Cartridges you don't buy factory for

[sisyphus]

all magnum and rifle calibers, except 7.62x39 which at least for now is reasonable to shoot Russian ammo

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

The first thing I do is buy a set of dies whenever something new is purchased. Sometimes even before I purchase a particular firearm.

Wow, Another with incentive to buy another firearm. I (we) like that! I've been known to do that...

 

[cfullgraf]

I reload every cartridge that I have a gun chambered for it except rimfires, 9mm Largo and 16 gauge. The number of different cartridges is something north of 30 as well as 4 shot shell gauges.

Except for a couple wildcats and an obsolete cartridge or two, I do buy factory cartridges once in a while for a number of reasons but the number of boxes is very small. I like to chronograph factory ammunition in my guns to "calibrate" them. Among other information, it tells me if the gun shoots fast or slow.

I enjoy reloading, it is a hobby that I can do when I cannot go to the range.

 

[FROGO207]

Wow, Another with incentive to buy another firearm. I (we) like that! I've been known to do that...

Heck I had collected half a 5 gallon bucket of 40 S&W brass and the last ammo shortage hit. I purchased dies then a couple 40's just because that was the last handgun ammo to leave the shelves.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

I purchased dies then a couple 40's[/QUOT

Yup, one of my next bucket handguns...just so I have something else to hand-load for...

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

^^^ Well, that post did not work as intended^^^

 

[.38 Special]

I tend to load for everything. Most of my guns, though, have seen some factory ammo. Two that haven't and most likely won't are the .500 Magnum and the .416 Rigby. Factory ammo for those is just ridiculous expensive, especially in light of the fact that handloads really don't cost much more than do more "normal" calibers.

And of course, the .228 Ackley will never see a factory load, because there aren't any.

As the availability of factory ammo improves, though, I expect to spend more time working on defensive shotgun, and I am going to look into buying a good supply of promotional quality birdshot loads. I load all of my buck and slug loads, but the cheapo bird hunting ammo seems to go for about the same cost as homemade stuff, and I'm sure it's good enough for blasting cardboard silhouettes at seven yards...

 

[champ0608]

Once you get into handloading, .22 will be the only factory ammo you buy.

 

[scott1970]

I don't buy factory 9mm, 38 Super, .38 Special, .357 Mag, 10mm, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 acp, 35 Remington or .45-70 Govt.

I cast and load, so I can make it much cheaper than I can buy it. Plus, when factory ammo goes away I can keep on shooting.

 

[kcofohio]

I have found a good use for factory ammo, bartering.

 

[Mark_Mark]

7STW, 45-70, 9mm, .40, .45, .460 mag, 454, 30-30, .50BW, .458 SC, .450 BM, …. that’s all I can think of

 

[Mark_Mark]

5.7x28 too

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

What are some cartridges that you don't buy any factory ammo for, and why?

I do buy factory for the brass and I also buy .32ACP, shotguns and rimfire. Everything else I reload but I will buy factory sometimes if its cheap enough.

The most fun cartridges to reload - IMNSHO - are the old Winchester rounds, .44-40, .32-20, .38-40, .30-30, etc. I also really enjoy reloading for the .38S&W for solid-frame revolvers. Most top-breaks are pretty old and aren't made for smokeless, let alone the very heavy loads but, the solid frame revolvers are mostly strong enough for .38Spl and can easily use heavy loads in .38S&W. The I-J Cadet is a fun, strong, practical little gun that still be found for not much money.

 

[memtb]

I keep thinking about pickup up an old revolver that I would just assume I would only reload for. 32 S&S or Long or another of the .32 or .38 cartrdiges that have lost favor, but are good. I see no reason not to own one, and well - that gives me more of an excuse to reload... lol

I've loaded some .32ACP and honestly found it kind of a hassle. The little cases easilly deform and I don't know, .38 Special seems like a whole other level of not very hard. So, is there a .32 that might be good to focus on - or .38 Long Colt or .38 S&W might be something better to keep an eye for.

I don't want to get something so obscure I can't find springs and parts for it if it needs work. I can make springs, but I don't really want to have to make parts ... lol

What are some cartridges that you don't buy any factory ammo for, and why?

My revolvers, other than 22 rimfires, have never had factory ammo run through them....most have never fired a jacketed bullet!



Our semi-autos used as self defense handguns, carry factory ammo in them.....and have actually fired some factory ammunition!

Heck.....we have several rifles that have never fired factory ammo ! memtb

 

[Mark_Mark]

My revolvers, other than 22 rimfires, have never had factory ammo run through them....most have never fired a jacketed bullet!



Our semi-autos used as self defense handguns, carry factory ammo in them.....and have actually fired some factory ammunition!

Heck.....we have several rifles that have never fired factory ammo ! memtb

most my guns have never ran factory ammo. Reloading us a lifestyle

 

[Pottimus]

.280 Remington got me started, memory says factory rounds were high when they called them 7MM Express I had to buy the factory ammo to get the brass. Bought a 22 TCM.... Bought the dies. Got a .380....bought some dies...

 

[PapaG]

Almost everything but rimfire. If I get a chance at really bargain prices factory ammo, like at an estate sale (rare any more), I'll pick it up. I can load for everything I shoot plus can cast for 95% of it.

 

[AgPilot]

Came across a bunch of 17 HMR a few months ago and bought those. Outside of that I can’t remember the last factory Ammo I have bought. I stocked up many many Years ago on 22, 223 and SKS. All other Calibers, I reload.

 

[whughett]

Seems like most here I don’t buy any Ammo for guns I own other that rimfire. And like several, with the basic exception of 9mm, hand cast all the bullets also.

 

[Charlie98]

Everything I shoot, with the exception of rimfire ammunition and my SD carry ammo.

Same here, although I'd add that I don't load shotshell any longer... not that I shoot a whole lot of it, anymore, either. The SD ammo is a bit of a problem these days, too. I do have component bullets for my SD ammos... but I'd rather not go there unless it just gets down to that.

I do load a few odd cartridges that would be expensive... or Unobtanium... otherwise... .41MAG, .348WCF (try finding a box of that...) and cast bullets in many of my rifle cartridges.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Came across a bunch of 17 HMR a few months ago and bought those. Outside of that I can’t remember the last factory Ammo I have bought. I stocked up many many Years ago on 22, 223 and SKS. All other Calibers, I reload.

SKS is a ammo???!!! I do the same when I refer to Mosin ammo… Mosin Spam Cans for $75 shipped

 

[AgPilot]

SKS is a ammo???!!! I do the same when I refer to Mosin ammo… Mosin Spam Cans for $75 shipped

“Fun” Ammo is a better term than SKS

 

[pairof44sp]

I keep thinking about pickup up an old revolver that I would just assume I would only reload for. 32 S&S or Long or another of the .32 or .38 cartrdiges that have lost favor, but are good. I see no reason not to own one, and well - that gives me more of an excuse to reload... lol

I've loaded some .32ACP and honestly found it kind of a hassle. The little cases easilly deform and I don't know, .38 Special seems like a whole other level of not very hard. So, is there a .32 that might be good to focus on - or .38 Long Colt or .38 S&W might be something better to keep an eye for.

I don't want to get something so obscure I can't find springs and parts for it if it needs work. I can make springs, but I don't really want to have to make parts ... lol

What are some cartridges that you don't buy any factory ammo for, and why?

380 auto because I am eccentric. Who else orders their very first 380 pocket pistol with 2000 pieces of brass and a set of dies?

ME, the Lorcin cowboy.

 

[pairof44sp]

View attachment 1010964
View attachment 1010963 “Fun” Ammo is a better term than SKS

Why does anyone need a gun that shoots Full Ammo?

 

[splattergun]

I don't reload .22 rimfire or 7.62x39mm. All others, the dies are part of the cost of buying a new firearm, if I don't have that caliber already.