No I won’t make you ammo!!

[Howa 9700]

People are asking for reloads after being frustrated trying to find factory loads that don't exist. Not out of the woods yet.

Not wanting to be one of those guys myself, I resumed reloading last year so as to assure myself a reliable source of ammo for nearly obsolete calibers like 6mm Rem. Reload or gun goes silent.

As for Docs in social settings, I appreciate the sentiment........but that is also borne out of frustration. I had a simple medical question to ask, but to get there, spent 5 minutes navigating a phone tree (listen carefully as our options have changed), then another 15 minutes on hold listening to hideous music, only to be told it would be at least a month before they could find time to work me in. And when that day comes, I will be left in the waiting room an hour, only to be told will need to go elsewhere for tests. Actual time with Doc 2 min or less. Been there, and done that.....many times. So I normally chose Option B.......suck it up and live with it. Merely a flesh wound.

I have to compare that to the prior doc......I called the office number, Angie answered. told her what was on my mind. Was seen same or next day or script phoned in. Like buying factory ammo.

 

[Remington1911]

I have this as well, but not quite so often. People know I shoot not so common stuff and that is usually a conversation starter that can go many different ways. For some reason when the question turns to ammo the subject never stays as long as a "general" gun talk.

You have a type 99 don't ya.
Yup, interesting rifle
I just got one
Really did you get the AA sights, the mono pod, dust cover........
Ahhh no, where do you find ammo for it.
I reload for it, factory ammo is non existant.
Would you reload some for me if I got you the supplies.
No, that goes against Reloading Rule #1 never reload for anyone else, never shoot anyone elses reloads.....but I will teach you how to do it, you can even use my press and all the equipment.
ahh thanks I will just keep looking.

 

[Remington1911]

Same except my Dad passed 2 years ago.
I don't want to go to prison.
Like several others. I have found it easier to offer to guide them than it is to say no. So far my niece and nephew are the only ones that have pulled my press handle except my youngest brother and Dad.
My brother supplies components and does his own reloading on my equipment most of the time.
My niece and nephew wanted to shoot when I was low on ammo. So I let them each reload as much as they wanted to shoot that day. It was more fun than the dollar amount.

I can see that. In my last story I told about the normal way the talk goes. In all the time I have been reloading I have only had one person say REALLY YOU WOULD SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT....YOU WOULD TEACH ME???!?!?!?

I am not sure what the hang up is with doing it. It really, even now with current prices of components not that expensive. And if you shoot wild or off the wall things you can still save big money. This guy was into BIG rifles, guess he hated his shoulder or something. Those cartridges that take half a pound of power are expensive. We loaded up some garand loads, after he found out that not all 3006 is the same and some new factory could tear up his rifle, we used that as a starting point with my stuff. At the end he offered to pay me for what he used....I told him don't bother, I had fun just teaching someone else.....just buy me lunch sometime.....you know I don't think I ever got that lunch....

He now has more crap then I do, and is full on forward. Only time we talk reloading now is when we are both on the lookout for components.....Hay I found a 8lb of varget, want to go halfies on it with me....sure.

 

[Remington1911]

It’s not just mechanics and reloaders, its the rude people we all know.
I’m a programmer and do some server admin. That makes me a “computer guy” in some people’s minds and they seem to think it means I know how to “fix” their home computers, gaming consoles, smart phones, and everything else with a microchip, like the clock in their car. I don’t. I don’t care about anything smaller than an Enterprise class server. If your system has less the 100 petabytes of storage, I don’t know how to work on it. I really only care about the money I get paid writing apps and maintaining trillions of lines of code. I dont like programming, I like getting paid.

Funny how people think I should thank them for letting me fix their rotten kid’s gaming console.

I fit into the same "computer guy" thing. Just because I can set everything up to download video from a patrol car does not mean I can OR WANT to fix you wifes laptop. My time is very valuable to me.

Only two years till retirement.....or 923 days 14 hours 57 minutes 22sec, not like I am counting or anything.....if I make it that far....after yesterday I feel like starting the retirement thing early, why do you want to stay till you are 60, you could have retired at 55? Oh yea "help people" yea right.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I fit into the same "computer guy" thing. Just because I can set everything up to download video from a patrol car does not mean I can OR WANT to fix you wifes laptop. My time is very valuable to me.

Only two years till retirement.....or 923 days 14 hours 57 minutes 22sec, not like I am counting or anything.....if I make it that far....after yesterday I feel like starting the retirement thing early, why do you want to stay till you are 60, you could have retired at 55? Oh yea "help people" yea right.

I’m in a similar situation: I CAN retire and my income won’t take much of a hit - the loss of salary is about equal to the cost of working - but I will lose my free Cadillac health insurance benefits. And I get more benefits the longer I keep working up to age 65 - about six years. So if I stick around another six, my retirement income nearly doubles and I keep the health plan plus bonuses. It’s not as easy a decision as it sounds. But, one thing is I’m getting pressure from family to quit hunting. They’re worried I might have a heart attack in a stand, alone, with no way to get help. That complicates things.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

No, you won't reload for me and I would never ask you to do so. I have had 3 people graciously offer to reload for me or provided ammo for me to test. I shoot 6.5 Grendel. The first person the person that got me into 6.5 Grendel. I gave him a bunch of once fired brass and 1/3 he returned as loaded SST 123 gr. ammo, which was wonderful. He was happy. I was happy...until I tried shooting his reloads. Apparently, he really didn't shoot 6.5 Grendel. He shot .264 lbc. Grendel goes into .264 lbc but .264 lbc doesn't want to go into Grendel. He told me that I must have a short chamber. That was a flop. Later, when he bought an actual 6.5 Grendel barrel for a new build, he learned all out supposed "short chambers," LOL. Funny how the short chambers fire factory ammo just fine.

The next guy wanted me to test some bullets on hogs and wanted me to send him my barrel so that he could load to exact chamber dimensions for maximum accuracy. At the time, I only had the one rifle for hunting and that would be a problem. So I just suggested he reload to standard factory dimensions and not worry about minor changes in accuracy as I don't shoot that good. We went round and round, him being the expert and me being the idiot. In the end, he loaded to my less than precise and sloppy (in his opinion) factory dimensions and the ammo shot just under 1 MOA. I was thrilled. He was disappointed and never reloaded for me again because I wasn't willing to work with him. For all I know, the ammo was even better than that, but I am not. That is my reality. I am having a really good day if I manage a sub MOA 5 shot group.

Guy number 3, a long time reloader, understood the requirements perfectly and then did what he wanted to do. About 1/3 of the rounds would not chamber. He also claimed I had a short chamber and told me factory ammo was loaded short. I pulled some factory ammo and that was not what the calipers indicated and I showed him. Still, somehow the fault was with my rifle as his ammo (he claimed) was perfect because it ran in his guns.

Remington1911 mention how his time was important to him. Same here. So, I don't reload. Yes, I am not saving $$$$$$ by reloading, but I am saving time and given what my time is worth, reloading actually costs me more money than factory ammo. And yes, I know some people really enjoy it and figure it is time well spent and I am hugely pleased that they have found something that makes them happy. Me, not so much. I have other things I really enjoy, LOL. Reloading just seems to be a frustrating exercise in trying to load consistent ammo while not getting blown up.

 

[Targa]

Reloading just seems to be a frustrating exercise in trying to load consistent ammo while not getting blown up.

You certainly need to have your head in the game especially when loading for someone else or that could very well happen.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Yes, I am not saving $$$$$$ by reloading

It is HIGHLY debatable that any loader saves money...........I'm pretty sure I don't........!!......

 

[CCSIG]

I used to occasionally load for family members, would charge them components+labor but don't anymore. Will instruct/supervise them if they are willing to use my gear. Other than that, nope.

 

[LiveLife]

Remington1911 mention how his time was important to him. Same here. So, I don't reload. Yes, I am not saving $$$$$$ by reloading ... some people really enjoy it and figure it is time well spent and I am hugely pleased that they have found something that makes them happy. Me, not so much. I have other things I really enjoy

It is HIGHLY debatable that any loader saves money

There are at least two major groups of shooters/reloaders. Which group/subgroup do you belong to? - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12029687

1. Shooter who use factory ammo
   • 1a - Shooter who hardly ever shoot
   • 1b - Shooter who is a recreational shooter
   • 1c - Shooter who is an avid shooter
   • 1d - Shooter who competes
     • 1d1 - Shooter who competes with any factory ammunition
     • 1d2 - Shooter who competes with tested most accurate factory ammunition
     • 1d3 - Shooter who competes with match ammunition
   • 1e - Shooters who wonder why they have guns but shoot anyways
2. Shooter who reloads
   • 2a - Shooter who reloads
     • 2a1 - Shooter who dislikes reloading but likes shooting (Will buy factory if price difference is close enough)
       • 2a1i - Shooter who reloads on occasion
       • 2a1ii - Shooter who reloads regularly
       • 2a1iii - Shooter who reloads to compete
     • 2a2 - Shooter who likes reloading and also likes shooting (Will hardly/never buy factory)
       • 2a2i - Shooter who reloads on occasion
       • 2a2ii - Shooter who reloads regularly
       • 2a2iii - Shooter who simply views gun as unloading device (May not even enjoy shooting)
       • 2a2iv - Shooter who reloads to compete
   • 2b - Shooter who handloads (May also reload and likely enjoys reloading/handloading)
     • 2b1 - Shooter who handloads but has "practical" limits
       • 2b1i - Shooter who handloads occasionally (hunting, etc.)
       • 2b1ii - Shooter who handloads regularly (match shooting, etc.)
     • 2b2 - Shooter who handloads but has "realistic" limits
       • 2b2i - Shooter who handloads occasionally (hunting, etc.)
       • 2b2ii - Shooter who handloads regularly (match shooting, etc.)
     • 2b2 - Shooter who handloads and has no limits
   • 2c - Shooters who wonder why they reload/handload but reload/handload anyways

 

[bigpower491]

I load for 3 people. My son, a very long time friend of mine, and me. They are usually present when I do this for them, and all loads I've done and do for them have been worked up and proven in the firearms they shoot them in.

I've had people ask me recently for 450 Bush,40, and 357 Mag.

That's a hard no.

The knuckleheads I just love are the bone heads that try to get primers, for that matter, all components from me. I hear the I can't find this or that anywhere stories. I had a guy bother me for small pistol primers for about a month. Ok, I said, no worries. I went to gunbroker, found one of the thousand primer gougers on there and showed the guy the $480. Told him , no worries, I just got these in, and you can have them for the same price.

He protested that there was no way I paid that much, and told him, yea, you're right, but that's the difference between patience and wanting it now....about 350 bux
Never bothered me again

 

[Charlie98]

I will volunteer to reload for a very few friends or family... but that's me volunteering, not being volunteered. I load for my brother, although he is getting set up to start loading himself, again. I load for my friend's rifle that I built, hence, the handloads are already tailored for that rifle. I loaded a bulk quantity of 5.56mm for a friend... he supplied the prepped cases and bullets, I contributed the primers and powder, and my expertise. We split the finished product 60/40, him to me. Having said that, I don't let people shoot my reloads, generally, and I won't shoot others reloads, except in a very few instances.

We all have talents and experience in something. I'm not offended if someone asks me my opinion on something, or to take my time and show or demonstrate something... God gives us all abilities that should be shared. I do get a little wound up at someone asking me for something (handloading related or otherwise...) and not taking into consideration the value of my contribution.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

There are at least two major groups of shooters/reloaders. Which group/subgroup do you belong to? - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12029687

1. Shooter who use factory ammo
   • 1a - Shooter who hardly ever shoot
   • 1b - Shooter who is a recreational shooter
   • 1c - Shooter who is an avid shooter
   • 1d - Shooter who competes
     • 1d1 - Shooter who competes with any factory ammunition
     • 1d2 - Shooter who competes with tested most accurate factory ammunition
     • 1d3 - Shooter who competes with match ammunition
   • 1e - Shooters who wonder why they have guns but shoot anyways
2. Shooter who reloads
   • 2a - Shooter who reloads
     • 2a1 - Shooter who dislikes reloading but likes shooting (Will buy factory if price difference is close enough)
       • 2a1i - Shooter who reloads on occasion
       • 2a1ii - Shooter who reloads regularly
       • 2a1iii - Shooter who reloads to compete
     • 2a2 - Shooter who likes reloading and also likes shooting (Will hardly/never buy factory)
       • 2a2i - Shooter who reloads on occasion
       • 2a2ii - Shooter who reloads regularly
       • 2a2iii - Shooter who simply views gun as unloading device (May not even enjoy shooting)
       • 2a2iv - Shooter who reloads to compete
   • 2b - Shooter who handloads (May also reload and likely enjoys reloading/handloading)
     • 2b1 - Shooter who handloads but has "practical" limits
       • 2b1i - Shooter who handloads occasionally (hunting, etc.)
       • 2b1ii - Shooter who handloads regularly (match shooting, etc.)
     • 2b2 - Shooter who handloads but has "realistic" limits
       • 2b2i - Shooter who handloads occasionally (hunting, etc.)
       • 2b2ii - Shooter who handloads regularly (match shooting, etc.)
     • 2b2 - Shooter who handloads and has no limits
   • 2c - Shooters who wonder why they reload/handload but reload/handload anyways

I’m a hybrid 2a2ii+2b2i. I handload and reload, mostly for hunting but also for love of load development and just plain plinking. I will develop a load just to see if it does what I predict it will do based on a powder’s “personality” and a gun’s “character.” Sometimes those work out better or worse than expected but that’s just all part of the learning experience.
I can’t remember the last factory ammo that I bought but my last “new-to-me” cartridge is .40S&W and I’ve got a bunch of boxed ammo I bought with the gun that I never even opened so it’s probably the last I bought. I started off with handloads in my Springfield xDM 4.5”.

 

[Remington1911]

You certainly need to have your head in the game especially when loading for someone else or that could very well happen.

You need to have it "in the game" all the time when making bombs you plan on setting off in your hand.

Back when the boy was home my wife would tell him to leave me alone when I was reloading, I might blow myself up. That joke did not go the way she thought to a 6yr old.

 

[Remington1911]

I’m in a similar situation: I CAN retire and my income won’t take much of a hit - the loss of salary is about equal to the cost of working - but I will lose my free Cadillac health insurance benefits. And I get more benefits the longer I keep working up to age 65 - about six years. So if I stick around another six, my retirement income nearly doubles and I keep the health plan plus bonuses. It’s not as easy a decision as it sounds. But, one thing is I’m getting pressure from family to quit hunting. They’re worried I might have a heart attack in a stand, alone, with no way to get help. That complicates things.

Same place, If I hang out those two years my monthly goes up $1200....some days it is not worth it.

 

[Remington1911]

No, you won't reload for me and I would never ask you to do so. I have had 3 people graciously offer to reload for me or provided ammo for me to test. I shoot 6.5 Grendel. The first person the person that got me into 6.5 Grendel. I gave him a bunch of once fired brass and 1/3 he returned as loaded SST 123 gr. ammo, which was wonderful. He was happy. I was happy...until I tried shooting his reloads. Apparently, he really didn't shoot 6.5 Grendel. He shot .264 lbc. Grendel goes into .264 lbc but .264 lbc doesn't want to go into Grendel. He told me that I must have a short chamber. That was a flop. Later, when he bought an actual 6.5 Grendel barrel for a new build, he learned all out supposed "short chambers," LOL. Funny how the short chambers fire factory ammo just fine.

The next guy wanted me to test some bullets on hogs and wanted me to send him my barrel so that he could load to exact chamber dimensions for maximum accuracy. At the time, I only had the one rifle for hunting and that would be a problem. So I just suggested he reload to standard factory dimensions and not worry about minor changes in accuracy as I don't shoot that good. We went round and round, him being the expert and me being the idiot. In the end, he loaded to my less than precise and sloppy (in his opinion) factory dimensions and the ammo shot just under 1 MOA. I was thrilled. He was disappointed and never reloaded for me again because I wasn't willing to work with him. For all I know, the ammo was even better than that, but I am not. That is my reality. I am having a really good day if I manage a sub MOA 5 shot group.

Guy number 3, a long time reloader, understood the requirements perfectly and then did what he wanted to do. About 1/3 of the rounds would not chamber. He also claimed I had a short chamber and told me factory ammo was loaded short. I pulled some factory ammo and that was not what the calipers indicated and I showed him. Still, somehow the fault was with my rifle as his ammo (he claimed) was perfect because it ran in his guns.

Remington1911 mention how his time was important to him. Same here. So, I don't reload. Yes, I am not saving $$$$$$ by reloading, but I am saving time and given what my time is worth, reloading actually costs me more money than factory ammo. And yes, I know some people really enjoy it and figure it is time well spent and I am hugely pleased that they have found something that makes them happy. Me, not so much. I have other things I really enjoy, LOL. Reloading just seems to be a frustrating exercise in trying to load consistent ammo while not getting blown up.

I started it because of the goof ball calibers I load for. I wanted to shoot those old "army" guns and in many cases the ammo is not available, or is expensive or not good for the rifle. That filtered into old sporting cartridges that are no longer made (Remington rimless) and off on that area.

After I did it for a while I found I really enjoy every aspect of it, and now reload for all my rifles, and have the "stuff" for all handgun flavors as well. The handguns fall into the zombie thing....I can but I don't do it very often.

On that guy I told the story about above he shoots those elephant rifles, and in good days some of that stuff was touching $5 per trigger pull. He started it to save money, then he moved into shooting different hand gun games and now he loads more handgun then he does the rifle.

Point I am trying to make is reloading might open up other doors you never thought you would like.....that can be good or bad, bad if you want to save money, new things always want money.

 

[Remington1911]

I’m a hybrid 2a2ii+2b2i. I handload and reload, mostly for hunting but also for love of load development and just plain plinking. I will develop a load just to see if it does what I predict it will do based on a powder’s “personality” and a gun’s “character.” Sometimes those work out better or worse than expected but that’s just all part of the learning experience.
I can’t remember the last factory ammo that I bought but my last “new-to-me” cartridge is .40S&W and I’ve got a bunch of boxed ammo I bought with the gun that I never even opened so it’s probably the last I bought. I started off with handloads in my Springfield xDM 4.5”.

That was one thing that hooked me, my best example, and my go to is one of my Carcano rifles. With PPU factory I was lucky to hit 8.5x11 paper, with my loads that same rifle went to minute of soft ball time after time. That single experience set the hook hard and I have the most fun playing with new recipes for cartridges.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Not exactly the same topic but related.

I have acquaintances that regularly ask if I will sell them primers because I have inventory and they don’t.

Early in the beginning of these shortages I was helping a few folks out but I had to start saying no or I would have ended up selling off my stock.

Many of these people are fellow competitive shooters that have enough experience to have known better. I don’t feel sorry for them anymore

If you’re a professional competitive shooter, I can see giving away or selling from your private stock to non-competitive shooters - it advertises your sponsors and, in the end, that’s why they sponsor competitors - but if competing is a hobby - your avocation not your vocation - then you’re just giving or selling to people who, like you say, knew better and decided not to plan ahead.

 

[Nature Boy]

No one is shooting high power matches and earning a living from it.

Where I shoot is the home range for the US Service Rifle team. Those guys and gals were well stocked and prepared.

Some of my fellow F Class shooters, not so much.

One nice thing about where I shoot is that some of these teams are sponsored and we can tag along with them in a group buy. That’s how I was able to acquire 16lbs of Vihtavouri powder during the height of the shortage for pre-pandemic prices

 

[Seedy Character]

I had 1 friend ask me to teach him to reload. That was 35 years ago.

I had my oldest son reloading shotshell when he was in HS. He just buys factory, now. Unless he can snatch some of mine.

I have involved 3 grandsons, that showed interest. The oldest has a complete set up and loads a lot. The 16 yo, I still weigh powder charges, he does the rest. The 10 yo deprimes with Lee Universal die, puts them in to clean and sorts when finished.

Until the shortage, nobody asked. Since, 3 have asked me for ammo. Only 1, my brother, got anything. He doesn't shoot much, mostly when he was here, visiting Mom. He bought a 686 4" and we all know the availability of .357 & .38. I had some factory .38 target. He got 50 rounds. .38 +P, he got 50 rounds and .357 125 gr HP, he got 20 rounds.

Next trip, he gave me 50 .38, 18 +P and 6 .357 brass and got 50 .38 Cowboy loads.

Some have shot my reloads, in my guns; but that is family or good friends.

A Cowboy shooter and I became friends. He had just started reloading and was not finding powder. I sold him a canister of Trail Boss. I offered to sell it. He had asked what powders I used and where I found them. He said he wanted to try Trail Boss, but had never seen any. He never asked me to sell him anything. He was hesitant when I offered, but agreed after I told him it wouldn't leave me short. (I had 24 canisters and use it only for Cowboy Action shooting. Plinking loads are from the 4# jug of 700X.)
He loves Trail Boss, BTW. Wasn't happy, nor was I, to learn of it's demise.

I don't make a habit of telling I reload or have a stash. The 2 good friends that reload are 9 - 12 hours away.

It would have been easy to make big bucks selling reloads, using cheap component stash. But, then I wouldn't have a stash and forced to replace at today's inflated price.
Add in the liability and it is a hard NOPE, not happening.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

He loves Trail Boss, BTW. Wasn't happy, nor was I, to learn of it's demise.

I don’t “think” it’s gone forever, just this year and through 2023 as ADI goes back to regular production. At least, that’s what I’ve seen officially from ADI.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Which group/subgroup do you belong to?

None of what you have listed, LOL. It fails to include people that shoot a lot and who use factory ammo. I am one of those, so much so that I have even managed to gain an ammo sponsor (Druid Hill Armory), gun sponsor (Lone Star Armory) and a brass catcher sponsor (Tactical Brass Recovery) in the last few years. I even own my own pistol and rifle ranges.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

None of what you have listed, LOL. It fails to include people that shoot a lot and who use factory ammo. I am one of those, so much so that I have even managed to gain an ammo sponsor (Druid Hill Armory), gun sponsor (Lone Star Armory) and a brass catcher sponsor (Tactical Brass Recovery) in the last few years. I even own my own pistol and rifle ranges.

1C

 

[Dogleg7]

Something else I have run into is a friend, neighbor or relative wants some ammo but doesn't have any brass. They always say "just use your brass and I WILL BRING IT BACK TO YOU". 50+ years of reloading and I have never gotten the brass back, not even once.

 

[LiveLife]

None of what you have listed, LOL. It fails to include people that shoot a lot and who use factory ammo.

So you are type 1c or 1d shooter - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/no-i-won’t-make-you-ammo.913424/page-4#post-12485822

1. Shooter who use factory ammo

• 1a - Shooter who hardly ever shoot
• 1b - Shooter who is a recreational shooter
• 1c - Shooter who is an avid shooter
• 1d - Shooter who competes
  • 1d1 - Shooter who competes with any factory ammunition
  • 1d2 - Shooter who competes with tested most accurate factory ammunition
  • 1d3 - Shooter who competes with match ammunition
• 1e - Shooters who wonder why they have guns but shoot anyways