Anyone enjoy reloading as much or more than shooting?

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Hand loading is at least as enjoyable [as shooting but] in a different way. They both relieve stress.
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Absolutely true. I am surprised (or really not) at the number of Electrical Engineers that shoot. Just something about it.
I find it relaxing vs shooting,training and sweating
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I would say you should look into some variations on how you shoot. I shoot air rifles, .22 rimfire, shotguns, rifles, and pistols. All of them can get boring or can even be stressful if you don't watch out. If you like a challenge, make your shooting more challenging; if you like it to just be fun, shoot in some games or make up your own; if you are into science, technology, etc., get data from the range and crunch it. There are lots of ways to go to enjoy both reloading and shooting.

I suppose there are some who love reloading and do not like shooting as much. But both can be stressful, frustrating, blood pressure raising activities if you let them. But when that happens, I know it is time to re-look at why I am doing what I am doing.

I started reloading 30+ years ago and back then my incentive to reload was to make ammo cheaper than I could buy it. Then I started to really enjoy all the steps and cared less about the savings. Some enjoy building guns with little intention of ever shooting them much. Some like stock work and finishing. Whatever floats your boat!

Lou
 
I enjoy shooting and reloading about the same. However, when it's 110 in the shade or frozen in the winter, I love to get in the cave and take care of my stash....... I guess there are time throughout the year I enjoy shooting more, and there are times I enjoy reloading more.

The Dove
 
Like most here, I like reloading as much as shooting. You can do it year round even when snowed in or during the nastiest heat waves. It is relaxing. There is a real level of satisfaction in producing safe and accurate ammo. It is one of the few mechanical skills I have. (I'm pretty good with a sledge hammer and axe. My ability with tools goes downhill rapidly after that.) :rolleyes: The same goes for bullet casting. And after decades behind a desk cranking out words that are important for the moment and obsolete in weeks, there is real satisfaction in holding a product in your hand. Especially ammo tailored to specific guns.

Most of my reloading is single stage by preference. I take my time shooting, so seldom need to turn out huge quantities of ammo at one time.

Also, there's a little bit of prepper in me that likes knowing I can keep shooting in tough times or when supplies are scarce. I try to keep several years of supplies on hand.

Jeff
 
sometimes when i load up a batch of 06 or 6.5x55 brass that i have tumbled to a soft glowing gold brass color it seems that they are almost to pretty to shoot. or some big fat 45 colt with well cast bullets.i almost hate to shoot them.

a lot of them go in my stash holes. i seem to reload more than i shoot anymore.

my son is going to freak out when i pass and he finds all the stuff ive reloaded over the years.

i hope he gets to shoot it for many years and it puts a smile on his face every time.

thats the legacy i want to leave.
 
From the answers I'd say most of you are Handloader's as opposed to Reloader's. I see a distinct difference. Handloader's enjoy the process and Reloader's endure the process in order to shoot. Maybe along-long-long time ago I enjoyed the process. With three progressive units and one single stage its a necessary evil as opposed to enjoyable experience.
 
my son is going to freak out when i pass and he finds all the stuff ive reloaded over the years.

i hope he gets to shoot it for many years and it puts a smile on his face every time.

thats the legacy i want to leave.
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A very nice sentiment, rr1965.

Don
 
I've been "handloading" (prefer that to reloading) since I was 21. I still enjoy it, but don't care for case prep. Got the RCBS ultra case prep thing. That really helps.
One thing I didn't do real good at first was record keeping. THIS IS ESSENTIAL!!! Now I write it all down, group size, etc.
So many people seem to be afraid of it. I've never had a dangerous problem with my handloads.
I still have some of the Herter's stuff I started with; still use some of it.
 
I reload 5.56 almost every evening while listening to talk radio. Only get to shoot once or twice a week and this has gone on for over twenty years. My wife had a press set up years ago and would spend time reloading for her G-17. She has out grown her reloading years but is still a shooter. Hope most of you find it as relaxing and rewarding as we have.
 
However, some days after a particularly "bleep" day at work dealing with crazy people and going through a lot of stress to produce no perceptible result or nothing of tangible value, it feels good to zone out and make a couple hundred rounds of ammunition. Useful, tangible, result of effort
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Boy do I know that feeling 1K

I enjoy reloading, I find it relaxing, but I enjoy shooting more.
 
Guilty as charged. I find reloading to be very relaxing and enjoyable. Since I live in an asphalt jungle I can't do a lot so this is my stress release mechanism.
 
I do and the more I can do in-house, i.e., casting bullets, etc. the more I like it! Now if i could only make primers, powder and
REPRIME 22 CASES TO RELOAD I WOULD BE ALL SET!
Good Reloading, Catpop
 
Handloading, a hobby,...nah...Sickness, yep. Shooting just aggravates the symptoms!
 
A subset of being a reloading junkie is keeping well stocked with supplies. You never know when you have to make that mega cartridge production run.
 
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For me reloading is a necessary evil. I don't particularly enjoy it usually. However, some days after a particularly crappy day at work dealing with crazy people and going through a lot of stress to produce no perceptible result or nothing of tangible value, it feels good to zone out and make a couple hundred rounds of ammunition. Useful, tangible, result of effort.
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Took the words right out of my mouth.......
 
Absolutely love handloading! Have 2 progressives but the older I get I find myself prepping brass a lot of times on a single stage Redding just for the heck of it. All of a sudden I have a boatload of sized, expanded (in the case of pistol brass), and primed brass ready to just powder and seat bullets. Money goes for primers and bullets and still have enough powder to hold me for some time. Nice to be older and already have most toys you need...just gotta feed em. Kinda feel sorry for some of my young shooting friends getting into the reloading game right now and help them out from time to time with some supplies.
 
jolly roger,

I completely agree about the benefits of being older: you already have the tools needed and can take more time to enjoy the process. It's been one of the blessings of retirement despite the reduced income.

Just for kicks, I've picked up the old Lee Loader kits (tap, tap, tap) for my rifle cartridges which are mostly for bolt actions or single shots. As long as you don't have to full length resize the case, they are an inexpensive way to have more fun with handloading.

Jeff
 
and even making my lee pro 1000 work(takes an engineering degree to get right).
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Really? Wow, they are a simple machine. Yes, I am a Lee fanboy, but as to the intent of your thread I find using my Pro 1000 very gratifying because I can crank out hundreds of rounds and having such a stash makes me feel good
 
I had a horrible epiphany over the last few weeks regarding this. I have spent so much time casting and working up loads and then bench rest shooting to test them that my shooting skills have really gone down the toilet.

I have found that I enjoy reloading so much that I get fixated on the accuracy of my reloads and allow my own accuracy fall by the wayside. I have to almost force myself to get off my butt and do some real shooting from time to time. It sure doesn't take very long to loose a whole lot of skill.
 
Schwing said:
I had a horrible epiphany over the last few weeks regarding this. I have spent so much time casting and working up loads and then bench rest shooting to test them that my shooting skills have really gone down the toilet.

I have found that I enjoy reloading so much that I get fixated on the accuracy of my reloads and allow my own accuracy fall by the wayside. I have to almost force myself to get off my butt and do some real shooting from time to time. It sure doesn't take very long to loose a whole lot of skill.
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At least you have the ammo to practice.
 
For me reloading is a necessary evil. I don't particularly enjoy it usually. However, some days after a particularly crappy day at work dealing with crazy people and going through a lot of stress to produce no perceptible result or nothing of tangible value, it feels good to zone out and make a couple hundred rounds of ammunition. Useful, tangible, result of effort.
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I usually zone out with a couple of thousand.

Took the words right out of my mouth.......
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Took the words out of my mouth also. Try being a maintenance supervisor.

I do have trouble shooting some of my "works of art" like others have posted because they work so well and are just so pretty (and expensive). I need to put notes in that ammo so when I pass my son knows which gun it was loaded for. I have Rugers and load according for them.

He's my only son so he'll be in for an experience.

I use to enjoy it more but time restrictions are a real bite. Right now I'm struggling to find the time to feed my shooting habit. I won't buy factory loads if at all possible, and won't speed load just to get it done.

I do love the art of handloading and seeing what I've done outperform factory ammo. That's the ultimate for me.
 
Sometimes I want to be alone. That is reloading time. I don't need a distraction. I don't even have the radio on.

Other times, I want company. That is shooting time. I've shot alone enough. I enjoy the company now.

Both parts of shooting have their place and one side enhances the other.
 
I reload all winter--my body don't do winter sports anymore
summer I find plenty to do around the house & clean the garage from kids & grandkids dumping everything on the workbench & leaving---cutting grass with tractor, edging,etc-snowblower to be repaired
Too busy to worry about reloading
have fun,
H
 
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