3 years without needing to reload or buy....might have been why I burned out in the first place.
Kinda like cleaning guns. I don't usually enjoy cleaning them after a range trip, but will sometimes take one out of the back of the safe to clean and oil just for the heck of it.
bob40caliber
Member
Exact opposite!
Love reloading.
Sometimes I think that I shoot only so I can reload.
Love reloading.
Sometimes I think that I shoot only so I can reload.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I gave a Colt M1917 to a girlfriend of mine about 60 years ago. It turns out when her husband died, about 20 years ago, her sons got all the guns. Her youngest son got that old M1917, but has never fired it. I sent him some ammo -- 800 rounds of .45 ACP (which works in the M1917, it just doesn't eject.) He was thrilled -- and pointed out that in Dallas, where he lives, .45 ACP is selling for $1.00 a round.
I have since found 500 .45 Auto Rim cases and will send those loads, along with another 300 .45 ACP to him. I just may turn him into a reloader.
I have since found 500 .45 Auto Rim cases and will send those loads, along with another 300 .45 ACP to him. I just may turn him into a reloader.
rondaxe
Member
I hate trimming brass, love the rest of it though.
.308 Norma
Member
Yeah, trimming brass is my least favorite part too. Luckily, better than 90% of what I load is straight walled cases.
Let me share a thought or two in response to this post. Most dedicated reloaders will tell you that we can, indeed, create better accuracy than factory loads. On occasion, a factory load will match my reloads, but rarely. And do we save money? Oh hell NO. I spend a ton of money on loading and a bunch of time. It would be much cheaper if I shot only factory loads because I would be shooting much much less. BUT, I would miss the fun of trying 5 different bullet weights and different powders and different loads to find the perfect round for my rifle. It's a HOBBY. However, I first started reloading to support my prairie dog shooting hobby. At that time .204 rounds cost about $1.00 per round and I could reload them for 25 cents. So yeah, when. I shot 400-500 rounds during a 4 day shoot, I did save some money. But, that is rare. When I first started reloading, I used my brother's equipment, so no cost. But then I upgraded built a bench and bought my own press, dies, powder, primers, bullets, brass, electric trimmer, power brass prep machine, and the list fo stuff keeps growing. The greatest part of reloading for me is planting a bullet behind the ear of a fat tasty doe because I knew exactly where that bullet was going.
I love reloading as much as shooting. But I can't do as much reloading as I would like because components are not available right now.
It's like slowly drinking the last glass of fine wine. You don't want to gulp it down like beer because you may never get another bottle of it. LOL
It's like slowly drinking the last glass of fine wine. You don't want to gulp it down like beer because you may never get another bottle of it. LOL
Time is a factor. But are you ALWAYS going to be doing something productive that YOU get to see (use) the fruits of your labor? Not being interested in reloading is fine. It’s not for everyone. Especially if you don’t shoot much volume. But if you shoot any volume of more expensive cartridges like 45 Colt, 45-70, 375 H&H, it’s absolutely worth it. Those who don’t pay attention to what they are doing because they find it boring are exactly why you don’t shoot someone else’s handloads. You are literally making a bomb if you don’t pay attention.
How much is your time worth to go driving around to all the stores trying to find ammo? Or paying outrageous prices for it when you finally find it online?
I’m not saying you, but I’m starting to see a little hate towards the reloader (the haves) and those who don’t (the have nots). Especially towards people like me who are fully stocked to load and shoot for the next several years. And it seems typical of people today. Today, I would be known as a hoarder. Even though I bought almost everything before the panic was even conceived. I look at it simply as having learned my lesson and actually being prepared.
Old Dog
Member
Nah, no hate towards the reloaders. But some of us recognize that in every single thread that even tangentially mentions prices of factory ammo, very quickly, a holier-than-thou reloader will chime in trying to shame a poster for not being a reloader. That's probably the reaction you're seeing.
I used to reload, don't anymore. Just don't have the time; but I also don't have to drive around to all the stores trying to find ammo nor do I pay outrageous prices for ammo online. So just because someone doesn't currently re-load, doesn't mean they're a "have-not."
Telum Pisces
Member
Do you have a hobby that you enjoy doing that you spend money on? Reloading does not have to be about saving money. But to say that you can't do better than someone else (factory loads) is incorrect. You can definitely do better than they can for your guns! Factory ammo has to function across a very wide array of firearms for said caliber! Whereas a reloader can tailor rounds for his or her firearm and purpose etc....
Now can they do better than you specifically? Only you can know that one! But even in my little short time reloading, I can make a better round for my rifles than almost any factory ammo I've tried so far.
We all spend time and money on different things. If it doesn't interest you to reload, then no need to do so.
Well I don’t totally disagree with that. But at the same time, if you’re not prepared, don’t gripe. Obviously that doesn’t apply to shooters or reloaders who are new to the game. Of which there were 7 million last year. I honestly feel bad for them. But for those that continue the same cycle of insanity every few years, I really have no pity. Thought I was prepared the last time. Close, but not quite. This time? Bring it on. People tend to learn lessons the hard way. I did. But I was also new to reloading.
BCR#1
member
Now averaging $40.00+ a box and as high as $90.00 on armslist, I wonder how the OP feels about his decision now. I know I'm loading 9 for under $7.00 a box using free range brass.
I also hate changing out primer systems, hence two machines with the lowly sad Chucker over in the corner, mostly relegated to de-capping duty these days.
Bill
BCR#1
member
And a bright light shining on the seating station + paying attention should be good enough to prevent squibs. Had one in 25 years of doing this, bought the light and none since. Lesson learned.
Bill
Lighting is key. Especially with aging eyes.
You quoted me from July 2020.
Not that long ago that 9mm seemed a reasonable price and everyone was complaining. Unfortunately, I don’t see any reason for prices to come down any time soon.
I get what you are saying and largely agree. Reloading is a rabbit hole into minutia, some folks enjoy that. I reload because some of my favorite cartridges have huge gaps in the commercially available ammunition. To sit around cranking out 9mm or 5.56 NATO or some other bulk ammo, I would as soon not. But for rifle ammunition for .44 Magnum or "Marlin" loads for .45-70 and powder puff loads for the same or for another of my favorites, the .30-30 with HCL bullets, there is good reason to make my own. Another, at least until fairly recent, .270 Winchester had largely boring offerings. And I will add in .45LC as another I can fill gaps in that just do not exist on the store shelf. But, for hunting or defense, commercially available offerings are often less money, more consistent and generally superior. And then along came the current sad state of affairs--------.
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It is a joy for me, to find that perfect load, for each gun, that puts that bullet right where it needs to be. The perfect powder load, the perfect COL, the perfect bullet, that makes that gun light up, now that's just down right fun. Plus, in these times, still being able to shoot, at will, any caliber you want to take out of the safe...what a joy. To each their own, but for me, I enjoy the time I use making rounds. Others like to get home and sit in front of a TV, and stare at it, for hours, and find enjoyment in it. Me, I find that making something that goes bang, is just right for me, but it's not right for everyone, which is good, because it would be harder than it is now, to find components, for the ones that couldn't stock up. Remember though, find something that slows you down alittle, as work will always be there, and life is short. Enjoy while you can.
Warhammer1
Member
My thoughts exactly, except I just got the equipment less key consumables (primers and powder). I think I'll like it, can't stop reading and watching youtube vids about it. It appeals to me because I'm creating something with precision.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Agreed 100%. I'm not gonna stand at the presses for 9mm or 5.56 blasting ammo. There's just no way to justify the time and effort for dollars saved, if there even are any. Especially since I discovered the glory of cheap steel case ammo. For that matter, I don't reload 7.62x39, .380, .40S&W or .45ACP either. Because I'm also not gonna chase brass through the weeds. Plus with those cartridges, I only need a flavor or two in each.
No, it's the other cartridges where the savings can be huge. We've been arguing in another thread about the merits of the .32-20. Factory ammo for it has been anemic and exorbitantly expensive for as long as I can remember. Right now plain old Remington 100gr roundnose flat point is $87/50rds. I can reload 2000fps varmint bombs for a tenth of that. Same for the .38/55. Buffalo Bore has a great heavy load for modern guns but it's $92/20rds. Ridiculous! For my favorite .44Mag load, a 240gr SWC at 1200fps, there isn't even a commercial equivalent. I can stand at my Dillon 650 and crank out a box of 50rds in minutes. It's this way for a lot of cartridges and loads, there is no factory equivalent, at any price. Not to mention the freedom of stockpiling components and assembling them in any combination, as needed. If I've got a 500rd box of those 240gr cast bullets, I can load some of them in the .44Colt, some in the .44Special, others in the .44Mag and .445. An option even more important now with the shortage of ammo and components. The more obscure or specialized the cartridge or load, the more handloading becomes a necessity.
The current sad state of affairs if bad whether or not you reload. I get you reloaders, many of you, have lots of ammo, so do some of us who don't reload. I can't even move the case mine is in.
Yup, no interest, I'd rather be shooting, reading, cooking, exercising or a bunch of other things. I'm also not that detail oriented, the concept of laboriously 'working up a load' is mystifying to me, maybe unless you have your own range. I'd be that guy who'd produce the kaboom reload. And not to sound like a jerk, but my time is worth more than whatever I might save by reloading.
Am I supposed to make my own guns too?
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Unless you are a competitive shooter, I don't see the point. I'm a hunter and recreational target shooter and plinker. I don't see what difference a .25" smaller group makes in the real world, if you can shoot a 2" group you probably aren't going to miss any animals, and the average hunter has no business shooting much past 250 yards IMHO. Millions of buffalo were wiped out with non-MOA guns. Chuck Hawks had a good article on the accuracy mania: https://www.chuckhawks.com/practical_accuracy.htm He maintains groups smaller than 1.5" are irrelevant in the field.
But if you enjoy that, great.
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