Does reloading change firearm choice?

[tightgroup tiger]

Absolutely it does, I just bought a 41magnum a month ago knowing I had a very limited supply of factory ammo to choose from. I checked and had no trouble getting Starline brass, several different kinds of bullets, plated and jacketed, large pistol primers and I already had the powder.

I wouldn't have bought it if I had to pay $50.00+ a box of 50 for factory ammo, even if it was to just get the empty cases.

 

[kcofohio]

No, only get the dies and components as I purchase certain caliber of guns. But I only purchase common calibers. I haven't any need but for target/plinking and SD/HD.

 

[CraigC]

Handloading definitely expands my horizons. Takes all the fear out of buying guns chambered in more obscure cartridges.

I bought a .44 Spl because I had brass.

I bought .44-40 brass as an incentive to get a sixgun or levergun chambered in that cartridge.

Same for .327Fed.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I bought a .40 because I already had 500 cases

You bought a gun because you had $15-$20 worth or brass?

That's as good an excuse as any I guess. lol

 

[USMAGator]

Definitely for me. I never would have bought a 41 Mag if I couldn't handload for it.

 

[Tom_AZ]

I tend to like the more exotic calibers a lot more now.

 

[SDGlock23]

I would say yes. I love the .45 Super and 454 Casull and if I didn't handload I doubt I would bother with either one!

 

[PO2Hammer]

I never would have bought a 10mm or a .38 Super if I didn't handload.

 

[GLOOB]

Having to buy factory ammo also affects firearm choice. Answer = yes, obviously.

 

[HighExpert]

Arkansas, when did you last buy brass?

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I guess the answer is yes, if shooting 28ga counts......lol. Metallic is pretty much just 9mm, 40S&W and 45acp.

 

[VenomBallistics]

I can't say that it hasn't had some effect.
I have a 400 corbon conversation. It's obscurity didn't phase me.
45-70 of late is one costly mistress.
With casting and reloading, it's a practical thunder pipe to keep it the concert.
32 special is a real sleeper. It not only handles cast bullets well, it's odd slow twist rate prefers it. Exquisite launch platform for cast.
Non reloaders need not apply. Your odds of finding factory ammo is mighty slim.
Obscure, costly, obsolete ... bring it, the press is ready if the chambering is worthy.

 

[bluetopper]

I would not have a 500 Mag, 7mm TCU, or 357 Maximum if I didn't reload.

I would have a 10mm handgun however. I don't have one because I don't want to hunt for expensive 10mm brass over in the next county after a shooting session.

 

[FROGO207]

I started to reload when my age was in the single digits with my grandfathers supervision. That was some 40+ years ago and to this day I do not buy factory ammo for anything as long as I can reload as cheaply for it. Already the basics are there so adding a caliber is as simple as a set of dies and the components. I do it for the accuracy mostly but in the last few years I did purchase a firearm I would not have because factory ammo was so expensive. That was 500 S&W. I also reload for lack of loaded ammo, 25-20 Single Shot, 33 WIN, 32 short, 38 short and a few others. Then there is the cost of some, think 500 NE. Also shooting 44 MAG, 45-70, and 45 Colt are costly if you have to buy them loaded.

The recent ammo shortage showed that the 40 S&W was on the shelves the longest locally so that and the 5 GAL bucket of OF brass I already had prompted me to finally purchase a couple pistols in that caliber when I found some good deals. Now for that 357 SIG barrel conversion for one of them.

 

[Potatohead]

How you like those 40s Froggy? Been thinking about one myself.

 

[stubbicatt]

I have found that my use of "shell shuckers," a/k/a semi automatic firearms, diminishes with the increase in the cost of components. I like to find all my brass for reuse, which is problemmatic with automatic firearms. In fact, I find myself shooting Soviet milsurp semi auto rifles because of the ready availability of surplus steel cased ammo. Very rarely do I shoot my semi auto 308 any more.

When I shoot rifles with brass cased ammo, I tend to shoot bolt actioned rifles most frequently. They are gentler on brass, and the brass is easier to find upon ejection.

With the recent price increases in jacketed bullets for rifles, I find myself shooting more pistol ammunition with cast bullets. Consequently, I find I have drifted away from shooting a Glock.

In thinking about the economics of this pursuit, I mentally catalogued all of the tooling I have purchased for handloading, all of the firearms I have purchased, trying to save money on store bought ammunition. I think of all the time I have invested. It has been a rewarding hobby, but now I wonder how many decisions were truly prompted by economics.

 

[gahunter12]

I voted no. I buy firearms based on what it will be used for. This year I have built 4 ARs in .223, and have 1 I'm working on now. Besides more Glocks, and 1911s my only want right now is a 280AI. I like the ballistics, and think it would make a great hunting rifle.

 

[pokute]

Yep. Because I reload (and now cast) I have bought more big-bore handguns than anybody needs. 45 Colt is a great target round!

 

[Louca]

Handloading doesn't necessarily determine what gun I might buy, but it does influence what caliber I might get it in. Currently, I reload for everything I shoot except .22 LR and air rifle. I just like handloading to be part of my shooting experience.

Lou

 

[dragon813gt]

Brass and dies availability are what determine if I purchase a firearm. Dies are almost always available. Brass, that's a different story. I started buying rifles that take brass based on 308 head size. I don't mind case forming. But w/ no lathe I'm limited in how much I can do. Once I get a lathe it's not going to matter anymore.