Reloading as therapy

[Black Snowman]

Anyone else like to do reloading things to calm down and get away from life for a while? When I don't want to do anything or my mind want's to race I still find myself able to sort brass, clean primer pockets, throw charges and tweak dies for hours on end.

This Sunday I spent over 5 hours reloading just because I wanted to. Totally lost track of time had no idea I was doing it that long. My mind was focused on the events at hand. Checking everything, keeping it safe and accurate helps focus my mind and tune out the world. Before I know it I'll have a stack of 100 of this and 200 of that and maybe 20 of my uber-.308 loads.

Then you get to go blast it all off some day

Anyone else staying out of the shrinks office by reloading?

 

[Quantrill]

I never thought of it that way but I know what you mean. To become so absorbed in what you are doing so as to forget all other things , particularly cares and woes. Quantrill

 

[wanderinwalker]

Anyone else staying out of the shrinks office by reloading?

Probably! There is something of a zen-concentration when I sit down at the bench. Whether it is a box of .223 for my AR Service Rifle, or a few hundred .45s for my dad's 1911, reloading seems relaxing. Unless of course one encounters that one powder the measure won't throw properly or a batch of soft .223 brass that keeps shearing rims off in the sizing die (ARGH!! It was FC BTW).

But yes, I do believe there is a certain kind of meditation involved in loading for some people.

 

[Deepdiver]

Works for me, as well - I find it to be a nice distraction for a couple of hours or so.

 

[Dave R]

Definitely theraputic. The concentration drives other thoughts away, giving your mind a rest.

And since I'm playing amateur psychiatrist....

I think that people who work at jobs where you have to deal with lots of problems, and then rarely get to see the direct results of your labor...get a lot of stress from that. That stress is relieved when you can follow the process and then see the direct results of your labor in that shiney box of cartridges, or the nice string on the chronograph, or the tight group on the target. Very satisfying and fulfilling. Kinda healing.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I think that people who work at jobs where you have to deal with lots of problems, and then rarely get to see the direct results of your labor...get a lot of stress from that.

You hit the nail on the head!!

Reloading is relaxing for me, and I definetely like seeing the results of 2-4 hours work sitting in a nice pile of loaded cartridges.

Shooting is also very relaxing and theraputic for me, especially rifle shooting with a very accurate rifle. Again, it's very nice to see the results of your actions.


Unlike work, were you just .... work. It used to be at least the paycheck was worth it, but now a days, in the IT market....uh uh. Go in, fix stuff, go home. Repeat.

 

[Swamprabbit]

Obviously I found the right forum home! Yes, it is relaxing to me especially now that winter is setting in and it is hard to get time to do things outdoors (not enough daylight).

 

[Waitone]

Concentration
Breathing control
Attention to muscle movements
Drone of noise
Repetition of task
Achieving muscle memory
Exclusion of outside thoughts
Focus on muscle movement, breathing, or repeated sound

It is called meditation in the worlds of psychology and religion and it is extremely effective at busting stress.

Shooting
Golf
Reloading

All cause me to forget my troubles for a period of time.

 

[Arub]

Reloading IS therapy!

For all the reasons previously mentioned, I engage in it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Loading your own ammunition is to shooting as cooking is to dining: not necessarily for everyone, but an equal joy for those who pursue the discipline.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

but it never fails that i won't have something that i need....

"damn those are large pistol primers, i thought they were rifle....."

" no more brass?? this can't be right.... "

or i start thinking about improving the tools....

"boy a thrust bearing on this trimmer shaft sure would make trimming smoother, and save wear on the tool....."

"and how could i get the drill chuck on this shaft??..."

but i really don't find it as relaxing i guess... maybe it's the loud music..

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Frankly I think more about reloading then I do about shooting. Shooting is more an act or an activity. Reloading is a science about experiments, results and careful consideration. It is fun to contemplate the advantages of AA2imp over Bullseye in the 45auto with 230 hardball and then go out and prove if you were right or wrong. Once you did this, then you have 231, titegroup or even power pistol to consider. Federal or CCI primers, Starline or Remington brass?

To me this is the relaxing part. It is fun and relaxing to experiment, learn, analyze, and then forumulate a new experiment....

 

[oscar]

I am a Type-A and have a very stressful job. I find reloading very relaxing and good therapy. It is also one of the few manual things that I can do well. I can't paint, saw in a straight line, hang a picture, repair a light, etc. However, I can turn out very good high quality ammo. I have a Dillon 550 now, but loaded on an RCBS Jr for over 20 years. I like the Dillon, but sometimes miss the work on the RCBS.

 

[P95Carry]

Yeah - I think it is indeed great ''therapy'' ... tho in my case, my bench is other side of office so .. i have this constant dilemma whereby after a while I just have to break off and come check emails ... THR and maybe even .. get some damned work done!! (work for self, see?).

It is good tho to get on a ''roll'' .... all is well .... cases are there ... primers abound ... and bullets are waiting .......... settle in and get that rhythm goin. Something about it!

What I like best is ... after a mega session ..... lookin at my now heavy MTM ammo boxes ... full of juicy morcels ... and contemplating how I shall enjoy emptying said morcels!!!