When I started loading in 1971, I “liberated” a large journal from the supply room and have kept records of all my loads. That way, when I come up with an idea for a great load, I can check my records and see if I’ve tried it before. Usually, I have and it was no good.
Anyway, I kept a running count every year and as the end of this year approached, I noticed I was getting close to a big round number. This morning, I loaded 204 rounds of 9mm ammo, bringing my total to exactly 200,000 rounds. The average is just over 4,800 rounds per year. Some years, when I was in heavy competition, it was much higher. Other years, when job and family got in the way, it was pitiful.
In the early years, most of the ammo was cranked out using Star progressive loaders in .38 Spl and .45ACP. I sold them as soon as Dillon came along. Dillon is the king, no question.
In handguns, I’ve loaded .38 Spl, .38 Short Colt, .38 S&W, .38 Super, 9mm, .357 Mag, .357 Super Mag, .357 AMP, .44 Spl, .44 Mag, .44 AMP, .45ACP, .45 Colt, 6.5TCU, 7TCU, 7 Int’l, 7 Int’l Rimmed, .30/30, .308 and .35 Remington. There was also a 10MM wildcat I developed in the mid ‘70s on the 1911 platform. There might be others that have slipped my mind.
In rifles, .223, .25/06, 7.62X54R and .358 Norma Mag. I’d buy more rifles, but there’s no room in the safe!
Anyway, I kept a running count every year and as the end of this year approached, I noticed I was getting close to a big round number. This morning, I loaded 204 rounds of 9mm ammo, bringing my total to exactly 200,000 rounds. The average is just over 4,800 rounds per year. Some years, when I was in heavy competition, it was much higher. Other years, when job and family got in the way, it was pitiful.
In the early years, most of the ammo was cranked out using Star progressive loaders in .38 Spl and .45ACP. I sold them as soon as Dillon came along. Dillon is the king, no question.
In handguns, I’ve loaded .38 Spl, .38 Short Colt, .38 S&W, .38 Super, 9mm, .357 Mag, .357 Super Mag, .357 AMP, .44 Spl, .44 Mag, .44 AMP, .45ACP, .45 Colt, 6.5TCU, 7TCU, 7 Int’l, 7 Int’l Rimmed, .30/30, .308 and .35 Remington. There was also a 10MM wildcat I developed in the mid ‘70s on the 1911 platform. There might be others that have slipped my mind.
In rifles, .223, .25/06, 7.62X54R and .358 Norma Mag. I’d buy more rifles, but there’s no room in the safe!