Do you reload?

[KJS]

I'm planning to ask the same question over in the auto-loader section to see if there is any difference in response. I suspect there will be, seeing how reloading is easier when your brass isn't flying all over the place. Also seems like reloading offers more savings potential with common revolver calibers of .38 & .357 that cost more than the most common auto calibers like 9mm.

I suspect those who like to be really creative with handloads would gravitate toward revolvers that can handle such a wide variety of bullet weights & types & velocities. Unlike autos that are much more limited in what they can fire.

I was surprised the other month when I saw a poll by American Handgunner magazine that showed 60% don't reload. I didn't expect it would would be that high for the crowd who'd take such a poll.

 

[loadedround]

I load for pistol, rifle, and shotgun and have been doing so for over 40 years. Most of my firearms don't have any idea what factory ammo is. Only exception is 32 and 380 acp. Don't shoot enough of them to justify reloading the empties.

 

[calaverasslim]

+1 with loadedround. Although not for 40 years, just 33. I do reload for the 32 S&W Long for my wife, but not the 380 and 9mm. Don't shoot them enuf to mess with them.

If your talking 44's and 45's, I reload a crap load of them, along with rifles and shotguns.

My wife says that the only reason I shoot is to give me something to reload.

 

[oneounceload]

Over 30 years here, shotshell to metallic, from 28 to 12 and 32ACP to 45

 

[robctwo]

Started in 2004. About 158,000 through my Hornady LnL. Mostly pistol, but rifle from .204 Ruger to 300 WSM work great.

Get an auto indexing progressive (not Lee). You can load one at a time to learn, then do 2-400 per hour easily. My friends with the single stage like them for rifle, but hate them for pistol in any volume.

.38 Special lead running me about $9.00 per 100. .45 ACP & Colt $11-$14 per hundred depending on the bullets.

You know you area reloader when you need to shoot 3-400 rounds to get some empty brass for reloading!

 

[bluetopper]

Been at it about five years now. I reload........

9mm
38
357
44 Mag
45acp
500 S&W
223

I load hard cast lead bullets exclusively, except for 223.

 

[Ala Dan]

I load for 9mm, .38 Special, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, .45 ACP, and
5.56mm (.223).

 

[EMC45]

I reload everything (except .22LR) I shoot (19 calibers), including shotgun(12 and 20ga). If I couldn't/didn't reload I probably wouldn't shoot. I also cast bullets as well. It is nearly free for me to shoot....."Nearly".

 

[cackalak]

I reload except for my .22 and carry ammo.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I reload everything but rimfire and shotgun.

I suspect there will be, seeing how reloading is easier when your brass isn't flying all over the place.

A benefit of revolvers, but I doubt it factors into the decision to reload very much, if at all.

Also seems like reloading offers more savings potential with common revolver calibers of .38 & .357 that cost more than the most common auto calibers like 9mm.

Also may have a part, but .38 is the most popular ammo among revolver shooters and falls into about the same price category as .40 S&W, which splits the difference between 9mm and .45.

I think you're right that a higher percentage of revolver owners will be handloaders, but I think it has more to do with the average age and number of firearms owned, as well as the fact that most who own revolvers also have autoloaders, while the reverse isn't true. Auto's are just far more popular for a number of reasons.

Kind of like automobiles; The crowd who owns classics moslty will also own a newer vehicle, and they are more likely to wrench on their own vehicles than those who stick to just the newer stuff.

 

[billybob44]

I'm right there with loadedround. I have been pulling a press handle of some kind since 1971. Learned a lot-saved a lot+had a lot of fun..
My first caliber loaded was the .38Spl. This is an ideal caliber IMO to learn on. Simple to load+easy to stay within the safe limits of operation.
IMO, revolver loads should be more popular due to the almost limitless recipes that can be cranked out.
All a revolver load must do is get out of the barrel safely-Not too Hot-Not too Cold.
A semi-auto must do the same AND install a fresh load into the chamber.==This makes for some more attention to procedures done.
I challenge myself to make hand loads that duplicate factory loads, and some that the factory loads do not offer..Bill..

 

[Got_Lead?]

Haha, what Robctwo said is so correct, I do find myself having to go shooting to get a couple hundred empty cases.

There are several advantages to reloading besides just enjoying the hobby. When you reload, you can tune the load to the gun, obtaining the best possible accuracy. I have a stock Hi-Power that shoots 1" groups at 25 yards with re-loads, same for most of my revolvers. Factory stuff generally runs 2 to 3 inches at this range. The same accuracy improvement can also be said for rifles, I have a Marlin 336, which shot factory ammo to the tune of 3" at 50 yards, now is shooting 1/2" groups at the same distance.

You can load for less $ than factory, last time I looked, .44 mag was running about $38 per box of 50, I can reload for about $5 per box with lead boolits, $15 if I'm running jacketed.

Most of my centerfires have never seen factory ammo.

 

[gamestalker]

There is no good reason to not reload for any firearm, in my opinion. Like other's here, my firearms don't know what factory ammunition is.
Regardless if loading for revolver, auto loader's, high powered rifle, or shotshell offers no more or less range of load developement options. I'm not sure where you obtained that aspect of hand loading from, but it is far from being an accurate perspective. There are tons of load options for all, and they are only limited by the powder and bullet availability which is currently very good and doesn't look like it is going to change any time soon.
A 50 round box of .357 mag. 125 gr. XTP HP producing full house magnum performance is costing me around $8-$9. Top performing 9mm and .40 cal. run about the same, maybe a smidge higher. High powered rifle, say 7mm rem. mag. because I shoot that one a lot, is costing about $8-$10 per 20 round box for a performance level unobtainable with factory. Now shotgun is a different story because of the rediculous increase in lead prices. I can still load it for a little less than factory, but it isn't by much of a margin. I use reclaimed shot, and by doing so can load a dove or quail load for about $3.50 per 25 round box.

 

[Owen Sparks]

If you get into reloading it will not save you any money,
you will just shoot a whole lot more!

 

[KJS]

I think you're right that a higher percentage of revolver owners will be handloaders, but I think it has more to do with the average age and number of firearms owned, as well as the fact that most who own revolvers also have autoloaders, while the reverse isn't true. Auto's are just far more popular for a number of reasons.

I too tend to suspect those most heavily into revolvers tend to be older than those who fire autos only. I should do a poll on that.

Those mature enough would actually remember a time when revolvers were the standard and things like polymer pistols simply didn't exist. Auto pistols are hardly new, with both .45ACP & 9mm both existing by 1905, but it doesn't seem like semi-autos were in widespread use, except by the military, for much of that long history.

I'm 38 and on some forums I feel ancient, being surrounded by 'kids.' You know you're getting older when you actually refer to those in college as 'kids,' as I find myself doing. Around here I don't feel nearly so old. Some really date themselves by proudly saying things like "I haven't bought factory ammo since 1965."

 

[nyc71]

Since I started reloading I've stopped paying attention at overall price of ammo. I reload:
380
9mm
38spl
41 & 44mag
45acp
223
6.8spc
30-30
308


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[gordy]

I started reloading in 1982.
I found my self shooting steel plates and bowling pins.
500 to 1,000 rounds for practice in a week, then 500 more for the games themselves. It got a to be a bit expensive.
I remember saying- I am not going to pay 6 bucks a box,(45acp) I have to start reloading.
I picked up a dillion 550b and the world changed that day for me.
I do not shoot as much as I have in the past, But I still reload.
I am still learning something new all the time.
The second best thing I picked up was a cronograph. Can't reload with out one.
Still have my dillion and a lee press also, My son uses the lee to load 38sp and 9mm and some 380acp

 

[Peter M. Eick]

In the last 4 days I have fired over 2800 rounds of centerfire. How could I ever do that if I did not reload?

Besides I will shoot at least another 600 rounds today on a day of vacation. I am ready but killing time before the range opens.

 

[451 Detonics]

I reload rifle (all actions), handgun (both for revolver and semi-auto), and shotgun.

 

[EMC45]

I own a bunch of revolvers and prefer them over autos most times. I guess that makes me old........35

 

[bigtubby]

Been reloading less than a year got into it late at age 48. Reload .38spec and .357mag it is a great hobby and one I thoroughly enjoy as I have more time than money these days.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Let's see . . . I reload;

.38 Special
.357 Mag
.45 ACP
.45 Colt
.22 Hornet
.223 Rem
6.5X55 Swede
7mm Rem Mag
.30-30
.30-40
.30-06
.303
.35 Brown-Whelen (the most radical form of the Whelen.)

 

[slicksleeve]

I reload:
.38 Special
.357 Mag.
.41 Mag.
.44 Mag.
.30-06
.270 Win.
.444 Marlin
7mm-08
.243 Win.
.32-40
Will be loading the 6.5x55 mm when I finish building the rifle
Will be loading the .40 S&W when I finally get around to buying some bullets.

I load cast bullets for all the pistol calibers in that list and save a pile of money doing it. Also use the same cast bullets from the .44 mag in the .444 Marlin.
Reloading is the ONLY way I can shoot the Marlin 1893 that I have in 32-40.
I decided a long time ago to only hunt with handloaded ammo. Not because it is better than factory ammo per say, (though I like to think it is) but it just seems special to me to eat a deer that I took using ammo that I made.
I don't load shotgun shells because I shoot so few in years time that a bulk pack of claybuster ammo will last me a few years.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I wouldn't have bought a .44 special revolver or 10mm pistol if I didn't.

9mm
.357
10mm/.40
.44 spl
.45 Colt
30-30

 

[BYJO4]

I've been reloading for more than 35 years and everything I shoot is from my reloaders. I load all 4 shotgun guages, 9 revolver/pistol calibers, and 8 rifle calibers. Great hobby and over the years have saved alot of money. It is also a great feeling to hit your targets with your own ammo.