I really like loading certain cartridges...

[Ironicaintit]

I like them all, which for me is from 380 to 45-70. I think my favorite is 30 carbine. No rhyme or reason as to why, I just think they’re neat

 

[Jim Watson]

I'm like Otto, reloading is something I do to get ready to go shooting, not an enjoyable activity of its own.
I don't mind it when everything is going smoothly but a hangup in the process is really annoying.

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, my favorite press to run was my old MEC Sizemaster 12ga loader. Talk about a workout!

Pistol cartridges... it would be a tossup between the .41 and the .45 (any flavor.) They are easy to load, and the components are large enough that they are not tedious... and there is the satisfaction of that loaded round plunking into the Acro bin.

Rifle cartridges... I really enjoy loading .45-70... it's much like a straight-walled pistol cartridge (see above.) But if the finished product is taken into account... it would the the .30-06. Slender, fully proportioned, capable, versatile... that's that sexy .30-06. If Miss December was a cartridge, she would be a .30-06.

 

[Obturation]

If Miss December was a cartridge, she would be a .30-06.

If 2020 were a cartridge it'd be 223 wssm, deformed and crazy.

 

[lightman]

I like loading most of them about equally. But the primer crimps in 5.56 seem to be more problematic than say 45, 7.62, ect. If you skip the primer crimp the 223 is no more difficult than any of the others. Loading cast bullets in 9mm can sometimes be a challenge. I don't load anything smaller than 380. Smaller than that would not be fun for me.

 

[Armored farmer]

I really enjoy making specific hunting loads for my shotguns. .410, 20, 28, AND 12. I grew up loading traploads. Its just what you do before you can shoot.

I also get the most satisfying experience by loading cartridges with my own cast bullets.

Casting adds a whole layer of enjoyment.
.45colt AND .45ACP are my favorite.

 

[sequins]

Rifle cartridges I usually trickle to exact weight and that extra step means large pistol brass is slightly more fun to play with.

Im loading 240gn coated lead, plated, and 300gn coated lead in 44 today. Using up some everglades plated. All the half empty boxes of projectiles I don't favor lying around are getting used up on plinking trail boss loads.

 

[bob40caliber]

.45ACP

 

[magyars4]

I prefer 45 Colt and ACP.....over 9 and 380...my old arthritic hands like the big cartridges

 

[sequins]

I find the squat nature of 45 ACP makes them too short to easily grab from my loading tray. You need a long case AND a wide case in proper ratio for ideal loading. 9mm too thin, 45 too short, 44 just right

 

[sparkyv]

Funny, I was just thinking about this yesterday. 40S&W is my favorite to reload. It's the easiest and one of my favorite calibers. I like other straight-walled calibers such as 10mm, 44 Spcl, 44 Mag, and 460S&W Mag as well. My least favorite is 9mm.

I resemble that remark.

I prefer 98 to 101 spare bullets

 

[Charlie98]

My least favorite is 9mm.

Amen.

 

[mokin]

I like cranking out a bunch of 38 Special or .357 Magnum on the Dillon 650. I get a great sense of satisfaction loading 6.5 Carcano rounds on my single stage presses. Probably because it uses a unique bullet diameter. Recently, I've been working on handloads for trap shooting. I remember the first shotshell I loaded that came out with a perfect crimp. What a cool feeling that was. When I finish a shotshell where everything seems right, I still get that feeling.

 

[mokin]

@Armored farmer , I like the wood work on your bench.

 

[Eugen]

I enjoy handloading the miniscule 32acp because I have masochistic tendencies. Either that or I like the challenge. Some days I think it is both.

 

[Armored farmer]

@Armored farmer , I like the wood work on your bench.

That is some rough sawn oak that i harvested from our timber. I have used it on dozens of projects from flooring on our semi flatbed to mrs farmers chicken coop.
Those are shell holders for loading cartridges with my single stage lee.
My press is on a homemade riser for comfortable height and easy view.

 

[mokin]

That's beautiful wood. I've done survey work in your part of the country and come across Oaks that were probably saplings when President Lincoln was splitting rails. Very impressive trees - and woods for that matter.

 

[Typetwelve]

Another 44 guy here....there's just something I really enjoy about loading the round. Dare I say that it is.......fun?

 

[spraay]

What rounds do you like loading the most?

Lately I've been hung up on .38 spc/357 and 44 Mag. Factory ammo is pretty pricey in these calibers, so the economics work out, and there's a lot of different powders and bullets for these cartridges, as well as a lot of data and experience from others to tap into.

That said I have a 5-gallon bucket full of mixed brass so I'll be loading 9mm and .45 acp at some point.

 

[.38 Special]

I guess most of the straight wall revolver cartridges are about the same for me. The .45 Colt can be a bit annoying because of its small rim, and the .500 is irritating because it requires lube, but other than that... I suppose if I was required to answer I'd just say ".44 Special" and be done with it.

I am, though, enjoying some of the more esoteric cartridges. Brass 12 gauge loads are kind of fun to build and are definitely a "one cartridge at a time" sort of operation. I'm also getting a kick out of loading for the .38 Short Colt with its heeled bullets. Pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum from the mindless lever pulling I do with things like the .38 Special...

 

[sequins]

Lately I've been hung up on .38 spc/357 and 44 Mag. Factory ammo is pretty pricey in these calibers, so the economics work out, and there's a lot of different powders and bullets for these cartridges, as well as a lot of data and experience from others to tap into.

That said I have a 5-gallon bucket full of mixed brass so I'll be loading 9mm and .45 acp at some point.

Sorting the 5g bucket is the only reloading task I hate. Even depriving and sizing feels like a fun step, closer to ammo. Sorring just feels like work.

 

[BBarn]

Of the dozen or so I load, the 9mm is the only one I don't like to load. Don't care much for shooting it either. Got rid of my 9 once, then jumped back in because I like the Hi Power. But I might dispose of the 9 once again.

 

[Toprudder]

One of the more interesting ones I have loaded lately has been 429DE. Nobody sells the brass yet, and factory ammo is $2 per round. I form the cases by necking down 50AE. And then there is the complete lack of load data. Somebody here was nice enough to point me to some 440 Corbon data, and between that and interpolating 44mag and 50AE load data, I was able to come up with test loads that worked quite well.

Even counting the brass, I have loads down to $0.80 each. Not counting brass - $0.35 each.

 

[792mauser]

My all time favorite is 38/357.
"Cheap", easy, effective and fun.

Second comes the 577 snider. A huge honking English hammer of lead. And relatively simple to load.

Then the 45-70 & 450-577 Martini-Henry. Again easy-ish to load.

 

[EMC45]

I like loading them all, but the .32 S&W-L and .32 Magnum and .38 Special are my faves.