Same here!IIRC, too young & stupid to be nervous ... all of my energy bound up in the exCITEment of it all.
Started loading Shotshells at 14 with no supervision. And 44 max loads at 18, again, no supervision.
Were you tense shooting your first reload?
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Started loading Shotshells at 14 with no supervision. And 44 max loads at 18, again, no supervision.
Not all that nervous
I Started reloading at the age of 11, under the dutiful and hawk-like supervision of a very good friend (whose absence is, to this day, sorely felt). Despite my youthful wish to "hotload" the ammo right off the bat, my mentor counseled restraint with the charge weight.
When I touched them off at the range, I knew the load was well under maximum (6.5/Unique/230 LRN), and was being shot from a revolver more than capable of handling twice the generated chamber pressures (Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk).
At the age of 11, I was also probably too inexperienced to imagine all the things that could POSSIBLY go wrong. If I was starting out tomorrow, having never loaded a single round, I'D be SWEATING bullets, as much as seating them.
I Started reloading at the age of 11, under the dutiful and hawk-like supervision of a very good friend (whose absence is, to this day, sorely felt). Despite my youthful wish to "hotload" the ammo right off the bat, my mentor counseled restraint with the charge weight.
When I touched them off at the range, I knew the load was well under maximum (6.5/Unique/230 LRN), and was being shot from a revolver more than capable of handling twice the generated chamber pressures (Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk).
At the age of 11, I was also probably too inexperienced to imagine all the things that could POSSIBLY go wrong. If I was starting out tomorrow, having never loaded a single round, I'D be SWEATING bullets, as much as seating them.
Started reloading 20 years ago, starting with shotshells. Wasn't too worried shooting the first few rounds. Compared to metallic rounds, shotshells are relatively low pressure and I was loading 7/8 oz. powderpuff skeet loads anyway.
Added handgun cartridges about 10 years ago. Was really puckered when I lit off the first few 9mm rounds in a G19. As with most, was very careful and weighed each load coming off of my "previously enjoyed" Dillon SDB, but the first few shots were nerve racking.
Since then, the only oops I've had are two rounds that had primers, but apparently no powder so bullets got lodged in the barrel. Went "pop" instead of "bang".
Added handgun cartridges about 10 years ago. Was really puckered when I lit off the first few 9mm rounds in a G19. As with most, was very careful and weighed each load coming off of my "previously enjoyed" Dillon SDB, but the first few shots were nerve racking.
Since then, the only oops I've had are two rounds that had primers, but apparently no powder so bullets got lodged in the barrel. Went "pop" instead of "bang".
I've been loading for about a year, every new powder and every new workup makes me a little nervous, but not a nervous as the first round out of my 1936 mosin nagant I picked up for $70 at a flea market, it looks like a 80 year old rifle. . . a sand bag, well two, one over the chamber and one under it. A long string and a a pickup truck for cover
Stripesdude
Member
I wore welding gloves and covered my face. It was anticlimactic.
My first load was 9mm. I was so nervous I used my left ahnd and put a 2ft dia tree trunk between the pistol and my body! ROFLOL Put the first round into the sand bank.
After that, it felt right and the tension was gone. Worst pat for me was that I had never been around reloading and had no mentor. Spent 30 days studying the press and how it worked before I ever put anything in the stages.
After that, it felt right and the tension was gone. Worst pat for me was that I had never been around reloading and had no mentor. Spent 30 days studying the press and how it worked before I ever put anything in the stages.
bangswitch
Member
I wasn't the least bit nervous; I gave 'em to somebody else to shoot. He didn't blow up, so I figured it was okay for me to try them.
Not really. And I wasn't nervous. I followed the book and didn't load max loads, used once fired brass. What could go wrong? It was .308, BTW.
He didn't blow up, so I figured it was okay for me to try them.Not really. And I wasn't nervous. I followed the book and didn't load max loads, used once fired brass. What could go wrong? It was .308, BTW.
A Pause for the Coz
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Yea!!! It was 38 special using a LEE Whack a Mole.
I loaded up, Pointed at a big stump, Turned my head and touched her off.
bang.... Not a big bang ether. Was not near max.
I turned back in amazement. HEY I AM NOT DEAD!!!!!
I loaded up, Pointed at a big stump, Turned my head and touched her off.
bang.... Not a big bang ether. Was not near max.
I turned back in amazement. HEY I AM NOT DEAD!!!!!
I was feeling a little tense, to say the least...
I had taught myself how to reload by reading the Speer 14, lurking forums and watching you tube videos.
The salesman that sold me my reloading set-up, took advantage of my inexperience. Sold me some 90 gr, 9MM Luger bullets that he couldn't unload on anyone else.
At the time, I didn't know where to find load data for them.
I asked on another forum and used the starting load from some anonymous stranger on the interwebs!
I loaded up a whopping 5 bullets and set out to the range.
In the end, it all worked out... Don't do it the way I did it, kids
I had taught myself how to reload by reading the Speer 14, lurking forums and watching you tube videos.
The salesman that sold me my reloading set-up, took advantage of my inexperience. Sold me some 90 gr, 9MM Luger bullets that he couldn't unload on anyone else.
At the time, I didn't know where to find load data for them.
I asked on another forum and used the starting load from some anonymous stranger on the interwebs!
I loaded up a whopping 5 bullets and set out to the range.
In the end, it all worked out... Don't do it the way I did it, kids
A Pause for the Coz
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- 339
I had the same guy selling me stuff.... At least his alter ego any way.I was feeling a little tense, to say the least...
I had taught myself how to reload by reading the Speer 14, lurking forums and watching you tube videos.
The salesman that sold me my reloading set-up, took advantage of my inexperience. Sold me some 90 gr, 9MM Luger bullets that he couldn't unload on anyone else.
At the time, I didn't know where to find load data for them.
I asked on another forum and used the starting load from some anonymous stranger on the interwebs!
I loaded up a whopping 5 bullets and set out to the range.
In the end, it all worked out... Don't do it the way I did it, kids
I went in there wet behind the ears and told him as much.
Looking for a good combo for 38 special practice loads.
He set me up with 158gr rnfp lead bullets and 2400.
Not the best match by far.
I had since talked him into a corner about that. *** you doing selling me a magnum pistol powder for a practice load.
Were you out of Unique???
He sheepishly said. I thought thats what you wanted...
Ash hole!!!
I still buy there though, he has the best prices around. But I wont ever ask him a question.
I know what I want before I go in there. There are some places new guys should not go.
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