Do you reload?

[TennJed]

Curious to see what percentage of hand-gunners here reload. I do not, but would like to soon. I feel I need a little more room and time (2 small kids and a small home).

 

[IcemanUnlimited]

This probably belongs in the "Reloading" section.. Then again, people who don't reload probably would never look there.

 

[shotgunjoel]

Sure, every time the slide locks back.

 

[aHFo3]

I recently started reloading. I am in the same boat as you with the young children. I didn't want them to only have memories of me hunkered over the loading bench, so I went with a progressive set-up. My kids really like to help out too, but I usually only let one at a time assist because they can be a distraction if they outnumber me. Reloading is a great hobby on its own, and I'm really glad I started.

 

[hnl.flyboy]

I've only reloaded <100 .223 rounds so yes, but no experience.

 

[wow6599]

Yes

 

[Japle]

Just passed 190,000 rounds since 1972.

Dillon makes life worthwhile.

 

[Ala Dan]

I've been handloading since the fall of 1972; and I would rather fight
than switch ~!

 

[JEB]

i do. just started about a year ago and man i wish i had started sooner!

 

[rikman]

Yes, about 6 months. Fun and fascinating hobby.. Got into it for economy, but really enjoy doing it just cuz.

 

[phoglund]

I started a couple of years ago reloading for my larger caliber revolver rounds. .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. It allows me to shoot those guns more without breaking the bank.

 

[MrWesson]

I cast and reload.

I love reloading.

Casting not so much but I am cheap.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I feel I need a little more room and time (2 small kids and a small home).

My RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, bench, chair, storage shelves, components, and all accessories take up exactly 4' wide x 3' deep x 6' feet tall in a corner in my 1-car garage. Still plenty of room for a small SUV in there. I actually bolted my setup onto a wheeled kitchen cart/table thing, so technically it's portable.

As for time, I started very slowly and learned as I went. I'm by no means proficient yet, but I can handload 50 handgun cartridges from start to finish in about 1.5 hours. I can cut it to under 1 hour if all of my components are counted out and staged prior, ready to go.

If a person really enjoys shooting a cartridge such as .44 Magnum on a regular basis, and doesn't want to devote a major portion of their weekly salary to $35/box factory ammo, reloading is practically essential. That's what pushed me into reloading.

 

[rcmodel]

Started reloading in 1962.

I couldn't afford to shoot back then if I hadn't of.

rc

 

[Claude Clay]

yes--since the eaarly 70's. it allows me to shoot more often and more varied calibers. like 38 S&W and 32colt and 32-20, 7.62x38 Nagant. reloading will likely improve your mouse gun accuracy cause you can make 100 rounds of 380 for $12 and a half hours labour. shoot that many per week and you either gonna get good or good and fed up

 

[rugerman]

Started on shotshells in the late 50's or early 60's (can't remember when getting kind of fuzzy in my old age) started metalics in the early 70's so I guess this is a YES.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If you want the best possible accuracy, you've got to load your own.

 

[45Fan]

Its getting to the point that without reloading, I would not be able to afford to shoot as much as I do.

The last time I priced locally 45 LC, it was over $50 a box of 50, and that was only if you could find it. I picked up a box of 250 cast bullets and a pound of Trailboss for a little less than that, add a few primers, and I think the savings gets pretty obvious.
Of course I reload for the less expensive calibers too, (9 mm, .223 to name a few) but that is mostly because the setup is already there, and over the last few years it was kinda dicey when\if you would find it next.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Started reloading in 1962.

I couldn't afford to shoot back then if I hadn't of.

rc

Same here.

 

[galena]

Been a reloader since the mid 1970s when I bought a used Redding press set up for .38Sp/.357. Added .22 Rem Jet, .41 Mag, .30-30, .30-06, and .338 Win Mag.

Now have Dillon 550B progressive set up for all my straight wall pistol/revolver rounds and a RCBS "Partner" set up for bottle necks and rifle rounds as I don't shoot them in the quantity that I do the straight wall.

I don't do a lot of experimenting, just work up a good round and stick with it. Almost as much fun as actually shooting and it makes those long, cold Winter nights go by very easily. Keep shootin'

 

[chas08]

I voted no because I no longer reload, I once did. I lost all my equipment to a natural disaster that took my home. With more pressing issues, I decided that I didn't need to spend a $1000 or more to produce my first box of ammo that late in life. I have found factory ammo that my Pistols and rifles like and I just buy it 5-10 boxes at a time of the same lot # and trudge on.

 

[gordy]

Love my blue and red presses

Yes I do reload.
I started in 1984.
I have a dillion 550b and a lee single stage.
Loaded many thousands of rounds. mostly handgun, a few rifle.

 

[Hunt480]

Quote:
Started reloading in 1962.

I couldn't afford to shoot back then if I hadn't of.

rc

Same here.

Thats back in the day...y'alls social security number must be #2 or #3...just kiddin... LOL

I have learned alot about reloading from reading your post...I pay attention when RC chimes in.

 

[forgetitohio]

A wise old guy once told me "reloading doesn't make shooting any cheaper just means you can shoot more".

 

[OldMac]

4 & 5 year olds love to help pull the lever on the single stage press. I am extremely careful to not let them help or even be around when loading lead wadcutters or anything not fully jacketed. Wearing surgical gloves makes them feel professional, protects them from lead and keeps your final product looking pretty. Don't let the kids be an excuse to put off reloading.