This question may have already been asked. Does anyone know approximately how many of us there are in the US that handload? I did a search on this site and couldn't find any info. I have also tried the web again to no avail. This is information that I am sure someone has.
How many handloaders in US?
- Thread starter sig220mw
- Start date
- Status
Probably impossible to determine. You couldn't judge by sales of presses because many reloaders have several or have been using the same one for decades. Powder and primer sales wouldn't tell the whole story because lots of loaders buy in bulk and only place an order every several years. Same with bullets.
Possibly the best source of a number, though it would be on the low side, would be to check the membership statistics of one of the big reloading forums on the net. It would be a fairly safe assumption that every member is a reloader, but not every reloader is a member.
I would offer that it's a pretty big number. There a numerous companies that exist and profit solely based on reloading and reloaders.
Possibly the best source of a number, though it would be on the low side, would be to check the membership statistics of one of the big reloading forums on the net. It would be a fairly safe assumption that every member is a reloader, but not every reloader is a member.
I would offer that it's a pretty big number. There a numerous companies that exist and profit solely based on reloading and reloaders.
Constrictor
Member
how many blades of grass in my yard? pretty useless info.
Like Helotaxi said probably hard to pin down anything definite. More joining our ranks daily and others quitting. As far as being useless info that's up to each person.
If there are several million of us, and I think that there are, we would be a force to reckon with if we made ourselves heard. The same can be said about all gun owners but unfortunately many gun owners are strangely silent but I am thinking that people into shooting enough to load their own may not be so silent. I am speaking now of this business with our secretary of state trying to sign us on with this UN small arms treaty. One of the provisions it contains would ban all handloading. It would certainly do more than that but we could possibly be the group to raise the biggest ruckus.
I may have started this in the wrong venue now that I think about it but we are after all "handloaders".
If there are several million of us, and I think that there are, we would be a force to reckon with if we made ourselves heard. The same can be said about all gun owners but unfortunately many gun owners are strangely silent but I am thinking that people into shooting enough to load their own may not be so silent. I am speaking now of this business with our secretary of state trying to sign us on with this UN small arms treaty. One of the provisions it contains would ban all handloading. It would certainly do more than that but we could possibly be the group to raise the biggest ruckus.
I may have started this in the wrong venue now that I think about it but we are after all "handloaders".
1SOW
Member
AS sig220mw pointed out, this could be a useful number to know.
On the other hand, I'd prefer not to be on a list.
Come to think of it, companies like POWDER VALLEY, Bullet manufacturers, etc, etc; would know how many addresses they service.
On the other hand, I'd prefer not to be on a list.
Come to think of it, companies like POWDER VALLEY, Bullet manufacturers, etc, etc; would know how many addresses they service.
Clark
Member
I feel like am a handloader, even on the days I do not handload.
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"This is information that I am sure someone has. "
This is 'wild azz guess' information that no one can possibly have.
This is 'wild azz guess' information that no one can possibly have.
Elkins45
Member
Probably true, but we might be able to make some educated guesses based on component sales to retailers (not commercial loaders) measured over a few years.
One thing to consider is than not every reloader is currently active. If a guy has the tools, knowledge and components I consider him a reloader, even though he might be very low volume. This guy might only buy a box of primers or bullets every couple of years, so he would hardly show up in the sales figures.
Watching the percentage of shooters who pick up their brass might also be interesting.
FROGO207
Member
Every firearms owner should be a handloader and belong to the NRA IMHO. With that said, way too many when I go to the local store to try and purchase some supplies.:banghead:
I agree that it would be difficult to get a hard number on a yearly basis due in large to volume buying practices.
I agree that it would be difficult to get a hard number on a yearly basis due in large to volume buying practices.
Sport45
Member
A fair number of gun owners have a firearm forgotten in the back of a sock drawer or somewhere like that. I wonder how many "reloaders" have a press but haven't used it in decades?
cougar1717
Member
Sounds like it's time to petition our federal government for a question on the 2020 census.
RustyFN
Member
24,947,836 what did I win.
I would also be curious to know how many of us there are.
kainronin
Member
Does not seem to be many around here, and I am in Alabama. The few places I buy components from are a drive. Closest one is 15 miles and they are too expensive.
interesting question and one that the answer can only be guessed at.
I asked my LGS thats been in business over 25 years. He carries a good line of reloading supplies, he said in his experience, about 10 to 12% of customers reload.
Thats a little higher than I would have expected.
We might have a bigger voice than we thought we did~!
Rgger
I asked my LGS thats been in business over 25 years. He carries a good line of reloading supplies, he said in his experience, about 10 to 12% of customers reload.
Thats a little higher than I would have expected.
We might have a bigger voice than we thought we did~!
Rgger
SlowFuse
Member
kainronin we may have the same place in mind! I'm from the Birmingham area, not the easiest place to find components. I know of only 3.
Hondo 60
Member
The guvermint knows too much all ready.
They don't need to know if I reload or not.
The nearest "decent" place to buy components for me is 50 miles away on a 2 lane "highway".
There is one closer - 40 miles away on a freeway, but their prices are gastronomical.
(and I won't shop there).
They don't need to know if I reload or not.
The nearest "decent" place to buy components for me is 50 miles away on a 2 lane "highway".
There is one closer - 40 miles away on a freeway, but their prices are gastronomical.
(and I won't shop there).
Redneckly33
Member
I live in Mississippi, my drive for components is about 25 miles. I know several guys in my Town that reload. It is a small Town of about 1500 people. I think there are 8 reloaders here. The place I buy components is expensive, but I guess by the time you pay Hazmat fees and shipping, it works it self out.
kainronin
Member
I am from the same area Slowfuse. Pat's Archery in Jasper has a nice selection, but they are very high on components. Simmon's Sporting Goods has about the best prices I have seen for components.
atonguis
Member
Among other things
But I don't have to tell you that they already scan, key word search email and any data traveling through the pipes!
- Status
